ONE OF MY FAVORITE ACOUSTIC GUITARS ALL THE TIME AND THE HISTORY OF IT

An instrument is only a means to enter the world of music. It can be played in many different ways and reveals the personality of the person playing it.

No matter what mood you are in, and no matter what’s got you in a good place or a bad place… You sit down with that instrument against your gut and whatever comes out is an extension of yourself that you can never express any other way. Some people are writers. Some people are painters. Even photographers… whatever. It’s all the same. Self expression in any form is the most beautiful way of portraying what you feel about that instrument; be it your camera, brush, or whatever.

Nothing can beat that visceral feeling you get when the perfect chord progression comes out, or the perfect harmonic is hit by mistake.

Every time you picked up that old funny shaped bit of wood with strings music speaks were words fail.

Here are some of my favorite acoustic guitars all the time and the history of it

Martin

-In the 20th century contemporary songs across all genres of music were being played around the world. It includes the Civil War soldiers singing and humming around the campfires.

Martin is part of a long line of legendary instruments stretching back to the company’s Beginnings in 1833.

These guitars have been known for their tone, consistency, quality, and attention to handcrafted detail. Most professional and amateur musicians in every category of music hold Martin guitars in high esteem. Among the extensive list of famous musicians who have owned and played Martin guitars are Elvis Presley, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, Joan Baez, Sting, Johnny Cash, Gene Autry, Hank Williams, Jimmy Buffett, Jimmy Page, Tom Petty, Willie Nelson, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. More than 150 artist signature-model collaborations with many of the era’s greatest guitarists.

MARTIN STYLE NUMBERS

The style numbers Martin puts into the names of their guitars are used to indicate the construction materials and appointments of the guitar. Here is a brief overview of Martin’s style designations:

• Style 15: All-mahogany top back and sides with a Rosewood fretboard and bridge. Among Martin’s least-expensive solid wood guitars and considered by musicians to be a workhorse.

• Style 18: Style 18 instruments include a Spruce top with mahogany back and sides, 5-ply multi-ply binding (since 1932), Rosewood fretboard with dot inlays, and a Rosewood bridge.

• Style 21: Spruce top, rosewood back and sides, single-ply black or tortoiseshell binding, rosewood or ebony fretboard and bridge (depending on the model).

• Style 28: Among the most popular Martin styles, Style 28 includes a Spruce top with Rosewood back and sides with an ornamental back stripe, ebony fingerboard with dot inlays, and an ebony bridge.

• Style 42: Style 42 guitars are beautifully appointed with a Spruce top, rosewood back and sides, ivoroid binding, and a bound ebony fretboard with classic snowflake inlays.

• Style 45: Same tonewood pairing as a Style 42 with more lavish appointments, including additional abalone-pearl inlays around the sides, back, heel, and end-piece. Style 45 guitars are among the most valuable guitars in the vintage market.

Martin guitars have been and always will be one of the most sought-after names on the market.

Yamaha

-Yamaha offers a top quality guitar, with a great sound for beginning guitar players and professional guitar player all at an affordable price.

The history of Yamaha begins many years prior to the initial production of their innovative, affordable, high-quality guitars.

The company was established in 1887 in the island country of Japan, but despite the company’s current reputation for high-quality guitars, in the early years of its history they did not specialize in the production of guitars. Originally, Yamaha focused primarily on the construction and repair of pianos and organs, which were sold only to consumers within Japan.

It was not until the 1940s that Yamaha began producing the first of their innovative guitars. Even at this point, the company would not release their guitars to the American and other foreign markets until the mid-1960s.

Now, the Yamaha Corporation produces numerous varied products and musical instruments around the world.

When it was introduced in 1966, the Yamaha FG proved that a great acoustic guitar didn’t need to cost a fortune. With a focus on great playability, musical tone and outstanding build quality, the original FG180 quickly became a classic with countless careers and hit records starting life on an FG. 50 years since the introduction of the FG acoustics, the new range features the best-ever FG tone and the same great playability and class-leading quality that’s made it the choice of millions of guitarists.

