5 BEST Blues Guitars [and reviews!] ★ Acoustic Tuesday
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- What makes a guitar good for playing blues guitar? This week, I'm going over 3 characteristics to look for in a blues guitar. In addition, I'll show you 5 of the BEST guitars for playing the blues.
To kick things off this week, let's dive right into the 3 things you NEED to look for in a blues guitar.
1. Tone - You want your blues guitar to sound good, plain and simple. Specifically, you're looking for focused projection and a sense of bark and grit in your blues guitar. In addition, look for blues guitars that don't have rich sustain and overtone qualities. You're looking for a punchy, direct sound.
2. Vibe - Whether you want to call it looks, aesthetics, or mojo, the vibe of a blues guitar is important. When you're playing a blues guitar, you want to convey that you mean business. It can be something as simple as a matte finish or as complex as a vintage headstock inlay.
3. Playability - Pay close attention to finger-style comfort. Keep your nut width wide so you can do more intricate chord voicings, your string spread wide so you have more room to fingerpick, and your neck to be comfortable in your hands.
Using these 3 criteria, I put together a list of the 5 BEST blues guitars made recently. These blues guitars may not be able to compete with vintage classics, but they're well worth the investment if you want to play blues guitar.
5) Waterloo WL14L - • Waterloo WL-14 L TR by...
4) Martin 00L17 - www.martinguit...
3.) Beard Decophonic Sidecar - www.beardguita...
2.) Fraulini 12-string - fraulini.com/20...
1.) Gretsch Jim Dandy - • Acoustic Guitar Sessio...
You can catch my thoughts on each blues guitar at www.acousticli...
If I missed any blues guitars you love, be sure to leave a comment below!
After going through the 5 blues guitars to check out, I'll talk about blues guitar book that may surprise you. It's the "Stella Guitar Book" by Neil Harpe. There's tons of rich history, pictures, and explanations of the Stella brand, so be sure to check this book out.
Stella Guitar Book: www.stellaguita...
In addition to the "Stella Guitar Book," there's a great resource to check out for all things related to blues guitars. It's called the Vintage Blues Guitars website, and it has an impressive inventory of vintage blues guitars (no-duh, Tony!).
www.vintageblue...
Finally, I'm featuring an awesome blues duo called Piedmont Blūz. Made up of Valerie and Ben Turner, Piedmont Blūz is such a complete, dynamic duo that I can't stop listening to. For some serious blues guitar inspiration (and washboard innovation) be sure to check them out!
★ Request your invite to Tony's Acoustic Challenge today: tonypolecastro...
★ All show notes and links: acousticlife.t...
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This is why I am such a big fan of you Tony! The fact that you put a $129 guitar as number 1 just shows your humility and honor to every guitar everywhere, granted Grestch is an amazing company anyway but still. I appreciate your all around ness for guitars!
I've met Eric Bibb - he IS a cool dude!! Incidentally, Eric and Keb Mo were born just a few weeks apart. Something good going on that particular time of 1951.
Since the Jim Dandy review, good luck in finding one now.
Very hard to find one. What about the g9531?
@@shantianita3282 Looks like one to consider,
Lol, I tried, none out there.
At least not at the moment.
@@myro55 If you do find one I bet the price will be jacked up.
@@shantianita3282 The Roots series guitars are great. I've got the G9521 (000,12-fret, slotted headstock) - sexy as and ticks all the boxes.
Another Guitar that Gretsch released at around that time was the New Yorker, as part of the same Roots Series as the Jim Dandy. They released one with and without a pickup, I got the latter as a the first guitar I bought myself. Having played a few different guitars since then, and having been gifted with a wonderful Gibson acoustic from my Mother, I can definately say that it's not the most comfortable, but once you're used to it, it's a lifelong friend!
Hi Tony,
Had one of those unbelievable circular events because of you and your show. Went to vintage blues guitar web site and realized - wait a minute -- Lancaster? Wait! I know Bruce! He went to my high school and I vaguely remember jamming with him at least once at a party somewhere, I think. As I remember, he is a very talented guitarist and played great finger-style blues. I had no idea he had started that business because I hadn't seen him in years since I moved to the DC area back in '84. Awesome.
Thanks for the tip about Piedmont Bluz, Tony! I sampled their albums on iTunes, and bought a bunch of their songs. Great stuff!!
