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Friday, March 30. 2007
 Did you know that Jonathan Kellerman, the author of 19 best-selling crime novels heads to his guitar room to unwind and play after writing his psychological thrillers? Yes, that is according to Forbes Magazine website. His passion for guitar started since he was only nine years old. Based on the interview, he was playing cheap guitars only when he was in high school. But when he was capable already, he upgraded his instruments. His collection which he started since 1970 include 110 fretted instruments. What's amazing was that Kellerman play all of them. Kellerman estimated that the total collection is worth at least five or six times what he paid for it.
According to him, he is really interested with prewar Martin guitars. These guitars were made between 1925 and 1944 and being managed by the same family since the 1830s. These guitars have terrific dynamic range, meaning they can play any volume without distortion. The man also have several instruments by old-world style craftsmen like John D'Angelico. He also bought works by his protege, James D'Aquisto. John D'Angelico made archtop guitars in New York City from the 1930s to the 1960s. He admitted that Hawaiian guitars called Weissenborns have a special place in his heart.
Saturday, February 17. 2007
Who says kids are just "kids", and they can't do things like the adults do? Actually, our youngsters today are eager to learn more things. They seem so advanced that they can easily know things they want to learn about. Like playing the guitar; it's no longer a hard task for them.
We know that it's not easy to study the guitar chords. But with serious attention of the child to the lesson, it will be possible for him to learn the basic chords. And as a mother, you probably want to support your child who has a knack for this instrument. It will be easy for you if you use the Kids Guitar 1 Video, and learn the strums together.
It's a fun, simple method to teach your kids the guitar. It's easy to grasp, and before you know it, your child is playing well. It contains 10 easy to learn lessons for children 6-12 years old. You will be delighted with the guitar chords that were designed specifically for them. At the end of the lesson, you'll be surprised to hear that your child can sing with his guitar, and understand the beauty of music.
Sunday, January 21. 2007
Choosing the right acoustic guitar is not as simple as shopping for an Apple iPod gadget. Acoustic guitars do not come with manuals or user guide books. A buyer must be able to discriminate the quality of materials used in acoustic guitar based on the resonance of sound as well as on the texture of the wood.
Some guitar dealers may misrepresent the true quality of their products. Do not be misled by high prices of some acoustic guitars. High price does not guarantee good quality. Sometimes, it is better to directly buy from manufacturers than from dealers. You may consider buying guitars as looking for the best cellular phone model.
The tonal quality of your acoustic guitar is dependent on the materials used. Some materials have better resonance than others. The materials may also determine the sustained duration and reverberation of notes as well as the intensity of notes. For instance, Sitka spruce provides balanced tone and good projection. Sitka spruce sound boards can produce high notes without sounding like a brass instrument. The Engelmann spruce, on the other hand, can produce deep and more solid sounds. Hence, acoustic guitars with Engelmann spruce soundboards are good in producing bass notes.
Saturday, January 20. 2007
 My friends and I were jamming at my place the other day. John brought his Taylor 310 Acoustic Guitar. The others either brought their electric guitars. Some others fiddled with the drums in the den. I decided to play the personal computer while they were setting up the instruments. Anyway, I got really interested in John's Taylor 310. I am not much for acoustics. However, hearing John play his guitar, somehow, made me change my mind.
I believe that the materials of the said guitar made its sound more interesting and warm than it already is. Not only that, the mahogany finish truly makes the Taylor 310 a certified beauty. I also noticed the Sitka spruce. This guitar makes wonderful dreadnought music as well as responds nicely to bass. John says that better music is produced if flatpicks are used. Acceptable results are also achieved if the guitarist uses light up to some heavy strumming.
As for the more technical stuff, the Taylor 310 boasts of several features. It has six strings. It also has Sitka spruce for the top part. The neck is made of American mahogany. The fretboard is a sight to behold because of its ebony finish. Thus, I wouldn't be surprised if I buy a Taylor 310 one of these days to play and display in our residential condo unit.
Thursday, December 14. 2006
Romantic dating can be in any place that has tranquil ambience, such as restaurants or parks. Dinner date is recommended for first and formal dates. On the other hand, consecutive and less formal dates can be done in parks or resorts. You can invite your partner in a picnic. The good thing about picnics is that you can impress your partner not only with your gourmet culinary skills in preparing your picnic meal. You may also use your old acoustic guitar in serenading your love.
Acoustic guitar has a distinct advantage over electric guitar. An acoustic guitar does not need an amplifier to be played. The quality of sound produced by an acoustic guitar is also more soothing than electric guitar. The quality of sound produced by an acoustic guitar is directly related to the type of wood material used. Good acoustic guitar brands are Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Guild, and Takamine. The guitars under these brands use good quality wood composites such as mahogany, Sitka spruce, maple, and rosewood. The quality of musical note that is produced by a guitar will depend on the resonance of these materials.
Monday, November 27. 2006
 If there are beginner electric guitars, then there are most certainly beginner acoustic guitars. If you're not yet that good in playing the acoustic guitar, you better opt for beginner guitars to prep you up. I'm not saying that these beginner guitars are easier than the expensive ones. But, they would be easier to practice on, so that you wouldn't have to worry about wearing them out so much.
There are many beginner acoustic guitars out there. You see, guitar players first opt for acoustic guitars because they're somewhat the basic in guitars. A good Canadian-made guitar, the Seagull S6 is a highly-recommended acoustic guitar. It's made of cedar wood for its top and mahogany wood for the sides and the back part. It's not the cheapest guitar, but it's a good investment and it's worth every buck.
Another good beginner acoustic guitar is the Yamaha F310. It's slightly not as good as the S6 but it's very affordable. It also has a mahogany back and sides. The Yamaha F310 is the most suggested guitar when it comes to acoustic beginner guitars. If you want a guitar from the Takamine range, you can get the Takamine G-240. It has a laminated spruce top and it has a nato back and sides. For a Takamine guitar, this one is a very cheap buy. See, you wouldn't have to spend so much on your first guitar. There are good ones and they're cheaper!
Saturday, November 4. 2006
 This is not a common feeling, but the mood changes as an acoustic guitar is being played. For people who are love with their guitar, it is easy to understand why there is a different level of satisfaction as each tone is strummed. On the other hand, non-players just fall in love with the music and drowned by the splendid sounds.
Unlike electric guitars, acoustic guitars are classic and in a class of their own. The smooth polish is complemented by a light weight. What is more evident when an acoustic guitar is played is the beauty that is being appreciated by the soul. The sweet tones provide a different kinds of healing or treatment and massage the emotional roughness.
With the evolution of acoustic guitars, the sounds were even made better. A distinct brand of enjoyment is being introduced and a wonder that only an acoustic guitar can deliver is right at the doorsteps.
Thursday, October 12. 2006
Handmade guitars from Jim Redgate are just about the best acoustic guitars you can find. Jim Redgate is Australian and he makes these guitars himself so it's not surprising when I inquired that there's a three-year waiting list.
But don't be fooled by the label "handmade." Jim could only manage fifteen guitars a year, and all that time spent in the creation of a single guitar is well spent. Jim uses avoids using power tools but he resulting product is among the most flawless in the market. The sound hole is unique and handcrafted using native Australian wood. Other wood composition includes Western red Cedar, Brazilian Rosewood, German Spruce, Honduras Mahogany, Black Ebony and Spanish Cedar.
Don't worry, this $7,400 (USD) guitar will be shipped to you inside a fiberglass container.
Saturday, October 7. 2006
 Ever since Takamine released affordable yet quality guitars, musicians and music enthusiasts have been taking notice of their instruments.
The craftsmanship for the instruments is really of high quality. This kind of craftsmanship has also been applied to the G240 Acoustic Guitar. This instrument has a Spruce top with gloss-finish and Mahogany-Nato stained sides. The tuning machines are made of chrome that adds to the attractiveness of the guitar. It also has a radius fingerboard and a tapered neck that are have been made professionally.
Those guitar enthusiasts will definitely adore the Takamine G240 Dreadnought because of the beautiful sound it produces and because of its attractive appearance. This guitar is suitable for the dedicated student and the professional guitar players.
Saturday, September 30. 2006
 Established in 1993 by guitarist Rick Andrews, an Andrew custom guitar is every player's dream instrument. As an expert guitar player for many years, he has studied the needs and wants of every guitar owner. He did this so he could create a guitar that would suit their every need. Because of this, they can become the best guitarist that they could be.
In his years of study, he found out that the way the guitar was built plays a vital role in its quality. As such, he created his products that went beyond the normal standards of the instrument. When you are a beginner player, you will learn easier if you choose Andrew's brand.
With all his knowledge, he was able to develop a state-of-the-art guitar that everyone will definitely love.
Monday, September 25. 2006
 There are many people nowadays that are interested in playing classical guitar. As a beginner, he or she must first pick the right instrument with the best sound.
At present, one of the best guitar brands is the Paulino Bernabe and the best model is the Paulino Bernabe 5. This top acoustic guitar can be used for performance or recitals in guitar playing.
All of the instrument's parts are made from solid wood, but it has a reinforcement of ebony on its neck. For a price of 2,499 dollars, this can already be considered as a great buy. When it comes to its music, a player will like its strong and melodious sound it produces. Also, it is easy to play because of its neck.