FG / FGX Series

FG850

An all-mahogany FG. Using mahogany for the body binding as well gives this model a warm, woody design to match the distinctive richness in the middle frequencies.

• Traditional Western Body.

• Solid Mahogany Top.

• Mahogany Back & Sides.

• Newly Developed Scalloped Bracing.

• Warm and Woody Design.

FG840

The flamed maple back and sides provide distinctive, exotic and high-end appearance. The sound is transparent and each individual note in a chord is clear.

• Traditional Western Body

• Solid Spruce Top

• Flamed Maple Back & Sides

• Newly Developed Scalloped Bracing

• High-end appearance and transparent sound

FG830

Rich overtones and improved sustain thanks to the rosewood back and sides deliver improved sound through greater ‘depth’. The appearance, with abalone inlay around the sound hole, is more luxurious and an obvious step-up.

• Traditional Western Body.

• Solid Spruce Top.

• Rosewood Back & Sides.

• Newly Developed Scalloped Bracing.

• Rich Overtones.

FG820

In addition to warmer and stronger sound thanks to the mahogany back and sides, the body binding and fingerboard binding are cream plastic, for an upgraded look. A wealth of color options is available.

• Traditional Western Body.

• Solid Spruce Top.

• Mahogany Back & Sides.

• Newly Developed Scalloped Bracing.

• Warm and Strong Sound.

FG820-12

12-string version of the FG820. Available in a Natural finish.

• 12-strings Model.

• Traditional Western Body.

• Solid Spruce Top.

• Mahogany Back & Sides.

• Newly Developed Scalloped Bracing.

• Warm and Strong Sound.

FG820L

Left-handed version of the FG800. Available in a Natural finish.

• Lefty Model.

• Traditional Western Body.

• Solid Spruce Top.

• Mahogany Back & Sides.

• Newly Developed Scalloped Bracing.

• Warm and Strong Sound.

FG800

Yamaha’s standard acoustic model, with simple and traditional looks and outstanding quality, is at an affordable price. A solid-top guitar with authentic sound that is well balanced without sacrificing its robust strength, thanks to the newly developed scalloped bracing design. Can be confidently recommended to all beginner guitarists.

• Traditional Western Body.

• Solid Spruce Top.

• Nato/Okume Back & Sides.

• Newly Developed Scalloped Bracing.

• Traditional looks and outstanding quality.

FG800M

Matt finishes version of Yamaha’s standard acoustic model, FG800. Simple and traditional looks and outstanding quality, at an affordable price. A solid-top guitar with authentic sound that is well balanced without sacrificing its robust strength, thanks to the newly developed scalloped bracing design. Ultra-thin natural satin finish creates an instrument with a rich, natural sound and incredible feel.

• Matt Finish.

• Traditional Western Body.

• Solid Spruce Top.

• Nato/Okume Back & Sides.

• Newly Developed Scalloped Bracing.

• Traditional looks and outstanding quality.

FGX830C

Derived from FG830 which has the solid spruce top and rosewood back/sides, FGX830C has a cutaway body and the electric system. Yamaha’s proprietary under-saddle piezo pickup and System66 analog preamp ensure the solid plugged-in performance.

• Traditional Western Body.

• Solid Spruce Top.

• Rosewood Back & Sides.

• Newly Developed Scalloped Bracing.

• Rich Overtones.

FGX820C

Derived from FG820, which has the solid spruce top and mahogany back/sides, FGX820C has a cutaway body and the electric system. Yamaha’s proprietary under-saddle piezo pickup and System66 analog preamp ensure the solid plugged-in performance.

• Traditional Western Body.

• Solid Spruce Top.

• Mahogany Back & Sides.

• Newly Developed Scalloped Bracing.

• Warm and Strong Sound.

• Product Registration.

FGX800C

The first choice in experiencing acoustic-electric music. Derived from FG800, which has the solid spruce top and nato/okume back and sides, FGX800C has a cutaway body and the electric system. Yamaha’s proprietary under-saddle piezo pickup and System66 analog preamp ensure the solid plugged-in performance.

