Unless you started playing electric guitar in the 50’s or 60’s, almost every electric guitar player starts their journey with a solid state amplifier. Some then move on to tubes, others to modelers, and some stick to solid state. Regardless of where you started or ended, no one can doubt the impact of a tube amplifier.

Of course, there are vintage iconic amps from Fender, Marshall, Vox.. The modern, more suped up, renditions of Friedman, Dr. Z, Matchless... are tight contenders for incredible tone. Now if that weren’t enough to deal with, the ever impressive engineering and innovations of the modeling amplification companies like Kemper, Line 6, Neural DSP, and Axe FX have developed ways to harness this tone into ones and zeros, making it nearly impossible for an audience to notice the difference.

But which type of amp is more budget friendly? Are tube amps more dynamic? Is it easier to dial in a modeler? Which type is preferred, vintage or boutique? Which modeler is doing it best?  And are tube amps dead?

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

After over 20 years of festivals in Oshkosh Wisconsin, Life Promotions has extended Lifest to Johnny Cash’s Farm in Bon Aqua, TN.

Of course, with a new region and a new venue, you can expect some new challenges to present. Fortunately for Life Promotions they have a recipe for success with bands they know, competent production companies, dedicated volunteers and workers, and a drive to make this festival thrive.

But how did Johnny Cash get this farm? Why are we doing a music festival on it? Did I get to play on stage? What gear did I play? How different is it to be Stage Management instead of Band Member? And, is it worth doing again?

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

I remember when I first learned guitar and I couldn’t afford a Fender Stratocaster. I wanted to look and sound like Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Van Halen, Jimi  Hendrix… Eventually I ended up with a Fender Strat but it didn’t look or sound like the ones my heroes played. So I started modding.

Of course, there is way more to sounding like these icons than parts and materials but that didn’t matter to me. As time went on I wanted to look and sound like other artists but didn’t have the money to buy all the expensive gear... And therefore I entered into a phase of my life where I started buying cheap guitars…

But who are cheap guitars for? What classifies a guitar as cheap? Are there any good ones out there? How do you know it’s time to upgrade? Are they worth modding?  And what are the usual flaws?

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

Back in July 2000 I went to a festival in Wisconsin with a band named Echelon. I still remember watching other bands like Audio Adrenaline, Third Day, Relient K, and the OC Supertones. So much fun. From 2004-2008 I started going with my own band named Second Adam where we were known to play anywhere between 5 and 7 shows over the course of the 4 day event. A few years later I became part of Stage Management, aiding in the organization and implementation of what makes up the many venues, activities, and facets of Lifest as well as hopping around from stage to stage problem solving for the crew and bands as needed.

Of course, the real fun is in still being able to play the festival. From GrandStand to the Kid Zone (and all the places between) I will usually find myself with multiple bands playing a multitude of instruments... It is tiring and fulfilling.

But what was so special about Lifest 2021 in WI? Are there any good stories? How quickly can a stage be set up and ready to go? Did I get to see any good shows?  And what perspective did my 13 year old have a member of the stage team this year?

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

Barber shares a terrible acoustic gear fail which inspires Dr. T to share his fail with an acoustic as well. Check out this episode of the Tweed Couch Guitar Therapy Session where we share a short story from the couch.

One of the greatest compliments a guitarist can receive from a manufacturer is the opportunity to have their own signature gear made. Whether it was Les Paul, Zack Meyers, David Grissom, or Jarod James Nichols. The list goes on and all of this gear is almost as impressive as the person who inspired it.

Of course, most of these instruments weren’t designed simply to just sell widgets. They were designed by a working man/woman for a working man/woman. Signature gear has more than just an artist's autograph on it. It has their stamp of approval and blessing to go create inspirational music.

But what signature gear have we owned? Who is the gear marketed for? What signature gear is on our radar? Is this gear only meant to play that artist's songs? Who makes the best signature gear? And have you ever tried to make a clone of someone else's guitar because it hasn’t already been made or was too expensive?

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

Jason goes on a "Guitar Safari" for a new acoustic and comes home with more. Check out this episode of the Tweed Couch Guitar Therapy Session where we share a short story from the couch.

I remember when I was 13. I remember thinking the tone came from that sweet guitar. Slash on his Les Paul. Stevie on his Strat. Edge on his explorer. Richards on his Tele. BB on his 345.

Of course, eventually I would play these guitars and wonder why I couldn’t sound like them. So I started tone chasing. Ultimately I found myself in the same place that many other budding guitarists found themselves. If you want to get better… you need to practice. As I got better, I started to play with others. I joined bands, I met other musicians, and my own sound and style blossomed.

But what is the right process for learning guitar? Does cork sniffing start at an early age? Do adults get just as distracted as teens? What is the most difficult part about learning? Is there a stigma to what guitars are used for certain genres? And how does Dr. T’s 13 year old son do on his first Podcast?

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

Broken strings, burnt tubes, bad cables. These are all gear issues that can ruin a show. Of course, many of these problems can be prevented with proper maintenance of your gear but sometimes these things just happen. This is why having a good backup is important in the event of not just complicated problems but catastrophic failure.

But how often should you change tubes? What do you do with a scratchy pot? How often do you change strings? Should you do your own maintenance? When do you take it to a tech? And what are the worst gear fails on the road with Dr. T and John?

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

If you have participated in a guitar forum. If you watch YouTube reviews. If you have talked with a sales associate at a guitar store. Then you have likely experienced cork sniffery.

If you have only played a hand full of tube, modeling, or solid state amps but believe tubes create ultimate tone for all. If you believe you can only get a great tone from expensive gear. If you believe the logo on the headstock is a deciding factor in whether a piece of gear has quality tone, woods, or manufacturing. Then you likely suffer from a form of cork sniffey.

But what is a cork sniffer? Is it always a bad thing? Where did the name come from? Is there a cure? And where does Jason and I rank as a cork sniffer?

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