For our 40th podcast, we talk to guitar legend David Bromberg. Bromberg has just released Use Me, a new album featuring collaborations with some of his old friends (including Los Lobos, Levon Helm, Widespread Panic and John Hiatt, among others). We talk to him about the album, as well as his successful violin business and some of the quirkier session gigs he has under his belt. As many know, Bromberg was a hired gun on classic recordings by Bob Dylan, John Hartford and others. Lastly, he walks us through the history of the Martin M-42 guitar and tells us about his love for vintage Electar amplifiers. 

Can an "art guitar" be a functional, workingman's instrument? If its built by Vermont's Creston Lea, the answer is a resounding yes. In this week's podcast, FJ publisher Jason Verlinde talks to Lea about his current output, some of the exotic woods he tracks down to build his guitars (including pieces salvaged from old barns, pickle vats and more) and about his ongoing collaboration with artist Sarah Ryan. We also talk a bit about Lea's other passion: he's a published short story author. 

As many readers know, Lea was featured in the Fretboard Journal #21 along with guitar building pal Paul Languedoc. This podcast allows us to hear a bit more about the luthier's creations and the energy that goes into them. 

For more information on Creston Lea's guitars, visit his site here.