The Gretsch Jim Dandy has come back, possibly because of this show and Eric Bibb. I was fascinated and bought one and just love it. Is is very playable and I got mine on May 22, 2020 and not a day has passed since without my playing it. August 1, 2020 Gretsch added the Gin Rickey which has a Gretsch Deltoluxe magnetic pickup. I added a Deltoluxe pickup to my Jim Dandy. The addition of the pickup is amazing and I will probably be buying a Gin Rickey to use for alternate tunings. Both instruments are a stellar buy and perfect for Blues.
for those on limited budget, the art and lutherie cedar ami parlor guitar cost me $300.00 , mat finish solid cedar top antique sunburst, lovely cherry back and sides, solid as a little tank with a real growl and bark to it....canadian guitar and most of the wood...they don't make this one any more, but have a new upgraded version for a higher price
Does it have a bluesy sound? I found one.
All those expensive ass guitars and the 169 dollar Jim Dandy is probably the most true blues sounding of em all. I got me one about 2 months ago and I can’t put it down. Best acoustic I’ve ever owned.
Got one today.. it sounds a lot better 'in the flesh' as well.. instant love. Was surprised by how rich the tone actually is, can go from janky old time barking blues to beautiful clear bell like high mids. Had to get rid of the pickguard though once I decided the G looked like the Google G lol
@@notmyname3681 I did the same thing on mine lol. Looks much better without it in my opinion. Check out the new Gretsch Gin Rickey also when you get a chance. It’s basically a Jim Dandy with a pickup on it and you can plug it into an amp. Sounds great.
This is one of few market segments where the vintage options are still remarkably affordable. I completely agree with your comments on "focus" and I can't believe I'm saying this... "vibe/mojo". I was glad to hear you emphasize the name Oscar Schmidt because in my mind this is clearly the name to know for blues guitars. Modern builds that do a good job of emulating them are good targets. Above all, I can't emphasize enough how suitable Birch is for Blues Guitar.
Focus - smaller bodied (
i think oscar schmidt concerts can even bought a lot cheaper, my around 33 birch concert is functionally similar to a gambler, but not as cool visually was $ 350,fixed up and playable.I see them often around 1000. I never find kalamazoo s for 850 so congratulations on that. FYI the supertone is harmony chicago built, and Levin was a factory from Gøteborg, Sweden but I don t expect everyone to know all about scandinavian guitar production
Good post (I know It's a bit old); Especially regarding tone wood. I have a beautiful Eastman varnish finish slope shoulder J45 style guitar, Adirondack and mahogany, but it's like trying to tame a race car for blues when I want a janky old jalopy.
As far as modern guitars, and a little left field, my best blues guitar is a base level Fender Stratacoustic I bought from a friend for £120. Basswood laminate top, one piece fibreglass body, bolt on neck. It's boxy, it barks, it bites, it gets little harmonic screeches if you dig in just right (unplugged), but can sound surprisingly warm and resonant if you back off. Plus it's almost indestructable and easy to carry about.
Kalamazoo kg14. It was my great papaws first guitar. He was born 1932. He traded a few chickens to a black man in kingsport tn for the guitar around 1943-44. Back when kids could walk miles and not be bothered. Ive found out its probably a 32 or 33 model that's cool. Sometime in the past the bridge pulled off. So my papaw cut and sanded one out of rosewood. He screwed it to the body in the same place as the original. And he actually did a good job. It's definitely got mojo lol. My papaw thought the guitar was worthless, but kept it since it was his first. Or he would have paid to fix the original bridge.
Great show Tony, any plans for another co-host? Noah was so great his humor and comments broke up the show nicely. Providing you a chance to take a breath. Thanks for what you do.
I also share that lad’s pain about his seagull. I traded a Yairi FY84 towards a Martin 00017 and I’ve pined for it ever since. I tracked it down but the fella who bought it from the shop didn’t want to lose it. Wise man. I am still gutted ☹️
Ari Eisinger is a national treasure. Brilliant
Tony thanks for another great episode , I would like an honorable mention to my blues box , a Martin. 000 15
that martin that was at spot #4 had that Skip James sound to it, I rlly liked it. And I want the Waterloo and the beard. all of these sound amazing though. and when you brought that 12 string in the moment you said the name I knew it was good from looking into their Leadbelly guitar.
