A Guide To Acoustic Fender Guitars

Fender Acoustic Guitar Introduction

If you have opened up this guide, then either you already own a Fender guitar, or you are willing to purchase a Fender guitar in the near future. Either way, we want to congratulate you on making this great decision. An acoustic guitar or electric will serve you well for many years to come, and will offer you an experience that you wont forget. This guide is written specially about Fender guitars, specifically acoustic guitars, so if you already own an acoustic Fender guitar, then you will be delighted to know that you have made a good investment. If you're looking for a general guide on buying an acoustic guitar I recommend that you head over to this post. On the other hand, if you do not have this guitar, this guide will be an introductory read and will offer a wealth of knowledge such as history, technical details and playing techniques.

The History

Many people do not know this, but Fender is partly responsible for introducing a rich and fun culture, which started in the 1960s when acoustic guitars were considered boring and out of fashion. Just when the acoustic guitars were losing their relevance, Fender introduced a new line-up of modified acoustic guitars with new designs, as well as electric guitars and amplifiers, but that’s another story. In the 60s, Fender acoustic guitars entered the scene with a bang, and they were advertised as those fun guitars that you could simply pack in a bag, head over to the beach and relax with. At that time these guitars became an instant hit partly because famous stars like Elvis were seen using them.

Adding fuel to the brand was the Folk movement. Folk music was booming at a very fast pace in the 50s and the 60s and Fender acoustic guitars were right there with them. Moreover, it was not surprising to find Fender acoustic guitars being used in rock n roll concerts or by country artists.

After the 60s, Fender kept introducing new versions of acoustic guitars, and soon it started to get recognized for its innovation. Fender introduced Wildwood guitar and many new colors with variations of wood. In 2000s Fender made yet another breakthrough by releasing Classic and California models, and these guitars gave the users a glimpse of the 60s when Fender guitars fame had just started.

As of now, Fender is a brand for everyone who loves music. It is suitable for both the professionals and the beginners. These guitars can be used in a concert and in a small room. The brands history has shown that Fender has been continuously innovating without compromising quality.

Understanding the Guitar

One important thing that should be mentioned about a guitar is that it is made of wood, and this is a no brainer. While the fact that guitars are made of wood might be common knowledge, not many know that wood is a material that absorbs moisture. How much and the effects that it has on a guitar depends on the temperature of the surrounding and the humidity. You can think of wood as a sponge that absorbs moisture, and as soon as it does, it has the potential of swelling up. On the other hand, like a sponge, wood can also dry out and release the moisture, and this would force the wood to shrink.

This detail is especially important when mentioning acoustic guitars because an acoustic guitar is usually made of thin wood. Since the guitar is made out of thin wood, it is extremely sensitive to changes in the environment related to temperature and humidity. Due to this reason, it is advised to keep an guitar in a condition that is appropriate.

If you want to know the exact conditions in which a Fender guitar can survive with excellence, then you should know that Fender guitar will remain preserved and unchanged in room temperatures, with a humidity of around 50%. If you believe that there is a risk of drying out your guitar due to the surrounding, then it would be safe to invest in a humidifier. It is also possible to place the guitar in a hygrometer, and this instrument would give you the humidity level contained in the wood.

Guitars can survive in certain conditions, and if the conditions go extreme, the guitar will be altered because of the changes in wood. The changing conditions usually cause cracks in the guitar, but one comforting thing here is that such cracks can always be repaired without causing much damage to the guitar. But again, the crack must be repaired as soon as possible, or as soon as it is identified to prevent further damages.

The main reason why it is important to understand the structure of Fender guitar, or any kind of guitar is because guitars come with warranties, but these warranties do not cover damages because of climate, humidity or temperature. In order to avoid any losses it would be best to take some precautions yourself.

Tuning

One good thing about Fender is that its guitars use the best tuning machines, and it is also claimed by the company that the die-cast machines are lubricated beforehand while in the production, and they are sealed after going through the entire process. This makes it unnecessary for the users to get the oiling of the guitar done from time to time.

