The Fret Files

In this episode, Eric and Melissa take questions about Telecaster input jack cups, scale length’s effect on tone and pickups, soldering irons, synthetic materials vs bone, and the current state of Gibson and Fender and what it means for the future. To participate in the show, you can leave a message with your question or comment by calling or texting 757-774-8482. To email the show, visit Eric at EricDaw.com and click the contact link.

In this episode, Eric and Melissa take questions about why Fender bridge pickups are slanted, why Gibson stopped doing the volute, how to properly shim up a bone saddle on a high end acoustic guitar, what’s the deal with Harmony truss rods, and whether or not tricking out cheap guitars is worth it. Also, Rickenbacker guitars are beautiful but feel really weird. To participate in the show, you can leave a message with your question or comment by calling or texting 757-774-8482. To email the show, visit Eric at EricDaw.com and click the contact link.

In this episode, Eric and Melissa take questions about enlarging peghead holes for replacement tuners, why late 60’s and early 70’s Fenders have orange headstocks, changing the sweep of a tone pot, and what to do about single coil hum. Then, for the second half of the show, 9 guitar myths are discussed and debunked. To participate in the show, you can leave a message with your question or comment by calling or texting 757-774-8482. To email the show, visit Eric at EricDaw.com and click the contact link.

In this episode, Eric and Melissa take questions about neck vs. bridge pickups, wartime Gibson acoustics, Jazzmaster bridges, and how Fender Stratocasters were set up at the Fender factory in the 50’s. They also talk about Melissa’s custom guitar straps. The second half of the show contains an interview with Gene Nygaard of Zero Guitars in Seattle. Gene’s music can be found here. Eric also announces that custom pickups are available at Emerald City Guitars. To participate in the show, you can leave a message with your question or comment by calling or texting 757-774-8482. To email the show, visit Eric at EricDaw.com and click the contact link.

In this episode, Eric entertains Melissa with banjo jokes and accidental Norm MacDonald impersonations. They then answer questions about low fume paint, how to install a 50’s style Tele neck pickup, headstock trademarks, “lawsuit” guitars, the differences in Alnico grades, and more. To participate in the show, you can leave a message with your question or comment by calling or texting 757-774-8482. To email the show, visit Eric at EricDaw.com and click the contact link.

In this episode, Eric and Melissa settle their bet about the 1954 Les Paul Custom ‘prototype’ auction outcome. Questions answered include slide guitar set-up tips, humming humbucker troubleshooting, the pros and cons of different guitar finishes, and a neat trick for keeping Telecaster switch tips in place. To participate in the show, you can leave a message with your question or comment by calling or texting 757-774-8482. To email the show, visit Eric at EricDaw.com and click the contact link.

In this episode, Eric talks about a rare bass in the latest issue of the Fretboard Journal, and answers questions about 50’s style Gibson wiring, a Japanese Fender Strat with wiggly neck syndrome, the tones of different woods, and of course more capacitor talk. In guitar news, the FAA has been ordered by congress to allow travelling musicians to carry on their guitars for stowage in the overhead bins but only if they’ll fit. To participate in the show, you can leave a message with your question or comment by calling or texting 757-774-8482. To email the show, visit Eric at EricDaw.com and click the contact link.

In this episode, Eric talks about the Fretboard Journal, and answers questions about out of phase humbuckers, 3 saddle Tele bridges, and yet another follow up about staggered vs. flat pole pickups. The second half of the show is a fascinating interview with Mikel Zwissler about Eric’s “Lie Detector” capacitor test box, and an in depth discussion on whether or not expensive tone capacitors are worth the money. To participate in the show, you can leave a message with your question or comment by calling 757-774-8482. To email the show, visit Eric at EricDaw.com and click the contact link.

In this episode, Eric answers questions about capacitors, hand wound vs. machine wound pickups, the “mastery bridge,” and a follow up about staggered vs. flat pole pickups. Red gives us the guitar news, including stories about D’Addario’s new strings and James Burton’s charity organization. Also, the guitar pictured may or may not be the guitar we talked about in the podcast for Camazotz Automat’s question… Or is it? To participate in the show, you can leave a message with your question or comment by calling 757-774-8482. To email the show, visit Eric at EricDaw.com and click the contact link.

In this episode, Eric answers questions about staggered vs. flat pole pieces, hum cancelling p-90’s, and ‘the myth of vintage guitars.’ Red gives us the news, including a story about a mystery Gibson Super 400 CES. Eric is then joined by Doug Tulloch , the world’s leading Danelectro expert to discuss Doug’s book “Neptune Bound – The Ultimate Danelectro Guitar Guide.” To participate in the show, you can leave a message with your question or comment by calling 757-774-8482. To email the show, visit Eric at EricDaw.com and click the contact link.

In this episode, Eric answers questions about partscasters, roller bridges, tuners, and the acoustic guitar ‘tongue brace.’ Red gives us the news, including a story about an upcoming BBC Documentary about the ‘Kalamzoo Gals’ of the wartime Gibson factory. Eric is then joined by Trevor Boone of Emerald City Guitars to discuss a very rare early Fender Telecaster. To participate in the show, you can leave a message with your question or comment by calling 757-774-8482. To email the show, visit Eric at EricDaw.com and click the contact link.

In this episode, Eric tells us that everything is a scam. Also discussed is “PUR Lacquer” and Dimarzio’s trademark on double cream humbucker pickups. Red gives us the news, including a story about Guernsey’s high end guitar auction. Eric is then joined by Mitch Doran of Black Lotus Project to discuss the ups and downs of working in a guitar factory. To participate in the show, you can leave a message with your question or comment by calling 757-774-8482. To email the show, visit Eric at EricDaw.com and click the contact link.

In this episode, Eric interviews pickup guru Jason Lollar. Tech questions involve Les Paul fret nibs, paint chip fixes, and a follow up about a static noise on a Fender. Also included is the second installment of “Guitar News with Red.” To participate in the show, you can leave a message with your question or comment by calling 757-774-8482. To email the show, visit Eric at EricDaw.com and click the contact link.

In this episode, Eric confesses to being a guitar snob, and a new segment, “Guitar News with Red” is unveiled. Questions from callers include general tuning tips, Strat bridge set-up tech talk, and what to do with a guitar inheritence. To close out the show, Eric is joined by Jay Boone, the ‘Soul Proprietor’ of Emerald City Guitars to talk about the past, present, and future of the vintage guitar market. To participate in the show, you can leave a message with your question or comment by calling 757-774-8482. To email the show, visit Eric at EricDaw.com and click the contact link.

In this, the debut episode, Eric explains his obsession for guitars, talk radio, Buddy Holly, and how it all ties together. A caller spins his tale of woe about a broken headstock, and another caller has static electricity issues with his pickguard. Eric talks guitar repair prices, how they vary regionally, and what to watch out for when getting a quote. To close out the show, Eric is joined by John Guilford of Guilford Guitars (GuilfordGuitars.com) to talk tone, custom guitars, fret ends, hardware, and making guitars out of trees. To participate in the show, you can leave a message with your question or comment by calling 757-774-8482. To email the show, visit Eric at EricDaw.com and click the contact link.