Podcasts about Fretboard Journal

My guest this week is Bob Minner and we're celebrating one of the most iconic flatpicking records of all time - Norman Blake's 'Whiskey Before Breakfast'.We chat about Bob first hearing this record and why he loves it so much; its place in the flatpicking repertoire; the gear Norman used (including guitars, picks and even string gauges!) and we go through the record track by track.Not only that, Bob phoned Norman before we did the interview specifically to ask him about the songs and tunes he picked for the record and where he first heard them.Whether you're new to this record or you know it inside out, I hope you'll learn something from our conversation. I certainly did!Bob mentions a video he made with Bryan Sutton, Chris Eldridge and Kenny Smith, about the D18 that appears on the album cover - you'll find it on the Fretboard Journal's YouTube channelAlso, check out Bob's wonderful tribute album to Norman, 'From Sulphur Springs to Rising Fawn'.It's always a joy chatting to Bob. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did.MattSend a message to Bluegrass Jam Along! (Don't forget to include your name so I know who you are!) Support the show===Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!) Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins- Sign up to get updates on new episodes - Free fiddle tune chord sheets- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates: Instagram Facebook - Review us on Apple Podcasts

Mike Buchman is a Seattle-based guitar fanatic and the Fretboard Journal's newest hire! On this week's podcast, we talk to Mike about his recent experience learning the craft of guitarmaking with Colorado-based builder/instructor Robbie O'Brien.  We also talk about Mike's songwriting, his role at the FJ and so much more.  https://mikebuchmanmusic.com https://obrienguitars.com Our 56th issue of the Journal is now mailing to everyone. We hope you love it.  We are brought to you by:   Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). https://fretboardsummit.org/ https://www.fretboardjournal.com

Episode 147 of the Truth About Vintage Amps: Jason is headed to Peru, hemp speakers, resistors, modding PAs for harps, Lilly vs Lily at the Fender factory, kosher sound, and more! Fluidics: https://acoustics.org/pressroom/httpdocs/132nd/2aaa8.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ5wZRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA4eUxOc0djNTJqWnJRVVBTAR7SSMwDpCna1oRbSpuMLYDJrD1VRKzf8vbj3V6WOi3icH6LldxBvnOYopsKzw_aem_I4XGzFLTK-gXim_txcL4ig Our sponsors: Save $20 off Amplified Parts' new MOD vintage amp kits with the discount code TAVA20! (expires April 30, 2025); Grez Guitars; Better Help, and Emerald City Guitars  Recorded April 24, 2025. Want amp tech Skip Simmons' advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Include a photo, too.  Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.  Don't forget, we have a Patreon page. Support the show, get behind-the-scenes updates and get to the front of the line with your questions. 

Join Scotty and Jason Verlinde of the fretboard Journal for a long run in which they discuss Jason's background writing for the music industy including very early experiences at Amazon, starting his own Magazine and podcast for guitar enthusiats and his discovery of ultrarunning and training for his first 100K at Gorge Waterfalls.  We had to know how he did so there's a follow up added on.  Along with his short interview for "I've Got That On Vinyl" about his 5 essential albums. Learn about Fretboard Journal here: https://www.fretboardjournal.com This episode brought to you by our new friends at Dri Seats.  I'm loving mine....get yours for 20% off with the code TJM20 - https://www.dri-seats.com Sign up for Ten Junk Miles races here: https://www.tenjunkmilesracing.com   Join the Official Podcast Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1057521258604634   Support the show via Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/tenjunkmiles   Website: http://www.tenjunkmiles.com/   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tenjunkmiles   Twitter: https://twitter.com/tenjunkmiles   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenjunkmiles/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TenJunkMiles/  

Join Scotty and Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal for a discussion of this life in vinyl and his 5 Essential Albums.  Extra bonus material added at the end! Check out the Fretboard Journal here: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription?selling_plan=3627483416 IMPORTANT: Join the Mailing List!!  Email us at IGTOVpod@gmail.com It's never too late to fill out the poll.  PLEASE!!  The data is interesting to us!! Find this poll and all the others here: https://igtov.com/vote-here View the Standings Chart: https://sites.google.com/view/essential-table/home JoIn the "I've Got That On Vinyl" Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/684186180585840 On Twitter: @IGTOVPodcast On Instagram: @igtovpodcast Intro and Outtro music by MIshka Shubaly: http://www.mishkashubaly.com

Episode 146 of the Truth About Vintage Amps: Troubled drummers, bulk Gatorade, more typewriter and Rockford Files talk, and a bunch of amp questions. Reminder: Amplified Parts now has amp kits! Thanks, as always, for being a part of the world's finest call-in tube amp repair show. Want amp tech Skip Simmons' advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Include a photo, too.  Some of the topics discussed this week:  :43 The Ampeg book (Amazon link), George Barnes and 'Guitars Galore' 3:43 A 1982 black panel Fender Champ 4:43 A Super Reverb that sounds like a dying motorcycle 6:09 Jason goes to Peru, vicuñas, alpacas   10:23 Some TAVA announcements: Sam Plecker has a new album ('So True'); congrats to John Vanderslice; RIP to Michael Hurley; thanks to Tin Can Valley Letterpress printing (link) 14:37 Ep. 150 idea: Skip's amp guru on the podcast?; servicing a hybrid Standel 18:24 Our sponsors: Save $20 off Amplified Parts' new MOD vintage amp kits with the discount code TAVA20! (expires April 30, 2025); Grez Guitars; and Emerald City Guitars  25:40 Recommended pedal: The Catalinbread Topanga reverb pedal (note: Skip said "Tropicana," but it's the Topanga) 27:45 Replies to last week's Rockford Files Baffler; Jim Gordon, 'Drums & Demons' (Amazon link); Hal Blaine's 'Buh-doom!' comedy album (it's on Spotify) and other Hollywood gossip; more Rockford Files (and letterpress!) 35:46 Accidentally injecting positive feedback into a Precision single-ended amp; tools for measuring plate current 40:23 Cleaning motor oil off of tubes and a vintage microphone; Gatorade and Tang; running a Traynor off of a gas generator 47:37 A smoking 1980s Fender Super Champ and fried resistors 52:51 A 6-watt Princeton Reverb / Vibro-Champ clone in a custom beetle-kill pine tree cabinet 59:02 An amp cabinet with sympathetic strings (Reverb link), explained! Vulture Amplification video one and two; Treehaus field coil speakers (link) 1:05:08 Hooking something up: Experimenting with a speaker outside of a cabinet  1:06:29 Servicing an all-original Vibrolux Reverb to sell  1:09:58 Giving the gift of an El Pato Tone practice amp (order yours here); Typewriter Revolution; typewriter ribbons from Baco Ribbon & Supply Co. 1:18:52 Reverse audio taper potentiometers 1:22:37 Come get a free SVT speaker 1:23:13 Sacramento's Delta Breeze record store, redux; not all capacitors are created equal; always use a test speaker; Amplified Parts' Hammond enclosure for short reverb tanks 1:27:22 Recommended reading: Hampton Sides' 'The Wide Wide Sea' (Amazon link)  1:28:51 Homework: Check out the Maestro GA-2RT schematic Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.  Don't forget, we have a Patreon page. Support the show, get behind-the-scenes updates and get to the front of the line with your questions. 

