Martin Keith

Dec 1, 2024 | acousticguitar.com | E.E. Bradman |Martin Keith |Kenny Berkowitz

Niwel Tsumbu’s latest release, Milimo, is several things: a feast of fascinating flavors, a passionate mission statement, a showcase for deftly executed polyrhythms, and a snapshot of ancient and modern approaches to acoustic guitar. At its heart, however, it’s a solo album by a Congolese virtuoso who lives in Ireland and plays like someone who doesn’t think in genres.

Nov 15, 2024 | acousticguitar.com | Mamie Minch |Greg Olwell |Kate Koenig |Martin Keith

I have a guitar with a particularly light-colored rosewood fretboard. I love the way it looks when I apply lemon oil, but that only lasts a day or so. I have some wipe-on poly I’ve been itching to rub in to see if I can get a beautiful depth to that board. Would this damage the guitar? Alternatively, is there an oil that would shine it up and last a good deal longer? —Will SutterIn general, I advise against using anything beyond the usual fretboard oils.

Oct 2, 2024 | acousticguitar.com | Dana Bourgeois |Martin Keith |Brian Michael

Modifications like this can be a nice way to add some variety to a collection, bring some excitement back to an underplayed guitar, and open up fun new musical horizons. However, not all modifications end well, and some cause damage that could easily have been avoided. In the late 1990s, I bought a guitar that was built as a prototype. It turned out to be improperly intonated, and even after sending it back to the maker it’s never sounded right.

Jun 26, 2024 | acousticguitar.com | Martin Keith |Dana Bourgeois

Changing strings is the easiest and least expensive way to meaningfully alter the character of a guitar, and it’s definitely worth spending some time and a few dollars to investigate the various options and find the best fit for each specific guitar, as what works for one may not be ideal for another. Q: Can you give an analysis of nylon strings and when to change them? Also, I would welcome a discussion on the various metals used in today’s string making.

Apr 17, 2024 | acousticguitar.com | Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers |Steve Boisson |Mark Kemp |Martin Keith

The best repair techs are those whose work is invisible. If done right, a perfect repair disappears completely, leaving behind nothing but a story. Last December, the community of luthiers and vintage guitar collectors lost the brilliant and influential Frank Ford, who died after a brief illness at 79. The legacy Ford leaves behind is much greater than just the story of his work—it is also one of community, innovation, education, and friendship.