The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Podcast 334: Chris Thile Aug 20, 2021

Show notes

Chris Thile (Punch Brothers, Nickel Creek) joins us this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast for an introspective talk about the making of Laysongs, his new solo album. It's a project that has the groundbreaking composer/mandolinist meditating on themes of organized religion, god and church (he even recorded the project in a former Hudson, NY church). During out chat, we talk about the compositions found on the album, his vocal technique, Live From Here, and why even Lloyd Loar-signed Gibson F-5 mandolins aren't perfect as-is. It's a fun and insightful conversation with one of our favorite musicians.

https://www.christhile.com

Originally recorded May 13, 2021.

The Fretboard Journal's 48th issue is now mailing. Julian Lage graces the cover. Click here to read up on it and start your subscription.

Don't forget, we now host an entire family of podcasts, about everything from lutherie to home recording: Luthier on Luthier; The Truth About Vintage Amps; The Truth About Recording & Mixing;Acoustic Voices; and Sweep the Floor.

This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Extra thanks to Calton Cases and Martin Guitars for sponsoring all that we do.

Podcast 333: Dana Bourgeois Aug 13, 2021

Show notes

"Everything flows from the music." - Dana Bourgeois What happens when one of the world's most-loved domestic boutique acoustic guitarmakers joins forces with an expansive Chinese instrument maker? On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk about just that with Dana Bourgeois, founder of Bourgeois guitars. We hear about how Bourgeois' partnership with Eastman Instruments transpired back in 2019, how the two companies currently collaborate on projects and even get the scoop on some soon-to-be-released instruments that Dana is designing. Lastly, we learn about the new transcontinentally-built Touchstone Series guitars, designed and voiced by Dana's Maine-based team, but largely built overseas. The result is an affordable take on the kind of The FJ is proudly offering a Touchstone OM prototype for sale on August 16, 2021 via this link: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/collections/merchandise/products/fj-exclusive-bourgeois-touchstone-om

Recorded June 10, 2021 via Zoom (sorry for the occasionally glitchy audio). The Fretboard Journal's 48th issue is now mailing: Click here to read up on it and order your subscription.

This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Extra thanks to Calton Cases and Martin Guitars for sponsoring all that we do.

Podcast 332: Maury Rutch of Maury's Music Jul 29, 2021

Show notes

Maury Rutch, founder of Maury's Music, joins us this week for a candid talk about running an independent guitar store through a pandemic, his love for Martin guitars and his new short-form podcast (The Maury's Music Podcast). Rutch's story is a unique one: He left a factory job in the late '90s to sell bone saddles and guitar parts for Martins on eBay. Eventually, he added Martin accessories to his store's lineup and then, finally, the guitars themselves. Maury gives us a candid and honest peek at the ups-and-downs of running a guitar store, describes his perfect gigging Martin, plus a lot more.

Check out Maury's Music Podcast here: https://www.maurysmusic.com/podcast

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here. Our 48th issue has begun mailing to all subscribers. Don't forget, we now host an entire family of podcasts, about everything from lutherie to home recording: Luthier on Luthier; The Truth About Vintage Amps; The Truth About Recording & Mixing; Acoustic Voices; and Sweep the Floor.

This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Extra thanks to Calton Cases and Martin Guitars for sponsoring all that we do.

Podcast 331: Scott Bass of the Headstock Guitar Lover's Festival Jul 22, 2021

Show notes

On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to Scott Bass, co-founder of the forthcoming Headstock Guitar Lover's Festival, taking place November 6-7, 2021 in San Diego, California.

https://guitarloversfestival.com

Scott tells us about his vision for the new show, the setting it'll be held in, some of the luthiers who have already signed on to exhibit, and a lot more. For years, Scott has produced events celebrating surfboard artisans around the world; it'll be fun to see his spin on what a guitar show looks like.

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here. Our 48th issue mails this week. Don't forget, we now host an entire family of podcasts, about everything from lutherie to home recording: Luthier on Luthier; The Truth About Vintage Amps; The Truth About Recording & Mixing; Acoustic Voices; and Sweep the Floor.

This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Extra thanks to Calton Cases and Martin Guitars for sponsoring all that we do.

Podcast 330: Richard Hoover (Santa Cruz Guitar Co.) Returns Jul 06, 2021

Show notes

The Fretboard Journal... Book Club? Today, guitarmaking legend Richard Hoover of the Santa Cruz Guitar Company joins us for a unique conversation about reading, reflection and empathy. He shares the two books he's reading now and invites listeners to submit questions, thoughts or reflections on the pair. We also learn about Richard's reading habits in general, his upbringing in California, how SCGC weathered COVID, the impact the scientific method had on his builds, and much more. It's a unique glimpse into the mind of one of the great acoustic guitarmakers of the modern era. The books Richard is currently reading: W.E.B Du Bois' 'The Soul of Black Folk' (Amazon link) 'The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi' (Amazon link)

https://santacruzguitar.com

If you have a comment on this show, reach out to us via podcast@fretboardjournal.com. Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes, too.

This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Extra thanks to Calton Cases and Martin Guitars for sponsoring all that we do.

Podcast 329: Sam Plecker (Vista Kicks) Jul 02, 2021

Show notes

A "labor of love." That's how Sam Plecker (Vista Kicks) describes Pulga Jams, the unlikely Beatles and power pop-inspired EP that he recorded during the pandemic while holed up in a resurrected California ghost town.

During this week's conversation, Sam describes his one-of-a-kind quarantine situation (and how it came to be), the gear he lugged into the historic Pulga, California school house that he converted into a recording studio (including a Silvertone Jupiter guitar, a 1961 Fender Deluxe, and a vintage Tascam 388 eight-track machine), his musical upbringing in Roseville, California and a lot more. It's a fascinating chat with a young musician on the rise.

Check out Sam's EP here: https://withkoji.com/@SamPlecker?fbclid=IwAR0gjB7mC1uRYj6TWx1KpHr-GbP8Ab3VW56dYpEyJHZQxLklqAghNkXLjqk

Brought to you by Calton Cases and Martin Guitars. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here. Don't forget, we now host an entire family of podcasts, about everything from lutherie to home recording: Luthier on Luthier; The Truth About Vintage Amps; The Truth About Recording & Mixing;Acoustic Voices; and Sweep the Floor.

This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars.

Podcast 328: Peter K. Siegel on Joseph Spence Jun 16, 2021

Show notes

For our 328th podcast, we celebrate the music of Bahamian guitarist Joseph Spence (1910-1984) and the forthcoming release of Encore: Unheard Recordings of Bahamian Guitar and Singing (out July 16, 2021 on Smithsonian Folkways). Recording engineer, musician and producer Peter K. Siegel joins us to talk about how he recorded these 13 tracks (both in NY and at Spence's home in Nassau), the unlikely guitar that Spence used (it's not what you think), and the music traditions of Andros that led to Spence's singular sound. We also get some advice on other Bahamian music to check out, learn how a former member of the Baha Men (yes, the "Who Let the Dogs Out" band) is trying to keep Spence's music alive, and hear about Siegel's recording session with Doc Watson. It's a great chat. Go to fretboardjournal.com to hear four tracks from 'Encore' here. Pre-order the album here or via Bandcamp. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here. Don't forget, we now host an entire family of podcasts, about everything from lutherie to home recording: Luthier on Luthier; The Truth About Vintage Amps; The Truth About Recording & Mixing;Acoustic Voices; and Sweep the Floor.

This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars.

Podcast 327: Blake Wyland (Tone Mob) Jun 11, 2021

Show notes

On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, Jason gets to grill another guitar podcaster, Blake Wyland (Tone Mob, Chasing Tone) about the world of boutique pedals, gear marketing trends and more. Blake recounts how he left a steady, but unfulfilling day job to jump into the guitar industry, first as a podcast host and eventually as a consultant to indie brands. We also chat about guitar media (YouTube vs. podcasting), the world of paid demo videos, gear (Grez Guitars, Jennings Guitars, Equitz Guitars, Benson amps), Stringjoy Strings, NAMM and the future of guitar shows, Josh Scott (JHS Pedals), and Blake's tips for building your own "shred shed" ... plus a lot more.

Trust us: Whether you're befuddled by the world of pedals (like Jason), a Tone Mob fan, a DIY musician or a luthier looking for marketing advice, there's something in this conversation for you! Follow Blake here: https://tonemob.com Blake's new album, American Cyclops' 'Tom, Do You Have Anything Sharp On You?' is streaming everywhere now.

Don't forget, the FJ now hosts an entire family of podcasts, about everything from lutherie to home recording: Luthier on Luthier; The Truth About Vintage Amps; The Truth About Recording & Mixing; Acoustic Voices; and Sweep the Floor.

This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars.

Podcast 326: Jackson Cunningham Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

Jackson Cunningham is a bit of a rarity in the world of acoustic guitarmaking. While countless luthiers do their best to emulate old Martin designs and shapes, Cunningham's biggest influence is vintage Gibsons. Over the years, this Virginia-based builder has crafted L-5, L-00 and even J-55-inspired guitars. He's also garnered praise from two of the biggest vintage guitar experts around: George Gruhn and Mark Stutman.

On this week's podcast, we talk to Jackson about his love for old guitars, the rich guitarmaking culture he resides in (acclaimed builder Wayne Henderson was once his neighbor) and the wood he selects for his builds. We also talk about a special guitar he just built and donated to help benefit the Floyd Country Store. Act fast and you can buy a raffle ticket and enter to win it via this link: https://www.floydcountrystore.com/event/jackson-cunningham-guitar-raffle-drawing-2021-06-11 Follow Jackson via his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CunninghamHandmadeInstruments/

This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars.

Podcast 325: John Thomas May 22, 2021

Show notes

Author/law professor/lecturer/musician/Fretboard Journal contributor John Thomas joins Jason for a long overdue check-in! We hear about the aftermath of his famed 2012 book, Kalamazoo Gals: A Story of Extraordinary Women & Gibson's "Banner" Guitars of WWII. John sheds light on some of his current guitar projects, including his recent trip to Kalamazoo, Michigan to visit the former Gibson factory... now partially occupied by Heritage and about to become a Hard Rock Cafe-affiliated hotel. We also learn about John's recent health battles (in a single year, he battled both cancer, and COVID… twice) and hear about his next publishing project, which promises to be another must-have book for guitar geeks.

All told, it's a fun chat with one of our favorite contributors.

This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars.

Our 47th issue features James Taylor, Chuck Prophet, Ben Harper, John Monteleone, Bahamas, Flip Scipio, luthier David Wren and much more. Read about it here and subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine to support independent guitar journalism and this podcast.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected