James Rotondi

James Rotondi is a guitarist, journalist, and critic.

History and Remembrances, What They Play

Guitar Talk: Jimmy Buffett on His Evolving Collection of Golden-Era Instruments

Jimmy Buffett passed away September 1, 2023 at 76. Today, we're revisiting this conversation with the "Margaritaville" singer-songwriter about his collection of rarified golden-era guitars.

September 2, 2023

Dreadnought

Gibson J-45 50s Faded and Keb Mo 3.0 12 Fret J-45

Review: Gibson’s J-45 50s Faded and Keb’ Mo’ “3.0” 12-Fret J-45 Are Two New Takes on the Classic Workhorse

Both models stick to the strengths and depart from the script in terms of our preconceived ideas about the J-45 shape.

July 14, 2023

Instrumentalists

How Guitar Duo Rodrigo y Gabriela Is Informed by Eastern Spiritual Practices—and Thrash-Metal

On their latest release, In Between Thoughts... A New World, the spiritually inclined pair have invested their pan-genre musical values with some of their own more metaphysical ones.

May 21, 2023

Mid-Size

Review: Taylor American Dream AD27e Flametop Exudes a Relaxed Class

It’s no accident that Taylor calls its recent line of more affordable guitars—including the AD27 reviewed here—the American Dream series. All of the instruments are built at Taylor’s Southern California factory. With prices ranging from roughly $1,500 to $2,200, the series hopes to be the budget bridge that allows Taylor aspirants to grab the brass ring without falling into the abyss of debt.

June 14, 2022

0 and Concert, Dreadnought

Review: Martin’s Modern Deluxe D-45 and 012-28 Are Majestic Flattops with Vintage-Inspired Designs and Modern Features

With the top-shelf Martin Modern Deluxe D-45 and 012-28 acoustic guitars, there’s no arguing with the overwhelming quality and class of the materials and craftmanship—and depth of sound.

June 8, 2022

Amps and PA Systems

Amp Review: VHT True Acoustic 60 Is a Versatile Combo with Clean Sounds

The VHT True Acoustic 60 guitar amp displays relatively little harmonic distortion, even at high-volume settings. Read more in this review!

April 20, 2022

Guitars

Gibson Generation Collection acoustic guitars (Left to right,-G-200, G-45, G-Writer, G-00)

Review: Gibson’s New Generation Collection Is an Affordable Line of Soundport-Equipped Acoustics

Gibson has released a new line of acoustic guitars with soundports, the Generation Collection. HEre's our review of the Gibson G-45 and the Gibson G-200.

February 16, 2022

Songwriters

Amythyst Kiah with a G-45 Gibson acoustic guitar

Amythyst Kiah Gives Old-Timey Music a New-Timey Sound

It's the stuff you can’t teach that makes Amythyst Kiah's music so impactful: a wicked right-hand fingerpicking and pick stroke, plus a voice full of power and authority.

February 1, 2022

Mics, Pickups, Recording Gear

action shot of a vocalist singing into the iZotope Spire Studio unit while holding a smartphone and using the izotope spire studio app

Review: iZotope Spire Studio Allows Pro-Quality Audio Recording on the Fly

The new Izotope Spire Studio is packed with professional features that make it a proper recording and tracking device for acoustic guitarists.

January 16, 2022

What They Play

Jakob Dylan sitting in backseat of a car

Jakob Dylan Uses His Trusty Gibson J-45 to Bring His Movie-like Songs to Life on the Wallflowers’ ‘Exit Wounds’

Jakob Dylan's new album with the Wallflowers, Exit Wounds, was written the help of his longest-serving songwriting partner, a mid-1960s Gibson J-45 acoustic guitar.

November 23, 2021

Dreadnought

Guitar Review: Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird

The street price on Epiphone’s "Inspired By Gibson" Hummingbird acoustic guitar? Just $799—and you get much of the vibe of its costlier Gibson counterparts.

November 17, 2021

Scenes

Famous female guitarists mural at Fanny’s House of Music in Nashville

Does Nashville Have the Best Guitar Shops in the Country?

Here's a look inside Music City’s "Temples of Spruce" to find out if Nashville really does have the best guitar shops in the country.

September 19, 2021

Scenes

Nasvhille Guitarists Aaron Lee Tasjan, Elizabeth Cook, Jake Workman, Lillie Mae, Lilly Hiatt

Meet 5 Maverick Guitarists Playing Their Way into Nashville’s New Frontier

Each of these singular six-string devotees has made the acoustic guitar their key partner in writing the next chapter of Nashville’s story.

September 1, 2021

Parlor

PRS SE P20E guitar in Vintage Natural finish

Guitar Review: PRS’ Punchy Tonare Parlor SE P20E Evokes a Bygone Era at a Budget Price

The PRS Tonare Parlor SE P20E guitar evokes the spirit, sound & form factor of a classic parlor while bearing the imprint of PRS’ signature aesthetics and playability.

February 21, 2021

Amps and PA Systems

Amp Review: Boss Acoustic Singer Live LT Is a Compact and Versatile Creative Tool

The Boss Acoustic Singer Live LT lets you tap into a certain live electricity at apartment volumes, in kitchen-sized spaces, and at motel room locales. That's creative gold right there. It's true that the amp won’t supply the audience for you, but on second thought, the version of you that passes through its circuit board may well help you find one.

January 28, 2021

Instrumentalists

Al Di Meola Takes Classic Beatles Tunes to New Places

After nearly 50 years exploring the most remote destinations on the musical map, Al Di Meola’s homecoming to formative influences The Beatles was always going to involve new languages and fresh perspectives. The travelogue that preceded it, after all, carried…

October 15, 2020

Mid-Size

Guitar Review: Martin’s Radical New Acoustic-Electric SC-13E Uses Innovative Construction for Playability and Tone

Martin's affordable new SC-13E acoustic guitar boasts a fresh, out-of-the-box redesign—even flying in the face of Martin’s usual traditional glued dovetail joint!

September 15, 2020

Dreadnought

Guitar Review: Gibson G-45 Studio

Gibson's G-45 Studio acoustic guitar is a more affordable cousin of its beloved namesake, the J-45 acoustic guitar. See how it stacks up on our review.

January 17, 2020

Interviews and Profiles

Guitar Talk: Keb’ Mo’ on His Evolution as an Acoustic Player

Multiple Grammy Award-winning American blues artist Keb’ Mo’ counts collaborations with Taj Mahal, Jackson Browne, and Bonnie Raitt among his many golden moments.

September 23, 2019

Large

Soundhole label on a Taylor Grand Pacific 717 Builder’s Edition acoustic guitar

Gear Review: Taylor Grand Pacific 717 and 517e Builder’s Editions

Both guitars will surprise longtime Taylor players, who’ll certainly recognize the premium build quality, firm intonation, and note integrity on the Grand Pacific.

January 24, 2019

Scenes

Guitar Mash Nashville: Songs Shared, Bridges Built

It goes without saying that bluegrass dobro titan Jerry Douglas is no stranger to the bandstand. Still, even Douglas had to admit that co-hosting a “Guitar Mash” at Nashville’s City Winery on April 7, 2018, alongside longtime Paul Simon musical…

June 25, 2018