#small win, Tommy Emmanuel show in Edmonton in 2020. Got me some tickets. I was trying to decide if I should get the Art & Lutherie Roadhouse parlor in bourbon burst that is in an acoustic music shop two blocks from my home and I heard Tony talk about it in this episode. Decision made!! Later today at work some extra shifts over the holidays came up and I took them to pay for said guitar. I love it when the guitar gods smile upon me! 🎸🎸🎸
Blues guitars: Guild M-20 or D-20
Mule resonator guitars.
Guild F-512
I bought a Guild M-120 in 2012. Swapped out the cheap crap tuners, upgraded nut, saddle, pins to bone. A decent setup. I cannot tell the difference between the m-120, m-20. Guild just have the sound that i had been searching for, many years it took to find :-)
Mr. Polecastro my personal favorite blues acoustics include:
1.the Waterloo WL-K (Waterloo’s take on the old Kel Kroydens Gibson produced in the late 20’s).
2. the Gibson LG-1. ( A small bodied ladder-braced guitar Gibson produced from the 40’s to the late 60’s). Fantastic bark!
3. the Huss and Dalton Crossroads. H&D really hit the nail on the head in capturing the L-00 vibe with this model.
4. And of course, the poster-child of blues boxes, the Gibson L-00. Personally I prefer the vintage specimens especially those from 1933. The small dark burst Gibson put on them that year scream old and vibey.
I should also add that I have recently put a deposit down with a luthier in Virginia by the name of Jackson Cunningham to have an L-00 built. It will have the dark burst top of a ‘33 Gibson but I’m having him carve a “C neck rather than a “V”. This guitar is my reward to myself for getting out of debt. Hopefully it will be done in late 2020. I’m am very thrilled and look for to updating you and the rest of the Acoustic Guitar community on it.
JR
North Carolina
I feel like my Takamine AN10 fits this...dread sound, good neck, warm tone with clarity with its solid cedar top with solid mahogany sides/back. Good videos...
Tony... 14 fret Waterloo no no no the 12fret are better. The WL-S Deluxe is a super ladder braced. I also have the WL-12 with maple black and side, same size as the 14 but the bridge is located centered in the lower bout and has much better tone than 14 fret.
I had the 00-17L it didn't do it for me and was more than a pound heavier than the Waterloo model.
Tony you still need a side kick! Thanks from Cincinnati Gordon
Hey, thanks for the shout out! If you're ever in PA, stop by .. Bruce and Tom at Vintage Blues Guitars
The top criteria is player. Tone is what that player can squeeze out of the instrument. Sue Foley and Daddy Stovepipe playing on nylon, (Sue on a classical) busting out the blues settled that for me.
Hey Mr. Tony P.,I throughly enjoyed this blues episode and may watch it again tomorrow. I have no idea if you see comments on old videos, but this was special! I especially got a kick out of you mentioning Washburn guitars. (See my last name) I actually have a Washburn Tanglewood I bought in '83 after a divorce. Just to have a reason to carry on, I put it on layaway at Cousin Jed's Guitar Shed,tobacco burst and I play it more often than everything else except for the cigar box guitars I also enjoy daily. I may look for one of those Jim Dandy Gretsches or a Recoding King just for fun and smaller size as my shoulder hates the Martin D18GE reach over.
God bless you! My second wife is amazing for 35 years and now that I am legally blind,even more so! I can see well enough to enjoy the sunrise and set. And Accoustic Tuesday of course.
Absolutely bang on about the Gretsch. Brilliant things. Barky, bitey, short decay, plays lovely (needed a set up that cost nearly as much as the price I paid for the guitar) and just a bang on blues box.
Want to throw my Yairi YSL -1BS into the mix. Cracking version of the Gibson B25 but built by hand with all the Yairi magic. I’ve owned 60’s Gibsons and a Martin 00017 whiskey sunset and I swapped the Yairi for it. Just a much better built guitar.
Piedmont blues. Lovely lilting stuff that’s too ignored. Noticed at one point a Blind Willy McTell poster in the background. Wonder does Valerie play a 12 string sometimes?
