The Johnny Beane Podcast

We're kicking things off by announcing a LIVE New Year's Eve hang right here on Johnny Beane TV — 11:30 PM Eastern / 8:30 PM Pacific!

On this episode, we kick things off by diving into some killer Reverb listings, checking out seriously cool guitars — including some stunning, custom-style instruments from Arrow Guitars in Palm Desert, California

On this episode of Talking Guitars, we kick things off with rock talk and six-string legends

On this episode of Talking Guitars on Johnny Beane TV, we kick things off by A/B-ing two nearly identical Squier Strat-style guitars — one loaded with a Seymour Duncan Fat Cat P90 in the bridge, and the other with a Seymour Duncan humbucker. Same guitars, different pickups… and WOW, they each bring their own unique vibe and tone. We then continue the project from yesterday, diving deeper into the Squier Strat with the Seymour Duncan Fat Cat P90. All the wiring and installation were handled off-camera before the show, so we jump straight into playing, tone talk, and real-world impressions. I did notice the volume pot was a little touchy, so I worked around it using a volume pedal during the session. Along the way, we swap between a few other guitars — including a couple more Squiers and the Kramer equipped with a Vega Trem and the killer Holoflash finish. Huge thanks once again to Ron for the incredible paint job — it looks absolutely amazing! If you love pickup comparisons, guitar mods, real tone talk, and live gear switching, this episode is for you. Jump into the comments and let me know which pickup YOU prefer!

This episode kicks off on a personal note as I pay tribute to Adam the Woo — sharing with Ron and the chat how his videos inspired my own journey into content creation and what his work still means to me today. We dive into some powerful moments from Adam's travels, including his visits to Randy Rhoads' grave and the Randy Rhoads plane crash site — must-see spots for any rock fan. From there, it's music news, breaking down a story about KISS, Kiss may be finished with touring, but guitarist Tommy Thayer says the band's story isn't over yet. Following their recent appearances at the Kiss Kruise event in Las Vegas, Thayer told MusicRadar that the shows were a success and hinted at more to come. “Fan events like this are great, and we'll probably do more,” Thayer said, adding that it felt natural playing together again after nearly two years. While full tours are off the table, he teased that “there's a lot in the works” behind the scenes. Thayer also didn't rule out new music, saying the band still has “a lot of great ideas and a desire to keep creating.” He pointed to Kiss's avatar project as an example of how the band is embracing new technology and future possibilities. Thayer joined Kiss full-time in 2002 after Ace Frehley's departure and remained with the band through their final tour, which ended at Madison Square Garden in 2023. Although Frehley and drummer Peter Criss were originally expected to appear at the farewell show, those plans ultimately fell through. Then straight to the workbench

Adam the Woo was a massive influence on my YouTube journey and on creators all over the world. His genuine approach to storytelling, exploration, and daily vlogging inspired so many of us to hit record and share our lives. This is shocking and heartbreaking news, and I wanted to take a moment here on Johnny Beane TV to honor Adam's legacy and the impact he had on me and the YouTube community. Rest in peace. #AdamTheWoo #RIPAdamTheWoo #YouTubeCreator #DailyVlogger #YouTubeCommunity #CreatorCommunity #Inspiration #JohnnyBeaneTV

On this episode of Straturday Night, we kicked things off by diving deep into the music business, sharing real-world experiences from playing in bands, touring, and working inside the recording studio. From there, we took it straight to the workbenches. Ron got hands-on with his Charvel, installing a Lollar Pickup in the neck position—after already dropping one into the bridge on a previous show. Meanwhile, I gave one of my Stratocasters a subtle but classy upgrade, swapping the white single-coil pickup covers for parchment. And yeah… I'm officially hooked on the parchment look. Once the mods were done, it was time to plug in and play. I demoed a handful of pedals, starting with the ZVEX Instant Lo-Fi Junky, delivering those beautifully warbly, lo-fi textures—almost chorus-like, but with its own quirky vibe. Next up was my favorite fuzz of all time, the ZVEX Fuzz Factory, bringing the chaos, sustain, and raw attitude. I also spent some time getting weird—in the best way—with my BOSS PC-2 Percussion Synthesizer, and wow, this pedal is a trip. It's a seriously interesting early '80s unit that delivers a wide range of highly adjustable, synth-like percussion sounds that instantly bring to mind classic Atari video games and old-school arcade vibes. Super retro, super quirky, and unlike just about anything else on a pedalboard today. It added a totally unexpected, nostalgic twist to the jams and showed just how far ahead of its time this pedal really was.

