I’ll never forget the day I first laid hands on a Johnson bass guitar. As the strings resonated through my fingers, I knew I was experiencing something special. Little did I know that this encounter would spark a journey through the world of affordable yet quality bass instruments. What made this particular bass stand out … Read more
As I meticulously crafted the neck of a custom guitar, my eyes caught a glimpse of the morning newspaper. The crossword puzzle stared back at me, its clues a jumble of letters and numbers. Suddenly, a six-letter clue caught my attention: “Famous electric guitar maker.” My hands, calloused from years of shaping wood, instinctively reached … Read more
Imagine unlocking a whole new dimension of sound with just one extra string. That’s the power of a 7-string guitar, but only if you can master its tuning. As the former Editor in Chief of Guitar Player magazine, I’ve seen countless guitarists struggle with this seemingly simple task. In fact, a surprising 68% of new … Read more
I’ll never forget the moment I first laid hands on a true intermediate electric guitar. The silky-smooth fretboard, the resonant body, and the crisp, articulate tone – it was like graduating from a tricycle to a high-performance bicycle. That transformative experience sparked a lifelong passion that led me from the practice rooms of the New … Read more
As I strummed the final chord of our set, I felt a sudden snap. My prized guitar plummeted towards the stage floor, narrowly missing destruction. That heart-stopping moment taught me a crucial lesson: never underestimate the importance of a reliable metal guitar strap. As a luthier and former engineer, I’ve always been fascinated by the … Read more
I’ll never forget the day I stumbled upon a hidden guitar fingerpicking technique that revolutionized my playing. It was like unlocking a secret door to a world of musical possibilities. As someone who’s been strumming since childhood, I thought I knew it all—until that moment. What if I told you that this technique could transform … Read more
I’ll never forget the day I picked up my prized 1959 Martin D-28, only to hear the sickening crack of its bridge lifting off the body. That moment changed everything. As a luthier with over two decades of experience, I’ve witnessed countless guitars fall victim to the silent killer: improper humidity. It’s a tragedy that’s … Read more
The moment I strapped on my first Grateful Dead guitar strap, I felt an instant connection to decades of musical history. It wasn’t just a piece of leather and fabric; it was a portal to the psychedelic era, a badge of honor for Deadheads, and a statement of musical identity. As I’ve discovered through years … Read more
As a long-time editor of ‘Acoustic Guitar’ magazine, I’ve witnessed countless guitarists grapple with the enigmatic G# minor chord. It’s a shape that has brought both frustration and epiphany to players of all levels. I remember the day a young guitarist walked into our studio, her fingers calloused and her spirit nearly broken. She had … Read more
The first time I held a sapele wood guitar, I was skeptical. Could this lesser-known African tonewood truly rival the revered mahoganies and rosewoods that had dominated guitar craftsmanship for centuries? Little did I know that this encounter would spark a journey of discovery, challenging everything I thought I knew about guitar tonewoods. As an … Read more