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Guitar playing tips and inspiration to play guitar consistently, have more fun and see more progress with your guitar routine. Every week your host, Tony Polecastro (from tacguitar.com) shows you a new guitar lick and shares new guitar gear and acoustic guitar music he‘s recently found. Tune out the overwhelm of online guitar lesson noise and let Tony be your guide to focus, fun and progress every Tuesday at 10am.
Episodes
Tuesday Jul 24, 2018
Tuesday Jul 24, 2018
➜Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday
#5 Beautifully Dressed Up Fingerboards
Vinyl albums are an item of pure beauty. From the album art, the shiny black disc, the liner notes, and the listening experience; vinyl records capture as much or more mojo and magic than the music was originally recorded with. The album is only half of the equation though...
#4 What's On the Turntable This Week?
This week's featured artist comes from Zorn John in El Paso, TX. He says: "Much like John Fahey he makes a single guitar sound incredible. This is the sound I aspire to create one day." For all of you out there who happen to like the American primitive guitar style, you are going to love this...
#3 Guitar Geek Fashion, Form, and Function
You know you're a guitar geek when you have this friend that you really want to finish an album so, selfishly, you can listen to it whenever you wish...
#2 The Capo Conversation Heats Up
Back on Episode #47 of Acoustic Tuesday, we took a look at the new G7th Heritage capo. It is a truly sexy capo, but I had some questions about its design. I happened to ask these questions during the show and you'll never guess who responded...
#1 Playing Guitar With a Jalapeno?!?!?
Yoke capos are one of the most convenient capo types available. They are beautifully designed to stay on your guitar when not in use, and very easy to recruit when a capo is necessary. For a while, there was really only one high-end yoke capo option until this company came along...
Tuesday Jul 17, 2018
Tuesday Jul 17, 2018
➜All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at47/
➜Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday
#4 Going Into Orbit
Vinyl albums are an item of pure beauty. From the album art, the shiny black disc, the liner notes, and the listening experience; vinyl records capture as much or more mojo and magic than the music was originally recorded with. The album is only half of the equation though...
#3 What's On the Turntable This Week?
This weeks featured artist comes from Zorn John in El Paso, TX. He says: "Much like John Fahey he makes a single guitar sound incredible. This is the sound I aspire to create one day." For all of you out there who happen to like the American primitive guitar style you are going to love this...
#2 Help Out A Fellow Guitar Geek...
You know you're a guitar geek when you have this friend that you really want to finish an album so, selfishly, you can listen to it whenever you wish...
#1 A Sexy Capo?!?!
Yoke capos are one of the most convenient capo types available. They are beautifully designed to stay on your guitar when not in use, and very easy to recruit when a capo is necessary. For a while there was really only one high end yoke capo option until this company came along...
Tuesday Jul 10, 2018
Tuesday Jul 10, 2018
➜All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at46/
➜Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday
Featured In This Episode:
#3 A Guitar Geek Aura
Having something that makes your guitar sound consistent in a variety of playing situations is hard... even more difficult to find is something that is easily tweak-able to dial in a tone you find pleasing. Well, guitar geek friends, I have found a magical DI box that comes close to that mouthwatering description...
#2 What's On the Turntable This Week?
His playing is so supportive of the song; it's never too much, it's never not enough, it always seems just right for the musical situation. He plays fingerstyle guitar with a fluidity that sets a shining example, and his playing looks completely effortless...
#1 A Luthier that Takes the Cake
If creating an instrument that has balance, power, dynamic range, and an uncanny level of responsiveness is a contest, this luthier will no doubt take the prize and win by a very large margin...
Tuesday Jul 03, 2018
Tuesday Jul 03, 2018
➜All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at45/
➜Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday
Featured In This Episode:
#4 Guitars that Sustain Forever...
Being a luthier seems to be one of those professions that you don't choose, rather it chooses you. I want to introduce you to a luthier who has been chosen to make some of the most robust and lush sounding guitars I have ever heard...
