Acoustic Tuesday | Guitar Routine Show

5 Steps to Avoid Buyer's Remorse with Acoustic Guitars

Don't make the same mistake I made when I bought my first guitar at 19 years old! By asking yourself 5 simple questions when purchasing a guitar, you can save yourself TONS of time and money.

★ Request your invite to Tony's Acoustic Challenge today: https://tonypolecastro.com/
★ All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/atah1
★ Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday

In today's Acoustic Tuesday at Home episode, I have three great stories to share with you. The first one involves HEAVY buyer's remorse. The second and third stories apply concepts in the 5 steps to avoid buyer's remorse to show how to successfully find your dream guitar.

In addition, I'll take some time to update you on the homefront. There's been a TON going on...between the practice contractions and a skunk roaming around in the backyard, it's been a LONG week. 

My Martin D-41 Special: The Real Story (+HUGE News)

Have you ever encountered a guitar that changed your relationship with someone — for better or for worse? My Martin D-41 Special did exactly that...

In this episode of...well, it's not really Acoustic Tuesday. Instead, as my wife, Whitney, and I prepare for our baby boy, I'm going to be making Acoustic Tuesday at Home! It's a little cozier, a little more uncut, and a TON more fun!

I'm also going to be working on a brand-new season of Acoustic Tuesday during this time — more details on that in the video!

So, with all of that being said, I hope you enjoy the new show as I work to welcome my son into the world and bring to you an awesome new season of the Acoustic Tuesday Show! 

★ Request your invite to Tony's Acoustic Challenge today: https://tonypolecastro.com/
★ All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/atah1
★ Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday

155 - 6 BEST Resonator Guitars under $799

Do you want to get into resonator guitars, but are not sure where to start? In this video, I'll show you the 6 best resonator guitars to start with, why they're worth the money, and the 3-step system you should use to buy your next resonator.

Every resonator guitar on this list is under $799, very accessible to new resonator players, and well worth the money. But to help you narrow it down, we'll also talk about the three qualities to look for in any resonator guitar. 

I want to make a special shoutout to Mike Dowling, who is an incredible resonator player that I'm featuring in this episode! Be sure to check out his work and support him if you enjoy his music! Special thanks are also due to Norman's Rare Guitars!

 

★ Request your invite to Tony's Acoustic Challenge today: https://tonypolecastro.com/al-request-invite/?ref=INVITE&src=AL
★ All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at155/
★ Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday

154 - The 5 Resonator Guitars a Pro Reviewer Bought

Have you ever wondered what resonator guitars a professional reviewer, teacher, and player would buy? In this video, you'll get to see part 2 of my guitarsenal: the resonators and uncategorizable guitars!

 

Each of these resonators has a fun story behind it, so be sure to watch the whole video. And, once you get to the end, I want to hear which guitars you liked the most and whether you have any resonators!

 

This entire episode is dedicated to resonator guitars, which is why I'm featuring a resonator builder and an awesome resonator player. Be sure to let me know what you think about these artists!

 

I want to give a special shoutout for Republic Guitars and Billy Cardine for their craftsmanship and artistry that goes into their work!

 

If you're thinking of purchasing a resonator guitar, learning resonator, or just listening to resonators then this episode is absolutely for you!

 

★ Request your invite to Tony's Acoustic Challenge today: https://tonypolecastro.com/al-request-invite/?ref=INVITE&src=AL
★ All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at154/
★ Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday

153 - 10 Albums that Changed My Life...will they change yours?

In this episode, I'm breaking down the 10 albums that had a huge impact on my life and growth as a musician. Everything from people, places, quotes, concerts, and instruments can impact your guitar journey. But what's the common thread? Albums. 

 

I can't make a list of top 10 albums EVER. However, I can make a list of 10 albums that changed my life. My hope is that, through the power and magic of music, I'm able to help you reflect on the albums that have changed your life. 

 

To help spark your imagination and interest in your own guitar journey, I broke my list into 3 categories: instrumental, bluegrass, and singer-songwriter. 

