Alvarez RD8 Acoustic Guitar Review

As a cheap acoustic guitar where does the Alvarez RD8 stand up against its better known rivals such as the Washburn D10S. Is it just an expensive bit of scrap wood or a fantastic bargain?

First off let me start by saying the guitar certainly looks like it has been built with a great deal of care. It certainly isn't the flashiest of guitars but it is certainly more attractive than many acoustics that fall into the same price category.

Of course looks mean nothing to an acoustic guitar if its sound is poor. Thankfully the looks of the Alvarez aren't wasted as the RD8 sounds fantastic and is certainly a match to many of the more higher priced acoustic guitars available. For the price only the Takamine G320 comes anywhere near and there are probably only an handful at double its price that actually better it.

The guitar also has the feel of a much more expensive acoustic guitar with a very impressive playing action and it is certainly built to last for a good while, which cannot be said of many cheap acoustic guitars.. I also found the guitar took to any style of play fairly well although I freely admit I mainly play acoustic rock and little else but a friend played a little country on it and said it was just as good.

Would I recommend buying an Alvarez RD8? Put it this way I certainly couldn't give you a good reason not to. The likes of the Seagull S6 and the Takamine 340C may be slightly better but they are over a $100 more expensive so don't offer the same value for money as the RD8. This would be a great acoustic guitar for $500 but for a little over $200 it is an absolute steal.

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Epiphone Hummingbird Acouctic Guitar Review

If your looking for a cheap acoustic guitar then one option is the Epiphone Hummingbird acoustic guitar. At under $300 there is no doubt that the price is low but does it offer value for money, especially when compared to the likes of the Seagull S6.

Since the Hummingbird comes in at $80 less it is surprising that it doesn't get as much high praise as the Seagull S6. The guitar is beautiful to look at which is usually a sign with lower priced guitars that the money has gone into the looks of the guitar rather than the quality but I can assure you that this isn't the case with the Epiphone Hummingbird.

Of all the cheaper versions based on Gibson's Hummingbird guitar this Epiphone version is without question the best on offer, in fact considering the difference in price it is astonishing how close to the Gibson model this has come. The tones from the guitar offer wonderful value for the price and with a change of strings can be even better.

The size of the neck on the guitar makes it an ideal cheap acoustic guitar for beginners as it is very slimline and comfortable and has a superb playing action, for the price this is hard to find so it shows what a bargain the guitar is.

I've tested several styles of guitar playing on the guitar and found the Epiphone Hummingbird to take to them all without any problems, which is fantastic if you are a play anything kind of person. I found it particularly good with a little acoustic rock.

Would I buy an Epiphone Hummingbird? Maybe there are a few very good cheap acoustic guitars available for a similar price but if I did buy one I would certainly have no complaints and it is definitely in the top ten acoustic guitars in its price range.


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Acoustic Tab Of The Day - Blind Melon/ No Rain

This is a song I absolutely love to bits and it is such a simple song to play that any novice should be able to pick it up fairly easy with a little practice.

E5 E D E D E D E D

E D
All I can say is that my life is pretty plain

A G E E7
I like watchin’ the puddles gather rain

E D
And all I can do is just pour some tea for two

A G E E7
and speak my point of view but it’s not sane, It’s not sane

E D E D
I just want some one to say to me oh,

E D E D
I’ll always be there when you wake yeah...

E D E D
Ya know I’d like to keep my cheeks dry today

E D E D
So stay with me and I’ll have it made

E D
And I don’t understand why I sleep all day

A G E E7
And I start to complain that there’s no rain

E D
And all I can do is read a book to stay awake

A G E
It rips my life away, but it’s a great escape


escape, escape, escape

Play this during guitar solo... E D E D

E D
All I can say is that my life is pretty plain

A
ya don’t like my point of view

G E
ya think that I’m insane


Its not sane, it’s not sane

E D E D
I just want someone to say to me oh,

E D E D
I’ll always be there when you wake yeah,

E D E D
Ya know I’d like to keep my cheeks dry today

E D E D
so stay with me and I’ll have it made

Acoustic Guitar Tab Of The Day - Sweet Child O' Mine

There is nothing better for beginners than to hear a classic song is amazingly simple to play and Sweet Child O' Mine By Guns N Roses is one such song.