#3 A Guitar Thief is On the Loose
As a guitar geek our guitars are precious to us... there is absolutely no doubt about that. And as a luthier and guitar geek not only do you take fantastic care of your instruments, more often than not those very instruments that you take care of are your very own creations...
#2 What's On the Turntable This Week?
Her playing approach is delicate yet can be considered powerful at the same time. She has an effortless command over the fretboard and her influences seemingly pour out of her playing...
#1 #AskMatt
It's not every day you get to sit down with one of your own acoustic guitar heroes so when the opportunity arises it is a guitar geeks obligation to... well... geek out.
Tuesday Jun 26, 2018
Tuesday Jun 26, 2018
➜All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at44/
➜Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday
The acoustic rocket has carefully been placed on the launch pad, safety harnesses are fastened, helmets are in place... all systems go.
The countdown begins 10... 9... 8...
All aboard are intergalactic guitar geeks ready to see what lies within the galaxy of geekdom.
7... 6... 5...
Constellations made of abalone, satellites held together with 80/20 bronze guitar strings, moons made up of layers upon layers of exotic tonewoods.
4... 3... 2...
A gargantuan galactic gathering place where guitar geekiness flourishes.
1...
Blast Off!!!
Welcome to Acoustic Tuesday, your gravity-free guitar geek world chocked full of all of the guitar goodness that you should be aware of.
#4 Spaceship Finger Protectors
Fingerpicks are little bent pieces of metal that sit atop your fingers so that you can dig in, pull some extra volume out of your instrument, maintain clarity, and absolutely destroy your cuticles. It's true, for all of the good that fingerpicks do, it comes at a cost of damaging the cuticles of your picking fingers, but it doesn't have to be that way anymore...
#3 A Summer Acoustic Music Destination
Summer is absolutely chocked full of musical opportunities from local hotspots to national festivals that fans trek miles to. There is literally something for everyone. One festival that I think everyone should know about and at least attend once is...
#2 What's On the Turntable This Week?
I love her ragtime infused fingerstyle blues. Her playing is like listening to Robert Johnson but having a little something extra thrown in there. Kinda like eating your favorite dish at your favorite restaurant, but they won’t tell what the secret special ingredient is...
#1 Your May 2018 Donation Report
Acoustic Tuesday finds all of us guitar geeks uniting every Tuesday, but this week we get to celebrate a whole new level of guitar geek solidarity...
Tuesday Jun 19, 2018
Tuesday Jun 19, 2018
➜All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at43/
➜Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday
The magnificent blazing ball of light known as the sun rolls over the horizon and illuminates the calm waters of Acoustic Tuesday
This episode will have you setting sail on the S.S. Acoustic, heading into uncharted waters of the acoustic ocean with a guitar geek list as your map to the all-hallowed guitar geek treasure.
Strap on your life jacket and hold steady at the stern for we are about to get underway and navigate the channels of acoustic bliss.
#4 A Custom Saddle Maker in Georgia
When I first saw that this item was recommended I was a bit confused because it seemed so basic, but I was very pleasantly surprised upon doing more research. This may be the equivalent of sliced bread for guitar geeks...
#3 A Songwriter's Dream
For music history buffs and especially for those interested in songwriters, their stories, and even their process this documentary needs to be very high on your "to watch" list...
#2 What's On the Turntable This Week?
This week's artist actually comes in the form of a two for one special. Acoustic Tuesday Viewer Ted Renshaw from Southold, NY recommended a true songwriting treasure that's connected to another under the radar artist.
#1 A Visit From an Angel
Magnetic soundhole pickups for acoustic guitar can really be hit or miss. Some can be inexpensive and sound puny, others can be way expensive and sound only ok, but this one sits right in the middle and needs to be known by guitar geeks en masse...
Tuesday Jun 12, 2018
Tuesday Jun 12, 2018
➜All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at42/
➜Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday
For this Acoustic Tuesday, I invite you to ride upon the chariot of acoustic wonderment.
