Posted June 23, 2011 at 2:14 pm | No comments
“Austin City Limits” has lovingly embraced every style of music and likewise opened its arms to an array of legends and stylists; the great Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Alison Krauss, and so many more. It has earned a world-class, legendary reputation for showcasing, above all, a monumental who’s who of guitar greats. The program has introduced and showcased a dazzling constellation of stars whose measure has more than placed them as glittering fixtures among the firmament. From rising unknowns receiving their first due and exposure to seasoned veterans, from international stars to influential mentors, the show has meant a lot to a great deal of artists, and they don’t hesitate to say so.
Posted in: Industry Interviews, Interviews
Posted May 1, 2011 at 9:11 am | One comment
With the decline of Gibson and Fender over the years, two things have happened to the guitar industry, there has been a dramatic rise in more affordable, foreign-made guitars, and the private, small luthier market has also grown in leaps and bounds. There is something about working one-on-one with a master maker that turns a normal guitar into a piece of treasured art. Jazz guitar virtuoso Jack Grassel recently teamed up with luthier Dan Smocke to build Jack’s perfect guitar, and the resulting instrument is absolutely first rate.
Posted in: Guitars and Gear, Industry Interviews, Interviews
Posted January 26, 2011 at 11:32 am | 2 comments
There are many artists and guitar makers who have revolutionized the instrument over the years. Building on the past and adding new innovations to push the instrument into the future, often with striking and long-lasting results.
Posted in: Guitars and Gear, Industry Interviews, Interviews
Posted January 6, 2011 at 6:41 pm | No comments
As guitarists, we’re all about tone. Whether we play country, rock, blues, jazz or metal, there’s something about finding just the right tone that can keep us glued to our guitars and amps for hours, trying to get that perfect combination that makes our ears tingle.
Posted in: Guitars and Gear, Industry Interviews, Interviews
Posted January 3, 2011 at 11:40 am | No comments
The Martin Guitar Company chose Bursch among the very first guitarists outside of the U.S. to be recognized with their own Martin Signature guitar. He is the first guitarist from Germany to be so honored.
Posted in: Fingerstyle, Folk, Guitars and Gear, Industry Interviews, Interviews
Posted December 18, 2010 at 11:32 am | One comment
With the economy taking a nosedive a few years back, it seems that two new paradigms have emerged in the guitar manufacturing sector. The first is that big companies such as Gibson and Fender lowered the prices of their products during the downturn, making their instruments more accessible to the average person, which many people took advantage of. But, there was also another more unexpected byproduct of the recession. People began looking for high-quality instruments that would give them the best bang for their buck.
Posted in: Guitars and Gear, Industry Interviews, Interviews
Posted December 16, 2010 at 10:00 am | 3 comments
We guitarists tend to fall into two camps: those of us, typically classical and folk players, who revere the history of the instrument and value heritage and legacy over innovation; and those of us, typically rock and jazz players, who applaud the pioneers and mad scientists whose breakthroughs changed the way we think about the instrument.
Posted in: Guitars and Gear, Industry Interviews, Interviews
Posted December 13, 2010 at 10:00 am | 3 comments
As Gretsch Musical Instruments approaches its 125th year in business, it is fitting that the man guiding the company’s future is Fred Gretsch. Since he was a boy, Fred has been enamored by the company’s traditions and the excitement that surrounds
Posted in: Guitars and Gear, Industry Interviews, Interviews
Posted November 7, 2010 at 11:00 am | 2 comments
As the Director of Martin Guitar Artist and Limited Editions, Boak collaborates with top celebrity guitarists to design and build some of the most unique and finest instruments made. An affable character who puts everyone at ease, his intellect runs deep and his creative juices smolder with a desire to shake up the status quo while at the same time honoring and protecting the finest aspects of the Martin tradition.
Posted in: Guitars and Gear, Industry Interviews, Interviews
Posted November 6, 2010 at 1:00 pm | 3 comments
The headstock of a Martin guitar proudly announces that it has been an American tradition since 1833. Seven generations after the small guitar company was established in New York, before migrating to the village of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, the Martin company’s mark is recognized around the world as a benchmark for instrument excellence.
Posted in: Guitars and Gear, Industry Interviews, Interviews
