Guitar Blah Blah - The Daily Guitar Podcast

I talk with Florian of Millimetric Instruments about innovative guitar design, building skateboards and why B.C. Rich guitars belong in a burlesque show.  This is my full-length interview with Florian, conducted for the episode "A New Era of Innovative Guitar Design". Millimetric Instruments: Website - https://www.millimetric.ca/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MILLIMETRICINSTRUMENTS Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/millimetricinstruments/

Is the guitar world really as stuck in the past and conservative in its tastes as we often hear? If so, then where do all the innovators fit in? Because amongst all the reverence for a 'golden age' of guitars and guitar music are countless creative people taking the instrument in new directions. In this episode, I talk with three guitar builders who design out-there, innovative instruments that push the boundaries of guitar design. What perspective do they have on this – is the guitar world stuck in its ways, or are we heading into a new era of openness and experimentation? I want to say a massive thank you to Florian, Robin and Leo for joining me on this episode. Please do check out their work at the links below. Millimetric Instruments: Website - https://www.millimetric.ca/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MILLIMETRICINSTRUMENTS Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/millimetricinstruments/ Verso Musical Instruments: Website - https://versoinstruments.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/versoinstruments Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/versoinstruments/ Lospennato Electric Guitars: Website - https://www.lospennatoguitars.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LospennatoGuitars Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/lospennatoguitars/

It's been a while! But work on the podcast hasn't stopped, and there are some changes coming up in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned and all that. Today's music: cleopatrick.bandcamp.com/album/bummer

In the final part of my interview with Juha Ruokangas of Ruokangas Guitars, we discuss what the work of a guitar builder looks like these days, what role it might have in the future, and just about anything and everything else we can think of. Check out Ruokangas Guitars:  Website: ruokangas.com/ FB: facebook.com/ruokangas IG: instagram.com/ruokangasguitars/ YT: youtube.com/ruokangas

In part two of my interview with the head honcho of Ruokangas Guitars, Juha takes us on a deep dive of the Valvebucker and what it can teach us about life as a craftsperson in the world of music and guitars. Be sure to listen to part three in tomorrow's episode! Check out Ruokangas Guitars:  Website: ruokangas.com/ FB: facebook.com/ruokangas IG: instagram.com/ruokangasguitars/ YT: youtube.com/ruokangas

In part one of my interview with guitar builder Juha Ruokangas, he gives us his insights into where things stand in the world of guitar and what the future of guitar music may look like.  In part two tomorrow, we go on to discuss Ruokangas Guitars' own work in detail, and find out a little more about being a guitar maker today.  Check out Ruokangas Guitars:  Website: ruokangas.com/ FB: facebook.com/ruokangas IG: instagram.com/ruokangasguitars/ YT: youtube.com/ruokangas

It's a triple helping of guitar suggestions in today's episode with articles to read, new builds to check out and a live session to enjoy.  The Hopeless Guitarist's articles: guitar.com/author/the-hopeless-guitarist/ The Franfret Pegasus: youtu.be/rIq7NMT9Oa0 Today's music: youtu.be/5vF42lgRTuU

Watching Mdou Moctar's latest live videos are a great reminder of why we even care about any of this stuff in the first place – just in case we forget! Today's music:  youtu.be/G5xiaTWUTJk youtu.be/FDwT6trlSws youtu.be/cEAsL2qqdiU

The newly announced guitars from, er, GTRS look to have an interesting way of incorporating Mooer's digital effects technology. But will it actually open up new possibilities for players?  Check out GTRS here: gtrs.tech/ Today's music: youtu.be/ZAKUqCZ5MSw

The new pedal from OBNE isn't a freaky modulation box or a spacy reverb, but it may just open up some seriously interesting tonal options in the way it combines with other pedals.  Check it out and learn more here: youtu.be/SosGQ-ciSHE Today's music: youtu.be/KnsF2R0yf9U

No gear-nerd stuff today as we get straight to what really matters, the music, and introduce the work of a truly exciting guitarist and songwriter: Naia Izumi.  Voodoo official video: youtu.be/gyUOLBfZBTM Tiny Desk Concert: youtu.be/42MiCMJ6DJU Road to the Tiny Desk Concert: youtu.be/vOzYd1ehERo Audiotree Live session: youtu.be/lHLSwnavyh0

Franfret Guitars in Spain is at it again with teasing another beautiful build, this one with some seriously cool appointments! Plus, there's another big virtual guitar event on the horizon.  Franfret Instagram: instagram.com/franfret_guitars/ Franfret Facebook: facebook.com/FranfretGuitars Sweetwater GearFest Online: sweetwater.com/gearfest/ Today's music: music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kdEOI60gOfFypp5If6UnBZwYrmEQXhTTQ&feature=share

