Thomastik-Infeld Strings are by far the finest strings I've ever used. I couldn't recommend them enough. Strings are the engine that make your guitar go, and the Spectrum Bronze strings I use provide the balance, bottom-end, and brilliance I require. I currently use the following gauges from lowest, 6th-string to highest, 1st string. .054, .043, .032, .024, .018, .015
Alan Carruth makes some of the finest fingerstyle guitars I've ever played, and I've had the pleasure to own some great instruments. I've been playing Alan's guitars for the past 10 years and I couldn't be happier with my acoustic arsenal.
The acoustic guitar you see on this site is one of Alan's OM 12-fret guitars with an Engelman Spruce Top and Mahogany back and sides. It's the guitar that I've used to record most of the music on my albums. I also own a Carruth OM 14-fret with a Cedar top and Mahogany back and sides, and no cut-away, that I recorded the songs Mystic Morning, Mesa Rag, and Renaissance, and used as the the high-string guitar on Floating and several cuts on the album, WinterNight. There are a couple of wonderful color pictures of the guitars on my EPK; check 'em out. View Ken Bonfield's EPK
Right now he's building me a 12-course Harp Guitar. The 'standard' guitar will be tuned EADGBE, with the lower 6 sub-bass strings tuned GABCDG, low to high. I've never been more excited about getting a new guitar.
Michael Manring is the most amazing musician I know. Considered by many, the finest fretless bass player in the world, Michael is a constant source of inspiration. Michael has recorded on almost 30 songs of mine over the years. We still perform together quite a bit, check out the shows page to see when. And if you ever get the chance, make sure you see him solo; he's amazing.
Joe Ebel is a good friend, violinist, guitarist, and my co-writer on a lot of wonderful, as yet, un-discovered music. Make sure to visit Apeus where you can find and download music from our catalogue, and do yourself a favor and get Joe's Primebel, one of the best instrumental records ever recorded.
LR Baggs makes some of the finest pickups and preamps in the world. I have been lucky enough to work with Baggs for the last 7 years. The pickups are audiophile quality, consistent night to night and tuning to tuning. Quite simply, they're the only pickups I'll put on my Carruths.
I currently use their hex pickup. You can see what the pickup looks like by checking out the pictures on my EPK. View Ken Bonfield's EPK
Renaissance Guitars are the coolest electric guitars I've ever played. Rick has designed a solid body electro-acoustic guitar that sounds as close to a miked acoustic guitar as I've ever heard. Its especially great when playing in an ensemble with bass and percussion; you can turn it up, it maintains it's tone, and it just won't feedback. I'm hoping to get a Hybrid Nylon String sometime this spring or summer.
Ty Burhoe is a wonderful percussionist; he's the tablas player on Mirage. He also has his own label and offers yoga and drumming retreats at exotic locations all over the world. There's a world of great music to check out at Ty's site. I highly recommend 2 Cds by Curandero.
If you've found me, you're probably well versed in acoustic guitar music, and will know many of the guitarists I mention. If you're not, please read on and check out their music; there are some astounding guitarists in the world. In no particular order these are the players: Leo Kottke, El McMeen, Bill Mize, Chris Proctor, Ed Gerhard, Pierre Bensusan, Peter Janson, Alex DeGrassi, Michael Hedges, Marcel Dadi, Happy Traum, Martin Simpson, Stefan Grossman, Harvey Reid, Adrian Legg, Dominic Gaudious, Larry Pattis, Steve Davison, Tim Farrel, Larry Allen Brown, Jamie Bonk, and Earl Klugh.
