Monday, June 25, 2007News
American Chronicle
Choosing The Right Guitar
Darren Bocksnick
Expressing an interest in playing the guitar can be both an exciting and challenging move. Depending on your musical ambitions and personal discipline, guitar playing can be a rewarding passion as well as a lucrative career path. The true beauty of playing guitar is that every facet of the instrument- from the style of guitar, the features of the guitar and ultimately, the music you choose to play on the guitar, is all about individual preference. This is perhaps the greatest factor contributing to the guitar’s wide-spread popularity is that one can use it as an extension of his or herself to express their individual musical creativity to its fullest extent.
When one first develops the “inclination” to play guitar, there are a couple of factors to consider: Firstly, playing the guitar requires discipline, dedication as well as inspiration. The beginning guitarist should adopt the mindset that a little practice every day can go a long way. Daily practice develops finger dexterity and coordination, familiarity with the fret-board and a quick understanding of simple musical theory in regards to the relationships between modes and patterns. Also, there is the notion that the more one plays; the more one is inspired to play. This in turn equates to longer practice sessions, which means the better guitar player one will undoubtedly become!
Secondly, the beginning guitarist should not go in overboard or over his or her head in purchasing that first guitar. Too many beginning guitarists with good intentions and grand aspirations have made the mistake of spending thousands of dollars on their first guitar, only to find themselves in debt and often, underdeveloped as guitarists simply because they didn’t allow the guitar to become a part of their lives and lifestyle through daily practicing. Hence, the guitar becomes another passing phase or another forgotten hobby that has left the individual penniless and music-less along with a fine instrument left in the corner collecting dust.
There are plenty of decent, yet inexpensive guitars models available that can be both easy and inspirational to play, yet won’t break the bank either. Moreover, there are “package deals” now available through many music store franchises and Internet retailers such as www.musiciansfriend.com or www.zzounds.com where one can purchase an entire kit: guitar, carry case, amplifier (in the case of electric guitars), cords, tuners and straps all for about the same price one might pay just for an average guitar. These package deals also are available for acoustic guitars as well. These may be the ideal offer for the beginning guitarist because purchasing those items separately can be expensive and time consuming. Also, a package or kit ensures the beginning guitarist can “jump right in” and start playing, having all the necessary components in place.
Thirdly, the beginning guitarist should consider their choice in playing the guitar an investment of timeless quality. In other words, the serious guitarist should visualize his or her decision to play the guitar as a life-long passion and a worthy quest of lasting proportions that is ever evolving, growing and reaching for new levels of achievement. Once this is settled in the mind of the serious guitar player, becoming a good guitarist is irrelevant since good is no longer viewed as a destination; it is natural by-product that outflows as a result of the guitarist pursuing his or her passion and enjoying the musical journey he or she’s embarked upon!
Choose Your Position, Play Your Part: Once these factors are realized the guitarist can then move on to other considerations. What musical genre do you wish to pursue? The guitar is featured in nearly every style of music in one form of fashion or the other. Be it Rock, Jazz, Blues, Classic, Latin, Pop, Reggae, even Techno are proponents and popular venues for guitarists. Also, the serious guitarist should consider what “part” he or she would like to play in whatever musical endeavor he or she is engaged in. If keeping rhythm or the playing the “meat” of the music is your preference, than becoming a rhythm guitarist may be your best choice. On the other hand, if adding “flavor” to the music through playing melody or accenting the song with stringing select notes together seems to be your style, then becoming a lead or accompaniment guitarist might be the better fit.
Of course, these positions are not always clearly defined as rhythm guitarists can often just as well play lead and lead guitarist can just as easily play rhythm. However, there seems to be an inclination toward one or the other and whatever position you feel most comfortable in playing, make that your choice of pursuit.
Acoustic, Folk or Finger Style Guitar: There is equally as diverse a selection of guitars for various music types as there are genres of music. For example, in Folk music, a Folk or Dreadnaught guitar, otherwise known, as an acoustic guitar is the usual preference. These guitars are hollow bodied instruments with a hole or a series of holes on the “top” for projecting the sound outwardly. The natural “acoustics” of these instruments is what distinguishes them from other guitars. Their ability to amplify the sound without amplification or additional speakers is what makes them unique. Regarding this, the selection of woods used in the crafting of an acoustic guitar will ultimately determine its tone. For example, an acoustic guitar built with a spruce top (Engleman or Sitka) would naturally project a bright, crisp tone, making spruce one of the more popular “tone woods” in guitar building. An acoustic crafted with cedar wood, would be more of a mellow, well-rounded tone thus attributing to its popularity amongst finger style guitarists.
