Eric Daw—a 20 year guitar repair veteran—talks guitar tech, guitar repair, guitar tools, guitar building, and all things relating to the art of guitar craft. Eric takes calls, reads emails, and interviews a myriad of guitar industry moguls.
Idaho Falls, Id
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The Fret Files podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in guitars, whether it be playing them, repairing them, or building them. Hosts Eric Daw and Melissa provide a wealth of knowledge and experience in each episode, making it informative and entertaining at the same time. Eric's expertise as a "guitar scientist" shines through in his straightforward delivery of ideas based on his own experiences, while Melissa keeps the discussion focused and on track. Together, their genuine and constructive personalities create an inviting atmosphere with very little criticism. The occasional appearance of Melissa's humor adds a touch of hilarity to the show.
One of the best aspects of The Fret Files podcast is the vast amount of information it provides for guitar builders and repairers. While classes and references teach the "how" of guitar building in a broad perspective, this podcast delves into the "why" behind certain techniques and components. Eric shares his lifetime of knowledge, allowing listeners to gain insight that they can't find elsewhere. It's like auditing a master class every week. Furthermore, listening to this podcast serves as encouragement for those who are starting out or trying to improve their skills in guitar repairs and mods.
On the flip side, one potential downside of this podcast is that some listeners may find it lacking if they are looking for more technical or deep dive discussions about obscure topics related to guitar making or repairs. While Eric does address questions from listeners about these subjects respectfully, his emphasis is always on what works and gives tangible results. However, this approach ensures that the majority of listeners can understand and apply the information shared on the show.
In conclusion, The Fret Files podcast is highly recommended for anyone interested in guitars and their intricacies. Eric Daw's deep knowledge coupled with Melissa's curiosity creates a dynamic duo that delivers informative content with an engaging and positive spirit. Whether you're a seasoned guitar maker or someone just starting out with repairs, this podcast will provide a wealth of information and inspiration. So grab your earbuds, tune in to The Fret Files, and prepare to expand your knowledge of guitars in an entertaining and educational manner.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric talks about what's been going on in the shop lately, and then answers questions from listeners including how to do a proper Vintage Amber neck tint, Eric's favorite vibrato unit, lots of offset/JM vibrato talk, treble bleed circuits, and more about that weird conductive PVC layer inside instrument cables and what it's for.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric talks about vintage pre-war (pre 1940) Washburns and discusses the book "Washburn Prewar Instrument Styles" by Pleijsier Hubert. Then, Eric answers questions from listener emails including how to remove superglue from a finish, how to properly cut a Fender style nut, and setup tips for those finicky Jazzmasters. Also, something of a follow up from the pictured P-Bass bridge, but it still remains a mystery.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk taxes, tarrifs, and Taylors in a session of Guitar News. Then comes the questions from listeners including questions about touching up lacquer, spraying over nitrate binding, refin color choices, hum in a humbucker, and where to get a Harmony Sovereign bridge.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric goes over some shop safety rules. Then, Eric takes questions from listeners including questions about refretting over a fingerboard extension, solidifying a soft finish, buffing advice, advice on starting a new guitar repair business, and finally - what's the big problem with adding a Bigsby vibrato unit? Oh, let me count the ways.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, we have a top ten list for you - "The top ten things NOT to say to your guitar tech." Next, Eric and Nat take questions from listeners including questions about a cloudy pickguard, Tele neck pickups that emulate a Strat neck pickup, bolt on neck techniques, humidification recommendations, string trees, and Eric and Nat's top tips for guitar players to get the most out of their guitar.
In this special episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat call listeners who have volunteered to play Guitar Trivia. It's chaos and it's fun and you should listen. Thanks to everyone who volunteered and thanks to those who participated!
