Why I Play Acoustic Guitar... 

As a teenager I worked hard on the county road dept. all summer to save $499 for a new Martin D-35. It was worth the sweat and now, 52 years later, I still play it at church. Sounds sweeter every year.

I was picking up new Taylor at my friend Paul Hubers music store in Michigan in 2000. He said this guitarist was going to be putting on a show at the store if I wanted to stick around. Just happened to be Doyle Dykes. Wow, to say the least. I remember being so impressed I dragged my father out the next time I heard you were stopping by. I believe your daughter joined you. A true talent.

It's funny after hearing you play I thought wow he reminds me of Roy Clark and bam you mention him ! This was an amazing video..could listen to you talk and play for hours..I'm 62 and just starting on my guitar journey...Thnx for sharing

Any guitar in your hands is going to sound great thankyou for sharing

This was a blessing.... Praise Jesus

Doyle is one of my favorite acoustic guitar players of all time. I saw him many years ago at a Christian Guitar Conference in Northern California when Phil Keaggy was not there. I was disappointed that Phil Keaggy was not there but was BLOWN AWAY by Doyle’s talent, humbleness, and faith in Jesus Christ. Love ya Doyle! Good to hear these stories and words of encouragement from you and… MORE… PLEASE!

Doyle, your voicing and unique chord choices are convincing me you are a piano player trapped in a guitarists body. 😁😁🏆I really love hearing you play.

Doyle you have a wonderful wife. I have to pay a heavy bridge toll every time a new guitar comes into the house. ❤️🎶

I love hearing you talking about guitars as much as hearing you play them. Such great stories!

Fantastic I'm a original electric player from 1977 I learned on a L6 Deluxe Gibson mable solid body rosewood fretboard, so in 2018 I purchased a fender acoustic and it's been a long road switching over to Acoustic but really rewarding at home..

I have had and still have yamaha, gretch, Taylor guitars, but my favorites have been the Martins I had. D18, D35, D45, still have 92 HJ28 limited, and now the GPCPA1 plus. I celebrate the uncle who let me borrow his Gibson acoustic in 1970 -73. My first exposure to a quality guitar! He turns 93 tomorrow and we will be pickin together on his birthday tomorrow 🎂! HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE JACK!

Doyle I’m almost 61 and I just started my journey with learning the guitar. I can only play a G, C , D and E minor. I wanted to play Happy Birthday for my kids at school. You see I’m a retired principal with 30 years in education. I came back as a fifth grade teacher and work with 25 or so 10 -11 year olds every day. I love it. Thanks for your story and beautiful music. I have a Martin D-18 on loan from my brother in law and just love it. I make sounds but you make art that others can feel. Thanks so much and God bless.

Great overview of your career Doyle, thanks for the stories, and the tunes!

I remember you with Grandpa! I was with The 4 Guys. I still have your 1st album in its envelope. Love to hear your stories.

Thank you for your uplifting and encouraging words and guitar playing. It really makes my day to hear you talk about Jesus and about your guitars and all the places you played. I’m always looking forward to it. I love your Sunday String-alongs! In this time of bad news and misery, you stand out like a wonderful beacon of light! God bless you my friend.

I listen to Doyle when I want to be both humbled and inspired, at the same time.

Doyle you are the blessing here. We so appreciate your historical incite over your life's career. And BTW, you can never "run to long". Your stories, inspiration, and genuineness shows what a great human being you are. Society needs more folks like you today. What a good example you offer to all of us watching.

Doyle could just play that old D45 in every video. That thing rings like a grand piano. Sounds amazing

He transcends the "me" and reveals the "thee" with his music. So musical! Love it.

Wow Doyle what a wonderful guitar platform i landed on here,.I'm amazed Brother how well u play and not meaning anything bad from this comment , I don't think I've heard of things u have done or your playing where have u played....I'm Blessed thanks

Well, while they are nice guitars, I think most the credit goes to the player. God given talent right there.

My first guitar was a Silvertone arch top from Sears & Robuck that I bought with about $35 by hauling hay and lawn mowing when I was 12. When it came in I thought it was the most beautiful guitar I’d ever seen!

Your music touches me deeply. Thank you.

Met you at that little church in Grasston MN. Love hearing your stories as much as your playing. Do more of these please.

The acoustic guitar found me, too. I didn’t own an acoustic until later in life. I saw Dallas Holm playing a Guild 12 string at a David Wilkerson crusade. A year or so later, I needed an acoustic guitar for church work, and I saw an ad in the paper for a used Guild 12. I had just gotten a refund check from my insurance company for almost the exact amount needed. That Guild 12 served me well until I started playing fingerstyle. Then, I gravitated toward Breedlove and eventually Martin. I love what I do. I just wish I could do it better. God bless you.

love the guitar talk...been playing about 5yrs now...got a blueridge br-140 and enya carbon fiber, take carbon fiber everywhere...they've been great for a modest budget...found you from watching your eddie van halen tribute...nice tribute and great content...thanks.

