Beyond The Guitar - Gear Guide

Some of these links may be affiliate links, meaning I make a small commission if you purchase

Guitars

● David J. Pace cedar double-top classical guitar with Indian

rosewood back and sides. This is my main guitar I use for music videos
and performances. http://www.davidjpaceguitars.com/

● Cervantes Rodriguez PE Studio classical guitar with cedar top

and Palo Escrito back and sides. This was my first classical guitar and
carried me all the way through my undergraduate degree. Now I
primarily use it for teaching and practicing, but it’s a beautiful
instrument.
https://maplestreetguitars.com/show_item.php?dep=05&cat=128&item=RODRI
GUEZ%20PE

● Hyvibe CHV30E classical smart guitar. This guitar has built-in

reverb, which makes it one of my favorite guitars to practice with.
https://www.hyvibeguitar.com/product/lag-hyvibe-chv30e-nylon/

Guitar Accessories

● Basic footstool. I use this to elevate my guitar neck and sit in the
“classical” position. Elevating the guitar’s neck in this way helps your
hand travel across the fretboard more naturally (especially toward the
higher frets), reach larger stretches, and leverage the weight of your arm
 to fret the strings. Pro-tip: I flip mine backwards so the footstool is sloping
downward, because I feel it helps my foot/ankle be more relaxed
https://amzn.to/34hQmR7

● Guitar cushion. I use this while I practice as a substitute for the

footstool. It allows me to elevate the neck in the same way, but while
keeping both of my feet planted on the floor - which is better for my back.
I had the pleasure of performing in a masterclass for the great Sergio
Assad, in which he told me to get rid of the footstool to save my back. I’m
stubborn and keep the footstool for performances and videos because I like
the traditional look and feel, but use the cushion for long practice sessions.
https://amzn.to/3vacUPs

● Snark SN-5 Tuner. I like these clip-on tuners because they pick up
the vibrations directly from the guitar, rather than using a microphone - so
you can still tune in noisy environments. https://amzn.to/3v8dkpt

● D’Addario hard tension strings (EJ46). In the past, I’ve

sometimes gone back and forth between these and the normal tension
EJ45’s - but I generally prefer the extra punch I can get from the hard
tension. https://amzn.to/2QEMDtB

Audio Equipment

● Neumann KM 184 microphones (stereo pair). These are the mics I

use to record my guitar. I used to set them in an X-Y configuration, but
recently I just have them both pointing straight toward the guitar about 12
inches from each other, and about 1.5-2ft away from my guitar.
Sweetwater link: https://imp.i114863.net/neumann

● Rode NTG-3 shotgun microphone. I use this mic to capture my voice

(and sometimes guitar as well) in my instructional videos and courses. I can
keep it just out of the camera frame pointing down toward my mouth, and it’s
nice and directional - not capturing a lot of surrounding noise.
Sweetwater link: https://imp.i114863.net/rode
 ● Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 audio interface. This is the audio
interface/preamp I plug all my mics into. There are cheaper
versions of this interface if you don’t need as many mic inputs.
Sweetwater link: https://imp.i114863.net/focusrite

Software

● Avid Pro Tools. This is the recording software I use to record

and edit all my audio. One of the most common questions I get is
what reverb I use. I actually just use the free reverb plug-in that comes
with Pro Tools: D-Verb.
Sweetwater link: https://imp.i114863.net/protools

● Guitar Pro. This is the software I use to notate and

practice all my arrangements. As a notation program, it
strikes a nice balance between functionality and
ease-of-use. The built-in speed trainer feature is a great
tool for practicing your arrangements and working them
up to speed. https://www.guitar-pro.com/#ae174

● Final Cut Pro. This is the software I use to edit all

my videos. I started out using iMovie for free, but
eventually upgraded to Final Cut for deeper functionality.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/final-cut-pro/id424389933

Video Equipment

● Sony A7Siii Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera. This is now

my main camera for all my music and instructional videos.
This thing is an absolute beast - it captures incredible color
and performs very well in low light. https://amzn.to/3ynh1cO
 ● Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art Lens. This is the lens I use for my
Sony A7Siii. 35mm is a very versatile focal length - wide, but not
too wide. This lens has incredibly sharp image quality and gets
me beautiful soft bokeh (background blur)
https://amzn.to/3hPnPdD

● Panasonic Lumix G85. This was my primary camera before I

upgraded to the Sony. I still use it as a secondary camera for when
I’m filming my longer courses, for example - and don’t want the
file sizes to be massive. It still gets great image quality and shoots
in 4k. https://amzn.to/3u3Hskl