 

★ Request your invite to Tony's Acoustic Challenge today: https://tonypolecastro.com/al-request-invite/?ref=INVITE&src=AL

 

★ All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at153/

 

★ Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday

 

152 - How THESE Women Leave Their Mark on Acoustic Music

I'm going to bet money you haven't heard of at least seven of these incredible artists. That's going to change today when I talk about how these 10 incredible women are leaving their mark on acoustic music.

Before I go any further, I want to give a huge shoutout to two YouTube channels that I always use to help me discover new music: GemsOnVHS and Western AF. The folks at these channels are awesome, so keep up the good work! If you are into discovering new acoustic music, these channels are great resources!

In today's episode, I really stove not to feature artists who have already made it in the music industry, ie Molly Tuttle or Sierra Hull. They're incredible artists, don't get me wrong. But, the artists today are 10 brand-new artists to me and to the Acoustic Tuesday Show.

So, without further ado, let's dive right into my list of the 10 women who are leaving their mark on acoustic music.

#10: Kaia Kater

@Kaia Kater is a banjo player who is a brilliant artist. Her ability to take advantage of space and silence within her music allows her voice to really fill out her arrangements and compositions. The tone she gets out of her banjo is extremely balanced, too! Effortless and moving, I highly recommend you check out Kaia Kater!

#9: Libby Decamp

Another banjo player, I found Libby on both Gems on VHS and Western AF. While Kaia Kater's banjo playing was more nuanced, Libby picks more aggressively on her banjo. Her voice has a slight waver as well when she sings, which I totally love. The lyricism in her songs is also remarkable.,

#8: Kassi Valazza

The word that comes to mind when I think about Kassi Valazza is cinematic. Definitely more in the genre of Country than folk, Kassi just evokes a spaghetti western vibe in her music. She paints sonic pictures in such a vivid way that I'm kicking myself over not listening to her sooner in my musical career!

#7: Melody Walker

A multi-instrumentalist who I've seen in a variety of different settings, Melody Walker strikes me as an incredible songwriter and artist. I want to spotlight the lyrical prowess she displays on almost all of her compositions. In fact, she ended up writing a song with Molly Tuttle!

#6: Kiki Cavazos

A voice like something between Bob Dylan and Loretta Lynn, Kiki Cavazos is a piercing songwriter that emulates the old-school country style of Hank Williams Sr. She's also a Montana resident, so I'm doubly sad that I haven't discovered her work sooner! She has such an old-school sound that sounds straight from a bygone era.

#5: Rhiannon Giddens

One of the most talented, powerful songwriters on the banjo today, @Rhiannon Giddens is an expressive instrumentalist and a noteworthy songwriter. The tone that she conveys with her playing is just mind-blowing. On top of being a musical dynamo, she is an activist who I believe is steering the acoustic music community in the right direction.

To check out the full list of artists, watch their videos, and see where you can support them, and purchase their music, please visit www.acousticlife.tv/at152/

★ Request your invite to Tony's Acoustic Challenge today: https://tonypolecastro.com/al-request-invite/?ref=INVITE&src=AL

★ All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at152/

★ Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday

151 - 10 Reasons Why You CAN'T Miss this Guitar-Geek City

If you're looking to plan a future guitar-geeky vacation, look no further than this incredible city. Whether you're into historic venues, shopping for guitars, or memorabilia, get ready to take a virtual vacation of THE Music City!

On this episode of Acoustic Tuesday, I'm taking you through the top 10 guitar-geek destinations within Nashville, Tennessee.

Besides taking a trip through Nashville, you'll hear plenty of historical tidbits and trivia, such as why Johnny Cash was banned from the Grand Ole Opry, how Gruhn Guitars got started in Nashville, and inside look at Carter Vintage Guitars.

Nashville is an absolutely incredible city. There are few cities I would recommend more to a fellow guitar geek. That being said, I've created a list of the top 10 reasons you need to visit Nashville. So, be sure to watch the whole video!

Let me know if I missed anything in Nashville. I'd love it if this became a resource for all guitar geeks looking for the best things to do in Nashville!

★ Request your invite to Tony's Acoustic Challenge today: https://tonypolecastro.com/al-request-invite/?ref=INVITE&src=AL

★ All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at151/

★ Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday

150 - THIS is the Future of Acoustic Guitar [gear+artists!]

