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Acoustic Guitar Pickups

An important consideration when buying an acoustic guitar is whether you want it to come equipped with microphones, pick-ups, tuners, or other built-in electronics. This article will help answer some necessary questions.

Guitar Care Guide

Guitars require adjustments on a regular basis to maintain proper playability and performance. A guitar setup is a complete adjustment and calibration of the entire instrument to ensure that it is as playable and as responsive as possible.

Strings Attached - A Guide to Acoustic Guitar Strings

It's important to choose the right kind of strings for your guitar. This guide is intended to help you understand the different types of strings so you can get your instrument sounding its absolute best while improving playability.

Guitar Effects 101

Everybody likes gadgets, and guitarists are no different. What starts as a quest for the perfect lifelong guitar might well end in an impressive collection. The most fun you can have, though, is with a multitude of coloured effects pedals.

Three Great – and Affordable – Acoustic Performance Guitars

In my experience, when buying a guitar, I have found that you don’t have to spend a mint to get a great instrument. Most of the guitars in my own collection cost less than a thousand dollars – and many of them are gems.

Questions to Ask When Buying an Acoustic Guitar

I have sold acoustic guitars at Long & McQuade for years, and have been asked many very good questions from customers – questions that you should ask yourself before buying your next guitar.

Acoustic Guitar Guide: Aren't all guitars just ... guitar shaped?

At first glance, acoustic guitars can look pretty much all the same. But in fact they come in all sorts of sizes, styles and shapes, which can have a dramatic effect on volume, tone, and playability.

Classical Guitars 101

When you hear the term "acoustic guitar", it usually refers to steel string instruments, favoured by folk, blues, and rock guitarists. Nylon-string classical guitars produce a soft, smooth sound, and are used to play all sorts of genres.

Acoustic Guitars 101

Many guitar-making pioneers got their start in the cabinet-making business, raiding old furniture for their materials, and while you aren't likely to find old teacups rattling around inside, an acoustic guitar body is akin to a sealed wooden dish cabinet. 

How To Play Electric Guitar Without Risking Eviction

Following up on a previous blog post, How To Drum Without Risking Eviction, let’s not neglect that other common neighbour-rousing art, the electric guitar. Let’s look at a few ways you can still kick out the jams without losing the roof over your head.

NAMM 2016: Yamaha Acoustic Guitars and Active Basses

We preview the limited edition Yamaha 50th Anniversary FG180 Reissue acoustic guitar and the APX Travel Size Acoustic Guitar. This article is from our Namm Show series, where we focus on new and upcoming products in the world of music.

NAMM 2016: Ernie Ball Music Man Guitars and Basses

A tour of Ernie Ball Music Man Guitars at NAMM 2016, including the 40th Anniversary Stingray bass, Cutlass bass, James Valentine Signature, St Vincent Signature, JP16 John Petrucci Signature with Floyd Rose tremolo, and more!

NAMM 2016: Fender Guitars

A tour of the new Fender American Elite Series lineup, including the Fender American Elite Stratocaster with noiseless pickups, American Elite Telecaster and Thinline Telecaster, Jazz Bass, Dimension Bass and more.

Cause and Effect – Building a Pedalboard

When it comes to guitar players, gear placement is a topic that pops up on a regular basis.  Whether it’s finding that sweet spot when miking a speaker cabinet, having that amp at the right angle so it projects well, or daisy-chaining effect pedals and rack gear to mold your tone of choice, placement is paramount.

PLEK: The Best Your Guitar Can Be

Whatever your playing abilities are, if you are serious about your playing it is worth asking yourself the question: Is my instrument as good as it could be? And if the answer to that question is not a resounding “yes”, then the Plek Station might be able to help.

Eight (Holi)days a Week: How and What to Buy for the Beatles Obsessed

Ah, the Beatles. What more can be said that hasn’t been already? If you have a Beatles fan on your Christmas list, and you have no idea what to get them, read on. We’ll talk about what gear the Fab Four used and how you can find something on any budget, whether they are naughty or nice.

Guitarist Gift Guide: The Essentials

Still need the perfect gift for that picky guitar player? This article has some great ideas that will aid you in your search for the gift that should be on the wish list of even the most persnickety of guitar players. We focus on the bare essentials that any guitar player, from newbie to pro, will appreciate.

NAMM 2018: Guitars

Here's a closer look at guitars coming out this year by Ernie Ball Music Man, Godin, Charvel, Gretsch, Fender and Yamaha from the 2018 Winter NAMM show!

The NAMM Show 2019: Day 1

We're at the winter NAMM show again this year! On Day 1, we're taking a look at new products from Taylor, Godin, PRS, Mackie, Marshall, Gibson, Epiphone, Pearl, Fender, Jackson, Charvel, Gretsch, EVH, Alesis, Akai, Headrush, Denon and Technics.

The NAMM Show 2019: Day 2

We're at the winter NAMM show again this year! On Day 2, we're taking a look at new products from Martin, Dunlop, MXR, Way Huge, Ernie Ball, Ibanez, Tama, Orange, Electro-Harmonix, Mapex, Sonor, Ludwig, Zildjian, Sabian, Paiste, ProLogix, Rhythm Tech, Remo and Vic Firth.

The NAMM Show 2019: Day 3

We're at the winter NAMM show again this year! On Day 3, we're taking a look at new products from Cerwin-Vega, Yorkville Sound, Dynaudio, Hughes & Kettner, HK Audio, ART, IK Multimedia, Native Instruments, KRK, Stanton DJ, Allen & Heath, Radial, Tonebone, Warm Audio, Universal Audio, Cranborne Audio, Audient, Nord, Vox, Korg and Novation.

The NAMM Show 2019: Day 4

We're at the winter NAMM show again this year! On Day 4, we're taking a look at new products from ESP, Roland, Boss, Yamaha, Diamond, JHS Pedals, EarthQuaker Devices, Empress Effects, Eventide and Line 6.

When Your Rig Gets Big: How to Rationalize Your Gear

Musicians today are fortunate to be in a position of having an abundance of riches when it comes to available gear choices. This will discuss how to rationalize your pedal gear and make the best choices for your musical endeavors.

All About Strings

The strings on your guitar, bass, or other stringed instrument are a key component of your guitar’s sound. There is a lot of misinformation on how to choose strings, how often they need to be changed, or even how to change them. In this article, I’ll explain the basics of string choice and maintenance, as well as explain some of the common myths surrounding them.

The Undisputed Champion: The Ukulele

Once looked upon as a bit of a novelty, the ukulele has been riding a wave of popularity for nearly a decade. In this blog, we will discuss why that might be, and we’ll also discuss some basics to help you choose wisely when it comes time for you to don the tights and enter the ring.

Data Driven Fretwork

The PLEK Station is a specialized robot that creates a high-resolution digital scan of a guitar’s fingerboard and performs fully automated fretwork. The machine collects data about the playing surface, recommends fret adjustments for optimal performance, then cuts the frets with perfect precision.

Giving the Gift of Music Lessons

Giving the gift of lessons makes a great present for your loved one, no matter their age or stage. Whether you know someone who wants to improve their existing skills, who wants to pick an instrument up again after a long hiatus, or who has never touched music in their life, lessons as a gift are a perfect place to start.

The NAMM Show 2020: Day 1

We're at the 2020 winter NAMM show! On Day 1, we're taking a look at new products from ART, Yorkville, Mackie, Godin, KRK, Fender, Shure, Avantone, Radial, Warm Audio, Presonus, Aston, Tascam, ESP, Focusrite and Universal Audio.

The NAMM Show 2020: Day 2

We're at the 2020 winter NAMM show! On Day 2, we're taking a look at new products from Roland, Mapex, A&F Drum Co., American DJ, Pioneer DJ, Sonor, Warwick Music, Dunlop, Ludwig, Hohner, D'Addario, Softube, Audio-Technica, Royer and Taylor.

The NAMM Show 2020: Day 3

We're at the 2020 winter NAMM show! On Day 3, we're taking a look at new products from Martin, Empress, Sabian, Zildjian, Nord, Ernie Ball, Marshall, Pearl, Gibson, Yamaha, Line 6, Revv, Two Notes, and Tama.

The NAMM Show 2020: Day 4

We're at the 2020 winter NAMM show! On Day 4, we're taking a look at new products from Cranborne Audio, Denon, Numark, M-Audio, HeadRush, Drum Workshop, Pacific Drums, Gretsch Drums, Zoom, Dynaudio, EarthQuaker, Electro-Harmonix, Paiste, Remo, Korg, Vox and Solid State Logic.

Improvisation for Everyone

The dictionary offers us this definition: “Improvisation: to compose or sing without preparation....” This definition is misleading and potentially discouraging. Without preparation? If that’s true then what were iconic improvisers like John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins doing during the marathon practice sessions they are known for?

Stolen Goods – How to Protect Your Gear!

If your Facebook friends list includes musicians, odds are good that you regularly see posts seeking help locating stolen gear. Here are some simple tips to help minimize your chances of needing to write your own sad tale of loss on social media.

Facebook Live Clinic Series

Join us for an exciting Facebook Live clinic featuring the hottest products presented by a variety of specialists.

Getting Started on Slide Guitar

It’s a high lonesome sound that shivers and quivers, swoops and soars. Stars who’ve fallen under its spell and tried their hand include Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Winter and George Harrison. Here are some tips to help you get started on the slide guitar!

Breaking Down a Speaker Cabinet

What should one look for in a guitar cab? In this blog, we break down the components of a guitar cab to help you make a decision when shopping for one.

The Best Method Book

You've just bought or rented your new instrument and you are SO EXCITED to play! You want to find the book that's going to turn you into a rock goddess, or a virtuosic soloist. There are so many books to choose from, but one of them MUST be the best, right?

Three Ways for Musicians to Beat the Covid-19 Blues

Covid-19 blues got you down? Check out these three tips to help you stay musically active and energized!

Great Gift Idea Livestream Series

Find holiday shopping ideas for all of the musicians on your list!

Reverb Pedals

Over the years, there have been many variations of reverb types as technology has evolved, such as spring reverb, plate reverb, hall reverb, chamber reverb, modulated reverb and many more. There are many more excellent reverb pedals available but these models should whet your appetite.

Gibson Month Livestreams

Check out our YouTube livestreams discussing all things Gibson!

8 Thing You Need to Know Before Starting Music Lessons

Are you looking to find your start in music as an adult? Maybe you're rekindling a long-forgotten hobby. Find out what you should know before getting started!

Choosing the Right Guitar

Acoustic or electric? Steel strings or nylon strings? With many types of guitars available, how do you decide which is right for you? Learn some of the similarities and differences between each and where to get started!

Proper Fretboard Maintenance - A Step-by-Step Guide

Things with Strings

Through the ages, stringed instruments have developed into a wide variety of unique families. Find out the distinctive characteristics of some of the post popular instruments today!