The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

Sully Guitars founder Jon "Sully" Sullivan has had quite a journey: from growing up in Chicago, to attempting to be a rock star on the Sunset Strip, to building electric guitars full-time in Little Elm, Texas. Along the way, he raised a kid as a single parent, took on a few day jobs and eventually collaborated with one of his heroes, Grover Jackson. On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to Sully about all his evolution as a guitarmaker, his decision to manufacture a series of guitars in South Korea (Sully's Conspiracy line), his influential social media presence and a lot more. Sully Guitars: http://www.sullyguitars.com This episode is brought to you by Dying Breed Music: http://www.dyingbreedguitars.com The Fretboard Journal's first-ever Electric Guitar Annual will be out this August. Pre-order your copy now: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/collections/all/products/fretboard-journal-electric-annual

On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to country blues guitarist Todd Albright. He tells us about his early infatuation with the acoustic guitar – from hearing Dave Van Ronk as a teenager to discovering Gamblin Woman Blues' by Paul Geremia. The Detroit-based musician also tells about being signed to Jack White's Third Man Records, his 12-string guitars – both built by Todd Cambio of Fraulini Guitars – and much more. This episode is brought to you by our friends at Mass Street Music. https://www.toddalbright.com http://fraulini.com https://shop.fretboardjournal.com https://massstreetmusic.com

On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to two of the most promising young guitarmakers we know: Meredith Coloma of Coloma Guitars and Isaac Jang of Isaac Jang Guitars. Coloma talks to us about how she's found a unique audience for her guitars thanks to her hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia. She also talks to us about the creation of Vancouver International Guitar Festival, a weekend-long celebration of handmade acoustic and electric guitars. We then talk to Jang, a young luthier who already has a multi-year wait list for his acoustics. Both of these insightful interviews took place thanks to the La Conner Guitar Festival, which took place Mother's Day Weekend in La Conner, Washington. This week's podcast is brought to you by Dying Breed Music.

This week, we talk to visual artist James A. Willis. Why are we talking to an artist on the FJ podcast? Because Willis has plenty of guitar and music-related projects under his belt. He's at least partially based in Nashville, where he's served as the "Artist in Residence" at Gibson, he's used guitar cases as canvases for his Saints series and he even worked at Zac Brown's estate. Most recently – and for reasons that still baffle us – Willis started a new podcast called James A. Willis reads the Fretboard Journal, where he talks to musician pals about the FJ and their guitar (and songwriting) habits. This episode is sponsored by our friends at Mass Street Music, based in Lawrence, Kansas. If you're into boutique guitars, old Martins or just need a reliable repair team to tune up your guitars, check them out. Check out James A Willis Reads the Fretboard Journal here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/james-a-willis-reads-fretboard-journal/id1355577648?mt=2

For our 200th episode of the Fretboard Journal Podcast, we take the show on the road and broadcast from our recent Fretboard Journal Live event from the Calton Case headquarters in Austin, Texas. You'll hear our live interview with Steve McCreary (Collings Guitars), music from Redd Volkaert, Paul Glasse and Kym Warner (Greencards) and hear our conversation with Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Dave Alvin about their new album, Downey to Lubbock. Closing things out, we hear a great tune with Anthony da Costa. This episode is sponsored by Austin's own Straight Frets Guitar Service, Exile Vancouver and Dying Breed Music! On behalf of all of us, thank you for listening to our podcast and for helping us reach this milestone! As always, if you like what we're up to, please leave us a review on iTunes and share the episode with your friends. Show notes 10:15 Steve McCreary (Collings Guitars / Waterloo Guitars) interview 16:10 Redd Volkaert / Paul Glasse 22:28 Kym Warner (Greencards) & Redd Volkaert 26:47 Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore interview 45:12 Anthony da Costa

For most luthiers, building and repairing six string guitars pays the bills. On this week's podcast, we talk a luthier who has carved out an entire career for himself building just ukuleles, tenor guitars and the occasional mandolin. Portland, Maine's Joel Eckhaus talks to us about his eclectic Earnest Instruments lineup, the fateful music lessons he took from Vaudeville music legend Roy Smeck and much more. This episode is sponsored by our friends at Mass Street Music.

