Author Archives: Sienark

How Choosing an Acoustic Guitar is Like Choosing a New Friend

First you shake hands, you talk a while, listen to each other, and maybe decide to visit with that person again. Choosing an acoustic guitar is a similar process. It takes a while to choose a new friend. It takes … Continue reading

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Doing Your Own Guitar Repairs and Adjustments

This is a simple log for me. It’s my Guitar Repair To Do List for 2026 and my journey. You keep a Guitar Repair To Do List, don’t you??? “Can anyone call themself a guitarist or bassist if they have … Continue reading

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Random Guitar Things I Learned at 3 Cash America Pawn Shops Today

Just a short post today. This Harley Benton SC-500 was at Cash America in Chicago for $199. I am confident I could have had it for $150, maybe less. But I wasn’t buying guitars today, just looking. Today I drove … Continue reading

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Learning from Andrew Clarke’s Guitar Mistakes

Watch Andrew Clarke and his wonderful “I Taught Myself Guitar. Don’t Make the Same Mistakes I Did” YouTube Video. My Comment on Andrew Clarke’s YouTube Channel Andrew, Thanks for another thoughtful video. I have been playing guitar for 2 years … Continue reading

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Guitar Humidity & Temperature Guide: Acoustic vs Electric vs Bass

What humidity and temperature should you keep your guitars and basses in—and does it really differ between acoustics, electrics, and basses? By the way, it’s 7 degrees Fahrenheit outside tonight in January. This practical guide explains the ideal humidity and … Continue reading

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My Twenty Five Dollar blue Yamaha RBX170 Kicks Butt

This is a short post. “Lazarus” the Cheap Yamaha RBX170 Kicks Butt I am enjoying the heck out of “Lazarus” the blue Yamaha RBX170 that plays so fine. It cost $25. Minor repairs, new strings, two strap pins and a … Continue reading

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Recording Roadmap: A Simple, Honest Path to Better YouTube Recordings

This post is for players who want to record more guitar music on YouTube — not just buy more stuff. I Wish to Be Upfront About Recording Guitar Music for YouTube I want to be upfront about something: I am … Continue reading

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Hidden Gem Budget Guitars and Basses That Deliver Amazing Value

Glarry Semi-Hollow Thinline, Hohner HW200 & Huntington PJ Bass Most guitar and bass players assume that good tone starts at hundreds of dollars — and that only big-name brands can deliver. But I’ve found that some affordable guitars and basses can punch … Continue reading

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Purchasing a Hohner HW300 Guitar – A “Poor Man’s” Martin

Actually, I purchased a Hohner HW300G TB guitar. For background info read Is the Hohner HW300 a “Poor Man’s” Martin D15M ? Finding the Truth about the Hohner HW300 Series After 36 hours of too much research and ChatGPT I … Continue reading

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1956 – The Ultimate Gospel Rockabilly Blues Jam: Million Dollar Quartet

December 4 is the anniversary of the 1956 jam session known as the Million Dollar Quartet. I should be practicing guitar, but blogging about guitar is the next best thing. A Walk in Chicago’s Cold with the Million Dollar Quartet … Continue reading

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