The song should pose very few problems with a little practice as the song contains nothing but the basic chords.

D
She's got a smile that it seems to me
C
Reminds me of childhood memories
G
Where everything
D
Was as fresh as a bright blue sky
D
Now and then when I see her face
C
She takes me away to that special place
G
And if I stared to long
D
I'd probably break down and cry

C G D
Whoa Oh, Sweet child o' mine
C G D
Whoa, Oh, Oh, Oh Sweet love o' mine

C G D

D
She's got eyes of the bluest skies
C
As if they thought of rain
G
I hate to look into those eyes
D
And see an ounce of pain
D
Her hair reminds me of a warm safe place
C
Where as a child I'd hide
G
And pray for the thunder

And the rain
D
To quietly pass me by


C G D
Whoa Oh, Sweet child o' mine
C G D
Whoa, Oh, Oh, Oh Sweet love o' mine

C G D x 2

C G D
Whoa Oh, Sweet child o' mine
C G D
Whoa, Oh, Oh, Oh Sweet love o' mine
C G D
Whoa Oh, Oh, Oh Sweet child o' mine
C G D
Oooh Sweet love o' mine

Em C Bm Am x 8

Em G A C D
Where do we go, Where do we go now, Where do we go
Em G A C D
Where do we go, Where do we go now, Where do we go now
Em G A C D
Where do we go, Sweet child, Where do we go now
Em G A C D
Aih, Aih, Aih Aih, where do we go now
Em G A C D
Where do we go , where do we go now
Em G A C D
Where do we go, where do we go now
Em G A C D
Where do we go, Sweet Child, where do we go now Now-now-now-now-now-now
Em G A C D Em
Sweet child, sweet child of mine

Beginner Acoustic Guitar - The Basic Chords

Many new beginner acoustic guitar players get a little carried away with the idea of what they will be able to do when they first pick up their new guitar. They have visions of picking up the guitar and playing their favorite songs note perfect. The reality though is a different story as it takes time to learn even the easiest songs initially.

The first thing any new beginner acoustic guitar player should learn before even considering playing a song should be the basic guitar chords.

Here are the basic guitar chords

---

Practice and learn these chords as it is the first step towards becoming a good player of the guitar . Once you've learned the basic chords you will be able to let rip of thousands of popular songs and progress onto more advanced levels of guitar playing but without learning the basics you simply won't progress.

It may look rather daunting but trust me these will soon become second nature with practice and they are nothing that a beginner acoustic guitar player should fret ( sorry for the pun, I just couldn't help myself ) about. If you don't know how to read the chords check out my post Beginner Guitar Chords - How To Read Chord Diagrams

Acoustic Guitar Tab Of The Day - Angel By Aerosmith

Aerosmith are one of the greatest bands of all time, at least in my opinion, and this is a song that sounds brilliant when played acoustically - and it's fairly simple too. Here it is to try out for yourselves.

D AG ABm AG AD AG ABm AG

VERSE

D G Bm G
I'M ALONE, YEAH I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN FACE THE NIGHT

D Bm A G
I'M IN TEARS AND THE CRYING THAT I DO IS FOR YOU

A Bm G
WITHOUT YOUR LOVE I'M NOTHING BUT A FAILURE

A Bm G
WITHOUT YOUR LOVE A DOG WITHOUT A BONE

A Bm G A
WHAT CAN I DO I'M SLEEPING IN THIS BED ALONE

CHORUS

SAME AS INTRO, TIMING AS FOLLOWS

D AG ABm
YOUR MY ANGEL COME AND SAVE ME TONIGHT

D AG ABm AG
YOUR MY ANGEL COME AND MAKE IT ALRIGHT

THE SOLO HAS ALREADY BEEN SENT IN

MIDDLE EIGHT

A G D
YOUR THE REASON I LIVE YOUR THE REASON I DIE

Bm G
YOUR THE REASON I GIVE WHEN I BREAK DOWN AND CRY

A
DON'T NEED KNOW REASON WHY BABY-----


Told you it was nothing difficult - hope you enjoyed playing it.

