The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast episodes:

• 04.26.2024

  Podcast 460: John Roderick

  On this week's show, we have a candid chat with Seattle indie rock musician-turned-podcaster (Roderick on the Line, Omnibus) John Roderick. The Long Winters frontman was an early Fretboard Journal subject and guest on our podcast. This time around, we...

  
• 04.18.2024

  Podcast 459: Ryan Richter

  For the last several years, Los Angeles-based musician Ryan Richter has served as a touring guitarist for Dijon, Ryan Beatty, Lizzy McAlpine and others. Years ago, he was also one of the Fretboard Journal's earliest employees.  Ryan recently released...

  
• 04.12.2024

  Podcast 458: Josh Scott (JHS Pedals)

  This week, JHS founder Josh Scott joins Jason to talk about guitar media, following your passion, marketing, work/life balance and so much more. We talk about how JHS was founded, the JHS Show on YouTube (and the work that goes...

  
• 04.05.2024

  Podcast 457: John Smith

  Singer-songwriter John Smith joins us this week to talk about his moving new Joe Henry-produced album, 'The Living Kind.'   We hear about the British folk scene and John's time with John Renbourn and others; his guitar collection (including a...

  
• 03.29.2024

  Podcast 456: Scott Ballew

  Scott Ballew is an Austin, Texas-based filmmaker and musician. For years, he’s directed unforgettable videos and documentaries for Yeti and others. In 2020, he decided to take up songwriting and recorded his first album just a year later. This week,...

  
• 03.22.2024

  Podcast 455: John Leventhal

  Six-time Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer John Leventhal joins us this week to talk about 'Rumble Strip,' his long-awaited debut solo album! John tells us why, after five decades in the music business, he decided to make a solo...

  
• 03.14.2024

  Podcast 454: Craig Korth

  Craig Korth is a bluegrass musician, instrument collector, and luthier based in British Columbia.   Over the years, Craig performed at countless festivals, ran a music camp, and amassed a world-class collection of vintage instruments. As he recounted at the...

  
• 03.07.2024

  Podcast 453: Julian Lage

  This week, guitarist Julian Lage returns to the Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk to us all about his new, Joe Henry-produced album, 'Speak to Me' (Blue Note). We talk about working with Henry, the 'Speak to Me' band (including Levon...

  
• 02.29.2024

  Podcast 452: Rasmus Zandvliet & Jeremy the Guitar Hunter

  This week, we share two great interviews: First, we talk to Rasmus Zandvliet, a young (17-year-old!) aspiring luthier from the Netherlands teaching himself how to build acoustic guitars from scratch using YouTube videos for inspiration and a modest array of...

  
• 02.16.2024

  Podcast 451: Matt the Electrician

  Austin's Matt the Electrician joins us this week to talk about his new album, 'The Ocean Knocked Me Down.' He also gives us a mini master class on being a productive songwriter.  We also talk about John Allison Guitars, the...

  
• 02.08.2024

  Podcast 450: Adam Levy and Ethan Sherman's String Theories Takeover, Pt. 4

  It's the fourth and final installment of 'String Theories' takeover of the Fretboard Journal Podcast! To celebrate the launch of their book, String Theories, guitarists and educators Ethan Sherman and Adam Levy share some of their favorite music tips and New...

  
• 02.02.2024

  Podcast 449: Adam Levy and Ethan Sherman's String Theories Takeover, Pt. 3

  It's the third installment of 'String Theories' takeover of the Fretboard Journal Podcast! To celebrate the launch of their book, String Theories, guitarists and educators Ethan Sherman and Adam Levy share some of their favorite music tips and New Year's resolutions...

  
• 01.25.2024

  Podcast 448: Adam Levy and Ethan Sherman's String Theories Takeover, Pt. 2 (Mason Stoops)

  It's part two of four of 'String Theories' takeover of the Fretboard Journal Podcast! Adam Levy and Ethan Sherman, the authors behind the excellent new 'String Theories' book, are guest hosting the Fretboard Journal Podcast for four episodes. This week,...

  
• 01.19.2024

  Podcast 447: Adam Levy and Ethan Sherman's String Theories Takeover, Pt. 1

  It's a 'String Theories' takeover of the Fretboard Journal Podcast! Adam Levy and Ethan Sherman, the authors behind the excellent new 'String Theories' book, are taking over the Fretboard Journal Podcast for four episodes. We'll hear their personal New...

  
• 01.13.2024

  Podcast 446: Teja Gerken

  Guitarist and educator Teja Gerken joins us this week to talk about the making of his new solo fingerstyle album, 'Test of Time.' It's an eclectic album of originals, Celtic music, J.S. Bach and even John Coltrane's "Naima"...all played on...

  
• 01.06.2024

  Podcast 445: Jason Mays

  Atlanta-based Jason Mays has a unique perspective on guitars: He's a touring musician; the co-founder of YouTube's Working Class Music; he continues to work sales at Guitar Center; and he's one of the few people of color reviewing guitar gear....