The hole in the top of these types of guitars, serves somewhat as a makeshift speaker. For additional sound projection however, acoustic guitars are often played with amplification through either an active preamp built into the guitar or through a microphone near the sound hole.
However, the fun of an acoustic guitar is in its simplicity. There is no need for hooking up troublesome cables or amplification; one needs only to pick it up and just play it, making the acoustic guitar the perfect campfire or couch companion. Whether it’s Folk, a strum driven, chord-emphasized composition with straightforward lyrics and catchy melodies or Finger Style, a finger picking, often instrumental yet highly melodic composition of guitar playing, the acoustic guitar is a must have.
Some popular acoustic guitar choices that are available are www.seagullguitars.com, www.taylorguitars.com, www.breedloveguitars and www.takamine.com along with www.yamaha.com to name a few. There are numerous acoustic guitar players that are considered some of the best in the world amongst critics and fans alike. Phil Keaggy, www.philkeaggy.com, Leo Kottke, www.leokottke.com, and Peppino D’Agostino, www.peppinodagostino.com are just a few acoustic guitarists amongst many that stand out in the crowd of great acoustic guitar players.
Classical or Flamenco Style: If classical or flamenco style music tantalizes one’s taste, there are also various classical and flamenco guitar models to suit the interests. Though these are similar in size and appearance to acoustic guitars, they take have some unique features which contribute to their distinctive sound, making them the ample choice amongst enthusiasts.
These guitars feature wider necks to accommodate the often, complicated chord structures and progressions used by classical and flamenco guitarists. Also, these guitars feature nylon strings rather than the traditional bronze or steel strings found on typical acoustic guitars. The nylon string feature suits this style of guitar playing well since many of the strum patterns in classical and flamenco playing uses the finger tips in an often, fast or aggressive motion. If steel strings were played in such a manner, the poor flamenco guitarist would not have any fingers left!
Classical and Flamenco guitars are often incorporated into jazz compositions since the nylon strings offer a smooth, subtle tone that accommodates other instruments well rather than the bright, somewhat overbearing crispness of the steel string acoustic instruments. Though Classical and Flamenco guitar style have often gained the reputation as being the most challenging style of guitar playing to learn, many non-classical or non-flamenco players find great pleasure in owning a classical or flamenco guitar for accompaniment, inspiration and relaxation.
Though they vary in price and quality, here are some popular classical or flamenco guitars: www.cordobaguitars.com and www.alvarezguitars.com. Here are a few classical or flamenco guitarists that shine forth the light of their respective talents in a spectacular way: Stevan Pasero, Esteban, www.esteban.com, and Otmar Liebert, http://www.lunanegra.com along with many others make beautiful contributions through their compositions to this unique art of guitar playing.
Jazz or Fusion Style: Jazz is certainly not a new style but it is indeed a re-emerging style gaining popularity amongst various social groups, young and old alike. As distinguished as the structure and as broad the variety of styles constituting the jazz genre, so are the guitar instruments created especially for the jazz players playing them.
Since jazz is often an infusion of blues, rock, flamenco, classical, reggae or pop, along with some unique trimmings specific to the style, so is the choice in jazz guitar an infusion of distinctive features and timeless techniques all bound in the body of the instrument. Jazz guitars, often referred to as “Archtop” guitars are neither solid body electrics nor hollow body acoustics, they are semi hollow; meaning the body of the jazz guitar is partially hollow. This trademark alone makes for a particular tone; deep and resonant, yet crisp and clear- a tone not usually found in other guitars.
Rather than a standard round hole for sound amplification, the jazz guitar incorporates two, signature “F Holes” since the patterns of the holes on both the upper and lower top of the guitar, resembles that of a fancy, stylish “F” shape. Again, this trademark feature projects the sound in a whole new, non-duplicable manner. Not only do jazz guitars incorporate the hollowed out chambers in their bodies or the unique “F” Hole for sound amplification, most of them also utilize electric pickups, which create a magnetic vibration on the string which produces and projects the sound of the string. There are even some jazz guitars that don’t have any holes, yet are still hollow bodied instruments, relying only on the unique tones of their hollowed out chambers and electric components for projecting their signature sound outwardly.