William 'Grit' Laskin is recognised the world over for having taken guitar inlay work beyond just decoration and into an artform of its own. If only for being inspired by the sheer skill and imagination involved, his work is worth checking out. But he's also known simply for the quality of his instruments, and for making significant contributions in the world of guitar and guitar making.  A little video intro to get to know Grit Laskin: youtu.be/VG-GQD80xoE A gallery showing just a sample of Grit's work: williamlaskin.com/gallery/ Today's music: smandem.bandcamp.com/album/self-titled

You want to stay independent but, well, when a huge sponsorship deal like this comes along, how can you resist selling out?  Today's music: youtu.be/00AXzk7hAHU

We all like something new, expressive, different, genuine. We can all also respect that artists need promotion. But if online spaces are creative outlets rather than just promotional tools, should we really drive our output on them with some kind of prescriptive digital marketing consultancy? Wouldn't our own creative inspirations and intuitions serve as a better foundation, just like when we're making albums/films/art/anything? Today's music/official PowerPoint presentation: youtu.be/9UVhLu5c500

Sometimes it's easy to get stuck in the mindset that there's a single 'right way' you need to be told to follow – from playing guitar to using gear to whatever else. It's usually when you're trying to figure something out or attain something in particular, and you end up just wanting an answer at a certain point. But it maybe isn't the most helpful or beneficial mindset for a few reasons, and it can take hearing from a great musician to reset your perspective.  Lou Barlow video: youtu.be/ymI7t9gb8nk Today's music: youtu.be/oJS_fT5OHig

In part 2 of my interview with Bastian of Zeal Guitars, we go into more detail on some of the guitars Zeal offer, talk about what guitar players want, and throw out some thoughts on the future of guitar.  Be sure to check out the last episode for part 1!   Zeal Guitars: zeal-guitars.de/en/ Facebook: facebook.com/zealguitars/ Instagram: instagram.com/zeal_guitars/

Bastian of Zeal Guitars in Germany was kind enough to come on the podcast and discuss some of Zeal's experimental finish work, the different paths to becoming a guitar builder, and what it's like being a professional guitar maker right now.  Tune in to the next episode for part 2! Zeal Guitars: zeal-guitars.de/en/ Facebook: facebook.com/zealguitars/ Instagram: instagram.com/zeal_guitars/

To start to back up a little more this idea that guitar is gaining prominence across more genres, here's a look at a cool project SBTV did with Tom Misch – and some ideas on what it shows us about how guitar fits into the current musical landscape. Check out the video here: youtu.be/qCtLQtiqPGw

Ron Thorn's new Acoustasonic Jazzmaster, called 'The Trees', is crafted from pieces of wood that each have their own legends behind them.  Check it out here: youtu.be/V_n_ADc_IyM Today's music: cleopatrick.bandcamp.com/album/the-boys

It's fun to compare what the big two are doing when it comes to the future of guitar. In the end though, it's the amazing artists with guitars in their hands that decide and shape the future of the instrument. Today's music 1: youtu.be/Gg28yPdBu_4 2: youtu.be/dioJ0FsN7pY 3: youtu.be/EVZ1yscnnHI 4: youtu.be/qIQJG3a6Kww

With us all still missing out on a bunch of things that make life fun, it's worth catching the awesome live music and guitar events that we can take in virtually.  Kiko Loureiro clinic: youtu.be/jhFfBMqEAic Kiko Loureiro Reverb video: youtu.be/YsdDDGrz-ZI Staind live streams info: youtu.be/OHznEvJL_nI

The project from organisation Over The Bridge opens up important conversations about the music industry and the music community as a whole.  Check it out here: losttapesofthe27club.com/

Following on from the last episode's dive into useful YouTube guitar series and changing up your technical foundations....here's more of that! Guitar Power: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIiglibBY3g_KSAPobV-1cY-9A05hcdr3 Today's music: youtu.be/weF8pfFnCK8

Changing a foundational element of your playing is a great way to feel refreshed and inspired on guitar – for Matt Sweeney, it altered his whole approach to the instrument. Check out the article here: premierguitar.com/artists/matt-sweeney-loves-guitar-playing-that-you-dont-understand Guitar moves: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdoAu1uCjE-jIzaZrp-bFgfEeOsmuTBVx Today's music: youtu.be/SyhXrQEKPaY

