elf@utcsrgv.UUCP (Eugene Fiume) (04/12/84)
As far as guitarists and guitars are concerned, I tend to follow acoustic and classical (nylon trebles) guitar music rather than electric stuff. (Personal preferance only--let's not start spewing about which guitar musics are better.) One thing that has always troubled me about electric guitars: relatively poor timbral and tonal range. I believe mass-produced A&C guitars have similar difficulties. However, with A&C guitars (especially classical), you avoid this problem by buying handmade guitars that have the sonic characteristics you prefer. Now, there are some guitar builders around Toronto (and I'm sure they exist all over the place) that produce handmade electrics. When I last visited such a shop, I spent some time fooling about with such an electric and found the range of sounds to be much richer than your standard Strat. I actually found it to be a lot of fun to play. So, either this handmade has a greater repertoire of sounds, or it was easier for me, using my flimsy electric guitar technique, to bring out the sounds. However, the maker said that there is almost no market for handmade electrics, unlike handmade A&C's. Everyone seems to want a sound produced by one of the major mass-produced guitars. Why? It seems strange to buy a new electronic gizmo whenever you want a different sound. Doesn't anyone play an electric guitar unadorned? Are electric guitarists so hearing- impaired that they can't hear overtones? [ :-) ] BTW, someone mentioned Egberto Gismonti as one of his favourite guitarists. I'm glad. He's wonderful (EG that is--I have no information in regard to the other person). BTW^2, I'd be happy to submit a list of nice classical guitar pieces and recommended performances if some interest is displayed (by mail or o.w.). Eugene Fiume U of Toronto ...utzoo!utcsrgv!elf