For years, Bernabe has been known as the top guitar brands in Madrid. Now, it is expanding its market to the US.
Saturday, September 16. 2006
This acoustic guitar is considered by many as a lost treasure of sorts, it being a good but relatively unknown guitar. The Epiphone AJ-10 is a guitar made of a mixture of mahogany (for the sides and neck), spruce (for the top) and rosewood (for the fret board). This cacophony of wood makes for a full sound, mixed with bright tones.
Another feature that is almost always praised by many of its users is that it seems to stay in tune for a long, long time. It is also reportedly quite durable for a wooden acoustic guitar, and its aesthetics really shine, even after repeated abuse over long periods of time.
But not all of its praised qualities are seen or heard. The asking price for a used Epiphone AJ-10 is a little over $250, way below other brands and quite affordable.
Thursday, September 14. 2006
This Japanese made acoustic guitar was made sometime in the 80's but the quality and construction are definitely top-notch, as they still hold up today. The company that made these guitars, Daion, is no more, and it's no surprise as they made good quality guitars with excellent (and expensive) materials and sold them at prices you won't go broke with.
The finish is a mahogany-like wood, but the real identity of the material can't be accurately established. A unique oval sound hole makes this guitar more distinctive than most, and the tone of this guitar is definitely dark and rich, resulting in a solid sound.
It's amazing that after all these years a guitar, particularly an acoustic one, can still be used and played regularly. The Daion 80 is, for its price, a real quality instrument.
Sunday, September 10. 2006
This acoustic guitar is considered by many to be a masterpiece in guitar artistry. Combining carbon-graphite composites and excellent guitar manufacturing, the Ovation Adamas II is a unique instrument.
Although an acoustic guitar, it is loaded with electronics for those times when you need to perform in front of a crowd. Indeed, the Ovation Adamas II looks like it was built more for the performer than the player.
The Ovation's distinctive composition and looks set it above the ordinary guitar. Due to its unorthodox materials, the Adamas II will last longer than most wooden guitars.
But be aware of the price for this work of art: Like many masterpieces, this one retails for a high price ($2000+), so unless you've got money to spare, bankruptcy could be in your future.
Friday, September 8. 2006
Seemingly built for the beginner, the Fender DG-7 is a very affordable guitar (compared to other guitars) and is quite easy to master. The pick guard is a nice aesthetic touch, and the finish, while not excellent, is good enough and doesn't embarrass the user.
There are some complaints of buzzing, particularly with the 6th string, and a little trouble with the fretwork, but overall, the Fender DG-7 is a good example of value for your money.
If you're shopping for a gift for that aspiring guitarist in your life, or are just looking for a guitar for everyday practice or travel, then the Fender DG-7 Acoustic Guitar is a good pick.
Monday, August 21. 2006
This acoustic guitar may cost you somewhere in the neighborhood of $1200, but this time, the saying "you get what you pay for" really applies. A midsized acoustic, the Lakewood M14 features a mahogany back and sides, Rosewood Bridge and fingerboard, and a cedar top.
All that high quality wood serves to amplify the sound made by the guitar, and all Lakewood guitars tend to be bright in tone, but smooth on the high end and quite articulate in the bass.
While not as complex as the more expensive models, the Lakewood M14 is a guitar that can play as well as or better than those guitars that cost two or three times as much. This guitar's price, while not rock bottom, is worth the investment.
Monday, August 14. 2006
This acoustic guitar comes with a pickup and is an almost exact copy of the more famous Taylor 314CE. If it's a licensed copy, I wouldn't know.
The tonal quality of the SX 34CE comes in strong on the low and mid tones, but the tones feel chunkier as the tone gets higher. The pickup works well all throughout. The overall quality of the guitar is never in question, except for the machine head, which can get suspect at times.
Aside from that, the only other complaint is that different pieces sound differently as well, even if they are the same model! A word of caution for the guitar aficionado, try it before you buy it.
Saturday, August 12. 2006
Although not one of the better known brands, Tacoma has always been one of the best-sounding guitars out on the market today. The wood quality of the Tacoma DM-18 is obviously excellent as the guitar always responds beautifully, playing rich tones and notes.
The Tacoma DM-18 is playable right out of the box. Many users report that it doesn't need to be adjusted and are still playing it the way it came from the factory! The fit and finish have always been said to be excellent and long-lasting.
For the most bang for your buck, the Tacoma DM-18 just can't be beat. It can out-play even guitars from more popular brands for a fraction of the price you'd pay for a more well-known brand.
