02/25/2007

Advice On Acoustic Guitars

by Tim Larson

Tim Larson, a Chicago based singer-songwriter, has been playing and recording since he was a kid. He joined the Irish band The Drovers, when he was 17 and later played in the Chicago alternative band The Read Letter. Larson is also a graduate of The Chicago College of Music. He is currently recording his first solo CD. Gearwire talked to him about his choices and opinions on acoustic guitars.

What makes a good guitar in my eyes is versatility. Buying a guitar is like shopping for a car. You have to decide what acoustic will best suit you and what you are doing. I tend to gravitate towards guitars for different reasons but all my acoustics are good strummers, with really nice tones," says Larson "You don't, after all, get a sports car if you have four kids, so you don't get a 5,000 dollar acoustic if you are going to bang away at it."

There are some simple things to keep in mind when buying an acoustic--whether you are getting it from a buddy or a music shop.

"I usually first look at the wood, the particular type of wood is important. some low end guitars are made of composite wood and don't have a nice well balanced tone as say Brazilian rosewood," says Larson "I also have a small check list that I go through."

1. Check the bridge and the wood around the bridge, especially if it's used or "vintage (which doesn't necessarily make it good)". If it looks like it's coming unglued from the body, it will probably need work soon and may seriously effect the sound.

2. Check the body for cracks and repairs. not every guitar shop as has expert luthier so I always check to see how things are repaired if they are damaged. If there are cracks that have gone unattended or the guitar was not kept in a humidified environment it will change the sound of the guitar and how well you are able to play it.

3. Always always always check the neck. I have all of my guitars set up within a month of getting them. If the frets look like they are damaged or the neck shows signs of warping or bowing, you may want to pass on that guitar. Unless it's a Gibson hummingbird in which case you should buy it even if it's missing a neck (just kidding).

4. By all means play it for awhile in the shop, in fact go back and play it a few times. Guitars change in different environments. Play it then go back a month later and see if the tone is the same.

5. Check the tuning knobs and the nut for signs of damage or warping.

Larson doesn't buy guitars to put them in the closet. Each one he owns has a different purpose.

"I like a different acoustic for almost every thing I do," he says. "Playing live I like to use my Gibson CL-10. It has a bright, loud tone-- especially if I am playing with a band, it cuts through and you are really able to hear it without cranking it and having feedback problems. I also like the fact that the neck is a bit smaller than my older Gibsons and it's a little easier to play."

For recording Larson uses all his guitars. He has twelve.

"I really like the '69 J-G-O. It has a really great deep rich tone. the action is low and it is perfect for playing rhythm and is great if you are singing along. Plus it's loud so you don't have to put the mics real close. The Gibson Gospel I have is perfect for a song where there maybe picking and strumming. It's loud as well and has a more treble sound than the J-G-O," says Larson. "If I am playing slide guitar I like to use my CL-10. again the neck is smaller and easier to play. If I need to I can plug it in. If I am feeling nostalgic I like to break out the old Gibson mahogany, not sure of the model number on that one. but it is a real mid range sounding guitar and has a real Woody Guthrie, old time sound."

As far as caring for all these guitars Larson has one big thing that every player needs to keep in mind. Changing humidity and temperature can really screw up your guitar. Everyone "knows" this and most do nothing about it.

"The single most important factor in caring for an acoustic guitar, in my opinion, is humidity. you have to put a humidifier in your acoustic-- especially if you live in a climate where half the year is cold," says Larson "Nothing is worse than having your guitar in a dry forced heat apartment or house or being on tour in the winter and having your guitar in the trailer. The wood gets brittle and starts to crack. If i am not playing a certain guitar on a regular basis it stays in the case away from vents and i check the humidifiers twice a week to see if they need to be moistened."