Beginner Guitar Chords - How To Read Chord Diagrams

Reading chords isn't rocket science but for a beginner guitar chords can be daunting and hard to understand. This post has been written with those people in mind.

I am now going to show you how to read a guitar chord. Here is the C chord


The chord box is written like this

1. The top thick line going across is the end of the fretboard/nut of the guitar
2. The lines going across are the frets
3. The lines going down are the strings
4. The strings go thickest to thinest from left to right

The dots on the chord box indicate where your fingers should be to play that chord. The numbers indicate which finger should be placed on which string. Number 1 will always be the index finger and will go in order to the little finger which will be number 4. The number 0 indicates that the string is played but without you touching the fretboard, this is known as an open chord. Finally the x means that the string is not played.

So in other words you would play the c chord like this

6th string = play without touching a fret
5th string =1st fret with index finger
4th string = play without touching fret
3rd string = 2nd fret with middle finger
2nd string 3rd fret with third finger
1st string = do not play

I hope this has been easy for you to understand and hopefully will show any beginner guitar chords aren't as difficult to understand as they look.

Acoustic Guitar Tab Of The Day - Steady Rollin By Two Gallants

Here is the tab for Steady Rollin By Two Gallants. The song if you haven't heard it before is featured on a previous post on this blog which you can check out first if you wish - Under Rated Great Acoustic Songs - Steady Rollin

This songs always gets me going so see if it does the same for you here's the tab

C
You might have seen me 'neath the pool hall lights.
F
Well baby I go back each night.
C
If you got a throat I got a knife.
G C
Steady rollin', I keep goin'.

C
I don't mind how quick the seasons change.
F
You know to me they's every one the same.
C
The sweetest sunshine drips the drain.
G C
Death's comin', I'm still runnin'.

C
Well I come from the old time baby,
F
too late for you to save me.
F G C
If I remain then I'm to blame.
C
But if you should ever need me,
F
I'll go where'er you lead me.
F G C
It's all the same, the same old game.

C
My lovin' lady she's a ball and chain.
F
I still can travel but my speed has changed.
C
I bring the money, I take the blame.
G C
Steady rollin', I keep goin'.

C
But I shot my wife today,
F
dropped her body in the Frisco bay.
C
I had no choice it was the only way.
G C
Death's comin', I'm still runnin'.

C
Well I come from the old time baby,
F
too late for you to save me.
F G C
If I remain then I'm to blame.
C
But if you should ever need me,
F
I'll go where'er you lead me.
F G C
It's all the same, the same old game.

C
Out waltzin' with the Holy Ghost,
F
from the Bowery to the Barbary Coast.
C
The land I'm from you know I love the most.
G C
Steady rollin', I keep goin'.

C
And everyday is just another town.
F
The more I search you know the less I've found.
C
Me, I'm a sucker, just a slave to sound.
G C
Death's comin', I'm still runnin'.


C
Well I come from the old time baby,
F
too late for you to save me.
F G C
If I remain then I'm to blame.
C
But if you should ever need me,
F
I'll go where'er you lead me.
F G C
It's all the same, the same old game.

Seagul S6 Acoustic Guitar Review

Seagul may not be the first brand of guitar that people recognize but they make great acoustic guitars, which is all that really matters, and I've read several claims that this is one of the best acoustic guitars for any beginner. Is that true though.

The Seagul S6 features a solid top with wild cherry back and sides, a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, tusq nut and compensated saddle. It comes in a semi-gloss lacquer finish.

