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The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

Each week, the Fretboard Journal interviews some of our favorite musicians, instrument builders and historians.
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The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast
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Now displaying: 2018
Dec 20, 2018

Kenneth Pattengale (Milk Carton Kids) joins us on this week’s Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about his new Martin Kenneth Pattengale Special guitar (available exclusively at Gruhn Guitars). This guitar has quite a backstory: Kenneth set out to make the ultimate American-made guitar for musicians on a budget, an homage to his '50s 0-15. After many twists and turns (and literally years of prototypes), Martin and Kenneth were able to design a unique guitar with a stained torrefied Adirondack spruce top, mahogany back and sides and dovetail neck joint for less than $2200. We also chat about Kenneth’s growing collection of vintage Martins, including his '55 0-15 and his shadetop 1932 0-17, music production and more.

This episode is sponsored by Retrofret, Lee Valley and Lowden Guitars. 

Dec 14, 2018

On this week's FJ Podcast, we're joined by Joey Landreth of the Bros. Landreth. We talk guitars (including his Alexander Sorokin-built instrument), coffee, career choices and more. 

This episode is sponsored by Retrofret, Lowden Guitars and Lee Valley Tools. 

Dec 7, 2018

This week, we’re joined by Folkway Music founder Mark Stutman. Over the years, Stutman has earned accolades from guitar collectors around the world as one of the finest vintage acoustic repairmen around, especially when it comes to Gibson guitars from the '30s and '40s. But he didn't start out wanting to fix 70 year old guitars: He originally wanted to build instruments just for left-handed players.  

During our podcast, we also discuss what it takes to run an independent guitar store in 2018 (and beyond), the mentors he’s found along the way, the unique quirks found only in Golden Era-Gibson guitars and some of his favorite instruments that have crossed his bench. 

This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars, Lowden Guitars and Lee Valley Tools. Want to sponsor the Fretboard Journal Podcast? Drop us a line at fretboardjournal@gmail.com

 

Nov 29, 2018

Musician David Benedict was a bit of a late bloomer, not taking up the mandolin until he was 13 years old. Since then, David has become one of the most innovative and sought after mandolin players and instructors around. His new album, The Golden Angle, showcases his talents as an instrumentalist and composer alongside a team of great musicians, including Missy Raines, David Grier and Stuart Duncan. We chat about the making of the album, his Apitius Mandolin mandolin and a lot more. 

This episode is sponsored by Retrofret, Lee Valley and Lowden Guitars.

Nov 17, 2018

Guitarist Billy Strings joins us on this week’s Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about one of the more interesting instruments we’ve learned about this year, an electric guitar that his grandfather built in prison (check out the hashtag #prisonguitar on Instagram to see pictures). Billy and Scale Model Guitars of Nashville have spent the last several months restoring the handmade instrument and it’s finally finished. We also learn about his Preston Thompson guitar, the D-28 he purchased from Bryan Sutton and why he lugs a Fender Deluxe Reverb to all of his acoustic shows. 

At 22:32, we also get the heartwarming story of how Billy stumbled upon and recovered his father’s Martin D-93. 

We’ll be featuring Billy and the Prison Guitar restoration in the Fretboard Journal soon with all-new pics. Subscribe today and we’ll make sure you get the issue. 

Holiday shoppers: Remember that the Fretboard Journal makes for a great gift… we offer one, two and three-year gift subscriptions to our reader-supported magazine. 

This episode is brought to you by our friends at Lowden Guitars, RetroFret Vintage Guitars and Lee Valley.

Nov 16, 2018

A quick announcement for Fretboard Journal Podcast listeners on how you can help us! 

www.fretboardjournal.com/insider

 

Nov 12, 2018

Mandolin virtuoso Sam Bush joins us on this week’s Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about Revival: The Sam Bush Story, the recently-released full-length documentary on his life and music. We also talk about "Hoss," his 1937 Gibson F-5; learn why Sam has never owned a Lloyd Loar mandolin; and hear about his musical upbringing in Bowling Green, Kentucky. 

Revival is now available for rent or purchase via Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Revival-Sam-Bush-Story/dp/B07GQVHML2 

Longtime FJ readers may remember that Sam graced the cover of the Fretboard Journal #19, in a feature where he and Tim O’Brien interviewed each other. 

This episode of the podcast is sponsored by Retrofret, Lee Valley and Lowden Guitars.

Nov 7, 2018

Amp repairman Skip Simmons calls it like he sees it. He joins us on this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about vintage guitar amp repair, why smaller wattage amps can be better for the average player,  and what bargains still exist in the world of amplification. We also talk Filmosound conversions, Alexander Dumble, repair horror stories and a lot more. 

Going forward, Skip will be hosting a monthly podcast called the Truth About Vintage Amps for the Fretboard Journal where he will be fielding questions from you, our listeners. Send any and all amp questions and comments to fretboardjournal@gmail.com!

Skip was featured in the FJ's 33rd issue

This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars, Lowden Guitars and Lee Valley. 

http://skipsimmonsamps.com

 

Nov 2, 2018

Composer/jazz guitarist/singer-songwriter Anthony Wilson joins us on this week’s FJ Podcast to talk about his forthcoming project, Songs and Photographs, a vinyl LP bundled with a 48-page book featuring his photography. We of course talk about Wilson’s gear (guitars and cameras) but we also dive deep into his songwriting process, the influence photography has had on his music and much more.

https://anthonywilson.bandcamp.com

This episode of the Fretboard Journal Podcast is sponsored by Lowden Guitars, RetroFret Vintage Guitars and Lee Valley. 

Nov 1, 2018

A re-broadcast of Episode 224 of the Fretboard Journal Podcast, the interview that started the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast. 

The original FJ Podcast description for this show: Amp repairman Skip Simmons calls it like he sees it. He joins us on this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about vintage guitar amp repair, why smaller wattage amps can be better for the average player,  and what bargains still exist in the world of amplification. We also talk Filmosound conversions, Alexander Dumble, repair horror stories and a lot more. 

Recorded November, 2018. 

Oct 24, 2018

A lot of acoustic guitarists have a favorite pickup that they install on their instruments. Singer-songwriter/guitarist David Wilcox has more like ten…and he uses them all at the same time.

On this week’s podcast, we talk to David about his very unique method for amplifying and recording his guitars, including the numerous pickups and mics he installs (Joe Mills, Sunrise, McIntyre Acoustic Featherand others!). We also talk about his signature model RainSong guitar and his forthcoming order with acclaimed luthier Jason Kostal.

Beyond all the gear talk, David walks us through his Custom Songs program (where he takes commissions from fans to write songs specifically about their lives), the fateful moment that inspired him to take up the guitar and a lot more.

This episode is sponsored by Lowden Guitars, Lee Valley Tools and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. 

Oct 17, 2018

John McEuen joins us on this week’s Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, learning from Doug Dillard, the creation of his solo album, Made in Brooklyn (and the unique way it was recorded), plus a lot more.

Check out the Fretboard Journal website to watch McEuen perform "Brooklyn Crossing." 

This week's episode is sponsored by Lee Valley Tools, Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Lowden Guitars

Oct 10, 2018

Guitarist Mike Squires went straight from the Marines to the Seattle music scene, eventually becoming a guitarist in Harvey Danger, the Long Winters and Alien Crime Syndicate. These days, he's living on the East Coast and dividing his time between a day job, playing guitar for Duff McKagan's Loaded and posting short music clips on Instagram under the hashtag couchriffs. 

On this week's FJ Podcast, we have a fun chat with Squires about his music journey, get his tips for how to land a gig as a guitarist ("be nice," "learn ALL the songs..") and much more. 

This episode is sponsored by Lowden GuitarsLee Valley Tools and RetroFret Vintage Guitars

Order the new Fretboard Journal Electric Guitar Annual here

Oct 3, 2018

Vermont-based luthier Adam Buchwald (Circle Strings) joins us on this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about leaving his family business to start repairing and building instruments, his time at Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Froggy Bottom Guitars, the launch of Circle Strings and his new budget acoustic line, the Iris Guitar Co. 


This episode is sponsored by our friends at Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Lee Valley. 

https://www.irisguitarcompany.com

http://www.circlestrings.com
http://retrofret.com
http://leevalley.com

Sep 25, 2018

National Flatpicking Champion and Grant Farm founder Tyler Grant joins us on the Fretboard Journal Podcast this week. We chat about the fascinating world of flatpicking guitar competitions and the strategies Tyler employed to win them, the formation of Grant Farm and his new duo record with Robin Kessinger, Kanawha County Flatpicking. 

This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars

Sep 20, 2018

Jazz icon John Pizzarelli joins us to talk about Nat King Cole, his dad (Bucky Pizzarelli), his Radio Deluxe show and much more!

This episode is sponsored by Lee Valley Tools and Retrofret Vintage Guitars.

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/collections/all/products/fretboard-journal-subscription-no-auto-renew

Sep 12, 2018

On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to one of the most popular guitar instructors around, Corey Congilio. In addition to Corey's contributions at TrueFire (where he has online lessons on soloing, blues licks and a lot more), we hear about his work representing makers like Martin Guitars and Fishman, the life of a session musician and much more. 

This episode is sponsored by Retrofret and Lee Valley tools. 

http://coreycongilio.com

 

Sep 5, 2018

On this week's podcast, we talk to jazz guitarist Miles Okazaki about his epic new project, Work: The Complete Compositions of Thelonious Monk. On it, he transcribes and performs the 70 known Monk compositions for solo guitar. We learn about his arrangement process, the guitar he used for the recordings and the rules he gave himself before tackling this huge undertaking. 

https://okazakiwork.bandcamp.com/releases

Aug 28, 2018

On today’s Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast, we’re talking to YouTube sensation Ryan “Fluff” Bruce. With his Riffs, Beards & Gear channel, Fluff has conducted deep dives into all sorts of gear questions, unboxed the cheapest guitars imaginable on Amazon and, most importantly, had a ton of fun. Along the way, he’s garnered over 250,000 YouTube subscribers.

We talk to Fluff about the unlikely career of a professional YouTuber (including the even more unlikely training he received as an editor of adult films!), his band Rest, Repose, and his signature model guitar built by Balaguer Guitars. Plus a lot more…

Use the coupon code PODCAST when you check out at fretboardjournal.com and receive $5 off your order.

This week’s episode is sponsored by Lee Valley Tools and Retrofret Vintage Guitars.

 

Aug 20, 2018

Acclaimed singer-songwriter/producer Joe Henry joins us to talk about his latest recording projects, his writing habits and more! 

This episode is sponsored by Lee Valley and Retrofret Vintage Guitars

Aug 13, 2018

Brighton, England’s Gwenifer Raymond joins us on this week’s podcast. Raymond started playing guitar and drumming in punk and rock bands, but eventually stumbled upon Appalachian music, pre-war blues and John Fahey. Since then, she picked up a PhD, became a video game programmer and has just released her first album of Fahey-inspired American Primitive music, You Never Were Much of a Dancer (Tompkins Square). It’s a fascinating journey that we cover on today’s podcast, as well as her choice in gear and much more.

This episode is sponsored by Lee Valley, Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Dying Breed Music.

Aug 6, 2018

Austin-based Tom Ellis is one of the world's most respected mandolin makers. On this week's podcast, we talk to him about how he got his start building instruments, the fateful day he showed Ricky Skaggs his second-ever mandolin and about the inlay work he does at Precision Pearl, Inc. today. We also chat about how Tom shared his shop with Bill Collings in the early '80s, talk about torrefied wood, discuss the merits of using CNCs in a high-end build and a lot more.

This episode is brought to you by Lee Valley and Retrofret

Jul 30, 2018

This week, we talk to Reverb.com's Dan Orkin. Dan recounts the company's early days, its explosive growth, some current marketplace trends when it come to guitars (including what's hot right now and what isn't) and a lot more. 

This episode is sponsored by Lee Valley and Retrofret

If you like the FJ Podcast, we hope you'll leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, iTunes or wherever you stream it. 

Use the coupon code PODCAST when you check out at fretboardjournal.com and save an additional $5 off any order. 

 

 

Jul 20, 2018

This week, we talk to one of the unsung heroes in the world of boutique guitars, Bruce VanWart of Collings Guitars. Bruce is the first official Collings employee and the one person who has touched nearly every instrument the company has produced since the late ’80s (almost 30,000 instruments). He reflects upon working alongside Bill Collings during the company’s earliest days, talks about his process evaluating wood for the company’s instruments and describes the 2018 re-launch of the Collings C-100. The C-100 was the brainchild of Bill Collings, a guitar with a dreadnought-sized lower bout with a skinnier upper bout and waist. Around 20 original C-100s were made in the mid-‘90s. They were reintroduced at the 2018 NAMM Show. 

Here's a video featuring Bob Minner playing one of the first Collings C-100s made in 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3d7izbaBZE 

This episode is sponsored by Dying Breed Music, where there is an ever-growing inventory of vintage Martin and Gibson flattop guitars from the golden era.

Jul 12, 2018

Cory Wong is a force of nature: The thirty-something guitarist performs in Vulfpeck, the Fearless Flyers and on innumerable sessions. On this week’s podcast, we talk to Cory about the Minneapolis music scene (including his interactions over the years with Prince), why he loves clean amps and green screens, his impressive right-hand technique, Blake Mills and more. 

Cory’s second album, The Optimist, is available for pre-order with all sorts of cool perks: https://www.corywongmusic.com

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