Nice show, Tony! One guitar you may have missed is Gibson's best recent version of the L-00. I have a couple '30s L-00's, and when I played my friend Martin Grosswendt's recent L-00, I just assumed it was a well-cared-for original. It was that good...hard part is finding which model it is in the plethora of less accurate repros that Gibson markets. It might be this one: www.chorder.com/acoustic-electric-guitars/gibson/l00-vintage-13771 . One other thing. "Eisinger", as in "Ari Eisinger", is pronounced with a soft G. Like "Eisinjer". Just sayin'. You should find a clip of his version of Southern Rag, or West Coast Blues...no one does it better.
Pleasantly surprised to see a 12 string here!
That said, IMO the Recording King Dirty 30s Single 0 somewhat outdoes the Gretsch Jim Dandy
Most of these were a bit rich for my pocketbook. I wish I had known about the Jim Dandy. I wound up settling on the Ibanez AC340-CE OPN, and I couldn't be happier. I do note that this is an acoustic page and all of those in this lineup are straight acoustic, while the AC340CE is acoustic-electric, but they do have an all-acoustic AC340 as well.
Tony, the Recording King Dirty Thirties 0 is truly awesome and inexpensive, RPH 5, 7, 9
The Gretsch Jim Dandy is still being made and new model for 2020 is the Jim Dandy G9500 24" scale. So its has to be easy to play. I like the Waterloo myself and I have an 1964 Gibson L 00 which is killer. Thanks Tony!
and at the price point, its the perfect starter guitar for anyone
Tony I have a $129.00 Epiphone PE-150VS and it's one of the best playing guitars I've ever owned.
PR-150
Tony, How could you forget about the Epiphone EL 00 Pro???? Great little bluesy guitar and at an economical price as well
BTW, I picked up a used all solid wood Silver Creek SC-T160 Acoustic Guitar for really $Cheap. After cleaning it up, adjusting, setting it up properly, and restringing it with Martin Retro Monel light gauge strings, this guitar is really well made, resonant, truly amazing instrument.
Ton, as I watch-through (and play catch up on) all on old AT shows from pre-2020, I came across this episode and have to say...how did you forget the Gibson L-00? Would love to hear your opinion on it!
Morning everyone from Tacoma,Washington
Eastside Tacoma, Puyallup Delta Blues
That beard guitar sounded better than any guitar I have ever laid ears upon. It sounded like a nylon made sweet love to a resonator and arch top on a tent, at the same time, and no one knows who the father is but it does not matter because he was cared for by all three.
I use the Music Nomad Humitar in all my acoustic guitars, and would not have an acoustic guitar without one of these...they do all the work automatically. Awesome company and product.
My blues guitars are a Loar LO-16 and a Republic Highway 61, and I definitely recommend both
Hello Tony! Thank you for featuring our duo in this episode of Acoustic Tuesdays. We really appreciated your insightful analysis of, well... everything! It was so entertaining listening to you. You've just gained two new fans. Some additional trivia for you: my resophonic guitar is a Ron Phillips and the other one is a Taylor that belonged to John Cephas. Thanks again!!
You have another fan and thanks to Tony!
Hey Tony I like your show and I notice you are a fan of Great Molly Tuttle. I was wondering why didn't you talk about Molly right hand techniques, she got the most smooth seems like effortless right hand and it all comes from her wrist , I never seen from any other pickers. Best regards Anton.
I love my Roy smeck harmony. Great projection but has an amazing tone does lead belly really well. It has a very deep sound and very focused
i was lucky enough to find a 1926-27 gibson l-1flat top in a junk shop, paid 100 quid for it, ive seen similar models online go for thousands. cleaned it up, got it playable, and my god does it sound like how i picture the blues sounding
John V from Raleigh watching on a Saturday afternoon.
Hey Tony, first time commenting, but long time viewer. I’m absolutely in love with my 000-15m burst. Being a lefty (THE HORROR!!! THE HORROR!!!)there’s not much of an option under $2k and Martin is basically the only company in town that helps us lefty folk out. Also to add I think blues is inside you. I’m a giant fan of Lightnin Hopkins, and Skip James both used non traditional blues guitars (from images and videos I’ve seen) but the blues just comes out of them. Both artists need more love and recognition. Incredible episode 👍🏻
Sadly and very surprisingly there are almost no Jim Dandy 's out there. Zero on both Reverb and Ebay. Very strange. ..