Peghead Nation co-founder Dan Gabel joins us this week to talk about the online lesson portal's origin story, the growth they've experienced over the last decade, and some of their favorite online classes.  The Peghead Nation roster contains many former Fretboard Journal subjects and familiar faces to anyone who loves our podcast. In 2022, they even won a Distinguished Achievement Award from IBMA, the International Bluegrass Music Association.  This week, Peghead Nation is launching a live Flatpicking Old-Time Fiddle Tunes class with guitar virtuoso (and co-founder) Scott Nygaard. https://www.pegheadnation.com This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). https://fretboardsummit.org/ https://www.fretboardjournal.com

The Fretboard Journal's Sofia Wolfson interviews Chicago's Free Range (Sofia Jensen), whose second record 'Lost & Found' is out now.  Jensen recounts learning guitar at the School of Rock, starting Free Range as a teenager, getting influenced by Pinegrove (and King of the Hill!), developing your sound, and so much more. It's a great introduction to an artist we know you'll love. https://www.freerangesongs.com https://www.instagram.com/free__range/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). https://fretboardsummit.org/ https://www.fretboardjournal.com

For episode 100 of the podcast, I talk with the legendary Jim Olson. Jim should need little introduction to most Luthier on Luthier listeners. His guitars have been played and cherished by artists including James Taylor (you can even spot the trademark headstock "O" during Taylor's appearance on the Simpsons), Paul Simon, Phil Keaggy, Zac Brown and Patty Larkin. Though he creates some of the most valuable flattop guitars around, his build process is all about efficiency and quality control. Jim talks about how his tooling and processes have changed over the years, how Bob Taylor talked him into his first CNC, early career challenges ("I couldn't give them away," he says about his first guitars), and about the subjective nature of a "better" guitar. Link: https://olsonguitars.com Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by Dream Guitars and StewMac. Want to support Luthier on Luthier? Join our Patreon to get access to exclusive photos and content from Michael and his builds.

This week, we talk to writer Jamie Etherington about his latest project, the Luthier's Tool Box. The Luthier's Tool Box is the Fretboard Journal's first hardcover book release. It's an anthology featuring guitarmakers from around the world sharing the stories behind their most cherished tools. What began as a Fretboard Journal magazine article quickly evolved into a full-fledged book with nearly 100 contributors and full-color photographs. If you like our magazine or podcasts, you'll love this book. Order the book here: http://fretboardjournal.com/tools We also talk about Jamie's life in Australia, his love for traditional and acoustic music from America, his interview with illustrator Annie Elliott, and so much more. Follow Jamie: https://www.instagram.com/jamie.etherington.35/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). https://fretboardsummit.org/ https://www.fretboardjournal.com

Episode 145 of the Truth About Vintage Amps: Kahlua brie, replicating Nirvana's In Utero sound, hissy reverb units and more! Thanks, as always, for being a part of the world's finest call-in tube amp repair show. Want amp tech Skip Simmons' advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Include a photo, too.  Some of the topics discussed this week:  1:17 Skip makes even more stuff for John Vanderslice & Tiny Telephone; Skip's take on the MTI Tubes pedal 8:18 Skip's Premier 90-inspired reverb unit 15:20 Our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts! Get the Amplified Parts' Spring Reverb Kit here. 19:06 What's on your bench: A Fender Deluxe and Pro; how to work on old Tweeds; orange drop caps 26:20 The Joyo American Sound pedal, redux; SansAmp pedals; Kurt Cobain's 'In Utero' sound 27:27 Vintage amps and PAs at the 2025 Fretboard Summit (register here) 28:32 Adding a resistor to bump up the values when measuring on a Fluke multimeter? 31:49 Using a carb cleaning kit for octal sockets (Amazon link); working on Filmosound 385s 34:19 Skip's car restoration; the Swamp book (Amazon link); Benny Hill 40:20 No delete on typewriters; Mitch Hedberg and steamboats (YouTube link) 41:37 A 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket with a hiss 45:21 Skip made the ticking go away; a 5F2A build inspired me to buy a 1961 Fender 6G4-A Super; Kahlua brie with pecans 54:02 A noisy 1970s tube Fender Reverb unit, the magic of NOS pre-amp tubes in single-ended amps 59:02 To be continued: What's the deal with this amp cabinet on Reverb? (Reverb link) 1:01:00 The Garnet amp book (link), the Gibson Amp book on Blue Book's site (cheaper than Amazon!), Gibson Falcon talk, the doldrums of being a flight service specialist (or drawbridge operator) 1:10:21 Recommended reading (at least for the Canucks): Robert Dayton's 'Cold Glitter: The Untold Story of Canadian Glam' (Amazon link) 1:13:15 A Rockford Files baffler 1:14:12 Why do the English have all the better TV shows? 'Stath Lets Flats' 1:17:33 Sacramento's Delta Breeze Records; Skip has SF Fender Champs for sale Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.  Don't forget, we have a Patreon page. Support the show, get behind-the-scenes updates and get to the front of the line with your questions. 

For episode 12 of Steel, we meet Laurel Premo, an incredible folk musician from Traverse City, Michigan. Laurel's 2021 album, 'Golden Loam,' is a collection of deep, dark folk tunes played on solo electric guitar and lap steel, and the sound is completely her own. The record is spare, brooding, rhythmically deep, and completely captivating.  When I learned Laurel was coming to New York, I jumped at the chance to meet her and talk about her musical life. In this episode, we discuss Laurel's musical roots in Northern Michigan, where she played fiddle in Finnish Barn dances; how she picked up the lap steel and adapted it to her style of music; her immersion in Scandinavian folk traditions; how chanting is at the heart of her musical practice; and lots more. laurelpremo.com laurelpremo.bandcamp.com Steel Ep 12 Spotify Playlist Steel Ep 12 Youtube Playlist This podcast is mixed by Armen Bazarian and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal magazine. www.fretboardjournal.com

Maegan Wells is known for her beautifully crafted archtop guitars and mandolins made in her one-person shop in Northern California. For episode 99 of the podcast, Meagan shares her guitar-making journey, starting with attending Bryan Galloup's Galloup School of Guitar Making and Guitar Repair, followed by apprenticeships, side jobs, and a stint at LMI. Meagan also discusses her views on smaller archtop guitars, contrasting sides, and much more. She also reveals a new project on the horizon!   http://www.maegenwellsguitars.com/mwg Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by Dream Guitars and StewMac. Want to support Luthier on Luthier? Join our Patreon to get access to exclusive photos and content from Michael and his builds.