Jazz guitars offer the aspiring guitarist a fresh approach to guitar playing. Their stylish beauty and unapologetic tone would be a compliment to any guitar player’s collection. Though most major guitar manufacturers have jazz guitars in their lineup, here are a few that specialize in the instrument: www.dangelicoguitars.com, or aria guitars at www.ariausa.com. Some of the jazz guitarists who stand as giants in their field are: Larry Carlton, www.larrycarlton.com, Al Dimeola, www.aldimeola.com, Allan Holdworth, www.therealallanholdsworth.com, are a few of the jazz greats leaving their mark and making musical history.
Electric, Rock or Blues Style: These styles alone have contributed to the compounding popularity of the guitar as perhaps, no other style of music ever has. Since electrical guitars are often in the forefront of the band and highly visible instruments in the sense that an audience can actually observe the guitarist-artist applying his or her touches to the musical masterpieces he or she is creating, these guitars are fast becoming the instrument of choice among aspiring musicians.
These guitars are solid body electrics, not relying upon holes or hollowed chambers to achieve their tone, so the emphasis is on the choice of wood, or in some cases, composites and the relationship between the electrical components that amplify the wood’s tonal properties. Yet, this relationship between wood and electronics in no way interferes with the aesthetic appeal of the instrument. Electric guitars come in all manners of colors, shapes, and size along with all manner of graphic art, gizmos, gadgets and the like. These instruments are every bit the embodiment of expression from the individuals playing them.
Electric or blues guitar and rock guitar are very similar in the sense that much of the same chord structures and note compositions are alike. However in blues guitar, the player plays a more soulful, punchy approach to the instrument to accentuate the often, sad or melodramatic lyrics often associated with “the blues”. In rock style, there is often more distortion, more drive and more of an aggressive approach to playing the instrument to create an almost, euphoric, energetic and rowdy feel, contributing to the party like, violent behavior often characterized at rock concerts.
An electric guitar, regardless of style, shape or color is another “must have” to add to any collection or to learn the fundamentals of guitar playing upon. The necks are designed for easy access and comfortable feel while the bodies are thin and often, ergonomic to accommodate the player.
The list of guitarists that stand out as icons in their respective fields are: Rock: Eric Johnson, www.ericjohnson.com, Steve Vai, www.vai.com, Joe Satriani, www.joesatriani.com, and John Petrucci, www.johnpetrucci.com to name a few. Blues: Derek Trucks, www.derektrucksband.com, Billy Gibbons, www.zztop.com and Robin Trower, www.trowerpower.com are a few among many great blues guitarists.
There are numerous electric guitar manufacturers, each offering a stylish lineup varying in price and features. Some of the more popular brands are: www.fender.com, www.gibson.com, www.ibanez.com, www.prsguitars.com, and www.deanguitars.com to name a few.
One Voice, Two Voice and Three Voice Guitars: The “voice” of the guitar is its signature sound or tone, combining all the elements of the tone woods comprising the instrument, the electrical components empowering the instrument and the amplification or choice of effects that are projecting the instrument. This is what gives a guitar its “voice”.
Most guitars are single voice instruments in that they voice what a normal guitar should voice- an electric guitar tone. Yet, there are a few innovative guitar companies out there experimenting and perfecting the concept of dual and triple “voice” guitars. This simply means that in addition to the standard voice of an electric guitar as produced by passive (electricity powered), magnetic pickups, they are also giving those guitars a 2nd voice by adding an active (battery powered) transducer or piezo pickup, to mimic or replicate that of an acoustic guitar tone, thus making the guitar a dual voice guitar since it can sound both like a standard electric and an acoustic guitar.
This technology is both convenient and innovative since a guitarist would theoretically, be able to play compositions that require an extra guitar- all on the same guitar. Also, the guitarist can at the flip-of-a-switch, go from an acoustic ballad-like introduction to a driving, distorted rhythm or lead without any problems. Then, to make for an even more interesting use of this technology, both the active and passive pickups (electric and acoustic) can be blended and combined for even more unique, distinctive tones.
