The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

Bonus Episode: Jason launched a new podcast where he celebrates the makers of the world (not just guitarmakers). It's called Sweep the Floor. Every two weeks, he'll talk to an artisan, a craftsperson or a maker of some sort, doing fascinating work. Most of these subjects will have nothing to do with music.  But, for his first episode, he did talk to a familiar Fretboard Journal face: guitarmaker Linda Manzer. On this bonus episode, you can hear the full interview.  Linda Manzer is one of the greatest guitarmakers alive today. She pushes the boundaries of instrument-making and engineering with each of her creations and has a cult-like following among both collectors and world-class players like Pat Metheny, Julian Lage and Bruce Cockburn.  During this chat, we talk to Linda about her development as a luthier, the fateful period she spent learning from archtop guitar hero Jimmy D'Aquisto, and hear about how her own creations continue to evolve.  Subscribe to Sweep the Floor on Apple Podcasts here.  Follow Sweep the Floor on Spotify here.  This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars.  Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here. Our 47th issue (out now) has a lengthy feature by David Wren with many photos of Linda Manzer at the beginning of her career; plus James Taylor, John Monteleone and much more.

Guitar great/singer-songwriter Ariel Posen just released a new album, Headway.  On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to Posen about the making of the album, the art of cowriting (and how it's changed in the pandemic), why he loves his Two-Rock amplifiers, and his current gear lineup. Posen recounts his early infatuation with slide guitar, thanks to the music of George Harrison, Ry Cooder and Kevin Breit (who we interviewed during on FJ Podcast ep. 304). We also chat about why he's begun to love Jazzmasters, why he prefers modern guitars over vintage, and much more. Jason also gives a recap on the ever-growing Fretboard Journal family of podcasts. https://www.arielposen.com Bonus Content: Posen has posted a video just for Fretboard Journal readers showing you how to play "It's You" from the album. Click here to watch it.  This episode is sponsored by Izotope, Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your next Izotope order. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here. 

Acoustic guitarist / composer Yasmin Williams just released a breathtaking new album called 'Urban Driftwood.' On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, she talks to us about the making of the record (most of which took place in the middle of the 2020 pandemic), how she took up guitar after beating Guitar Hero 2, her gear of choice (including her custom Skytop Guitar) and much more. It's a great chat with one of our favorite new artists.  This episode is sponsored by Izotope, Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your next Izotope order. http://www.yasminwilliamsmusic.com Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here. 

A few weeks back, we talked to Keith Calton, founder of Calton Cases (Fretboard Journal Podcast, Ep. 313). Keith, as you hopefully know, perfected a fiberglass "flight case" design decades ago that is still used by touring artists around the world. This week, we're talking to Calton's current owner, Austin, Texas' Jeff Poss. Jeff explains how he ended up in the musical instrument industry, the evolution of Calton's construction over the years, their current-day output (including the non-guitar cases they produce) and much more.  This episode is sponsored by Izotope, Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your next Izotope order.

Acclaimed acoustic guitarist and harmonica player Tom Ball joins us on this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast. Tom reflects on the passing of Ash Grove founder Ed Pearl and the legacy of that incredible, highly influential venue. Tom attended innumerable shows at the Ash Grove and he regales us with some of his favorite memories of the venue, including one wild John Lee Hooker performance.   We also hear about Tom's new novel, Backstraw (link); how he's coping with the lockdown (Tom and Kenny Sultan famously played at Santa Barbara's Cold Spring Tavern every weekend for over four decades); his vintage guitar of choice and more.  This episode is sponsored by Izotope, Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your next Izotope order.

Bob Minner returns to the Fretboard Journal Podcast to walk us through his new album, SOLO. Recorded entirely on the newly-announced Collings CJ-45 T, the album is a must-listen for Collings fanatics or anyone who appreciates great flatpicking. During the chat, Bob tells us how he's spent the last year off the road (he's usually found backing Tim McGraw on acoustic guitar, a job he's held for nearly three decades) and walks us through his home recording setup. We talk about Bob's love for slope-shouldered guitars, his appreciation for both boutique and vintage instruments (including "Frankie," his cherished 1936 Martin D-18), and why he dedicated a song to Collings employee (and former FJ Podcast guest) Bruce VanWart. Plus a lot more.  This episode is sponsored by Izotope, Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your next Izotope order. Links:  https://minnerguitar.com https://www.collingsguitars.com/acoustic-guitars/cj-45-t https://www.teegardenaudio.com (Bob used the PPC-125 mics, and the 2100 pre)

Today, some of the world's most valuable acoustic and electric instruments are protected by Calton Cases. What you may not realize is the colorful history of the case company or its founder, Keith Calton. On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to Calton about his unlikely entry into the musical industry some 50 years ago, when he came up with the brilliant idea of a fiberglass guitar case and began tracing friends' instruments in his father's garage. Somehow, he stumbled upon a timeless (and nearly indestructible) design that is still considered the gold standard of flight cases. And, though he no longer owns the case company (it's going strong and is now based out of Austin, Texas), he's still hard at work making stuff out of fiberglass... these days for boat owners.  We'll be interviewing Jeff Poss, current owner of Calton Cases, on a future episode. https://www.calton-cases.com https://www.caltoncraft.co.uk This episode is sponsored by Izotope, Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your next Izotope order.

Until we can convince legendary live sound engineer Robert "Nitebob" Czaykowski to host his own podcast, we'll just keep inviting him back onto the Fretboard Journal Podcast. This time around, Nitebob regales us with tales of early NAMM Shows, working with the New York Dolls, getting fired mid-concert, and more. We also hear more about his work for Walter Becker of Steely Dan, his advice for bands on the road, discover the one guitar brand he's not a fan of and much more. If you missed Nitebob's first appearance on the Fretboard Journal Podcast, check it out here: https://www.fretboardjournal.com/podcasts/podcast-301-robert-nitebob-czaykowski/ This episode is sponsored by Izotope, Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your next Izotope order.

Johnny Sangster of Seattle's Crackle & Pop! studio joins us this week to walk musicians through some home and studio recording basics. Johnny will be the host of our newest Fretboard Journal Podcast, the Truth About Recording & Mixing. This all-new show aims to demystify the world of recording and will feature Sangster and an array of world-class engineers, producers and mastering experts fielding your questions on recording gear, technique and more. It's inspired by our extremely popular Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast and we can't wait to share it with you. Launches late January 2021. Submit your questions or voice memos for Johnny to podcast@fretboardjournal.com.  Subscribe to the Truth About Recordings & Mixing via Apple Podcasts here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-about-recording-mixing/id1545628110 This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars.

Martin’s Custom Shop is a unique anomaly: Within their large Nazareth, Pennsylvania production facility, a small crew of luthiers builds completely custom, one-off guitars for discerning customers around the world. From personalized inlays and wood choices to double-neck Martins (!!), nothing seems off-the-table. On this week’s podcast, we bring back one of our favorite guests, Fred Greene (Vice President of Product Management for C.F. Martin & Co.), to talk about the Custom Shop, the ordering process and what Martin will (and won’t) build. We also have a candid talk about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected Martin’s 2020 output and get some hints at what new products they’ll be unveiling at the virtual 2021 NAMM Show. Link: https://www.martinguitar.com/custom-shop/ This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars, Mono Cases and Folkway Music. Get a subscription to the Fretboard Journal magazine and  support independent publishing and this podcast.