Great Acoustics: Los Lobos’ Bajo Sexto and Requinto Jarocho
Two instruments belonging to Cesar Rosas and David Hidalgo reflect the breadth of the band’s influences and dedication to tradition.
Great Acoustics: John Denver’s Luxurious 1978 Yamaha L-53
Denver used this ornate, custom Yamaha extensively in concert and on TV (and on his album cover with the Muppets).
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Great Acoustics: Reverend Gary Davis’ 1949 Gibson SJ-200 Finds a New Home
The story behind Davis’ SJ-200 is as murky as a Louisiana swamp.
Great Acoustics: The Late Robbie Basho’s Cherished 12-String Guitar Resurfaces
Basho created an alternate universe of mystical, spiritual music using this century-old 12-string of mysterious origin.
This 2022 Greg Brandt Custom Concert Model Is a Traditional Classical Guitar with Unique Ornamentation
All of the pieces fit together for Brandt when he built this “jigsaw puzzle” guitar.
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Great Acoustics: John Monteleone’s Rocket Convertible Is a Standout Archtop from the Blue Guitar Collection
With is elliptical soundhole and dual soundports, the innovative Rocket Convertible is a great example of Monteleone's vision and craft.
Great Acoustics: Steve James’ Collings Custom C10 was His Main Steel-String Companion for 30 Years
The 1991 Collings Custom C10 (serial number 524) was James’ main flattop for three decades, and the one he considered his best.
Great Acoustics: 1948 Levin De Luxe Archtop
Levin instruments have been played by many of the finest European guitarists. The 1948 Model 1 De Luxe archtop shown here sat at the very top of the Levin line.
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Beyond Flattops: The Magic of Archtop Guitars
Though long favored by jazz and swing guitarists, the archtop is currently enjoying a revival among roots and Americana musicians, flatpickers, and singer-songwriters.
Great Acoustics: George Gruhn’s Exceptionally Rare 1933 Martin 12-Fret D-28
This 1933 Martin 12-fret, slot-head D-28 is George Gruhn's favorite flattop steel-string guitar. Here's why.
Great Acoustics: Hank Williams’ Other Martin Guitar
This Martin D-18 had a homecoming in 2009, but not before helping launch a country legend.
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A Guide to Identifying Common Acoustic Guitar Shapes and Sizes
The steel-string acoustic guitar appears in many different sizes and shapes. This guide gives a general understanding of the most common styles and what they may offer players.
Tell Us a Story About Your First Guitar
The editors of Acoustic Guitar magazine are collecting stories for an upcoming project. Please call us at (510) 215-0020 and leave a voicemail, telling us the tale of your first guitar. Did you save up your paper-route money and head to the pawnshop? Did your parents give it to you…
Kenny Hill’s State-of-the-Art Modern Legacy Model Classical Guitar
This 2019 Kenny Hill Modern Legacy classical guitar, the luthier's main guitar for his own playing, is a prime example of his company’s top-tier offerings.
Gearing Up: A Guide to Old-School Blues Guitars and Their Modern Counterparts
The sound of blues players on a budget remains an aesthetic legacy to the present day.
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Great Acoustics: Buck Curran’s Long Lost 2009 Sobell Model 1
Singer-songwriter and guitarist Buck Curran’s tale about his 2009 Stefan Sobell Model 1 is more uplifting than some other tales of "the one that got away."
Great Acoustics: A Pristine 1943 Martin 000-18 with a Fascinating History
This 1943 Martin 000-18 was originally a gift to a Spanish immigrant to Monterey, California, who was a regular performer along the famed Cannery Row.
Jerry Garcia’s 1943 Martin D-28 Acoustic Guitar Finds a New Home—and New Players
Jerry Garcia’s Martin D-28 acoustic guitar was likely acquired by the guitarist in the late spring of 1970. Now it has a new owner to care for it.
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May 2021 Acoustic Guitar Auction Report
A 1943 Martin 000-18 and a 1999 custom engraved National Tricone Style 4 were among the 19 guitars sold in Acoustic Guitar’s recent online auction.
Great Acoustics: A 2021 Santa Cruz OM Custom with a Storied Past
This Santa Cruz OM Custom was made with several storied tonewoods, including Tunnel 13 redwood; Brazilian rosewood; and figured mahogany sourced from the Tree.
Great Acoustics: 2020 Collings OM3 Alaskan
A visually striking custom OM made from reclaimed old-growth Sitka that spent much of the 20th century floating in Alaskan waters.
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Great Acoustics: Preston Thompson Masterpiece #2 Koi Pond
Dedicated to the shop’s founding luthier and namesake, who died in 2019, the Koi Pond guitar is a stunning piece of art that's meant to be played.
Great Acoustics: John Prine’s 1939 Gibson Super 400N
From the November/December 2020 issue of Acoustic Guitar | By Greg Olwell A few archtops were larger and some were glitzier, but all were trying to top the standard set by the stunning Gibson Super 400. Having an 18-inch lower bout and decorated with Gibson’s most premium appointments and hardware, the Super 400 surpassed the L-5…
Ask the Expert: Vintage vs. Modern Instruments—Do Blindfold Tests Really Work?
Over the years, a number of blindfold test have been conducted, including a pair of widely reported tests administered by a trio of researchers in 2010 and 2012. In the first experiment, 21 contestants from the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis were asked to rate six violins: two Stradivaris, a Guarneri del Gesu, and three violins made by highly regarded contemporary luthiers.
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Great Acoustics: This 1930 Martin 000-45 Deluxe is a Rare and Opulent Offering
This beautiful, unique 1930 Martin 000-45 Deluxe is possibly the finest example of the early period of the American guitar.