BACKROADS • DECEMBER 2021
Page 18
Frontline Eurosports presents
BIG CITY GETAWAY TINICUM GUITAR BARN
2 SHERMAN ROAD, OTTSVILLE, PA 18942 410-847-2749 • WWW.GUITARBARN.COM The exact origin of the guitar is still a mystery. The word “guitar” probably comes from the ancient Greek word kithara, a kind of lyre. Mythology attributes Hermes with creating the first kithara from a tortoise shell, but many likenesses of Apollo show him with this instrument. The world spins, time moves on and everything changes and evolves. The guitar, as we know it, and variations of it began to evolve and came into vogue in the 1800s. The Parlor Guitar was the rage in the late 19th century. These tiny instruments got their name from the room in which they were typically played. In the big band era guitars were seen but rarely stole the show – being more a supportive instrument. Jazz opened up the guitar’s true potential and then men like Les Paul and Leo Fender (who did not play at all) changed the way
daytrip ideas to get out of the daily grind guitars were perceived. Then came Rock & Roll and things were never the same. Not far from Nockamixom State Park in Pennsylvania, we spotted a small hand-made sign where Durham Road meets Route 611 that simply said ‘Tinicum Guitar Barn’. Like the rare privately-owned book store, a small musical instrument shop is rarely passed and if it is, we try to make time the next ride in the area. Thus, we rolled up to the Tinicum Guitar Barn one sunny Saturday afternoon. Chances are you will be greeted by either the incredibly friendly black Maine Coonish cat Puddy or Karl Huf, who was also very friendly but doesn’t purr like a mourning dove.
Since 1993 Karl has been taking care of guitar enthusiasts from beginners to seasoned pros with a fantastic array of ever-changing guitars that find their way to the barn on this tiny road outside of Ottsville. As we rolled up Karl was just entering and he gladly held the door for us and pointed up the bright painted stairs, walls adorned with all things Rock & Roll, Blues, and guitar-related. Reaching the second floor I stopped just a little