I saw one for sale on Ebay in Japan for $392.48 obo and shipping was $180. Far cry from around $150.00
Love the show again this week, I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record. Next time you do blues guitars I'd love to hear your list of the best resonator blues guitars.... You should feature Cephas and Wiggins at some point... and Brownie and Sonny.... and I could go on for days. I know these artist may be familiar to blues fans, but not everyone is a blues fan.... yet. I really didn't need the link to the Vintage Blues Guitars page..... It's hard enough keeping my guitar collection small enough to fit in my apartment. Also thank you for pointing out Piedmont Bluz. Happy Holidays and please keep up the good work.
I think the gretsch style 3 00 sounds and feels better than the jim dandy but personal taste
Oh man, I gotta give props to IBANEZ Artwood Parlor guitar the AVN11. It deff has the mojo!
Awesome! You da man Tony! Very cool. So many great guitars and I loved your picks.
Greg W.
Howdy from Bemidji, MN. Another fun show, I'm kind of wondering if you are going to tell us who is helping you with the production tech of the show now?? Looks like you are using your second camera on another view of you now that you are doing the show by yourself.
i love the sound blues
i'll try to rank them
guitar5: the bitterness, the bark just amazing but dont have the sharpness(my fav) ,feels and sound like a cry, maybe cuz youtube compression i didnt get the sharpness
guitar4: too soft for my liking sound like chill blues song
guitar3: too sharp for my liking sound like some loud blues song
guitar2: too sweet, lack bitternes in the tone sound like happy blues song
guitar1: this has the bitterness, sweetness but the bark just halfway, this good one for having good time with friend but doesnt have enough the "direct sound"
It’s always great to see the show. Hi from Cartersville, GA.
Luv my first guitar. 2001 Seagull Artist rosewood spruce. It is laminate back and sides but she does have that snap to her! And she is priceless!
Yamaha FG75. They're great and found everywhere.
I love the Santa Cruz 1929 00
The jim dandys in my state must be rare because all the local stores got em for 339$ you sure that price you said is correct?
I just can't get off the HD-28. Surely that's just me!?!?!?!
Another brilliant and highly informative video. Well worth a look when looking to buy a new blues guitar.
Yes, it was a great show, but I miss Noah!!!
I would love to have my first guitar back for a blues guitar - 1964 Stella (Harmony H929) - all solid wood (birch), it should sound awesome by now. Thanks for another great show - Steve from Brazoria, TX
Molly Tuttle is on the cover of the latest acoustic guitar with some lessons inside
The 00017 Martin truly kicks ass also....mahogany vs.rosewood makes a diff,smaller body ,medium(25?) Not longer string length, all add to the needed funk....you want quality of tone,real aggressive playability,along with the clear balanced quality sound better guitars have....good luck getting much more than your basic twang and skunky funk out of a Jim Dandy..its a difficult balance..looks are just are sales
heres the real secret....any acoustic guitar can be used for blues...its your playing that makes the difference!
Jim Dandy is amazing 😮
Just discovered your channel.This is part of my reasarch;I just bought an acoustic guitar and plan to learn how to play.I enrolled for lessons to get some one on one time .I figure,since I am 66 yrs old, I dont have time to figure it all out by myself.Are you going to give away a resonator guitar sometime?That wood body resonator looks interesting.Merry Christmas from Regina,Saskatchewan,Canada.(10 points if you can pronounce Saskatchewan)
Tony, as such a Molly Tuttle fanboy, I can't believe that you haven't got Molly Tuttle T-shirt or tattoo! Maybe it's one of those things which you just cannot get convince your better-half that you need, hahahah!
Keep up the good work on the Acoustic Tuesday Show and TAC and best wishes to Noah and family.
I agree that the Jim Dandy has that elusive tone, the looks of an inexpensive guitar from mid 20th century, the Blues elan and it's well built for the price. But the nut width is too narrow for finger style. At least it is for me. Too bad because I love it otherwise. Check out the Alvarez AP 66 Parlor. Hits many of the same marks with a 1 3/4" nut width.
Addendum: I made a new bone but and was able to use an 1 3/4" spacing between the strings. The fingerboard width accommodated that. Now, I love this little bauble.
Does the size of your left hand impact what size neck is best suited for it?