Mulit-instrumentalists and music historian Dom Flemons (Carolina Chocolate Drops) joins us to talk about his new record 'Black Cowboys' (Smithsonian Folkways) and a lot more. The record documents the music that black cowboys would have performed in the Old West, alongside some tracks inspired by that chapter of America's histroy. We also talk gear - and learn about Flemons' unique vintage banjo and Fraulini guitars - and a lot more. This episode is sponsored by Dying Breed Music. Links: https://theamericansongster.com https://folkways.si.edu/dom-flemons/black-cowboys https://www.fretboardjournal.com

Greg and Janet Deering (Deering Banjos) join us on this week's podcast. Over the course of four decades, this husband-and-wife team has created one of the musical instrument world's true success stories. Their company has produced over 100,000 instruments and continues to make around 30 banjos a day (all made in the USA). We talk about their early days at American Dream (the same cooperative that launched Taylor Guitars); how they grew their company; the banjo in popular culture; their array of instruments – from starter to collector-grade – and more. https://www.deeringbanjos.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com This episode's sponsor is Mass Street Music.

On today's podcast, we talk to guitar god Eric Johnson! We chat about using meditation to live in the present, Eric's new Fender signature model thinline Stratocaster, his new pedal board, re-creating the Ah Via Musicom album today and much more. https://www.ericjohnson.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Chris Smither joins us on this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about his new double-album, Call Me Lucky. We chat about his unique interpretations of well-trodden covers such as "Sittin' On Top of the World" and "Maybellene," learn about his guitar of choice – a custom Collings 000 with a 12-fret, short scale neck, a cutaway and a solid peghead that he purchased from the Music Emporium - plus a lot more. This episode is brought to you by Carter Vintage.

Guitar legend Duck Baker joins us this week to talk about his new compilation, Les Blues du Richmond: Demos & Outtakes, 1973-1979 (out this month on Tompkins Square Records). The album features both the early instrumental demo recordings that landed him on Kicking Mule Records as well as some lesser-heard tracks that he recorded in London in the late '70s. Beyond that, we chat about why so many guitarists in the early '70s were arranging ragtime music, learn about Duck's forays into avant-garde music and jazz, plus a lot more. It's a fun chat with one of the music world's most versatile players.

Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams join us on the Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about their latest recording; the challenges of being working musicians who happen to be married, guitars and much more!

On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we're talking to singer-songwriter Caitlin Canty and banjo wizard-turned-producer Noam Pikelny (Punch Brothers). We chat about the making of Cantry's forthcoming album, Motel Bouquet (out 3/30), the great group of Nashville musicians that ended up on the finished record and more. We also cover their gear of choice – including Canty's vintage Recording King acoustic guitar and Pikelny's National Tricone plectrum guitar. This episode is sponsored by Dying Breed Music. Remember: Order a subscription to the Fretboard Journal and use the coupon code PODCAST and we'll take $5 off your order.

On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to guitarist Glenn Jones (Cul de Sac). Glenn will be participating in the forthcoming The 1000 Incarnations of the Rose festival taking place April 13-15, 2018 in Takoma Park, Maryland. The festival is a three-day long celebration of the American Primitive guitar movement, as pioneered by John Fahey and Robbie Basho. Over the course of our talk, Jones describes his lengthy relationship with Fahey (and Basho), why you probably shouldn't befriend your music heroes, his guitars of choice for this style of music and the origin of the unique, one-off festival taking place in Fahey's old hometown. To learn more about the festival, go here: https://1000rose.org Glenn Jones' liner notes for The Epiphany of Glenn Jones, mentioned during this podcast, can be found here: http://www.johnfahey.com/pages/epiphany.html Glenn Jones official website: http://www.thrilljockey.com/artists/glenn-jones

Today we're talking to accomplished studio guitarist and composer Mark Leggett. Mark has led a fascinating life with credits that include the guitar solo from Martika's "Toy Soldiers" to the playing with Dolly Parton, to doing music for My Name Is Earl. During our chat, we get the inside story on Leggett's viral guitar videos – yes, he has a solo album brewing – as well as the guitars he loves and what it's like to make a living scoring music for films and TV. This week's episode is sponsored by Dying Breed Music. Reminder: Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes. And, if you're anywhere near Texas, the Fretboard Journal will be hitting the road and throwing a gathering in Austin on March 27, 2018. Details here. Link: Mark Leggett's Facebook page

On this week's podcast, we catch up with longtime friends and music collaborators David Grisman and Del McCoury at Wintergrass 2018. We talk about the early days of bluegrass festivals, some of the larger-than-life personalities they worked alongside (including Bill Keith, Jerry Garcia and Mac Wiseman), Grisman's amazing work at Acoustic Disc, McCoury's DelFest and much more. http://acousticdisc.com http://www.delmccouryband.com The new Fretboard Journal #41 is out now, featuring David Rawlings, Jason Isbell, Red Diamond Mandolins and much more. Order it at fretboardjournal.com and use the coupon code PODCAST to save $5.

