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The Acoustic Guitar Tuner

Written by Scott on June 24, 2011 · Leave a Comment


Acoustic Guitar TunerGuitar tuners are an essential part of getting your instrument ready to play. Using an electronic tuner means that you no longer have to rely on tuning by listening. This provides a welcome break from thinking you’ve nearly got the sound right to actually seeing it’s there on a dial. A good guitar tuner, be it for an electronic or acoustic guitar, will have a good display which shows not only when the string is in tune but also sounds to tell you.

Acoustic guitars made from wood generally flex a bit so as you tune them and change the tension on one string, it affects the tension on the other strings. This in turn changes the tuning. An acoustic tuner is great here as you can make several tunings to iterate to the point when the whole guitar stabilises and is in tune. It might take two or three goes until the guitar body firms up.

There’s also a difference between steel and nylon strings to consider. Nylon strings often take a bit longer to settle down so you’ll need a bit of patience. Going through the iteractions using an acoustic tuner is invaluable here. If you find your guitar struggles to stay in tune it could be the tuning forks or maybe the fact that your strings are just too old. Have a look at them to see if they have been flattened at the contact points on with the fretboard.

 


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Advantages of an Acoustic Electric Guitar

Written by Scott on January 30, 2011 · Leave a Comment



acoustic electric guitarThe most common instrument used by singer-songwriters is the guitar. There are many different types of guitars used, but they are generally divided into two main types-acoustic guitars and electric guitars. Of course, any time you to classify something, there is always a few items that don’t fit neatly into your categories. This time, it is the acoustic electric guitar that defies categorization. These highly versatile instruments have elements of both acoustic and electric guitars. They are actually preferred by many musicians, especially for live performance.

Exactly what is an acoustic electric guitar? This instrument-sometimes referred to as the elecoustic guitar-is basically a standard acoustic guitar that has been modified to include transducers or other parts that allow for amplification. The fact that it is really an acoustic guitar at heart makes it different from a semi-acoustic guitar. The semi-acoustic is actually an electric guitar with added sound chambers.

Acoustic-electrics can differ in the volume and quality of the sounds they produce. Early models of the instrument had regular guitar pickups added, but these were not very efficient at pickup up the vibrations of the strings. Likewise, classical acoustic electric models tend to produce less amplification volume. But the best acoustic-electrics are fitted with piezoelectric pickups and a preamplifier. This setup ensures that the instrument is ready to be connected with an amplifier.

The quality of bridge pickups on modern elecoustics can produce rich, dynamic audio. Their preamplifiers are fitted with controls to adjust the equalization of the sound before it ever gets to the amplification system. Some have the ability to control up to six separate frequency bands. This design is an excellent alternative the bulkier microphones.

With the amplified acoustic sound, these acoustic electric guitars are the instruments of choice for many singer-songwriters and classical guitarists. You have the look, feel and sound of an acoustic guitar. However, you also gain control over resonance, tone and volume.




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Gibson Acoustic Guitars

Written by Scott on January 15, 2011 · Leave a Comment



acoustic guitarsFew musical instruments are as versatile or as popular as the guitar. It is at home in almost any genre of music and any style of song. Among the different types of guitars, the acoustic guitar is used by more musicians, regardless of their skill level or playing ability.

Gibson has proven itself over time to be one of the elite acoustic guitar manufacturers. While it is true that they also produce electric guitars, it is Gibson acoustic guitars that have elevated them to fame and recognition.

Let’s take a look at some of the more popular Gibson acoustic guitars being manufactured today. The Gibson J45 has been on the market for many years-it was first introduced in 1942-but it remains an icon of acoustic guitars in general and Gibson in particular.

The Gibson J45 is regarded by guitarists has having excellent playability. The model is prized for the warm bass tones it can produce. The way it projects sound is also a positive factor. Musicians often refer to it as the best guitar they ever owned. It is available in both rosewood and mahogany, each of which lends a slightly different tone.

Another iconic model from this great company is the Gibson Dove. This steel-stringed acoustic dreadnought first appeared in 1962 and was used by Elvis Presley. The history of the Dove includes some peaks and valleys in quality. It was re-imagined in 2007 as one of Gibson’ Modern Classics and saw many improvements in playability. The newer versions are also more durable and can produce a higher quality sound than models from the middle years of the Dove’s history.

