“I thought something had exploded. It was a pretty violent shock”: See the moment this guitarist’s jam was interrupted by a 4.8-magnitude earthquake By Phil Weller published 8 April 24 The multi-instrumentalist jokes that he shook the world with his music
“The Inception is an acoustic to be experienced – its finely-tuned voice will resonate among many players”: Martin GPCE Inception Maple review By Paul Riario published 22 March 24 Skeletonized bracing, domestic tonewoods, super-premium build and a ride that's like your favorite electric? Martin's new acoustic has a lot going on...
“It’s a beautiful floating technique”: Watch Molly Tuttle and Tommy Emmanuel share the secrets of their right-hand technique and banjo-inspired rhythms in this acoustic guitar video masterclass By Phil Weller published 8 February 24 Two of the world's greatest acoustic guitar players talk shop, jam together, and tell us how open strings can be our best friend when playing improvised bluegrass
NAMM 2024: “Redefining the expectations of what an affordable acoustic should be”: Martin “remasters” its X Series lineup By Phil Weller published 17 January 24 Martin’s budget-friendly acoustics now come in three new finishes – including drool-worthy cocobolo – and feature thinner necks and a contoured bridge for extra comfort
“The strings I put on it cost more than the actual guitar”: Portishead guitarist Adrian Utley explains why he used a $5 junk shop guitar and a $10,000 Martin – in the same session By Matt Parker published 17 January 24 The British guitarist – who has played with everyone from Jeff Beck to Mark Lanegan and Perfume Genius – has been discussing his esoteric gear philosophy
Get your acoustic guitar sounding its best by solving these common saddle and bridge pin problems By Huw Price published 4 January 24 Getting your saddle and bridge pins in working order will improve your acoustic’s tone and tuning stability
Ed Sheeran goes electric as he joins The Darkness on stage in London, and riffs on a Lowden model with a story to tell By Phil Weller published 18 December 23 The singer-songwriter ditched his acoustic to go full electric for Love Is Only a Feeling at London’s Roundhouse earlier this month
Fender California Series King Vintage review – This guitar is sure to cut through the noise of a busy open-mic night, and there’s an abundance of character in the tone By Daryl Robertson published 8 December 23 Fender’s regal dreadnought is a love letter to the company’s past, and might just be the big-voiced acoustic you need in your life
How the 1960s Gibson J-200 upset acoustic purists but remained King of the flat-tops in the eyes of the Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Yusuf/Cat Stevens By Chris Gill published 1 December 23 The bridge was the one thing the purists just couldn't cross, but those who did found an acoustic bursting with songs and a tone that could not be matched
How torrefied wood affects acoustic guitars: demystifying the process that is said to give new instruments vintage tones from the get-go By Huw Price published 12 October 23 In the quest for vintage tone, the question remains: what about the wood? Here is everything you need to know about the torrefying process and what it means for guitar
“The highly coveted Bourgeois tone is now within reach of more players than ever before”: The Country Boy is US boutique builder Bourgeois’ latest groundbreaking collab with Eastman Guitars in China By Jonathan Horsley published 11 September 23 Bourgeois Guitars has added a mahogany-bodied orchestra model and dreadnought to its more attainable Touchstone Series
A 150-year-old Martin acoustic is up for sale on Reverb – and it’s surprisingly attainable and 100 percent playable By Jonathan Horsley published 6 September 23 The compact 1-21 must have some tales to tell, and it’s in such good condition that it’s got plenty more songs in it yet
“A fine guitar is described as having a piano-like tone. The top is actually able to vibrate in all the different ways that strings are able to vibrate”: Dana Bourgeois explains how innovation breeds great acoustic tone By David Mead published 5 September 23 We talk to the Bourgeois Guitars luthier about his new collaboration with Eastman, the importance of tuning in a guitar top, and what lies in the future for the critically acclaimed acoustic brand
How to assemble the ultimate live acoustic guitar rig By Total Guitar editors published 29 August 23 From how to banish feedback to sweetening your tone through EQ, get yourself gig-ready now
JWJ Guitars Parlour and Orchestra review By David Mead published 7 July 23 JWJ Guitars is a relatively new name on the lutherie circuit, specializing in bespoke builds at off-the-peg prices. Interested? You probably should be…
Best Martin guitars: we rank the legendary acoustics of an industry icon By Matt McCracken published 2 June 23 Our expert pick of the best Martin acoustics from one of the oldest instrument makers on the planet
Takamine GD34CE BLK review By David Mead published 11 May 23 Based on the Takamine used by Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi, the GD34CE has all of its stablemates' classic good looks on a budget. But how does it sound?
Learn Jason Isbell’s heartfelt acoustic fingerpicking style By Stuart Ryan published 28 April 23 The four-time Grammy winner and guitarist’s guitarist is one of the most gifted fingerstylists around, and this study exercise is as good an excuse to ditch the pick as you’ll get all day...
5 ways to improve your acoustic guitar tone By Guitarist editors published 28 April 23 When your unplugged tone is under the spotlight, there’s nowhere to hide – but there are ways to enhance your sound
How to choose the best microphone for your acoustic guitar By Huw Price published 20 April 23 What to consider when it comes time to record your beloved acoustic’s tone at its best