The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

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.

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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.

A lot of acoustic guitarists have a favorite pickup that they install on their instruments. Singer-songwriter/guitarist David Wilcox has more like ten…and he uses them all at the same time. On this week's podcast, we talk to David about his very unique method for amplifying and recording his guitars, including the numerous pickups and mics he installs (Joe Mills, Sunrise, McIntyre Acoustic Featherand others!). 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 (where he takes commissions from fans to write songs specifically about their lives), the fateful moment that inspired him to take up the guitar and a lot more. This episode is sponsored by Lowden Guitars, Lee Valley Tools and Retrofret Vintage Guitars.

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. Check out the Fretboard Journal website to watch McEuen perform "Brooklyn Crossing." This week's episode is sponsored by Lee Valley Tools, Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Lowden Guitars.

Guitarist Mike Squires went straight from the Marines to the Seattle music scene, eventually becoming a guitarist in Harvey Danger, the Long Winters and Alien Crime Syndicate. 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. This episode is sponsored by Lowden Guitars, Lee Valley Tools and RetroFret Vintage Guitars. Order the new Fretboard Journal Electric Guitar Annual here.

Vermont-based luthier Adam Buchwald (Circle Strings) joins us on this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about leaving his family business to start repairing and building instruments, his time at Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Froggy Bottom Guitars, the launch of Circle Strings and his new budget acoustic line, the Iris Guitar Co. This episode is sponsored by our friends at Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Lee Valley. https://www.irisguitarcompany.com http://www.circlestrings.com http://retrofret.com http://leevalley.com