  
• 12.29.2023

  Podcast 444: Mike Ball of Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar

  This week we're joined by Mike Ball of Seattle's Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar.  We go deep into their history, how they grew from a garage operation to a beautiful storefront in Seattle, and so much more. Mike walks us...

  
• 12.21.2023

  Podcast 443: Hayden Pedigo

  Brace yourself for one of the wildest musician stories you’ve ever heard. Amarillo, Texas' Hayden Pedigo makes gorgeous fingerstyle guitar music inspired by the likes of Will Ackerman and John Fahey. But Hayden has broken every mold imaginable when it...

  
• 12.14.2023

  Podcast 442: Matt Sweeney

  Matt Sweeney downplays his success as a guitarist and producer to the fact that he simply says "yes" to a lot of projects. Whatever the case; it's working. After playing in Chavez, he performed as Superwolves with Will Oldham and...

  
• 12.12.2023

  Podcast 441: Introducing Guitar for Introverts with Jamie Stillway

  Vashon Island, Washington-based guitarist Jamie Stillway joins us to talk about the latest addition to the Fretboard Journal podcast network, Guitar for Introverts!  Once a month, Stillway will interview her favorite artists and players and have a "quiet conversation" about...

  
• 11.30.2023

  Podcast 440: Meg Duffy (Hand Habits)

  This week, we talk to Meg Duffy, the stellar guitarist and songwriter best known as Hand Habits. https://www.handhabits.band Meg grew up in upstate New York and took up guitar as a teenager. They attended the local community college's guitar program...

  
• 11.22.2023

  Podcast 439: Guru Singh

  Sit back, relax, and enjoy one of the most unforgettable Fretboard Journal Podcast interviews ever. This week’s guest is spiritual teacher and yogi Guru Singh. Born Gerry Pond, this one-of-a-kind guitar fanatic garnered acclaim as a folk singer in Seattle’s...

  
• 11.20.2023

  Podcast 438: Jason Kostal and Mike Baranik at the 2023 Fretboard Summit

  The word "handmade" is used a lot when it comes to high-end or luthier-built instruments, but what does it really mean? On this week's podcast, guitarmakers and longtime friends Jason Kostal and Mike Baranik talk about the technology (including CNC...

  
• 11.08.2023

  Podcast 437: Thomas Ripsam, CEO and President of Martin Guitars

  This week, we celebrate Martin Guitars' 190th anniversary by talking to Thomas Ripsam, the famed company's CEO and President. We talk about how Thomas - an outsider to the MI industry but a passionate musician and skilled business leader -...

  
• 11.02.2023

  Podcast 436: Chris Vincent / R2R Electric

  As R2R Electric, Chris Vincent builds exacting copies of classic 1960s fuzz, boost, and wah pedals using old components. It's a unique business model where Chris has to devote more time to sourcing and testing vintage transistors than he does...

  
• 10.25.2023

  Podcast 435: Richard Walter of the Musical Instrument Museum

  Richard Walter, Senior Curator of Phoenix's incredible Musical Instrument Museum, joins us to talk about MIM's new exhibition, 'Acoustic America: Iconic Guitars, Mandolins, and Banjos.' This exhibit, running from November 10, 2023 - September 15, 2024, features a staggering array...

  
• 10.18.2023

  Podcast 434: TJ Thompson and Mark Stutman Live from the 2023 Fretboard Summit

  TJ Thompson and Folkway Music's Mark Stutman are two of the most respected authorities on Earth when it comes to the repair and restoration of 1930s and '40s vintage acoustic guitars. In this unforgettable session from the 2023 Fretboard Summit,...

  
• 10.10.2023

  Podcast 433: Adam Levy

  This is one of our favorite interviews to date: FJ contributor, guitarist, singer-songwriter and educator Adam Levy joins us for a very special interview about his new trio record, 'Spry,' his new book with Ethan Sherman ('String Theories') and so...

  
• 10.03.2023

  Podcast 432: George Gruhn

  George Gruhn will need little introduction to most Fretboard Journal followers. George is, quite simply, one of the most respected vintage instrument authorities in the world and the owner of Gruhn Guitars, one of the best guitar stores on the...

  
• 09.28.2023

  Podcast 431: Wayne and EJ Henderson

  This week, we're sharing another unforgettable session from the 2023 Fretboard Summit: A  conversation with acclaimed luthiers Wayne and EJ Henderson. Wayne is a legendary figure in the world of acoustic guitars, an NEA National Heritage Fellow, and the subject...

  
• 09.18.2023

  Podcast 430: Andy Powers (Taylor Guitars, Powers Electric) Live from the 2023 Fretboard Summit

  Josh Scott (JHS) interviews Andy Powers (Taylor, Powers Electric) live from our 2023 Fretboard Summit! Drew Shirley (Switchfoot) joins in on the fun.  They discuss Andy's career before Taylor, his creative process today, the new Powers Electric line of guitars,...