Each Fender guitar comes with tension adjustment screw, and it is located at the end of the tuner buttons. It is up to the user of the guitar to play with the tension and bring it to an optimum setting that gives the best sound output. If it is very loose, the guitar will go out of tune quickly, and if it is too tight, the user might face difficulties in turning the button at the later stage. Due to this reason the adjustment must be set at the optimum level. There is one tip for all the Fender guitar users regarding the open back tuners. These tuners basically do not have any tension adjustment screw which does not keep them controlled. Due to this reason it is a good practice to use machine oil on the open back tuners from time to time so that they can function efficiently and last longer. Same trick can be used for 3 line tuners. One thing that must be taken care of while operating on a guitar is regarding the strings. There are times when the strings are not secured properly and due to this reason the guitar keeps going out of tune. It is important to check the installation of each string separately to identify any loose ends.

Every guitar owner loves his or her guitar, and one good thing about a guitar is that it makes you look good. Yes, it does bring out your skills and shows others that you can do some great things, but think of a guitar as your extension that adds to your personality. Fender guitars come installed with Chrome, Gold or other form factor plating on the tuning machines, and it is possible for these form factors to go bad as time passes. These plates might be degraded due to humidity or sweat from the hands. If you are one of those people who love their guitar to be perfect all the time, then you should make it a habit to wipe the entire guitar with a dry cloth once you have stopped using it. This practice will ensure that the parts of the guitar do not degrade over time.

6 String Guitars

When you are changing the strings, or adjusting them as per your preference, it is important to get the job done with efficiency because this will decide how stable the tuning and tension are. One good tip for tuning the strings is that you should always stretch your strings while your are adjusting them, and if you do this, you will allow each string to settle well on the tuning post. Moreover, this practice also ensures that the strings remain in tune for a long period of time, and you would not have to face the frustration of adjusting the strings every now and then. When you are adjusting the strings, you can check the tuning of each string by grabbing each string from the middle, pull it upwards lightly and then let go. This will give you hints regarding the tuning, and will allow you to further adjust based on your preference.

Basically there are two different methods of tuning a 6 string guitar, and the method would usually differ based on whether you use the acoustic guitar with a pickup or a tuner. One way to simplify tuning is to get hold of an electronic chromatic tuner. People who own guitars and are serious about the kind of music that they play usually also own an electronic chromatic tuner. The main reason why musicians purchase this device is because they can then simplify the entire tuning process.

Another tip regarding tuning that we would like to offer you is that you should always tune from below the pitch, and slowly move your way towards the correct pitch. Following this process the other way round would usually give incorrect conclusions to the tuning. By following the prescribed method you can ensure that the string slack does not interfere. On the other hand if you get hold of an onboard tuner, you can simply plug the device it, raise the volume and observe the bottom string and then move your way upwards to the top most string, in the formation of E, A, D, G, B and E.

12 String Guitars

Since a 12 string guitar has 12 strings, it is a natural phenomenon for the neck of the guitar to face a lot of pressure and tension. Due to this reason many guitarists often make use of a gauge string set, specifically for the 12 string guitars. If you want to tune a 12 string guitar, do not fear the number of strings. Just be aware of the fact that each second string of this guitar is tuned in the same way each string is tuned in a 6 string guitar. So ideally you should tune every second string by following the pitches in the formation of E, A, D, G, B and E, as stated earlier.

Since there is a lot of tension at the neck of the guitar in this kind of guitars, it is important and a good practice to keep a check on it and identify whether a truss rod adjustment is required to deal with the excessive pressure. If you do not monitor the guitar and eventually this need of adjustment is not identified, but emerges, then the guitar might start getting some irreparable flaws.

Replacing the Guitar Strings

Wear and tear of musical instruments is a natural phenomenon, and as time will pass and as the guitar will age, its performance will eventually start to degrade. But fortunately, most of the blame will go towards the wear and tear of the strings, and one great news here is that the guitar strings can be easily replaced to bring the guitar back to life. Moreover, it is also true that as soon as you replace the strings, the guitar will start performing better than ever, and perhaps this is the main reason why many singers and musicians change the guitar strings before going live on stage.