This episode was 100% chat-powered. I gave YOU two guitars to choose from—and the winner was the battle-scarred red hardtail Fender Stratocaster. This thing has seen years of play, tons of wear, and serious mojo, and we spent most of the night diving into it at the workbench.

Join us LIVE tonight for the ultimate interactive guitar project. It's gonna be a blast—so smash that thumbs up and hit subscribe for more killer guitar content right here on Johnny Beane TV!

On this killer episode of Talking Guitars on Johnny Beane TV, we kick things off with a cool story straight from Guitar World—then it's full speed to the workbench

On this episode of Straturday Night Live, we're finally building that mystery guitar LIVE!

We kick off this episode of Talking Guitars on JohnnyBeaneTV with an amazing story: Paul Reed Smith once revealed that Jeff Beck secretly played — and loved — a PRS guitar backstage. A hidden piece of guitar-legend lore! PRS says Beck used it to record, but the model is still a mystery, and the guitar didn't appear in this year's big Beck auction. Did he sell it? Is it still in the family vault? No one knows—but the hunt is on. Then we jump into some killer EVH news, breaking down the new EVH 5150III Hypersonic 606 1x12 and why it's getting so much buzz. On the workbench, I restring my 1996 MIJ Fender Custom '72 Reissue Telecaster, talk a bit about its history, and then run through a few more classics: my early '80s USA Hamer Phantom A-5, the Seville Les Paul copy for some unplugged vibes, the Squier Standard Strat, and of course—the Hello Kitty Squier, since we're rockin' the Hello Kitty tee. Thanks for watching! If you're into guitars, stories, mods, and all the craziness we do here, smash that thumbs up and hit subscribe!

On this episode of Talking Guitars on JohnnyBeaneTV, we opened with a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Steve Cropper, whose family announced his passing today. I share the story of meeting him nearly 30 years ago at the guitar shop I worked at—an unforgettable moment with a true icon. Legendary guitarist Steve Cropper — the soulful force behind Booker T. & the MG's, Otis Redding, and the Blues Brothers — has passed away at the age of 84. His son Cameron confirmed the news to Variety on Wednesday. Cropper's influence on Memphis soul is immeasurable. As a guitarist, producer, songwriter, and engineer at Stax Records, he shaped the sound of an era. His tight, tasteful, unmistakable guitar work powered Booker T. & the MG's, while also elevating recordings by Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd, and more. In 1996, Mojo magazine ranked him the second-greatest guitarist of all time, just behind Jimi Hendrix, praising his metronomic timing, razor-sharp riffs, and perfectly placed licks — always serving the song, never overstaying their welcome. As a songwriter, Cropper co-wrote classics like “Green Onions,” “Time Is Tight,” and “Soul-Limbo,” along with timeless R&B hits including Otis Redding's “(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay”, Wilson Pickett's “In the Midnight Hour” and “634-5789,” and Eddie Floyd's “Knock On Wood.” After leaving Stax in 1970, he continued making history. Booker T. & the MG's reunited into the '90s, backing icons like Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, Neil Young, and Levon Helm. Cropper also became widely known to new generations as the guitarist for The Blues Brothers, appearing on their platinum records and in both films. In 1992, Steve Cropper was rightfully inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Booker T. & the MG's. Then it's off to the workbench! I swap out the strap pins on my TEASE Telecaster, tighten up some screws on a Squier Tele, and Ron jumps in to show off some killer 3D-printed guitar goodies he's been crafting. And somehow… we wrap the night talking about MASSIVE burgers—PermanI Brothers, local burger joints, and the monster creations Ron hunts down. Guess we were starving! Rock, mods, memories, and monster burgers—classic JohnnyBeaneTV energy.

On this episode of Talking Guitars on JohnnyBeaneTV, we crack open a mystery guitar unboxing—and HUGE shout-out to Bay Area Rich for making it happen! Inside the case? An RJ Guitars Telecaster-style Broadcaster from the GigLine series, decked out in white and gold and loaded with killer specs: vintage Kluson-style tuners, bone nut, D'Addario strings, stainless steel frets, a roasted maple neck, alder body, full shielding, and a Wilkinson bridge. This thing is an absolute tone machine, and I'll be dropping a dedicated deep-dive video soon—so stay tuned, smash that like, and keep rocking with us on JohnnyBeaneTV. Huge thanks again to Bay Area Rich for the amazing support! If you dig this kind of hands-on guitar work, drop a comment below and let us know!

On this episode, we hit the workbench full throttle! I swapped out the nut on a vintage 1979 Ibanez Roadster RS100 Strat, brought it back to life, and took it for a killer test run.

On this episode of Talking Guitars on JohnnyBeane TV, we're diving deep into some serious Workbench action!

On this episode of Talking Guitars, it's Workbench Wednesday on Johnny Beane TV — and we're getting our hands dirty!

On this epic FOUR-HOUR episode of Talking Guitars on Johnny Beane TV, we went full throttle from start to finish! ⚡

On this episode of Straturday Night Live, we're kicking things off with a brand new intro — and this one's been four years in the making!

We kicked things off by showing our freshly repainted Samick Avion / Greg Bennett mini guitar — HUGE shout-out to Ron! This little beast started life as a black eBay car guitar, but now it's a champagne flip-flop copper ripper loaded with an Epiphone humbucker, Pure Tone jack, and Grover tuners. We played it, loved it, ROCKED it.

We kick things off with a brand-new show intro, powered by my original 2010 track “Rockin'” — now streaming on Spotify & Apple Music.

Last night was EPIC!

On this episode of Talking Guitars on Johnny Beane TV, we kick things off with some major music-news

We're kicking things off with exclusive footage I filmed this morning at Sylvan Music in Santa Cruz, California — then diving into an incredible story that'll hit every guitarist right in the feels. “I started crying. I never thought in these 42 years I'd see my work on the stage. I'm going, ‘Damn it, Joe!'”

On tonight's episode, we dive into Steve Vai's powerful message to the music world — a heartfelt call to support legendary guitar tech Thomas Nordegg. Thomas, who's worked with Steve Vai, Frank Zappa, Duran Duran, and so many more, was recently involved in a serious scooter accident in Los Angeles near Laurel Canyon and Ventura Blvd. He's now facing a long road to recovery and, as a self-employed tech, a total loss of income. Steve Vai and friends have launched a fundraiser with a goal of $46,000 to help cover medical bills, transportation, and living expenses while Thomas heals. Let's show some love and rally behind the guy who's kept the world's greatest guitars in tune for decades. ❤️

On this episode of Talking Guitars on Johnny Beane TV, it's a killer Workbench Wednesday packed with tone, tech, and builds! We kick things off with the new Ernie Ball USB-C Rechargeable Batteries — power your performance sustainably with rock-solid 9-volt and AA options that charge directly via USB-C! No more disposable batteries or wasted power — just plug in, charge up, and keep your pedals, wireless units, and active pickups running strong. Then we hit the benches!

A once-in-a-lifetime guitar event is coming!

On this exciting episode of Talking Guitars, we dive into some seriously cool new gear shaking up the guitar world!

We're diving into a brand-new feature where Wolfgang Van Halen opens up about the art of soloing — and the timeless advice he learned from his dad, Eddie Van Halen. “My dad would say the best solos are the ones you can hum and sing. It's fun to have shreddiness, but at the end of the day the melody has to come first.” – Wolfgang Van Halen With three Mammoth WVH albums now under his belt — the latest being The End — Wolfgang has truly proven himself as a formidable guitarist, songwriter, and producer. We'll break down highlights from his new MusicRadar interview, including:

On this episode of Exclusively Van Halen on Johnny Beane TV, we're diving into all things Mammoth WVH!

