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We recently had the great pleasure of chatting with fingerstyle-songwriter virtuoso David Wilcox about his complex (to say the least) journey through the world of guitar amplification. Years of teasing out the proper application of each kind of pickup have resulted in a system that employs over five pickups–for one guitar! You’ll want to listen with a pair of good headphones in order to hear the subtle variations David demonstrates here, but even regular earbuds will go a long way.

David has upcoming shows at the Songbirds Guitar Museum in Chattanooga, TN on Friday 4/27/18, and at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, GA on Saturday 4/28/18. David’s new record “The View From the Edge,” will be released on May 11th. People can pre-order the digital download version and listen to excerpts from the record here: http://smarturl.it/hawa3q.

The first two videos here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX9rY… and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93NJM…

David will (busy guy) also be doing a Facebook Live session on Friday (4/20/18) at 6:30 PM eastern time with Jorma Kaukonen, live from Jorma’s Fur Peace Ranch in Ohio. Find out more here: facebook.com/davidwilcoxmusic

The ToneDexter makes microphone tone possible through pickups in a way we’ve never seen before. The process of creating a WaveMap for each of your instruments is straightforward: one training session and you’re all set!

After you’ve plugged the microphone and pickup in to the ToneDexter and you’ve entered training mode for one of the 11 preset slots, it’s a simple matter of playing your guitar (or mandolin, or violin, or cello, to name a few) for a few minutes. In that time the ToneDexter will analyze the individual signals from the mic and pickup and proceed through nine stages of learning. As it progresses, you’ll first hear a dramatic change for the better! As it gets close to finishing, the changes will become increasingly subtle, but if you have headphones on it’s easier to pick up on them. Throughout this process the ToneDexter identifies the gaps in the pickup’s signal and offsets them with the acoustic color and tone from the microphone. Once you’ve completed the ninth learning stage, you can review the sound of the pickup, microphone, and WaveMap separately to make sure it’s a great fit before saving it to one of 11 presets.

The end result is a WaveMap for that particular instrument, mic, and pickup combination which sounds like it’s just the guitar and mic–but without the hassles which plague a microphone setup. We have a video demonstration in the works to show an in-depth look at the training process, so stay tuned!

Paul: “There are tons of new electronic gadgets on the market for guitars these days, but only a few are really pushing the envelope like Audio Sprockets’ ToneDexter. I immediately got one for myself, and couldn’t be happier!

Get yours here: https://www.dreamguitars.com/shop/amplification/preamps-and-di-boxes/audio-sprockets/audio-sprockets-tonedexter.html

Here’s a demonstration and general how-to by fingerstyle virtuoso Doug Young: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH9Qs3FZLYc.

With Fall’s cooler temperatures and dry air it’s the perfect time to think about your guitars. Just as your skin begins to get dry this time of year so does the thin wood on your fine guitar. Humidity control may be the single most important factor in preventing problems with instruments.

You will know if you guitar begins to get dry if you start to feel the frets protruding from the fingerboard. That is a sign that moisture is leaving the wood and the ebony fingerboard is actually shrinking. Less noticeably you may see that the top is actually sinking as well, this happens as the wood shrinks and pulls tighter. This is what causes a bit of a dip in front of the bridge towards the sound hole on older instruments.

“Here at Dream Guitars, we see a lot of older instruments with cracks or stability issues due to poor humidity control.” says Paul Heumiller, owner of Dream Guitars, “Fortunately humidity is very easy to control. Modern in-case humidifiers are wonderfully easy to use and there are also hygrometers (gauges that measure humidity) that attach to the inside of your cases or can be place in your playing room for every day viewing.

We at Dream Guitars highly recommend the Planet Waves product line for Humidity control. Click here to view the Planet Waves Humidifier products we have in stock.

Also if you have a number of guitars, you may want to consider a room humidifier such as those available at many of the big home stores. The key here is to have a hygrometer as well so you know exactly what is going on in the room.

Whether your solution is a guitar case or room humidifier, you want to keep the moisture between 40 to 50% humidity all year long. Here at Dream Guitars we have a built-in humidity system that keeps our shop at exactly 45% humidity all year. That means adding moisture once the heat comes on in October or November.

Contact us today for more advice or click here to take advantage of our recommended humidification products currently in stock in the Dream Guitars online store.

The pleasure of owning your very own Dream guitar — Tippin, Traugott, Martin, Laskin, McConnell or any other instrument from our collection or from one of your lucky finds — can only be ensured with proper care and maintenance… and that starts with the right case. Get into one today!

Dream Guitars has a solid collection of outstanding guitar cases from trusted brands including Main Stage, Hoffee and others.

How about a little primer on exactly which guitar cases we have to offer, shall we?

