Access to a local guitar store is cool. Access to a local guitar store that has good gear is awesome. Access to a local guitar store that has good gear and actively finds ways for you to succeed in your musical passion is AMAZING!

But… What kind of guitar store do you want to be? Why haven’t you done it yet? How will you be different from other shops? Is the goal to be profitable? Who is the band Northlake? Why are we talking in Bon Jovi song titles? And… how has mom been an amazing encouragement.

Well we will discuss this, and more on this part 2 group therapy session with Jason, on the Tweed Couch.

Tweaking guitars has always been interesting to me. Changing strings, doing setup, tightening loose parts, and changing pickups and pots. Now there are some things I don’t like doing. Like fretwork, headstock repair, or finish touch ups. On top of that, there is the fear of damaging the guitar worse than it was already.

But does my insurance cover stupidity? Should I do my own guitar work? When do I take it to a professional? Should I pot my own pickups? Who is a Luthier? And did Lloyd really destroy his Les Paul by adjusting the truss rod?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Lloyd, on the Tweed Couch.

Much like a fine wine or spirit, a band or even a guitar, can really find its musical palate over time. Of course there are many factors that make this aging process one that we appreciate. Whether it be the finish on the guitar, the vibration of the wood, the style of the music, or the changes made over the course of its life, we all can agree that many find vintage gear to be better.

But… Does old really mean better? Is it the guitar or is it the player that changed? Can we speed up the process? Do Pickups need a break in time? Is Nitro better than Poly? Can a player get better over time or do they peak? And… who do we think has gotten worse with age?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this part 2 group therapy session with John, on the Tweed Couch.

There is something special about vintage gear. The history, the stories, the nostalgia… it really is not just 1 thing that makes it all so cool.

But what classifies gear as vintage? Are they actually better? What makes them different than modern guitars? Why does it cost so much? Would it make a good investment? Why are they so desirable? And what vintage gear have we experienced?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with John, on the Tweed Couch.

P.S. Happy Easter!!! He has Risen!

We’ve all seen iconic gear abuse. Jimi Hendrix setting his guitar on fire, Paul Stanley busting up prop guitars, Richie Blackmore destroying a guitar on a TV camera, or Pete Townsend smashing guitars, amps, drums, stands, microphones, monitors, really anything in sight.

Of course this is the extreme. Obviously scratches and dents can happen through normal playwear and tear. Belt buckle rash, hand and arm friction on the body and neck, getting knocked by an instrument cable, stand rash, sun bleaching, luthier mishaps, pick and nail scratches…

But what are some war scars that we have seen on our own gear? Any good stories? How do we feel about used gear? Is it okay to buy relic’d? Should you repair a ding? How much does the value drop? And is it okay to break gear on purpose?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Lloyd, on the Tweed Couch.

Today on the Tweed Couch we are counseling on “Buying and Selling”.

Although the people on this podcast probably think of Jason and I as buyers only, we do sell as well. After 25 years of buying and selling in person and online the stories have racked up and today we will need a whole lot of group therapy to get over it!

But how is the current guitar market? Is it better to buy and sell online? Which platform is the best? Would you rather buy and sell with a friend? Are trades okay? What good and bad stories do we have? And… when is it time to sell?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Jason, on the Tweed Couch.

I love the sparkle binding on my White Falcon, the gold hardware on my ES355, the artist top on my P22, and the features of my HX Effects. But I also love the simplicity of my Kretzmann, the traditional features of my Strat, the no electronics in my Gibson LG0 acoustic, and the single channel on my Marshall or Vox. Sometimes the frills are worth the extra money and sometimes they just get in the way.

But how do you decide what is worth paying for? Will you regret your choice? Is this only a guitarists problem? Can I go overboard with features? And how was it back gigging on the road up in Chicago?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with John, on the Tweed Couch.

Today on the Tweed Couch we are counseling on “Guitar Technology, Yay or Nay”

Purists scoff at new technology while many modern players look at it as a useful tool. Both Jason and I agree that new technology must have functionality and tone while fitting the look that inspires us.

But which new technology do we agree on?  Can we turn this into a game? Do we know each other well enough to predict each other’s likes and dislikes? How many Journey & Sir Mix-A-Lot lyrics can we slip in? And… Brent, will this therapy session knock your socks off?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Jason, on the tweed couch.

When I was first starting out, I had a saying. “I get 10% better with every new piece of gear I get.” Of course that statement is not really true or accurate at all.

Sure some pieces of gear helped me gain more confidence, experience, and interest which all led me to playing more and getting better. On the other hand, some pieces of gear have done the opposite of making me better.

But what gear have we purchased for inspiration? Why did we decide to get it? Which purchases have backfired? Does it have to be guitar related? Is there such a thing as too much gear? And… is there a way to remedy Gear Acquisition Syndrome?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Barber, on the Tweed Couch.

I love my Gibson’s, I love my PRS’s, I love my Fender’s, I love my Kretzmann… but the expectations I have out of each guitar is different.

Every guitar company has their known quality control issues. From tuning stability, to fret sprout, to finish rejection, to dead on arrival electronics. Although this is an issue, we as players are willing to overlook these shortcomings each manufacturer or guitar has simply because of the name on the headstock or cost behind it.

But… Why do we have double standards? Are there any blanket expectations? What would it take for you to return a guitar? Does price matter? Should a case be included? How does customer service play a role in all of this? And… why is this group therapy session considered a tribute?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Jason, on the Tweed Couch.