Tagged: fingerstyle

16 articles we've published with this tag.

Ambient delay and reverb settings that actually suit a solo acoustic
A fingerstyle player's real-world approach to delay and reverb settings on acoustic guitar, without washing out the wood and string detail that made you plug in.
By Doug
Micing an acoustic at home: a simple two-mic approach that works
A workshop-tested two-mic setup for recording acoustic guitar at home, without a treated room or expensive gear.
By Doug
Recording an acoustic-electric direct: getting a sound that doesn't sound "DI"
Piezo pickups sound thin and quacky straight into a DI. Here's how I get a full, room-like acoustic tone without a microphone.
By Doug
Fuzz pedals for fingerstyle and acoustic-electric players: an odd match that works
Fuzz on a fingerstyle acoustic sounds wrong until it doesn't. Doug explains which fuzz styles behave, and how touch dynamics change everything.
By Doug
Right hand anchoring: why it's holding your fingerstyle back
Planting your pinky on the top might feel safe, but anchoring quietly caps your fingerstyle range. Here's how to unlearn it without losing accuracy.
By Doug
Overdrive pedals on acoustic-electric guitars: when a little grit actually helps
Overdrive on an acoustic-electric can add warmth or ruin the tone entirely. Here's what actually works, and why the pickup matters more than the pedal.
By Doug
Fuzz pedals on acoustic-electric guitars: what works and what doesn't
Fuzz on an acoustic-electric can sound glorious or fall apart completely. Doug explains why the pickup type decides everything, and what to try first.
By Doug
Recording acoustic guitar at home: DI, microphone, or both?
Plugging in vs putting up a mic — or blending both. Here's what actually works when recording acoustic guitar at home, from a builder who's tried all of it.
By Doug
How overdrive pedals respond to fingerpicking (and why it's different from a pick)
Fingerpicking and overdrive pedals have a complicated relationship. Here's what's actually happening when your tone cleans up — or collapses — under your fingers.
By Doug
Acoustic guitar saddle intonation: why your guitar goes sharp up the neck
Your acoustic sounds great open but goes sharp past the fifth fret. Doug explains why saddle compensation fixes this — and what to do about it.
By Doug
Running an overdrive pedal into an acoustic-electric: what actually works
Overdrive on acoustic sounds wrong — until it doesn't. Doug walks through how to run dirt into an acoustic-electric without losing what makes the instrument alive.
By Doug
How fretting-hand pressure affects acoustic tone — and what it tells you about your setup
The 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.
By Doug
Acoustic guitar string gauges explained: how to choose the right strings for your playing style
String 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.
By Doug
How to care for an acoustic guitar: humidity, cleaning and seasonal changes
Wood 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.
By Doug
Acoustic guitar body shapes explained: how size and depth affect tone and playability
From parlour to jumbo, acoustic body shapes change how a guitar feels under your arm and how it reproduces low-end. Here's what to listen for.
By Sheildon
Plugging in an acoustic-electric: how to choose the right amp for your plugged-in sound
Not 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.
By Doug