One alarming thing that we have realized is that there are a lot of guitar owners who do not replace the guitar strings at the right time. The strings are destined to expire at some time because of the humidity and the sweat that affects the metal, and this results in corrosion that does not allow the strings to perform at an optimum level. It is best not to wait until the strings break, and replace them as soon as you identify that they are not performing well and need to be replaced.

One tip regarding replacement of strings is that you should handle one string at a time. Do not rush into this process because of excitement and handle one string at a time. This is an important tip because if you handle all the strings at one, you create a risk of damaging the tensions on the neck of the guitar. Moreover, it is also a good practice to tune each tied string at the right tune before moving onto the next one.

Adjusting the Truss Rod

Since the strings of the guitar are attached to the neck, it is natural for the pressure to build up at the neck. This pressure might eventually bend the guitar with the help of environmental conditions, and if this actually happens, it would not be a good news. Fortunately, Fender guitars come with truss rods that can be adjusted to prevent such issues.

If the truss rod is loose, a hollow neck bow would be created as a result. On the other hand, if it is too tight, an arched neck bow will be seen as a result. Both illustrations are provided in the image on the right.

One thing to remember while adjusting the truss rod of the guitar is that the guitar does not actually go out of tune while you are following this process. Moreover, it also needs to be addressed that a lot of people do not know how to adjust the truss rods, and they do not have expert judgments to conclude whether the truss rod is too tight or too loose. In such scenarios it is best to take help from someone who knows about guitar, or you could simply walk in a Fender Service Center for further assistance.

Trip with the Guitar

If you intend to travel in the near future, it is understandable that you would never dare to take a trip without your guitar. It must be reinforced here again that Fender guitars are made with a very good quality material and with the help of great designers, and when it comes to protection of the guitars, you should try your level best to preserve them.

When people travel with things, it is a possibility that their things might get damaged during transportation, or because of some compromises in the quality of packing. This can also happen with your guitar, and due to this reason it is advised to get a case for the guitar. Fender also offers guitar case to the customers to purchase, and you can always opt for it if you want a well-designed case that can fit your guitar in perfectly. You should not only put the guitar in case when you are traveling, but it is a good habit to place the guitar in the case when you are simply not using it. By keeping the guitar in the case you can ensure that the guitar does not get damaged because of external forces, and while in the case, the guitar can also remain safe from environmental damages.

If you are planning to travel for a long period of time, then it is also advised to have a humidifier with you so that you can control the humidity.

Maintenance tips for the Guitars

Just like any other instrument, a guitar also requires regular maintenance so that it remains in proper shape for a long time. One tip for maintaining the guitar is that you should always clean it after you have used it. Take a dry cloth and run it through the strings, the finger board, and also the plates on the neck of the guitar, as advised earlier.

Another maintenance tip that was subtly conveyed in the previous section is that you should keep the guitar in a guitar case when you are not using it so that it remains protected from unusual accidents. Moreover, you should keep a hygrometer with it too so that you can check the humidity level of the surrounding. A Fender guitar can withstand humidity levels of around 50%.

The fingerboard of the guitar is also required to be maintained so that it looks like it is alive and roaring. In order to keep the fingerboard shining and efficient, you can use conditioning oil on it. In order to maintain the fingerboard, the first thing that you need to do is take of the strings individually. Once the strings are taken off, take a dry clean cloth and pour some conditioning oil on it. Use the cloth to clean the finger board, and if there is leftover oil shining on the fingerboard, use a dry cloth to wipe off the oils. There are some people who have tried to service the finger board, but they are not able to bring it back to its original shape. This does happen to some people, and it this is the case with you, then do not be afraid because it can be fixed easily by visiting any professional.

There are some people who like to use guitar straps or other accessories. We would not like to discourage the use of these accessories because these accessories do help in playing the guitar conveniently, but care must be taken while using them because these items may end up disturbing the finish of the guitar.

War of the Record-Slingers

There's a fight going on online that most people don't know about. It's a war of allegiances, a battle of musical brawn and business know-how, and it's definitely not what you know, but who you know. This battle royale is between the modern age's few online music distribution companies, and they're tearing each other apart for your business.

Simply Googling online music distribution companies will elicit a bizarre mish-mash of news articles, blog reviews, and forum posts that could make any poor musician's head explode. It's not informative, it's not authoritative, and it's not – well, it's not very friendly. Nevertheless, music distribution is done online now, and the sooner everyone gets used to it, the better off everyone will be.

So what is music distribution, anyhow? Music distribution is the art and process of transmitting music and other recorded audio mediums to places where listeners can receive the product, for a nominal fee, of course. Naturally, this makes online music distribution companies something of a middleman, but they aren't middlemen without purpose. In fact, attempting to self-publish a record album without the involvement of online music distribution companies would be insane.

How insane? Try to imagine emailing customer service at iTunes requesting for information with regard to submitting your album to the Apple people in order for selling it on the iTunes store. Imagine them replying with a FAQ that doesn't answer even half of your questions. You're further behind than you were before you started, now. Imagine phone calls, endless file transfers, filling out forms... Now imagine doing it more than 500 times at more than 500 entirely different websites with an endless variety of methods and requirements. Yeah.

Much, much easier would be going to an online music distributor, someone cheap, dependable and personable (good reputation a must). MondoTunes is generally considered the smartest choice right now, though distributors have cultish fan bases and people will say bizarre things in defense of CDBaby or whomever. Mondo's generally considered the best right now because right now they're cheapest, they go to all the big stores and something like 700 others all over the place, and they've got the best customer service by far. Check out their reviews and testimonials to make sure nothing has changed since the writing of this article, but to be sure, the war of the online music distribution companies won't be coming to a close anytime soon.

Online Music Marketing

Pretty much everybody has the music marketing thing figured out by now, right? Wrong. In fact, unless you're an artist with a recent degree in merchandising (and even then, music is very specific) chances are you don't know all there is to getting your music “out there.” This short article will attempt to clarify some of the most important details.

Naturally, if you want to get your music “out there,” you're going to have to sell your music online, and to sell your music online, you're going to need to get on iTunes. ITunes is the unofficial frontrunner of the online music business, with outlets like Amazon and others nosing in at the lead. The problem is, most people don't know how to get music on iTunes. The answer is deceptively simple, in fact.

One could walk up to the pearly Apple gates and knock on the door and ask politely to be featured on iTunes, but that's the plebeian method, and one I'm not certain would be taken seriously by the powers that be. The professional answer to the question of how to get music on iTunes is to do it the old-fashioned way using newfangled technology and techniques. Namely, online music distribution.

The way to hook up online music distribution is to do a little research on online music distribution companies (digital music distribution companies) and to pick one of them to patronize. You should educate yourself in terms of pricing, the breadth and scope of the actual distribution, and whether or not customer service will be provided by an actual human being. Most companies use robot phones to deal with customer service. That won't do in a pinch (and this is your music we're talking about) so make sure you find a company who will talk to you on the phone.

Recent reports from artists distributing their music records right now have been scattered. Most artists are fanboys of one online distribution company or another for very dubious reasons, much like the age-old Ford vs. Chevy thing, except that there are four major distributors and each have their cult following. Seemingly, relative newcomer MondoTunes seems to be edging out the competition in terms of price, service, and customer service, and they boast over 750 online retail outlets in their partnership, iTunes included.

So when you're ready to sell your music online, you know how to get music on iTunes. Why wait? Make it happen.

Making a Music Record in Nine Easy Steps

Step 1: Creation.

Come up with anything that makes you happy, or sad, or angry, or anything you enjoy feeling at the moment. String chords together in phrases that evoke that emotion to a fever pitch. If your music should be calming, write mellow, pretty chord progressions. If it should be aggressive, write choppy, aggravating and violent music. If you want lyrics, make sure they're interesting and showcase you the way you want to be seen and talked about. The creative process is never over until the album comes out. Feel free to make changes right up to and during your recording session. Have fun and don't worry about the music distribution process until after your recording is complete!

Step 2: Repetition.

Play your song over, and over, and over, and over, and over. Play it blindfolded. Play it behind your back. Your song should be so simple for you to play that you can perform it flawlessly and win a pie-eating contest at the same time. Through tireless repetition your song will morph into something you couldn't have anticipated. All songs have their own spirit that is brought out in repetition, not recording. Live performances are the best for this by far. Have fun!