• Traditional Western Body.

• Solid Spruce Top.

• Nato/Okume Back & Sides.

• Newly Developed Scalloped Bracing.

• Traditional looks and outstanding quality.

Yamaha’s FG series is one of the most consistently affordable instruments, while still being quality guitars.

Ibanez

-One of the largest and most popular manufacturers of electric and acoustic guitars today, Ibanez is known world wide for producing a huge range of high quality instruments to suit a variety of genres and budgets.

An industry leader in numerous departments, the company possesses a long and varied history.

Founded in 1908 as Hoshino Gakki, a distributor of sheet music in the Japanese city of Nagoya, Ibanez’s initial forays into the guitar business involved importing high-end classical guitars built by the famous Spanish luthier Salvador Ibanez.

Original Ibanez guitars are born

By the 1930s the company had pivoted to building similar guitars themselves, taking the name ‘Ibanez’ for their headstocks.

As the craze for rock ‘n’ roll swept the world, the company switched from making acoustic instruments to build entry-level electric guitars in the 1950s for export.

Whilst these guitars aren’t renowned for their quality, models such as the Montclair and the Goldentone are interesting if only for the fact that they are unique instruments that look totally different in design to their American counterparts.

High-quality guitars

In the 1960s and 70s Ibanez gained more of a foothold on the global market as they shifted away from producing low-quality original designs, and started to build high-quality replicas of iconic Fender and Gibson guitars.

This caught the eye of the guitar-buying public, as the increase in Ibanez’s build quality coincided with a decrease in quality from big name U.S guitar manufacturers. This chapter in Ibanez’s history is informally known as being ‘the lawsuit era’ in reference to the lawsuit brought against Hoshino Gakki by Gibson’s parent company,Norlin.

By the time that the lawsuit was settled, guitarists were well aware of the value that Ibanez offered with their high quality, reasonably priced instruments, and several popular artists (including George Benson) had already adopted original Ibanez designed guitars.

With this newfound momentum, the company ceased production of replicas and focused solely on the production of original designs.

Ibanez’s popularity grows

They gained even more popularity in the 1980s with the introduction of their Saber and Roadstar models (which would later become the S and RG series), a direct response to guitarists frustrated by traditional mainstream designs offered by Fender and Gibson, and looking for something with more speed and playability.

With their high-output pickups, slender necks and floating double-locking tremolo arms, these new Ibanez designs matched the demand for flamboyant instruments built to shred.

To this day, Ibanez carries forward their trademark spirit of innovation and diversity, through pioneering new design concepts (such as their ‘extended range instruments’) and endorsing guitarists of all genres

A giant of the guitar industry, whilst Ibanez are perhaps best known for their solid body guitars used by the likes of Steve Vai and Paul Gilbert, their range of semi-hollow and hollow body guitars remain extremely popular with jazz musicians and listed below are four fantastic models currently in production that we would recommend to those looking for a jazz guitar.

•Ibanez PM200

–The current PM200 model is a versatile and warm sounding archtop guitar, designed to Metheny’s exact specifications.

Featuring an ebony fretboard for a tight and defined attack with rich sustain, as well as a single mounted Super 58 Custom humbucking pickup, the PM200 is a great choice for those looking for a beautifully designed, Japanese made high-end archtop guitar.

•Ibanez’s JSM100

–Legendary jazz guitarist John Scofield’s signature JSM100 model takes inspiration from his much-loved Ibanez AS200, the longest-running design in Ibanez’s history.

With some tweaks, the new JSM100 improves on it.

A highly versatile instrument whose thick sound block greatly reduces the risk of feedback, the JSM100 shines across a number of genres and styles.

Featuring a beautifully figured Anigre top (which produces a rich and smooth tone), a signature Ibanez half-bone/half-brass nut to aid the overall balance of highs and lows and two mounted Super 58 humbucking pickups, the Ibanez JSM100 is a fitting tribute to a master musician.

