036 - How to be a Fretboard Wizard

Dearest Guitar Geek,

It's here, it's here, it's here...

Another round of Acoustic Tuesday is here to satisfy your nerdiest of needs and your dorkiest of desires; all within the guitar geek realm that is.

Acoustic Tuesday presented by http://tonysacousticchallenge.com

Here is your fix of 5 guitar geek ponderings that need to be setting your guitar geek radar ablaze with awareness.

Here goes nothing:

Kentucky Traveler: My Life In Music Ricky Skaggs

Every now and then a book comes along that gives you insight not only into the artist it features but also how big of a role they played in a certain genre's history.

Ricky Skaggs' book, Kentucky Traveler: My Life in Music, is a book that does that very thing. It is complete with stories of a young Ricky Skaggs making his way in the musical world, which includes hopping on stage with Bill Monroe and then later with Flatt & Scruggs at a very young age. This book is a treat to read and is chocked full of all sorts of interesting stories from throughout Ricky's life. From his albums and experiences with Keith Whitley to his experiences with some of the greats of bluegrass and country music.

I have always admired Ricky's talent, whether it be on the guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo or even his incredible harmony singing, but never did I realize just how big of a role Ricky played in the history of bluegrass music.

The book was written by Ricky Skaggs and Eddie Dean, and kudos to them for sharing such wonderful stories and doing so in a way that really keeps the reader's attention.

https://youtu.be/g8W-spB8-Oo (Play until 1:50)

https://amzn.to/2HpGXd9 - Buy Book

http://www.rickyskaggs.com/p/book - Ricky Skagg's Site

Fretboard Wizard Open

It's official! Fretboard Wizard is open for enrollment.

Fretwiz.com

Christy Hays

This week's artist is one that I hold near and dear to my heart because of her songs and because of the person she is.

Her songs are raw and the writing is as real as rain. She takes seemingly everyday happenings and crafts them into song in a way that leaves you hanging on every word.

Christy Hays is an artist that I have had the immeasurable pleasure to play with nearly every summer since roughly 2014. Christy is a crafty songwriter and her vocals are seriously scrumptious.

She is a mix between the unique quality of Emmylou Harris and her own mixture of grit and heartfelt expression. Her writing effortlessly paints pictures of landscapes and curious characters all of which create the pulse of everyday life.

Christy has released a whole slew of albums from full band performances to her by her lonesome, and her newest album River Swimmer is due out April 27, 2018. Christy is one of the hardest working musicians I know and this album is for sure going to be topnotch. Make sure to check out her site for the older albums that are available and of course if you like what you hear pre-order River Swimmer... and guess what?!?! You can even get that one on vinyl!!!

https://youtu.be/xTKnheaUT_Y - Town Underground

https://youtu.be/LPtBoKhqWsg - Strange Times

https://youtu.be/ck5VH-_JglM - Don't Let Me Die In California

https://christyhays.com/ - Christy Hays' Site

https://amzn.to/2HpLTm7 - Buy Album (River Swimmer)

Chuck Lee Banjos

Custom instruments are something to behold regardless of whether they are a guitar or not.

I say this because there is no doubt that I love me some banjo, and usually when the word banjo is even uttered it sends people fleeing towards the exits. But stay seated I promise this is good.

Chuck Lee Banjos out of Ovilla, TX produces some very gorgeous (both looking and sounding) banjos. The instruments coming out of Chuck's shop are simply fantastic, and I am nearly positive that no two are the same. Custom instruments are the bread and butter of Chuck's shop from different headstocks, to inlay patterns, to tone rings, to wood and finish selections this shop does an impressive job. The necks are nice and hefty and the rims are exquisitely turned... it's the kind of instrument that you just want to feel. The neck feels like it was crafted for the player's hand and the playability of these banjos is outstanding.

And then there's the sound... with all of the options available you can custom design a banjo that sounds as plunky as you need or as crisp as you want.

Overall, these banjos are remarkable and if you happen to find one at a local shop or get one by contacting Chuck himself (I think they are still being made) you will be just as impressed as I was when I got mine.

https://youtu.be/fkJd-jZfUbQ - Interview (20seconds - 54 seconds)

http://www.chuckleebanjos.com/dealers/ - Where to Find a Chuck Lee

https://youtu.be/8pOPMQWHze8 - Chuck Lee Lonestar

Hense Faux Tortoise Picks

What's the deal with imitation products that produce tones previously achieved by only the rarest of materials?

Well, I am happy to say that no turtles were harmed in the making of these picks, however, the tone produced by them is quite reminiscent of actual tortoiseshell. Since 1973 it was no longer legal to trade/sell actual tortoiseshell, so many guitarists had to go back to the drawing board to find a material that produced that warm yet crisp tone that tortoiseshell is known for. This tone haunts Flatpickers and seems like something only dreams are made of, which is why when I discovered Hense picks from Germany I was so excited!!!

Hense's The Happy Turtle pick that I procured from Artisan Guitars in Nashville is made out of a material called Milk Stone which is a casein (think of it as a milk protein). This material is outstanding at producing a solid tone and an extraordinary feel. One thing to be careful of with these picks is to not bend them, or get them wet. These picks are quite stiff and have only a subtle flex... if flexed too far they will snap. Since these picks are made of an organic material they will become brittle if they have been wet or damp and then left to dry out. So if you aren't playing on a rainy day outside these picks are exquisite, and produce some serious tone.

Hense picks also come in a variety of shapes and material choices such as:

-The Happy Turtle picks, made from Milk Stone
-The Cream Speedy picks, made from a modern self-lubricating high tech plastic.
-The Midnight Blue picks, made from a high-impact plastic.
-The Grunge Triangle, made of traditional hard rubber

These picks are definitely worth a try if you are seeking a tone and feel akin to the old tortoise shell picks.

http://www.happyturtlepick.de/

https://artisanguitars.com/hense-happy-turtle-faux-tortoise-shell-picks-id-9834

https://artisanguitars.com/hense-triangle-hsk-happy-turtle-pick-14mm-id-9835

https://artisanguitars.com/hense-cream-speedy-triangle-guitar-pick-14mm-id-11023

https://artisanguitars.com/hense-midnight-blue-triangle-guitar-pick-14mm-id-11923

That wraps up another study session at the universal library of guitar geekiness known as Acoustic Tuesday.

Make sure to return your books on time and come back next week to dive ever deeper into the realm of acoustic guitar and the geekiness that must accompany the best Acoustic Life.

Cheers,
Tony