Kimberly guitars were originally made in 1960s and 1970s by Kawai for distribution in the USA by Limmco, Inc. In the 1990s and 2000s the Kimberly brand was used the Korean Kimex Trading Company for Korean and Chinese made instruments.

Source: Kimex Trading Co. website (archived 2008)

Hammertone instruments are made by George Furlanetto (of F-Bass) in Hamilton, Ontario. The best known Hammertone instruments are electric mando-guitars.

Beltona was established in 1990 as a partnership between Steve Evans and Bill Johnson.  Evans and Johnson (a luthier and engineer respectively) shared an interest in resonator instruments, and set out to produce a couple of instruments for themselves replicating the best features of the originals but also making adjustments and improvements where they were needed. The business grew from this, producing high quality metal instruments at a time when these were not being made by anyone else. Beltona continues to break new ground by producing quality, handcrafted carbon and glass fibre instruments. The idea for this came in the mid 1990s primarily to cut down on production costs and time to be able to keep the instruments affordable.   The unexpected discovery of the other advantages of this material over metal was a huge bonus. The improvements are in the areas of sound projection, weight, strength and ease/speed of production.

John R. Zeidler (born 1958) was a maker of archtop guitars. After graduating from high school Zeidler worked for Augostino LoPrinzi,in Rosemont, N.J. In 1977, he opened his own workshop on South Street in Philadelphia, where he made and repaired guitars and also made mandolins and violins. He moved to Wallingford, P.A. in 2000. When he was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia, his fellow guitar makers (coordinated by Linda Manzer) came together in support. They made a collaborative guitar with many of Zeidler’s touches and using wood he chose. The guitar traveled across the continent to the shop of every builder - each of them adding his or her own touch to it, then passing it to the next builder. The guitar was sold to cover some of John’s medical expenses, and to help his family after he died in May 2002.

Michael Stevens makes electric electric guitars, basses and mandolins in Alpine Texas.  Michael’s career as a luthier began in the Bay area in 1967 when he teamed up with Larry Jameson at the first location of Guitar Resurrection in Oakland. Jameson was a traditionalist who liked to work by hand. Michael brought to the team a knowledge of tools and an understanding of mechanical drawing.  In 1974, Michael left Guitar Resurrection to pursue a career in his first passion, horses. He trained Arabian show horses for four years. He reunited with Larry Jameson in 1978 at the new Guitar Resurrection workshop in Austin, Texas. Soon after, Michael opened up his own shop in Austin and his first big job was Christopher Cross’ well known Strat shaped double-neck guitar as well as the Paul Glasse electric mandolin and the Roscoe Beck – Spencer Starnes six string basses.

Bruce Sexauer (born 1947) is a maker of acoustic guitars, mandolins and violins. Bruce maintains an inventory of every guitar and mandolin he has ever made on his website. In March 2022, at the age of 75, Bruce stopped accepting customer commissions for instruments, but he continues to make instruments as and when he pleases. When younger he built instruments at a rate of around 10 per year.

Source: Bruce Sexauer web page (6 July 2022)

Playmate was a brand name used by Dean for a range of entry level electric, acoustic, classical and bass guitars - as well as banjos and mandolins. The Playmates series started around 2003 - possibly earlier

Source: Dean Guitars website - Playmate Series (archived 2008)