Episode 144 of the Truth About Vintage Amps: Flashing Flukes, reflections on NAMM, variable plate capacitors, hot buttered rum (and popcorn!), and more!   Need some help with your tube amps? Be a part of our show by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Some of the topics discussed this week:  1:13 Jason goes to the NAMM Show, the Dumble relaunch (watch our Instagram video here); Grit Laskin's 'The Stradivari Formula' (link); Wood Wire & Volts (link) 11:49 What's on Skip's bench: A late 1940s Danelectro Vibrovox; Wandre Guitars 20:57 Our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts! 25:14 A confused Fluke 26 Series III meter trying to measure coils and output transformer windings 33:07 The parallel between an acoustic guitar's soundboard and an amp's speaker; recommended reading: And the Roots of Rhythm Remain by Joe Boyd (link) 39:17 A custom-made, single-ended 10-watt 800 JCM-style amp; variable voltage regulators vs. a variac 44:30 Keggers Got Talent: Walnut-maple cabinets from listener Niel F. (check our Instagram for pics) 47:42 Should I use the variable plate capacitors I pulled from a HAM radio? 51:25 Skip on the phone versus Skip on the mic 52:41 Breaking food news: Cuisinart Microwave Popcorn Maker (Amazon link) 57:19 Neko Case's new memoir, 'The Harder I Fight the More I Love You' (Amazon link) 59:18 A Garnet Lifco "stencil" amp, the Garnet amp book (order link) 1:03:07 Taming a reissue Princeton Reverb, redux; the Joyo American Sound pedal (link) 1:07:31 An idea for the "pedal" room at the 2025 Fretboard Summit: https://fretboardsummit.org 1:11:15 Want to attend a Bay Area amp workshop with Skip this Spring? Email us! 1:11:47 Accidentally creating an arc with the probe when checking plate voltages on power tubes, hot buttered rum 1:17:17 Recommended reading: Conquering the Electron (link); making a pre-amp out of a Silvertone Twin 12; Greenlee knockout punches 1:28:45 Who sent Skip a Skylark?; a Ampeg flip-top with a remote reverb speaker; Bustelo instant coffee; David Barrett's harmonica courses (link); John Vanderslice Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.  Don't forget, we have a Patreon page. Join us to get show updates and get to the front of the question line. 

D'Addario founder and Fretboard Journal 55 cover subject Jim D'Addario joins us this week for a fascinating talk about strings, innovation, and so much more.  We talk about Jim's first mentor, Mario Maccaferri; Jim's relentless work ethic, where he sees forthcoming innovation in guitar strings; and much more. It's a great chat with one of our favorite FJ subjects. Check out the new issue of the Journal featuring Jim here: https://www.fretboardjournal.com/features/whats-inside-fretboard-journal-55/ Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Register today:  https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

A throwback, lo-fi landline episode just for the purists! Caller waiting beeps, the state of the guitar show, an energized Skip, and more. Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to podcast@fretboardjournal.com. Recorded on January 13, 2025. Some of the topics discussed this week:  1:31: The LA fires 3:34: A recap of the Bay Area Vintage Guitar Show; are guitar shows just for eating now? estuaries and prison proposals 34:00 Our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts! 36:56 The origins of goop; Standel amps and their little plastic boxes, Mark Sampson (aforementioned amp here) 43:24 Skip's death caps (not that kind)  44:56 The ideal workbench setup 50:36 Poetry corner: "The Girl Who Never Rained"  by Cole Swensen 54:46 An all-original Setchel Carlson with Flechtheim 2uF British-made filter cap blocks, gas rectifiers  58:15 Can I use the second set of speaker lugs on this amp to use a test cabinet?  1:03:33 The "Larry Revival Process" and modding the standby switch on a Marshall JMP50 Plexi 1:07:52 Why is my 1971 Fender Champ making noise? 1:16:11 Randall Smith's YouTube channel (link); what happens when you pull the V1 12AX7 Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.  Don't forget, we have a Patreon page. Join us to get show updates and get to the front of the question line. 

Episode 11 of Steel features legendary dobro player Jerry Douglas, who joins to discuss his new album 'The Set.'  Jerry Douglas is one of the most recorded, accomplished, and expressive players in the history of his instrument. His career is as deep as it is varied. He's been a top-flight bluegrass player for five decades and has shared the stage with everybody from J.D. Crowe to Billy Strings. He is a Nashville session ace and has played on thousands of recordings. And when he can find the time, he makes his own records. Today, Jerry and I discuss how this record came to be; how his band communicates, writes, and records; his stint playing pedal steel on the Grand Ole Opry; and lots more. Check out the following links to learn more about Jerry and his music. https://jerrydouglas.com/ https://www.instagram.com/jerrydouglas https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2QKfmniXegfjB43geOK1ok?si=e8dd20bde5d1457b https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=KRpwZ9BkN4E&list=PLvvtMAAyfWueRPSioMXfNaeY83AoxM2Kn The music for Episode 11 is “A Meadow in the Valley of Secrets,” by Sweet Gary from Austin, Texas. It's on the album, 'Pink Pedal Steel.' https://www.instagram.com/sweet.gary https://sweetgary.bandcamp.com/album/pink-pedal-steel This podcast is brought to you by the Fretboard Journal magazine. https://www.fretboardjournal.com  

For episode 98 of the podcast, I am joined by renowned classical guitar maker Gary Southwell. Based on the banks of the River Rede in Northumberland, England, Southwell has been building instruments since 1983. Gary and I talk about the unique characteristics of Bog Oak, the history and influence of 19th-century Viennese guitars, his interactions with Julian Bream, and some reflections on 50 years of guitar making.  https://www.southwellguitars.co.uk/ Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by Dream Guitars and StewMac. Want to support Luthier on Luthier? Join our Patreon to get access to exclusive photos and content from Michael and his builds.  

Ella Feingold is a Grammy-winning guitarist who has performed alongside Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu, Bruno Mars, and numerous other heavyweight musicians. She's also one of the most inspiring musicians we've ever met, a trans artist who shares her love for funk and rhythm guitar on Instagram on a near-daily basis with fans around the world. On this week's podcast, we talk to Ella about her life as a recording artist, a music historian, and a video game orchestrator. We learn about the life-changing magic of inverted tuning (and how a couple of former Fretboard Journal subjects hipped her to it), the only amp she needs, the power of Fred Rogers and so much more. This is one of our favorite interviews to date and is filled with insights. We hope you love it. https://www.instagram.com/ella_rae_feingold/ https://feingoldmusic.com/ https://www.patreon.com/feingoldmusic Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe Watch the video from this interview over on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Register today: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Collings: Check out their new Hill Country series of guitars: https://collingsguitars.com/hill-country-series/

Guest host Sofia Wolfson introduces us to Renny Conti, a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter/producer. They discuss Renny's introduction to music, the influence of Big Thief (Sofia just interviewed Adrianne Lenker for our 55th issue, btw), the beauty of cowboy chords and more.  Renny's self-titled album is out today (January 17, 2025). Check it out on Spotify or Apple Music. https://rennyconti.bandcamp.com https://www.instagram.com/rennyonline/ Host Sofia Wolfson: https://sofiawolfson.bandcamp.com/album/imposing-on-a-hometown Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Register today: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Collings: Check out their new Hill Country series of guitars: https://collingsguitars.com/hill-country-series/

