For its spring 2009 session, Fender University has announced that the March 4-8 education program in Corona, Calif., will be topped with special appearances and performances by guitar heroes James Burton, G.E. Smith and John 5, and legendary producer/engineer Eddie Kramer.

Fender University’s “guest faculty” also features guitar aces Gary Hoey, Greg Koch and Wolf Marshall, plus Fender signature artist bass masters Reggie Hamilton and Tony Franklin.  Fender University will also feature a special private concert with guitarist/vocalist Philip Sayce (Jeff Healey, Uncle Kracker) and “class photos” taken by world-renowned rock photographer Robert Knight

Burton is a 2008 inductee into the Fender Hall of Fame. He is revered as a pioneering and extraordinarily influential rock ‘n’ roll guitar master, famous for his lyrical phrasing, impeccable solos and stinging Telecaster® sound.  He rose to fame in the 1950s backing up Ricky Nelson and later earned even more acclaim as an A-list sideman for Elvis Presley, John Denver, Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello and many others.

Smith is highly regarded for his many 1980s-era hits with Hall & Oates, and his work with Bob Dylan, David Bowie and many other artists.  He was a familiar face to millions of TV viewers as musical director for Saturday Night Live from 1985 to 1995.  John 5 is an eclectic shredder’s shredder best known for his light-speed playing with Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie.  Kramer is a recording industry legend who worked on albums by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, AC/DC and many others.

Burton, Smith and 5 are all Fender signature artists with their own distinctive Telecaster guitar models.

Fender University offers a five-day behind-the-scenes music education experience to guitar and bass enthusiasts worldwide at all skill levels.  Students experience a hands-on immersion in the world of Fender products and people, with exclusive access to Fender’s manufacturing headquarters and to the world-renowned Fender Custom Shop, all presented through a series of music workshops, hands-on educational experiences, facility tours, performance opportunities and special guest appearances.

The weeklong music education program was an unqualified success when it was launched in 2007 with a summer session that featured guest artists including Yngwie Malmsteen and Dweezil Zappa.

For further information, visit Fender University online at www.fender.com/university.

With a production record of 80,000 guitars, including the introduction of the SolidBody electric and Liberty Tree T5 guitars, new product innovations and expanded international distribution, Taylor Guitars ended 2008 as a record year of growth.

"We are humbled to have experienced such a successful year," shared Kurt Listug, co-founder and ceo."We recognize that economic times are uncertain and people everywhere are suffering from an increase in prices on day-to-day good and services, but their loyalty and passion for guitar playing continues to fuel our desire to build the very best guitars we can."

In 2008, Taylor set out to usher in new products and expand its global reach. The company kicked off the year at Winter NAMM with the official launch of the SolidBody, generating rave reviews from critics, the industry and players alike. The new models included the SolidBody Custom, the SolidBody Standard, and the SolidBody Classic. Later in the year, Taylor released the SolidBody Classic SC model, featuring a proprietary noiseless single coil pickup. Developed by Taylor's lead designers, the new noiseless single coil delivers strong tonal character, but without the hum, redefining the single coil experience.

DBZ Guitars, Inc. founders Dean Zelinsky and Jeff Diamant announced the official launch of their debut Web site, DBZGuitars.com. Zelinsky, who also founded and eventually sold Dean Guitars, is taking a decidedly more sophisticated direction with his 2009 guitar designs, while still evoking those edgy, sexy Zelinsky style cues for which he has been world-renowned for more than 30 years. The site premieres Zelinsky's roughly 68 new guitar models - electrics and acoustics, imports and USA-made guitars produced in DBZ Guitars' new Chicago area facility -with street prices ranging from $350 to $6,000.

Highlights of the new DBZ line are the Cavallo V, with lines and carves clearly inspired by Ferrari, the DBZ Croc Skin Bolero, the first guitar ever to obtain the look and feel of crocodile skin, and the Imperial, with a super-thin body design which Zelinsky claims to be an "acoustically perfect" solid body electric guitar.

DBZGuitars.com will link to an equally important DBZ Site, "The Dark Side of Dean," which exclusively caters to the heavy metal fans who value Zelinsky's craftsmanship, and will be debuting 21 new guitar designs. Zelinsky stated that this will be an exclusive club. The Dark Side of Dean will be password protected, and only die-hard Dean Zelinsky fans will be admitted. Clues to unlock the mystery of the Dark Side will be located on the DBZGuitars.com site as well as various internet sites.  The Dark Side will also host its own DBZ Dark Side guitars forum.

Zelinsky, along with co-founder Jeff Diamant, launched DBZ Guitars August 26, 2008. Diamant, who founded Diamond Amplification, and Zelinsky will be hosting the DBZ/Diamond Booth #3290, Hall D at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA on January 15, 2009.