They may have been a relative latecomer to the scene, but Ibanez guitars have forged a reputation amongst musicians as a serious choice of instrument, not least when setting up to play jazz.

Ephiphone

-Epiphone is one of American’s oldest and most revered instrument makers. Since 1873, Epiphone has made instruments for every style of popular music and in 2013 will celebrate its 140th anniversary.

The name Epiphone evokes both history and the spirit of invention. The “House of Stathopoulo” has played a central role in every great musical era, from the mandolin craze of the early 1900s to jazz age guitars of the 1920s; from swing era archtops through post-war pop, jazz, r&b, and early rock n’ roll; and from the “British Invasion” to heavy metal, punk, grunge, and thrash. And now, in the 21st century, new Epiphone technical breakthroughs such as the ProBucker™ pickup, series parallel switching, built-in KillSwitch™ pots, the Shadow NanoFlex™ and NanoMag™ pickup systems, and premier acoustic/electric guitars with the eSonic™ preamp have brought Epiphone to a new generation.

It’s made in a traditional dreadnought guitar shape, which is not too small or big and should feel comfortable for a beginning guitar player. The body is made out of mahogany back and sides with a spruce top, which are common woods used for acoustic guitars and give a warm, well-balanced sound.

The neck of this guitar is made out of Okoume wood, a lighter version of mahogany, and has 21 frets. The neck has a slim-taper profile on it and feels very comfortable in the hand, so beginner players and even the experience guitar players should have no problems playing this guitar. The premium tuning pegs get the job done, and this guitar won’t get out of tune so easily.

J-45 EC

• A timeless look crafted for bluesy tone, projection, playability, and aesthetic beauty.

• Great for fingerpicking, strumming, and singers.

L-00

• Produces a punchy and articulate vintage sound.

• Great for recording artists and songwriters.

• Affordable and compact size.

J-200 EC

• Big, bold sound in a smaller package.

• Great for portability and touring.

• You’ll be able to play for long periods without getting tired.

EJ 200SCE

• Maple wood body.

• Crown inlays on the fret-board.

• Flower patterned pick-guard.

• Equipped with an eSonic 2 pre-amp system and the nano-flex low-impedance pickup by Shadow.

• Proprietary pickup senses both string vibration and the top of the guitar, allowing the player to use the E-Sonic 2 Pre-amp to blend and create their own signature sound.

Hummingbird Pro

• Traditional dreadnought shape.

• Cherry burst finish.

• Hummingbird’ pick-guard.

• Parallelogram inlays associated with the pro versions on the fret-board.

• Shadow e-performer pre-amp.

• Shadow nano-flex pickup system which are easy to use, providing the ability to control the tone from the upper bout of the guitar.

• 15:1 ratio sealed Grover tuners, and a compensated bridge for accuracy and ease of tuning.

DR-100

• The top is solid spruce and allows for a crisp, clear tone that develops over time.

• The Dreadnought body style provides the volume and tone required for playing with others in acoustic settings.

• Dreadnought shape.

PR4E

• A spruce top, which will provide a tone that improves with time.

• Traditional X-bracing.

• Mahogany back and sides.

• Vintage 60s style logo on the downward sloping dove wings head-stock.

• Controls on the upper bout to allow the guitars to adjust bass, mid-range, treble, and volume from the top of the guitar.

• Modern looking profile for those looking to break away from the more traditional guitar body shape.

FT-100

• FT-100 acoustic guitar offers professional features and sound at a very affordable price.

• Classic dreadnought shape.

• Mahogany back and sides paired with the solid spruce top provide a warm sound.

• 14:1 gear ratio provides for quick and accurate tuning.

• Signature 60s style head-stock.

Epiphone acoustic guitars are a great choice for beginners. They are affordable and offer a great sound. The necks are comfortable and the action is low, making it easy to learn chords and melodies. The sound quality is good, and they are durable instruments that will last for many years.

