The Riffs, Beards & Gear Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 16 - Expensive Guitar Mods, Stock Pickups We Like and Bass Guitars Nov 10, 2026

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Does an expensive guitar make you think twice about modifying it? This week, we talk about the hesitation to customize a pricey instrument—even when a few changes could make it feel more like your own. We also get into stock pickups we love, the ones we’d swap out, and the different sounds and personalities of bass guitars.
A conversation about tone, tinkering, and deciding what to keep or change.

Episode 15 - Kirk Windstein (Crowbar, DOWN) Oct 26, 2026

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Kirk Windstein of Crowbar and DOWN joins us to talk tone, gear, and being willing to try whatever gets him the sound he wants. We get into using Kemper and Quad Cortex rigs in place of real amps when the situation calls for it, active versus passive pickups, tuning down, and old Charvel guitars.
From his approach to digital gear to the instruments that have stuck with him, there’s plenty here for anyone who loves heavy riffs and talking gear.

Episode 14 - High Gain Doc, Travel Nightmares & New Gear Days Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

This week, we go behind the scenes of making The History of High Gain, share the travel nightmare that was getting to and from Sweetwater to make it happen, and celebrate a new guitar day for Fluff.

From high-gain history to travel chaos and fresh gear, there’s plenty to catch up on.

What’s your worst travel horror story—and what guitar did you pick up most recently? Let us know in the comments!

Episode 13 - Zakk Wylde, sixstringTV Gets Cancelled & The Darkglass Anagram Sep 23, 2026

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On this episode, we dig into SixStringTV getting cancelled, take the Darkglass Anagram on tour and talk all things Zakk Wylde. Plus, what’s it like jamming with powerhouse drummer Kenny Aronoff? Guitar talk, gear deep dives, and stories from the jam—you’re in the right place.
As always, expect plenty of guitar talk, industry stories, questionable opinions, and a few laughs along the way.

Episode 12 - GASing For Gear, Social Media For Bands & Nightmare Tours Aug 25, 2026

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This week on the podcast, Mike and I talk about the gear we’re currently GASing for, whether big social media numbers actually translate to people showing up to your shows, and some of the absolute nightmare tours we’ve experienced over the years. Gear lust, life on the road, and the sometimes very weird reality of being in a band.
As always, expect plenty of guitar talk, industry stories, questionable opinions, and a few laughs along the way.

Episode 11 - The D'Addario Debacle, Everything Is Expensive & Dream Guitars Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

This week on the podcast, Mike and I dig into the recent D’Addario AI disaster, talk about why seemingly EVERYTHING in the guitar world has gotten so expensive, and ask an important question: if Mike could design his own signature guitar from scratch, what would it actually look like? AI controversy, gear prices, dream guitars and plenty of questionable opinions along the way.
As always, expect plenty of guitar talk, industry stories, questionable opinions, and a few laughs along the way.

Episode 10 - Bobby Landgraf (Corrosion Of Conformity, DOWN, Honky) Jul 27, 2026

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Bobby Landgraf joins the Riffs, Beards & Gear Podcast!
As the newest member and bassist of Corrosion of Conformity—and a former guitarist for DOWN—Bobby shares stories from his life in music, including hauling heavy Marshall amps around as a kid, developing his incredible ability to learn songs quickly, and making his first album with Corrosion of Conformity.
We also dive into his musical journey, the experiences that shaped him as a player, life on the road, and much more.
If you love heavy riffs, great gear, and honest conversations with the musicians behind the music, don’t miss this episode!
Like, subscribe, and let us know your favorite moment in the comments.

Episode 9: Touring, Steve Vai, Fender & Headstock Snobs Jul 13, 2026

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This week Mike and I dive into what touring is really like—the good, the bad, and the parts nobody tells you about. We also talk about some of our favorite new guitars, share our stories of meeting Steve Vai, swap a few memorable NAMM stories, discuss Fender’s recent cease-and-desist controversy, and answer the age-old question: does the name on the headstock actually matter?
As always, expect plenty of guitar talk, industry stories, questionable opinions, and a few laughs along the way.

Episode 8 - Great Budget Guitars, Gear Regrets & Reverb Feeds Jun 29, 2026

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In this episode of the Riffs, Beards & Gear Podcast Mike and Fluff discuss just how great inexpensive gear has become in the last 30 years, gear purchase regrets and what is in our Reverb feeds!

Episode 7 - Frank Gross (Thunder Road Guitars) Jun 15, 2026

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In this episode of Riffs, Beards & Gear, we sit down with Frank Gross, the mastermind behind Seattle’s premier guitar destination, Thunder Road Guitars.

We dive deep into Frank's journey, starting from his early days playing in the band On The Last Day, all the way through the hustle of launching a business selling guitars out of his bedroom. Frank shares the incredible story of how that humble beginning evolved into the massive, world-renowned success that is Thunder Road Guitars today.

Whether you're a gearhead, an entrepreneur, or just love a great success story, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

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