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Gallery: 2016 Santa Barbara Acoustic Instrument Celebration

Showcasing hundreds of drool-worthy, handcrafted instruments, a new U.S. guitar show makes its successful debut.

Ryan Guitars

One of the luthiers pushing the envelope today, Kevin Ryan builds a host of features into his guitars. For example, this small-body steel-string features an arm bevel arrayed with flutes, or tiny soundports, that Ryan says “allow you to experience unparalleled clarity, immediacy, and transparency.” This particular instrument also features eye-popping blue inlays.
ryanguitars.com

The inaugural Santa Barbara Acoustic Instrument Celebration was held September 29 to October 2 in sunny coastal California. The event brought hundreds of top luthiers and players who displayed their craftsmanship, gave seminars, and held intimate concerts. The Earl Warren Showgrounds served as a fitting venue, as in decades past it hosted concerts from such acts as Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, the Beach Boys, the Doors, Cream, the Grateful Dead, and Janis Joplin.

The show pulled widely from Canada and Europe, with heavy representation from the U.S. West Coast. Also on sale were top-grade woods, inlay materials, and custom bindings. Luthiers were open with their time, and many fans enjoyed hearing builders talk shop. Among the visitors was Santa Barbara resident and guitar pickup guru, Seymour Duncan, who could be seen checking out all the beautiful instruments on display.

Versatile guitarist Nathaniel Murphy can be seen and heard on YouTube and Instagram, where he has over 450,000 followers, and demos for Chicago Music Exchange.

Nathaniel Murphy and Steve Eisenberg join the PG staff to wax poetically on what their signature pedal might sound like.

Question: What would your signature pedal sound like?

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Featuring studio-grade Class A circuit and versatile resonance switch, this pedal is designed to deliver the perfect boost and multiple tonal options.

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After eight years, New Orleans artist Benjamin Booker returns with a new album and a redefined relationship to the guitar.

Photo by Trenity Thomas

It’s been eight years since the New Orleans-based artist released his last album. He’s back with a record that redefines his relationship to the guitar.

It is January 24, and Benjamin Booker’s third full-length album, LOWER, has just been released to the world. It’s been nearly eight years since his last record, 2017’s Witness, but Booker is unmoved by the new milestone. “I don’t really feel anything, I guess,” he says. “Maybe I’m in shock.”

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Blackstar Amplification unveils its new AIRWIRE i58 wireless instrument system for guitar and bass.

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