On this episode of Exclusively Van Halen, our good friend Rob Johnson returns — and we're diving deep into his EPIC Van Halen guitar collection!

On this episode of Talking Guitars, we remember the legendary Ace Frehley — the original Spaceman of KISS

On this episode of Exclusively Van Halen, we dive into HUGE news for fans of one of America's greatest rock bands — Genesis Publications has just announced the official VAN HALEN Anthology by Alex Van Halen!

Wolfgang Van Halen on A Different Kind of Truth: “The Fact That It Happened at All Is a Miracle” In a recent interview with Paul Cashmere of Noise11.com, Wolfgang Van Halen reflected on his role in creating A Different Kind of Truth — the final Van Halen album and the band's first full-length studio release since 1998. Wolfgang, who joined Van Halen at just 15 years old, played alongside his father Eddie Van Halen from 2006 until the band's final tour in 2015. He recalled how the 2012 album came together from the ground up: “It just felt like the right time for Van Halen to release new music,” Wolfgang said. “We'd toured, and the next logical step was to record something. Some of the demos started as early as 2009 — it took years. The fact that the record even happened is kind of a miracle.” According to Wolfgang, many of the songs were based on unfinished demos from the 1970s, which he discovered and helped bring to life. “A lot of those ideas were from the band's early days,” he explained. “It was a great way to get everyone back into that old creative mindset. It was fun — a lot of work, but I'm really proud of what we did.” Streaming Drama and Band Tensions The album made headlines again in June 2024 when it finally returned to streaming platforms after nearly two years of being unavailable. In a 2023 interview with Eddie Trunk, Wolfgang revealed the delay stemmed from internal disagreements: “Some people involved with the record don't like it,” Wolfgang admitted. “We've been trying to get it back up, but it's not easy. Let's just say those people were part of the record.” When Trunk asked if the person “with three initials” — a clear reference to David Lee Roth — was the issue, Wolfgang simply replied, “Probably.” Shortly after, Roth responded with a tongue-in-cheek YouTube video titled “Family Therapy.” In the skit, he mocked Wolfgang's frustrations about the album's streaming issues, even comparing A Different Kind of Truth to Muhammad Ali's late-career fights, suggesting it wasn't one of the band's finer moments. Wolfgang on Roth, the Band, and His Father's Legacy Over the years, Wolfgang has spoken candidly about his limited relationship with Roth: “We were cordial, but it was very business-related,” he told Rolling Stone. “We were always cool, but we only really saw each other onstage.” In later interviews, Wolfgang also hinted that Roth's difficult personality was a major reason why a proposed Eddie Van Halen tribute concert never materialized: “Some people made it really hard to get anything done when it came to Van Halen,” he said. “The fact that we managed to do three tours, release an album of new material, and a live record — that's a miracle in itself.” Wolfgang also set the record straight on how Van Halen operated behind the scenes: “People love to pin everything on Dad, but Al [Alex Van Halen] was the brain,” he explained. “Dad just wanted to play guitar. The Van Halen philosophy was always: if nothing's happening, there's nothing to talk about.” Eddie Van Halen passed away in October 2020 at age 65, surrounded by family and friends. With the band inactive since its 2015 U.S. tour, A Different Kind of Truth remains a rare and powerful final chapter in Van Halen's legendary story — and, as Wolfgang says, “a miracle that it even happened at all.” #ExclusivelyVanHalen #VanHalen #WolfgangVanHalen #EddieVanHalen #DavidLeeRoth #ADifferentKindOfTruth #VanHalenFans #VanHalenFamily #RockHistory #RockLegends #ClassicRock #GuitarGod #5150time #VanHalenNation #RockInterview #MusicNews #HardRock #VanHalenLive #SammyHagar #JohnnyBeaneTV

On tonight's epic episode of Straturday Night, we kick things off with a brand-new show intro — and it's killer!