Whether you just purchased your first acoustic guitar or are playing your favorite from long ago, you’ll want to be sure you’ve got your acoustic humidified for the fall and winter. Why? Once the heat goes on in your home and the air becomes more dry, your guitar will need a little TLC so it doesn’t lose natural moisture in the wood.  If you don’t, your bridge could pull up on its own, and your top, sides or back could even develop a crack. The shop sees this sort of thing too often in the wintertime, so take a moment and make sure you’ve got a humidifier for your guitar. They are inexpensive, easy to use, and one of the best things you can do for your guitar.

Kyser Acoustic Humidifier...priceless protection

We’ve tried several brands and offer a few different ones here in the store, but truth be told, we like the Kyser Humidifier best – it’s affordable and so simple to use. How do you use it? First, make sure you have the right one – if you have a regular acoustic 6 or 12 string, you’ll need the Kyser Acoustic Humidifier. If you have a classical guitar, or a similar guitar with a smaller soundhole, you’ll need the Kyser Classical Humidifier.

Straight out of the package, it looks a bit like Continue reading

Our good buddy Rick Frydman has at long last been able to finagle one of his favorite bands to appear in Lawrence – Steppin’ In It – to quote Rick, “A high spirited roots/country-blues/folk/western swing (and a little bit of Cajun) band from Lansing, Michigan” that utilize slide guitar, harmonica, accordions, and stand up bass with an occasional trumpet, trombone and pennywhistle too.  Get a taste with this great youtube clip of  them performing ‘Give My Regards to Miss Moline’.  Frydman was so taken Continue reading

Rudie Blazer

One of today’s most revered luthiers and restorers, Rudie Blazer of Germany’s incredible  Blazer & Henkes Guitars will be visiting Mass St. Music on Saturday, Sept. 26th where he’ll join Jim Baggett and friends for a free Guitar Clinic focusing on Building, Restoration and Repair of fine steel stringed guitars. The clinic is free, and there will be plenty of Q & A time. We thought we’d get a jump start by asking Rudie a few questions -

TAKE 5 (plus 2) with RUDIE BLAZER:

1. I’ve seen you play a great rendition of “Blackberry Rag” and “Beaumont Rag” on youtube.com. What’s your musical background?

RUDIE:  Well, when I try a guitar, like on youtube, I usually play some G runs,  and then try a fiddle tune, to hear what it sounds like. As a kid I had to listen to a lot of classical music, and then it was  the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and after some time Doc Watson, and a lot of Bluegrass. As a musician I work in the local theater, and I play in a Western swingband, using a Gibson ES 125 and a prewar J-200.

2. How did you get into guitar building?

RUDIE:  After leaving school, and doing nothing but playing guitar all day, Continue reading

It’s the aging toner, but I couldn’t help but notice that the new Yamaha JR1 3/4 acoustic we just started carrying resembles a mini-me version of the great Martin 000-28EC Eric Clapton model. There are a world of differences between them including Continue reading