ADIRONDACK versus SITKA SPRUCE

Both of these timbers make great soundboards on flat top acoustic guitars. They have had popularity at different times in history heres the story so far.

Adirondack or Red Spruce was very popular piror to WWII. It is found on a lot vintage acoustic guitars. The high weight to strength ratio made it useful in the construction of aeroplane wings during the war. The ratio is what makes it so prized amongst guitar Luthiers. After the war most of the good trees were gone, and what is still available, has cosmetic flaws. If you can put up with this it still makes great sounding guitars especially if you want a new guitar with that vintage sound.

This scarcity led to the use of Sitka Spruce as the number one guitar top of the big guitar Luthiers. It is found on most guitars. If you step into some guitar shops like I have and ask to play an Adirondack you will often be greeted with a puzzled look from the shop assistant. The easiest way to get you hands on one is to play a vintage instrument or have a custom guitar built.

SITKA SPRUCE

Source: Western North America

Colours: Pinkish white to Light Brown, silky, even grain

Tonal: Good balance, clarity and resonation, bright, crisp

Suitable: Steel Strings sound boards, hard flat picking

ADIRONDACK (RED) SPRUCE

Source: North America

Colours: Irregular grain, creamy white, little silking

Compares: Engelmann

Tonal: Strong, clear. Brilliance of Sitka/warmth of Engelmann

Suitable: Flat picking,

Andrew Ellis is gaining recognition for his world class guitars. Andrew has made guitars for many full time professional musicians. He has been asked to export to Europe, America and Canada. All instruments are made from the finest materials and a high standard of workmanship.

www.ellisguitars.com

---

The Revolution has begun - and it will not be Televised The new Artist Development Paradigm

In reflecting on the world of the Music Business in... Read More

Music Downloads: Free & Low Cost Ways For Musicians To Get Their Music Known All Over The World

Music downloads are highly compressed audio files transferred onto a... Read More

Defining The True Artist - Do You Have What It Takes?

"The real communicating artists seek unique expression. They are not... Read More

Facts about Betty Kresin, Eminems grandmother

Betty Kresin, Eminem's grandmother from the maternal side... Read More

Quick and Easy Violin Mute

One of the reasons I picked up the violin was... Read More

Creating Stark Atmospheres

One of the things New Age pianist George Winston is... Read More

Play Piano in the New Age Style

It's not what you play, it's how you play it.... Read More

Getting the Best Performance From Your Artist

So now you've decided to record your songs. Good for... Read More

Beginners Guide to Music File Formats

Are you confused by the various types of music file... Read More

Musicians: What Chords Do You Absolutely, Positively Have To Know?

As you probably know, there are thousands and thousands of... Read More

Open Position Piano Chords - Perfect for the New Age Style

The Open Position Chord (OPC) allows you to create a... Read More

An Interview with Angus Young of ACDC - Why He Plays a Gibson SG

Steven: Maybe more than any other guitarist ever, you're inextricably... Read More

Music Industry Secrets Revealed - How To Become Succesful The Music Industry Without A Record Deal

Before the internet, unsigned music artists couldnt make a living,... Read More

How to be Creative at the Piano

So you want to be more creative when playing piano.... Read More

Green Day: Punk Rock Masters Taming Mainstream Radio Their Way

Before they got together as Green Day, Billie Joe Armstrong,... Read More

Bono: From Music To Fashion To Helping The Poor

U2s lead singer Bono isn't content with being part of... Read More

Dance Musics Most Popular and Enduring Theme: The Declaration of Independence

It all started with Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" in... Read More

Celtic Music: The Japanese Connection

My friend, guitarist Brian Hughes, toured with the Chieftain's in... Read More

The Three 8 Mile Battles

Three battles at the end of the 8 Mile movie... Read More

JOHN LENNON - The Man and His Times

John Lennon wasn't always my favorite Beatle; at first it... Read More

Make Money with Your Music ? the Top 5 Ways

Songwriters dream of making their living by writing, and sometimes... Read More

Self-Expression Without Criticism

When I was 9 years old I played the Saxophone... Read More

Social Networking and Music: MySpace Puts It All Together in a Virtual Community

Today's music fan interacts with a "community" that is far... Read More

How To Overcome The Lyric Writing Hurdles That Are Keeping You Behind

The lyric writing side of songwriting is known to create... Read More

Mp3s ? The Future of Music?

Mp3 music is audio that has been digitally encoded and... Read More

Story of 50 Cent

G-Units 50 Cent , was born 6th of July 1976... Read More

How To Make a Fortune Teaching Piano (or Guitar, or Drums, or Singing, or?) To Beginners

"But I'm not in it for the money" you say.Me... Read More

The Downfall Of The #1 Southern Gospel Station

Back in the 90's we had a local Southern Gospel... Read More

Everything I Play Sounds the Same

Many students want to create music that has a certain... Read More

Piano Lessons - Group or Private?

Piano lessons are a great activity for children. They encourage... Read More

The Time Machine Exist!

We call it music, ever noticed how vividly music triggers... Read More

Guitar Tuning Tips

Most new guitar players and even some experienced ones have... Read More

Health Insurance for Creative Artists -- A Multi-Talented Health Investment

For the Creative Artist -- Good Health Insurance is Truly... Read More