Those chickens were "diggin it"
Not bad...however IMO...the 00 is wrong body shape..I think the 000 hits the midst you need for fingerstyle
Pls someone tell me what the thumbnail guitar is? Looks so cool
The thumbnail is called "The Gambler" made by Stella in the 1930s I think.
@@HouseKisser69 awesome, cheers dude
Hi man. I love your videos. You are a great guy and a great player. Thanks. Have you separated from the acoustic letter channel? Just so I can know where to check for your new vids. And, I have a request, can you do a video that compares the sound of matt finish to a high gloss finish? I would like to know if there is a major difference. Thanks for everything. You're the best.
I just started learning, I've been looking at the Taylor GS mini koa. How does the Taylor measure up to play the blues for you?
My sister has a Taylor mini. I'm sure you already made your desician a year later but it's a nice guitar. Also you can play the blues with two rocks if you want. Try not to get caught up in genres and things. You'll lose track of what you want to begin with.
Great show I love the Blues, I have been lucky enough met lots of the pioneers and torchbearers of this music. I know your into the more melodic finger picking styles of Piedmont but I would love to see a show that featured Delta country Blues more obscure styles like Mississippi Hilly Country or even Louisiana Blues. I've found the EL00 Epiphone to be a very barky blues guitar I use this one for playing live mostly, I also like my little Martin LX1E I like to get the strings so they are getting old on that it has a nice snap and bark. And for Slide I love my Washburn Dobro, with flat wound Jazz strings on it, I love to play Skip James songs on that one because they really sound ghostly. I also have several cigar box guitars that sound wonderful too. I would really like a Jim Dandy as I own two Gretsch guitars (one Semi acoustic) superb make I may go on a hunting trip in the new year for one of those
Yamaha FG75 is kind of a Martin copy. I have one and it sounds and plays amazing.
What about the SEAGULL PARLOR. ??
Yes sir young Tony us country boys love to play for an attentive audience. Thank you so much for your time and efforts with your you tube movies... they are great. Sincerely, Pops Fitch.
Post Script: see the photo of me playing for one of my fans.
Cool..I learned how to play on a mid 60s Harmony Stella..
Hey Tony, great show, as always.
Im curious to know who's pushing buttons behind the scene now that Noah is gone. Your banter with Noah was always fun and I miss that part of the show. Hope you've found a worthy replacement. Btw- I learned about G4V gettin your show. As a veteran and guitar geek myself, I fell in love with the organization and as of last week I began teaching with my local VA office. Cheers!
Been looking at the jim dandy for a while thanks for the review
Lessons with Robert Johnson..Blind willie Mctell
Gibson L-O and L-OO
LOVE my Dandy
Great show Tony! Happy acoustic tuesday!
Hi Tony - I'm not recommending a guitar, but just wondering: That Gretsch Jim Dandy looks just like my Gretsch Wild West Sweethearts guitar. Are they the same thing?
Good enough for blues? I once met Champion Jack Dupree in a studio with a piano that wase'nt in tune and he said: Well. It's good enough for blues. And belive me, it was.
Describing how guitar sounds it’s like describing how wines taste.
Tony what is that gorgeous guitar you used as the screengrab for the video?
Not Chickens, they are called Yard Birds down South where the blues came from.
Great info Tony. Thank you!
Tony please review the Epiphone masterbilt series. Start with the dr500mce.
I loooove my Martin CEO-7. Blues guitar machine!!!
Me too. Soft v neck feels great. Perfect smaller body.
Hi Tony I have a Martin Om28e that fits in the blues !!! What is your opinion on this guitar !!!!!
Great show Tony , have a Merry Christmas!
Your awesome learning a lot from you thank you 👍
Harmony Sovereign
Love the jersey
I bought an all solid mahogany Ibanez artwood 2 yrs ago and it wrecks guitars 2-3 times the price...it’s awesome for blues
I wanted a smaller bodied shorter necked guitar to reduce exacerbating old arm and wrist injuries during extended learning and practice sessions and I ended up buying the cheapest "Dirty Thirties" Recording King. If you're looking for ringing dreadnought sustain, look elsewhere, but if you're looking for an old timey poor boy barking dog sound, it'll do the job. Also keeps me from wearing out the frets on my "better" guitars. Last but not least, where's Noah?
What about the rps-7 from recording king