The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

On this week's FJ Podcast, we're joined by Joey Landreth of the Bros. Landreth. We talk guitars (including his Alexander Sorokin-built instrument), coffee, career choices and more.  This episode is sponsored by Retrofret, Lowden Guitars and Lee Valley Tools. 

This week, we’re joined by Folkway Music founder Mark Stutman. Over the years, Stutman has earned accolades from guitar collectors around the world as one of the finest vintage acoustic repairmen around, especially when it comes to Gibson guitars from the '30s and '40s. We also discuss what it takes to run an independent guitar store in 2018 (and beyond), the mentors he’s found along the way, the unique quirks found only in Golden Era-Gibson guitars and much more.

Musician David Benedict was a bit of a late bloomer, not taking up the mandolin until he was 13 years old. Since then, David has become one of the most innovative and sought after mandolin players and instructors around. His new album, The Golden Angle, showcases his talents as an instrumentalist and composer alongside a team of great musicians, including Missy Raines, David Grier and Stuart Duncan. We chat about the making of the album, his Apitius Mandolin mandolin and a lot more. 

Guitarist Billy Strings joins us on this week’s Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about one of the more interesting instruments we’ve learned about this year, an electric guitar that his grandfather built in prison (check out the hashtag #prisonguitar on Instagram to see pictures). We also learn about his Preston Thompson guitar, the D-28 he purchased from Bryan Sutton and the heartwarming story of how Billy stumbled upon and recovered his father’s Martin D-93. 

A quick announcement for Fretboard Journal Podcast listeners on how you can help us! 

Mandolin virtuoso Sam Bush joins us on this week’s Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about Revival: The Sam Bush Story, the recently-released full-length documentary on his life and music. We also talk about Hoss, his 1937 Gibson F-5; learn why Sam has never owned a Loar mandolin; and hear about his musical upbringing in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Plus a lot more...

Amp repairman Skip Simmons calls it like he sees it. He joins us on this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about vintage guitar amp repair, why smaller wattage amps can be better for the average player and what bargains still exist in the world of amplification. We also talk Filmosound conversions, Alexander Dumble and a lot more. 

Composer/jazz guitarist/singer-songwriter Anthony Wilson joins us on this week’s FJ Podcast to talk about his forthcoming project, Songs and Photographs, a vinyl LP bundled with a 48-page book featuring his photography. We of course talk about Wilson’s gear (guitars and cameras) but we also dive deep into his songwriting process, the influence photography has had on his music and much more.

On this week’s podcast, we talk to singer-songwriter David Wilcox about his unique method for amplifying and recording his guitars, including the numerous pickups and mics he installs. We also talk about his signature model RainSong guitar and his forthcoming order with acclaimed luthier Jason Kostal. Beyond all the gear talk, David walks us through his Custom Songs program, the fateful moment that inspired him to take up the guitar and a lot more.

John McEuen joins us on this week’s Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, learning from Doug Dillard, the creation of his solo album, Made in Brooklyn (and the unique way it was recorded), plus a lot more.

Mike Squires went straight from the Marines to the Seattle indie music scene. These days, he's living on the East Coast and dividing his time between a day job, playing guitar for Duff McKagan's Loaded and posting short music clips on Instagram under the hashtag couchriffs.  On this week's FJ Podcast, we have a fun chat with Squires about his music journey, get his tips for how to land a gig as a guitarist ("be nice," "learn ALL the songs..") and much more. 

Vermont-based luthier Adam Buchwald (Circle Strings) joins us on this week's Fretboard Journal podcast to talk about his start repairing and building instruments, working at Froggy Bottom Guitars, the launch of Circle Strings and his new budget line, Iris Guitars. 

National Flatpicking Champion and Grant Farm founder Tyler Grant joins us on the Fretboard Journal Podcast this week. We chat about the fascinating world of flatpicking guitar competitions and the strategies Tyler employed to win them, the formation of Grant Farm and his new duo record with Robin Kessinger, Kanawha County Flatpicking. 

Jazz icon John Pizzarelli joins us to talk about Nat King Cole, his dad (Bucky Pizzarelli), his Radio Deluxe show and much more!

On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to one of the most popular guitar instructors around, Corey Congilio. In addition to Corey's job at TrueFire (where he has lessons on soloing, blues licks and a lot more), we hear about his work representing makers like Martin Guitars and Fishman, the life of a session musician and much more.