Little Martin Hits the Road!

My Little Martin LX1E is the perfect travel companion. Here it is on the front porch of our cabin in the forest. On the neck is Planet Waves' NS Capo.

If you are getting ready to head off to college or guitar classes this fall, allow me to let you in on a little secret. The Little Martin LX1E is a great 3/4 sized guitar with a solid spruce top and a pickup. We took it along on vacation and its small size really was a plus when it came to packing. In fact, it will fit in a bus or plane's overhead compartment so you won't need to check it. This can save you time and give you peace of mind for the trip.


Rugged Little Guitar

If you are going to be traveling to areas of high humidity or fluctuating temperature extremes, the Little Martin will be right at home. While my other two Martins have solid wood backs and sides, the Little Martin has HPL on all but the soundboard. This high pressure laminate does not react to humidity and temperature changes the way my solid wood guitars do. It stays in tune longer because it is not affected by the wood's swelling or contracting. The well padded gig-bag, (see tent photo here), is also a plus. Very lightweight but quite protective, it sports the official C.F. Martin logo. The outer pouch has two heavy zipper pulls and is large enough to accommodate sheet music or standard sized song books. The bag also has backpack straps and a handle so you can carry it two ways.

Now after having played full sized Martin Dreadnoughts, I would have to say that I am quite spoiled when it comes to tone. The Little Martin is not a full sized guitar obviously but it does have good projection acoustically. I've played it in the company of multiple Martin D-18's, D-28's and D-42's and was not in the least embarrassed. It is after all still a Martin, only smaller. Many other Martin owners even asked if they could play it! If it sounded bad, trust me, they would have had nothing to do with it. In fact when we visited the Martin Museum, we noticed quite a few "parlor" guitars that were not much bigger than the Little Martin. Where it really shines, however is when you plug it into a good clean amp. I play it in the studio over my Tech21 Trademark 60 amp and it is hard to imagine all that full, rich sound is coming from a 3/4 sized guitar! Played through the clean channel of this solid state 60 watt amp, the pickup and preamp help reproduce the rich, woody tones Martins are known for. On the road, I perform and tour with a vintage Crate amp and this guitar can definitely keep up.

On Board Pick Up-The Fishman Mini Q

What I really like is the position of the pickup and 1/4 inch jack on the Little Martin LX1E. The Fishman Mini Q system is an under saddle piezo with the pre-amp battery compartment mounted on the side just under the strap button. Down in the lower bout of the guitar, it is out of the way making it less likely you will hit the dials during a song. I have a Fishman Ellipse Matrix Blend on my Martin D-16GT so I am well acquainted with more complex preamps and pickups. The Fishman Mini Q gets the job done with a minimal amount of fuss having only tone and volume controls to adjust. The battery is easy to change as it pops out of the compartment without having to remove the strings. This is such a fantastic value as this guitar can be used for performance as well as travel.

I use SpectraFlex braided guitar cables with a silent plug feature, (see their banners), and get wonderful tone with this guitar. It comes with Medium Martin strings but on a guitar this size, you may be able to get away with Lights. I use the smaller and more compact NS Capo by Planet Waves because it fits more proportionately. The new Planet Waves Headstock Tuner is also best to use on this guitar. Other tuners often do not register the low E and other bass strings at all. The 1/4 jack means that you can also plug it into a tuner like the BOSS TU-2. Choices!


The Wrap

The Little Martin LX1E is a lot of guitar for the money. The list is $499.99 but street is around $350.00. It is the guitar that you won't mind taking out on rainy days or throwing into the back of a sun warmed car. The solid spruce top is a real plus as 90% of the guitar's tone is generated from the soundboard. Well made and sturdy this is the guitar I use in my music ministry. People love to touch your instruments and I believe instruments should touch people. The smaller size also allows me to use it while visiting in hospital rooms when a big body guitar would be awkward. It is perfect for young people and women because its smaller scale makes it easier to fret as well as hold. Made with pride in North America by the world's oldest and most respected luthiers it will be accompanying me to guitar class this September. See the complete Litttle Martin Series at:

C.F. Martin Guitar Online


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This fall we will be offering more FREE Guitar Gear Give-Aways plus our picks of Best Guitar Gear for 2010! Also, hot reviews of equipment from Audio-Technica, T.C. Helicon, Monster Cable, Planet Waves and MUCH, MUCH MORE. Be sure to check back!

Martin Owner's Club Day 2009

Thom Bresh, son of Country Hall of Fame guitarist, Merle Travis, performs at the 4th annual Martin Owner's Club Day in Nazareth, PA. Podcast is on Dr. M's Radio Show: http://doctorm.tumblr.com/

The 4th Annual Martin Owner's Club Day once again offered its members fantastic food, fun, gifts and entertainment. Some of the best guitarists in the world play Martins and to help celebrate this event, Thom Bresh, son of the legendary Country Hall of Famer, Merle Travis, put in amazing performance. Also on stage was blues and rag master, Kenny Sultan from California with his signature Martin. Owner's Club Day is a picnic and fair hosted at the Martin Factory in Nazareth Pennsylvania. Martin guitar owners come from all over the world and it is not uncommon to hear many different languages spoken at this event. The day began with a continental breakfast of scrumptious muffins and pastries, coffee and tea. Then a catered lunch was served by a company who specializes in Ox and Pig Roasts. All the picnic favorites were there including baked beans, macaroni and cheese plus a really delicious pulled pork barbecue. There was an open mic performance where Martin Club members signed up to get on stage. There was a lot of talent on hand!