This episode finds us wandering through a land where the streets are paved in spruce, the guard rails are phosphor bronze, and people hang their clothes on the line with capos.
Hop in and strap your seatbelt on for a tour de force through acoustic-city.
Featured in This Episode
As a guitar geek, specifically an acoustic guitar geek, there are certain books that need to make an appearance in your library. Books that not only take on the history of the guitar but also provide a reference for specs and things of that nature...
#3 A Storyteller Who Has a Link to Robert Johnson
There are many myths and legends surrounding the crossroads, the location where Robert Johnson made a deal with the devil. To hear stories from a contemporary of Mr. Johnson, someone who Robert Johnson actually played with, would be a blues guitar geeks dream... Well, blues guitar geeks, it's time for dreams come true.
#2 What's On the Turntable This Week?
Their synchronicity is a wonder in and of itself. The way these four come together to make music is a treat to watch. The energy that they bring and the way they give each other a slice of the sonic pie is just plain fun to hear.
#1 Finding the BEST Acoustic Guitar Pickup
There comes a point and time in every guitar geeks journey where the opportunity to plug in comes along. It can be at home with a new acoustic amp, it can be at an open mic, it could even be with friends at a jam; whatever the case though you will most certainly need a pickup. There's a catch though...
Tuesday Jun 05, 2018
Tuesday Jun 05, 2018
➜All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at41/
➜Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday
Welcome to the wonderment that lies inside the many layers of Acoustic Tuesday.
On the docket for today's exploration are 5 items that will surely inspire you to live your best acoustic life.
There is much ground to cover so let's get ready for blast off into the acoustic infused world of Acoustic Tuesday!!!
#5 A Comfy Musical Instrument Hug
A comfortable hug brought to you by your instrument... seriously a big warm squeeze from your six string friend...
#4 A Mythical Instrument Mashup
Sometimes there are instruments that capture your attention, and they seem to follow you wherever you go... and I mean everywhere...
#3 What's On the Turntable This Week?
These gals sing with such precise harmony and phrasing it will send chills up your spine. They can surely be soft and sensitive when the song demands, but if they need to be gritty and raw they have no problem conjuring those sonic beasts as well...
#2 An Emergency Must-Have Accessory
Every guitar geek has that moment where you are pumped to go play, you get to where you're going, and you open your case only to get that dreaded feeling...
#1 A Recipe for Acoustic Magic
To create acoustic magic, mix one part iconic acoustic guitar brand, two parts guitar geek enthusiasm, and one incredibly talented luthier...
Tuesday May 29, 2018
Tuesday May 29, 2018
Hello and welcome to another week of guitar-centered geekery!
Acoustic Tuesday is coming in for a landing. The runway is clear, and with this jumbo jet of acoustic centered goodness comes a full dose of inspiration to live your best acoustic life.
After checking with the radar tower it seems as though 5 guitar geek items have popped up, but no worries it's all smooth flying from here.
➜All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at40/
-Heartbreaker Guitars-
Finding small bench luthier made guitars to sample is a difficult task. Even in today's day an age, it's still hard to find the rarer makers all under one roof. A single place where you can compare and contrast a multitude of artisan made instruments... That changes now.
Heartbreaker Guitars in Las Vegas, NV is the place where you can go and try out a Lowden, next to a Bourgeois, next to a Santa Cruz, next to a Huss & Dalton. Located roughly 14 miles off the Vegas strip, Heartbreaker Guitars is a boutique shop that has a diverse and inspiring inventory.
The owner, Brendan Smith, curates the inventory with the simple guidance of what he likes... and judging by the pictures and things on their website, he has phenomenal taste.
HBG stocks some unique and one of a kind instruments that would make any guitar geek drool and quite possibly lose sleep. This is one of those stores that will make you weak in the knees and searching for a place to sit down simply because of the breathtaking instruments.
