Northwest Guitars

Let’s face it, these days you can buy a guitar just about anywhere, Costco, Best Buy, Target even Bed, Bath and Beyond. But that doesn’t mean that the guitar you get there is of any real value. It may function for awhile but before long you’ll be tossing it and investing in a more real instrument. Why not take the time to get something substantially better for not much more of an investment than you’d spend there?

If you read our last newsletter we reviewed some of the best values in Acoustic Guitars out there. Not all guitars are alike and not all guitar companys do a good job overseeing their Asian factories. As a guitar specialty store we’ve looked at most of the makes and models available today and found instruments that you’ll be sure to get your money’s worth.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Greg Bennett Samick makes the GD100 dreadnaught guitar available in either natural or sunburst. This guitar is well constructed, solid and sounds full and clear. Grover tuners, body and neck binding on a mahogany body and spruce top, this model is well worth the $199 price tag. The ST6 and ST9 guitars are 36″ and 39″ student guitars that boast low, easy to play action and a full sound starting at a little over $100.

Dean Acoustic/Electric- Want a beautiful looking, easy to play guitar that includes a fantastic electronic pickup system for under $300. The Dean Performers offer a variety of colors and finishes that include Cherry Sunburst, Black, Trans Red, Trans Purple and Trans Braziliaburst. Plug them in or play them acoustic, they look good, sound good and play good!

Breedlove Guitars are located in Bend Oregon and have the reputation for building high quality, reasonably priced acoustic guitars and well as some of the finest instruments on the planet. The Passport series offers a line of guitars that are a noticable cut above your average Chinese made guitar. Starting at only $299 and ranging up to around $700, these instruments stand out as the clear cut winners in this price catagory!

Our advice this year is “Don’t wait!” Many of the better instruments will be in short supply as the demand for better value has increased. Take advantage of our Layaway Plan and get your money’s worth this year!

November 25th, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

RainSongs Guitars are the world’s first all-graphite acoustic guitar–body, neck, fretboard and bridge are all made out of pure graphite/composite. NWG is Washington state’s only RainSong Guitar dealer and we now have four of their best selling models - including the new Black Ice and the Jumbo JM3000 12-string!

All-graphite construction and Projection Tuned Layering(TM) means great sound. Projection Tuned Layering was developed by RainSong to ensure that all RainSongs have the crystal detail, warmth and volume of the classic carbon sound. In conventional guitars, acoustic volume is limited by the weight of bracing. Also, bracing provides only local, non-uniform stiffness, resulting in varying amounts of undesirable overtones and some deadening of tone and detail. RainSong’s all-graphite construction and Projection Tuned Layering remove the need for bracing by providing uniform stiffness across the soundboard. RainSongs are made entirely without braces for greater acoustic volume and clean, detailed tone.

Pure carbon tone is an utterly unique sound. It is clear, rich and resonant, similar to a piano, with a treble that rings with crystalline clarity and a bass that is warm without being muddy. And, because of Projection Tuned Layering’s uniform stiffness, the RainSong acoustic sound is impeccably balanced and very, VERY loud. Once you have heard the classic carbon sound you’ll recognize it anywhere, as distinctive as anything on earth.

November 18th, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

For a second straight year, we’re proud to accept the Best of Bellevue 2009 award.

The USLBA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2008 USLBA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USLBA and data provided by third parties.

Thank you to all our loyal customers who continue to support us and other local businesses!

October 2nd, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

It’s me again. SUP?

 
So how many times have you gone to pick up your favorite axe, grabbed it by the strap and kathunk, the guitar falls. YIKES!!!  Or if you’re lucky or quick enough, you catch it.  Phew!  Close call.  Well there’s an easy solution – Strap Locks.

It’s amazing that we buy a new or used guitar, spend good money on it, take it home and put our favorite strap on it ‘cause it’s worked soooo well in the past.  The only bummer is the leather at the end of almost all straps gets soft and loose over time.  At some point daily use does that.  Kids and parents should pay close attention before disaster strikes.

THE GUITAR STRAP IS NOT A HANDLE!!

Now for a true, funny and yet sad tale in Vinman’s Life.  It was my 16th birthday (I won’t give out the date).  My father gave me a custom USA Hammer Phantom - $1600 at the time - big dough!!  It was purple, my favorite color, in fact it was called purple rain.  Anyhow I was doing my best Yngwie Malmsteen solo, throwing the guitar around my neck, catching it and continuing to play the solo.  I was getting pretty darn good, too. Then it happened. Snap!  The leather on my strap was old and loose and the guitar went flying across the room.  AAARGHH!!
It was horrible. To me it seemed to happen in slow motion.  The guitar lands eight feet across the room with a KTHUNK!!  I’ll never forget that sound.  Then silence.  

I gathered my composure, ran to the guitar and looked down.  The strings were two inches off the neck.  I’m like wow, not too bad.  Then I picked the guitar up and the body drops off the neck and just dangles there.  YIKES!!  Needless to say it was fun explaining that to my old man.  It was a long summer!

