032 - Is THIS your new guitar strap??

Greetings #guitargeek!

I hope this finds you sufficiently fueled with coffee and thirsty for some acoustic guitar geekiness to help you live your best #Acousticlife.

Acoustic Tuesday presented by http://tonysacousticchallenge.com 

A ton is in store for today so off we go to the magical fountain of guitar geekness to indulge in the acoustic infused elixir known as Acoustic Tuesday.

When your guitar hasn't been cleaned in a while it starts to actively collect fingerprints, smudges, smears, and what I like to call guitar grime. Guitar grime is one of those things that can make your guitar look gross. I have tried a bunch of different guitar polishes with varying degrees of success, but one that sticks out in my eyes for its consistently excellent results is Gibson's pump polish. Its label appears to be unchanged since the '70's, but it's what's inside that really blows me away. This polish is exceptional, hell, it even smells good. This polish cleans well and makes your guitar's finish baby butt smooth... seriously... there is a distinct tactile difference in how your guitar feels after using this stuff. Now, I am not saying this is the only polish that does this, but it is, in my opinion, one of the best guitar polishes out there and should certainly be on your radar. 

http://store.gibson.com/guitar-polish/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/gibson-pump-polish-for-guitars-banjos-mandolins

Next up... a guitar geek joke for you...

What do you get when you cross stellar fingerstyle guitarists, a gathering of music lovers, and Takoma Park, MD?

Well, you get the "Thousand Incarnations of the Rose Festival" which is a festival celebrating the American Primitive Fingerstyle guitar movement. I know this isn't a funny joke, but you have to admit that punchline is pretty awesome! This festival is on my list of ones to attend and I am currently working on pulling some strings so I can be there. You get three days of music by some absolutely incredible American Primitive guitarists whom are continuing to carry the torch of this style of music. Never before have I seen a festival dedicated to this style. So if you love American Primitive Guitar make sure to check this one out. Oh, and if you can't make the fest be sure to check out the album: The Thousand Incarnations Of The Rose: American Primitive Guitar And Banjo (1963-1974) which celebrates the groundbreaking, inventive approach to traditional music brought forward by the likes of John Fahey, Leo Kottke, Robbie Basho and more.

https://1000rose.org/ - Festival website

https://youtu.be/anEduHsU7uA - Festival Promo

https://youtu.be/4dBqeLKqDEQ -  A Thousand Incarnations of the Rose Album Promo

https://amzn.to/2pJvdun - A Thousand Incarnations of the Rose Album

This week I want to share with you a Flatpicker that I have been listening to for some time and I feel like he flies a bit under the radar... to a degree. This picker produces beautiful tone with a seemingly delicate touch. It's as if his picking and fretting hand are one hundred and ten percent perfectly in sync. His original instrumental tunes are melodically beautiful and expertly executed. I am talking about the one and only Kenny Smith, whom I was first introduced to through the band that him and his wife play in, aptly named, The Kenny and Amanda Smith Band. In this band setting Kenny shines vocally alongside his wife, and his instrumental breaks are rich with tone, succinct, and inserted into songs with precision. On his solo albums his guitar prowess shines brightly as well as his composition skills. Overall Kenny is a Flatpicker you need to know about and The Kenny and Amanda Smith Band is a band you need to hear. 

https://youtu.be/5WgeL-_XRlE - Randall Collins (Song)

https://youtu.be/q7R5tc93Zpg - Cruel Willie (Song)

https://youtu.be/2PH6sqka3-Q - Always Never Enough (Song)

http://www.kenny-amandasmith.com/

https://amzn.to/2urAmwI - Studebaker (Album)

https://amzn.to/2G8U2uv - Always Never Enough (Album)

https://amzn.to/2umHtWZ - Tell Someone (Album)

https://amzn.to/2pHgArm - Live and Learn (Album)

https://amzn.to/2GbPWlC - House Down the Block (Album)

https://amzn.to/2ITrgvS - Unbound (Album)

http://www.kenny-amandasmith.com/shopkasb - Kenny and Amanda Smith Store

Back in the 30's National guitars became known for a novelty finish called "frosted duco." This finish was gorgeous due to it's unique character. Since the finish's beauty relied on how crystals grow (no two are the same), each finish was different, making them absolutely gorgeous when done right. Now mind you, this was in the 30's, so how on earth would you get a finish like that on a new guitar or even refinish an old one? Well, you would have to call Rik Besser of B Fanatic Guitarworks. Rik is a specialist in the frosted duco finish and he has dedicated much time to perfecting his craft; so much so that he is responsible for that very finish on new National guitars made today. Rik not only applies this finish to new Nationals, he also helps restore old Nationals, and he even sells some on his site. If you have any interest in resos this is a great place to check out even if it is just for the visual inspiration. 

http://www.bfanaticguitarworks.com/

http://www.bfanaticguitarworks.com/?lens_portfolio=dueco-model

http://www.bfanaticguitarworks.com/?lens_portfolio=1937-gold-duolian

http://www.bfanaticguitarworks.com/?lens_portfolio=yellow-frosted-duco-collegian

If you look at old pictures of artists playing live shows you will no doubt see some really stellar guitar strap designs. I'm talking some very striking tapestry type themes... think Jimi Hendrix at Monterey or any picture of Eric Clapton in the 70's. Some of those patterns are iconic and that being the case we cannot forget them, and as #guitargeeks we can thank Souldier Straps from Chicago because they are using those very patterns on straps today... but those aren't the only patterns they have. Souldier Straps are made in Chicago and they are crazy comfortable and the custom looks you can create are nearly endless. They use recycled seatbelt material as the base of the strap and the decorations are pulled from vintage fabric. I should also add that the leather strap ends are affixed with a metal ring which seems like a small detail, but it is very important for longevity. One more thing about these straps and this company... I would highly recommend visiting their site, particularly the custom strap designer portion... you can pick colors, patterns, and all sorts of really geeky details. 

https://youtu.be/YLsfVxVN1qU - Souldier Straps Interview

https://www.souldier.us/Default.aspx

https://www.souldier.us/CustomGuitarStraps.aspx

https://amzn.to/2I3hR3G - Brown Seatbelt Strap

https://amzn.to/2IWfpwP - Koi Goldfish Strap

https://amzn.to/2DWKLzV - Zodiac Strap

Our trip to the fountain of all awesome things acoustic must come to an end for this week my fellow #guitargeek, but please don't be sad. Go forth with your newly acquired acoustic knowledge and help more #guitargeeks unite!!!

Keep strumming and smiling until next Acoustic Tuesday and don't forget...

Guitar Geeks Unite!

Cheers,
Tony