Saturday, August 5. 2006
This plain-looking guitar proves that looks aren't everything. It sounds great, even at its miniscule size, and even outperforms full size guitars! Perfect for traveling musicians and for the young beginner, the Taylor Big Baby may look unremarkable, but in this case, the proof is in the pudding!
The sound has a great acoustic tone and volume, and even out of the box, fresh from the store, it plays well without any initial tuning. And for a price of $350, talk about value for your money.
If there are any complaints about the Taylor Big Baby, it's mostly about the size. It's too small for the adult, but the reason for the complaint is because most adult players wish their full-size guitars played this good!
Saturday, July 29. 2006
The Alvarez RD-10 is an acoustic guitar, and a good sounding one at that. The notes are full; if somewhat lower than other guitars. Plus, at a selling price of around $150, it won't break your bank to try one out. The most appropriate ones to try this one out are absolute beginners looking for something to practice on.
Now for the bad news. This baby is more fragile than glass. Its finish chips and cracks easily, and the frets get worn down flat with relatively little playing. It should come with a label that says "handle with care," because if you don't, you'll end up with a chipped and cracked instrument you'll only use in the basement.
The Alvarez RD-10 is a good-sounding guitar with one major flaw: Its durability. In this case, you do get what you pay for.
Friday, July 28. 2006
The Moonstone brand of guitars prides itself with being one of the best custom guitar makers around. And with good reason, as they incorporate a variety of woods to make a beautiful-sounding instrument that can be used for years to come and can even be an heirloom for your children.
Moonstone guitars can be quite expensive, ranging anywhere from $3000 to $5000 per guitar and up! But as these are considered custom pieces, the price is justified by the quality and craftsmanship of the instrument. Orders for pieces can take months to fulfill, but buyers can rest assured that they will be getting the best quality for their money with Moonstone Guitars.
Sunday, July 23. 2006
With the cold season fast approaching, the humidity level in the air will dramatically decrease, and if you've got an acoustic guitar, this can spell disaster for your instrument. The lack of air moisture can cause the thin wood of your guitar's body to warp and crack, severely affecting the music-making capabilities of the guitar. And these cracks can be a bitch to repair, and shops will often charge for repair by the inch, so if you've got a big crack in your guitar, you'll have to pay more.
As with all problems, prevention is worth more than the cure. Take some extra precautions before the cold weather sets in and robs you of humidity. Keep your instrument in the guitar case, if you have one. If not, then keep your guitar in a room that has a humidifier or if you're really desperate, a room with a radiator, and keep a pan of water over the radiator.
Humidity is key in preserving the life of your guitar. Learn to keep the air moist and your instrument's life will surely be a long one.
Thursday, July 20. 2006
This award-winning guitar is probably the best guitar for your money available today. The Canadian made Seagull S6 is made of Cedar, Wild Cherry, Maple and Rosewood that all come together tonally to give one of the best sounding guitars and is made especially for the entry-level guitarist.
Renowned for its sound and value for money, the Seagull S6 might be priced a bit too steep compared to other beginner-level guitars, but is definitely recommended for the serious beginner and aspiring virtuoso, as it is designed to give you more than a few year's worth of music. This guitar is best seen as an investment for your musical future.
Thursday, July 13. 2006
If you're looking for a beginner's acoustic guitar, you can't go wrong with the Yamaha F310. Its attractive price, spruce top and Mahogany sides and accessories make this a perfect gift for the budding musician in your family, or even for yourself!
It's full size and steel strings make it ideal for many music styles, ranging from folk, rock and country to pop and jazz. Each purchase comes with a guitar case, a YT150 tuner several picks, guitar strap, a capo, a polish cloth and an instructional video.
For a starting musician who's willing to try his hand at playing the guitar, the Yamaha F310 guitar is an excellent economic choice for the musical artist on a budget.
Thursday, June 1. 2006

As difficult as it is to pick between an electric or acoustic guitar, there is more to it than just those two. Acoustic guitars are also of many different types and classifications, and to help confuse you more  , here's a listing of the more common types of acoustics:
The dreadnought takes its name from the big battleships of yesteryear. Their size and no-nonsense construction made players think of those formidable weapons when handling the instrument. Because of its size, the resulting volume of even the lightest strum is very pronounced, and it is a favorite rhythm guitar.
The grand concert type is smaller than the dreadnought class, and is more adept at being played by those who prefer the finger style way of playing guitar. It is a favorite of stage performers due to its easier handling and controllable overtones.
The jumbo class of guitar is similar to the dreadnought, but with a larger sound chamber, which results in an extra-deep resonance and louder volume compared to the dreadnought.
Choosing a guitar just got more difficult  . But remember: The journey is only half the fun!
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