Singer-songwriter Suzanne Santo joins us on the Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about starting out in music, moving to New York City (by herself!) at 16, her work in HoneyHoney, the decision to put out a solo record and much more. This episode is sponsored by Dying Breed Music.

Jim Herrington is one of the most accomplished music photographers of our time and the guy behind iconic shots of Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and other legends of country, blues and rock & roll. He's been a longtime contributor to the Fretboard Journal; you may remember the incredible short story and photograph he contributed on tracking down Mickey Baker in rural France. Herrington has his first coffee table book out and, no, it's not on music heroes. The Climbers is a photo-laden book that features unforgettable portraits of the icons of the climbing/mountaineering world. On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to Herrington about his start in photography, his techniques for getting these incredible shots of artists and athletes and his plans for another book based on music. It's an enlightening and fun chat with one of our favorite contributors. This week's episode is sponsored by Dying Breed Music.

We talk to a lot of unique individuals on this podcast and luthier Larry Pogreba is certainly no exception. Pogreba divides his time between homes in New Mexico and an off-the-grid homestead in Montana and builds resonator guitars, Weissenborns and acoustics that often feature recycled / reclaimed metal, bullet casings for inlays and all sorts of other adornments that harken to American steel and the Wild West. His instruments have landed in the hands of Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, David Lindley, Cindy Cashdollar and others. In fact, one of the most prolific Pogreba instrument collectors around is the acclaimed Darrell Scott, who is featured in the new Fretboard Journal #41. On today's podcast, we talk to Larry about how the Danny Ferrington book got him turned onto guitarmaking, how he splits his time between two homes/workshops, his unique guitar (and cannon!) builds and much more. This episode is sponsored by our friends at Dying Breed Music.

On this week's podcast, we talk to legendary singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn. Bruce was featured back in the Fretboard Journal #25 and he offers plenty of updates on his career, music and projects during our conversation. We chat about his Linda Manzer-built instruments (including the electric charango that she built for him), his memoir Rumours of Glory and the full length documentary on his life, Pacing the Cage. This episode of the Fretboard Journal Podcast is brought to you by our friends at Dying Breed Music, where you can find a bevy of great acoustic guitars from the Golden Era.

On today's podcast, we talk to the members of legendary bluegrass band Hot Rize: Tim O'Brien, Pete Wernick, Nick Forster and Bryan Sutton. The quartet—currently celebrating their 40th year performing as a band—talks to us about the early Colorado bluegrass scene, the instruments they're currently using, Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers, songwriting and more. It's an enlightening and hilarious chat with four bluegrass icons. This week's episode is sponsored by Dying Breed Music.

On today's podcast, we talk to Earnie Bailey of Wire Instruments. Earnie is a jack-of-all-trades who went from running a cafe in Seattle to being a guitar tech for Nirvana (and the Foo Fighters) and eventually building his own instruments. We talk about what makes his Wire Instruments unique, the inspiration he gets from unlikely predecessors like builder Dave Bunker and what the life of a guitar tech is like. This episode is sponsored by Dying Breed Music. Use the discount code PODCAST when you order an FJ subscription and save $5.

Today we're talking to Brooklyn-based guitarist and Matador recording artist Steve Gunn. Deeply inspired by John Fahey and the entire primitive folk movement, Gunn is equally talented as a singer-songwriter, instrumentalist and wild improviser. We talk about his background growing up in Philadelphia, the influence of Jack Rose and John Fahey on his music, his Gunn-Truscinski Duo recordings and, of course, gear. For a limited time, subscribe and get three years (12 issues) of the Fretboard Journal for just $99. Click here. http://www.steve-gunn.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com

On this week's podcast, we talk to bluegrass icons Del, Ronnie and Rob McCoury of the Del McCoury Band. We chat about Del's Martin's, including his dark top D-18, Ronnie's Loar mandolin, the rigors of touring and much more. This podcast was recorded backstage at Seattle's Triple Door venue. This episode is sponsored by Dying Breed Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars.

