During my recent visit to Maui I managed to get some time with grammy-award winning musician Garrett Probst for an introduction to the wonderful world of Hawaiian slack key guitar. 

Fully equipped with a pair of Grimes Beamer model guitars…

I’ve really enjoyed exploring high-strung guitar as a texture in the studio. So much so that I’ve managed to sneak it into some unlikely places!

The time had come for me to get this guitar back into standard tuning but…

I had reviewed Sascha Greuter’s beautiful pedals for guitar.com a while ago and it was a real pleasure to get to know his Vibe pedal a little better.

This is a proper Univibe style pedal with an internal light…

Following on from the Grimes Beamer model I showed you last time, here is another beautiful guitar design - the Grimes Freehand Parlor. This one is made from Brazilian Kingwood and Cedar. 

This asymmetrical body with a 14-fret neck makes…

A guitar belonging to the late, great Jeff Beck went under the hammer at Bonhams Auctioneers in London this week and it was a thrill to be invited to see this important instrument up close. 

This Graffiti Yellow Strat was…

What a way to start my time in Hawaii. The Grimes Beamer model is a twin-soundhole full-voiced instrument originally based on a guitar that Steve Grimes repaired for Hawaiian slack key legend Keola Beamer in the 1980s. 

The Beamer is…

Yes, I admit it, I buggered off to a tropical paradise with scarcely a look back. 

Honestly, it doesn’t take much - an email from one of the world’s greatest luthiers with the subject Come To Maui will do the…

Episode 2 of my podcast for Fretboard Journal Life On The Fretboard is now live and my guest is the sensational acoustic guitar talent Jon Gomm!

Jon and I first met in 2001 and a lot has happened since then…

Quite frankly it's a relief to share after carrying this secret with me for so many years. I do try and keep this to myself but every so often it hits me and it's hard to shake. 

I am obsessed…

I am often asked how to create a huge acoustic guitar sound in the studio - in particular for full band mixes. There are several tricks that I employ and I reveal them in this lovingly crafted video just for…

Continuing my exploration of unfamiliar musical textures here is a moment with a 1931 Gibson L-00 in original factory black. What a spectacular guitar!

There is so much to talk about in this new series - I’m still formulating my…

I’m going through an exploratory phase at the moment - seeking out different sounds and textures, expanding my range. This is an ongoing process and I would recommend that all guitarists spend time getting to know different guitars. 

I have…

The next instalment of my electric guitar pedal series features a real favourite of mine - the Crowther Hot Cake. 

I have owned several of these over the years and just keep coming back to this great sound. I paired…

If there was the slighted question mark in my mind about this guitar it was the use of Tasmanian Blackwood on the back and sides. I’ve had limited joy with guitars made of this wood in the past but this…

It’s been a while since I last featured one of Rosie Heydenrych’s guitars on my channel - in the meantime she has continued to refine the sound and details of her beautiful instruments and this latest Turnstone guitars is one…

Continuing my nascent series of guitar pedal demos here is an exploration of another “Luxury Overdrive” the Hermida Zen Drive. 

Mine is one of the Love Pedal units and I like it a great deal. It goes very well with…

Recently I’ve found myself having conversations with friends about clip-on mics for acoustic guitar. I’ve had interesting experiences with these mini units in the past - and unpredictable results. 

One variation on this theme is a frankly improbable accessory called…

Heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined me for the live stream this week - despite the usual broadcast gremlins it was a really lovely way to spend an evening. It is slightly surreal having an online audience for my practice…

The Vemuram Jan Ray is a luxury low gain drive pedal that has caused ample controversy since it was first launched. 

Is it a Klon killer? Is it a glorified Tube Screamer or is it exactly the same circuit as…

What better way to finish off Season 2 of Luthier stories than a chat with a guitar maker whose work mixes beautiful modern lines and response with traditional construction techniques. Michael Bashkin is more than that though - as the…

During my recent visit to Colorado for the Rocky Mountain Archtop Festival I got the chance to spend time with one of my favourite guitar builders - and people - Michael Bashkin. Next week will bring the premiere of the…

Massive congratulations to my dear friend - and one of the world's finest music photographers - Eleanor Jane whose beautiful magazine ELEVEN launched at The Guitar Show this week. 

It was an absolute joy to see this massive achievement come…

Following an off-the-cuff remark by Acoustic Tuesday Captain of Industry Tony Polecastro I am thrilled to present my new video series.

Bedtime Guitar Specs is a soothing exploration for enjoyers of the minutiae that make up the guitars we love…

Remember that little Walnut AD12e-SB I looked at as part of my The Same Thing On Three Very Different Guitars video? Well, you can now enjoy it on its own in a new episode of my No Talking Demos series.

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