First off are the magical Main Stage cases, which are comparable to Calton Cases, another popular brand. In fact, Main Stage was founded by two former employees of Calton and these guys remain true to the quality and care that helped make Calton a big name. Now they’re doing it on their own and the Main Stage brand has earned an excellent reputation for superbly made, professional grade hard-shell fiberglass touring cases for stringed instruments. Each case is handmade for your exact instrument, featuring custom fit, color and finish.

We order all of our Main Stage cases with Thinsulate thermal padding and granite finish. Custom Order prices may vary.

Another of our most popular cases is from Hoffee…. you won’t be disappointed.

“We are very proud to offer Hoffee Carbon Fiber cases,” our own Paul Heumiller is proud to tell you. “They are light, super strong and worthy of holding your Dream Guitar.”

Hoffee cases are priced right and the strong, lightweight, carbon fiber cases are custom Made in the USA. Hoffee is proud of its state-of-the-art mission, from the materials to the process itself.  The carbon fiber shells are stronger and lighter than other wooden, ABS (plastic) or fiberglass cases.

Dream Guitars offers custom sizing and an array of colors, allowing 4-6 weeks for delivery. Check out our store — where we also have cases from Cedar Creek, Colorado and Ameritage for sale — and contact us for details. If you’re in the area, stop by the shop in Weaverville, NC, just outside of Asheville, and explore.

This is great stuff.

Dream Guitars is a proud dealer of Composite Acoustics guitars, seen by many as superb travel guitars that require little maintenance or worry. They have been described as “virtually indestructible” because of the carbon fiber construction. They can handle heat, cold, life in the closet and will emerge ready to play.

Even more, the sound great, especially in low tunings, like DADGAD or low C, since the action won’t change when the string tension is altered.

We have several coming into the shop now — the GX (an auditorium-sized cutaway), the OX (a 20-fret cutaway with a raw finish) and Cargo (a travel model with or without electronics) — and we are a dealer of the entire Composite Acoustics catalog. If all this isn’t good enough, you’ll get a free $50 Dream Guitars Gift Card when you purchase a Composite Acoustics guitar at our shop here.

Curious yet? We took a ride on one of their classic Vintage Performer D models a few years back and everyone at the shop was blown away. Check out our YouTube link to take a listen before you call us to pick up one of these beauties.

Again, here are the takeaways:

  • Carbon Fiber composition
  • “Virtually indestructible”
  • Awesome in low tunings
  • Great sound
  • Hassle-free
  • Get a $50 Dream Guitars gift card

Take one to the beach or the mountains. Leave it in the trunk or the closet for months, it’ll be fine and sound great. Drop the tuning and have at it.

When Steve James spent time with us at Dream Guitars just before his rocking house concert performance at our Weaverville, NC, offices, not only did he demo several amazing National Resophonic guitars, he also taught us all a lesson in bottleneck slide playing the legendary “Guitar Rag.”

Your moment of musical history for today: Sylvester Weaver’s “Guitar Rag” is recognized as the first recording of slide guitar. That was way back in 1923, though Steve’s classic style is more than simply reminiscent of the period.

Now you can learn a thing or two from James himself right here at our YouTube channel, study the master’s moves and styles. There is an awful lot of information here and you’ll be able to apply what you learn as you progress as a player. Steve takes the time to demonstrate basic hand placement, string contact, touch, pick technique, vibrato, chords and more as he teaches the viewer how to play like a pro.

Steve James is world-renowned as an expert slide guitar master, not only touring and recording his own material and but acting as a sideman for such legends as Bo Diddley, Kinky Friedman, Buddy Guy and John Hammond. For more information and cool stuff, visit Steve’s homepage… after you learn how to play “Guitar Rag” his way — arguably the best way!

The seat takes shape.

Brian Boggs is one of the most highly respected furniture makers in America. Known for his creative passion and attention to detail, Brian now brings his considerable talents to the world of music, giving us the ultimate Guitar Chair!

As soon as I sat in the Guitar Chair I noticed an immediate improvement in my playing posture. Long rehearsals and performances are definitely made easier when you are comfortable. I find that the Guitar Chair lessens back fatigue, and helps break the bad habit of slumping over the guitar. Paul and I both highly recommend the Guitar Chair by Brian Boggs. It is the ultimate guitar accessory!

What makes your guitar chair more appropriate for players than a standard kitchen chair?

The Bogg's Guitar Chair

The Bogg's Guitar Chair

What is different about the guitar chair is that the whole chair is designed around how guitar players move, hold their guitar, and position their hands. Beginning with the seat, I sculpted it to support the player comfortably, but it’s round shape and forward slant address the guitarist’s forward lean as well as leg movements. It provides comfort while rocking out on the blues or meditating on a classical number. The rolling downward of the front of the seat allows either knee to drop down or move to the side comfortably. No edges to catch you under the thigh so your legs don’t fall asleep.

The back is narrower and shorter than a typical kitchen chair. It also has a pitch designed for the position of a guitarist in performance. The lower portion of the back is carved back to so that when leaning forward there is still some support in the lumbar area.
A kitchen chair, on the other hand is designed for single position sitting, is tilted slightly backward, and usually has a trapezoidal seat shape. Having said all this about the differences, this design will make a great kitchen chair with a simple change to the pitch. I am working on that version now.

Hand crafted perfection!

Hand crafted perfection!

If someone wants to order a Guitar chair, and have it customized to match their décor, what is the process?

That will depend on just how much is needed to make the accommodation. They will need to call the shop and we will take it from there. If it is simply a wood choice matter, we can do that easily enough. Harder woods for the seat or back will cost more in labor, and the chair price will also have to reflect any additional wood cost if more expensive woods are chosen. Any changes to the design will add cost just because the chair can’t follow the usual well honed process we work with. It will need extra time and attention. That is always done on an individual basis.

Do we have plans to develop any other products especially aimed at musicians and guitarists in particular?

Brian Boggs -- sculpting the Guitar Chair.

Brian Boggs -- sculpting the Guitar Chair.

I don’t have new designs up and going right now, but a music stand and drawer unit for music storage are on my mind. We have the craftsmen to build them beautifully. It’s just a matter of getting the designs worked out.


What is the typical wait time for a custom order?

Right now we are looking at about 10 weeks. Production of the chairs is fairly constant. Orders arrive in a more erratic pattern, so our backlog will fluctuate from 4-12 weeks for a while. We will know when we get an order what the delivery time will be on that chair.

Can you tell us more about the mission of your company?

The Boggs Collective represents a new business vision that fosters the highest levels of design, craftsmanship and sustainability in studio furniture making. Our model integrates four key components: materials, workspace, training and visibility creating opportunities for landowners, loggers, sawyers and craftspeople to work collaboratively. With this full cycle collaboration fine craftsmanship, sustainable forest management and our clients’ needs are integrated into a mutually supportive and sustainable partnership.

The seat takes shape.

The seat takes shape.

For landowners, loggers and sawyers who practice sustainable forestry there is an assurance that their efforts are helping create value-added wood products that stimulate the regional economy. For craftspeople involved, it offers an infrastructure that allows woodworkers to focus on their passion. For our clients, it represents the chance to own timeless, handcrafted furniture produced in a reliable and sustainable manner. For all of us, it presents a new way of looking at the items we live with, an awareness of the labor and materials that go into each piece and a conscious choice to hold these values at the heart of our philosophy and practice.

THE BOGGS COLLECTIVE — MISSION

Our Mission – Design and produce exquisite furniture in a reliable and sustainable manner
Our Vision – To provide a model that supports furniture makers and forests sustainably
Our Core values – Excellence – creating conditions that promote our highest level of engagement in all facets of our work.
Innovation – creativity drive development of processes and products designed to support and inspire us.
Integrity – holding our values and beliefs present in both our individual and collective actions and products
Social and Environmental Responsibility – honoring our responsibility to the health and well being of our forests, communities and craftsmen.

THE BOGG’S GUITAR CHAIR — the Ultimate Accessory

Brian Bogg's Dream Guitars Guitar Chair

Brian Bogg's Dream Guitars Guitar Chair

If you are lucky enough to live in or around Asheville, North Carolina, you already know it is a special place to be. Not only does the area boast a vibrant and eclectic music scene, but it is also a powerful magnet for many other art forms as well.  Artist from all walks of life seem magnetically pulled into the friendly spirit of the place, knowing they’ve found a home where they can expressive themselves creatively, amongst a vivacious, multifarious community.

Brian Bogg’s, is one such artist. Hailing from Kentucky, he brought his lifelong fascination with chair making to the heart of Asheville, where he now operates the Bogg’s Collective. The mission of the Collective is to produce exquisite furniture, in a reliable and sustainable manner.

A perpetual innovator, Brian always had it in his mind to design the ultimate guitarists chair. A chair that reinforced excellent playing posture and supportive comfort, while removing non-ergonomic features found in typical chairs. His goal was to create a chair with beautiful aesthetics, that maximized player comfort for long sessions.

Brian Bogg's Dream Guitars Guitar Chair

Brian Bogg's Dream Guitars Guitar Chair

Naturally, when fate brought the Bogg’s Collective and Dream Guitars together, we all realized that that the time had come to design the ultimate guitar chair.

Paul and I met with Brian and his team several times. We discussed the needs of the player, keeping what was essential and discarding what was superfluous. In the end, we collectively came up with a design that surpasses any other offering on the market.

We are proud to unveil the fruit of all our labors, the Brian Bogg’s Dream Guitars Guitar Chair.

Check out the link below for a video of the whole story!

THE BRIAN BOGGS/DREAM GUITARS GUITAR CHAIR- VIDEO

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