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Guitars Froggy Bottom Model K
This instrument was designed to do everything well. I use this one for recording and don’t take it on the road much, although it does have a Fishman Matrix transducer and a jack for a Sunrise magnetic pickup on it. As for woods, the top is a 100-year-old piece of German Spruce which just talks to you…amazing…you just can’t buy wood like that any more. No really, I think I got the last piece of the batch!!! The back and sides are Koa, which is a really remarkable wood found only in Hawaii. The problem I’ve had with many other instruments is that most acoustic guitars tend to have back and sides made of either mahogany or rosewood. Don’t get me wrong, both woods are excellent choices for certain styles but they don’t really meet in the middle like Koa does. Mahogany tends to really sing when you play soft, but when you lean on it a bit it kind of craps out. Rosewood on the other hand really likes to be pushed, but when you play soft it tends to sound muddy. The exception to this is Brazilian Rosewood, which is extremely rare and ridiculously expensive. Unless you’re very wealthy and have nothing better to do with your money, I would just buy a koa guitar, or if you’re rich, buy two! You’ll get great results. In terms of design, the Froggy Bottom Model K combines the best of both small and large guitars. Although it’s a full sized 16" guitar, like a dreadnaught, it has a very narrow waist, which provides clarity usually only found in small guitars. You can fingerpick on this one with great clarity despite its size and it won’t sound muddy like a dreadnaught. The only things “custom” about mine are the super-duper top wood, some scrimshaw on the heel cap, koa peg head overlay, a custom neck width, and Keith banjo tuners on every string which allow me to change tunings on the fly. Go see the webbed ones at www.froggybottomguitars.com and buy one. You’ll love it! Takamine EN10-C
The reason I like this is because unlike many acoustic players, due to the high volume at my live shows, I’m not going for a natural, acoustic sound. It just isn’t possible. As the volume goes up, overtones tend to translate into absolute mud, particularly in larger venues. I want to start with a neutral, flat sound and then blend the best lows, mids and highs for a huge sound using a combination of three pickups. I use the Sunrise magnetic pickup for the lows, the onboard piezo pickup with preamp for the mids, and Fishman SBT contact transducers for the high sparkle. This gives me the ultimate in flexibility. While my live sound may be a little larger than "real", I feel it presents the acoustic guitar in a really cool way. As a side note I feel compelled to say that I had an endorsement deal with these guys. I won’t get into the details, but when they started changing the nature of our agreement to my detriment, I got angry and looked around for someone else to build a relationship with and found Alvarez Guitars. While I still love my Taks, I feel that Alvarez makes a considerably better instrument to serve the same purpose. Kip Winger had a bunch of them around when I was recording SPEAK! and I really fell in love with them. I intend to get a couple in the same configuration as my Taks and hopefully develop a relationship with them. If you want a nice acoustic guitar that sounds amazing, especially plugged in, go see them at www.alvarezgtr.com. Tom Higgins Prototype 12-Fret Parlor Guitar  Tom is a “new’
guitar maker with unbelievable talent. I generally keep this guitar high
strung* for the most part. It has a wonderful Engleman spruce top and
the most beautiful set of Koa for the back and sides that I’ve ever
seen. This guitar is a narrow-waisted 12-fret guitar similar in size and
shape to a Martin OO. Truly a fingerpicker’s delight. It has New
Zealand Paua abalone all over and an old style slotted peg head with
gold Waverly tuners.
I haven’t spoken with Tom in a while and I don’t know what he's been up to. The last I heard he was in Kennebunkport, ME hanging out with George Bush! Call (207) 967-8766 and ask for the Higgster. If that doesn’t work, try the local health food store…he shares eating habits with Michael Manring! * This guitar is most always high strung as .024(w) .020(w) .016 .010 .014 .009. Tom Higgins Prototype OM (photos pending) This is the first guitar Tom made for me. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides (yeah!), Engleman top, and a really wide 1-7/8" neck. The body is similar to a Martin OM although the body is a little less deep which adds to the clarity. Great guitar for fingerstyle and flatpicking. I used this guitar a lot on Sticks & Stones. It absolutely made the song “Pictures of Lulu”. I must confess I’ve been cheating on her with the Froggy lately, but writing this makes me want to go give her some much needed attention!
Fender American Standard Strat I got mad at my electric playing and sold this a while ago…like it was the guitar’s fault! Hey, I haven’t played much electric in the last ten years…maybe I don’t suck as much as I think…I think I’ll go buy another one. You should too, Strat’s rule! www.fender.com. Accept no substitute! |