If you happen to be in the Vegas area make sure to check these folks out, call for an appointment and be prepared to be amazed at the selection. If you aren't in the Vegas area, no worries at all, just surf their site and check out hi-res images of every in stock guitar. Oh and if you want to hear those guitars, be sure to visit their youtube channel where they feature reviews of the guitars and even do some fantastic comparisons.
This store no doubt has guitar geeks rejoicing, and you too will rejoice after seeing the guitars that they stock... to say they are drool worthy is an enormous understatement.
-Swallow Hill Music Center-
Folk music is a broad term that encompasses so many different styles, instruments, cultures, and people. Folk music even involves more than just music itself... it's almost as if it needs one place where it can all be contained... a place to learn, play, sing, dance, and discuss.
Swallow Hill Music Center in Denver, CO is just the place that folk music can call home. This non-profit establishment is a place where children and adults can take music lessons, it's a place where you can see an inspirational show, it's a place where you can go to attend a workshop, and it's a place where you can go to share your ideas and thoughts on music as well.
I first heard of Swallow Hill Music Center when I worked in Chicago at the Old Town School of Folk Music. What the Old Town School of Folk Music is for the Midwest is exactly what Swallow Hill is for the West. It truly is another folk music epicenter offering all of the education and wonder that goes along with folk music.
The beautiful thing is that their mission is to make sure that people feel the enrichment of music on a daily basis, and they are striving to do just that. They have festivals so folks can enjoy live music, their adult classes hold graduation ceremonies (part of which involves performing), and they even offer financial aid programs for people that wish to get involved but may not have the means to do so.
Swallow Hill is responsible for spreading the goodness that music can bring, and they are a place that as a guitar geek you need to know about. You can of course visit Swallow Hill and see a show if you are in the Denver area, or if you still wish to support their cause you can even donate online.
-Michael Daves-
What can I say about this weeks artist... I should rephrase, what's not to say about the artist featured this week.
His playing makes you feel like you are on the edge of a cliff... uncomfortably close to the edge. His flatpick runs are inventive and unconventional, but are at home, comfortably finding their way into tunes.
Michael Daves is a guitarist and singer that I first heard playing with Chris Thile on an album entitled "Sleep With One Eye Open." His command over the guitar alongside Chris Thile was inspiring, and then, he started singing...
Michael's voice is a serious contender for one of the best modern bluegrass voices around. Singing lead, Michael Daves controls the ebb and flow of the song all the while projecting a raw confidence. Singing harmony, he quickly escalates to the upper echelon of singers in the genre. His high part harmony is an absolute treat to listen to and unmistakable.
Michael Daves' voice is one that, in my opinion, will be referenced for years and years to come and not just within the bluegrass genre. The ease with which he adds harmony to a song is a treat to the ear, and his abilities on the guitar need not be overshadowed by his voice... they are both on very strong and equal footing.
One album that features Michael in his element is his duo album with Chris Thile entitled "Sleep With One Eye Open." The other album that showcases his creative side is entitled "Orchids and Violence." This album is more of a concept type album featuring one side of it dedicated to straight ahead bluegrass tunes and the other side taking those same tunes and putting a dark electric guitar-infused spin on them.
Chances are if you have heard any modern bluegrass album recorded in the New York area, you may well have already heard Michael at work, but now it's time to single out his abilities and check out his albums... Your record collection will certainly rejoice at their arrival.
-Nechville Banjos-
In a galaxy far, far away there lived an invention that would forever change the way the banjo was thought about. This invention made the banjo a much more tame beast. This invention made the banjo less complicated. This invention made the banjo... easier to tune.
This invention was brought to fruition by a man by the name of Tom Nechville, founder and owner of Nechville banjos out of Bloomington, MN. Nechville banjos sound like the classic banjos that carved the path of bluegrass music, but these banjos are much much different. They have fewer parts, they are easier to setup, and they are easier to tune... it's true, with Tom's invention, the banjo head of the banjo is way easier to tune/tension.
So what exactly is this invention???
