Hagstrom Guitars, the iconic Swedish guitar brand known for its rich legacy, innovative designs, and devoted artist following, has officially relaunched in North America under new distribution leadership.

With a celebrated legacy of crafting instruments played by legends including Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Kurt Cobain and Pat Smear, Hagstrom is poised to captivate a new generation of American musicians with its unique blend of heritage, innovation, and unparalleled playability.  

After years of anticipation from North American retailers, collectors, and players, the brand is now positioned to once again become a leading name in musical instrument stores.

The new distribution company MMS Music is being spearheaded by Michael Mascellaro, a veteran in the musical instrument industry with over 25 years of international experience. “We’re thrilled to reintroduce Hagstrom to North America,” said Michael Mascellaro. “Hagstrom has an undeniable legacy, its designs are unique, its build quality is unmatched, and its artist roster is a testament to its staying power. I’ve worked across the global MI industry for more than two decades, and it’s truly an honor to represent such a storied brand here in North America.”

“As we recently celebrated Hagstrom’s 100th anniversary in 2025, we’re proud to mark the occasion with a firm return to the North American market commencing in 2026”, said Karl Erik Hagstrom. “North American players have always been an essential part of our legacy, and we’re excited to once again offer them the instruments that reflect a century of innovation, craftsmanship, and dedication to music.”

Hagstrom’s “official relaunch” came in January at NAMM 2026 in Anaheim, showcasing their full product line of electric guitars and basses, including reissues of beloved vintage models like the Viking and newer innovations that reflect Hagstrom’s signature blend of tradition and forward-thinking design including the Fantomen, Krona. Adina, Megin and Nekromant models.

Retailers and musicians alike can expect improved availability, service, and support as Hagstrom establishes a stronger footprint In the USA and Canada.

Algam SAS (Nantes, France), the leading European distributor of musical instruments, professional audio equipment, and lighting, is proud to announce its new subsidiary, Algam USA. This strategic expansion marks Algam’s commitment to bringing high-quality products and unparalleled distribution expertise to the American market.

Algam USA will be headquartered in California, a state synonymous with innovation as well as a dynamic music scene. This new venture will be spearheaded by CEO Matt McDevitt, a seasoned MI with over two decades of experience in the industry.

“We are incredibly excited to launch Algam USA,” said Gérard Garnier, President of Algam. “Our expansion into the United States represents a significant milestone in Algam’s growth strategy. With Matt McDevitt leading the charge and the support of the whole Algam organization, we are confident that Algam USA will successfully bring exceptional brands and innovative solutions to a new audience of musicians and audio professionals.”

Algam USA will serve as the exclusive distributor of LAG Guitars, along with other esteemed brands under the Algam portfolio. Musicians and retailers across the United States can now access Algam’s renowned products, known for their superior craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology[MM1] .

Under McDevitt’s leadership, Algam USA aims to foster strong relationships with American retailers and musicians, ensuring that Algam’s products meet the high standards of the U.S. market. The subsidiary will provide a modern approach to distribution with a focus on American marketing strategies, providing exceptional customer service, technical support, and educational resources to its clients.

“Joining Algam to lead Algam USA is a tremendous honor,” said Matt McDevitt, CEO of Algam USA. “I look forward to working closely with our team to deliver the quality, service and market innovation that Algam is known for. We are committed to building a strong presence in the U.S. to support musicians in their creative endeavors.”

Benjamin Garnier, General Manager of Algam, who has been instrumental in the European and Asian expansion of Algam, added, “The launch of Algam USA is a testament to our continued growth and dedication to the global music community. We believe our presence in the United States will further solidify our position as a leading distributor of musical instruments, pro audio equipment, and lighting.”

The company’s commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service has established Algam as a trusted name in the industry.

See us at the NAMM show Booth 5720.

Please get in touch for any further info or to book an appointment.

Contact: Algam USA Email: press@algamusa.com Phone: (877) 420-5533

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Radial Engineering has announced that Ryan Juchnowski has been promoted to the role of Product Manager. A 17-year veteran of the company, Juchnowski previously held a dual position at Radial as product specialist and trade show manager. 

In his new role as Product Manager, Juchnowski will oversee the execution of Radial’s expanded product roadmap and lead the product development team’s focus on Radial’s commitment to design, engineer, and market world-class audio products designed around customers’ expressed needs and pain points.

Juchnowski has a Recording Arts diploma and brings multi-instrument playing experience as well as music retail experience to his new role. He spent the early part of his career at Radial working alongside company founder Peter Janis.

“Ryan is a natural fit for the Product Manager role as it relates to Radial’s commitment to designing, engineering, and marketing new products focused on the needs of players and audio professionals,” said Roc Bubel, Director of Sales and Marketing for Radial. “The opportunity to have someone with Ryan’s mix of industry experience as well as familiarity with Radial’s processes and people means a smooth and seamless transition for greater success in creating industry-leading products that address the needs of players and audio professionals at all levels.”

