Questions + Answers
From Randall in Boone, NC
Allison,
You are amazing. I heard you speak of your hand me down Gibson guitar once on a Sunday morning chat. I would like to hear what you have to say about acoustic guitars.
Dear Randall,
Thank you. Most days I don’t feel like I’m anywhere near amazing, so thanks for the boost.
Oh, guitars! I do love them. Where to begin? I suppose with your specific question, the guitar I mentioned on a Soul Soothing Sunday Songs episode. I don’t know which one I would’ve been playing — one of my favorite things about doing those shows during the pandemic was that I always had access to all of my instruments. I could’ve been playing my father’s 1964 Gibson B25, that’s the only one that has been handed down to me, but I’m not sure that was it because I used that acoustic amp on most of those shows and the B25 didn’t have a great pickup at that time (I’ve since had it replaced). If I recall correctly, I mostly played my 2004 Gibson Original Jumbo, because it has a great pickup so it sounds good plugged in, and I needed some volume on those shows, otherwise it was too hard to project without it becoming the opposite of intimate, if that makes sense.
Gibson Guitars gave me the OJ in 2004, and I’ve been playing it ever since. It is a fine instrument — it was good when I got it and has aged incredibly well. It’s loud, full, and very well balanced. It has some top cracks and nicks here and there, but it has stayed in really good condition to be almost 20 years old now. Until, you might’ve seen on social media, the other day after I played a show for the library in Bowling Green, Kentucky. My sweet husband, Hayes, was kindly packing up my gear while I signed some books and such, and he accidently dropped it. It got a pretty bad crack on the top and it’s with the repair guy now. Here’s hoping, and suspecting, that it will be an even finer instrument when I get it back.
I often think I have too many guitars. Indeed, I do. But I don’t see them as a collection, rather the tools that I need to make the art I want to make. They all provide different inspiration and tones and they all behave like people — each with its own distinct personality. I’m grateful to have so many great ones. My current favorite is a 1954 Martin 00-18 that my sister gave me for my 50th birthday. It has a real soul.
Thank you for the question. Who out there plays guitar?
Love,
Allison
I’ve been singing and performing since 1979 and picked up a guitar in the early 90’s and started writing songs. I’ve been blessed with three guitars from Santa Cruz Guitar Co. and each have a special story. I prefer picking but I’m not advanced whatsoever and since I’m left handed it’s been a challenge to get my strumming to sound strong. I exercise my right hand coordination by doing chores (washing windows, dusting, vacuuming) that require a rhythm. Practice indeed helps as well. I also have an acoustic BC Rich that I picked up at the flea market years ago. It has a beautiful sound. My favorite is the “000” from Santa Cruz guitar because it’s a small body and fits into my arms with ease and has a slender neck to fit my hand. Two of them have names: Isabella and Sally Jenkins.
You have some cool collection of guitars! Sure hope that beauty will be good as new when it’s repaired. I do play guitar, but not very well. I took lessons with Terre Roche many years ago. She’s a great teacher—I just have no talent-lol. I recently added “Down to Believing” to my repertoire and I enjoy playing that one.