Wood Meets Steel

Wood meets Steel

Many people ask me this question "Why acoustic guitar?" especially parents who are thinking of enrolling their kids for guitar classes. So here are my thoughts on, why?

My Maton Acoustic Guitar EBG808TE

Acoustic

The fact that it's acoustic is by itself a plus point. You are able to bring it to different places and strum away without fussing over amplifiers and cables. Semi-acoustic guitar (Acoustic guitar with a pickup installed) is a smarter choice which enables the guitarist to not only play acoustically, but amplify the sound when necessary via the pickup.

Steel and Nylon

Lets do a little comparison with the classical guitar.

Classical guitar used to be the favorite choice many years ago and there is still a vast majority of people learning classical guitar. Classical guitars are usually distinguishable by their wounded copper over the nylon strings and their unique head stalk.

To name a few benefits of learning classical guitar:

1. You'll learn plucking/fingerstyle right at the beginning.

2. Able to read notation/sightread pieces.

3. There are many different credentials for it.

4. If you enjoy Classical music, you'll learn loads of Classics pieces while you're at it.

A typical classical guitar

Acoustic guitars are fitted with steel string wounded in bronze. It's much tougher to depress and it gives the guitar a more steely/pop/modern tone. It appeals to the younger generation who loves to strum and sing a tune quick and easy.

Benefits of learning acoustic guitar:

1. Easy and quick to learn

2. Widely used in modern songs

3. A favorite companion for the singer-songwriter

4. No examination required.

*The determination of the player him/herself determines how much they'll learn and progress in any musical disciplines.

Acoustic and Electric

The differences between an acoustic guitar and electric guitar are:

A = acoustic :  E = electric

A. Generates sound without the need to plug into an amplifier.

E. Must plug the guitar into the amplifier to generate sound via a cable.

A. More suited for strumming and plucking

E. Usually used for soloing, riffs/licks, comping, and has a wide array of sound via the multi-effects pedal.

A. Harder to press due to the stiffness of the strings higher gauge (0.011-0.013mm).

E. Easier to press because it's usually strung with a lighter gauge of strings (0.09-0.010mm).

If you want to be a part of a rock, metal, jazz, pop, blues, band, the electric guitar is for you. In this day and age, there isn't a band without an electric guitar player (at least one).

Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar

Acoustic guitars are usually more for strumming a chord while singing to a tune, plucking/fingerstyle, and accompanying other musicians as part of the rhythm section. However, the acoustic guitar has gone through and is still going through a revolution in the way musicians approach it. Players like Chet Atkins, Tommy Emmanuel, Joe Robinson, Jerry Read, Andy Mckee, Jon Gomm has changed the entire ball game.

The Revolution

This is Jon Gomm playing "Passion Flower". A MUST WATCH!

He is using various unorthodox playing pattern such as right hand tapping, alternate tunings, knocking on the guitar to create a percussive feel, changing the pitch of the string by twisting the tuning knob as part of the melody, using various electric guitar effects pedals on the acoustic guitar to create ambiance, longer sustain, reverb, and SINGING on top of all the crazy maneuvers he's doing on the guitar.

Andy Mckee's song "Drifting" has been one of the pioneering songs to continue the revolution.

Best of both worlds

Acoustic guitar is sort of a blend between a classical and electric guitar. One will usually learn strumming (across the board), plucking/fingerstyle (classical), and also riffs/solos/licks that is mainly electric guitar in nature, on the acoustic guitar. Having learnt the acoustic guitar, I developed techniques that are both from the classical guitar and electric guitar at the same time.

Here's an example where Joe plays the acoustic guitar with various plucking and picking technique.

And here's my take on the acoustic guitar. Obviously, pales in comparison to these guitar heroes.

Conclusion

The conclusion is simple. Pick and choose which style you like the most which will then help you choose which type of guitars you'd purchase and learn. Practice very hard, diligently with much discipline at your instrument and be really good at what you do. Ultimately is about enjoying what you're playing. With that enjoyment comes fulfillment; and in the fulfillment, I hope it infuse you with more passion to learn and push yourself to a higher level to be even better at what you're good at already. There are many good musicians, but few are able to express/convey true emotion and feel in whatever they are playing.

Coated vs Treated Strings.

Coated vs Treated strings.

A Review on Elixir & Cleartone Acoustic Guitar Strings

3 Aspects worth looking at; Tonal Difference, Feel and Lifespan.

What are the general differences?

Elixir uses a coating over the strings which gives them a long lifespan and they are favorites for their long lasting tone especially useful for shelving guitars in a music store for testing purposes as it maintains a good 'image' for the guitar. Endorse by guitar makers such as Maton, Taylors, Breedlove, Collings to name a few.

Cleartone however "treats" their strings without it feeling & sounding like it was coated and strives for the equal amount of days before it begins to deteriorate, It has gained recognition from Martin Guitars as their now stringing most of their new guitars with Cleartone strings as stock standard.

Martin Guitars are phasing out their proprietary Martin Guitar strings and calling on Cleartone to set the standard for their new acoustic guitars. http://www.martinguitar.com/strings-series/itemlist/category/110-martin-sp-lifespan.html?layout=stringcategory

Tonal Difference

Elixir gives a sweet, silky, round tone (in general) which suit most guitars.

Cleartone is raw, chunky, and extremely balanced in their tonal quality throughout all the 6 strings. Elixir do get better after a week or two as it gets broken-in, it's warmer and it isn't too fizzy on the highs. Cleartone works best as soon as you freshly string it out of the box. It gives you a good, balance, strumming tone which is great for fingerstyle especially when alternating the bass, setting rhythm on the mids and soloing on the high notes all in a song.

Side experiential Note: If you have a guitar that's very bright in nature, stringing Elixirs to it isn't the best idea as it'll emphasize the sharpness of the highs a little too much especially when it's freshly stringed.

If you're looking for raw, balanced, crunchy, chunky strings - go for Cleartone

If you're looking for a sweet, rounded, bass heavy strings - get Elixir

Feel:

Elixir gives you a nice smooth, slippery coating on the strings which helps with minimizing the 'hand sliding' sound over the strings when running up and down the fretboard with your fingers. It also aids sliding in general. On the downside, it's quite easy to slip from a chord (especially those which requires much stretching) and it feels very different from any other string brands out there in the market because of it's unique textile experience.

Cleartone gives you a rough surface which feels like there isn't any coating over the strings at all due to it's thinnest coating at one micron thin. It has a bit more of a general bronze feel like other string brands out there in the market and it's easier to get accustom to the feel if you're planning to change from a non-coated brand of strings to Cleartone. You'll get a good grip on your chords and it does wonders for pull-offs and hammer-on's. However on the down side, the sliding sound is accentuated and sliding on this strings aren't very finger-friendly.

Lifespan

To some guitar players, this is THE topic of interest that'll determine which type of strings they'll buy. I must say after trying countless Elixirs and fewer cleartones on various guitars, the conclusion of my experience is that they are both equally durable. The difference is that Elixir strings tend to deteriorate faster on the High E and B strings but Cleartone maintain it's quality throughout all 6 strings because they're all "treated strings" while Elixir's coat works mainly on the top 4 strings E , A , D , & G. Hence the level of deterioration is imbalanced for Elixir but their top 4 strings do last longer than their rivals - Cleartone. In view of their latest technology from Cleartone, they claim that their strings are now 36% louder, last 3-5x longer (Same as Elixir), Corrosion Resistant (Elixir sprays a coat to prevent corrosion. Cleartone treats their strings to an ultra thin breathable layer to maximize vibration and volume), without "flakes" (hinting at the Elixir Polyweb coating flakes/peels off).

Conclusion

One of the reasons why I would consider Cleartone strings (which previously, Elixir would just win, hands down) is because Cleartone has raised their game attempting an actual fight to Elixir (The Guitar String Giant) particularly in the areas of lifespan and corrosion resistant. There is a big tonal distinction between Elixir and Cleartone strings which makes the choice for one to prefer one or the other easily. Previously, Elixir didn't have to put up a fight as their strings lasted the longest (although some may argue stating that their thick layer of coating has choked up the true/authentic tonal quality of guitar strings); However, in view of string lifespan, Elixir is regarded as the benchmark of coated guitar strings. Now we have a worthy challenger or perhaps successor especially if Elixir doesn't embrace continuous R&D. Lets welcome competition to see the industry strive for better quality products for guitarist, like us.