The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

Songwriting legend Bruce Cockburn joins the Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about music, his guitars (especially his Linda Manzer-built instruments), politics and more.

Legendary bluegrass quartet Hot Rize - Tim O’Brien, Pete Wernick, Nick Forster and Bryan Sutton - cram into the Fretboard Journal studios on the cusp of their 40th annivesary. We talk about the early Colorado bluegrass scene, the instruments they currently using onstage, their Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers alter-egos and more.

Earnie Bailey of Wire Instruments tells us about his unlikely journey to becoming a full-time guitarmaker; his guitar tech work for Nirvana, the Foo Fighters and Brandi Carlile; and much more.

Brooklyn-based guitarist and Matador recording artist Steve Gunn talks to us about growing up in Philadelphia, the influence of Jack Rose and John Fahey on his music, working with Kurt Vile, his Gunn-Truscinski Duo recordings and, of course, gear. 

This week, we have a fun chat with bluegrass icon Del McCoury, who tells us about his Martin guitar collection, touring and much more. Del is also joined by Ronnie and Rob McCoury, who share some of their favorite instrument stories.

Banjo legends Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn interview each other on this very special episode of the Fretboard Journal Podcast. They talk about their earliest banjos, influences and more.

On this week's podcast, we talk to film director Drew Roller about his documentary 'Acoustic Uprising,' which chronicles the cutting edge players in today's contemporary fingerstyle guitar and guitar tapping scene. Drew describes the players that got him hooked on this genre of music, the making of the film and much more.

Today we talk to prolific guitarist and producer Kurt Bloch. Bloch is a legendary figure in the Seattle music scene and is perhaps best known as the guitarist in the Sub Pop band the Fastbacks. Bloch explains how he first started modifying gear, why he takes a minimalist approach to his pedal board and what it's like backing Alejandro Escovedo.

Chicago-based guitarist Joel Paterson is a tour de force when it comes to roots, blues, rockabilly and classic jazz sounds. On this week's podcast, we talk to Joel about his new Christmas record, Hi-Fi Christmas Guitar, his favorite gear and much more.

Today we're having a candid talk with Bob Taylor of Taylor Guitars about the guitar industry as a whole, his reforestation efforts in Cameroon and Hawaii, the confusing world of CITES permits and much more.

Lindy Fralin (Fralin Pickups) is one of the world's most respected guitar pickup manufacturers. From his Richmond, Virginia headquarters, Fralin and his team of seven employees craft some of the most coveted single-coil and humbucking pickups available and repair vintage pickups. On this week’s podcast, we talk to Lindy about his early days, some of his latest creations, the intricacies of pickup winding and much more.

Podcast 174: Delicate Steve

On this week's episode of the Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to singer-songwriter Amy Helm about working alongside her father (the late Levon Helm of the Band), what it was like to record her new album with Joe Henry, her life in Woodstock, NY and more.

Luke Doucet of Whitehorse talks to us about his start playing guitar in Winnipeg, how being a parent has shaped his listening habits and about his unique collection of guitars, including his Gretsch White Falcon, his Creston Lea offset and his Fender Custom Shop Jazzmaster.

Former French Open winner Murphy Jensen joins us to talk about why so many pro tennis players embrace the guitar; his unique background growing up in Northern Michigan; and about some of his favorite moments as a musician.