Step 3 (optional): Perform.

Now that you're an expert at playing your music, go out and see how people react to it. If they're not amazed by your performance at first, don't feel bad. You're going to get much, much better, and so is your music. Stage fright is entirely normal, and it passes. Getting over stage fright adds to a person's character many qualities people pay thousands of dollars to learn, such as leadership, public speaking, and self-confidence. Perform every weekend if possible, and more if you can. You'll need to book your own shows. Prepare for hours of driving. Have fun!

Step 4: Record.

A modern computer makes a better recording studio than any of the soundboards used in the 1980s. It is possible to make an astoundingly excellent album using a fairly inexpensive Macintosh laptop computer. Depending on your level of expertise and the quality of sound you desire, you may wish to invest in a sound card for your computer, microphones, and other staples of recording. Freely download-able software will supply you with a virtual engineering board. Do a little Internet research on how to record your music. Many tools used in professional studios can be fabricated with household items. Egg crate sponges will soundproof anything. A wire hanger and some pantyhose can make a pro-grade pop screen for your microphone. Get creative! Be honest with your takes, though. No mistakes are admissible. On a record, every performance is forever. Only keep your very, very best. But remember, have fun!

Step 5: Mix.

Unless you're Joan Baez or Bob Dylan, you're going to have lots of tracks for each song: a drum track, bass track, guitar track, vocal track, and who-knows how many others. Live drums usually have separate mics (and tracks) for each piece of equipment, snare, hihat, kick, crash, ride, etc, etc. When mixing your record, be honest about what you can't hear. Be careful that you're not subconsciously burying a track in the mix because there are errors in the recorded take that are screwing up the sound. Re-record those, or delete them altogether. The tracks shouldn't all be the same level, though. Drums are only as loud as vocals for dance music. Lead guitars should be louder during solos and softer during verses. Use your best judgment and don't be afraid to ask others what they think. Be honest with yourself, too. You may really love the song's bass line, but does your bass deserve to lord over the trumpet and harmonica? Probably not. Enjoy the music. Have fun!

Step 6: Master.

If you're reading this and learning things, your mastering should be done by a paid professional. Most of these geniuses are themselves starving artists who will lovingly master your album for as little as they can possibly charge. If you've done everything else right, your music will come back sounding like a Hollywood masterpiece.

Step 7: Art.

Once your music comes back from mastering, its a done deal. Now you just need an image for it. Any image will do, but make sure your album cover looks the way you want people to see you. It's a representation of your music, but it's also a very serious representation of you, yourself. Make sure you're dressed to impress through your album cover, even if you're not literally pictured on it.

Step 8: Distribution.

Music distribution is all online these days, because most people listen to music on electronic mediums now. Global music distribution is not expensive, but it's important to choose a company that will speak with you about your concerns should something arise. Many of the biggest companies are almost totally automated, right down to their robotic customer service telephone lines. Other companies have fantastic reputations and will reply to your emails almost instantly, and talk to you on the phone if things get sticky. MondoTunes.com is perhaps the most well respected distribution authority in terms of customer service today, and they're often less expensive, too. Go figure.

Step 9: Party!

When your release date hits, be sure that there's a party going on. If you can perform a show, make it a big one and make sure everyone you love is there. Album release parties are one of the most important marketing dates your album will ever have, so make it fun, big, and – well, fun. Don't forget to sell music online for maximum exposure.

Top Guitars Under 1000 Dollars

If you are in the market for a guitar there are a number of good choices, all of which are under $1,000. There are a few quick tips I would like to point out before giving you my personal top pics.

1. Make sure you play the guitar you are going to buy first. It should feel and sound good.
2. Check for scratches, dings, cracks and any lose connections such as the jack where you plug your guitar in.

Top Guitar List

1. Gibson Les Paul Studio (799 - 1390)
This is a model that can't be beat. Equipped with all of the signature Les Paul features, the Les Paul Studio will give you a classy and comfortable body design. It has two-humbucker pickup system that allows for a wide variety of sounds, supporting everything from heavy metal to blues to jazz.