During the day there were guitar workshops, guided factory tours and trips through the museum which houses guitars owned by Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Gene Autry and many, many others. Some, such as the one owned by Roy Rogers have gone on auction at Christies for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Kenny Sultan came on stage after the open mic session and lit it up! He explained simple chords and using a one string baseline for his blues style. Everyone enjoyed his playing as was evidenced by the applause and whistles. Next Thom Bresh took the stage and amazed everyone with his "Travis" picking style with some licks he himself invented. Bresh is a true comedian and did really good impressions of other country artists such as the hard to imitate, Willie Nelson. He also did a very smooth version of Nine Pound Hammer that his father, Merle Travis wrote. He explained that the part in the song that goes, "Roll on Buddy", is actually a call to his mule! Bresh has a new DVD out called Breshman which can be accessed at his photo in the banner ad section to your left.


Kenny Sultan, master of Blues and Rag music performing on stage at Martin's Owner's Club Day

This event is a wonderful expression of Martin's enduring commitment to their customers. Each member received a

"swag bag" of Martin goodies such as picks, a polishing cloth, strings, decals and patches. Additionally last year we also received a free subscription to Premier Guitar magazine and special discounts on newly released LX guitars. This year Martin guitar artist, Robert F. Goetzl had a prototype available featuring his artwork on a new LX guitar featuring factory illustrations showing the stages of crafting a Martin Guitar. One of the highlights of the day is Chris Martin's member address after which he graciously autographed guitars and other souveniers.

Martin Factory Tour

During Martin Owner's Club Day, many members take in the guided tours through the Martin factory. The Martin Factory Tours have been rated one of the BEST factory tours in the U.S.A. It is about an hour long and takes you through the various stages of creating a Martin Guitar. You are also able to stop by the Custom Shop during this tour and see some incredible restoration and inlay work being done. Each guitar takes between 2-3 months to make.

The hour long tour is very educational, showing the intricate steps in the construction of their guitars. For example did you know that Martin invented the Dreadnought guitar? It is the most copied acoustic body in the world but Martin created it first. Also X-Bracing which is used as the industry standard to support the guitar's soundboard was also invented by C.F. Martin. After 176 years, I think they know what they are doing! Membership in the Martin Owners Club is a real value. As a member, you receive the Sounding Board which is a full color magazine of all things Martin plus their yearly catalog and price lists. You also get a Martin full color calendar plus free strings and other specially made Owner's Club merchandise. Want to be a part of the "club"? Get details on how to join at: Martin Guitar http://www.martinguitar.com/

Hanging with the Martin Guitars in front of the Visitor's Center!

Congratulations to John M., winner of our C.F. Martin and Planet Waves Guitar Gear Give-Away. John won sets of Martin light and medium SP strings, Martin Banjo Strings and the legendary Planet Waves NS Capo! Next Give-Away will feature the new Planet Waves Headstock Tuner among the other cool prizes.

Guitar Gear Give-Away!

Congratulations!!! John Montalbano is our Top Winner of C.F. Martin Guitar and Banjo strings PLUS the legendary Planet Waves NS Guitar Capo! Thanks to all who entered...

We all should look for the "freebies" in life these days! C.F. Martin and Planet Waves want you to have a super summer so they are joining with Eclectic Sound for another fantastic guitar gear give-away. You can win everything here except for the $40,000 Martin Guitar! First, let's talk about some of the prizes and how they will benefit your playing.



Planet Waves NS Capo

This is my favorite capo and the only one I use on my Martin guitars. It is so lightweight and compact, I can get it on quickly with nearly one hand. No buzzing and it won't pull your guitar out of tune after using it. A capo is very handy for when let's say the key of G is too high but you don't want to change the chording when you transpose the song to a lower key. Simply place the capo on the fourth fret and play the same G pattern chords only now you will be playing in the key of B. Easy! You'll also find that playing up the neck, the frets are closer together, more so than in 1st position. Capoing can relieve the stress of over stretching your fingers, making playing your guitar much more comfortable.

Using a capo can also add texture to multiple guitars. Many of the earlier folk groups such as the Kingston Trio and Peter, Paul and Mary were said to have used a capo to set one guitar's tone apart from the others. Chet Atkins even used a capo! Ned Steinberger is the genius behind this capo design, hence the "NS" in its name. Works wonderfully on 6 and 12 string guitars. Lightweight aluminum adds virtually no weight to the guitar's neck when in use. Everyone who borrows mine says, "Wow, this is nice!" So here's your chance to win one for yourself. Visit Planet Waves online for more useful capos and guitar accessories: Planet Waves http://www.planetwaves.com

Martin Acoustic SP Light Guitar Strings-MSP4100's

These are the new strings that I had put on at the Martin Guitar Clinic this spring. These are the LIGHT gauge, (.012-.054) premium phosphor bronze

strings. The SP stands for sustained playability and I have to say they live up to their name. These are the strings I am now recording with on my Martin D-16. The lighter strings are a joy adding to greater bending and slides. Plus they are perfect for when too much volume could induce feedback in my sensitive studio condenser mics. With the pickups installed on my D-16, I can get away with more intricate tone because I needn't "drive" the guitar for it to be heard on the recordings. These strings have ultra-high tensile strength steel cores that resist breaking. In fact, I've never yet broken a Martin string. The acoustic bronze electro finish provides greater string life and looks beautiful against the solid spruce top.

Martin Custom Shop

It's great to know that the same strings that are being put on this $40,000 Martin D-100 are on my humble D-16!