The next episode is the 200th show! You can participate in the show, find out how by listening now.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric gives Nat a quiz - "Guitar Pickup or Indie Band?" Then, they take questions regarding wax potting pickups, heavy duty soldering, Strat pickups, spraying lacquer, identifying parts on a schematic, and shielding cavities on electric guitars.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk about being prepared and cleating cracks in acoustic guitars. They then take questions regarding removing glued in saddles, a quiet high string with an acoustic pickup install, how to know what size frets to use on a vintage guitar, vintage guitar refrets, and why Rickenbacker guitars feel different than just about every other guitar.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding Baxendale Conversions, wood dust toxicity and sensitivity, magnetizing Alnico, Bolivian Rosewood, 5 string bass setups, and more.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric talks about his new endeavor in humbucker production - the "Patent Denied" humbucker pickups (available soon.) Eric does a few product reviews - the "Cleatus" guitar cleat system, the T. J. Thompson Belly Reducer, the Allparts True Tune tuners, and the vintage style Tele bridge plate from Philadelphia Luthier Tools and Supply. Then Eric answers questions about string spacing, Fender Mandocaster saddles, how to replicate the tone of your favorite player, string buzz and setup questions, are there any USA made potentiometers, and more.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk guitar news with the results of a few recent guitar auctions including guitars owned by Mark Knopfler, Prince, and John Lennon. Then they took questions about pickup polarity, a Kay Barney Kessel truss rod, a lot of wiring questions about Eric's book "Solid Sound," some talk about what types of polish Eric recommends, and a tool recommendation from down under.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat give a tribute to renowned guitar restoration expert Joel Wilkins who passed away this week. Then there's the questions - a question about Don Teeter's guitar repair books, a lot of wiring questions about Eric's book "Solid Sound," some intonation and bridge placement questions, and a very nice call from a satisfied owner of some of Eric's pickups.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric interviews Rhett Harris from Rhett's Frets in Nashville TN. Eric and Rhett talk fretwork, pickups, 3D printing, Eric's book, running your own business from home, and Idaho winters.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat review some guitar news about John Lennon's Framus Hootenany 12 string, Eric Clapton's 1974 Martin 000-28, and a guitar exhibit at the California Museum in Sacramento. They then take questions regarding backward functioning truss rods, what to do with an inherited guitar collection, P-90 queries, and more about compound radius guitars. Or is it compound radii? You decide.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding ground wires on Telecasters, sheilding inside electric guitar cavities, idiot proofing jacks and pots, Desert Sand finishes, and how to set string radius when adjusting action on a guitar with a compound radius.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding pickup phase, guitar finishes with no pore filler, getting rid of pick marks on lacquer finishes, the Sorkin "bowtie" bridge, and Eric's ideal Jazzmaster wiring.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding the string wrap around Telecaster bridge pickups, coated strings, when to say no, how to treat warped bass necks, and will there be a Solid Sound Vol. 2?
In this, the ten year anniversary episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding string trees, power tools, acoustic guitar neck humps, pickup specs, and stopping the clicking noise that happens with loose Fender tremolo arms.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric announces the new podcast schedule for 2024, answers a few listener submitted questions, and interviews Frank Gross from Thunder Road Guitars in Seattle, Wa.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat do a little guitar news, and then take questions regarding softening lacquer on Rickenbackers, slotted headstock tuners, different magnets and their sonic properties in pickups, and oversized Martin bridges.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric talks about life recently, and then answers listener questions regarding tapping threads in Telecaster pickup elevator plates, finish touch up, selecting the right nut slotting files, restoring vintage Kluson tuners, finishing schedules and of course- Eric's book "Solid Sound," which you should order at solidsoundbook.com.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk about Eric's website contact form malfunction, and take questions regarding wood suppliers, plastic Gibson acoustic bridges, guitar building schools, soldering methods, tapped single coil pickups, different types of switches, and of course- Eric's book "Solid Sound," which you should order at solidsoundbook.com.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk about Eric's ten tips for independent luthiers. Then, they take questions regarding 5 way super switch wiring, pickup height, vintage Danelectro necks, friskets vs. silkscreening on Gibson headstock logos, and a curious pickguard screw question.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding proper potentiometer values for a pedal steel guitar, plastic undercoating on a Squier Stratocaster, vintage pickguard shrinkage, and a bit of an overview on winding pickups.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric takes questions regarding tremolo springs on Stratocasters, correcting the excessive belly in a 12 string, the best cleaner and polish to use on nitro lacquer, making a bowed neck behave, and gluing a loose skunk stripe on a Fender Telecaster.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric takes questions regarding pickup choices and a soldering stations. Also discussed is the schematic for Andy in Deniliquin for a Tele that has the blend circuit mixed with the series circuit. For the second half of the show, Eric is joined by Jim Glinsky, guitar repairman based in Austin, Texas.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding Gibson wiring, stripped pickup mounting holes, rewinding Danelectro pickups, refinishing a 90's Tele, and more hyper analysis of Eric's pronunciations and mis pronunciations.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric takes questions regarding fret ends, proper pronounciation of Yamaha, steel wool, fret levelling, guitar wiring, and installing a mini humbucker in one of Eric's custom guitars.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding a warped back on an acoustic guitar, deteriorating binding, a custom wiring request, a quiet d string pole-piece on a Strat, the Payola Telecaster, and more.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding warped pickguards, pinless acoustic bridges, potting pickups in lacquer vs. wax, where to get pickup parts, and whether or not you should buy Eric's book.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and special guest host Lauren take questions about truss rods, fret slots, saddle shims, Epiphone guitar history, and a follow up to the question, "what makes a vintage guitar so special?"
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions about Luthier stress levels, lacquer checking techniques, gummy finish on a Les Paul neck, and Gibson solid body neck resets.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric takes questions about finding rare tuner ferrules, wax potting pickups, guitar refinishing, amplifier maintenance, the one takeaway you should get from listening to this podcast, and more.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding notched straight edges, identifying mystery fretwire, pickup winding, intonation, tuning problems, and more.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding the Stephens Extended Cutaway, treble bleed circuits, Supro pickups, using a dremel in fretwork, and some Solid Sound Book talk.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric interviews John Theisen of the El Camino School of Music, Repair, and Technology. John, founder and president of the school, is a longtime professional musician whose passion has inspired him to create a school where people can come together and learn from other professionals on their journey to a career in music industry technology.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat answer questions regarding nitro lacquer in aerosol cans, string wear, mystery switching on an HSS Strat, a few follow ups, and more.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat answer questions about roller bridges, Gibson Vibrola vibrato tailpieces, mystery pickups, a weak high E string, and more.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric ponders whether removing the finish from John Lennon's Epiphone Casino really did improve the tone and answer a few questions regarding fret levelling, fret polishing, fancy strings, moving your Telecaster's switch, and adjusting your playing style when needed.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat answer a few questions regarding P-90 pickups, mysterious pickups with 3 wires, how to get naphtha down under, how to loosen stiff potentiometers, and more.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat answer questions regarding removing sticker residue, an archtop that won't stabilize, sloppy fitting tuner ferrules, vintage style knobs and more.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat answer questions regarding Eric's book "Solid Sound," discuss out of phase guitar tone recordings, and wonder if hide glue can be made from gummy bears. To close the podcast, we discuss the merits of and proper methods for using hot hide glue.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat read a little bit of guitar news and then answer questions regarding acoustic guitar neck resets, crack repair, synthetic vs. bone, guitar wiring, neck shapes, and how to prep bolt on necks for screws.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat read a few book reviews of Eric's guitar wiring book, Solid Sound. Then the two read and answer questions regarding guitar repair costs, acoustic guitar pickups, cleaning gold plated hardware, Danelectro lipstick tube pickups, and refinishing a neck with a mystery undercoat.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric answers a few questions about F-stamp tuner installation problems and using wax to lubricate wood screws. Also included in this episode is a replay of some guitar related quizzes of past episodes.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat field your guitar tech questions regarding soldering, the fingerboard radius of Martin Guitars, wire recommendations, installing custom made bone nuts, and there's also some Solid Sound Book reviews peppered in here and there.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric goes over some of the contents of his new book, "Solid Sound." Then comes listener submitted questions, including questions about grounding volume pots, adding a volume control to a Piezo pickup, de-glossing guitar necks, the P-13 pickups and flipping magnets over to get an out-of-phase sound, and a discussion about the different eras of Fender guitars.
In this episode, it's the book release for Eric's new guitar wiring book "Solid Sound." Get your copy at SolidSoundBook.com! Joining Eric for the book release is Dan Petrzelka, who was instrumental in getting the book looking right and getting it printed. Also joining the podcast is Rick from Player's Gear Music who is giving away 2 pedals in conjunction with the release of the book, and Brett Jameson from APEX Coffee Roasters joins for a giveaway of coffee and APEX merch. The second half of the show is Q&A featuring good old Nat in the co-host seat.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast - Eric hosts solo while answering all the calls that have piled up since there hasn't been a Q&A episode for a while. There's questions about Epiphone New Yorker pickups, straightening out a hump in an Epi Les Paul fingerboard, installing a K&K resonator pickup, and a Harmony H-160 with a curious problem that Eric can't solve.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast - just a quick few announcements concerning price increases and my soon-to-be-released book. Also, we have a quick visit with Rick Tish from Player's Gear Music about his effects pedals.
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