Doug
Hey, I'm Doug. I've played the folk circuit for the better part of my life, mostly fingerstyle, and somewhere along the way I started building and repairing acoustics in a little workshop out back. Spend enough time with a sound that comes from wood, air and your bare fingers and you start to hear instruments the way you hear a forest in the morning — alive and full of small details. I'll tell you how a guitar feels under the fingers and how it ages, not just how it photographs.
6 published articles · most recent June 16, 2026
Hey, I'm Doug. I've played the folk circuit for the better part of my life — mostly fingerstyle — and somewhere along the way I started building and repairing acoustics in a little workshop out back.
Spend enough time with a sound that comes from wood, air and your bare fingers, and you start to hear instruments the way you hear a forest in the morning: alive and full of small details.
I'll tell you how a guitar feels under the fingers and how it ages — not just how it photographs.
Articles by Doug
How fretting-hand pressure affects acoustic tone — and what it tells you about your setupThe amount of pressure you apply when fretting an acoustic note shapes tone more than most players realise — and it points directly to whether your guitar's setup is working for you.- Acoustic guitar string gauges explained: how to choose the right strings for your playing styleString gauge shapes tone, playability and even how your acoustic guitar responds over time. Here's how to find the right fit for your hands and your music.
- How to set up an electric guitar: a practical guide to action, intonation and neck reliefA good setup transforms how an electric guitar feels and sounds. Here's how to work through action, neck relief and intonation at home.
- How to care for an acoustic guitar: humidity, cleaning and seasonal changesWood moves with the seasons. Doug explains how to protect your acoustic from humidity swings, how to clean it properly, and what to watch for year-round.
- Plugging in an acoustic-electric: how to choose the right amp for your plugged-in soundNot every amp flatters an acoustic-electric. Doug walks through what to look for — and what to avoid — when you need to amplify a plugged-in acoustic.
How to Choose Your First Acoustic GuitarSolid vs laminate tops, body shapes, and the setup that makes or breaks a beginner guitar — a friendly walkthrough to buying your first acoustic.