A1 Auditorium Model

The A1 reflects the state of the art in steel string acoustic guitars. Innovations such as steel strings, a 14 fret neck joint, and larger bodies appeared early in the 20th century. Crucially, modern advancements in adhesives, materials tools, and scientific study brought this type of guitar proudly into the 21st century.

On sound…the numbers lie!

Interestingly, the larger and not largest size of acoustic guitars are more popular on the road and in the studio. Truly, the smallest sizes such as the T1 Troubadour parlor model and the M1 are the most popular sellers worldwide. Also, electric guitars like Stratocasters, Telecasters and Gibson or Fender knock-offs are the biggest sellers overall. Most likely, this is padded by inexpensive guitars for students and new users. Like, how bad can a Strat really sound? However, more and more professionals are finding the mid-size A1 perfectly suited for the job at hand. After all, the difference between music and great music is HUGE!

A1 guitars have appeared onstage with the Doobie Brothers for a couple years before Martin and Taylor presented them with industry deals. Not surprisingly, (to me at least) Pat Simmons returned to his A1’s when the “benefits” ran out and continues to use them for every show. Tommy plays all electric now AFAIK. You can find the Doobies playing A1’s all over the internet or watch this vid backstage with Pat at Humphrey’s by the Bay

Recorded music is a completely different animal. Most importantly, Art Davis Guitars were recognized for their sound from the very start. Artists would call or send a note extending the thanks from an engineer because they were easy to record. Mark Mancina, mirrors that sentiment in this video as he comments on different tonewoods.

The A1 Auditorium Model is the most complete instrument

Critically, the AI was always intended to be the most complete instrument. It has the best balance from low to high and dark to bright. Furthermore, A1’s always return amazing results for any wood choice. Often, a certain tonewood will kill parts of the sound somehow. A dark wood choice will become dead. A bright choice will be tinny.

The A1’s design qualities and construction addresses these issues and tempers the “bad side” of any tonewood. Watch Jeff Pevar in this vid as he shows why A1’s appear in every corner of the music industry!

The A1 is the most popular Art Davis Guitar owned by artists such as Mark Mancina, Pat Simmons, Tommy Johnston, Jeff Pevar, Golfer John Daly, and the gang at Mutato Muzika [Devo].