On this week's podcast, Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn stop by the Fretboard Journal and interview each other! This episode is sponsored by RetroFret Vintage Guitars and Dying Breed Music. Need a last minute gift? Head over to fretboardjournal.com and use the coupon code PODCAST when you buy a gift subscription and you'll save $5 off your order.

On this week's podcast, we talk to filmmaker Drew Roller, the mastermind behind the new documentary 'Acoustic Uprising.' Roller tells us how, thanks to YouTube, he discovered the new guard of fingerstyle guitarists such as Andy McKee and Jon Gomm; what it was like to attend Thomas Leeb's Austria Guitar Boot Camp; the enduring influence of Michael Hedges; and much more. He also recommends a handful of contemporary fingerstyle guitarists we all should check out. This episode is brought to you by Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Links mentioned: https://www.acousticuprisingfilm.com (now available for purchase/download) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY7GnAq6Znw http://www.thomasleeb.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LquLVh1Cec https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddn4MGaS3N4 Need a gift this holiday season or just want to splurge on yourself? Don't forget to check out our webstore: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com

Kurt Bloch is a legendary figure in Seattle's music scene since his formation of the Fastbacks in the late '70s. On this week's podcast, we talk to Bloch about growing up in Seattle, the creation of his first bands, how he began tinkering with guitar gear, his work with Alejandro Escovedo and a lot more. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret and Dying Breed Guitars.

On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to the amazing guitarist Joel Paterson. Joel has just released a new record of instrumental Christmas songs called Hi-Fi Christmas Guitar (Bloodshot Records) that we can't recommend enough. We talk about the making of the album, the insane amount of work that went into it, some of the gear that Joel used and the huge influence that Les Paul and Jørgen Ingmann had on his own playing. This episode is sponsored by our friends at Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Links: https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/album/hi-fi-christmas-guitar https://www.fretboardjournal.com

Few guitarmakers travel the globe as much as Bob Taylor of Taylor Guitars. On any given day, he may be at Taylor's massive El Cajon factory, at his ebony mill in Cameroon, on Hawaii replanting koa trees or offroading in Baja. On this week's podcast, we catch with Bob (who was thankfully at home in California) to get his thoughts on CITES and the state of the guitar industry as a whole. We also hear about a guitar he recently built entirely by hand, learn about the impact that Andy Powers continues to have on Taylor's product offerings and much more. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Dying Breed Music.

Back in the 1980s, Lindy Fralin didn't set out to be one of the world's most-trusted pickup winders, he just wanted to earn a living as a guitarist. With a tight budget, he'd buy cheap guitars and fix them up for himself or do minor repair work for friends. Eventually, though, the pickups took over. Today, Fralin has seven employees, a growing product line of guitar and bass products and a bustling pickup repair shop. On this week's podcast, we talk to Lindy about his early days, some of his latest creations, the intricacies of pickup winding and much more. This week's podcast is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars, who happen to have a brand new website. Check it out! http://fralinpickups.com

Today we're talking to guitarist Steve Marion, aka "Delicate Steve." When his old band's major label record deal imploded, Marion invented his Delicate Steve persona, crafting over-the-top rock instrumental records loaded with great playing, a ton of effects, humor and plenty of references to the musicians and genres he loves. On this week's podcast, we talk to Delicate Steve about how these albums come together, why he prefers guitars that make him feel uncomfortable and about the time he was asked to play alongside Paul Simon. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret and Dying Breed Music.

On today's podcast, we talk to stellar singer-songwriter Amy Helm about growing up in a musical household, working alongside her dad (Levon Helm of the Band), her forthcoming Joe Henry-produced album and much more. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret and Dying Breed Music.

On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to the amazing guitarist Luke Doucet of Whitehorse. Doucet tells us about his upbringing in Canada and his relatively late start into the world of guitars, along with the fateful day he met his original guitar teacher in Winnipeg. We then hear about how Doucet is turning his own young son Jimmy onto music and guitars and how Jimmy (at the ripe old age of three) inadvertently helped shape the sound of Whitehorse's 2017 album, Panther in the Dollhouse. We also talk guitars, including Doucet's Gretsch White Falcon, his Fender Custom Shop Jazzmaster, his Creston Lea offset and others. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars.

The Fretboard Journal Podcast welcomes its first professional athlete, tennis player / coach Murphy Jensen! Murphy and his brother Luke were considered the rock & roll duo of tennis during their heyday, eventually winning the French Open in 1993. Jensen tells us about his childhood growing up in Northern Michigan; his early love for rock & roll; his rise as a professional athlete; and why so many pro tennis players gravitate to the guitar. We also hear about the annual "Wimbledon Jam;" Serena Williams' love for Nirvana; the time Jensen brought Roger Federer to the Bowery Ballroom the night before his US Open match; working with Val McCallum and much more. Trust us, it's a great guitar chat even if you don't know anything about tennis. Jensen also talks to us about his new Seattle-based healthcare technology company, Weconnect. Links: http://www.murphyjensen.com https://www.weconnectrecovery.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com

On this week's podcast, we check in with legendary guitarmaker Ken Parker. The archtop creations that Parker has built over the last decade are truly works of art (in fact, one example is in the permanent collection of the Met). Parker was the subject of a mammoth two-part Fretboard Journal feature in both the FJ #38 and FJ #39, penned by author Joseph Skibell. On this week's podcast, we catch up and hear about some of this builder's more recent developments. He tells us about the importance of hide glue in his instruments; we learn about a new pickup he's using that was developed by Bob Palmieri; and we hear about his recent acquisition of some wood from the famed "The Tree" and what he plans to do with it. This week's episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars.

Singer-songwriter (and former Men at Work frontman) Colin Hay is addicted to guitars. "Once the bug hits… you keep finding guitars that you can't seem to live without," he says. On this week's podcast, he talks about his growing guitar collection, which includes not only Martins and Gibson but numerous luthier-built guitars. We also talk about songwriting, the music industry today and much more. This week's episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Dying Breed Music.

This week's podcast is a banjo double-header of sorts: First up, we talk to musician Laura Baird (the Baird Sisters) about her debut solo album, I Wish I Were a Sparrow. This mesmerizing album features both traditional and original ballads featuring just voice and banjo. Next up, we talk to author Richard Jones-Bamman about his new book, Building New Banjos for an Old-Time World. The book is a scholarly take on the contemporary world of old-time, open back banjo makers and their place in banjo history. This week's episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Dying Breed Music. Next week, we'll talk singer-songwriter (and Men at Work founder) Colin Hay. Subscribe via iTunes to make sure you don't miss it. RIP Tom Petty. Links: Richard's book on Amazon Laura's album on Amazon

On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we're joined by fingerstyle guitar legend Michael Gulezian. Michael is talking to us from his new home in Paonia, Colorado and offers us an insightful, thought-provoking glimpse into the life of a working musician. He tells us about his childhood and the impact that Middle Eastern music had on his own compositions. We also talk about his time with John Fahey, Michael Hedges and Robbie Basho and the sad downfall of Takoma Records. Michael also explains why so many great guitar players have come out of Minnesota, talks to us about his choice of acoustic guitars (built by frequent FJ contributor Todd Lunneborg) and much more. This episode of the podcast is brought to you by our friends at Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Michael Gulezian's official site.

This week's podcast is a bluegrass double-header. First, we talk to the one-and-only Billy Strings. He's about to release his first solo album, Turmoil & Tinfoil and we talk about the making of the record, his guitars of choice (he recently switched from his Noble dreadnought to guitars made by Preston Thompson) and a lot more. Over on fretboardjournal.com, you can hear a stream of "Pyramid Country" from the new album right now. Next up, we talk to the IBMA's Paul Schiminger about the organization's mission, it's annual World of Bluegrass festival (happening later this month) and the future of bluegrass. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret and Dying Breed Music. Check out their offerings and tell them the Fretboard Journal sent you. Next week, we talk to fingerstyle guitar legend Michael Gulezian! This week's podcast is a bluegrass double-header: First, we talk to the one-and-only Billy Strings. He's about to release his first solo album, Turmoil & Tinfoil and we talk about the making of the record, his guitars of choice (he recently switched from his Noble dreadnought to guitars made by Preston Thompson) and a lot more. Over on fretboardjournal.com, you can hear a stream of "Pyramid Country" from the new album right now. Next up, we talk to the IBMA's Paul Schiminger about the organization's mission, its annual World of Bluegrass festival (happening later this month) and the future of bluegrass. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret and Dying Breed Music. Check out their offerings and tell them the Fretboard Journal sent you. Next week, we talk to fingerstyle guitar legend Michael Gulezian! https://www.billystrings.comhttps://ibma.org/world-of-bluegrass Use the coupon code PODCAST when you subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print magazine and you'll save an extra $5. Click here.

Singer-songwriter Pieta Brown has had quite the journey. On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast we talk to her about unique upbringing (her dad is famed folk musician Greg Brown), her early attempts at songwriting and the fateful day her father showed her a vintage guitar. She also talks about Postcards, her 2017 album that features collaborations with Mark Knopfler, Calexico, David Lindley and others. Watch for a video with Pieta soon on fretboardjournal.com. As an added bonus, we share a quick story David Rawlings shared with us about his Epiphone Olympic, featuring luthier Joe Glaser. This episode is brought to you by Retrofret, Adam Levy's Guitar Tips Pro and Dying Breed Music. Use the coupon code PODCAST and save $5 off any Fretboard Journal subscription or order.

Our guest on today's Fretboard Journal Podcast is Chris Young, founder of Union Tube & Transistor. Chris walks us through Union's history, his current pedal lineup and the story behind his pedal collaboration with Jack White. We also hear about the time he gave a pedal to Tom Waits and about some of Union's latest products, including their new Lab compressor pedal. While Chris was in Seattle, we also took him to Johnny Sangster's Crackle & Pop studio to do a quick video demo. Watch it on fretboardjournal.com. This podcast is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Adam Levy's new Guitar Tips Pro, where you can get great professional video lessons for as little as $5 a month.

The second installment of our interview with Zack Vex of Z.Vex Effects covers a lot of ground. Zack gives us an overview of Z.Vex's current offerings, he then gives us his thoughts on the guitar effects industry today and he walks us through his latest invention, an all-new microphone that has to be heard to be believed. Plus a lot more... Listen to part one of this two-hour interview here. This episode is brought to you by Dying Breed Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print magazine and use the discount code PODCAST to get $5 off your order. https://www.zvex.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com

On this week's podcast, we talk to Zack Vex of Z.Vex Effects. Over the last twenty-plus years, Zack has been at the forefront of the boutique pedal movement. But, as you'll hear during our lengthy interview, his love for electronics and science goes way beyond just guitar effects. Zack walks us through his childhood, his first guitar repairs and the early days of his now-flourishing company. On next week's episode, we'll hear about Z.Vex today and some of Zack's most recent inventions including the Candelas Vibraphase and a brand new (and mind boggling) microphone. This episode is brought to you by Dying Breed Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal and use the discount code PODCAST to get $5 off your order. https://www.zvex.comhttps://www.fretboardjournal.com

Musician Christian Lee Hutson is one of the most impressive young songwriters we've talked to in recent memory. On today's podcast, we talk to Chrstian about getting hooked on guitar (thanks to Nirvana), dropping out of high school to pursue music and his latest recording projects, including a forthcoming album featuring members of Dawes. We'll have videos of Christian at the Fretboard Journal coming soon. In the meantime, check out some of his music performances online to get a sense of his unique songwriting or catch him on tour opening for John Moreland. This episode is sponsored by our friends at Retrofret Vintage Instruments. http://www.christianleehutson.com Watch: Christian Lee Hutson - "I Just Can't Fucking Do It Anymore"

On this week's podcast, we talk to builder Todd Cambio of Fraulini Guitars. While a lot of guitarmakers focus on traditional Martin or Gibson-style instruments, Todd loves to focus on models built by more obscure vintage instrument brands, including Stella, Larson Bros., Lyon & Healy and Oscar Schmidt. During our talk, Todd talks to us about his start in lutherie and his love for early blues and 78 recordings. He then explains the research he did to recreate Lydia Mendoza's 12-string guitar and his new attempt to create a replica of Lonnie Johnson's 12-string guitar (both, it turns out, were originally built by San Antonio's Acosta family). Cambio is equal parts luthier and history detective… it's fascinating to hear how he cobbles together information and grainy photos to build some of these instruments. We hope you enjoy our talk. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Dying Breed Music. Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes. And use the discount code PODCAST when you check out at fretboardjournal.com to save an additional $5 off your order.

Sam Amidon is, quite simply, one of our favorite musicians. His visionary music is mesmerizing, he somehow melds traditional Appalachian folk with experimental music. On this week's podcast, we talk to Sam about his music-filled childhood (his parents are folk singers Peter and Mary Alice Amidon) and his transition from being a professional traditional fiddler to a groundbreaking solo artist. Sam tells us about his discovery of avant-garde music and free jazz, what it was like to get lessons from Leroy Jenkins and his time in the indie band Stars Like Fleas. He also discusses his collaboration with hero Bill Frisell (2014's Lily-O), the energy he finds in primitive field recordings, why he wore a kung fu outfit to his first solo gig… and a lot more. Sam has had a fascinating musical journey and he walks us through it all. Sam's 2017 Nonesuch album, The Following Mountain, is his first recording to feature his own songs. We can't recommend it enough. Audio note: There's some cell phone distortion in the first ten minutes of this call; it gets better as the conversation goes on. Stick with it. This episode is sponsored by Dying Breed Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Order a subscription to the Fretboard Journal via our site and use the coupon code PODCAST to save $5 off any order.

For guitar collectors, Zeke Schein is best-known as the long-time salesman you see at Matt Umanov Guitars. What you may not know is that Zeke is also the guy who discovered what may very well be the third photo of Robert Johnson ever unearthed (an eBay find erroneously listed as a BB King photo). Since purchasing that small photo over a decade ago, Schein has had quite a roller coaster ride. He went through hurdles to get the photo authenticated, he gave the rights to the Robert Johnson Estate and he's witnessed his unlikely eBay find get reprinted in national magazines. He's also faced the wrath of blues historians, some of whom rabidly dispute that this is in fact a shot of Johnson at all. Zeke has written a new book entitled Portrait of a Phantom: The Story of Robert Johnson's Lost Photograph. Though ostensibly about the discovery of this image, Zeke's book is about a lot more, too. He writes about his love for the blues, his time at Umanov's, the New York music scene and why some of us are so compelled to learn more about our music heroes. On this week's podcast, we talk to Zeke about the photo, his career selling guitars at one of the world's most famous stores and much more. This episode of our podcast is brought to you by Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Need a subscription to the Fretboard Journal? Order today and use the discount code PODCAST to get $5 off your order.

Our dear friend Bill Collings, founder of Collings Guitars & Mandolins, passed away on July 14, 2017 after a long battle with cancer. We're working on a tribute for Bill in the next issue of the Journal (and if you have any great Bill stories, we'd love to hear them). We also decided to share this talk he gave at the first Fretboard Summit in 2015. During this session, Bill was interviewed by Mark Stutman (Folkway Music). It was a lively, unfiltered chat full of laughs. We also fielded questions from the audience, talked about Waterloos and more. RIP Bill. We're going to miss our chats with you. –Jason

Twenty years ago, Lluís Gómez heard Banjo Paris Session, an album featuring the playing of Jean-Marie Redon and Bill Keith. It completely changed this Spanish musician's life. Gómez would go on to obsess over the five-string banjo, eventually tracking down lessons with Keith, Tony Trischka and Pete Wernick. These days, Gómez is considered the "Spanish King of the Five-String Banjo." He's a prolific performer, educator and music promoter, bringing a distinctly American music to new audiences in Europe. On this episode, he tells us about the state of banjo in Spain today, his excellent new record Dotze contes, the instruments that he loves and much more. This episode is brought to you by two of our favorite stores: Dying Breed Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. We are now shipping the Fretboard Journal #39. Use the coupon code PODCAST when you check out at fretboardjournal.com and get $5 off your order. Lluís' site: http://www.lluisgomez.com/index-en.html

Today we're talking to Jas Obrecht, acclaimed music journalist and editor. Jas is the author of the recently published anthology, Talking Guitar: Conversations with Musicians Who Shaped Twentieth-Century American Music. The book is filled interviews Jas conducted with music icons such as Nick Lucas, Ry Cooder, "Pops" Staples, Ry Cooder and Jerry Garcia. He tells us a bit about how it came about, what these amazing interviews were like, his days working at Guitar Player and much more. The Fretboard Journal's 39th issue is now mailing. Use the coupon code PODCAST when you check out and you'll save $5 off any subscription, just for being a FJ Podcast listener. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Links: www.fretboardjournal.comTalking Guitar: Conversations with Musicians Who Shaped Twentieth-Century American Music by Jas Obrecht (Amazon link)