This week, we're joined by Mike Nelson, Martin Guitars' VP of Global Marketing.    Mike has a coveted job: He gets to tell the story of one of the world's most loved guitar brands.   We talk about the challenges Mike faces in his role, the yearslong planning process for new Martin models, where he sees growth in the industry, the Martin Custom Shop, NAMM, and more.    It's a unique take on the business of guitar.    Martin: https://www.martinguitar.com Martin's Custom Shop: https://www.martinguitar.com/about-martin-custom-shop.html?srsltid=AfmBOor0gH2rquaP_2ZQOYJxOALmzB6uprJCvpqFqfrSVMrSDGHo5qEz   2025 LA Fire Relief:  Musicares Fire Relief: https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief LA Mutual Fire Aid Resources: https://www.fireaid.info/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZX8rVNnTmxCs5y7FxfKVC7MPMztRiLJp_fWMzLcKsihzK82aF1mC8-DRI_aem_GS0GIyZN5hSAMVs8OdVRbw LA Wildfires Help List: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10Q387T4udLBFSEj5MJs16E8OwZNZHU9RemS39ZhSyt8/htmlview Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Register today: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Collings: Check out their new Hill Country series of guitars: https://collingsguitars.com/hill-country-series/

Send us a textHappy new year everyone! In this episode we're talking abotu setting goals for 2025, why practice routines don't really work and how you should approach your guitar playing for the next 6 months. Download the Triad Method: https://thebluesguitarshow.com/the-triad-method/Support the showTo get your hands on THE TRIAD METHOD: https://thebluesguitarshow.com/product/the-triad-method/Become a Blues Guitar Show Member: https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribeHead over to www.thebluesguitarshow.com to subscribe to the mailing list

Max Monterosso builds beautifully detailed steel string guitars, harp and electric guitars out of his one-person shop in the Veneto region of Italy.  For episode 97 of the podcast, I caught up with Max at the Acoustic Guitar Village Show in Cremona, Italy this past October.  https://www.maxmonte.com/en/ https://www.instagram.com/maxmonte_guitars/ Max shares insights from building harp and steel string guitars, his thoughts on 3D printers and CNC in his shop, and discusses how visiting other builders has helped shape his career. Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by Dream Guitars and StewMac. Want to support Luthier on Luthier? Join our Patreon to get access to exclusive photos and content from Michael and his builds.  

Singer-songwriter and Fretboard Journal contributor Sofia Wolfson recently joined our editorial staff. As we close out 2024, we decided to check in with her to get her recap of the guitar scene in NYC, her favorite records, artists to watch, the gear she loved and more. It's a deep dive full of new discoveries!    https://sofiawolfson.bandcamp.com/album/imposing-on-a-hometown   The Fretboard Journal is proud to present two PNW shows with Sofia:  On Friday, January 10, 2025, Sofia will be performing at one of our favorite guitar stores, Strum in Portland, Oregon. Tickets are available here. On Saturday, January 11, 2025, she'll play in Seattle at the Rabbit Box Theater. Get tickets to see Sofia in Seattle here.  Some of the stuff mentioned during this podcast:  Albums:    Woodland - Gillian Welch and David Rawlings: https://open.spotify.com/album/7zZI8ki72x4CYVJ1H2JgUA?si=T1_5XCIUTJCdLowDWFXBqg   Manning Firewords - MJ Lenderman: https://open.spotify.com/album/1bKiiYGt1fzm9YMlTnUqpN?si=pkefrVjxS8qap3NVCN2-Iw   Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker: https://open.spotify.com/album/2Y8WS7iDIZkvzB5GUeLvku?si=SnJjef1NRiq4YH4I_eVyZg   Two Star & The Dream Police - Mk.gee: https://open.spotify.com/album/6DlLdXBGCsSDPOV8R2pCl7?si=3dw8Yv-iQAOJF5brnmeIbA   Inside the Marble - Margaux: https://open.spotify.com/album/6Tifn26BUT16VlQ3WG2khN?si=WBfItl_JSG6rencd1XCNrA   Blue Raspberry - Katy Kirby: https://open.spotify.com/album/0fVXraFe5B7rZLnGjTVZWy?si=vRq8BA-HRzWeu5TsLuQiAw   Close Your Eyes - Blue Ranger: https://open.spotify.com/album/3ekbSIvcRXFgoucz2HRSq0?si=SdlOWu0mQEe7WDjwfXJoTg   See You at the Maypole - Half Waif: https://open.spotify.com/album/42IiJqXh1ICEPJjwqG5D1B?si=GCLOCqKdT2m14e5zC7MPnA     Other Odds & Ends:    Gemini Pickups: https://www.geminipickups.com/#/   Gunk: https://gunkyard.substack.com/   No Hassle Castle: https://www.instagram.com/nohasslenyc/   Union Pool: https://www.union-pool.com/   Baby's All Right: https://babysallright.com/   Public Records: https://publicrecords.nyc/ Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans, and it is loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Register today: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Collings: Check out their new Hill Country series of guitars: https://collingsguitars.com/hill-country-series/

We first met Spokane, Washington-based luthier Tyson Soth at our annual Fretboard Summit. We loved his guitars and the story of how he fell into guitar making.    On this week's podcast, we share Tyson's story. He talks about learning from guitar maker Joel Stehr, the personal challenges that made him focus on guitars as a career, the financial perils of lutherie, why he doesn't hoard rare tonewoods, and so much more.    https://sothguitars.com   Follow Tyson Soth on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/tyson.soth.guitars/ Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans, and it is loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Register today: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

It's the 142nd episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps! Join Skip and Jason as they field all of your pressing guitar amp questions. Plus...recipes, music and book recommendations and more!  Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to podcast@fretboardjournal.com. Some of the topics discussed this week:  :00 Jingle Bell Rock and other Christmas classics 1:14 Our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts! 5:37 Supermarket Sweep; The Office 7:27 The Truth About Vintage Amps Patreon page; listener John's Angela parts list 8:27 Another Tweed Harvard by Skip? 9:33 Let's celebrate the TAVA makers; the TAVA Cookbook (Dropbox link) 11:09 A 1970 Davis PA Head with a "tube saver" switch; the Dixon Amp Company (link) 14:17 A Princeton Reverb-inspired amp with a foot switch that won't stop ticking; Vesper martinis; Body & Soul instruments (link); the $1000 tube lot 22:29 Should I be worried that one of my Silverface Champs draws more amps than the others? 26:27 Which diameter Kester solder? 28:39 Inflatable hot tubs; adding trem to a 5E3 kit; Rotel and cream cheese dip 33:48 Angela Super 6V6 Build tips 36:50 Tolex; Little Charlie's Rice redux; Jason on Guitar Magic (link)  40:02 Bomb cyclones, a Tweed Harvard serviced by Skip, homemade cranberry sauce, Weber speaker reconing (link) 45:06 Pique hot pepper sauce (link)  46:39 Bell 2325 hi-fi amp with cathode feedback; pepperoni rolls; Andy Williams 55:19 Charlie Hunter's hybrid guitars with two output jacks; Audio Guild Versatones 1:04:08 Using the reverb driver transformer as an output, Martinelli's sparkling apple cider, redux; making Mexican crema at home; taking the output of a reverb tank and using it in the normal channel for volume, treble and bass controls on the reverb 1:07:59 Two identical amps, but one sounds crappy 1:09:46 Holiday reading/watching recommendations: Joe Smith's Off the Record (link); Donald Brosnac's Guitar Electronics for Musicians (link); the Blue Nile's A Walk Across the Rooftops; Little Miss Sunshine; Master and Commander; Sampson Boat Company's Tally Ho restoration videos (link); The Only Girl in the Orchestra on Netflix; Tim Gautreaux's Same Place, Same Things (link) Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.  Don't forget, we have a Patreon page. Join us to get show updates and get to the front of the question line. 