It's a pretty good annual reminder of how memeable we all are as a guitar community. But if you're looking for something that's not an April Fools today, try these (they are probably the actual links and not jokes, you can almost definitely trust me):  Maker's Marks Pt. 1: guitar.com/features/interviews/makers-marks-ray-butts-gretsch-pickup-tester/ Maker's Marks Pt. 2: guitar.com/features/interviews/makers-marks-who-really-invented-the-humbucker/ Maker's Marks Pt. 3: guitar.com/features/interviews/makers-marks-beyond-the-filtertron/ Order Guitar Magazine issues (#381 June 2020; #382 July 2020; #383 August 2020): guitar.com/category/magazine/ Today's music: youtu.be/Z6CUSa_laj4

It might sound odd, but perhaps the best way to approach something that you feel has been done too many times is to not want to approach it at all. That way, you'll beat your own path and create something all your own – that's what Juha Ruokangas has done with the Mojo model.  Check out the Mojo here: ruokangas.com/models/mojo/ Today's music: youtu.be/CGLMdIGsyD4

Moar Guitars' new "Luthier's Special" might just be the most custom shop guitar experience ever conceived.  Find out more about it here: moarguitars.com/luthiers-special/ Today's music: youtu.be/Tz9JXRmtsJA

It's been an incredible privilege to get to work on this project, and I hope it's worth checking out for anyone interested in guitars, music history and the people who make music sound the way it does.  Article 1: guitar.com/features/interviews/makers-marks-ray-butts-gretsch-pickup-tester/ Article 2: guitar.com/features/interviews/makers-marks-who-really-invented-the-humbucker/ Order Guitar Magazine issues (#381 June 2020; #382 July 2020; #383 August 2020): guitar.com/category/magazine/ Today's music: youtu.be/2O5CoajpOGI

I already covered the release of Arielle's signature guitar on the podcast. But in a recent interview, she's revealed that it's become a chance for her to open up more conversations about sustainability in the guitar community – an awesome way to take the release of a new guitar and make it about something more.  Read the interview here: musicradar.com/amp/news/arielle-interview-i-want-to-educate-people-about-where-their-guitars-come-from-theres-a-level-of-disconnect-thats-affecting-the-planet Today's music: youtu.be/qyrDt1K8_Vg

Learning to mod and work on guitars comes with a ton of benefits, especially if you enjoy it as a hobby in itself – but can it save you money? Today's music: wurldseries.bandcamp.com/album/whats-growing

It's a topic gone over a few times on this podcast, but a regular reminder helps me a lot, and I assume it might help others too. In particular, seeing great examples of music made without all the gear really reminds us to stay focused on just making what we want to make, however we can.  youtu.be/KbqzJYml520 youtu.be/tlRcgTo5Iz4

Source Audio's new pedal, the Ultrawave, is another example of their creation-focused approach to digital guitar technology. Have fun listening to me attempt to explain what it is!  Check out the Ultrawave: sourceaudio.net/ultrawave_multiband_processor.html Bonamassa live stream concert: jbonamassa.com/streaming/acl/ Today's music: youtu.be/prgqUTvk2LM

A new article gives a further look into the current guitar boom and possibly some more insights into whether it will continue past the weird times of the last year. Check it out here: bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-17/musicians-are-hoarding-musical-gear-like-never-before Today's music: youtu.be/uLjRp4vhGoA

Bringing together my thoughts from previous episodes on electro-acoustic guitars and the future of digital gear, the new addition to Fender's Acoustasonic range grabbed my attention more than I'd anticipated. Episode on electro-acoustic guitars: guitarblahblah.podbean.com/e/solving-the-electro-acoustic-guitar-problem-a-space-odyssey/ Episode on digital gear: guitarblahblah.podbean.com/e/where-does-digital-guitar-gear-go-next/ Fender's intro to the Acoustasonic Jazzmaster: youtu.be/wpFi4dpQOoU Today's music 1: youtu.be/RhBs8BPXWv4 Today's music 2: youtu.be/3Eg82fotizc As a bonus, a classic example of a Dave Simpson, Frusciante-infused loop and solo: youtu.be/bjXnBrZRa84 

To keep answering the question of who plays these small-builder, luthier-made guitars, here's a beautiful performance from Lionel Loueke that showcases a new seven-string prototype from Berlin-based Schorr Guitars:  youtu.be/9pt5YAaDGN4

This past year or so has seen massive guitar sales, and companies big and small are still struggling to keep up with demand now. Even with some supply side issues taken into consideration, that's largely been caused by record guitar sales. While this will all inevitably level off, will the guitar community continue to get (and stay) bigger?  Today's music: youtu.be/bEkC-ew9G5o

