Latest Acoustic Guitar Reviews and News

Richie Havens 1941-2013

Who didn’t get goosebumps and have the hair stand up on the back of their neck at least once during a viewing of Richie Haven’s Handsome Johnny, and the iconic Freedom (Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,) when he was the opening act at Woodstock?

Who else in popular music picked up a guitar and made the most out of doing the songs of other well-known artists, but could still be defined as a one of a kind original?

That rich, fertile baritone voice is now forever silenced. That amazing fretting thumb that turned Open D tuning into an ocean of ringing tone, and the phrasing that made each song seem like his was the way it was always meant to be, have rang the walls for the last time.

Rest in peace, Richie. I am grateful we will have a record of your art, even if it is but a tiny collection of your many, many performances.

Like this one, when you appeared on a bill with the biggest stars of your era and came out to play one, solo song at Columbia Records Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Concert at Madison Square Garden, and showed them what it meant to have true class and genuine style all your own.

 

Doctor, the operation was a success!

The hi-def audio recording of the Lowden O50C African Blackwood came out very well, and the synch to the video was a success!

This will usher in a new and better video experience.

We should have the review and video up in a day or so.

Laurence Juber has a new CD and a new guitar on the way

We heard from our friend Laurence Juber this morning.

The double Grammy-winning guitarist dropped by One Man’s Guitar to check out the new site, and then dropped us a line to let us know about his new guitar, and tell us that our copy of his latest CD is on the way.

The album was recorded entirely with his  Martin OMC-44K LJ. It was made in Martin’s custom shop and features Hawaiian koa wood and special ultra-light construction for maximum resonance.

It was also available to the public in a limited edition of 25 guitars, available exclusively through Wildwood Guitars of Louisville, Colorado.

But LJ let us know he has a new personal custom on order. It will be identical to his OMC-18 LJ, only with a top made from the high altitude Swiss spruce that debuted on a small number of special Martins this past January, like the Custom Shop’s own CS-OM-13.

We can’t wait to LJ’s new axe on stage and CD!

 

New Martin CS-OM-13

April Feature Review – Martin CS-OM-13

The CS Series of Martin guitars has entered its third year with the introduction of a new model for 2013. And for the first time, the master craftspeople at Martin’s Custom Shop have added an Orchestra Model to the line, the CS-OM-13.

Custom Shop OM-13
Custom Shop OM-13

Features include: Madagascar rosewood back & sides, High Altitude Swiss Spruce top, scalloped Golden Era style 5/16” top braces, exclusive mix of Adirondack and Sitka spruce bracing, quilted bubinga body and fingerboard binding, exclusive pearl-bound, scalloped red diamond fret markers, Madagascar rosewood bridge plate.

With its combination of contemporary design and historical features, the CS-OM-13 offers new dimensions in tone and aesthetics, while emulating some of the best, traditional Orchestra Models ever created.

Read Full Review

APB – anyone seen the new Santa Cruz body size, the Grand OM?

In December 2012, Santa Cruz Guitar Company announced their new body size, the Grand OM, which is currently featuring Indian rosewood and Sitka spruce. They should be showing up at dealers any day now, if they haven’t already.

Please drop us a line if you see one in the NYC area!

guitar@onemanz.com

 

 

Taylor Guitars Roadshow Northeast Events April 4 – 11

Taylor Guitar’s Roadshow visits the Northeast this week and next.

April 4 – Torrington, CT; Pittsburgh PA

April 8 – NYC

April 9 – North Bellmore, NY

April 10 – Hamden, CT

Aprill 11 – Kingston, MA

Follow this link for details!

http://www.taylorguitars.com/events/road-show

We hope to be there on April 8, at Rudy Pensa’s downtown shop, 461 Broome St, btwn Mercer and Greene. 7 PM

 

 

Collings introduces a 12-fret 0 body size

Collings has a new body size, the 12-fret 0! And it has debuted on an 0 size maple 12-fret 12-string that we will love to check out as soon as one shows up in New York City!

So please drop us a line if you see one at a local dealer.

 

Leo Kottke in Concert, NYC 03.01.11

kottke31as“…I inquired about them after the show. Leo said he doesn’t follow a set list. But when I mentioned details of the technique employed, he had no trouble recalling the titles; Four Cents and Flattop. “Four and Flat are new tunes.”, he added. “Four is a take on something Toots Thielemans said to Dave Evans…” 

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