Even beyond a dual voice guitar is a triple or three-voice guitar. In addition to the standard, solid-body electric sound through the passive, magnetic pickups and the acoustic sound through the active, piezo transducer pickups, these go a step further and provide a “synth-access” or midi pickup to introduce a whole new world of sound to the guitarist. With an additional, external synthesizer module, a guitarist equipped with a synth-access guitar can play virtually, limitless sounds such as saxophones, drums, harmonicas, strings, and space-age sounds for example- right on the guitar! To make use of the technology even more mind-boggling, synth-access, midi guitars can be hooked directly up to any midi equipped peripheral or computer and play directly into as well as control it- again, right on the guitar itself.
Picture this, you are equipped with a synth-access midi guitar and are playing Beethoven’s 5th with a specially selected violin tone just for the occasion. In addition, you are hooked up to your computer, recording directly into an mp3 format, all the while creating loops of your playing and being able to control whatever window you choose to view on your monitor from a switch on your guitar! The possibilities are endless and the level of inspiration this technology provides to the guitarist who has exhausted him or herself with playing every thing they know on traditional guitar- to venture into a whole new experience in guitar playing.
Though the technology is only utilized by a few manufacturers and is thus, somewhat expensive, the new world it opens up to the guitarist is without limits! There are many incredible guitarists incorporating this innovative technology into their performances. Players such as Marc Cooper, www.coopdeville.com, Pat Metheny, www.patmetheny.com and Steve Oliver, www.steveolivermusic.com are masters of the synth-access, midi guitar concept and compliment this new emerging style beautifully.
While guitar manufacturers are slowly beginning to accept and adopt the synth-access, midi concept- a few manufacturers are renown as pioneers in this exciting, new field of guitar playing. Manufacturers such as Godin, www.godinguitars.com, Brian Moore, www.brianmooreguitars.com, and Carvin, www.carvin.com set industry standards for expanding the horizons for guitarists in musical creativity.
In conclusion, choosing the right guitar is as individual as the player. Regardless of price range, size, shape, features or choice in musical tastes, there is a guitar out there for any and everyone. Research available resources, get feedback, review ratings but above all- go and play a wide selection of guitars since ultimately, the primary reason for choosing a guitar should be how well it sounds and how good it “feels” in your hands!
25th June 2007 09:07 AM
Barney Fife
Want a Gibson but can't afford the $2500 to $3000 for a 335? Buy a Heritage instead. They are made in the former-Gibson building in Kalamazoo by former-Gibson luthiers. You'll save about 1/3 off of Gibson prices.
I own a Sweet 16 and an H-535.
http://www.heritageguitar.com/
25th June 2007 09:07 AM
Chuck
My latest acquisition:
25th June 2007 10:47 AM
Ten Thousand Motels
quote:Chuck wrote:
My latest acquisition:
Sweet....
Beautiful....
If I had it I'd be sleeping with it....
25th June 2007 10:53 AM
Ten Thousand Motels
Look I'm sure all the regulars have hit this page a few times but some things are worth going back to once in awhile............
I've always enjoyed an Epiphone.
Or a good Rickenbacker.
But mostly, it has been scientifically proven that Hofners totally get the chicks.
25th June 2007 12:00 PM
Joey
quote:Paul McCartney wrote:
I've always enjoyed an Epiphone.
Or a good Rickenbacker.
But mostly, it has been scientifically proven that Hofners totally get the chicks.
Paul ............................
I had no idea Heather was a Hooker !!!!
No IDEA !!!!!!!
25th June 2007 12:01 PM
MrPleasant
I love Macca!
This is no joke.
25th June 2007 12:06 PM
Mel Belli
Is anyone else getting tired of Keith's ES-345s? The white one he's playing lately looks like a Boston Whaler.
25th June 2007 12:15 PM
Chuck
I think Paul McCartney still has his 1960 Les Paul Standard left-hander.
25th June 2007 12:19 PM
Chuck
quote:Mel Belli wrote:
Is anyone else getting tired of Keith's ES-345s? The white one he's playing lately looks like a Boston Whaler.
LOL, yeah. I like that he still plays those Les Paul Juniors.
25th June 2007 12:51 PM
Paul McCartney
quote:
Paul ............................
I had no idea Heather was a Hooker !!!!
No IDEA !!!!!!!
Joey, you have no idea! When I met her, she claimed to have spent most of the 80s campaigning for baby seal sufferage. How was I to know?
