In the market for a new guitar and play more in a fingerpicking style as opposed to using a pick? In the following article we’ll break down why some guitars are better suited to fingerpicking than others.
The term ‘Tonewood’ is used to describe wood used in the construction of stringed instruments, chosen for their acoustic properties. In the following article we’re going to explore the world of acoustic guitar tonewoods, and explain how different characteristics of timber such as density, moisture, strength and flexibility influence how an acoustic guitar sounds.
Resonator guitars work by transferring the vibrations from the strings of the guitar, through the bridge directly to a metal cone (or cones), known as a ‘resonator’ cone located within the guitars body. Resonator guitars can feature single cones (biscuit or spider style) or three cones (tricones) which are connected through a T shaped aluminium … Read more
Ever wondered why acoustic guitars needs batteries but your electric doesn’t? It’s not magic, most acoustic guitars use a different type of pickup system to electric guitars, and while this more accurately captures the natural characteristics of the guitar, the signal is much weaker. Because of this, acoustic guitars often require the additional boost in … Read more
If you have been playing for at least a few months, you really should know how to restring your guitar yourself. In this case the cost would be limited to the cost for a set of replacement strings. If you are a beginner however it might be best to have someone at your local music … Read more
Right hand acoustic guitars can be strung left handed. While the shape of an acoustic guitar is symmetrical (unless featuring a cutaway) giving the impression that all that’s required to change orientation is to change the strings around. Attention should also be paid to the nut and saddle which, depending on the guitar, in most … Read more
The first six string acoustic guitar is believed to have been developed in Italy by Italian luthier Gaetano Vinaccia. However the design and standardisation of the modern acoustic guitar, is credited to Spanish Luthier Antonio Torres Jurado. While the evolution of the guitar began perhaps thousands of years earlier, Antonio Torres Jurado working in Sevile, … Read more
Ever wondered why your acoustic guitar has that big old hole right in the middle? Forever the source of frustration, the sarlacc of plectrums, the sound hole actually plays a big role in how an acoustic guitar produces sound, or perhaps more accurately, amplifies sound. In the following article we’re going to take a closer … Read more
Steel string guitars require the addition of a truss rod to be installed in the neck of the guitar to counter the additional tension steel strings place on the guitar. Classical guitars, (in most cases) don’t require the addition of a truss rod because the tension placed on the guitar from nylon strings is minimal … Read more
Ask any experienced guitarist if they think a 40+ year old Martin acoustic would sound better than any current model and you will invariably be met with an overwhelming ‘YES’. And while the brand name obviously carries a degree of weight, the age of the guitar is also highly appealing to guitarists. But why is … Read more