As a guitar that is rated one of the best acoustic guitars for beginners you would expect a great sound and the Seagul S6 doesn't disappoint. The guitar produces a mellow, warm sound that for the price is astonishingly good, even bettering that of many top end guitars. It doesn't quite match the top Taylor or Martin guitars but for the price it does come staggeringly close.

Looks is where the Seagul S6 is slightly let down as it is far from the prettiest of acoustic guitars you will come across. That said it is built to last and if your a beginner that wants to avoid having to upgrade in a years time then the S6 is a great choice.

Summary - If your more interested in looks than quality then the Seagul S6 isn't for but otherwise I highly recommend it. The Washburn D10S ( read review here ) may be a little cheaper and more popular but for that little bit extra I think the Seagul S6 is the better acoustic guitar for a beginner.

Buy From Musicians Friend For $379.99
Seagull The Original S6 Acoustic Guitar Natural

Best Acoustic Guitars $150 - $300

Top Pick

Washburn D10S Acoustic Guitar Natural The Washburn D10S Acoustic Guitar is superbly crafted with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides for exceptional tone. A mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard make fretwork a breeze, while chrome Grover-style machines keep you perfectly tuned. The Washburn D10S comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

Best Of The Rest

Epiphone Hummingbird Acoustic Guitar Heritage Cherry Sunburst Chrome Hardware Epiphone proudly presents the Hummingbird Acoustic Guitar - an exquisite work of the luthier's art in every respect: tone, playability, and appearance. The Hummingbird's select mahogany body with a solid spruce top projects rich tone that improves with age, and the bound rosewood fretboard is delicately crafted for effortless chording and soloing. The pickguard artistry speaks for itself. A treasured design, now available at a popular price. Chrome hardware. Limited lifetime warranty.

Fender DG100 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Natural The Fender DG100 is a big, warm-sounding acoustic with a solid Englemann spruce top, mahogany back and sides, dot position inlays, a tortoise shell pickguard, and abalone rosette.

Yamaha FG730S Solid Top Acoustic Guitar Natural The Yamaha FG730S Solid Top Acoustic Guitar has the ultimate combo for projection and pure tone. The expertly braced spruce top speaks clearly atop the rosewood body. It has a rosewood fingerboard, rosewood bridge, die-cast tuners, body and neck binding, and a tortoise pickguard.

Alvarez RD8 Regent Series Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Natural Alvarez has a distinguished reputation for providing extremely high-quality instruments at very accommodating prices. This Regent Series RD8 makes traditional Alvarez craftsmanship available to beginning guitarists with a select spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and genuine rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Top binding and an original bridge shape combine with chrome die-cast tuners and a unique pickguard design to make a visually stunning guitar.

Ibanez AW30NT ARTWOOD SERIES Acoustic Guitar Natural If you've played or even just listened to many acoustic guitars, you know the amazing difference a solid top makes. The Ibanez AC30NT ARTWOOD SERIES Acoustic Guitar features a solid top made of high quality Engelmann spruce. You'll hear warm lows and ringing highs in crisp detail, the way an acoustic is supposed to sound. The dreadnought body style is particularly well suited for making yourself heard in a group. Mahogany back and sides, maple body and neck binding, and gold die-cast tuners with brown pearloid knobs are features you normally find on guitars costing far more. If you've been holding back on an acoustic guitar purchase because you haven't found the right features at the right price, your wait is over.

Takamine G440C Acoustic Guitar You'll be amazed by the Takamine G440C Acoustic Guitar's affordability coupled with its easy playability and big sound. The classic combination of a spruce top and mahogany back and sides generates a warm, open sound that shines during solo work or vocal accompaniment. Sharp looks come from an abalone soundhole rosette and abalone position markers on the genuine rosewood fretboard.

Best Acoustic Guitars Under $150

Top Pick

Takamine G320 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Black* Genuine spruce top with mahogany back and sides for full resonance. Gorgeous abalone rosette and position markers for pro looks. Rosewood fretboard and chromeplated tuners.