Just discovered this channel. I dig it.

Thank you Doyle. I've never been more than a strummer (for 40 years+). I admire those with the talent and skill. I'll just keep strumming.

You bring joy and inspiration to so many, with your sincere and honest approach to the music you choose to play for us. God blesses you and us at the same time. Thank you.

Thank you, thank you, for this. It never ceases to amaze me how humble and God inspired you are. Your guitar playing, and love of the guitar is so powerful, moving, and joyous. You are truly Blessed, and are a Blessing. I needed this, it’s encouraged me. Peace and love Brother, stay in the spirit, keep following your call and your sharing your talent. ✌🏾❤️🙏🏾

Doyle, you are a wonder! Many other players have advanced chops, but your music has taste and speaks to me in the same way as all my favourites. This is how I've figured it out- in my mind I hear some wonderfull music but sometimes can't bring into reality through my hands what I hear. Then by chance I hear someone like yourself or Eric Johnson playing something genuine and from the heart, and I realise it's exactly ( more or less) what I'm hearing in my head but can't quite manage the physical engineering of yet, and therefore, by chance it's just what I would play if I could. Perhaps that sounds self absorbed, but I don't mean it that way.I'm just glad that someone has managed to get the sounds down where others can hear them, and maybe because it sounds personal to me, that's why I like it. I comfort myself by thinking -" great minds think alike-" and I'm glad someone's found a way to get those sounds I hear out! God bless you Doyle, for the joy your music brings to me.

You played a couple shows in Shelby, NC about 15 years ago or more. One at John Reed’s Shelby Music Center and another at Central United Methodist Church. I was just a kid learning the guitar and I remember being so inspired by your playing. All these years later I’m still playing guitar every day. Unfortunately I’m not as good as you. Maybe one day 😅

Man I'm glad I subscribed. I love me some Doyle Dykes. I look forward to seeing Doyle right after church for Sunday String-a-long. Other videos through the week are just a bonus. I love hearing him tell stories as much as do his playing.

PLEASE Doyle, a Video tour of all your guitars! Love to see the collection!

When Christ Jesus called me in the mid 80s, I also found a couple of your CASSETTE TAPES (lol), everyone else was rocking out or listening to country. Your music was inspiring to say the least. 68 now, and playin a coupla Martin's myself. I acquired my dad's 1957 O18, neck reset later, and it plays and sounds amazing. Thanx for being an inspiration to us all. St. Augustine FL. Here.

Doyle can play every guitar in this world and make us excited every time!!!!!

You are so talented i have always been aware of you but only recently began really getting into your picking and i have to say that im completely in awe of your guitar prowess ....i have always been a merle and chet fan and you are right up there with those giants for sure! Im also really inspired by your faith ....you strike just the right balance between the secular and the spiritual......your musical abilities are a true gift from the lord.......cheers old boy

and you don't have to have an amp I think I'd keep those Martins! Beautiful!!

My first guitar was a 1967 Harmony Stella new for Christmas purchased at Western Auto Store, not about that one. What a piece of lumber!!!! Thanks for telling us about your guitars, very cool! Oh, watch you and Caleb video today! Boy that kid can play! Like father like son!

Dude! 😳. I was gonna say, thats not playing just guitar, that’s playing an Orchestra on a guitar. 👍🥳. Amazing!

Very good ,big fan you know for year I was all about electric but now been fingerstyle playing and much enjoy the Acoustic, guitar, God bless and thank you for your works .

You are so good with guitar Mr. Dykes . May God bless you and your family.

Yes! More of these guitar talks please Doyle and also about your effects and amplifiers and how you set them etc. Please! ❤️

What a wise man and musician.You are a great gift to humanity.I just discovered you. I have been playing rock for years and now I love the lord and I know I will not grow unless I play for him.I hope that this will find you.Please pray for me.

What is so bad about some of us is that we buy too many inexpensive guitars and can only play one at a time. I sure would love to pick like you brother!

Doyle, don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed guitar talk like I have this video. I’m 64 and have been discouraged about my own playing, hard to teach an old dog new tricks, but thanks again.

You’re an amazing player Doyle. I enjoy the pureness of an acoustic guitar being well played. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. Many blessings always.

Thats the progression for many guitar players. We start wanting an electric & to make a noise. Then we find an acoustic guitar and the sound becomes more important than the volume. There's nothing like the air being moved by an acoustic instrument, hearing the note interact and fade in its own way.

