Jimmy Leslie

Jimmy Leslie has been Frets editor since 2016. See many Guitar Player- and Frets-related videos on his YouTube channel, and learn about his acoustic/electric rock group at spirithustler.com.

Latest articles by Jimmy Leslie

Recording acoustic guitar

Acoustic Recording Made Easy: Studio Supplements

By Jimmy Leslie published

Handy accessories that can make your acoustic recording experience more ergonomic and enjoyable.

recording acoustic guitar

Acoustic Recording Made Easy: Getting Set Up to Record

By Jimmy Leslie published

Get a strong acoustic recording game going in your home studio.

Dweezil Zappa

Zappa Talks Zappa: Inside the Mind of Guitar Genius

By Jimmy Leslie published

Dweezil Zappa explains the art of the guitar solo and reveals how he culled his favorites to create his 'Live in The Moment II' album.

Tommy Emmanuel

Tommy Emmanuel’s Top Three Tips for Recording Melodic Acoustic Instrumentals

By Rod Brakes, Jimmy Leslie published

The Aussie guitar master shares his favorite studio tricks.

Guitar luthier adjusting bracing

The Highs and Lows of Acoustic Guitar Equalization: How Luthiers Control Treble and Bass in the Build

By Jimmy Leslie published

Santa Cruz Guitars founder Richard Hoover reveals the tricks of the trade.

Eric Johanson

Eric Johanson on New School Recording, Old School Guitar Playing, and Putting His Own Spin on Classic Tracks

By Jimmy Leslie published

On 'Covered Tracks,' the bayou bluesman reinterprets rockers with acoustic guitars and looping technology.

L.R. Baggs Voiceprint

Lloyd Baggs on His Digital Conversion and the Development of the Voiceprint Acoustic D.I.

By Jimmy Leslie published

L.R. Baggs's Voiceprint might well be the acoustic guitar's iPhone moment, revolutionizing acoustic amplification.

Guild BT-258E Deluxe

Guild BT-258E Deluxe 8-string Baritone Review

By Jimmy Leslie last updated

This bodacious jumbo acoustic has big plans for your low-end chord voicings.

Taylor Builder’s Edition K24ce

Taylor Builder's Edition K24ce Review

By Jimmy Leslie last updated

A luxurious all-koa entry in Taylor's top-drawer V-Class acoustic line-up.

Taylor's high-end Presentation series PS12ce Honduran Rosewood features West African Crelicam ebony binding and fretboard

Taylor Guitars Founder Bob Taylor is Saving Africa’s Vulnerable Ebony

By Jimmy Leslie last updated

The Ebony Project hopes to ensure premium fretboards, bridges and acoustic accessories for the foreseeable future.

Taylor GT 811E and GT K21E

Taylor GT 811E and GT K21E Review

By Jimmy Leslie last updated

The GT 811e is a versatile workhorse suitable to practically any style or situation, while the Hawaiian koa GT K21e is simply a dream machine.

Taylor Builder's Edition 324CE and 816CE

Taylor Builder's Edition 324ce and 816ce Review

By Jimmy Leslie last updated

V-Class bracing, Taylor's imaginative use of materials, and exquisite craft make for two cutting-edge acoustic guitars.

Guitar playing

Stageworthy Strategies, Part 2: Understanding Acoustic Preamps, D.I.s and Digital Enhancers

By Jimmy Leslie published

Gigs are back and it's time to get your acoustic guitar setup ready for the stage.

Acoustic guitar

Five Great Tips Every Singing Guitarist Needs to Know

By Jimmy Leslie published

How to use your guitar to find the best key for your voice

T.E.N. featuring Thomas Pridgen (Mars Volta), Eric McFadden (pFunk), Norwood Fisher (Fishbone)

Eric McFadden Talks Acoustic AC/DC Covers and Playing Mandolin with P-Funk

By Jimmy Leslie published

Video The virtuoso multi-instrumentalist explains how he wowed George Clinton and scored a bunk on the P-Funk bus.

Video
DeArmond RHC-B pickup

How to Choose the Right Acoustic Guitar Pickup

By Jimmy Leslie published

Video From magnetic soundhole pickups and piezo transducers to onboard mics.

Video
martin acoustics

What Guitar Body Size Will Bring Out the Best in You?

By Jimmy Leslie published

We take a look at the pros and cons from parlor size to dreadnought.

US musician Keb' Mo' poses in the press room with the award for Best Americana Album for "Oklahoma" during the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles.

Master Fingerpicker Keb’ Mo’ Reveals the Craft Behind ‘Oklahoma’

By Jimmy Leslie published

Video Last year’s winner of the Grammy Award for Best Americana Album talks guitars.

Video
Fender American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster

Fender American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster Review

By Jimmy Leslie last updated

This acoustic-electric hybrid is a bold-sounding, shape-shifting Swiss Army Knife of a guitar.

Photo of Neil YOUNG; shot in a Warner Brothers rented house in Chelsea, West London

An Acoustic Guitar Player’s Practical Guide to Using Alternate Tunings

By Jimmy Leslie published

From Neil Young and The Doobie Brothers to The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.

Richard Hoover of the Santa Cruz Guitar Company

A Brief Guide to Acoustic Guitar Tonewoods

By Jimmy Leslie published

Santa Cruz Guitar Company founder Richard Hoover gives us the lowdown on the most popular woods used in acoustic guitar building.

tonewood

Busting Tonewood Myths: Forget Everything You’ve Heard About Bass and Treble

By Jimmy Leslie published

Richard Hoover of the Santa Cruz Guitar Company schools us on the nature of tonewoods.

Martin 000-15M

Six Great Ways to Expand Your Acoustic Guitar Tone

By Jimmy Leslie published

These tried and trusted methods of string attack are guaranteed to broaden your tonal horizons.

Fender Acoustic Go

Fender Acoustic Junior Go Review

By Jimmy Leslie last updated

A compact all-in-one amp solution for players on the move.

Tuning Martin acoustic

7 Tips for a Successful Solo Gig

By Jimmy Leslie published

These essential dos and don’ts will stand any guitarist in good stead.

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