019 - Romero Banjos, Blue Chip Picks and a Massage!

The numero uno primo Acoustic Tuesday of 2018 is here! Happy New Year to you #guitargeek. What better way is there to kick off 2018 than to jump into 5 Guitar Geek items...

Acoustic Tuesday presented by http://tonysacousticchallenge.com

Mirror, mirror on the wall... or uhhh in your hand. There are some things that can be a lifesaver, and it may seem a bit vain to include a mirror in that category, but a mirror can save you from making a huge mistake. I am not talking about a hair that is a bit out of place here... Including a guitar inspection mirror is something that every #guitargeek should consider adding to their toolbox as it can be a fantastic negotiating tool. I know this seems weird but hang in there with me. Whenever you buy or consider purchasing a used guitar having a mirror on hand specifically made for guitar inspection is a lifesaver. You can look inside to check for repairs that may have been done, cracked or loose braces, and even inspect the bridge plate for overall health. Who knows what problems are lurking under the top of a used guitar... well you will know for sure with a guitar inspection mirror. 

 http://amzn.to/2BC3bpW - Inspection Mirror

Banjos can really be a thing of beauty... truly I mean it, they can be beautiful both in sound and in aesthetic. Banjos are seemingly simple creations. A round rim, a tone ring, a neck, fretboard, tuners, and strings. That's it right? Not for Jason and Pharis Romero of Romero Banjos located in Horsefly, British Columbia. Jason handles the banjo making, Pharis does the inlay/design, and together they create some of the most eye appealing, heart-stopping, and beautiful sounding banjos. Form there design innovations to the materials that they procure these banjos are one of a kind and a must-see for any acoustic aficionado.

But wait... #AcousticTuesday is for #guitargeeks only right!?!

Absolutely, #guitargeeks eat your heart out because Jason and Pharis still fit the bill. They make some absolutely beautiful resonator guitars. They use some of the same beautiful design elements of their banjos in their biscuit style resonator guitars. Upon continued research, and of course wanting to hear them, none other than honorary TAC family member, Tony Furtado, did a handful of audio demos located on their site. These resos have tons of character both in the sonic and visual space. 

https://youtu.be/aKVJ08joH1w

http://www.romerobanjos.com/

http://www.romerobanjos.com/guitars/

http://www.romerobanjos.com/about/

All this talk of banjos leads me to what I'm listening to this week and it's none other than... well... Jason and Pharis Romero. Yes, not only do these two combine forces to make amazing instruments they join together to create gorgeous music. If you dig harmonies, simple yet beautiful arrangements, fine picking, and the kind of music you can just get lost in these two are for you. One of my favorite tunes is the "Ballad of Old Bill" as it shows off their storytelling as well as their vocal and instrumental prowess. Their album, " A Wanderer I'll Stay" is chocked full of acoustic awesomeness to make your ears smile and your heart full. 

https://youtu.be/U3s8lNCkVgM

http://www.pharisandjason.com/

http://amzn.to/2DgtLVp

There are so many specialty picks out there it is hard to sample them all, but there is one that I have used that made a serious impact on me. Blue Chip picks, made in Knoxville, TN are truly an artisan flatpick that have a stellar lifespan (as long as you don't lose them). These picks are made from a highly specialized proprietary composite material that is not only very heat and wear resistant, it also is self-lubricating which means the pick releases the strings very quickly. These picks have a fantastic impact on the tone and they definitely eliminate some of the drag that you can experience when Flatpicking. Certainly, a geek item that is a must try. 

http://www.bluechippick.net/

Hand cramps and pain are things synonymous with extended practice sessions, barre chords, and holding too much tension while playing. So often I find myself trying to smash the "meat" of my thumb just to relieve a little bit of the pressure and strain that builds up. When I was teaching lessons in person one of my students was a massage therapist and she recommended this little wooden ball with a smiley face on it... I tried it and my life changed forever... no joke. This little wooden tool by the happy massage company aptly named the happy massager made my hand muscles relaxed and took away the strain I was experiencing. If you find yourself with had pain trying to find a way to massage it away definitely check out the happy massager, it is a definite guitar geek aid. 

http://amzn.to/2DjVGnn

Alrighty, that wraps up the very first Acoustic Tuesday of 2018! Welcome to the New Year and may this year be the first year you experience a fully infused #acousticlife. 

Don't forget to share Acoustic Tuesday with your #guitargeek friends and let's make it our goal this year to unite as many guitar geeks as possible!

Cheers,
Tony