Send us a textIn this episode I take you through a fun jazzy 12-bar using triad shapes and partial chords. Download the Triad Method: https://thebluesguitarshow.com/the-triad-method/Download the Triad Method: https://thebluesguitarshow.com/the-triad-method/Support the showTo get your hands on THE TRIAD METHOD: https://thebluesguitarshow.com/product/the-triad-method/Become a Blues Guitar Show Member: https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribeHead over to www.thebluesguitarshow.com to subscribe to the mailing list

Singer-songwriter/storyteller Jason Walsmith (The Nadas) joins us this week to talk about the life of an enterprising troubadour. In addition to performing in a variety of settings across the country, Jason is the founder of Guitar Satchel, a gig bag company inspired by heritage wax canvas clothing brands. We hear all about it.    We also talk about life on the road, van life for singer-songwriters, house concerts, corporate gigs, Bedell Guitars, the Fretboard Summit, and so much more. It's a great chat with one of our community members.    https://guitarsatchel.com https://jasonwalsmithstoryteller.com/home Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans, and it is loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Register today: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Collings: Check out their new Hill Country series of guitars: https://collingsguitars.com/hill-country-series/

For Episode 10 of Steel, we meet Chris Parker, a deep guitarist living in Brooklyn who has found some incredible ways of copping classic pedal steel sounds on a plain old six-string guitar with just his fingers and a slide. Chris is a fixture on the Brooklyn guitar scene. Most nights of the week you can catch him backing up songwriters, playing fully improvised music, or leading his own band, Guru Complex. Chris and I discuss the evolution of his singular slide guitar sound, his approach to practice and improvisation, and the realities of being a professional musician in New York. We also get to hear Chris make his guitar sound like pedal steel and a few other wild instruments.  Check out the following links to learn more about Chris and his music: https://chrisparkermusic.com/ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvvtMAAyfWucFAaaYvZ-TU7RsvxyWCp9C https://www.instagram.com/chrisparker246/ This podcast is brought to you by the Fretboard Journal magazine. https://www.fretboardjournal.com/  

Celebrate women who rock in a discussion with the hosts of NPR music's series Turning the Tables as they share their new book How Women Made Music: A Revolutionary History from NPR Music. Uncovering the role women have played in shaping the music industry, editor Alison Fensterstock brings long-overdue recognition to female artists, challenging traditional best album lists and highlighting overlooked contributions in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. By bringing together material from over fifty years of NPR's coverage, Fensterstock underscores the enduring impact of women in music. Audience members will gain insight into Joan Baez's reflections on nonviolence as a musical principle, discover Dolly Parton's favorite song and the story behind it, and learn about Nina Simone's use of her voice as a tool against racism. The book also captures Odetta's transition from classical music to folk as a way to express her anger over Jim Crow laws and Taylor Swift's early uncertainties about her career. Music enthusiasts, songwriters, feminist historians, and anyone intrigued by the creative process are invited for a compelling evening of composition conversation at Town Hall. Alison Fensterstock is a New Orleans-based writer and editor. A contributor to NPR Music since 2016, she's written and edited for Turning the Tables and appeared on NPR programs including All Things Considered, World Café and Word of Mouth; her writing about popular music and culture has appeared in Rolling Stone, the NewYork Times, the Oxford American and MOJO, among others. Emily Fox hosts and produces KEXP's music interview show, Sound & Vision. Music and storytelling are her passions. Prior to working at KEXP, Emily was a host, producer, and reporter on Michigan Radio, WKAR and Seattle's KUOW. Rachel Flotard is the singer, songwriter and guitarist of the Seattle rock band Visqueen and mother of three.  She manages artists at Red Light Management and previously served as Director of Operations at Fretboard Journal. Flotard is a creative producer and founded her own independent record label, Local 638 Records, inspired by her dad's New York City Steamfitter's Union. She continues to tour, record and collaborate with folks she loves.     Buy the Book How Women Made Music: A Revolutionary History from NPR Music The Elliott Bay Book Company

Episode 96 of Luthier on Luthier is a collection of interviews from the 2024 Rocky Mountain Archtop Guitar Festival, sponsored by Henriksen Amplifiers.  At the show, Cris Mirabella, Tyler Wells, and Maegan Wells each presented their guitars to the new Blue Guitars Collection.    I sit down with each of them to hear their thoughts on the instruments and their construction.   There is also a bonus interview with George Leach of the Phoenix Guitar Company, who just published a new book on guitar building.    Patreon supporters: You can listen to the 2024 Blue Guitars presentation ceremony hosted Linda Manzer and Tom Ribbecke. Join us at https://www.patreon.com/luthieronluthier to hear the whole thing.   Links   https://theblueguitars.com/ https://www.lhtguitars.com/home-2 https://www.mirabellaguitars.com/ https://www.maegenwellsguitars.com/ https://www.phoenixguitarco.com/ Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by Dream Guitars and StewMac. Want to support Luthier on Luthier? Join our Patreon to get access to exclusive photos and content from Michael and his builds.

Subscriber-only episodeSend us a textThis week we're continuing our look at double stops in blues. We're going thorught the John Lee Hooker classic - One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer.Head to the drive folder to download this weeks TABS;https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_WwAzYBpLKQBRAz942uqQb4u-C3PcvYz?usp=drive_linkDownload the Triad Method: https://thebluesguitarshow.com/the-triad-method/To get your hands on THE TRIAD METHOD: https://thebluesguitarshow.com/product/the-triad-method/Become a Blues Guitar Show Member: https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribeHead over to www.thebluesguitarshow.com to subscribe to the mailing list

Missing your rambling relatives this holiday season? You're in luck! Tune in to Jason and Skip as they ramble through weather reports, amp fixes, book recommendations, reflective impedance, reverb-driven line-out and more on our 141st episode! Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to podcast@fretboardjournal.com. Some of the topics discussed this week:  :48 Weather report: Rain in the West, bomb cyclones in the PNW 4:32 A 1968 Heathkit catalog with DIY Harmony Guitar kits 6:35 Thanksgiving at the Simmons house 7:09 A noisy Alamo; Pathfinder, the band (link); bands named after amplifiers  8:49 Our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts (Jensen speakers are currently on sale!)  10:58 Deluxe Amplication's red can El Pato Practice amp! (link, I said green on the podcast...my bad) 11:50 Pre-order William J. Simmons' new book, 'Love and Degradation: Excessive Desires in Queer-Feminist Art' (pre-order link)  12:51 Recommended reading: 'The Golden Ocean' by Patrick O'Brian 14:33 What's on Skip's bench? The secret solid state guru in Sacramento, not to be confused with the washing machine guru 18:54 The Truth About Vintage Amps Patreon page; guided tours of the Skip universe?  20:50 Jason interviews a yogi on the Fretboard Journal podcast (link)  22:35 Adding a half-power switch to a push-pull amp?, tortilla chips  29:48 Would a variac set to 110v help new amps?  31:49 Mullard 10M tubes; going back to school; Skip has all the NOS Amperex 12AX7s   37:58 A Denver TAVA meetup?; one filter cap or two in a Gibson GA-25? Replacing non-polarized electrolytic caps by twisting two regular negative caps together 41:03 More on Skip's new (old) Fender Duo Sonic 48:26 Using your Fender's reverb circuit to drive a speaker; Sherlock Holmes' lazy brother 52:36 Skip is going to make an outboard tremolo pedal 53:09 Why do some reverb tanks have bags? 52:22 A non-alcoholic cocktail featuring ginger ale and cranberry juice 56:02 "I smile at pretty solder joints;" Riddim Restoration of Bellingham, Washington (link)  1:00:45 An early 60's Geloso 215AN, a diode bridge and a choke to create negative voltage; and Denver chocolate pudding cake   1:07:14 Reusing old blown transformers 1:09:00 KVMR Community Radio (link) 1:10:05 A mid-‘50s theremin schematic; the Theremin documentary   Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.  Don't forget, we have a Patreon page. Join us to get show updates and get to the front of the question line. 

In what has become a November tradition, Guru Singh - the Fretboard Journal's favorite guitar-loving yogi and spiritual teacher - returns to the podcast. This time around, we hear more about his early days growing up in Seattle, including the now-customized Gibson J-45 that he purchased in the '50s, used throughout the '60s as a Reprise Records artist, and still plays today. We talk about his new album, en CHANT ed (out now on all the streaming platforms), working with Seal, and how he defines mantra music.  https://gurusingh.com en CHANT ed on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3iuFFu5euoPjz7Fxlf9xlQ en CHANT ed on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/en-chant-ed/1776796072 We also get advice on how to stay positive during stressful times (including the recent election), the importance of inclusion, the history of yoga in the U.S. and so much more.  Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans, and it is loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Register today: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Collings: Check out their new Hill Country series of guitars: https://collingsguitars.com/hill-country-series/ StewMac: Check out this affordable S-style guitar kit: https://stewmac.sjv.io/XmYmbo Thanks, as always, for tuning in. 

On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we're sharing an inspiring chat on guitarmaking and storytelling with UK-based luthier Daisy Tempest. In just a few years, Daisy's YouTube channel - where she documents the craft (and toil) behind her handcrafted instruments - has exploded in popularity. (A recent video documenting the $36,000 acoustic guitar she built currently has over 300,000 views and counting.) Still in the early stages of her guitar career, she's already expanded the audience for high-end acoustics with her fresh take on content creation and some truly gorgeous instruments. It will be fascinating to see what's next. During our talk, we discuss her background, her decision to become a luthier, her unique build videos (which she currently films and edits entirely on her own...while simultaneously making the guitars), where she finds inspiration, the guitar market today, and so much more.  https://www.tempestguitars.com  Bonus: Watch the entire interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4IB2k7Gs5Q4 Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Register today: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Collings: Check out their new Hill Country series of guitars: https://collingsguitars.com/hill-country-series/ Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

Mandolin virtuoso Sierra Hull can do it all: She juggles time with her own band, touring with Bela Fleck, and performing with the likes of Cory Wong, Brad Paisley, Billy Strings, and the Allman Betts Band.  On this week's podcast, we discuss a pair of eclectic covers she's just shared: Tears for Fears' "Mad World" and the Grateful Dead's "Black Muddy River" and hear all about them. We also talk about life on the road, electric octave mandolins(!), being a free agent, the art of changing mandolin strings, plans for the future, and so much more. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Register today: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Collings: Check out their new Hill Country series of guitars: https://collingsguitars.com/hill-country-series/ Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

Rob Luft is a rising star of the European jazz guitar scene whose intricate and lyrical playing melds textures from around the world into a striking musical voice. Rob is an extraordinarily creative person and a bit of a chameleon, home with everything from soulful standards and improvised fusion madness to Balkan time signatures and the joyful lines of Congolese soukous. He has even composed and performed pieces for electric guitar with a full orchestra, which is very cool and unusual, to borrow a phrase from Martin Simpson. We talk about Rob's formative years - growing up in the rich cultural mix of South East London and his early exposure to mind-blowing music by the greats of the jazz scene. The first live gig he ever saw pretty much sealed the deal...you'll find out why. We discuss the blank canvas that is the electric guitar and the use of effects in jazz - which leads to a poetic diatribe from Rob on the subject of loud footswitches and his love for ancient Boss pedals. Rob shares the challenges of playing in different contexts, from a perfectly timed 45-minute free jazz set to high-volume open-air festival gigs where all your fancy chord voicings disappear into the wind. We discuss the importance of playing the lyric of the song and living a life untainted by the seductive power of the pentatonic blues scale. Rob speaks eloquently on the subject of ear training and sight reading. It could save your life someday! I really enjoyed this conversation. Rob is thoughtful, quick and (thanks to years working at a radio station) has impeccable mic technique! I also captured Rob's impromptu performance of the Johnny Green classic "Body and Soul." I hope you enjoy it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDa3qpLPgkI You join us on a beautiful summer's day at my studio in the Sussex countryside. It was one of the only really hot sunny days that we had in 2024 and at the start of this chat you'll hear a familiar sound at this time of year https://robluft.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/robluftjazz/ Thank you for listening and thanks to Jason Verlinde and the Fretboard Journal team, my sponsors Microtech Gefell Microphones. Life On The Fretboard is a Michael Watts production for Fretboard Journal - accept no substitute.  To support Life On The Fretboard please click here https://michaelwattsguitar.com/tip-jars/4745 Michael Watts:  YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/michaelwattsguitar Instagram https://www.instagram.com/michael.watts.guitar/ Website https://michaelwattsguitar.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com  

It's the 140th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons eventually fields your questions on all-things-tube amps!  As always, use all advice at your own risk. Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to podcast@fretboardjournal.com. Some of the topics discussed this week:  2:35 What's on Skip's Bench: A modified ES-150 Charlie Christian amp with a non-field coil speaker 4:22 Smilin' Skip's: Stuff for Sale 5:15 Loma Rica's Aztec Recording Studio; the Ralph Shine Blues Band; Skip's new guitar; Sylvia Massy (Sylvia's shop); Weed, California; the Fretboard Summit 2025 (register here) 18:01 Our sponsors (and baby goats): Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts (Jensen speakers are currently on sale!) 23:42: Alamo and other budget amplifiers; the COVID gear boost has deflated 25:35 Amp bargains (look for two transformers); a black panel Super Reverb; Silvertone Twin-Twelve and optocouplers 28:53 The Alembic Pre-Amp in a pedal (or two): Frog Pedals (link); Sushi Box FX (link); Mexican Pizza with Boboli pizza crust; starved plate loads 35:41 PSA: You can buy WD-40 by the gallon 38:22 Should I put the original transformer back in my 1966 Fender Princeton? 44:07 Preferred replacement 12AT7 reverb driver tubes 47:26 Two-prong shock in the studio 50:35 A converted Stromberg-Carlson; speaker-driven effects channel? Rudy Van Gelder; the usable range of a bright cap 57:55 A Plush 3000G tubes and tremolo with a mystery rectifier tube 1:03:08 What's with the lettering on my 1950s Rauland Lyric transformer 1:06:47 Putting a JBL in an Ampeg Rocket 2; a Traynor Studio Mate Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.  Don't forget, we have a Patreon page. Join us to get show updates and get to the front of the question line. 

This week, we're joined by Trevor Boone of Seattle's Emerald City Guitars.  This Seattle guitar store is like no other, where you'll often find multiple Dumble amplifiers, original 'Bursts and impossibly rare Fenders alongside players' grade guitars and amps.   They've also taken a unique approach to marketing and storytelling by hiring a full-time videographer to document some of the great tales behind their inventory, having an RV gassed up and ready to go, and self-producing a reality show about their latest vintage guitar finds on YouTube.    During our chat, we talk about the store's big bet on content creation, how Trevor brokers these staggeringly expensive deals, how to move a six-figure Dumble across the country (thanks for the tip, John Mayer), and so much more.   Visit Emerald City Guitars: https://emeraldcityguitars.com Follow their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/emeraldcityguitars ECG at the 2024 Fretboard Summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYXhFarrQiU&t=1170s Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Register today: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Collings: Check out their new Hill Country series of guitars: https://collingsguitars.com/hill-country-series/ Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

  Mark Stutman is renowned for vintage guitar repairs and is also the owner of Canada's Folkway Music in Waterloo, Ontario.   For episode 95 of the podcast, Mark goes into the history of his repair career and how it all started with the search for a good left-handed guitar. Mark also shares with us some of the unique challenges of working on vintage Gibsons and much more.   Link: https://folkwaymusic.com Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by Dream Guitars and StewMac. Want to support Luthier on Luthier? Join our Patreon to get access to exclusive photos and content from Michael and his builds.

Bluegrass musician Woody Platt joins us this week to talk about his new solo album, 'Far Away With You' (Compass Records). https://www.woodyplatt.com/music Woody is best known as the former frontman and cofounder of Steep Canyon Rangers. In 2022, after countless shows with SCR and backing Steve Martin on-stage, Platt stepped down from the band to be closer to home. These days, he's busier than ever: In addition to playing, he's dabbled in real estate, worked as a fly fish guide, and spearheaded several music camps (including Bryan Sutton's Blue Ridge Guitar Camp). For this week's podcast, we talk about Woody's home state of NC in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, his return to making bluegrass, his ever-growing music camp empire, plus a lot more. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. For a limited time, you can register now with discounted early-bird pricing: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Collings: Check out their new Hill Country series of guitars: https://collingsguitars.com/hill-country-series/ Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

It's the 139th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all-things-tube amps!  Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to podcast@fretboardjournal.com. Some of the topics discussed this week:  :48 On the bench: A 1974 Alembic pre-amp, a Showman head in disguise 3:58 Webb's Music and a hang gliding pioneer 6:08 Our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts; the Wood Wire & Volts Show in Anaheim (link); Bruce Harvie of Orcas Island Tonewoods 11:10 Skip has a warning for the TAVA Kegger Facebook group...and others 14:38 A luthiers' pet peeve 16:55 Bias modulating tremolo, intensity pots 20:45 Skip works on a Dan Torres-modded amp 21:35 Jason screens his Ben Harper Dumble film in Seattle; Ben Harper on TAVA (ep. 118) 25:34 When does Skip use his tube tester? 28:17 Should I turn this jukebox amp into a guitar amp? 30:52 A monitor out a la GA17RVT; Quilter amps; full-fat Greek yogurt 36:24 When do we get a Marshall/Vox expert on the show? 37:58 A Kroker Triple Toad amp 40:13 Warming up a Nat Daniel-designed amp; separately mounted pre-amp tubes 42:17 Late '60s Fender biasing (AC568) 43:54 Skip's new guitar: A 1966 Fender Duo-Sonic 49:51 The Fender Files on YouTube (thanks, Larry Chung) 52:17 Using 5V4 rectifier tubes in a Matchless DC-30; Nduja mayonnaise (link) 1:00:17 Recommended reading: "There Are No Electrons: Electronics for Earthlings" (Amazon link); subbing a 6SL7 for a 6SN7 in a Gibson BR9 1:02:42 Transformer Corner: Using US amps overseas   1:11:07 Recommended music: Henry Kaiser & David Lindley's "Sweet Sunny North;" Steve Melkisethian remembered 1:13:01 A cheap and easy output transformer dynamic test; rebuilding reverb tanks 1:19:54 Skip's map collection Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.  Don't forget, we have a Patreon page. Join us to get show updates and get to the front of the question line. 

Charleston, South Carolina's Daniel Patrick joins us this week for a lively talk about mandolins, being a gigging musician, and talking to your heroes. Daniel is the host of the popular Mandolins & Beer Podcast. He just released a great new album called 'Around the Clock' where he does covers with an all-star array of fellow mandolin players (Sam Bush, Joe K. Walsh, Tim O'Brien, Ronnie McCoury, and others).  https://danielpatrickmusic.bandcamp.com/album/around-the-clock During our chat, we hear about the unique live music scene of Charleston; why Daniel launched the podcast, his new album and so much more.  Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal:  http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. For a limited time, you can register now with discounted early-bird pricing: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Collings: Check out their new Hill Country series of guitars: https://collingsguitars.com/hill-country-series/ Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

On this week's podcast, we're sharing our Q&A session with Martin CEO Thomas Ripsam live from the 2024 Fretboard Summit. During our chat, Thomas and FJ publisher Jason Verlinde discuss Martin's plans for the future, the changing demographics of guitar consumers, intellectual property, sales channels, and much more.  Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal:  http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. For a limited time, you can register now with discounted early-bird pricing: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

What makes a great luthier tick? On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we attempt to find out.  Recorded live at the 2024 Fretboard Summit, guitar repair gurus Evan Gluck, Tyler Geske, Trevor Healy, Mark Stutman, TJ Thompson, and Joe Glaser talk candidly about the personality traits that drove them to working on guitars. We hear about their attention to detail, the perils of imposter syndrome, and why time management is paramount.    It's an unfiltered chat with six of the most detail-oriented and thoughtful individuals in the guitar space.  Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal:  http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. For a limited time, you can register now with discounted early-bird pricing: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

It's the 138th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all-things-tube amps!  This week, we pay tribute to Angela Instruments founder and former guest Steve Melkisethian (1950-2024); talk resistors and transformers; catch up on the 2024 Fretboard Summit; and much more. Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to podcast@fretboardjournal.com. Don't forget, we have a Patreon page. Join us to get show updates and get to the front of the question line.  Some of the topics discussed this time around: :58 R.I.P. Nick Gravenites (Electric Flag, Mike Bloomfield) 3:08 Our sponsors: Amplified Parts, Emerald City Guitars, and Grez Guitars. (Watch Emerald City Guitars' Fretboard Summit video here.)  5:32 The 2024 Fretboard Summit in a nutshell  10:29 R.I.P Steve Melkisethian (Angela Instrument); read our tribute here 18:42 R.I.P. Stephen Fitzstephens, member of our Kegger Facebook group 19:18 What was Skip listening to as a kid? 22:08 Skip's Music vintage gear headed to auction  24:42 When to use old, mismatched resistors?  26:39 The 2003 interview in Vacuum Tube Valley with Steve Carr (PDF link) 27:41 Removing surface rust from transformers  30:27 A 1964 Ampeg Reverberocket that pops when you turn it off 31:10 You all need a Variac  33:03 A pig farm mini-baffler; Papa Murphy's in a Weber grill 36:56 Dropping the B+ with a solid state rectifier  39:47 Flattening a Fender eyelet board, redux; how to flatten a ‘70s Fender grill cloth frame?  42:52 Aux phono input on a tube amp; replacing plastic knobs; movie recommendation: 'As It Is In Heaven'  46:48 An original 1963 Fender Vibroverb in the UK with a switchable voltage panel; John Kelly amps; Rainer Ptacek  52:33 How to select an output transformer for an amp when you don't know its specs  1:00:55 The wrong tube in Danelectro amplifiers (12AU6 vs 12AV6) 1:04:02 What's on Skip's bench? An Alamo amp; kudos to Larry Chung  1:05:43 Recommended reading: 'The Feather Thief' (Amazon link); TAVA listener and winemaker William Downie (link) 1:10:36 Using Meguiar's Convertible Top Cleaner to clean up a Premier amp 1:11:35 A Pepco Riviera 725; Frazey Ford  1:14:04 Posters by Serifs & Whiskey (link) 1:15:10 Blossom Valley Foods' Pepper Plant sauce (link) 1:15:37 Fixing a reverb tank by changing the transducer; Fender's specific use of European tubes Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.     

Episode 94 of the podcast is a live interview at the 2024 Fretboard Summit with the incredible Michael Millard of Froggy Bottom Guitars.  Michael has over 50 years of guitar-building experience. In 1970, he spent four years working with Gurian Guitars before launching Froggy Bottom. He shares with us lessons learned from customer interactions, guitars, martial arts and much more.  https://froggybottomguitars.com Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by Dream Guitars and StewMac. Want to support Luthier on Luthier? Join our Patreon to get access to exclusive photos and content from Michael and his builds.

On this week's podcast, we talk to Alister Atkin, founder of Atkin Guitars. Alister and his growing team are building vintage-inspired flattop acoustics in Canterbury, England. During our chat, we talk about the company's history, its ongoing growth, the aged finish that Atkin instruments are known for, how they've penetrated the US market, and even the company's choice to start making electric instruments. We think you'll love getting to know Alister and his story. https://atkinguitars.com Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal:  http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. For a limited time, you can register now with discounted early-bird pricing: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

This outing of Dipped In Tone kicks off with an exciting update from Zach Broyles' camp: He's opening a brick-and-mortar guitar shop in Nashville, called High Voltage Guitars. Opening on October 8, the store will carry gear from Two-Rock, Divided By 13, Dr. Z, Castedosa, Fano, Novo, and of course Mythos Pedals. Zach hints that there might be some handwired JHS pedals from Josh Scott himself, too, and Rhett reveals that he plans to consign some of his guitars at the shop.The business side of Zach's new venture brings them to a key piece of today's episode: Rhett and Zach aren't running charities. They do what they do to make money; guitars, gear, podcasting, and content creation are their literal jobs. And they're not as glamorous and breezy as most armchair commentators might guess.Want to do what Rhett and Zach do? Welcome to the club. The guitar-influencer field is what one might call “oversaturated” at the moment, and it's difficult to break out—but not impossible. As our hosts explain, it requires putting in 60-hour work weeks, a diverse skillset, a knack for catching people's attention, and a certain level of genuineness. Rhett knows this path well, and he has hard-earned advice for staying true to oneself while building a following in the gear world.Tune in to learn why Rhett thinks Fretboard Summit, a three-day guitar festival organized by Fretboard Journal, blows NAMM out of the water and builds legitimate connections between guitarists, and catch the duo dipping a Dick Dale-inspired, all-Fender rig.Get 10% off your order at http://stewmac.com/dippedintoneSubscribe, like, and leave us a commentSign up on our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/iaCee5Support us on Patreon for access to our discord server and other perks! https://www.patreon.com/dippedintoneMERCH: https://teespring.com/stores/dipped-in-toneFollow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/dippedintone Dipped in Tone is:Rhett Shull https://www.rhettshull.com/Zach Broyles / Mythos Pedals https://mythospedals.comPremier Guitar https://www.premierguitar.com/

Jayne Henderson and Sarah Weinberg join us to talk about Women in Lutherie, an online community and mentorship program connecting female instrument makers from around the world.  Jayne is based in Asheville, North Carolina and is a second-generation guitarmaker. (Her father, Wayne Henderson, is a legendary builder of acoustic guitars and mandolins.) Sarah is based in Tel Aviv, where she's the only female luthier in the entire city.  Through Women in Lutherie, Sarah was able to meet Jayne and shadow her for two weeks in North Carolina, studying her build process. They attended our 2024 Fretboard Summit together and even started building a pair of ukuleles back at Jayne's shop.  On this week's show, we hear all about the fellowship, what they learned from each other over the last two weeks, what being a luthier in Tel Aviv is like, and - most importantly - how we can inspire more women to take up guitarmaking.  EJ Henderson Guitars & Ukuleles:  https://www.ejhendersonguitars.com https://www.instagram.com/ejhendersonguitars/ Sarah Weinberg:  https://www.instagram.com/what_is_sarah_doing/ Women in Lutherie:  https://www.womeninlutherie.org Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal:  http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. For a limited time, you can register now with discounted early-bird pricing: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal