Why acoustic will never die

One of the best things about working in a music shop is being surrounded by beautiful musical instruments, every day. Of course, that means the people working in music shops often end up owning a larger than average selection of instruments. When I think about all the instruments I’ve accumulated over my years at Lewis Eady; those bought, sold, and kept, my favourite is my Martin 000-15.

It came as quite a shock to me when I realised that. I view myself as a keys man; I’ll play anything with keys. I love my digital piano, I couldn’t imagine gigging without it, but now there’s a new model all I can think about is trading in the old for the new. I’d say the same about my Kaos pad, loop pedal, and pretty much every other piece of electronic equipment I’ve owned. I guess if I had a good quality acoustic piano it could possibly take over, but for now it’s the Martin 000-15

My Martin is the first of the list of new and vintage guitars I wish to have the opportunity to own one day. I will never sell it. It sits alongside a ’57 Strat, Tele Custom, Ricky electric 12, and half a dozen other Martin acoustics. The 000-15 is the workhorse behind a score of great singer songwriters including Liam Finn and Chris Martin (Coldplay, not Martin guitars).

But it’s much more than a list of specifications or the mystique of owning ‘America’s guitar’, there’s emotional connection between a quality acoustic instrument and it’s owner, an almost romantic attachment. My 000-15, in my opinion, is the best guitar in the world. I love the pick marks, buckle rash, and even the mark on the neck where it was dropped in front of me; well maybe not that.   

There’s something special about quality acoustic instruments, and it’s that emotional connection to a Steinway or Kawai piano, a Martin, Maton, Alhambra, or any number of other acoustic instruments that make it a privilege to sell them. It’s like we’re musical matchmakers.