I’m speechless! Absolutely unreal how fantastic your playing is. God Bless you.

excellent playing sir :)

Doyle you are the best I wholeheartedly agree about the acoustic guitar ! I just recently got the old Yamaha I bought new in 1973 for I think maybe 200.00 back after a very difficult neck reset and am planning to give it to either my grandson or my youngest daughter. It might have as well been 3000.00 dollars we didn’t have two pennies to rub together but God is so good and He cares! Love you much -Jan

Gitarre 2000!!!! Awesome CD!!! Play more Uncle Doyle!!

Man that 55 is so pure and full up and down!!!!!!!! AWESOME guitar!! You continue to amaze me-----just Phenominal!!!!!! But that D45 just shoots the lights out!!!!!!! WOW!!!

Look at all the views on this one guys! People love hearing about you and your guitars and your equipment! Love it!!

Simply amazing and inspirational

Great video. If anything, playing acoustic takes your electric playing to a whole new level. I have more fun with acoustic guitar and my favorite players are fingerstyle artists like you who show a guitar has great potential without amps and effects.

Hi Master Doyle, you play hymns on your vintage Martin D45 is my best favourite.

If anyone was ever gifted it is this man.. All da best Mr Dykes

Yes! More guitar talks!🎸 Thank you. Your playing is always inspirational...to God be the Glory. Your relationship with Him has blessed so many lives.❤

Really enjoyed the talk about one of my favorite topics. That last Martin was one sweet sounding geetar

I really enjoyed that, Doyle. It is not as good as you in person, but the next best thing. I could listen to you all day.

Hi Doyle, I started playing very young, I was playing Piano, Guitar, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo and Bass before I was out of the first Grade. I practiced everyday for hours a day, I'm like you, I'm Guitar Poor LOL, I have your T-Shirt too. LOL I was supposed to get my Great Uncles D-18 when he passed away and his son came in the house , removed the note out of the strings and took the guitar to his car and that was over 30 years ago and I have no idea where that guitar is now. BUT I taught guitar and I had a very large class, Some of my students got together and they found a Sigma Martin in a pawn shop and they bought it for me and it's a fine playing guitar, I've been offered more money for it than I think it sold for new and I won't sell it. Your Playing inspires me and I watch your videos A LOT, And some of others with you in them. Please keep pickin, and you being a Christian just adds to the Inspiration I get from YOU.......... God Bless You Man........... Keep Pickin.

Doyle, I first became aware of you when I watched Gretsch guitar's tribute to Chet Adkins. You were the one who impressed me the most out of the bunch, and I've been enjoying your guitar playing ever since. I love Gretsch guitars, and I have a double cut Gretsch 6120 with TV Jones Classic pickups and a brass TruArc SerpenTune bridge. It's an amazing fingerpicking guitar that is very hard to beat. I also have Gretsch 6131T Firebird Duo Jet that is well loved. I had a similar experience as you did, with the acoustic guitar. I started out with the acoustic guitar when I was about six years old (I'm sixty-one years old now), with a Silvertone guitar that you could throw a dog under the strings at the twelfth fret! I took lessons from our church pastor, and got the ball rolling. I switched to an electric guitar in high school, and joined a rock band. I played in rock bands until just recently. I went back to the acoustic guitar seriously about ten years ago, and I discovered the amazing dynamics that the acoustic guitar has to offer. It's truly just "man and guitar", no frills or anything that can get in the way of the music. I'm very partial to my hollow body Gretsch 6120 as well, for pretty much the same reason. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us, Doyle, God bless you and your family and friends!

That lick at 3:03 ending with the fast triplets is amazing....👍

I sure am glad you stayed in Cleveland Tennessee we love you here

Thanks Doyle. I haven't heard you play since you were doing clinics for Taylor about 15-20 years ago at Guitar and Banjo Studio in Beaumont, Texas. I actually attended either 2 or 3 of your clinics there. I ended up buying a 714ce which I loved. Now that I've found you on You Tube I will be checking in often.

Wonderful!

Wonderful playing as usual. I look forward to finally hearing you in person at CAAS next week. I hope I also get to meet you. You have reignited my passion for playing the guitar. God bless

This was very enjoyable to listen to. I would love to see more story time videos like this.

I love my cousin...so proud of him ❤

Beautiful harmonies. Thank you. And thanks for the inspiration this Sunday. I´ll go and practice my new song.

The piece you played at the beginning was one of the most beautiful music I have ever heard. I hope someday I can play like you.

Thanks Doyle for Sharing your Acoustic Guitar Memories with us. You can play any Brand of Guitar Well!

Thank you Doyle for your videos and for always bringing HIM notice to your viewers. I sat and spoke with you at a Saddleback worship conference in the early 2000s (2003 I believe). Appreciate you brother.