Just speculating here, but if digital modelling-style gear (and other gear technology) moves beyond the central aim of recreating other technologies (such as tube amps), where will it go then?  Today's music: bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000szd2

While we all keep missing live music and guitar shows, live streamed sessions, concerts and events are keeping us going, and here are some more to check out over this weekend and into next week. Pedals The Musical trailer: youtu.be/LZJ7qJFvUdA SXSW Online line-up announcements: sxsw.com/news/2021/ximena-sarinana-iceage-the-chats-awich-and-more-second-wave-of-2021-showcasing-artists/ Today's music: youtu.be/ZrrpVFwN3Q4

Looking at the Skate Guitar Project, and looking again at yesterday's episode on Prisma, is a great way to start explaining a lot of what draws me to the work of guitar builders.  Skate Guitars: skateguitar.com/ Today's music: youtu.be/CqWsreZl_dw

Prisma Guitars have drawn huge interest and praise for building beautiful guitars from used skateboard decks, but their unique approach to design and craftsmanship goes beyond skateboards. Prisma Guitars (and today's music): prismaguitars.com/

It's a triple helping of guitar stuff on today's episode: stuff to read, stuff to listen to and stuff to...gawk at? Want to buy? Whatever it is you're supposed to do with guitars. Josh Scott's article: guitar.com/features/opinion-analysis/josh-scott-electricity-meets-guitar/ Today's music/performance: youtu.be/HS2TxfBSmjs

Ivison Guitars are known for their skill and depth of knowledge when it comes to vintage guitars, and their model, The Hurricane, received plenty of interest and plaudits last year. The newly announced 'Dakota' looks to have an equally winning formula.  Ivison Guitars FB: facebook.com/ivisonguitars/ Ivison Guitars IG: instagram.com/ivison_guitars/ Today's music: youtu.be/idUF7Vp1i6c

I've had quite a few conversations now with luthiers on the subject of bolt-on vs glued-in vs neck-through guitars, and they've all come to more or less the same conclusion... Maxime Baron Guitars IG: instagram.com/baronguitars/ Axes & Blades IG: instagram.com/axes_and_blades/ Today's music: marmotoproject.bandcamp.com/

As a guitar maker and an author on the subject, Leo Lospennato has both fascinating builds and books under his belt. Now, he's presented a new one of each, and they're both worth checking out for anyone interested in the world of guitar building. Lospennato Guitars FB: facebook.com/LospennatoGuitars/ Lospennato Guitars IG: instagram.com/lospennatoguitars/ Today's Music: diiv.bandcamp.com/album/deceiver

Soundcloud have announced a new royalties model with the aim of making music streaming on their platform more equitable for artists – particularly independent and smaller ones. But will this kind of approach solve the problems with streaming music?  Read more about it here: guitar.com/news/industry-news/soundcloud-fan-powered-royalties/ Today's music: youtu.be/u51HJcN1Dp8

Pushing the boundaries of established guitar design can do great things: spark our own creativity, open up new potential in the instrument and inspire future music and genres. But it can also make the instrument more accessible for more people. Today, I'm taking a look at an invention that aims to make the guitar easier to play and learn for those who are differently abled.  Check out a video of the Armstrum here: youtu.be/lS9usX7Pprs Today's music: thearmed.bandcamp.com/track/average-death

Guitar gear with modular elements is often described as old-school, retro or at-odds with the current market. In many ways that's true. But with modular guitar gear coming about consistently in recent years, and in many different forms, is it actually a niche trend in itself? Today's music

In continuing to share as many spaces for awesome music, live music experiences and guitar events as possible in these weird times, here's an introduction to a couple of fantastic channels you should definitely check out.  The Audubon Sessions (Previously An Evening At Elvis') Red Ants Pants Music Festival

In part two of my interview with guitar builder Frank Deimel, we talk more about the trend towards sustainable guitar making and trade some stories about our experiences with vintage guitars.  A massive thank you again to Frank for joining me, and check out yesterday's episode for part one if you haven't already! Check out the Deimel Guitarworks site here, and follow them on Instagram here. You can also see the LesLee pickup in action here, and check out the synth connection/Synchroniser system here and here.  You can also watch the Meet The Makers episode on Deimel Guitarworks here.

In part one of my interview with Frank Deimel of Deimel Guitarworks, we discuss making guitars in the current times and go into the experimental electronics his models are known for.  A massive thank you to Frank for joining me, and don't forget to tune in for part two tomorrow! Check out the Deimel Guitarworks site here, and follow them on Instagram here. You can also see the LesLee pickup in action here, and check out the synth connection/Synchroniser system here and here.  You can also watch the Meet The Makers episode on Deimel Guitarworks here.