Our bumper review of the year’s news continues with another mix of good and bad news, new additions and departures…

Faith reaches Africa

Burgeoning UK guitar brand, Faith Guitars, reaches South Africa, striking a distribution deal with Paul Bothner Music.

Music Technology Show canned

Another attempt at putting on a consumer show in the UK hits the skids.

Ovation makes a comeback

Iconic bowl-backed acoustic brand returns to production in the US

Nothing to see here

Fender, Guitar Center and Gibson all declared officially innocent of price-fixing.

Doubts over Premier future

A series of departures and the closure of its Stockport office throws doubt on the UK drum brand.

Manuel Rodriguez brings guitar-making back home

Spanish classical specialist increases domestic production.

Aria commits to UK after MD departs

Matt Joule leaves but the UK operation continues, says Japan.

Carbon fibre bet for Peavey

Composite Acoustics division invests in new material for acoustics.

Dawsons goes VR

New tech enables online browsers to have an in-store experience.

Gremlin expands

New clutch of European distributors for folk instrument specialist.

Vic Firth

Drum market icon passes away, aged 85.

Vater exclusive for Westside

Exclusive deal takes drum line from Active Distribution.

Rotosound starts caring

New line launches UK brand icon into guitar care market.

Sabian’s German Pearl deal

Pearl becomes exclusive distributor for cymbals and accessories.

M&T adds Zildjian

German exclusive for Musik Meyer division.