25th June 2007 12:58 PM
MrPleasant
Paul couldn't know. He was too busy penning melodies. He's like that.
25th June 2007 01:03 PM
Ten Thousand Motels
quote:Joey wrote:
I had no idea Heather was a Hooker !!!!
No IDEA !!!!!!!
I had no idea Grace Slick was a slut.
25th June 2007 01:06 PM
MrPleasant
I have an idea that Madonna is a slut.
Yeah, but, who gives a damn about Madonna? She was kinda funny in her beginnings, and she isn't such a bad actress.
Is this vid good?
[Edited with ALCOHOL]
[Edited by MrPleasant]
25th June 2007 02:13 PM
Mel Belli
quote:MrPleasant wrote:
I have an idea that Madonna is a slut.
Yeah, but, who gives a damn about Madonna? She was kinda funny in her beginnings, and she isn't such a bad actress.
Is this vid good?
[Edited with ALCOHOL]
[Edited by MrPleasant]
I blame the Altamont murder on that crap.
25th June 2007 02:24 PM
MrPleasant
quote:Mel Belli wrote:
I blame the Altamont murder on that crap.
I blame hippies!
25th June 2007 04:21 PM
voodoopug
quote:Mel Belli wrote:
Is anyone else getting tired of Keith's ES-345s? The white one he's playing lately looks like a Boston Whaler.
Does it really matter anymore? Technically he is just holding and posing with them most of the time whilst Blondie covers him.
25th June 2007 04:51 PM
BONOISLOVE
quote:voodoopug wrote:
Does it really matter anymore? Technically he is just holding and posing with them most of the time whilst Blondie covers him.
For being a very short puppy dog, you are very eloquent!
Too bad about your "signature". You too, son, shall someday: "see the light".
25th June 2007 04:57 PM
voodoopug
quote:BONOISLOVE wrote:
For being a very short puppy dog, you are very eloquent!
Too bad about your "signature". You too, son, shall someday: "see the light".
you nearly ruined the "Aragon 2002" for me!!!
25th June 2007 04:57 PM
BONOISLOVE
quote:voodoopug wrote:
you nearly ruined the "Aragon 2002" for me!!!
You make Bono sad.
25th June 2007 05:31 PM
Mel Belli
quote:voodoopug wrote:
Does it really matter anymore?
I guess not. Comes down to the pair of hands playing the guitar, at some point.
25th June 2007 07:12 PM
Ten Thousand Motels
06/25/07
19:00:21, Categories: Music News
Starpulse.com
Eric Clapton Guitars To Raise Funds For Rehab Facility
Eric Clapton is teaming up with guitar firm Fender to create a series of limited edition guitars and amplifiers to raise funds for his Crossroads Center rehab facility in Antigua. Only 100 Eric Clapton Crossroads Stratocaster guitars - or Sun Strats - and 50 Crossroads '57 Twin-Amps are being manufactured.
The amps come with a Clapton guitar at a cost of $30,000 a pair. The remaining 50 guitars will retail at $20,000 each when Fender starts a Clapton sale on July 20.
Former drug addict and alcoholic Clapton founded the Crossroads Center in 1997
25th June 2007 07:42 PM
open-g
quote:Mel Belli wrote:
Is anyone else getting tired of Keith's ES-345s? The white one he's playing lately looks like a Boston Whaler.
btw, the black and the red ones are ES-355s.
the white one is a ES-345 indeed.
I still like it, but Micawber is my favourite.
27th June 2007 07:41 AM
corgi37
I got this in 2005. Love it. I'm getting a Epiphone Les Paul with lovely gold hardware in February next year. I just cannot afford (or justify) spending around $5,000 for a Gibson LP.
And one of my many friends sent me this.
27th June 2007 10:20 AM
Chuck
The Custom Shop R9s and ROs go for around $5,500.
Custom Shop R8s, R7s, R6s, etc. go for around $3000 - $3,500.
Gibson makes a Custom Shop RO (GC 60), exclusively for Guitar Center, that sells for around $3000 (that's the one I have).
New USA Standards sell for around $2,300.
New USA Deluxes sell for under $2000.
LP Studios are priced around $1,200.
27th June 2007 10:54 AM
guitarman53
I'm a Fender Strat. person myself, I also have a Gibson ES-135 semi-hollowed body.
[Edited by guitarman53]
[Edited by guitarman53]
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