Whether it's space travel or sustainable tonewood forests, I know the future of the acoustic guitar is bright. In this episode, I'll walk you through 5 HUGE reasons why the acoustic guitar is the chosen instrument of the future.

This entire episode is dedicated to the future of the acoustic guitar. Specifically, why the acoustic guitar will be the champion instrument in the near and distant future.

In addition, you'll hear about two guitars that I think are definitely guitars of the future. One of them is a Lowden Guitars' F50, which is truly futuristic because of the innovative tonewood combinations used on this guitar. In addition, I'll give you a review of the Fender Acoustasonic guitar, an instrument that has received a TON of hype...but is it worth it?

Last but not least, you'll get the chance to listen to a friend of mine who went viral a couple months ago. His videos include him playing a Weissenborn guitar across the wilds of Montana. His name? Dan Dubuque .

Just to give you a taste of what's to come for the acoustic guitar, here are my top 5 signs the acoustic guitar is the instrument of the future.

Reason #5: Power or No-Power, There's POWER
Whether you're plugged into an amp or not, the acoustic guitar can fill a room if it needs to. It's mobile and can be adaptable in a wide variety of situations.

So if the distant future for some reason doesn't involve electricity, us acoustic guitar geeks we'll still be able to make music! If we do have power, there are plenty of effects and gear that can help sonically texture the acoustic guitar and innovate its sound.

Reason #4: Band in a Box
While the guitar is useful for strumming and playing chords, you can actually pull so many different sounds and effects from your acoustic guitar.

There are hundreds of different percussive tones that can be played on the acoustic guitar. Combine that with the different chord progressions, rhythms, and more...you suddenly have a guitar that is 100% a band in a box.

Reason #3: SPACE TRAVEL
Good news, everyone! The acoustic guitar is safe for space travel! As we soar into the deep, unknown vasts of space, one astronaut acknowledges how primal and powerful music is — it's one of the most basic parts of our human identity.

Astronaut Chris Hadfield proves it with his trusty Larrivee P-01 while he answered some questions in an interview he did from the space station!

Reason #2: Material Innovation
Starting with sustainable harvesting, there have been tons of fun advancements in sustainably harvesting tonewoods. Instead of clear-cutting or chopping down ancient trees, @Taylor Guitars cloned a maple tree that provided high-quality and reliable tonewood.

Additionally, the folks at Emerald Guitars have been building insanely high-quality carbon fiber guitars.

Reason #1: Community
Throughout my life and career, I've noticed that the acoustic guitar has an uncanny ability to create community wherever it goes. As humans, we've needed community in the past, we need it now, and we'll need it in the future. As far as I can tell, no instrument is better suited to bring together folks like the acoustic guitar.

I've been a part of the 2006-2007 record for the world's largest guitar lesson (1500 people). Being there was absolutely amazing and goes to show how incredible the community around acoustic guitar is. 10 years later, I held the Acoustic Life Festival in Bozeman, Montana. This was a festival where over 100 Tony's Acoustic Challenge members met to play together for a weekend...phew, that was something special!

Did I leave something off of my list that should have been included? Let me know in the comments below!

★ Request your invite to Tony's Acoustic Challenge today: https://tonypolecastro.com/al-request-invite/?ref=INVITE&src=AL

★ All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at150/

★ Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday

149 - 7 CHOICE Guitars a Professional Reviewer Buys

After reviewing over 600 guitars in my career, these 7 dreadnoughts are some of the best guitars I've ever played. In this video, I'll go over each of these guitars and why they stood out after playing hundreds of other incredible guitars.

Since my guitarsenal, or guitar collection, is so large, I've narrowed down this list to just my dreadnought guitars. You'll be hearing about my dobros and small-body guitars later this year!

In addition to hearing about my guitarsenal, you'll get a chance to see a Heartbreaker of the Month: the guitar that Heartbreaker Guitars in Las Vegas has picked out for us to showcase! Also, you'll get some advice from Jeremy Sheppard , a guitar hunter who is here to help you find the guitar that works for you! Last but not least, I'll feature Dogwood Tales, an acoustic duo from Virginia.

