Thank You Hellvar!

Alexandra and Heida on the River

Heida and Sverrir

posted by Rob on Aug. 15 10

Why so many parlour size guitars?

Those of us guitar-pickers, strummers and dabblers alike need to come to terms with something: bigger is not better.  In fact, in terms of playability, tone, and--at least with instruments 40+ years old--quality of an instrument, a parlour-sized guitar is where it’s at (see “guitar mandala” photo to your left).

Guitars weren’t always the size of an SUV (visit the little-known instrument room at the Metropolitan Museum in Manhattan and you’ll see what I mean).  One might associate a guitar’s large size with an equally large sound--but this is not always the case.  This summer at Musica we have begun to let our customers in on a little secret: small guitars can be loud, too.  Sometimes even louder than those clunky huge ones.


We have devoted the space above our checkout counter to our collection of parlour-sized guitars.  Some are thin in the middle and fat at the bottom, some have an arch-tops and backs, some are red, some are black, some are brown.  The reaction from customers is either one of total amazement or one of total confusion.  “Why are those so small?” they say.  Why would you want a small guitar? they think.  Even worse: That guitar is small and it has nylon strings!  Why?!
BECAUSE IT WAS BUILT TO LAST AND SOUNDS AMAZING, THAT’S WHY.


Stop on by and we’ll let you kindly handle these beautiful new and vintage guitars so that you, too, may understand the joy a parlour guitar’s size, tone and quality can bring to you as a guitarist and all-around musician.  Parlour-size does not disappoint!  Experience the HUGE sound!  THE SIZE OF THE SOUND WILL AMAZE YOU.

posted by Rob on Jul. 2 10

The Harmonium of your Dreams in the store

Our new lovely Harmonium has 5 drones and 4 stops. Mechanical coupler (plays 2 octaves with one stroke). Keyboard slides to change scale. Integral bellows, dozens of sound combinations.  This is instrument was introduced to India by the British. It has been embraced and is now a truly Indian instrument used as accompaniment in devotional songs. The reeds in the harmonium are tuned to sound well together, not necessarily with other instruments. As such they are not in concert pitch and are not meat to be. As with many Indian instruments the key for the music is selected to best suite the vocals, or to set a mood. Traditionally, Harmoniums are usually higher pitched if compared to the Western Scale. Harmonium tuning does not reflect the Western Scale and is not meant to.

posted by Rob on Apr. 28 10

New Trinity College Fingerstyle Guitar is Here!

TRINITY COLLEGE FINGERSTYLE GUITARS - 12 FRET - SPRUCE - MAHOGANY TG-10

Trinity College fingerstyle guitars fit the needs of this very special kind of player.
Certain specifications are scaled down to meet the demand at the entry level price,
while still giving the player the highest quality instrument possible.

* Solid spruce top
* Mahogany back and sides
* Mahogany neck with 12-fret neck/body joint
* 000-style body shape with deep, rounded cutaway
* Bound rosewood fingerboard with comfortable radius and M.O.P. dot markers
* Black body binding
* Open gear Waverly-style tuners
* Rosewood pyramid-style bridge
* Bone nut and saddle
* Unique peghead shape with ornate overlay
* Shop adjusted

posted by Rob on Apr. 20 10

Thank You Thinguma*jigsaw!!!

posted by Rob on Apr. 6 10

Contact Musica

17 N 4th St, Hudson, NY 12534
518-828-1045