Viewing: YouTube - View all posts

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…

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.

…

Ken Parker is a true visionary in the world of the modern electric and arch top guitars. His revolutionary “Parker Fly” design was a paradigm shift when it first appeared but as you will see - it didn’t quite turn…

While this week’s video may be short form that doesn’t mean I have any intention of leaving you hanging. At 7pm tonight (UK time) I will be holding a live stream Q+A session about luthier Stories for 45 minutes before…

A thinly disguised excuse to wind up a wonderful guitar - here is a comparison video of flat wound and round wound strings on a Gretsch white Falcon. Oh yes!

Brooding

I recorded the guitar through my Cornford Hurricane using…

I have absolutely loved Linda Manzer’s guitars for many years but it was only recently that I had the opportunity to visit her workshop in Almonte Ontario. 

Linda’s influence runs deep throughout the guitar luthier community with many of her…

Pretty much what it says on the tin - this was me having a nice time with a trio of guitars that are about as different as can be. Why? Purely in the name of fun. And why not!

We…

Kim Walker's work has fascinated me for many years - not least because, despite his stellar reputation - I had never had the chance to play one of his guitars. However, while on the road with The Archtop Foundation last…

Tony Polecastro will be familiar to many of you as the host of the Acoustic Life YouTube channel and Tony's Acoustic Challenge - although we've never met in person we do stay in touch and I was very happy to…

If you were lucky enough to attend the 2022 Rocky Mountain Archtop Festival in Arvada Colorado you might - after a full weekend of extraordinary musicianship and achingly beautiful guitars - have caught sight of me galloping towards Tyler Wells…

I have been a huge fan of John Monteleone’s work for many years and it was a pleasure to spend time with him last year while travelling with The Archtop Foundation. 

John is a legendary figure in the world of…

My Casimi Guitar is taking shape! Thank you to everyone who has been in touch to ask for more details of my incoming instrument - This African Blackwood and Swiss Moon Spruce masterpiece has been much on my mind and…

Cris Mirabella makes disturbingly beautiful guitars. In fact I found his work so intimidating that it was several years after we first met that I plucked up the courage to ask Cris if I could try one of his instruments…

Cris Mirabella never intended his for his exquisite archtop jazz guitars to be flung into DADGAD and used as fingerstyle machines but they really do work for me!

Here's a case in point - a sensation Mirabella Crossfire New…

Michael Greenfield is an extraordinary human being who creates extraordinary guitars. A dear friend since our first meeting at the Montreal Guitar Show in 2009 Michael has been a guide and confidante in the fascinating and often bewildering world of…

It has been a long time coming.

Luthier Stories Season 2 begins on Saturday 21st January 2023 - I'll be on YouTube for the live premier and I hope you'll join me - this is going to be fun!

Thank…

George Gruhn knows what he's doing - as he showed me around his private collection of achingly rare guitars - my curiosity was piqued by a 12-fret Euphonon dreadnought. It is one of a pair made in 1940 - explains…