I have enjoyed your gifts for many years. I appreciate you taking the time to share so many personal stories. This recording was special to me. Thank you, sir!

Listening to you talk about guitars (and about your life and faith) is such a blessing. I've only personally met and had a chance to talk with a couple top-tier musicians, and I was so thrilled to just soak in everything they had to say. Steve Morse was very kind and gracious. He took time to sit at our table and talk about guitars in between sets when we saw him perform in a small venue in Kansas City. It was amazing. Bluegrass/Acoustic festivals also provided the opportunity to meet and speak with some very talented musicians. I met and spoke briefly with Tommy Emmanuel at the Walnut Valley Music Festival in Winfield Kansas. He was very busy, but still took time to give me encouragement. But now technology has given us the opportunity to just sit and listen to you on our phones/computers. I would love to meet you in person some day. (BTW... Your Olson is such a deep bodied guitar. It must be a half size deeper than a typical OM. It sounds wonderful).

Thanks Doyle. I enjoyed your stories and hearing that Koa Martin. And of course the D-45 and the maple Olsen. I love the hymns.

Amazing person! Amazing guitar player! You are 100% about acoustic guitar. Such a different youtube video.

Those fingers. I wanna play like that. I want the lamp on the left too. :P Loved the whole thing. Many thanks for posting this gem.

You're the real deal. Beautiful playing & I love the stories brother. Thanks for sharing.

I love my Martin Dreadnoughts! I have a D-41, D-28. I have a 00028 Martin that I also love. I do have two Taylor’s that have great tone, and I wouldn’t part with them for anything, a 12 fret 812e and 714ce. I’ve been hooked on acoustic guitars since I was 16 years old. Mr.Dykes you are one of my guitar heroes and I wish I had just a fraction of your talent but I have enough to make me happy as no matter what it is I’m going through I can pickup one of my acoustics and play my way into a better frame of mind:) Keep picking and making that beautiful music! God bless you Doyle Dykes

Loved this video. Would love to have you do a beginners video on Travis style guitar, and also explain how you come up with all the passing chords. Thanks Dave

Hi Doyle, I’ve been a big fan of yours for years. I’ve always been keen to my Taylor’s and have to be honest I think that was what lead me to to you. I’m not sure if it was for the Music Gallery in Highland Park,IL or maybe it was the Music Center up in Kenosha, WI. In either case it was one of them that I had had the pleasure of meeting you and owe boy…. I’ve been picking for some time but that first time listening to you and watching your style just simply changed me for ever.. This Video is so cool, the background you gave us…. Grandpa Jones, and Roy Clark, Bob Taylor and even Governor Huckabee…. So many childhood hero’s, obviously I’m going to love this series of videos and can’t wait to watch more. Thank you for taking the time to share such a God Given talent with us all… God Bless you and your family, Andrew Wood..

Amazing playing Doyle! All your guitars sound phenomenal, but that pre war D 45... wow. From this side of the screen it's one of the best sounding guitars I have heard! What a treasure & awesome heirloom!

Inspirational as always Doyle. I’ve got a D-18 that I love. Think I’ll go play it a bit. Please do more of the guitar stuff like this one. It’s fun!

Great player, and thanks for sharing

Sounds so beautiful very clear. My guitar sucks 😢 badly. Wow your picking is awesome

I love Koa wood. Having lived in Hawaii for many years and being a guitar builder, I have a deep respect for the beauty and the tonal qualities of Koa. The word Koa means warrior in the Hawaiian language.

Doyle I have just found your RU-vid site. I enjoy watching you play the joy music brings to your face it the way I want to feel again. Have a lot of work ahead of me but I retired now so if it's God's will I am going to get there.

I love EVERYHTING about this video. One of my guitar heroes...

I got to play a Martin D 45 years ago a guy had been using at homeless ministry. Thought it strange he could play good but he couldn't tune it to good, so he would hand it to me to tune iit for him. I was just in awe playing it.

Doyle, that was just brilliant. I'm flashing back to seeing you do a few Taylor events at various guitar shops in Southern CA. That must have been in the mid 90s. Your passion is so authentic, as you clearly are. God bless and thank you for sharing your gift.

I Love this and it is even better that God gets the glory Thank You Doyle

Thanks Doyle great presentation!!!

Doyle, I feel you could make ANY guitar sound beautiful! Love your videos!

Jazz in the Box. A favorite of mine. Thanks.

Thank you Doyle God bless you and thank you for the music

Wonderful video from an awesome musician 🎸🙏 would sure love to see more of these types of videos from you.

Favorite guitar player for sure! Love all your inspirations and your playing style.

Thank you Doyle. God Bless you.