The moral of the story is that strap locks save guitars.  Whether it’s a $150 beginner or a $5000.00 Tom Anderson, $20 bucks is the best investment for you and your guitar. If you don’t have strap locks yet, come on in and get a set. All my guitars and basses have them.

Thanx for your time,

Vinman

Blog ya later …..

September 24th, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Hello, my name is Vinnie and I love my Floyd Rose! 

In 1979 a man named Floyd Rose came up with the idea of a new trem (tremolo system) that used 2 screws instead of 6 screws (like the Strat trem) and he added a locking nut …. genius!!

Floyd Rose trems have been a part of guitar history ever since-from Eddie Van Halen to Neil Schon, and everyone in between.  This beautiful system – the Floyd Rose trem – was an 80’s mainstay.  In the 90’s the grunge movement  took a hold of the guitar world and the guitar shredder fell victim to chords and alternate tuning.  Soloing was dead.  So they either put on a plaid shirt and beanie and joined the group or went into high-tech.

In October of 2004 Northwest Guitars opened its doors and ordered a bunch of guitars with Floyd Rose trem systems on them.  People said no one was playing these these guitars.  My response was NOT YET! 

Finally players started coming out of the woodwork asking about and buying these Floyd Rose equipped guitars.  At first it was like they were afraid to admit they liked this trem system.  I began to think that most people are intimidated it.  If not set up properly, the system can be a bit of a pain.  It’s like the first time you drove a stick shift.  Scary!  But for those who persist, the Floyd Rose trem is guitar heaven.  From dives to high-pitched harmonics, these babies rock!!

Today you can get a Floyd Rose trem on any solid body guitar, from G&L to Dean to Jackson and yes, even on Tom Andersons.  If you haven’t tried one yet, you got to!  Come on in or check out our web site www.northwestguitars.com for a demo.

Thanks for your time.  Blog at you later …..

Vinman

PS:      email or call with any questions.

            Vinnie@northwestguitars.com

425-284-1960

September 22nd, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized | Comments (2)

We all know there’s a recession with all the other attendent issues and the music business has been hit like everyone else. However there is a upside to this. As a customer you have the benefit of better quality guitars at lower prices. Now you can get much more for your money. That’s not to say that every cheap guitar is good. There are a lot of poor quality instruments out there (especially the stuff you find at Target, Costco and other mass merchandisers.

We see it as our job to comb through all the brands in their respective price points, to find the best “deals” and then bring them to you. What are some of the best brands out there?  Greg Bennett Samick Guitars offer some of the best entry level instruments (starting around $130) available in both acoustic and electric guitars. Breedlove Guitars out of Bend, Oregon builds some excellent acoustic instruments starting from only $299.

We will not only help you find the best instrument for you, but we’ll set it up to play perfectly (something most other stores charge extra for or can’t do at all).  In addition, we can connect you with the right teacher or offer you group lessons and workshops, recommend the best instructional books and videos and tell you about the newest accessories. In short we want to be your resource for all your guitar, bass, amp and accessory needs.

September 9th, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Breedlove Passport OM FS

The Breedlove Guitar company located in Bend, Oregon has recently expanded their popular Passport series of guitars. Now you can buy one of these fantastic acoustic guitars for as little as $299 including a Breedlove gig bag. All models feature a solid top and offer options such as gloss or natural stain finish and pickup options featuring the brand new Breedlove pickup/preamp with digital tuner designed with LR Baggs. Models start with the C200 steel string and N200 nylon string acoustics which feature a solid cedar top and stained maple back and sides.

September 8th, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Title: Healing Hands workshop
Description: Everyone knows that music is healing. This workshop is offered FREE to Veterans. It is designed for Veterans with disabilities and will focus on playing guitar as an instrument of healing. The Healing Hands workshop will be held the first Saturday of each month at 10am beginning in August.

Our instructor Kevin Fallon has over 40 years experience playing and teaching guitar. In addition he has unique experience teaching hand and body development with the application of pressure points, herbal formulas and martial arts excercises and spent over five years developing and teaching a special programs for the American Heart Association’s Stroke Survivors.

If you are a disabled Veteran who plays guitar or wants to learn guitar sign up now. Email us at kevin@northwestguitars.com or call us at 425-284-1960.
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2009-08-01
End Time: 10:30

June 26th, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Do you have a youngster who wants to play guitar but you’re not sure if he or she will stick with it? Why not rent an acoustic or electric guitar and amp for three months and see how your budding guitar player does? If they take to it, you can purchase the guitar and amp and we’ll even apply some of the rent to the purchase price.  We have excellent quality acoustic and electric guitars, set up and ready to play, in full and 3/4 size and we’ll send you home with one in a gig bag to protect it.

Right now take advantage of our Introductory Package…one month of lessons and a rental acoustic or electric guitar for just $125!!   Call or email and we’ll be happy to fill you in on all the details.

March 6th, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment