Chasing Tone - Guitar Podcast About Gear, Effects, Amps and Tone

Brian, Blake, and Richard are back for Episode 627 of the Chasing Tone Podcast - Experimental backing tracks, Fender vs the entire planet, and robot rock stars

Brian has been experimenting in his secret laboratory and reveals that AI-generated backing tracks are getting scarily good. The guys explore how far this technology has come and their conclusions may surprise you. This leads to a deep and heartfelt conversation about why playing music matters, why it can never truly be replaced by technology, and whether robot rock stars performing on stage could actually become a thing. There are also some sad farewells to Jennifer Finch of L7 and Wayne Charvel, who both passed away.

Brian has been renovating his studio with LED-lit pedal shelves and proper sound panels, and he has some new Bigler pickups to try. Meanwhile, the Fender legal saga has somehow gotten even worse - they're now going after Thomann, Yamaha, and an Australian secondhand guitar retailer. The guys are genuinely baffled and discuss whether Fender have managed to pull off the most spectacular act of brand self-destruction in guitar history. Richard has a PRS-shaped solution.

The Rolling Stones have a new album out and Richard highly recommends it, Anthrax have a cracking new single, and the World Cup halftime show featured Madonna flanked by two footballing legends dressed as Teletubbies. Richard reveals that an Iron Maiden guitarist was fired for listening to the Eagles on the tour bus, and the guys debate the merits of mystery pedal boxes.

Headstock Socks, The Defenderiser, Eastern European Clown Music, Brad Womp, Breaking the Fourth Wind...it's all in this week's Chasing Tone!

We are on Patreon now too!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/chasingtonepodcast)

Courses and DIY mods:
https://www.bluesguitarmethod.com
https://www.betterguitartone.com
https://www.wamplerdiy.com
https://www.guitarpedalcourse.com

Check out Oliver Effects:
https://oliverfx.co.uk

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@chasingtonepodcast

Find us at:
https://www.wamplerpedals.com/
https://www.instagram.com/WamplerPedals/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/wamplerfanpage/

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Brian, Blake, and Richard are back for Episode 626 of the Chasing Tone Podcast - We were wrong, Blake has beef, and the world's greatest nonsense show ever

We were wrong about who the first great 2026 pedal merger participants were - it was Ernie Ball and Source Audio - and Blake has beef with a pedal legend. Do you use a volume pedal in your rig? It used to be critical, but Richard is pondering why he no longer feels the need to use one.

Richard tries to explain the World Cup to Brian and Blake and fails miserably. He is also very upset with streamers. There was a new "drop" of UFO material from the Pentagon and the guys consider whether it is more of a drip. Meanwhile, Richard has discovered a new alien-related TV show thanks to a recommendation from a listener.

Brian has been editing theme tunes and a listener has picked up on it. Let him have his fun! Do you ever use a string conditioner on your guitar? The guys discuss why perfectly clean strings and fingers aren't always optimal. Blake has borrowed a vintage guitar and tells us all about it.

People Get a Little Weird, Buc-ees, Secret Basil, Richard Is a Serial Killer, Fingerease... it's all in this week's Chasing Tone!

We are on Patreon now too!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/chasingtonepodcast)

Courses and DIY mods:
https://www.bluesguitarmethod.com
https://www.betterguitartone.com
https://www.wamplerdiy.com
https://www.guitarpedalcourse.com

Check out Oliver Effects:
https://oliverfx.co.uk

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@chasingtonepodcast

Find us at:
https://www.wamplerpedals.com/
https://www.instagram.com/WamplerPedals/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/wamplerfanpage/

Support the show

Brian, Blake, and Richard are back for Episode 625 of the Chasing Tone Podcast - Hot industry gossip, scary British villains, and Strymon level up.

We are coming in hot this week with scurrilous gossip about a new industry merger and the guys prove that they have none of the clues but all of the speculation. Richard gets a unique and frankly very disturbing look into Brian's mind. There is some random Apple loving and there are skincare tips.

Blake has transgressed one of the sacred commandments of the guitar and regales us with his bard's tale and the guys consider homemade pickups. Richard has managed to fix some issues with one of his guitars and he feels as if he has been imbued with the power of a mega luthier. He hasn't.

How much would you pay for the best delay pedal? Richard is impressed with the new Timeline MX but it's quite the investment and also his brain has melted for a second time this year. Brian will never be one of those funny types. Gibson appear to have been trolling Fender.

Waliver FX, Tom Quayle, Nut sauce, Amish cooling secrets, Funk and Wagnalls ...it's all in this week's Chasing Tone!

We are on Patreon now too!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/chasingtonepodcast)

Courses and DIY mods:
https://www.bluesguitarmethod.com
https://www.betterguitartone.com
https://www.wamplerdiy.com
https://www.guitarpedalcourse.com

Check out Oliver Effects:
https://oliverfx.co.uk

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@chasingtonepodcast

Find us at:
https://www.wamplerpedals.com/
https://www.instagram.com/WamplerPedals/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/wamplerfanpage/

Support the show

Brian and Richard are back for Episode 624 of the Chasing Tone Podcast - Two decades in the pedal trenches, pitch-shifters, and the JHS Dumble nut crumble

Blake is playing with dune buggies and Brian is feeling invincible so the guys dig into some of the serious topics of the day. We cannot avoid talking about the AI theft of Rhett Shull's material which introduces an altogether unwelcome turn to the AI thievery theme. Brian wants to know Richard's deep dark secrets.

Richard has finally edited and uploaded his first ever pedal demo - and it was not something he found easy. Brian looks at his own journey through the pedal industry and tells us how things have changed over time. If you are interested in running or starting a business in the music industry, Brian has a lot of wisdom to share. Richard, on the other hand, maybe not so much.

Something unexpected happened in Richard's musical life and it made him sad despite it being the right move. Meanwhile, a CEO of one of the biggest guitar companies in the world stepped aside and it caused a gasp, and a new collaboration with two of the world's biggest retailers takes the guys by surprise...

Fan Pants, The Hoff, Brianna Wambler, SquonQulator, Brian's Hot Takes... it's all in this week's Chasing Tone!

We are on Patreon now too!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/chasingtonepodcast)

Courses and DIY mods:
https://www.bluesguitarmethod.com
https://www.betterguitartone.com
https://www.wamplerdiy.com
https://www.guitarpedalcourse.com

Check out Oliver Effects:
https://oliverfx.co.uk

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@chasingtonepodcast

Find us at:
https://www.wamplerpedals.com/
https://www.instagram.com/WamplerPedals/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/wamplerfanpage/

Support the show

Brian, Blake, and Richard are back for Episode 623 of the Chasing Tone Podcast - Brian's birthday flamethrower bonanza and Stratgate continues.

It's Brian's birthday as we record this and the chaps sing "Happy Birthday" in two different keys while Blake tells us all about his former meth lab renovation life and Brian shoots trees with fire. We have to talk about Fender again as Thomann, one of the world's largest music retailers, have fired a legal salvo in retaliation to the cease and desist letter situation.

Blake considers destroying a guitar and it opens up a new dimension to the great Fender debate and Richard exaggerates. Have you ever used a string bender? The guys discuss how to approach playing with a B bender. Robert Keeley has teased a new tube-based pedal and the guys dig it.

The Cure have headlined the Isle of Wight Festival and Richard has observations, and GAS for Reverend guitars. The guys debate whether festivals are still something they enjoy or whether those days have passed. It's Prime Day again and the guys are not too impressed. They were impressed with a new magnetic pedalboard design however.

Nitro Surge, Marketers Ruin Everything, Red Mild Chili Poppers, Angine de Poitrine, Brian Is a Diva... it's all in this week's Chasing Tone!

We are on Patreon now too!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/chasingtonepodcast)

Courses and DIY mods:
https://www.bluesguitarmethod.com
https://www.betterguitartone.com
https://www.wamplerdiy.com
https://www.guitarpedalcourse.com

Check out Oliver Effects:
https://oliverfx.co.uk

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@chasingtonepodcast

Find us at:
https://www.wamplerpedals.com/
https://www.instagram.com/WamplerPedals/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/wamplerfanpage/

Support the show

Brian, Blake, and Richard are back for Episode 622 of the Chasing Tone Podcast - So you want to be a guitar YouTuber? Start here...

Blake dreams of marketing, lycra, and broken tables in what is probably the most unhinged introductions in at least a week. Meanwhile, Brian and Blake bring their not inconsiderable experience to bear as Richard prepares to film his first pedal demo video and there are some super useful tips.

Have you ever owned an artist-signed pedal? Richard discovered a cache of wild Wampler pedals and tells us of his big day out in London and also talks about the setup of his new PRS. Somehow Leisure Suit Larry gets mentioned for the second time ever on this show.

Social media rears its ugly head and the guys discuss the current lay of the land. Meanwhile, Brian is GASsing for a new pedal and he has a request for all listeners to help him in his quest.

Something something Fender, A gig in every country, Marshall Jukebox, PSA - Smoking is bad, The Screaming AbDabs... it's all in this week's Chasing Tone!

We are on Patreon now too!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/chasingtonepodcast)

Courses and DIY mods:
https://www.bluesguitarmethod.com <- Check out Travis Feaster's new course!
https://www.betterguitartone.com
https://www.wamplerdiy.com
https://www.guitarpedalcourse.com

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@chasingtonepodcast

Find us at:
https://www.wamplerpedals.com/
https://www.instagram.com/WamplerPedals/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/wamplerfanpage/

Check out Oliver Effects:
https://oliverfx.co.uk

Support the show

Brian, Blake, and Richard are back for Episode 621 of the Chasing Tone Podcast - String secrets, Brian gets a surprise gift, and sniffing out the fakers

Brian goes all ASMR and Richard and Blake experience some potentially extraterrestrial weather coincidences. Richard gives us an update on his new Silver Sky. TLDR: He loves it but is an idiot. Brian suggests that he may need to use a Ford F-150 for stretching strings.

We touch on "that" cease and desist story once more because there is a bit of an update. Richard has been building pedals and stuffing boxes and thinks he may have grown as a person. Brian received an unexpected gift from Josh Scott and he was bowled over. Meanwhile, Blake's wife has developed exquisite tastes.

Brian has discovered a new album and he and Richard are becoming massive glam rock fans. Richard thinks we all need to listen to our inner child more and Brian has a big confession. He has also been enjoying the videos of Danny Sapko and the guys discuss the trend of "AI fakery" that is currently prevalent.

Wangdanging, Grandpa's Cough Medicine, Purple Ohm Update, Richie Kotzen, RUSH, The Higsons... it's all in this week's Chasing Tone!

We are on Patreon now too!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/chasingtonepodcast)

Courses and DIY mods:
https://www.bluesguitarmethod.com <- Check out Travis Feaster's new course!
https://www.betterguitartone.com
https://www.wamplerdiy.com
https://www.guitarpedalcourse.com

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@chasingtonepodcast

Find us at:
https://www.wamplerpedals.com/
https://www.instagram.com/WamplerPedals/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/wamplerfanpage/

Check out Oliver Effects:
https://oliverfx.co.uk

Support the show

Brian, Blake, and Richard are back for Episode 620 of the Chasing Tone Podcast - New guitar day, Seymour Duncan's Telecaster, and the story that just won't quit...

We cannot avoid a further dip into the Fender C&D shenanigans as a rather famous name in the guitar world comes firmly into the crosshairs of their crack legal team despite our previous baseless conjecture. Brian suggests that the fairest way to sort this out is the old-fashioned way - wrestling. Richard confuses pounds and ounces.

Richard has acquired a new guitar - well, he made a trade - and it was not any of the guitars he was expecting to buy, but he is super happy. He also manages to influence both of his co-hosts and Brian goes off on an internet adventure. Richard has pedal news too.

Have you ever had a guitar refinished? The guys discuss why this may or may not be a great idea. A new guitar bag has come out with a unique pedalboard-friendly feature and the guys discuss it. JHS have released a new pedal and it causes a disturbance in the force, whereas Meris have invoked robots in disguise.

A Very Small Portion, Dog Collar Guitar Straps, NFT Chimps, D20 Air Rifle Stocks, The Intel Crentium, Spitty Fuzz...it's all in this week's Chasing Tone!