For more information, visit Radial online at www.radialeng.com.

D’Addario, the world-renowned manufacturer of musical instrument accessories, is marking its 50th anniversary with a series of special offerings that highlight the company’s rich history and enduring legacy.

“Our anniversary is a testament to our dedication to providing musicians with the tools and accessories that inspire their highest level of performance,” said Jim D’Addario, Founder & Chairman, D’Addario. “We’ve created these special offerings to invite our customers, partners, and employees to share in our celebration, as we remain grateful for their ongoing support. As we look to the future, we look forward to continuing to inspire and empower musicians for many more generations.”

While the D’Addario brand celebrates 50 years, the family’s string-making tradition dates back over 400 years. To share this incredible journey, D’Addario has launched a scrollable digital timeline on its website. This immersive retrospective offers visitors a glimpse into the company’s evolution—from its humble beginnings in Italy, crafting strings from sheep intestines, to becoming a global leader in the music accessories industry. In just minutes, visitors can explore generations of knowledge and innovation that define D’Addario’s story.

As part of the celebration, D’Addario is also releasing a limited-edition line of vintage-inspired merchandise that reflects the look and feel of the brand that musicians first fell in love with. The collection includes T-shirts, hats, and other memorabilia that connect long-time players as well as a whole new generation, to the brand’s iconic visual identity.

Additionally, D’Addario is releasing a limited edition 50th Anniversary Collector’s tin featuring the original packaging of Phosphor Bronze (acoustic) and XL (electric) strings, paying tribute to the brand’s very first groundbreaking strings.

D’Addario has also launched a multi-episode documentary series titled “Jim’s Corner.” In this series, Jim D’Addario sat down for 50 hours of interviews, offering an in-depth oral history of the company that will preserve the company’s story for future generations. Jim’s unique brand of storytelling captures his relentless pursuit of innovation that has driven D’Addario’s growth and leadership in the music industry.

The anniversary celebrations will culminate with “A World-Class Evening of Classical Guitar,” a special concert being held at Guild Hall in East Hampton on Saturday, Sept. 28. The event revives a D’Addario tradition from the 1970s, when Jim and Janet D’Addario established their original classical guitar concert series. This year’s concert is featuring legendary classical guitarists who have long been connected to D’Addario, including Paco Peña, Ben Verdery, and Badi Assad, and emerging icons Xuefei Yang and the Davisson Duo. The event highlights D’Addario’s ongoing support for musicians across the globe.

For more information on D’Addario’s 50th anniversary celebrations, please visit daddario.com.

Korg USA announces that, following an extensive search, experienced MI industry veterans Kate Moyer and Anoush Saboktakin have joined the company’s sales and marketing team to help shape and achieve its future goals. Moyer will now be the Bass Brand Category Manager, which accounts for all products within the Spector, Aguilar, and Darkglass brands. Saboktakin will now be the Guitar Amplifier Category Manager, which accounts for all products within the Blackstar and Vox brands.

Korg USA’s Director of Sales Matt Phillips states, “Category Managers will serve as a key link between Korg USA and our manufacturing partners. They will develop, present, and evaluate sales and marketing strategies aligned with the manufacturer’s objectives for each product or category.”

Kate Moyer has an extensive background in the musical instrument business and sales, having served in key roles with major suppliers and retailers in the trade. Before Korg USA, she brought her skills to play at Guitar Center, Aguilar Amplification, and Sadowsky Guitars. 

More recently Moyer led the sales and operations teams at Equinox. In this role she spearheaded initiatives to design and execute training programs for over 30 of the organization’s coaches, leading to improvement in client attrition, session volume, and SPU. Under her guidance, conversion increased 12 percent MoM and KPI lead generation consistently performed 120 percent+ to goal. Moyer studied Music Business and Audio Production at State University of New York Oneonta. 

For over two decades Anoush Saboktakin has used his sales leadership and analytical abilities to contribute significantly to increased revenue growth for major players in the musical instrument realm. His tenure with Guitar Center stretches back to 2001, where he first served as sales manager in Los Angeles, before advancing to serve as vintage & premium sales & training manager for GC in New York City. 

Saboktakin has led comprehensive training programs for sales staff, successfully conducted sales & inventory acquisition, and has consistently outperformed sales growth projections. He consistently ranked within the top-10 in sales performance for vintage & premium instruments during his time at Guitar Center. Saboktakin holds a Bachelor of Music, Commercial & Media Writing from California State University Northridge, with added certifications from Santa Monica College and Fullstack Academy Data Analytics Training Accelerator (DATA).

Phillips concludes, “We’re thrilled to welcome Kate and Anoush to our team. Their combined experience and passion for the industry will undoubtedly drive our brands to new heights!”