The Heli-Mount design replaces over 70 pieces of hardware found on a traditional banjo, and leaves behind a streamlined look and just about the easiest way to tune a banjo head that I have ever seen. The Heli-Mount system functions much like screwing a lid on a jar... except on a banjo. This system, with the use of a single tool, allows you to tighten or loosen the head of your banjo in mere seconds, and it ensures that there is equal tension around the entire head... meaning your banjo is much more musical and far less frustrating.
Nechville banjos also have more than a handful of modern improvements such as the revered hand cut enterprise bridge, the modern in-line tailpiece, the comfort bevel armrest, and the quick-cam neck connection. All of these improvements together make for a banjo that is easy to setup and tweak, but has that highly sought after vintage tone.
Nechville banjos come in a wide array of styles from very modern all the way to that classic vintage banjo look. If you happen to want something a bit more custom, they are happy to entertain those ideas as well.
If you are looking for a banjo that offers the promise of less time tinkering and more time for music making Nechville banjos should be on your list to check out for certain.
http://www.nechville.com/about.php (slow scroll over the helimount system info)
http://www.nechville.com/allacoustics.php (slow scroll through the model offering)
https://youtu.be/-QALC90tdek
https://youtu.be/z6hDcDVtZ4o
-Wegen Picks-
The guitar pick quest continues, actually it never really ends, and today is proof of that. Today, a pick that comes from the Netherlands offering a dark and gritty tone.
Wegen picks, made by Michel Wegen over in the Netherlands, are a fantastic solution for a guitarist not only looking for differently shaped picks but also some radically varied thicknesses. I opted for the Wegen picks that closely resembled what I'm used to so I tried out the black bluegrass picks that come in a standard thickness of 1.4mm.
There are two things I noticed about this pick upon playing with it for the first time. The first thing that popped right out at me was how these picks interact with the guitar strings. The material is a bit softer than what I am used to so I experienced a bit of "drag" as I used the pick on my guitar. It's as if the strings grab hold of the pick ever so slightly... Which leads me to the next thing that I noticed... the tone.
The second thing that surprised me about this pick was its tone. The tone produced by this pick was darker and grittier than most picks that I have tried recently. The Wegens offered a much different tonal palette. Due to the drag on the strings, I felt I could dig in harder to get a more gritty tone. This is a great feature especially if you want to put an exclamation point on a G run, or something of the like.
Overall the Wegen picks were a breath of fresh air. What I initially thought may have been the pick's downfall was a huge benefit in the tone department. The fun doesn't end there though... I only tried one of the plethoras of picks offered from Wegen. Amongst the offerings Michel has created, some standout picks include gypsy jazz picks, mandolin picks, triangular picks, and even the notorious Fatone. All of these picks have their prescribed uses and I would certainly encourage you to try them out if you happen to be in an adventurous mood.
Tuesday May 22, 2018
Tuesday May 22, 2018
Salutations guitar geek, may this fine Acoustic Tuesday cast plenty of pleasantries your way!
Acoustic Tuesday presented by http://tonysacousticchallenge.com
Another volume of Acoustic Tuesday is here and with it comes your weekly helping of acoustic guitar goodness.
This week another 5 guitar geek items are presented on a silver platter for your enjoyment.
-Jeffrey Foucalt -
I am so happy about the news that I just received... yet another Acoustic Tuesday artist is releasing a brand new album, and I heard this one in entirety and it is a beautiful piece of work.
Jeffrey Foucalt is set to release his newest album Blood Brothers on June 22, 2018, and I will just say that you need to pre-order it. Plain and simple, this album contains some gorgeously crafted songs. Jeffrey's writing on Blood Brothers is open, honest, and truly touching. This is the type of album that you just keep flipping in an effort to make sure it never ends. The cast of characters playing on the album treats the songs so incredibly well, playing with taste and a high level of reverence for the songs and their lyrics.