● PANASONIC LUMIX G II Lens - 20MM, F1.7. This is the lens I keep

on my Lumix. It was a huge upgrade over the kit lens that comes with
the camera. Better low-light performance and nice background blur.
https://amzn.to/3oH8YTJ

● GODOX SL150W II LED Video Light. This is my main key

light for videos. It outputs a lot of light, and when paired with the
light dome, gives my videos a nice soft cinematic look.
https://amzn.to/3u95F9d

● GODOX P90L Light Dome Softbox. This turns my Godox

light into a big 36” light source, making the light softer and less
direct - preventing really harsh shadows. I also put a grid on this to
prevent the light from spilling on to my background.
https://amzn.to/3oDQcNh

● Softbox lighting kit. I used this kit is my primary lighting for

years before upgrading to the Godox. Now I just use one of these as a
secondary hair/fill light. https://amzn.to/2TbjiYz
 ● Nanlite PavoTube 30C 4' RGBW LED Tube Light. This thing
is amazing. It’s full RGB (you can turn it to any color you like), and
battery powered. I use it to add mood lighting to my videos and
love sitting it behind me to create a cool rim-light effect.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1476409-REG/nanlite_15_2008_pavotube_3
0c_4_rgbw.html

● GVM Motorized Camera Slider. I use this to create

slow smooth cinematic moving shots in my videos.
https://amzn.to/2Rtx9Jr

Other Studio Equipment/Decor

● Secretlab TITAN Chair - Charcoal Blue. Since I sit for hours a

day, working at my computer and practicing guitar - I wanted a chair
that was going to be both comfortable and better for my back.
Secretlab makes really quality chairs and I’ve been really happy with
this one.

https://secretlab.co/?rfsn=3314891.b197e72&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affil
iate&utm_campaign=3314891.b197e72

● Nanoleaf Light Panels. These have been an essential part of

my setup for a while. Great mood lighting, and they react to music in
real-time via a built-in mic - so it’s like having an impromptu light
show behind me while I play. https://amzn.to/3fa0zoA
 ● Audio Acoustica Acoustic Panels. I put several of these
panels on the walls around my studio as acoustic treatment to help
improve the sound of my studio and deaden echoes/reflections.
They look classy too!

https://audioacoustica.com/products/decorative-premium-acoustic-panel

● Wood Acoustic Diffuser. This acoustic diffuser is both

functional, in terms of further improving the sound of my
studio - and a work of art. I love featuring it in the background
of my videos.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/966161682/acoustic-panel-black-sound-diffuser?ref=sho
p_home_active_9&pro=1&frs=1&variation0=1877691623

My Recommendations For Learning Classical Guitar

● Solo Guitar Playing Vol. 1 by Frederick Noad. This is my

favorite classical guitar method book for beginners. It covers a lot of
ground with lots of beautiful beginner pieces to keep things
interesting. https://amzn.to/3wtXXYN

● Solo Guitar Playing Vol. 2. This is for intermediate players who

want to build on the concepts taught in Book 1. Book 2 further
develops technique, sightreading, and includes more advanced
repertoire. https://amzn.to/3u8ra9W
 ● Pumping Nylon: The Classical Guitarist's Technique
Handbook. This is my favorite technique book. Lots of fantastic drills
designed to target and improve specific techniques. This is an
excellent resource for players of all skill levels.
https://amzn.to/3v46zoB

● Cordoba C3M Classical Guitar. This is a great starter classical

guitar. Very affordable while still offering a solid Cedar top, rather than
laminate.

Sweetwater Link: https://imp.i114863.net/cordobac3m

● Cordoba C7 Classical Guitar. If you're able to spend a little more,

the Cordoba C7 is a big upgrade over the C3M and is a great fit for both
beginner and intermediate players. It offers a louder and richer sound than
cheaper models, so you won't have to upgrade after playing for a couple
years. Many of my students have had great success with these guitars

Sweetwater Link: https://imp.i114863.net/cordobac7

These items were already mentioned above in my own gear, but I recommend these
for everybody:

● Footstool https://amzn.to/34hQmR7
○ Or Guitar Cushion https://amzn.to/3vacUPs
● Snark SN-5 Tuner https://amzn.to/3v8dkpt
● D’Addario hard tension strings (EJ46) https://amzn.to/2QEMDtB
● Guitar Pro https://www.guitar-pro.com/#ae174