Recording King has introduced three new models – two new solid top guitars and a very special, limited edition banjo.

The Bill Sullivan Tribute Banjo is being offered exclusively through First Quality Musical Supply, and is being offered as a legacy to First Quality founder Bill Sullivan. Bill was a life-long friend to the banjo world who built his company from a basement shop to one of the largest suppliers and retailers in the US before his sudden passing in September of 2007.

First Quality continues on in its founder’s absence, and the folks at Recording King have created this special instrument in Bill’s memory.

The Sullivan Tribute has a mahogany neck and resonator, a bound ebony fingerboard, nickel plated hardware and a style 6, mother-of-pearl headstock and fingerboard inlay. The pot assembly features a 3 ply maple rim, flathead tone ring and one piece flange. The arm rest and tailpiece are hand-engraved and each truss rod cover is engraved and numbered.

Only 50 of these special banjos will be made, each selling for $1499 with a hard shell case.

The new Recording King RD-06 and RD-07 guitars are targeted at guitarists looking for a quality solid-top instrument at a budget price. These two dreadnaught models start at just over $300 and are available with either mahogany or rosewood back and sides. Both have solid spruce tops.

Styled after classic pre war guitars, these two new models are made with scalloped forward X-bracing, mahogany necks and rosewood fingerboards.

These models will also be offered in a 000 body size (with no pickguard) and a cutaway, electrified version.

There are no further details on the 06 and 07 models on their website, but any Recording King dealer should be able to tell you more.

A recent edition of the How It’s Made program, broadcast on The Science Channel, focused on the banjo – and how it’s made.

To film this segment, the producers and crew visited First Quality Musical Supply in Louisville, KY where The Sullivan Banjos are made. This led to a roughly five minute piece on the show which follows the construction of a banjo from rough wood cutting to final assembly and set up.

The First Quality folks have made the video available on YouTube for anyone who missed the show last week.

Tonight’s (11/18) edition of BanjoTalk will be a Bill Sullivan Tribute show.

BanjoTalk is a live, online, call-in radio show hosted by Dave Pericone at BanjoTalk.com. The show begins at 8:00 p.m. (EST), with Eric Sullivan (Bill’s son) joining David to remember the many contributions Bill Sullivan made to the banjo and bluegrass community before his sudden death in September of this year.

David asks all of Bill’s many fans, friends or customers to call in this evening to share their thoughts and remembrances. To call during the show, the number is 877-288-9933 (PIN # 8255).

Memories and thoughts can also be shared by email.

Mike Bucayu of First Quality Musical Supply in Louisville, KY has announced that Bill Sullivan, who founded the company nearly 40 years ago, passed away this afternoon. Anyone who plays bluegrass music – at any level – has quite probably done business with First Quality. They have been strong supporters of bluegrass artists, events and education since the company became a full time venture for Bill and his sons, Eric and Jeff in 1982.

Here is what Mike posted over at The Banjo Hangout:

It saddens us to bring the news of the loss of Bill Sullivan early this afternoon. He was surrounded by his family and close friends at the time of his passing. He will be dearly missed by so many, although his legacy will continue on through his contributions to the banjo world.

Please keep the Sullivans in your thoughts and prayers.

You can read how Bill described the history of First Quality on their web site.

Especially in the banjo world, Bill was a giant, and he will be sorely missed both personally and professionally. The Bluegrass Blog extends our condolences to both the Sullivan and First Quality families.

UPDATE 9/24: Jeff Sullivan has posted the following at The Banjo Hangout:

For those of you who posted on thread not knowing he was sick, he was not. He was sharp [as] a tack and was so much looking forward to seeing all his friends at this years IBMA. He was working weekends leading up to this event with so much excitement to show and introduce the new line of Sullivan Banjos and the new break throughs that he and Eric have been working on over the last two years. He was down here yesterday working with Eric and I, what a wonderful day. Last night in the early evening, he had a rupture of one of the blood vessels in his brain. The bleeding could not be stopped in time to save his life, he passed early today with his family by his side in peace and with no pain.

UPDATE 9/25: Bill’s obituary appeared in this morning’s edition of the Louisville Courier-Journal. It includes information about funeral arrangements:

Funeral services will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday at Heady- Hardy Funeral Home, 7710 Dixie Hwy., with a graveside service 11 a.m. Thursday at Resthaven Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of funeral service Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Crusade for Children through the Pleasure Ridge Park Volunteer Fire Department, Station 3, 8506 Terry Road, Louisville, KY 40258.