Gibson describes the SJ-200 as the “world’s most famous acoustic guitar.” The SJ designation identifies this guitar as a “super jumbo.” The line can be traced back to its introduction in 1937 but saw great popularity in the 1950s. Today’s version seeks to mimic that popular design and promises a well-balanced tone and sound that is meant to project well from an ensemble.

While Gibson acoustic guitars come with an expensive price tag, there is no doubt that you will get pleny of quality for you money. And with some smart shopping online, especially at auction sites like eBay, you may be able to discover a true bargain.




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Why You Should Get the Best Guitar Case You Can Afford

Written by Scott on December 28, 2010 · Leave a Comment



guitar caseWhen it comes to cases, here’s what every guitar owner should know. A good guitar case is the only way you protect your instrument when transporting it from place to place. You can get either a hard case or a soft one-each has their own pros and cons. If you try to save money on a cheap guitar case, it may compromise the level of protection that the case can offer. Let’s see what you can do to avoid the cost and disappointment of a damaged guitar.

Regardless of how much you paid to purchase your guitar, it most likely seemed like a princely sum to you. If you’re serious about your music, then you probably bought as much guitar as you could afford. So while it may seem that there’s no money left over to purchase a good case, taking your guitar out of the house unprotected is a sure recipe for heartache. A guitar case accomplishes at least two important functions. First of all, it makes it easier to transport your guitar while traveling or going to a gig. Second, it ensures the safety of your guitar and protects the investment you’ve made in your instrument. And that can go a long way toward providing a little peace of mind.

You can purchase either a hard case or a soft case. Hard cases provide the most protection for your guitar. It is normally made from either hard plastic or metal. The inside is strategically cushioned to protect your guitar from shocks and drops. The downside is that these cases are expensive and they are heavy to carry around. But if you intent to travel by air, they are an absolute must.

Soft cases are made from fabrics like canvas or nylon. These cases do an excellent job of protecting your guitar from dirt and dust, but that’s about all. Soft cases are lightweight and may be OK for taking your guitar to a nearby gig, but there will be no protection if it is dropped or hit.

It may be tempting to look for the cheapest case you can find, but compromising here means leaving your guitar unprotected. Every dollar you put into a guitar case is money well spent, as it will keep your instrument in top condition. Even if you are willing to spend money for repairs, what are you going to play in the meantime?

If your budget is tight, you can shop online and probably find great cases at more affordable prices. Auction sites like eBay are a great source of cases that are priced well below retail.




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The Most Popular Acoustic Guitar Brands

Written by Scott on December 14, 2010 · Leave a Comment




acoustic guitar brandsThe acoustic guitar is an extremely popular instrument. Acoustic guitars are highly prized by music lovers worldwide because this flexible instrument is at home in practically any genre of music. That being said, you will most likely find acoustic guitars at the center of country and folk music.

All acoustic guitars are made using solid wood and wood laminates. Most guitars have the same basic shape or form, but they come in several different sizes. These can be classified into three basic types-standard, jumbo and dreadnought. If you’re shopping for an acoustic guitar, you will definitely have a lot of choices because there are many different brand names in the market. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular acoustic guitar brands.

Yamaha is a leading maker of guitars. Instruments bearing the Yamaha name are highly prized for their sound. Given their quality, these guitars are available at very reasonable prices. There are pure acoustic guitars in the Yamaha product line as well as acoustics with an attached equalizer.

Gibson and Epiphone are two more popular acoustic guitar brands. The excellent acoustics found in Gibson guitars contributes to their relatively higher prices. On the other hand, Epiphone guitars perform at a comparable level, but can be bought for much less. Another brand that provides great value for your money is Squire. You don’t have to compromise on sound quality just to take advantage of more favorable pricing.

The Oscar Schmidt Company has long been known as a manufacturer of fine stringed instruments. The acoustic guitars crafted by this company are sold under the Washburn brand. Two of their best-selling models are the OG2 and OG3.

If you’re interested in a high-end guitar with great sound, and you’re willing to pay a little extra, you should consider Taylor acoustic guitars. The two most popular guitars from this brand are the Baby Spruce BT1 and the Baby Mahogany BT2.




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