Skip to main content

If it Sounds Good - It Is Good

In this episode - If it Sounds Good - It Is Good . . .

Let's talk about Guitars. When considering a purchase, do you find yourself on Google searching for that unique guitar and rely on the expertise of some stranger who tries to record a comparison review on YouTube?

Come on - let's be honest, they all sound the same through computer speakers or headphones. And the biased of the critic always seems to come through. Honestly, though, a competent reviewer will always say, "Don't take my word for it; play the guitar yourself and just listen."

Yes, I'm guilty of the above. Since August 2016, I've played my treasured 60th birthday gift and love it, my Fender Telecaster. Thankfully, my skills have improved, and I now understand why so many performers play an acoustic guitar. It's not only convenient, but the sweet, simple, soft, resonating sound achieved from an acoustic is emotionally moving.

Last weekend we made a trip to Los Angles to visit the Griffith Observatory. While there, I suggested (begged really), "Could we re-visit Guitar Center on Sunset Blvd?” I'd been toying with the idea of a Parlor Guitar. A "Parlor or parlour guitar usually refers to a type of acoustic guitar smaller than a Size No. O Concert Guitar by C. F. Martin & Company."

And yes, my mind was set on a Martin. However, I could not, in good conscience, see myself spending $thousands on a guitar. They're beautiful and are industry icons; the majority are hand-crafted and honestly way out of my league.

I'm not a recording artist, performer, or singer-songwriter, just a guy who gets immense pleasure from strumming a guitar and discovering what beautiful noise this unique instrument provides. Someday when I retire, I'd like to think, it would be fun to play with a small group at the local farmers market on Saturdays. So I practice.

Anyway, we visited Guitar Center. I casually strolled the store, admiring all the stunning guitars on display, Martin, Taylor, Epiphone, Gibson, Washburn, Yamaha, Fender, Guild, the list goes on and on. It's overwhelming.

Finally, I asked the sales rep, "Please tell me about the Martin X series made in Mexico."

He pulled one from the massive wall of guitars and said, "Try it out." Now I'll be honest I've always thought it would be cool to own a Martin; they are the "Gold" standard that all players seem to compare other acoustic guitars to.

Their ad: "The Martin X Series guitars are made for musicians that want the freedom to play how, where, and when they want without breaking the bank. Delivering legendary Martin tone, the X Series will easily make the transition from the couch to the stage, to the great outdoors."

I had to tip my hat to this guy at Guitar Center. Acoustic Guitars we're delivered to me to try like sampling drinks. You name it; I played it: Fender, Taylor, Martin, Gibson, Guild, and many unknowns.

An immersive experience. I held the guitar, felt the weight, smelled the guitar, ran my hand up and down the neck, strummed chords, ran the scales, plugged each into an amplifier, and just listened. By God - there was a difference! Not only could I hear the difference, but I could feel the difference—a resonance in my soul. I don't know how else to explain it.

This guy at Guitar Center treated me like a Rock Star. He never asked me how much I wanted to spend, and he never pressured me to buy; he let me discover the differences for myself. He also never tried to present me with the Thousand Dollar models. Knowing I wanted a Parlor Guitar that I could take with me whenever I wanted to, not expected to insure an investment.

And Yes, that afternoon, Lori purchased a beautiful guitar that fit my wants and my wallet. What did I get? You ask, well - I’ve decided it doesn't matter to anyone else but me.

You see, I’m not here to bias anyone; you must discover "the one" for yourself. The instrument that when you get up in the morning, you can't wait to play it simply because it inspires your soul. Because, If it Sounds Good, It Is Good.

So, won't you be my virtual neighbor? If you enjoy our weekly visits, please share them with a friend.

(P.S. My acoustic enchantress and early Christmas gift is a Taylor Academy 12-E.)

I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.

Comments

Most Popular of All Time

Beyond Facts-The Deep Dive

✨ In this episode, Beyond Facts: Reimagining School–in the Age of AI . . .   This week's podcast is a bit different; it's another example of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can offer tools to creatively enhance your analytical presentation of information. We took this week's blog and copied it into Gemini with the question, “If a story is to work, it must, on some level, create an illusion of escape and also achieve a goal simultaneously. Does this apply to my blog post that follows?” What's created is not just an analysis of the writing, but an AI-generated discussion produced “On the Fly” - Enjoy! Did you know that the word "school" comes from the ancient Greek word scholÄ“ , which originally meant "leisure"? Not a rigid schedule or droning lectures filled with "facts," but free time for thinking and conversation. To the Greeks, learning happened best when life slowed down—when you had room to reflect, to ask questions, and to wrestle ...

A Heart Full of Thanks

Oh, the thanks I could think, and the thanks I could say! For the wonderful people who brightened my day. The first one is Lori, my wife, sweet and true, Who knows just the thing and knows just what to do. She whipped up a feast with a smile and a sigh, With corn on the cob and a steak cooked “On the Fly!” My neighbor, Steve, with a mischievous gleam, Said, “No fence work today! No work, it would seem! You’ll paint with some water, some colors so bright, And sign your new painting with all of your might!" I laughed and I said, “But I don’t know that skill! I’ll slap on some paint and see what sticks still!” Then there’s my friends on the Facebook machine, The best group of readers that ever was seen! They read all my blogs and they hear my podcasts, They send all their cheer that's built to last! And Billy and Linda. A Snoopy card in the mail. A wonderful surprise that was sure to prevail! From very good friends, a delightful new tale ! But the thanks didn't stop, no, not...

The Summer Surprise

In this special episode, The Summer Surprise . . .   Well, howdy there! It's me, Huck Finn, and lemme tell ya, somethin' special happened just the other day. We called it "The Summer Surprise.” Phew-wee! That ol' post box, it coughed up somethin' good! Wasn't no bills, nor them pesky ads, and thankfully, no regular ol' rocks neither. Nope, this here was a letter, folded up neat as a pin, looked a bit like one o' them school lockers, just sittin' there waitin' to be opened. It was from young Sierra, a mighty fine friend, and she'd gone and made some pure, honest-to-goodness artwork with her own two hands. My fingers they was all thumbs, just itching to see what kind of wild wonder she'd whipped up this time. I unfolded that paper, careful-like, you know, and bless my bare feet, there it was! A picture of a whole gymnasium and a mini-soccer field, all done up in colors that just popped. She'd used crayons and pencils, and you could tel...

A Pirate's Ponderings

In this episode, A Pirate's Ponderings: Turning 69 with a Classic . . . When was the last time you were so compelled by a quest that you had your bags packed and your boots on before the first rooster crowed? For me, this summer has been exactly that, a journey where the world outside faded away and the one inside my head roared to life. I felt like that young cabin boy in training, with the vast ocean of a great story stretching out before me. My hand was on the wheel, navigating every swell, riding the waves, and eager to see what lay just beyond the horizon. This wasn't a journey across lands, but a flight of imagination that has been an exciting ride. My adventure took off on the deck of the Hispaniola as I became lost on Treasure Island . My imagination soared, and I could almost taste the salt spray and feel the ship's timbers groan as we sailed toward our destiny. Below deck, in the narrow, shadowy depths, I could smell the hearty meals Long John Silver and Jim Haw...