Premier Guitar features affiliate links to help support our content. We may earn a commission on any affiliated purchases.

Acoustic Soundboard

Our columnist’s collection of moon spruce, ready for inspection—with a view.

As players get older, our instrument needs change. Our columnist shares how he designed an acoustic adapted to arthritis.

For many acoustic guitarists, playing the instrument is one of life’s greatest joys. As a luthier, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply musicians cherish their guitars, something they look forward to playing not just weekly, but daily. As any guitarist knows, some guitars simply feel different. While some are more rigid and require extra effort to play, others feel smooth and effortless. With this in mind, as our playing needs evolve, so too may the instruments we choose to accompany us.

Read MoreShow less

Here’s Chris Martin surrounded by a group of guitars created to commemorate his family’s 192-year history.

The home organ once ruled the world, only to go extinct. Is the acoustic guitar next?

Read MoreShow less

The Delecaster offers a passionate Mexican-culture spin on the tried-and-true Tele model.

Drawing on the appointments of the traditional acoustic instruments that have been the Delgado family’s stock-in-trade for three generations, a new take on the Tele is born.

Growing up as the son and grandson of luthiers renowned for their concert classical and flamenco guitars, I was immersed in the world of handcrafted instruments from a young age. While I learned the traditional techniques passed down through generations, my musical tastes spanned a wide spectrum, from the soulful melodies of boleros and mariachi to the raw energy of punk and folk. This diverse musical upbringing instilled in me a deep appreciation for the unique character and personality of different guitar styles.

Read MoreShow less

Think you’ve got what it takes to work on the Acoustic Music Works sales floor?

You’ve gotta have serious chops to toil in a music instrument store—but not the kind you’d think.

We’ve all heard those classic phrases: ā€œDo what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life!ā€ or Elbert Hubbard’s ā€œWork to become, not to acquire,ā€ which is, I think, more zen than any of us have time to process these days. This column is about that little thing that every single guitarist has asked themselves: What if I worked in a guitar shop?

Here are some tips and insights from the first 13 years of a long career in the instrument game.

Read MoreShow less

A Galloup guitar made from paulownia.

Our columnist investigates whether new wood materials like paulownia can steer lutherie through an environmentally uncertain future.

The tonewoods we choose for Galloup Guitars represent some of the finest available, selected for their exceptional sound quality, stability, and long-term reliability. These materials are integral to crafting instruments that offer outstanding performance and make for wise investments for our customers. To ensure the highest quality, I personally travel to Europe to handpick premium-grade soundboards from regions known for producing world-class tonewoods. These soundboards are reserved for high-end, concert-level instruments and are often unavailable in the broader market.

Read MoreShow less