There are a lot of choices out there for the prospective buyer of a fine guitar. It’s no secret; a handmade instrument can cost a lot. For that matter, any of the better guitars purchased from a quality manufacturer is going to command what most people would consider to be a lot of money. Are […]
Buying a First Guitar
Most guitar players start out on a cheaply made factory guitar. I did, back in the 1970’s. I went out the day after I graduated from high school and used the money I had received at my open house party to buy a Japanese-made Ibanez six string at my local music store. Back in those […]
Humidity, Temperature, and Your Guitar
Maintaining your wooden instruments at an appropriate level of humidity year round is vital to their health and well-being. It is surprising how many owners of expensive instruments are unaware of this. I suppose that the primary reason is a lack of educating customers at the time of sale. But I know players who ignore […]
The Science and Theory of Tonewoods
Search out any discussion about tone and tonewoods on the internet and you will quickly find a wide variation of opinions among players and builders alike. However, the majority will almost always list “tonewoods” and/or specific species of Spruce and Cedar as the key to getting the desired tone from a guitar. Indeed, many beginning […]
Baking Tops
A number of guitar builders (including a couple of well-known factory-made brands) follow the practice of baking the Spruce tops in an oven at low heat prior to using them in the construction of an instrument. This practice has caused a lot of discussion among luthiers and more than a little skepticism. According to some, […]
