The axes of the Acoustic Axman

(Photo by Robert Plant, April 14, 2010.)

Standard Fender Stratocaster

My first axe is an electric Standard Fender Stratocaster. This beauty has the classic Fender Strat look that come with two single-coil pickups and a double humbucker.

I plug this legendary guitar into a Fender Princeton 65 amp that will tear the roof off. I hook that into a small Fender foot pedal that allows me to switch channels. I can switch from clean to distortion and add effects like reverb or echo.

My first love was my acoustic guitar but this masterpiece of electric thunder has brought my guitar game to a new level. Roger Waters of Pink Floyd once said, “You can give a man a Les Paul but he doesn’t become Eric Clapton.” This is true, but it would still make him want to be and that’s how my guitar makes me feel.

(Photo by Robert Plant, April 14, 2010.)

Acoustic Seagull S6

This is a pretty underrated guitar from Quebec, Canada. The slim head offers a distinct characteristic to the sleek look of this acoustic. The sound this guitar produces has a deep feel to it that captivates the eardrums.

This is a great guitar for beginners but can also please the more advanced musicians. I like to use Elixer brand acoustic strings on this guitar. It makes it easier to slide up and down the strings and are a little less strenuous on your fingers without taking away from your sound.

What kind of guitars do you have or prefer to use?

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Top 3 acoustic guitar buys

So you want to start playing the guitar. Your pretty broke but have some shekels to spare. You want a good sounding acoustic but aren’t sure what to get. What brand is the best for beginners? How much am I going to have to spend?

Gibson Hummingbird

OK relax! Here’s my top three buys for acoustic:

1) Yamaha F325 – This was my first acoustic and is priced here at only $129.99, which is an unbelievable price for what you get. The sound of this Yamaha acoustic will bring tears to your eyes when you play your first song. The action–the space between the strings and the fret board–can easily be maneuvered and can make it easier for beginners to learn. If you want something inexpensive with a good sound then this is your best bet.

2) Fender CD-60 – If your willing to throw in a couple more bones, this guitar is priced a littler higher at $199, but it’s for good reason. Fender has proven itself over the years as one of the best makers in its industry. This is a high quality product at a reasonable price. The sound is similar to the Yamaha, but the look and feel will be a little bit cleaner. This guitar also comes with a hardshell case, unlike the Yamaha, so you can keep it nice and safe.

3) Gibson Hummingbird – The mother of all acoustic guitars this beauty isn’t just a guitar, it’s a work of art. The light sunburst paint-job along with the Hummingbird pickguard will surely catch the eye of your fellow musicians. There’s a catch however, this masterpiece is priced at $2,949. So if your willing to spend a lot of money, this is the ultimate guitar.  It also comes with a case and is acoustic-electric so you can plug it into an amp. Mostly used by experienced guitarists, but for a beginner it will almost play itself.

Hope this helps you prospective guitarists. Let me know if you have any another suggestions or best buys on your radar.

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