Alright, without further ado, let's dive into my list of the 7 dreadnoughts I bought after reviewing hundreds of other awesome guitars!

#1: Santa Cruz Guitar Company Vintage Southerner

This is the most different of all the dreadnoughts in my collection because it's a shorter scale. For that very reason, I tend to favor the Santa Cruz Vintage Southerner for fingerpicking. Lightly built with a spruce top and mahogany back and sides, this guitar really is a great accompaniment instrument.

#2: Bourgeois Country Boy Dreadnought.

This particular Bourgeois Country Boy is an absolute bluegrass cannon. If you want a guitar that can stand out in the mix when your flatpicking through fill after fill, this is your guitar. But, this guitar isn't just a standard Bourgeois Country Boy. This guitar was originally owned by Courtney Hartman and used when she was in the band @Della Mae .

#3: Martin D-41 Special

Indian Rosewood back and sides...Sitka spruce top...I mean, this guitar is a classic combination of class and power that I can't get enough of. Additionally, the forward-shifted bracing helps this guitar really open up and resonate at another level. But here's the fun part: this guitar was owned by my dad after I sold it to him while I was working at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago.

#4: Taylor 717 Grand Pacific Builders Edition

@Taylor Guitars has built some incredible guitars, and I've been lucky enough to have them send me this model for review. After I reviewed this guitar, I knew I needed to add it to my guitarsenal because of its remarkable laser-like projection. The V-class bracing and the torrefied Sitka spruce top definitely help give this guitar an unforgettable sound.

#5: Taylor 517 Grand Pacific Builders Edition

This Taylor was actually sent alongside the 717 I mentioned previously. As I kept this specific guitar around the studio for the review, I started playing it more and more. I was captivated by the mahogany back and sides that set this guitar apart from the 717 and any other guitar in my guitarsenal — and I liked the visual look of a sunburst guitar!

#6: Thompson DCMA

With an Adirondack spruce top, Cuban mahogany back and sides, this guitar really, truly, sings. After discussing Thompson Guitars with a few different friends of mine, I decided that I NEEDED to have one of these guitars. This guitar has tons of horsepower and clarity.

#7: Martin HD-35

The last dreadnought in my guitarsenal, this guitar feels like a trusty old companion. This was the first "real" guitar I ever purchased. This guitar has been with me since I had my first gig, and I truly love it for its warm, woody tone.

★ Request your invite to Tony's Acoustic Challenge today: https://tonypolecastro.com/al-request-invite/?ref=INVITE&src=AL

★ All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at149/

★ Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday

148 - Martin vs. Gibson: The Definitive Comparison

In this video, I'm pitting Martin vs. Gibson, two of the oldest American guitar manufacturers. Both make incredible guitars, both have played a key role in American history, but only one can be crowned as the best US guitar maker.

Is Martin better than Gibson? Is Gibson better than Martin? Am I comparing apples and oranges? Watch the full episode to see how this one shakes out. And, let me know what you think in the comments below!

Both of these companies are well-respected in the industry. In addition, they're American icons, seemingly enmeshed within the fibers of American popular history.

Both Martin Guitar and Gibson have created incredible guitars throughout history, so first I want to thank both of them for their dedication to the craft!

This entire episode is dedicated to comparing the most popular American guitar brands. While most people recognize Gibson for their Les Paul models and other electric guitars, they also have a history of creating high-quality acoustic guitars for over 100 years. As for Martin...well, they've been the gold standard for acoustic guitars for many periods throughout history.

To help organize and compare Martin guitars and Gibson guitars, I'm putting them through seven categories.

1. History

2. Sustainability

3. Manufacturing

4. Model Offering

5. Innovation

6. Artist Roster

7. Custom Shop

I want to hear what you have to say about each of these categories. Is Gibson better than Martin? Is Martin better than Gibson? Are we comparing apples and oranges? I want to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

★ Request your invite to Tony's Acoustic Challenge today: https://tonypolecastro.com/al-request-invite/?ref=INVITE&src=AL

★ All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at148/

★ Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday