Tonewoods for Acoustic Guitars Explained

Wood is one of the most important factors in the sound of a guitar. The term "tonewood" refers to the particular wood used to build a guitar, many of which are known for having a particular tone. Most guitars employ a combination of tonewoods in order to achieve a certain sound, while others stick to one tonewood for the entire build. It all depends on what sound the luthier is trying to create.

Top 5 Guitar Super Bowl Halftime Shows

It doesn't get much more American than football and rock 'n' roll. This year's Super Bowl tradition will likely be quite a bit different than we're all used to, but we've still been reminiscing about some of our favorite rock performances of the mid-2000s. In celebration of Sunday's big game, we've put together a list of the most memorable guitar-centric Super Bowl halftime shows in recent memory -- and even included some tutorials so you can get in on the action.

Learn These Classic Bob Dylan Songs

Extremely prolific, and regarded as one of the best songwriters of all-time, Bob Dylan has been a commanding influence in the music world, and pop culture in general, since the early 1960s. His work is deeply personal, yet anyone can relate to it. With themes surrounding civil rights and the anti-war movement, many of his classic songs are now more relevant than ever. With a troubador-like singer-songwriter feel, many of his songs are quite simple to learn and get comfortable playing quickly, making them perfect for beginner-to-intermediate guitarists looking to get their sea legs playing some iconic folk tunes.

A Crash Course in Open Tunings

While standard tuning is certainly the go-to, and the tuning we likely all learned how to play guitar with, let's face it: it can get a little boring. It's not the guitar's fault, it just sometimes takes a change of scenery (or in this case, tuning) to spark a little creativity in your mind. There are countless alternate tunings for the 6-string guitar, but a style of alternate tuning that can be fun to play with (especially for beginner-intermediate guitarists) is an "open tuning."

Last-Minute Guitar Stocking Stuffers

We've all been there: The clock is running out and you still haven't gotten that little something for everyone on your list.

This year, skip the socks and scratch-offs and hook-up the guitarist in your life with a gift they'll appreciate and actually use. We've compiled a quick list of stocking stuffers that should be available at the last-minute and will be a welcome addition to any guitar player's gear collection.