  
• 09.11.2023

  Podcast 429: Mike Adams Recaps the 2023 Fretboard Summit

  Every month, Mike Adams (@puisheen) joins Jason for a lively recap of guitar industry news. This time around, we talk all about last month's Fretboard Summit in Chicago!  Mike talks about a chance enounter with Z.Vex, Star Trek sleep...

  
• 09.06.2023

  Podcast 428: Jorma Kaukonen

  Jorma Kaukonen (Hot Tuna, Jefferson Airplane) joins us onstage at the Fretboard Summit to talk about his love for Flammang acoustic guitars, "the Legendary Typewriter Tape" with Janis Joplin, why he's about to take a break from electric gigs, the...

  
• 08.25.2023

  Podcast 427: Scott Marquart of Stringjoy

  Lots of us daydream about one day building a guitar from scratch. A set of guitar strings? That seems nearly impossible. On this week’s podcast, we talk to Scott Marquart, the founder and owner of Stringjoy. In the span of...

  
• 08.21.2023

  Podcast 426: Micah Bruce (Bruce Guitars) Returns

  For the last several months, we’ve been following Micah Bruce of Bruce Guitars as he builds a unique guitar that he'll unveil at the 2023 Fretboard Summit. It’s an instrument based on the classic Harmony H49 Stratotone shape, but it’s...

  
• 08.09.2023

  Podcast 425: Richard Smith

  Richard Smith is unstoppable. The British fingerstyle guitarist has a grueling tour schedule, a busy Nashville studio that he recently adapted into a video studio, online music lessons, and probably a few projects that we don't even know about. But,...

  
• 08.09.2023

  Podcast 424: Introducing Steel: The Steel Guitar Podcast

  We have a new addition to the Fretboard Journal's podcast lineup, Steel: The Steel Guitar Podcast! Once a month, host Matt Perpick will interview steel players (young and old) about their stories, their gear, and inspiration.  For his first installment,...

  
• 08.03.2023

  Podcast 423: Wyatt Ellis

  In just four years, 14-year-old Wyatt Ellis has gone from discovering bluegrass music for the first time to becoming one of its rising stars. This is the story of a prodigy who taught himself how to play the mandolin...

  
• 07.27.2023

  Podcast 422: Sully Guitars

  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...

  
• 07.18.2023

  Podcast 421: Fretboard Summit Updates with Creston Lea and Micah Bruce!

  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...

  
• 07.12.2023

  Podcast 420: Jonathan Stout

  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...

  
• 07.03.2023

  Podcast 419: Saltwater Hank

  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, 'G​̱​al'u​̈​u​̈​nx Wil Lu Holtga Liimi.' It’s an entire country album sung in Sm'algyax, the Ts’msyen...

  
• 06.29.2023

  Podcast 418: Rick Deitrick

  You've never heard a tale like that of guitarist Rick Deitrick. A product of the '60s, Rick went from playing the accordion as a kid in Ohio to joining a rock band and performing at love-ins throughout Southern California. Once...

  
• 06.21.2023

  Podcast 417: Alison Brown

  Banjo great Alison Brown joins us on this week’s podcast to talk about her new album, On Banjo, and so much more. We chat about how she discovered bluegrass music while growing up in Southern California, her lifelong friendship with...

  
• 06.14.2023

  Podcast 416: Blake Mills and Chris Weisman

  Musician/producer Blake Mills and Chris Weisman sit down with us to talk about Jelly Road, the forthcoming album they’ve co-written (out July 14 via New Deal / Verve Records). They talk about how they met – Chris is based in...

  
• 06.09.2023

  Podcast 415: May 2023 Guitar News with Mike Adams

  Every month, we recap the latest guitar industry news with offset guitar hero Mike Adams (@puisheen). The month of May was fairly slow on the guitar news front, but Mike and FJ Publisher Jason Verlinde soldier on and discuss some...

  
• 06.05.2023

  Podcast 414: John Thomas Returns

  On June 9, 2023, Fretboard Journal contributor and Kalamazoo Gals author John Thomas will set out on the wildest adventure of his life: Bikepacking the 2700-mile Tour Divide mountain bike route, from Banff, Canada to the US/Canada border. On this...

  
• 05.31.2023

  Podcast 413: Craig Ventresco & Meredith Axelrod

  When the pandemic hit and live gigs were canceled, innumerable musicians began live-streaming concerts from home as a way to stay connected with fans. Among those was San Francisco-based duo Craig Ventresco and Meredith Axelrod, who perform ragtime guitar, early...

  
• 05.24.2023

  Podcast 412: Guitarist and Therapist Matt Baldwin

  Musician, therapist and zine publisher Matt Baldwin joins us this week for an insightful chat about the creative process and so much more. Matt talks to us about his career as a guitarist and the influence that Robbie Basho and...

  
• 05.17.2023

  Podcast 411: Cameron Knowler

  Musician, writer and educator Cameron Knowler joins us this week to talk about his incredible  self-published book, Guitars Have Feelings Too, and so much more. We learn about Cameron’s singular upbringing in Arizona (including how he was "unschooled" for most...