I cannot tell you how excited I am to receive my pre-ordered, signed, vinyl copy of this new album. You should be excited as well because you can pre-order yours too by visiting Jeffrey's Pledge Music page. There are a gaggle of great options available on that page from preordering the album, access to some live show material, and even getting a private show with Jeffrey.
One more thing that makes me love this project even more... this quote from Jeffrey's pledge music page:
"I don’t care about being famous, and if I did I would have made other decisions in my life until now. I want to make enough money to write songs, make records, tour behind them, and pay everyone fairly along the way. I believe in music, and what it’s meant in my life, and I want the music I make to mean something in the lives of other people."
That right there is a project I can get behind.
https://youtu.be/M1Eqp53o8uk
https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/bloodbrothers
https://amzn.to/2whQ7XK
https://jeffreyfoucault.com/news
https://jeffreyfoucault.com/tour/
-Blueridge Guitars-
The question of what is the best entry level guitar has been posed to me many times before, and I wish I had one I could go to as the end all be all, but the truth of the matter is that there are a whole bunch of really exceptional entry and mid-level guitars out there. So which ones should you consider?
It would be hard to pick just one, but if I had to I would say that one brand, in particular, would be a phenomenal starting place. Blueridge Guitars made by Saga Musical Instruments has some truly fantastic instruments and they come in at some unbelievable price points.
Usually, I would just isolate one guitar from a lineup, but in this case, I have to say that across the board Blueridge makes some very good sounding and nicely priced instruments. Both the Historic Series and the Contemporary Series by Blueridge are major home runs.
These models take their aesthetics from iconic guitars which is what initially caught my attention. While working in Chicago, I had the privilege of playing the BR43, BR40, BR63, BR60, BR143, BR140, BR163, BR160, amongst others. I have to say these instruments are well made, look the part, and most importantly sound good. Not only did I have the chance to play each of these models, I got to play a ton of each of them so I feel commenting on their consistency is very relevant here.
Whether you are looking for an intermediate level guitar for your guitarsenal or you are seeking out a second guitar that you can modify or use on camping trips I would certainly consider Blueridge. The amount of these guitars that I have seen at bluegrass festivals alone says a ton about their sound.
http://www.sagamusic.com/products/show-guitars.aspx?brand=blueridge
https://youtu.be/wWAdpDb0ocw BR143 Demo
https://youtu.be/QcCpqwG-tfo BR60 Review
https://youtu.be/AM2_Ow3oVh0 BR40 Review
https://youtu.be/kZQcNfiGWME BR160 Review
https://amzn.to/2KKaW1d - BR40
https://amzn.to/2rrmxcK - BR43
https://amzn.to/2rtqTA7 - BR60
https://amzn.to/2HVM6xC - BR63
https://amzn.to/2KHCZyp - BR140
https://amzn.to/2KHCZyp - BR143
https://amzn.to/2rpXSFF - BR160
https://amzn.to/2KKLc50 - BR163
-Molly Tuttle-
This week's artist is no stranger to Acoustic Tuesday, but there has never been an official artist feature on her. That changes this week...
She flatpicks with surgical precision, her phrasing is unique, and she sings with a magical voice. Her original tunes are crafted with expertise and the musicality she brings to every situation is her superpower.
Molly Tuttle has been on Acoustic Tuesday roughly 4 times and now she officially has an artist feature. This is long overdue because Molly is one of the top modern flatpickers that I have ever heard.
Molly has a knack for finding space and letting a tune breathe all the while balancing her high-level flatpicking ability. She is the type of picker that never seems to overplay; she plays what's right when it's right... nothing more and nothing less.
Watching her play is a master class in pick hand control and economy of motion. She picks with ease, although what comes out of her guitar does not sound easy... she just makes it look that way.
Molly is most associated with the acoustic guitar but she is an outstanding banjo player as well. In fact, she often brings the old-time clawhammer style of banjo to her guitar which can be heard on the song "Save This Heart" from her EP "Rise."