Best Of The Rest

Ibanez SGT120NT SAGE SERIES Acoustic Guitar Natural Check out the Ibanez SGT120NT SAGE SERIES Acoustic Guitar and you'll be amazed at the retro look and feel, inspired by the 1st Golden Age of Ibanez acoustic guitars. The shape of the headstock, body, pickguard and bridge recall a time when things were just a bit more ornate, and pride in craftsmanship was much easier to find. The SGT120NT features a solid spruce top that not only sounds great now, but will continue to age and improve over time. The dreadnought body shape is particularly well-suited for making yourself heard in a group, but the tones are certainly sweet enough for it to stand on it's own.

Applause AA13 Minibowl Cutaway Acoustic Guitar Natural The Applause AA13 Minibowl Cutaway Acoustic Guitar has a 3-quarter size (23.63" scale) for those who prefer a more compact instrument. The AA13 Minibowl cutaway acoustic is handcrafted to the same high level as full-size Applause guitars.

Yamaha F335 Acoustic Guitar Tobacco Brown Sunburst Classic dreadnought look and sound with a laminate spruce top, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and tortoise shell pickguard. Meranti back and sides. Gold die-cast tuners provide smooth and accurate tuning.

Epiphone PR-150 Acoustic Guitar Vintage Sunburst For such an easy-to-afford guitar, the Epiphone PR-150 is a standout - a perfect instrument to get started on. It is a dreadnought and features a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard. The PR-150 sounds great and this Epiphone's sunburst finish gives it the look of a far more expensive guitar.

Washburn D100DL Acoustic Guitar Mahogany No plain Jane here! The mahogany top, back, and sides on this Washburn acoustic are complemented with a stunning inlaid wood rosette and backstrip that make this guitar look like it should be twice the price! The great finish is offset by a multi-laminated top binding, and single-strip back and neck binding. A trademark of the Washburn brand is the flatter neck, which makes it easier to play, especially if this is your first acoustic. Finished off with a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, diecast tuners and pearloid dot fingerboard inlays you have a guitar you will be proud to own. If you are an experienced player this makes a great second guitar to carry with you. As with all Washburn guitars, it comes with a limited LIFETIME WARRANTY. Rest assured - you have 125 years of guitar making in every Washburn! Includes gig bag.

Washburn D10S Acoustic Guitar Review

The Washburn D10S Acoustic Guitar is one of the best selling guitars in the world. Not everything that is popular is great however so does this one live up to its popularity and achieve the status of been one of the best acoustic guitars around.

The Washburn D10S has a mahogany neck with a fully bound rosewood fretboard and a nice natural finish ( a black version is also available). The tuners are grover styled and are pretty good, if not amazing.

The sound is a beautiful deep, full tone which is perfect for those that don't want to be messing about with amps and electric and just want to sit down and strum. It can also be fairly loud if the strings are strummed a tad bit harder. A lower action would have made the guitar even better to play.

I reviewed the D10S shortly after testing the EG530SSC and although the Washburn has a great sound it doesn't quite match that of the Takamine guitar although in fairness the Takamine is more expensive.

The build of the Washburn is very sturdy and is definitely built to last, although it is probably fair to say that if you do become a more serious player you will need to upgrade.

For the price of the Washburn D10S you aren't going to come across many better guitars. The Alvarez RD8 is possibly the best alternative if this is the most you can afford. If you have A little more cash then others are a better option but the in terms of value for money this is still one of the best acoustic guitars available.

Buy from Musicians Friend For $259.99
Washburn D10S Acoustic Guitar Natural

Buy From Zsounds For $259.95
Washburn D10S Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar (with Case)

Under Rated Great Acoustic Songs - Steady Rollin By Two Gallants

Many of you will read the title and simply say "who", you probably also pass this song by but I advise you don't and you take a listen as it is one of the great acoustic songs that has been ignored, sadly like so many others.

I once read a comment somewhere that described them perfectly as a cross between Bob Dylan and Nirvana. Here is the video for the song.