We are on Patreon now too!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/chasingtonepodcast)

Courses and DIY mods:
https://www.bluesguitarmethod.com <- Check out Travis Feaster's new course!
https://www.betterguitartone.com
https://www.wamplerdiy.com
https://www.guitarpedalcourse.com

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@chasingtonepodcast

Find us at:
https://www.wamplerpedals.com/
https://www.instagram.com/WamplerPedals/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/wamplerfanpage/

Check out Oliver Effects:
https://oliverfx.co.uk

Support the show

Brian and Richard are joined by Phillip Carter of the 40 Watt Podcast for Episode 619 of the Chasing Tone Podcast - 40 Watts of Fender dilemma and do you have to be rich to start a band?

Blake has caught a dose of the quattro formaggi quickstep and so we have the mighty Phillip Carter of the 40 Watt Podcast stepping into his cubic shoes for this episode. What an episode it proves to be... There can be only one starting point and that is the Fender legal issue that continues to rumble on and is proving to be a bit of a PR minefield. But first - soccer.

Brian is somewhat relieved to discover the Fender legal letters don't extend to Telecasters but that doesn't mean this isn't a subject worthy of discussion. All of the great and good of the guitar YouTube world have had to make a video that "they really didn't want to make". But this is a serious issue and we have questions and suggestions. Some of those may not be sensible or serious, actually, now I come to think about it. There is a lot of wild speculation too.

There has been some interesting new UFO footage that was evidently filmed on a 3-pixel camera and the guys discuss how disappointed they may or may not be. Brian admits he has got his own weird things. Is it only possible these days to make it big in the music business if you have a rich family? The guys ponder this.

Huge thanks to Phillip Carter for joining us this week and huge thanks to you for listening!

The Mighty Arsenal, But Is It Art?, Warlock Pedals, Saucy Pickups, Street Legal Side-by-Sides, 6 Degrees of David Gilmour... it's all in this week's Chasing Tone!

We are on Patreon now too!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/chasingtonepodcast)

Courses and DIY mods:
https://www.bluesguitarmethod.com <- Check out Travis Feaster's new course!
https://www.betterguitartone.com
https://www.wamplerdiy.com
https://www.guitarpedalcourse.com

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@chasingtonepodcast

Find us at:
https://www.wamplerpedals.com/
https://www.instagram.com/WamplerPedals/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/wamplerfanpage/

Check out Oliver Effects:
https://oliverfx.co.uk

Support the show

Brian, Blake, and Richard are back for Episode 618 of the Chasing Tone Podcast -  The all new Fender agenda and will the real Josh Scott please stand up?

Brian has got some things to say about AI slop following a great reaction video from Josh Scott of JHS which resulted in him surveying some fluffy junk from the dark recesses of a random YouTube channel. It's an interesting debate as the guys have strong views about the source video, its complete lack of reliable facts, and the damage it could do. 

Meanwhile, Blake brings up one of the hottest topics of the week - Fender's current legal positioning on the copyright of the Stratocaster body. The guys have views on it but fear that this might backfire on Fender and discuss the ramifications. Richard makes terrible analogies and spreads a lie. Brian squaremarks his radius.

Richard has some interactions with a beautiful SG guitar and its famous owner, rewriting the rules. PRS have released a new special edition and the endorsee has surprised the guys a bit. There is some tongue twisting as the guys attempt to say a common guitar word.

The D*ckhead fallacy, Bullshine returns, The Chasing Tone Shoehorn award, The Art of the Stombox, Pac Man...it's all in this week's Chasing Tone!

We are on Patreon now too!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/chasingtonepodcast)

Courses and DIY mods:
https://www.bluesguitarmethod.com <- Check out Travis Feaster's new course!
https://www.betterguitartone.com
https://www.wamplerdiy.com
https://www.guitarpedalcourse.com

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@chasingtonepodcast

Find us at:
https://www.wamplerpedals.com/
https://www.instagram.com/WamplerPedals/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/wamplerfanpage/

Check out Oliver Effects:
https://oliverfx.co.uk

Support the show