The March 2009 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited is their annual Instrument Issue, and this year’s cover story is on Gibson.

The story, by Dave McCarty, is titled When Only A Gibson Is Good Enough. It focuses not on the company’s storied history – largely well known to the bluegrass audience – but on Gibson’s current bluegrass manufacturing facility, known officially within the company as the Original Acoustic Instruments division.

This is where the Gibson banjos, mandolins and Dobro instruments are built, located in the Opry Mills shopping center near the home of the Grand Ole Opry.

McCarty interviews Gibson master luthier (and notable mandolinist) Dave Harvey about the products they produce in Nashville, the challenges the company faces from US and international competition, and building high end stringed instruments in the face of the current economic downturn.

The March issue also has features on Red Diamond Mandolins, Homespun Tapes, Laurie Grundy’s ornate banjos from Australia, and the evolution of the resophonic guitar.

Of course, you’ll also find the BU radio chart, live show calendar and plenty of CD reviews for recent releases.

Find more info on Bluegrass Unlimited – including subscription details – at www.bluegrassmusic.com. They are extending their ‘09 subscription special through March, offering a free CD sampler of your choice for new or renewal subscriptions to the magazine.