I'll do the guitar tab for this song and put it on the blog at some point this week then you can try and add this to the list of great acoustic songs you can play.

Acoustic Guitar Tab Of The Day - Last Christmas

With Christmas fast approaching I thought it would be a good idea to put a few tabs on the blog for Christmas songs hence this tab of Last Christmas.

Originally by Wham the song has been played by a host of bands including The Manic Street Preachers, Jimmy Eat World and Busted. Here is then the tab for Last Christmas by George Michael.

G
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
Em
But the very next day, You gave it away
Am
This year, to save me from tears
D
I'll give it to someone special

G
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
Em
But the very next day, You gave it away
Am
This year, to save me from tears
D
I'll give it to someone special

G
Once bitten and twice shy
Em
I keep my distance but you still catch my eye
Am
Tell me baby do you recognize me?
D
Well it's been a year, it doesn't surprise me

G *note above G
(Happy Christmas!) I wrapped it up and sent it
Em
With a note saying "I Love You" I meant it
Am
Now I know what a fool I've been
D
But if you kissed me now I know you'd fool me again

Chorus

G
A crowded room, friends with tired eyes
Em
I'm hiding from you and your soul of ice
Am
My God I thought you were someone to rely on
D
Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on
G
A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
Em Am
A man undercover but you tore me apart
D
Now I've found a real love you'll never fool me again

Chorus

Hope you enjoy playing this easy to learn Christmas Classic. Enjoy!!!

Takamine EG530SSC Acoustic Electric Cutaway Guitar Review

The Takamine EG530SSC is one of the best acoustic guitars available in its price range and even competes with many other more expensive acoustic guitars.

The features of the guitar are fantastic as the preamp is perfect and the gloss finish is beautiful . The Takamine EG530SSC also features an on board tuner which comes in very handy. It is also remarkably well built.

The sound however is where the EG530SSC really shines as for the price there is nothing that comes close to matching the quality offered by this and that is why it is rated as one of the best acoustic guitars around. Whether acoustic or plugged in it produces all the right tones and a brilliant clean and clear tone to boot. Honestly guitars costing double what you will pay for this don't sound as good.

The only real negative I have is that there does seem to be a little buzz on the 4th fret but this isn't a massive issue and is easily fixed. This apart the EG530SSC is a very reliable and well built guitar.

Summary - If you've read the review you don't need the summary to tell you I think it is an awesome instrument and one of the best acoustic guitars money can buy. I've played various types of music on the guitar and have yet to encounter anything sounding less than fantastic.

Buy From Musicians Friend price $599
Takamine EG530SSC Acoustic Electric Cutaway Guitar Natural

Buy From Musicians Hut $599
Takamine EG530SSC Acoustic-Electric Cutaway Guitar

Acoustic Tab - Merry Christmas Everybody

G Bm D

Are you hanging up a stocking on your wall?
It's the time that every Santa has a ball

C G
Does he ride a red nosed reindeer?
Does he turn up on his sleigh

Am C D
Do the fairies keep him sober for a day?

G D
So here it is merry Christmas

Bb D
Everybody's having fun

G D
Look to the future now

Bb D
It's only just begun

Are you waiting for the family to arrive?
Are you sure you got the room to spare inside?
Does your granny always tell ya
that the old songs are the best?
Then she's up and rock 'n' rollin' with the rest


So here it is merry Christmas
Everybody's having fun
Look to the future now
It's only just begun

Dm Bb
What will your daddy do

Dm Bb
When he sees your Mama kissin' Santa Claus?

C--D
(ah) ah ah

Are you hanging up a stocking on your wall?
Are you hoping that the snow will start to fall?
Do you ride on down the hillside
in a buggy you have made?
When you land upon your head then you've been Slade

So here it is merry Christmas
Everybody's having fun
Look to the future now
It's only just begun

Acoustic Guitar Reviews

Acoustic Guitar Reviews
Seagul S6
Washburn D10S
Takamine EG530SSC
Epiphone Hummingbird
Alvarez RD8
Ibanez AEL20E