The bottom line is: if you like amazing flatpicking, incredible tone, an outstanding voice, and appreciate original music. Molly's new EP is one for you. If you are looking for a flatpicker that will make you think differently about bluegrass guitar you very much need to know of Molly.
https://www.mollytuttlemusic.com/
https://www.mollytuttlemusic.com/tour
https://www.mollytuttlemusic.com/store
https://amzn.to/2rsttGD
https://amzn.to/2I4955K
https://amzn.to/2rsWZw1
https://youtu.be/OezjWN44Ejc
https://youtu.be/DJY5RjuHHDY
https://youtu.be/lLlkKMg_Vaw
https://youtu.be/y9uLjD76vsA
-Dunlop Flow Picks-
Guitar picks... our best friend and arch nemesis. There are so many how do we know when to stop searching for the right one... The answer is never...
That search for the perfect pick is what brought me to this wonderful little gem. This beautiful green colored Ultex beauty has made my guitars scream with joy. I am referring to the new Dunlop Flow picks.
These picks have a comfy feel and even a subtle grip to them beyond the normal grippy feel of Ultex. What I noticed about these picks is that they are close to the Primetone picks but without the bevel. They come in a fatter shape that allows for a bit more control with the thumb, a huge bonus.
Overall I was very pleased with the tone produced by these picks. The notes are fat and warm, and the polished edge allows for a nice smooth release of the string. I experienced that the picks actually felt a touch faster than my standard Ultex picks. This may be in part due to that polished edge, but I also feel that it could be attributed to the shape of the pick and the extra control it seemed to offer.
These picks won't halt the perfect pick journey, but they may very well keep me occupied for a spell. My standard Ultex picks seem to be getting just a little jealous of the new Flow picks. I will have to keep you posted on how they cohabit in the pick box.
https://www.jimdunlop.com/product/549p100-7-10137-10861-5.do?sortby=ourPicks
https://www.jimdunlop.com/product/547p200-7-10137-10840-0.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=1&ecList=1&ecCategory=
https://youtu.be/KY3BxSbky6o
-Gryphon Strings -
There are some amazing acoustic guitar shops in the US, but one has two figures that are largely responsible for what we know about the history of guitars, and how we fix them...
Back in 1969, Frank Ford and Richard Johnston started Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto, CA. Those names might sound familiar and if they don't then take this as your introduction to two of the most amazing guitar geeks out there. Frank Ford runs the repair shop at Gryphon and he is a repair wizard of sorts, and Richard not only runs the retail shop, he also writes for industry magazines and guests on PBS' Antiques Roadshow as their instrument specialist.
The shop that these two founded and still are a part of is incomparable. They feature new instruments from some of today's top makers as well as a very wonderful assortment of vintage instruments. The selection of instruments that they offer is vast, but it is more than just a shop.
Want lessons? Gryphon does it.
Concerts? Gryphon does it.
Workshops? Yep, Gryphon does it.
Appraisals? Yes indeed, Gryphon does it.
Super informative and beneficial news? ...Sure thing, Gryphon does that too!
In fact, the news section of their website is one that should be checked out by every guitar geek. Particularly the article on how heat in a car can damage your acoustic guitar... beware if you look at that article there are some very graphic images.
All in all, Gryphon Stringed Instruments is a shop for guitar geeks by guitar geeks, and by the looks of what they are up to they do an amazing job of uniting guitar geeks as well.
https://shop.gryphonstrings.com/
https://www.gryphonstrings.com/the-history/
https://www.gryphonstrings.com/news/
https://www.gryphonstrings.com/hot-guitar-car/
https://www.gryphonstrings.com/events/
https://www.gryphonstrings.com/appraisals/
The warm breeze that is Acoustic Tuesday is done shaking the leaves on guitar geek trees for this week.
Alas, don't fear it will only be one more week until the next Acoustic Tuesday is here.
Until then check out those guitar geek items and live your best Acoustic Life!!!
Cheers,
Tony