Welcome to this week’s episode of Acoustic Tuesday where I share my guitar geek list of gear, artists, and resources to keep you inspired to live your absolute BEST acoustic life!
As always, you can catch the show at 10am every Tuesday in these four places:
- Acoustic Life YouTube channel
- We Play Every Day Facebook Community
- Get show notes emailed directly to your inbox.
- Listen to audio only below or in iTunes
Featured in This Episode…
#4 Three Reasons To Use The Capo
In this episode I discuss in detail when you may want to use a capo:
- To change keys easily;
- To replace barre chords;
- To get access to chord shapes for a specific style.
#3 What’s On the Turntable This Week?
This week’s featured acoustic artist is Chris Knight from Slaughters, KY. He’s one of those songwriters who is able to paint such a vivid picture, with beautifully chosen words. You don’t want to miss my segment featuring Chris!
See this Acoustic Artist Review
#2 The Music Emporium
This is a beautiful store that stocks an amazing amount of acoustic guitars. The Music Emporium has a wonderful reputation and a great history. They have been around since 1968 and are based out of Lexington, MA. They have an unending supply of acoustic guitars that can be purchased through their website or in person.
See this Acoustic Guitar Store Hookup
#1 Furch Guitars Review
Are any of you confused about the difference between Furch and Stonebridge Guitars? Well look no further, I found the answer!
See the Product Review
good morning looking forward to the show
Just saw this episode and heard mention of guitars for vets, the vet guitar school, etc. I had no idea this even existed. 🙂 Outstanding! Thank you! I’ve donated a few guitars to the VA nursing home in Amarillo. I know you’re all about guitars, but I noticed that some wheelchairs could get in the way. Appalachian dulcimers fit the bill, so the home has five now. If an old vet can’t lower the arms of the chair, a table can be used (a mousepad, upside down, keeps the dulcimer from sliding away).
#Small Win
Got tickets already fot Molly Tuttle next March!! She’s coming to little ole Helena!!
Jo and
Great Show! I am really enjoying the show via podcast but also trying to catch the video version when i have time.
I have a small win I want to share.
(spoilers: its a small win, but a long story)
I started with my first guitar, a CONN F-20 purchased from a pawnshop when i was in college (1991). At the time i really enjoyed the Indigo Girls music and learned guitar mainly playing their songs. Over time I got into other styles including Michael Hedges, Adrian Legg, and then into jazz and blues. Eventually I moved away from Acoustic and started to get more into electric guitars. Recently it has come full circle as it has been more of a steady stream of Julian Lage, Chris Eldridge, Punch Brothers, etc.
About 3 years ago I sold the Conn to a serviceman in AK who was wanting an F-20 identical to his so that he could give it to his son. He had gotten his F-20 from his dad. I made him a good deal and off it shipped. He sent me a great picture back of the two sitting side by side in their stands and I expect those two have and will have hours and hours of time to play with each other. That was always one that sounded great on its own but couldn’t blend well with others. Probably the flamed maple back. Sorry, tangent…
Ok so then i started trading. And trading. and trading more. Because, well that is what we do. I had some good trades and not so good trades. Eventually I ended up with 2 fantastic G&L ASAT’s but no Acoustic.
I missed acoustic.
I always wanted a Martin but never felt i could put that much money into one. However, in trade land , if you find the right person, 2 G&L ASAT’s = 1 Martin. (I have B.A. in Economics so this did actually make sense once i rationalized it).
I now am the owner of a 1988 Martin J-40. The neck is perfect. A few small dings here and there. The topcoat is seeing some wear on the top of the lower bout where the arm rests, around some of the binding, and a big spot on the back of the neck between the heel and 13th fret. All just cosmetic issues, and nothing my luthier suggested gets ‘fixed’. The case is a little worn but built like a tank and according to my 7 yr old daughter works great as a balance beam (lesson learned).
When i got the J-40 I thought it sounded great from the initial play. Then I got it home one quiet night and started to play for about 30-45 minutes. I couldn’t put it down. I had heard of good acoustic guitars “opening up” but never really knew what that meant. “WOW, this thing is alive!” I thoguht to myself. The kind of alive you can never get with a lesser expensive acoustic or a solidbody. I was floored and in love. Then i started playing some chord changes and thought “wow that sounds alot like Indigo Girls” tunes. My tastes had changed and I hadn’t listened to them in years, but with this guitar i started to play and remember all the old stuff I learned when first starting out.
I am a self professed guitar nerd and love researching hardware, wood, equipment, etc. I had never researched Martin because i felt that it would always be out of my range. After I stopped playing that night I did some more research on the J-40. I knew it was good but wasn’t as familiar with it vs say a D-28 / D-28 / D-35. From playing it and comparing with others, this has got to be the best sounding most balanced that martin has ever made. Loud but not boomy. Articulate but not piercing. it is just amazing.
Once i did the research i realized WHY it sounded familiar. Apparently the story goes that when the Indigio Girls first signed a record deal (about 1987 or so) they went out and each bought themselves a brand new Martin. Amy bought a black J-40 and Emily bought a natural J-40. They were some used alot on their first few albums (that i used to learn from) and they continue to tour with them to this day.
So i gave all that history to say that my small win is this. I finally ended up with the ‘sound’ that drew me to playing guitar in the first place. I was only looking for a good acoustic, not necessarily looking for the particular sound. I think this will definitely keep me from trading for a long time as I enjoy her for many years.
I know its a long story but i had to share.
Thanks for your time,
John
Knoxville, TN
Hello from Mike R in Murphy N.C. the use of You’ll put smiles on all the southern guitar geeks 🙂
Lavana La Brey here, newly member to your Acoustic Web Site. Thanks Tony for sending me to the Acoustic Tuesday Show. I watched the 3 Capo tips and I use it my self and yes I find it very useful. Plus I learnt why we can use the capo with confidence.
#smallwin
I got to see Leo Kotkke in concert here in Durango, CO at the Henry Strater Theater, which is a very intimate venue. His performance was nothing less than magical. His playing style is all his own, his wit is all his own and I hope I get a chance to see him again. In reality it was a BIG win for me – cheers!
# Smallwin Over the weekend I went to “the Woodstock Luthiers Invitational” Played many great hand made guitars and met and drank a bit of Rye with Matt Eich The Maker of my Mule Resonator guitar #72. What a great guy and fantastic time!
#smallwin (#2) Over the weekend I went tho “The Woodstock Luthiers Invitational” and met and spoke with so many talented and interesting builders, I purchased a Passerelle bridge from the luthier Atelier Rosencrantz who developed it with Kaki King.
Wonderful person to geek out with and such a cool non-invasive way to completely change my guitar… Many thanks to Ms . Rosencrantz
Just started watching your Acoustic Tuesday videos, including going back into all the archives. Saw you demo a Taylor GS mini in a demo video and just bought one for my camping outings. Picked up a Taylor GS mini-e KOA. Love it….keep up the great work, learning a lot from you.
forgot to mention on my last comment……shouting out from Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Tony, Merseyside is pronounced ‘Merzeeside’ Sorry mate, I’m a stickler for pronunciation!