No. 305, May 2018

On the Cover: V Marks the Spot: We check in with master guitar designer Andy Powers as Taylor Guitars continues its innovative ways with the introduction of its new V-Class Bracing. Plus, with a little help from the AG community, we identify 45 outstanding acoustic recordings of the new millennium. 

Songs:

• Al Petteway - “Midsummer Moon” 
• Readers’ Pick, Steve Howe - “Clap” 
• Scottish Traditional - “Tae the Weavers Gin Ye Gang”             

Features:

Jerry Garcia ‘Before the Dead’ – a new box set of acoustic recordings from Garcia’s pre-Grateful Dead years; Al Petteway discusses the recording of his new album, The Collector's Passion; Danny Carnahan examines the influence of Scottish songs on American music; singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier on songwriting with soldiers; Mamie Minch on how to fix your guitar’s enlarged endpin hole.

Lessons:

• How to play self-sufficient arrangements
• Get to know your fretboard with visualization techniques
• Five ways of passing along music to both individuals and groups

Gear Reviews:

• Taylor Builder’s Edition K14ce
• Tech 21 Acoustic Fly Rig
• Martin 000-15M StreetMaster