Mass Resonator

Art House Studio

There’s a new joint venture between Mass Street Music’s own John Flynn, Isaac Flynn, Matt C and studio engineer Jim Barnes  -  The Art House. It’s  an innovative recording studio located near the heart of downtown Lawrence.  The Art House is much more than just a recording studio however, it’s an arts collective housing visual artists, filmmakers and music teachers, including veteran Mass St Musician Eric Mardis.  So far the reviews have been outstanding. › Continue reading

Eric rockin' the banjo

We’re sorry to bid adieu to our great  Mass St. Music compadre Eric Mardis, who worked here for several great years.  The Good? He’s still playing with the exceptional Split Lip Rayfield. The Bad? He’s not working here at the store anymore (though he may make a few guest appearances and get roped into teaching a workshop or two). The Ugly? Have you ever seen him after his favorite lunch of General Tso’s Chicken? It’s not pretty.

The best news though is that this melodic maniac is now giving guitar and banjo lessons in the Arthouse Recording Studio building at 912 Illinois. That’s right…a little Deliverance? Done. Thin Lizzy? Check.  Earl Scruggs? Of course. You can reach him directly at 785-840-8530.  Very best to you Eric!

Eric back in May with Bob Taylor and 'the' Cocobolo & Adirondack Spruce

Taylor turned the raw Cocobolo in the photo above  into this killer GA Custom as part of their Build-to-Order program. It’s sounds amazing too! Check out photos of the Ad top on this, with grain so wide you call fall through, plus read more about the BTO GA Custom here.

Woah.

Our own Eric Mardis recently had the opportunity to visit the Taylor Guitars factory in El Cajon, CA.  We thought he’d just be hanging out on the beach, but apparently he really checked out the factory and hobnobbed with Bob Taylor. Check it out:

Just a portion of the factory

Taylor Guitars brings together a handful of dealers from across the US every 6 weeks or so to talk about Taylor innovations, to get a first hand view of the facility, and to get to know the excellent people at Taylor Guitars.  Just recently I was invited to visit them in El Cajon.

The first day we all went to the factory for a tour led by Bob Taylor himself.  It was extensive!

Bob Taylor and a whole lot of great wood

The factory tour lasted about four hours with Bob giving us in-depth insight into Taylor’s wood sourcing,  manufacturing › Continue reading

Matt C, Jason, Eric and Matthew K rockin' the special Groshes

Tuesday morning Brent and Yoshi from Don Grosh Guitars stopped by Mass St. Music and brought some very cool one-off guitars and prototypes for show and tell (and some bagels). What a morning…more than anything else it just confirmed why we love these guitars – not only do they have incredible playability and tone but they are some of the coolest looking guitars around. In the photo below, John checks out the 293 – fully hollow. We’ve got a 193 in the store right now, and it’s phenomenal – come check it out while it’s still here.

John checks out the exquisite fully hollow Grosh 293

We also got a chance to check out the very first ElectraJet – › Continue reading

Behold! The newest addition to my pile of instruments!

2009 Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster

I’ve often said that Ritchie Blackmore is the whole reason I got into playing music.  I wore a › Continue reading

Ah spring! Incessant rain, purty flowers, hay fever and some cool new gear in the store. Here’s what we’ve been drooling over lately:

John Flynn - Don Grosh Retro Classic S Shape

This is a fantastic instrument and now that Birdseye necks are going to skyrocket in price, this is a great time to get one at the old price. This guitar plays and sounds amazing. Definitely a brighter “Robert Cray” type tone. The neck is super stiff and just has a great vintage feel about it and Don’s new pickups are just as amazing.

This Grosh has been taunting John - he can see it from his office

Isaac Flynn - Don Grosh Retro Classic S Shape

Like father, like son…Isaac had this to say on the RC, “It’s so easy to play, the Grosh pickups are the best I’ve heard, and the guitar just looks awesome!”

Eric Mardis - Ome Sweetgrass Banjo

This banjo is so gorgeous. The fit and finish are second to none, but the real payoff is when you put on some picks and let loose on this thing. Â The tone is bright without being an “icepick in the forehead.” Bright yes, but also full and pleasant at the same time. Â I’m truly impressed with this, our › Continue reading