The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

Tommy Emmanuel and Jerry Douglas join us on this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about guitars, the art of collaboration and much more. 

Kenneth Pattengale (Milk Carton Kids) joins us on this week’s Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about his new Martin Kenneth Pattengale Special guitar (available exclusively at Gruhn Guitars). This guitar has quite a backstory: Kenneth set out to make the ultimate American-made guitar for musicians on a budget, an homage to his '50s 0-15. After many twists and turns (and literally years of prototypes), Martin and Kenneth were able to design a unique guitar with a stained torrefied Adirondack spruce top, mahogany back and sides and dovetail neck joint for less than $2200. We also chat about Kenneth’s growing collection of vintage Martins, including his '55 0-15 and his shadetop 1932 0-17, music production and more. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret, Lee Valley and Lowden Guitars. 

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. But he didn't start out wanting to fix 70 year old guitars: He originally wanted to build instruments just for left-handed players.   During our podcast, 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 some of his favorite instruments that have crossed his bench.  This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars, Lowden Guitars and Lee Valley Tools. Want to sponsor the Fretboard Journal Podcast? Drop us a line at fretboardjournal@gmail.com.   

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.  This episode is sponsored by Retrofret, Lee Valley and Lowden Guitars.

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). Billy and Scale Model Guitars of Nashville have spent the last several months restoring the handmade instrument and it’s finally finished. We also learn about his Preston Thompson guitar, the D-28 he purchased from Bryan Sutton and why he lugs a Fender Deluxe Reverb to all of his acoustic shows.  At 22:32, we also get the heartwarming story of how Billy stumbled upon and recovered his father’s Martin D-93.  We’ll be featuring Billy and the Prison Guitar restoration in the Fretboard Journal soon with all-new pics. Subscribe today and we’ll make sure you get the issue.  Holiday shoppers: Remember that the Fretboard Journal makes for a great gift… we offer one, two and three-year gift subscriptions to our reader-supported magazine.  This episode is brought to you by our friends at Lowden Guitars, RetroFret Vintage Guitars and Lee Valley.

A quick announcement for Fretboard Journal Podcast listeners on how you can help us!  www.fretboardjournal.com/insider  

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 Lloyd Loar mandolin; and hear about his musical upbringing in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  Revival is now available for rent or purchase via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Revival-Sam-Bush-Story/dp/B07GQVHML2  Longtime FJ readers may remember that Sam graced the cover of the Fretboard Journal #19, in a feature where he and Tim O’Brien interviewed each other.  This episode of the podcast is sponsored by Retrofret, Lee Valley and Lowden Guitars.

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, repair horror stories and a lot more.  Going forward, Skip will be hosting a monthly podcast called the Truth About Vintage Amps for the Fretboard Journal where he will be fielding questions from you, our listeners. Send any and all amp questions and comments to fretboardjournal@gmail.com! Skip was featured in the FJ's 33rd issue.  This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars, Lowden Guitars and Lee Valley.  http://skipsimmonsamps.com  

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. https://anthonywilson.bandcamp.com This episode of the Fretboard Journal Podcast is sponsored by Lowden Guitars, RetroFret Vintage Guitars and Lee Valley.