During Martin Owner's Club Day we got to stop in at the custom shop and see all kinds of Martin Guitars receiving special details and pearl inlay. Some are in for repairs or after being rescued from neglect and damage. No matter. They all get a new set of premium Martin strings before leaving the shop to sound their absolute best. Take the Martin Factory & Museum Tour yourself! The Martin Owner Club event is being held this year on Friday, July 31st 2009. Get the details under the events listings, CONCERTS-WORKSHOPS-JAMS.

Martin Acoustic SP Guitar Strings-Medium MSP4200's

One of the things that you can do is experiment with different string gauges. These strings offer the same features as the other SP acoustic strings only in a MEDIUM gauge, (.013-.056). If you are playing with lighter strings and you want more "boom" in your bottom end, you might try using heavier strings. These are the stings that I had put on my Martin D-18 in sustainable cherry. These medium strings allow me to drive this dedicated acoustic to greater volumes as my D-18 doesn't have a pickup. The cherry also does not offer the same "boom" of the mahogany or rosewood models but with the right strings, I'm able to definitely be heard. Having a guitar with a different wood construction will also allow you to stand out in the mix. It is said that the cherry is more balanced with a medium or mid range tone. You want to offer something a little different that what everyone else is playing. I really enjoy my D-18 with these medium strings. I even gave a set to my guitar teacher. His guitar sounded like gold once he got them on! Visit C.F. Martin & Co. online: http://www.martinguitar.com

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!!! GIVE-AWAY ENTRY DETAILS!!! So are you ready to win all of these sweet prizes? Two sets of Martin Acoustic Guitar or Banjo strings and the Planet Waves NS Capo can be yours! Answer this question by clicking the COMMENTS link below: "What was the first song you used a capo with?" That's it! Deadline is 12 midnight, July 31st, 2009. Be sure to leave your email address so that we can contact you if you win. Go for it!

Martin Guitar Clinic Rocks!

Check it out! FREE Guitar Gear Give-Aways on July 1 st!!!

C.F. Martin & Planet Waves - cool prizes in the left hand column.

Dr. M with a Martin D-16GT, George Molchany and Russo Music Center sales manager, Chris Colletti

Guitar lovers of all ages were treated to an informative yet entertaining evening at Russo Music Center in Hamilton NJ last night. Hosted by this very busy music store, all seats were filled with standing room only. This event featured George Molchany who works at the Martin Factory doing final guitar inspections. Obviously he logs a lot of time playing. Even more than that, Molchany is a highly experienced luthier having more than 20 years experience building guitars. His intimate knowledge of the construction and tonal properties of the different woods was impressive. While the audience was made up of quite a few well informed Martin-mavens, George Molchany and Dave Evans handled all questions extremely well.

George Molchany & a Martin X-Braced Soundboard

One of things we enjoyed was seeing how a quality guitar is made. Nothing really compares to the Martin Guitar Factory tour but this was a great introduction. After a brief history of the first C.F. Martin's immigration from Germany, Molchany showed us the patented X-Bracing first developed by the company. The model he is holding also showed scalloped bracing on the reverse side which allows the soundboard to vibrate even more. A lighter scalloped bracing generally means a louder guitar.

What impressed me is that these innovations in guitar construction have been since copied by other luthiers yet people continue to buy Martin guitars for that "Martin Sound". Molchany & Evans also discussed the differences in warmth or brightness between woods. I have a D-16GT which has a Mahogany back and sides. I also have a D-18 in sustainable cherry and can notice the difference between the two. It was said that the Mahogany has a brighter tone with more treble and midrange qualities. It was pointed out that Mahogany is inching up on the list of endangered exotic woods. Martin has recently found a new source of sustainable, certified wood which is being used in their D Mahogany 09. The cherry used in my SWDGT is harvested in western PA. Definitely a "home grown" guitar!

George Molchany & Dave Evans on Blues

One of the many highlights of the evening was hearing Molchany play. Later Dave Evans joined him on a few gutsy blues songs such as Nobody Wants You When You're Down and Out and T.V. Hearing these guys play was totally worth the trip out.

You really got a chance to hear what these guitars can do. Molchany has a wide repertoire but the guitars kept up beautifully. Although they brought about 16 guitars with them from the factory, Russo Music already had an expansive stock of Martins and other quality American made acoustics on the floor. The center offers guitar classes, so after hearing the music, some of the students also joined in on the fun. With so many guitars to try, everyone one got a chance to play the guitar of their dreams. I even took a turn on that sweet D-28 Marquis pictured below! Visit Russo Music Center online at: http://www.russomusic.com/

For more information about Martin Guitar, their Factory Tour, Gift Shop and Museum click here: http://www.martinguitar.com/

PODCAST ALERT! You can hear an audio clip of George Molchany playing at this event at Dr. M's Radio Show Podcasts: http://doctorm.tumblr.com/

An event attendee blissfully playing a gorgeous Martin D-28 Marquis

Catch the next FREE Martin Guitar Clinic featuring Blues & Rag guitarist, Kenny Sultan! See the event listings under Shows-Workshops-Jams. Coming up next....FREE Summer GUITAR GEAR GIVE-AWAY featuring Martin Guitar and Planet Waves accessories!!!

The Gift of Music

FREE Summer Guitar Gear Give-Away!!! Win great guitar accessories from Planet Waves and C.F. Martin Guitar starting July 1 st, 2009

Dr. M. & her Martin D-16 perform at schools, hospitals, nursing homes and extended care facilities.

One of the unfortunate fall-outs from this "iffy" economy is when people begin to put the brakes on giving to charity. Now it isn't a wise thing to go into debt just to make a huge contribution to a favorite cause. However, we can't allow ourselves to be self-absorbed either. I remember Jesus saying something about observing the sparrows and lilies of the field. They don't sow, reap nor store in barns but our heavenly Father cares for them. Yes, we're worth much more than them! While we want to be good stewards of our funds, there are things that we can offer to our communities that don't involve large sums of cash. The catch is that YOU and your music are the donation.


PLAYING FOR A LIVE AUDIENCE The first thing is that you'll want to get away from the idea that you're skills are not good enough to play for an audience, paying or otherwise. Forget that sort of thinking. It is not just your musical skills you are displaying when you do a charity concert or performance. Your personality, sense of humor and life experiences are also on stage and can offer much to the overall presentation. I've seen musicians with incredible virtuosity who nonetheless had no stage presence or rapport with the audience. They appeared uncomfortable and no one seemed to be enjoying themselves. Get a couple of songs in your set list that really rock and that others have said they like hearing you sing. Take your time and learn these cold. In between songs, take the time to introduce the next tune perhaps giving a little history about it. Talk to your audience!


SEE THE LIGHT One thing that I have found is you often can not predict what the lighting conditions are going to be on stage or at the facility you are playing. Therefore I have learned to keep a music light such as the GigLight by Lampcraft shown here. It folds very compactly in its own carrying case which then is chucked into my gig bag. I use the Super GigLight in the studio and it is amazingly bright. Same thing for your signal processors, stomp boxes or other effects if you use electric instruments. Make sure they are well lit enough so you can see them even on a dark stage. As far a a guitar multi-effector, I'd have to say my BOSS GT-10 is perhaps the brightest. Units that have an on board tuner with a silent bypass are also golden as is this unit and my DigiTech Vocalist Live 4.

CONSIDER YOUR AUDIENCE If you are playing for, let's say a Veteran's Center or VFW Post, consider putting in a few well known patriotic songs. This is a musical touchstone for your audience to encourage them to participate by singing along. Don't be stuck on yourself. You are an entertainer. Getting the audience involved in the show is an important aspect providing that entertainment. If you are playing for a nursing home or hospital, keep in mind that the medical staff, visitors and family may also be present. Play something for them too. Don't assume for instance that extended care facilities consist only of the elderly. There are many young patients admitted for short stays as they convalesce from injuries or receive physical therapy before being able to live on their own again. Unless it is specifically designated as a retirement home, you will do well to include some modern pieces. Same thing applies for children's charities such as a youth home or orphanage. What do you think they would like to hear?


INSTRUMENTS I started out my music ministry with an American made Oscar Schmidt Autoharp with a split in the top. It didn't matter. I went with what I had and over time God blessed me with ALL the equipment and more that you see here at Eclectic Sound. Much of it stays in the studio and is used for recording but my other instruments such as this beautiful Martin D-18 in sustainable cherry are constantly on the road. When doing charity programs, you might want to bring out your "work horse" rather than your "show horse". I witnessed one young man accidentally kick over his prized Taylor acoustic-electric guitar during his performance. I felt so bad for him because it was an expensive gift from his father. Now it was chipped and scratched. If you are performing for physically impaired or mentally disabled individuals, do not take your best instruments there. You'll be so uptight worrying about you gear that you might as well have stayed home. Both my Martin D-16GT and my D-18 are extremely well made. They have little or no ornamentation but are both great sounding instruments. That's what you want on the road. If a disabled person or child wants to strum the strings, I'm not worried. You want people to reach out to you and your music. Since my electric Autoharp is such a rare instrument, I have often taken it around after the program so that people in the audience can both see and touch it. In that way you reach them in a very deep and meaningful way.


THE WRAP One of the main blocks to creativity and effective problem solving is negative thinking. Grumbling, complaining and being unthankful never got anyone out of anything. I have found that by taking the focus off of myself and placing it on people who really have challenges, I can put things in proper perspective. It also helps me to remember that God will never leave nor forsake us. Think of people right in your own community who have lost the use of their legs or arms. This is something that an improved economy will not change. Get involved! Most facilities of this type have a recreation director whom you could speak with about volunteering. You can bring much joy to your neighbors who no matter what the economic times, have so little.


Check out Martin's FREE Guitar Clinics this summer with Blues-Rags musician, Kenny Sultan! Dates for Kenny's performances and the 2009 Martin's Owner's Club Event are listed under SHOWS-WORKSHOPS-JAMS in the banner ad section. FREE Guitar Gear Give-Away starts on JULY 1st, 2009 so check back!

Tired of Guitar Hero?

Congratulations to DAVID MACDONALD, winner of our May Guitar Gear Give-Away!

Get a real guitar!

PHOTO: Dr. M and her North American made Fender Standard Stratocaster in Chrome Red. Guitar Cable by SnapJack.

Haven't you had enough? You see these poor kids and even worse, adults buying video guitar games, trying to play like Slash. Well, if you are like me and would rather play a real instrument, don't despair. Here is our down and dirty list of what you need to get for a younger player or even yourself without selling your firstborn. In fact, buying a musical instrument will be a much better investment than any video game purchase. We're even going to recommend some great DVD's to go with that new guitar in case you're a little rusty.

What's a Good "First" Guitar for a Child?

If you want to get a child their first guitar, unless they are as big as an adult, a small sized body instrument will often work better. The child will have a easier time holding the instrument and that extra comfort level may be enough to help him or her stick with it when the going gets tough. Fender Stratocasters, namely the Squires are reasonably priced, easy to play and often come as a package which includes a small practice amp. The Strat, by design, is very easy to play and the body shape makes it quite comfortable to hold.

If you prefer not to worry about purchasing an amp, consider purchasing a Little Martin (LX Series) or small body acoustic guitar. Again, these are scaled down in size for smaller hands and are much more comfortable for a child to hold than say a full sized Dreadnought. The sound is still very good so no sacrifice there. Acoustics are a bit more delicate but you will not have to worry about amp issues as these types of guitars can go anywhere.

Get the child involved in choosing the color or style of their guitar. That way they will bond with the instrument and want to spend more time playing it. Children are generally very sensitive about colors and shapes. They may surprise you about what colors appeal to them so keep an open mind. Martin's small body LX Series come in many bright colors such as the purple shown below. Let them play the guitar first and pick the color they personally like. This way, they are part of the decision process and invested in playing that particular guitar. No one is going to benefit by having a guitar sit in the case growing old.

PHOTO: Martin LX in Purple

A lot of the appeal of the Guitar Hero games is due to the bright colors of the guitars and computer graphics. What may seem outlandish or garish to us often comes across as fun and exciting to a child. This acoustic, small bodied guitar also comes in natural, red, black, blue, pink or even decorated with cartoon themes.

The point is, real guitars aren't boring anymore! These instruments are just as attractive as their video-game counterparts. Better still, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you've made an investment in the child learning to play a real instrument. Musicians, especially those who go on to read notation often also excel in math. Learning time signatures, quarter, half and whole notes are all math related skills and can crossover to help your child in these areas. Can a guitar video game do that? In this tight economy, it is wise to keep a check on our investments. Most video games have a very short shelf life. Game manufacturers often discontinue game systems after about two years or less. This means that the software or game cartridges you've purchased at about $75 a pop are no longer going to work on the upgrade. Just look at the evolution of GameBoy and you'll know what I mean.

How About a Good "First" Guitar for Me?

Really, if you are just starting out or returning to playing after a number of years, you might look into purchasing a second hand instrument. North American made C.F. Martins, Taylors and Fenders are all good choices and often hold their resale value well. If you insist on new, Martin has reintroduced production of the 1-Series Dreadnought, (see it in the banner ad section). Satin finished all around it retails for under $900. The Fender Standard Stratocaster shown above is made in North America and is under $700.00 even with Fender's recent price increases.

PHOTO: Taylor 410ce acoustic/electric

If you want a more than an entry level guitar but comfort and versatility are also important, you might consider a C.F. Martin cut-away or this Taylor 410ce acoustic / electric with a Venetian cutaway as shown here. I've played this Taylor model and while I prefer the wider body and sound of a C.F. Martin, it's neck had a modern feel with the cut-away offering greater access to the frets closer to the sound hole. Now this is not going to be as comfortable as a Stratocaster but you can see how the body is more contoured to fit yours. Better still, these models, (both C.F. Martin and Taylor make acoustic / electrics with Venetian cut-aways), give you the choice to play acoustically or with an amp. This means you may only need one guitar for everything. Play it acoustically at jams and informal gatherings. Play it with an amp onstage. The choice is yours! Visit C.F. Martin Guitars online at: http://www.martinguitar.com/ and Taylor Guitars online at: http://www.taylorguitars.com/

What About an Amp?

One caveat here. A lot of companies are doing double-speak with their amps these days. They will say something like, "Designed in the U.S.A. - Manufactured in China". Guess what? Its a Chinese amp, chums. My recent experiences with Fender's line of China imports has been less than stellar. I tried one of their China-tone tube amps last summer, (Super Champ XD-something). It wouldn't even fire up on the showroom floor. It was brand new and hadn't even left the store! Real smooth. Another Fender amp I had only lasted 18 months before the power source blew up, (during a concert actually). Needless to say I'm not thrilled with them any longer. The good news is that you can still buy quality American made amps at very affordable prices.

PHOTO: Tech21 Trademark 30

If you are going to choose the Fender Strat, acoustic / electric C.F. Martin or Taylor Venetian Cutaway you'll need a decent practice amp. One that will more than do the job, won't break the bank and is proudly designed and manufactured in the good 'ol U.S.A. You should definitely look into Tech21's Trademark 30 shown in the photo.

Tech21's Trademark 30 boasts 30 watts, a 10 inch Celestion speaker, true spring reverb, and like its big brother, the Trademark 60, allows direct recording via a XLR out. The Trademark 30 is actually based on Tech21's legendary SansAmp GT2 Pedal. So the sounds you can achieve are quite similar to the Trademark 60 which we are currently using in the recording studio. The best news is it that you don't have to sacrifice tone as the Tech 21 has all the warmth of a tube amp but is a much more reliable and road worthy due to its solid state construction. Check them out at Tech21: http://www.tech21nyc.com/

DVD Lessons to Get You Going

Greg Douglass Lead Guitar DVD If you've played before, even a little, what you don't need now is to go back to square one with lessons. Oh it sounds like a good idea but believe me, the tediousness will drive you crazy and you won't stick with it. At this point you want to play your guitar already. Greg Douglass is extremely versatile and as a platinum artist, has toured with Steve Miller, Van Morrison and Eddie Money. His approach is fresh, not tedious in that you can really play what he does. My favorite section is the one on the Em Pentatonic Scale Licks. You can quickly expand your lead repertoire with this DVD. Chapters are numbered for easy access and include scale patterns, slide techniques, alternate positions, phrasing and much more. Website password included with the DVD allows you to download and print all of the lessons or just parts that you need. Sweet! Douglass also has a Fingerstyle Guitar DVD available from Icons of Rock.


Tommy Bolan Metal Primer DVD I love Tommy and after speaking with him personally, I can tell you he is a committed instructor and musician. Bolan is also a vibrant player and a passionate performer but what he unleashes in this DVD is awe inspiring. He covers speed techniques, harmonics, scales, string skipping, pendulum picking, arpeggios, tremolo tricks with live gear demos.
I think anyone will benefit from Tommy's techniques and lessons, even if you are not a metal-head. His DVD helps build speed with accuracy. You will enjoy lessons as never before with these two DVD's. See if your local music store or college offers guitar lessons or find a musician's guild that you can play with regularly. Try a style not too familiar if you really want to stretch out and expand your technique. This DVD came with a free offer for set of GHS Strings, who is also participating in our FREE May Give-Away. A really great little extra!
Both these DVD Guitar Lessons and more are available online from Icons of Rock: http://www.iconsofrock.com/

MAY GIVE-AWAY ENDS May 31st 2009!: Oh Yeah! It's our FREE May Guitar Gear Give-Away!!! Your chance to win more free goodies from C.F. Martin, GHS Strings and Planet Waves. Our happy winner will receive a gift bag of premium guitar (electric & acoustic), banjo or mandolin strings and a Planet Waves Acoustic Quick Release Padded Guitar Strap. Simply include your email address & leave a COMMENT by clicking the link below and tell us: "What was your first guitar (or stringed instrument) and do you still have it today?"

Concert Survival Guide!

Getting Ready to Go On Stage at the NJ Folk Festival! Warm weather & sunny skies contributed to a massive turnout. Headstock Tuner and Woodstock Guitar Strap by Planet Waves. Denim jacket and Special Edition D-18 guitar in sustainable cherry wood both by C.F. Martin & Co. and made in the U.S.A.

PHOTO: NJ Folk Festival performers Magda Miczak, (harmonica) and Ray Rettger, (banjo), stay late to jam after the show with two event attendees.

Well, there's no denying it. Our concert season began this weekend at the 35th New Jersey Folk Festival! Record crowds were in attendance as the sunshine filled temperatures soared into the 90's. When playing the summer concerts and festivals, you'll need to observe a few rules of the road so you'll last the distance. First off, you'll need to make sure to stay hydrated. Caffeine filled sodas, coffee and tea beverages are actually diuretics meaning they help rid your body of fluids. So drinking them instead of pure water will actually dehydrate you even more. You'll also need to choose your clothing carefully. Pick outfits that not only show up well on stage but allow proper ventilation to your skin. Most of us sweat even a little when we perform but large dark perspiration stains on your shirt (or pants!), look really scary on stage. Remember the saying, "Never let 'em see you sweat"?

Staying Cool On Stage

What I have found are a few essentials that help me endure the harsh conditions of outdoor concerts and jams. Here I am after playing a set in 90 degree, sunny weather. The cowboy hat isn't a prop. It is by Dorfman-Pacific and offers serious sun protection so my face doesn't get burned. It is made of airy straw with lots of meshing in the crown so my hair isn't soaking wet from being steamed. My blouse is by ExOfficio, http://www.exofficio.com and is called the Next-To-Nothing Zeph'r for good reason. It completely allowed my skin to feel every passing breeze while I was performing. I might have been a bit misty but it surely didn't show. More than that, I was entirely comfortable through out the whole festival. This blouse is wrinkle resistant so it's perfect for throwing in my gigbag or overnight case. Every bit as road-worthy as my guitar! In fact all of ExOfficio's pieces pack extremely well. This shirt is lightweight, super quick drying and even has a secret zippered security pocket. 3/4 length sleeves stay out of the way of my guitar strings. What more could you ask for?

Festival Players Warming Up
Life on the road can disrupt your usual practice schedule and routine.

Increase your studio time now and you will be able to make the transition with ease. The best thing to do is to arrive early as you see my Bluegrass friends doing here, and warm up. I used Planet Waves' new Headstock Tuner this year. Very accurate and compact enough to leave on the guitar while playing. While you are tuning your instruments you will also tune your voice so you don't lose it in the middle of a performance. I often take along a saline nasal mister because it quickly hydrates the upper nasal passages and back of the throat. This clears your head and gives your voice extra clarity and resonance. Arriving early also allows your set list to come together with decisions on what key you'll be playing in being made before you go on stage. This is the time to hydrate yourself with plenty of water which is especially true if it is hot and dry. Take a quick restroom stop before you hit the boards and knock 'em dead! If you don't get enough water before going on, well, you may be the one getting knocked dead.

Jamming After the Concert

Ideally, you'll want to have plenty of juice left at the end of your concert to get together with a few people after the show to talk and play. This is how you grow as a musician and performer. I can't emphasize this enough. If you are so wiped after a weekend of travel, rehearsals and performing that you miss the "real party" afterwards, its time to rethink your diet and exercise program. Great tours don't just happen. You have to condition yourself for them. Your training table should consist of lots of complex carbohydrates, whole grains and nuts, lean meats and LOTS of pure water. Try to walk or ride your bike for shorter errands now that the weather is getting warmer. This will all add up to increased stamina on the road and you can be the last man or woman standing when all is said and done. Here I am still picking until late after most performers had left. People must have liked the sound of my Martin D-18 because it kept getting borrowed! I really wasn't tired and enjoyed meeting a lot of new musician friends and fans after the show. That's what it's all about, right?

PODCAST ALERT! You can check out many of the items mentioned in the article in the banner ad section to your left. Didn't get a chance to attend this festival? Listen to a LIVE Podcast from the 35th Annual New Jersey Folk Festival at: Dr. M's Radio Show, http://doctorm.tumblr.com

IN THE MIX: We'll be road testing the Audio-Technica 3000 Series Wireless Microphone System this season! It comes with the acclaimed ATM710 condenser mic and is available with its own case so it is perfect for going on tour. See you out there!

Martin's FREE Guitar Clinic!

Photo: Robbie's Music City owner, John, Martin Guitar Luthier, Dave Evans and Dr. M enjoying the Martin Guitar Clinic

Dave Evans putting Martin Acoustic SP medium strings, (Phosphor Bronze) on my D-18 made of sustainable cherry wood. According to Evans, Brazilian rosewood ceased being used as a standard wood to make guitars in 1969.

This was the first Martin Guitar Clinic Robbie's Music Center of Hackettstown has hosted. Based on the long line of jovial customers who turned up despite the driving rain, I would say it was a huge success. Customers with any make of 6 or 12 string guitar received a free set and installation of their choice of light or medium gauge Martin SP Strings. Action adjustments were also done absolutely free of charge.

In this tight economy, you might consider replacing your strings before replacing your guitar. New, quality strings will make a major difference in tone and even playability. Evans also replaced the strings on my Martin D-16GT. Medium SP strings were replaced with lights as I mainly use this guitar in the studio for recording and highly amplified with pickups for stage performances.

Customers also reveled in trying out some of the new & limited edition Martins on the floor that day!

One of the guitars Martin has brought back is the 01 Series. It is a very straightforward instrument but with a price point of under $900.00, it is surely going to be a hot seller. In fact the sample 01 models Evans brought to the clinic that day were all sold out. The store also ran special guitar sales up until 4 pm when the clinic was officially over.



Customer Janet Schuring pictured here owns three Martins including the Backpacker she's holding. She received new strings on all of the Martins she brought in that day.

Clinics like these are a great way to meet other guitar owners and get some insight on your instruments specific needs. Upon having her Backpacker's strings replaced, Schuring found that the instrument had been drying out in the gigbag. Removal of the strings caused a dried piece of wood to come loose. Repairs were made with a little wood glue and she purchased a humidifier for the instrument to prevent further damage. Another benefit of a Guitar Clinic is being able to try different types of strings that you would not normally use.

Generally, medium strings will allow you to drive your Dreadnought's tone for greater volume and projection. If your guitar has pickups, you may not need that much acoustic volume. Lighter strings might work better depending on your style of playing.

Hear our live Podcast from this Martin Guitar Clinic as Dave Evans discusses the differences of the woods being used in Martin guitars. Listen in at Dr. M's Radio Show: www.doctorm.tumblr.com

Be sure to check our listings below under SHOWS-CONCERTS-JAMS for the next FREE Martin Guitar Clinic on April 18th! We'll also be doing another GUITAR GEAR GIVE-AWAY featuring C.F. Martin, GHS Strings & Planet Waves goodies so check back!

String Time Arrives at C.F. Martin's FREE Guitar Clinics!

PHOTO: Display of Martin Acoustic strings for Studio & Performing. Listen to some Martin Guitar strings in action right now on Dr. M's Radio Show: http://doctorm.tumblr.com/.

My guitar teacher agrees. One of the best things you can do for your guitar's sound and playability is to change the strings frequently. In fact, for optimal performance, your strings should be changed after every 40 hours of playing. If you play a little more than an hour each day, you'll quickly rack up that much time in a month. Still in my experience, nothing makes your guitar sound brand spanking clean like a new set of strings.

Signs of the Times

The good times you've had with your guitar show up as dark patches and discolorations all along the length of the string. Your strings will also have a dull tone and not resonate well. Once they get "patchy", there's not much you can do to remedy the situation except change them. With a bit of forethought, you can extend your strings' playability.

Getting the most life out of your strings means taking a few steps to keep them clean and ringing true. Also keeping the humidity level between 40-45% in your guitar case will also be a great help. This is because over-humidification which often comes with the spring rains, will cause your strings to accelerate in oxidation. That means rust city so be sure to be extra careful when using your guitar at outdoor folk festivals and jams.

See our article here on Spring Guitar Care: http://mariejmiczak.blogspot.com/2009/02/spring-guitar-care.html

Players also should make a habit of washing their hands before picking up their instrument. Corrosive acids and salts in your sweat will transfer from your fingers onto the strings. When you are playing, pass on the salty, greasy chips and other such snacks that may be around. Salt is a true enemy to string life!

GHS makes an excellent line of electric guitar strings and guitar care accessories. To extend the life of your strings, you can use their String Cleaning Cloth. This specially treated cloth is used dry over steel guitar or bass strings to clean and restore tone.

Another product from GHS that I like to use is their Fast Fret. Like the cloth, it is a string cleaner but also benefits the fingerboard. It comes in a stick which just glides along your strings and fingerboard. Wipe off the excess with the cloth that is included and you're ready to play! These products won't damage or stain your guitar's finish and are made in the U.S.A. I keep them handy as they are easy to pack for the studio and the road. Some say it allows them to play faster along the fretboard. I'll take any help I can get but practicing is the only way I've seen to really increase my speed. Visit GHS online for all of their quality products at: www.ghsstrings.com

So there is a lot that you can do to keep the life in your strings and improve their sound along the way. The Martin Guitar Clinics are completely FREE and allow you to meet other musicians and see some new model guitars up close and personal as they usually allow you to play them. You can ask questions and gain some insights on your guitar. You'll also have the opportunity to try a free set of new strings and have them put on by an expert luthier all at no cost. He'll check the action and make suggestions on the best type of strings based on your instrument and playing style. You may have been playing with the wrong strings all these years. You owe it to yourself, (and your audience), to get the right strings on your guitar. Don't miss out on an opportunity like this! See the upcoming dates and locations under our CONCERTS-SHOWS-JAMS header down at the bottom of the page. You may also contact C.F. Martin directly to schedule a free factory and museum tour or for more information about their Free Guitar Clinics. C.F. Martin website: www.martinguitar.com

Photo: Dr. M. & her Martin D-16GT, in solid spruce & mahogany

The Next FREE Martin Guitar Clinic is on Saturday April 11th 2009 in Hackettstown, NJ with master luthier Dave Evans. Get a set of premium Martin Strings installed FREE! See Details under SHOWS-CONCERTS-JAMS
Now that Spring is here, it's jammin' time! Don't sit at home. Come out to the Concerts, Folk Festivals and Jams coming up. (Check the listings in our banner ad section) We'll have more FREE Guitar Gear Give-Aways too!
Up Next!!! Listen in to Dr. M's Radio Show Podcast at: http://doctorm.tumblr.com

Spring Guitar Care

Need New Strings this Spring? Get 'er done at Martin's FREE Guitar Clinics listed under our:

SHOWS-CONCERTS-JAMS

Martin Guitar Luthier Gives Us the Inside Story!

Dr. M and seasoned Martin Guitar tech & luthier, Dave with her newly serviced D-16 gloss top. Here he shares his professional secrets to keeping your guitar in top condition.

Spring is a wonderful time of year. It also poses new challenges for keeping your guitar at the proper humidity. As the dryer winter weather wanes, the changing weather replete with spring showers will cause an increase in the air's humidity. So while we were concerned about keeping our guitar humidified during colder weather, now we have to be concerned about over-humidifying our instruments which can be just as bad. Trust me, I know. One of my guitars became almost unplayable because it was so "water-logged" and rounded out. My Martin Guitar tech, Dave spotted the underlying problem and gave me some sage advice which I will pass on to you. Keep reading, it gets real interesting! Let's start off with a tour of where these masterpieces are made and stored.


The Martin Guitar Factory Tour...Your First Clue

The Martin Guitar Factory Tour is rated one of the BEST factory tours in America. These are the experts in guitar building and care. In fact C.F. Martin invented the Dreadnought which is today one of the most copied guitar designs in the world. Touring the Martin Factory will increase your knowledge and appreciation of the fact that among other things, your guitar is subject to changes in temperature and humidity. This goes with the territory of owning a hollow body acoustic. I've always been careful to warm up my car on a cold day or turn on the air conditioner on a hot one before stowing my instruments. If it too far below freezing, I don't take my acoustic guitars out at all. I'll bring a solid body instrument on the road instead. These react less to ambient changes unlike hollow body guitars.


Custom Care for Your Guitar

Here is a photo of an expert Martin luthier doing restorations in their Custom Shop. The beautifully inlaid guitar he is holding is valued at over $40,000. They see it all here! Dings, cracks, splits, buckling... most of which could have been avoided if the guitar was keep properly stored and humidified. In fact, the entire factory is optimally maintained at just the right humidity for guitars. That would be between 40-45%. As you move along the tour, you'll see the steps taken to turn a wood block into a finished instrument. More than that, you begin to understand that the wood itself will respond to the environment. Visit The Martin Guitar Museum. You'll experience the same perfect level of humidity there too. There is a reason for this! The easiest way to keep control over those conditions is to store your instrument in its case. So how do you know what's going on inside? Dave, our expert Martin guitar tech, suggested having a hygrometer inside of each guitar case. "This way I know just what the humidity is in each of my guitar cases." The problem that I encountered was not knowing whether or not the guitar case was over or under-humidified. If you can't gage this information properly you'll be flying blind and guessing that your guitar needs moisture when perhaps it doesn't. The result will be either an instrument that is shrunken and under-humidified or bloated and over-humidified. Either way, these conditions can put your instrument out of tune and even make it unplayable. Not good. Well, here's your solution coming right up.

Oasis Digital Hygrometer w/Clip

If you want to know both the temperature and humidity levels in your guitar case, you'll need an accurate thermometer/hygrometer. This Oasis O-H2 model is completely digital and especially made for use inside of most guitar cases. In fact there are many models of guitar cases which have a hygrometer built in. The clip on the Oasis O-H2 allows it to stay put without rattling around in the case and possibly scratching your instrument. I've seen others that attach with a magnet but I'm always leery of such devices around the on board electronics and pickups.


Monitoring Made Simple

Having a digital hygrometer is an easy way to know if and when to add humidity to your guitar inside the case. I also have a weather station which gives me both the indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity levels. When the days are consecutively dry, that is below 40%humidity, the indicator actually says, "dry". This is a heads up to check my guitars in their cases which once again is the best place to store your prized instruments. Here is my Oasis unit doing its job inside of my guitar case next to my Martin D-16GT. The on/off switch saves battery life and the unit retains previous high/low readings. I simply clipped it onto the storage lid inside of the case. It has Velcro fasteners so it can also be removed. Keeping your guitar at the proper humidity level has never been easier as this unit will help you stay between the recommended 40-45%.
The Oasis Digital Hygrometer w/Clip #421666 is available for only $27.95 from Musician's Friend by clicking this direct product link: Oasis Digital Hygrometer w/Clip http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Oasis-OH2-Digital-Hygrometer-wclip?sku=421666






1-800-776-5173

We would like to personally thank C.F. Martin & Company located at 510 Sycamore Street, Nazareth, PA and Musician's Friend for their participation and expertise in contributing to this article. Be sure to treat yourself to a tour of the Martin Guitar Factory this spring, (see our photos for a virtual tour) and check out Musician's Friend fantastic guitar gear with quality service and the best prices around.

Look!!! Have a FREE set of strings installed on your Martin Guitar at one of their traveling Guitar Clinics listed under our SHOWS-CONCERTS-JAMS header down in the left hand column.