Gibson

-The year is 1894 and Orville Gibson has just created the earliest documented Gibson instrument: a mandolin based on the arch-top design common to violins.

Young Orville continues, working out of a one-man woodworking shop in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to produce a brand-new family of mandolins and acoustic guitars. All feature the same arch-top design. In fact, Gibson is often credited with inventing the arch-top guitar.

A demand for Orville Gibson’s instruments quickly begins to overwhelm the talented craftsman. In 1902, in accordance with five financiers (music-store owners and lawyers) in Kalamazoo, Orville sells his name and forms an agreement to find the Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Company. He remains with the company as a consultant up until 1904.

Gibson’s arch-top acoustic guitars prove popular on into the 1920s and 30s. While the arch-top remains quintessential to “Spanish” style players, dance bands, swing orchestras and Western outfits, the decade gives way to flat-top acoustic guitars and other manufacturers were already making waves in the new market.

Around the late 1910s, Gibson releases its first line of flat-tops, an “Army-Navy” model guitar aimed primarily at servicemen toward the end of World War 1 The guitar is marketed as highly “affordable” and will become but a footnote in the company’s vast history of innovation.

After a number of hospital stays, on August 19th, 1918, Orville Gibson, the company’s founder, dies at the age of 62. From 1908 until his death, Gibson was paid the modern equivalent of $20,000 every month.

From one man who works for his part-time hobby, who worked a variety of part-time jobs in order to fund his true passion–handcrafting musical instruments.

From overhauling the production range to better reflect the iconic designs of years past with the Original Collection, to creating a new and improved overhauling and improving guitars.

It’s not all been smooth sailing, and there’s certainly been sometimes when the brand has found itself in hot water, but it endures today as an icon of American culture.

J-45

• Sitka spruce top with mahogany body and traditional hand-scalloped X-bracing.

• Mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard.

• L.R. Baggs VTC pickup.

Gibson Hummingbird

• Traditional Hummingbird pickguard art.

• Multi-ply top and back binding.

• Vintage Cherry Sunburst finish.

SJ-200

• Sitka spruce top, flame maple back and sides.

• 2-piece maple neck, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard, mother-of-pearl graduated crowns inlays.

• Gotoh Keystone tuners, SJ-200 Four Bar Moustache bridge, LR Baggs VTC undersaddle pickup.

Parlor Modern

• Mother-of-pearl single parallelogram inlays.

• Mahogany neck.

• Multi-ply top binding.

L-00

• Mother-of-pearl dot inlays.

• Mahogany neck.

• Multi-ply top binding.

G-45

• Spruce top and walnut body.

• Utile neck with Advanced Response profile.

• Ebony fingerboard.

J-185 EC

• Sitka spruce top, walnut back and sides.

• Advanced Response 2-piece maple neck, walnut fingerboard and bridge.

• L.R. Baggs Element undersaddle pickup with volume control.

Gibson Dove Original

• Looks: If you are a fan of flamed maple, this guitar will look amazing to you. The flame on the back and sides of the Dove is one of the most impressive details on a Gibson acoustic guitar.

• Tone: The Dove has a balanced, full-bodied tone, characteristic of square shoulder dreadnought guitars.

J-15

• Provides exceptional classic acoustic sound.

• Offers small yet effective LR Baggs Element pickup. For controlled amplifying.

• Has a classic Sitka spruce top and walnut back that offer graceful style.

• Includes Slim-Taper neck profile that facilitates smooth, even playing and sound.

G-00

• Solid Sitka spruce top and solid walnut back and sides provide tone that sounds crisp and resonant.

• Slightly thinner parlor-sized body is exceptionally comfortable to hold and play.

• TUSQ nut and saddle, along with the Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners, deliver solid tuning stability so you can spend more time playing instead of tuning.

• Utile neck with easy-playing Advanced Response neck profile provides enhanced comfort.

Gibson is one of the oldest guitar makers still in existence, but the journey from Orville Gibson’s hobby to a world-straddling brand has been a rollercoaster, to say the least.