Two new guitars that stretch the parameters of the models they take after without abandoning their core sonic or build qualities.
James Rotondi October 6, 2023
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Are $45 Guitar Picks Worth the Cost? When boutique flatpicks first appeared on Adam’s radar, he was dubious of the concept, having been perfectly content with the standard, 30-cent variety that he’d used for decades…
Kyser's Low-Tension Quick-Change capo ($19.95 street), represents the most significant variation on the accessory’s design since its introduction in 1978.
The tension, feel, and tone of the SP strings brought a Gibson SJ-200 to life and drew in AG colleagues to compliment the guitar’s lively sound. Likewise, the Marquis Silked gave a Collings D41 dreadnought bountiful tone, with a focus and definition that made this guitar sound better than ever.
With its jumbo body and arched back, the B-240E moves a lot of air. It’s a large instrument, but I didn’t find it anything less than very comfortable to play.
While the changes may mostly be hidden from players, the results aren’t—your ears will tell you that the new Matrix Infinity Mic Blend is the best Matrix Infinity yet.
The partnership between Yairi and Alvarez goes back several decades, with the Alvarez-Yairi stamp reserved for Alvarez’s finest instruments. While much of Alvarez’s line is manufactured in China, the Yairi-branded guitars are made in a small shop in Kani, Japan, where modern power tools are eschewed in favor of hand tools, like spokeshaves for carving necks, and hide-glue construction is standard throughout.
After several years of quiet trends in the acoustic guitar world, the legacy guitar brands announced big changes that will make this a year to remember.
In 2004, the fingerstyle virtuoso Steve Baughman was visiting the Source Guitar Festival in Lewiston, Maine, when he encountered a steel-string that changed his life.
I didn’t hop on any freight trains, but I certainly enjoyed toting the Q-Discrete around town with its modest weight, petite profile, and comfy gig bag.
For an objective take with this setup, we recorded the guitar before and after installing the Power Pins, using the same set of fresh strings and the same mic positioning.
Leather has a distinct advantage for players looking for a pick that combines some of the power and facility of a plectrum with the warmth of fingertips on a string.
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