We first spoke to electric guitarmaker Jon "Sully" Sullivan on the podcast back in 2018 (episode 204). This week marks Sully's long-awaited return back onto the podcast. We talk about his '71 Trella model; how he's incorporated technology like CNCs into his builds; the economics (and realities) behind creating your own import line of guitars (his Korean-made Conspiracy series is currently taking reservations); why he's taken a break from teaching guitar-making; and so much more.
Plus: the je ne sais quoi of French words; the genius of Duncan Price (@diskobebe), the NAMM Boutique Guitar Showcase, trademark talk, and more!
Follow: https://www.sullyguitars.com/
https://www.instagram.com/sullyguitars/
Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal and start with our new, 52nd issue: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
Get a discounted digital subscription and get our 52nd issue immediately:
https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/collections/downloads/products/fretboard-journal-digital-subscription-offer
Our Fretboard Summit is taking place August 24-26, 2023 in Sully's hometown of Chicago. https://fretboardsummit.org/
Our podcast is sponsored by Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, Peghead Nation (use the promo code FRETBOARD and get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription); and Stringjoy Strings (get 10% off your order with the FRETBOARD discount code). This episode is also sponsored by iZotope. Use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your Izotope order.
This week’s double-header of an episode is all about the 2023 Fretboard Summit taking place August 24-26, 2023 at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. As you hopefully know, the Summit is a three-day-long guitar show and festival curated by the Fretboard Journal. All weekend long, you can meet some of your favorite players and guitarmakers, try out new products, and have some fun. Performers include Tommy Emmanuel, Jeff Parker, Jorma Kaukonen, Via Mardot and numerous others…and you’re invited.
Register: https://fretboardsummit.org/
We start the podcast off by talking about some new Summit additions and updates, including many not currently announced on the site.
At 15:36, we interview guitarmaker Creston Lea of Creston Guitars. He’s attended every Summit the Fretboard Journal has thrown and shares some of his favorite memories over the years. Then we get a recap of last year's Nickel Wound Chef competition, where Creston was pitted against Duncan Price in an hour-long Partscaster build-off (think: Iron Chef but for guitarmaking). Last, but not least, Creston tells us a bit about his current guitar builds, what it’s like to have Gene Parsons install B-Benders on one of your guitars, and much more.
Watch the Nickel Wound Chef highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A6cioaiHBM
Creston competed against Duncan Price: https://www.instagram.com/diskobebe/
Trophy maker Tom Longobardi: https://tomlongobardi.com/
At 45:32, we talk to luthier Micah Bruce of Bruce Guitars. Micah is making a very special, Harmony H-49-inspired electric guitar that one lucky Summit attendee will go home with. We chat about the Summit build, the art of lamination, how modern luthiers utilize CNCs in their builds, re-topping vintage Martins, and hear about what other guitars Micah will be bringing to Chicago. It’s a great chat.
We still have a very limited number of three-day, all-access Summit passes available that include all the weekend’s programming and the concerts. Just want to come to the lutherie showcase and guitar shop? Tickets are now on sale for $30. They will also be available at the door.
Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal and start with our new, 52nd issue: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
Get a discounted digital subscription and get our 52nd issue immediately:
https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/collections/downloads/products/fretboard-journal-digital-subscription-offer
Our podcast is sponsored by Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, Peghead Nation (use the promo code FRETBOARD and get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription); and Stringjoy Strings (get 10% off your order with the FRETBOARD discount code). This episode is also sponsored by iZotope. Use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your Izotope order.
Meet Jonathan Stout, a Southern California-based jazz guitarist best known as a bandleader in the swing dance world.
Jonathan's story is unlike any we've ever heard: Here's someone who cites Kirk Hammett as an influence, along with Benny Goodman guitarist Allan Reuss. He's a player, a scholar of early jazz guitar, a drummer, and he can even get you out of a traffic ticket (yep, he's also a lawyer).
Register for the Fretboard Summit (August 24-26, 2023 at Chicago's legendary Old Town School of Folk Music): https://fretboardsummit.org
Our podcast is sponsored by Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, Deering Banjos; Peghead Nation (use the promo code FRETBOARD and get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription); and Stringjoy Strings (get 10% off your order with the FRETBOARD discount code). This episode is also sponsored by iZotope. Use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your Izotope order.
Saltwater Hank is a Ts’msyen musician based in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. On Canada Day, 2023, he released his new and boldest album to date, 'G̱al'üünx Wil Lu Holtga Liimi.' It’s an entire country album sung in Sm'algyax, the Ts’msyen language.
On this week’s FJ Podcast, we talk to Saltwater Hank about the project, its release day (and why that’s important), his songwriting process, the power of language, the gear he used and so much more. It's a great chat.
https://saltwaterhank.bandcamp.com/album/g-alu-u-nx-wil-lu-holtga-liimi
Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal and start with our new, 52nd issue: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
Register for the Fretboard Summit (August 24-26, 2023 at Chicago's legendary Old Town School of Folk Music): https://fretboardsummit.org
Our podcast is sponsored by Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, Deering Banjos; Peghead Nation (use the promo code FRETBOARD and get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription); and Stringjoy Strings (get 10% off your order with the FRETBOARD discount code). This episode is also supported by Native Instruments, iZotope, and Plugin Alliance. Check out their Summer of Sound, the best-ever savings on ALL software, with 50% off products, updates, and upgrades, plus special hardware and software bundle deals.