2. Fender American Stratocaster (799.99 - 1200)
Another classic. This model can't be beat. While most of the Fender line-up is made in Mexico the American made Fender guitar is one of the guitars to get if you are a serious guitar player. Played by artist such as Jimmy Hendrix, Eric Clapton and John Mayer to name a few.

3.Fender American Special Telecaster (699.99 +)
The Tele has been used by a number of artists who have admired it's twangy sound. Often you will see country and pop-rock guitarists playing a Telecaster. It is known for it’s twangy tones and signature neck pickup. This model is not for every guitar player because it is often considered less versatile than the Strat.

4. Schecter Extreme Omen 6 Special (399 +)
Schecter has come a long way in their guitar designs. Schecter has been favored by a number of hard rock guitarists over the last 30 years, but has proved itself as a producer of affordable, great-sounding, and versatile electric guitars.

5. PRS SE Custom 24 ($664.00 +)
Paul Reed Smith (PRS) guitars are widely recognized for their amazing artistry, rock solid construction, and price tags. Amoung their many guitars there is one that has been turning heads, which is the Custom 24. The double humbuckers support a nice low-end and heavy sound.

The Best Music Videos of 2012

2012 has had a number of great videos produced. We have seen a number of music videos ranging from pop and RnB to Punk rock and metal. Of these videos I would like to present the top 5 music videos of 2012.

1.) Katy Perry - Wide Awake
This is Katy Perry's second single, which is from the re-release of Teenage Dream:The Complete Confection. The video is poppy and hip for all ages. Check it out below.

2.) David Guetta & Nicky Romero - Metropolis
Davide Guetta, a French producer, teams up with Nicky Romero, Dutch producer, to create the music video "Metropolis." Check out this energetic piece.

3.) Flying Lotus - Until The Quiet Comes
This moving piece by music producer Flying Lotus comes with a powerful short film that was directed by Kahil Joseph. SOme graphic content in the beginning of this film.

4.) Jack White - I'm Shakin'
Another stylish music video by Jack White where he faces off against himself.

5.) Almost Dawn - Fire Tiger
This indie film featuring a local cast of wannabe rock stars displays classy guitar work and an unfortunate story.

Are Old Albums The New Trend?

Old Albums out selling new ones? That is exactly what is happing according to a news article on MSN. Recently, old album sales outsold new ones which has not happened since Nielson SoundScan began tracking US album sales in 1991.

One analyst named David Bakula from Nielsen believes that the trend may have been caused by the cost of albums. A new album could cost you between $13 and $18 where an old album may only cost you somewhere between $5.99 to $10.99.

Avril Lavign Lets Loose Profanities At Rays Game

Punk rock singer, Avril Lavign was criticized by the Blue Rays ball club after using profanity during her performance at the baseball field. According to an article on Yahoo! News, Avril was aiming her crude remarks at the fans who booed the technical difficulties during the first song.

When playing at a family friendly atmosphere it is expected that someone should be mindful of their language. I can see a obvious argument against this one though. Baseball games are known for crude remarks and loud fans. Although the Rays would like a family friendly stadium, I am not sure that is a reality they are going to have regardless of who performs.

Billboard 200 Bands

It is no surprise that a band like the Foo Fighters made the billboard top 200 list. To find out that a few fake bands like the Warblers from the Fox series Glee and Disney's Lemonade Mouth was somewhat shocking. With TV series like Glee, American Idol and Disney made bands our society seems to be taking on a new trend in music. So what does that mean for the traditional garage band? Hopefully nothing. But in reality, how can a good band compete with a great producer and big budget promotions?

Super Stars Rejected by American Idol

American Idol has been know as a show that finds the best talent in American then helps the upcoming rock stars get their big break. We have seen a number of people who have gone through American Idol then blow up on the charts. Others have had short lived success only to fall off the map. What about the talent that has been rejected by the show? Have any of them gone on to do bigger things?

You bet. An article on Yahoo! News names 4 super stars who have all been rejected from the show and later went on to win Grammys for Record and Song Of The Year among other awards.

Some of these talented artists include:

Hillary Scott from Lady Antebellum
Colbie Caillat
Amber Riley also known as Mercedes Jones
Robyn Troup

If you would like to read about their stories please see Yahoo!'s article on American Idol Rejects.