May 2023 – Mass Street Staff Picks

Kyle Ralston – Taylor Acoustic Guitars – 417e-R – RosewoodThis is a great slope shoulder style Grand Pacific with a very warm, seasoned tone that is a little different than the bright and precise tone of the very popular Grand Auditorium Series. If you love the way a Taylor plays and feels, but want to explore another tonal avenue, this may be the guitar for you! … Continue reading May 2023 – Mass Street Staff Picks

Gibson Vintage 1934 L-7

Vintage Gibson 1934 L-7 with hardshell case

This vintage 1934 Gibson L-7 is an absolutely stunning guitar. Based on the sought after L-5, this tone bar L-7 is essentially the same guitar body as Gibson’s lauded L-5 with cosmetic appointments setting the two guitars apart. An early ’34 L-7, this guitar retains the original 16″ body, along with the original varied-pattern mother of pearl inlays starting at the 3rd fret.⁠ Continue reading Vintage Gibson 1934 L-7 with hardshell case

Collings D2H A T - Bear Claw Spruce

Upgraded Collings D2H Traditional – Bear Claw Adirondack top

This Collings D2H traditional sports the most lovely Adirondack top, with a subtle bear claw to the spruce that really needs to be seen in person to be properly appreciated. ⁠⁠Paired with a striking set of East Indian Rosewood back and sides, this tone wood combo leans towards a full rich tone, with an immediacy to the pick attack which makes it an easy, responsive … Continue reading Upgraded Collings D2H Traditional – Bear Claw Adirondack top

Benson Thermal Bias

New Stonk Box from Benson Amps

Say hello to the Stonk Box! This MKI style fuzz pedal comes to us from the crew at @bensonamps and features their “thermal bias” technology. This Benson tech allows for the germanium transistors to be automatically regulated by a circuit that gently warms the germanium transistors, resulting in a consistent sound no matter the ambient temperature.⁠⁠Benson used this technology to great effect on their Germanium … Continue reading New Stonk Box from Benson Amps

Norman Blake's 1936 D-18

The 1936 D-18 from Norman Blake’s Whiskey Before Breakfast Album Cover

We recently had the privilege of spending some time with a guitar owned by the great Norman Blake. This 1936 D-18 was featured on the cover of Blake’s iconic album, Whiskey Before Breakfast, and after a time was sold by Blake. Brent Hawley, a friend of store owner Jim Baggett’s, has been the caretaker of this guitar for almost 50 years and recently brought it … Continue reading The 1936 D-18 from Norman Blake’s Whiskey Before Breakfast Album Cover