The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

The wait is over! Back on our 100th episode, we introduced you to T. Drew Heinonen, a young luthier who attended the first Fretboard Summit. We ended up ordering a guitar through Drew, using woods and materials we sourced through some of our favorite suppliers. Ever since, we've been checking in with Drew on the podcast as he builds the instrument. Well, the wait is over and at the second Summit (held in October 2016 in San Diego), Drew presented us with the finished guitar, a fine sounding koa/Lutz OM with surprising tone (for a koa instrument) and plenty of personal touches. On today's episode, we talk to Drew about how the guitar came together, how it's opening up and what his plans are for 2017 and beyond. We also discuss the sister OM guitar that Drew built using Black locust and Red spruce. That instrument is currently for sale via Drew.

Law professor, author and Fretboard Journal Field Editor John Thomas joins us once again to discuss some recent updates to CITES and the impact they will have on musicians, instrument collectors and builders. Specifically, beginning January 2017, all remaining species of Rosewood (beyond Brazilian, which was already protected) will be added to CITES Appendix II. This may not affect you at all if you keep your guitars in United States but if you ever plan on taking an instrument with rosewood across the border (or selling one to someone outside the country), you may have some work to do. We discuss the various steps that collectors, luthiers and dealers should take if they want to transport guitars with rosewood internationally; how builders can protect their wood stockpile; the expenses and timing needed to file all this paperwork; and a lot more. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal podcast for free via iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fretboard-journal-podcast/id394447340?mt=2 and please consider leaving us a review or sharing the podcast with friends. If you're holiday shopping and want to give the Fretboard Journal as a gift this year, use the coupon code FJHOLIDAY when you check out. You'll get 15% off any order: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com Intro/Outro music by Jon Rauhouse. Links Mentioned: Today's podcast is sponsored by TR Crandall: http://trcrandall.com US Fish & Wildlife Link for Musical Instrument Passports: https://www.fws.gov/international/permits/by-activity/musical-instruments.html NAMM on CITES Updates: https://www.namm.org/issues-and-advocacy/regulatory-compliance/cites-update-action-rosewood-has-broad The Fretboard Journal's Guide to Musical Instrument Passports: https://www.fretboardjournal.com/columns/musical-instrument-passports-new-cites-provision/ The FJ's Guitar Lover's Guide to CITES: https://www.fretboardjournal.com/features/guitar-lovers-guide-cites-conservation-treaty/ League of American Orchestra's CITES Protected Species Travel Tips: http://americanorchestras.org/advocacy-government/travel-with-instruments/endangered-species-material/protected-species-travel-tips.html

On December 5, 1927, the day after Blind Willie Johnson recorded some of his most influential blues sides at an impromptu Columbia Records recording studio in Dallas, in walked an equally mysterious and haunting musician, Washington Phillips. Phillips carried a homebrew instrument - later described as a "dulceola" but, as we learn on today's podcast, actually two zithers he fabricated together. The otherworldly music coming out of those zithers, combined with Phillips' powerful singing and songwriting, created some of the most awe-inspiring and mysterious sounds ever recorded. It's no wonder Phillips has been covered by Ry Cooder, Jorma Kaukonen, Will Oldham and others. On today's podcast, we talk to writer Michael Corcoran, whose research helped fill in the gaps of who, exactly, Phillips was, where he lived and when he died. We also talk about Phillips instrument of choice and how the dulceola theory was finally debunked. All of Corcoran's findings on Phillips can be found on the new Dust to Digital book/CD recording called Washington Phillips and his Manzarene Dreams. It's great music and great writing (the liner notes are actually a 76-page book)… we can't recommend it enough. "Where did this come from? That still remains the mystery," Corcoran concludes. "I still don't know that… you really will never know the motivation of the artist…" Discussed in this podcast: http://www.pickaway.press/fz/wp.html (page dedicated to Washington Phillips' instrument) http://www.dust-digital.com/washington-phillips/ (Washington Phillips and his Manzarene Dreams)

You don't need to be an offset guitar connoisseur to appreciate the beauty of Nels Cline's beat 1960 Fender Jazzmaster, affectionately dubbed "Watt." On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to the former owner of that guitar, Mike Watt himself. Watt reflects on his ongoing friendship with Cline, his ownership stint with the Jazzmaster (which was briefly owned by J Mascis before Watt bought it via Rick King at Guitar Maniacs), the Minutemen and more. We ask Watt about the recent release of Ring Spiel Tour '95, an amazing live document featuring Watt with Eddie Vedder, Dave Grohl, Pat Smear and William Goldsmith. Also discussed: D. Boon, EMG pickups, Floored by Four, the Black Gang, a potential signature model Mike Watt bass and more. Referenced in the discussion: Nels' tour diaries: http://hootpage.com/hoot_nelsclamblow1.html Nels' tour diaries, pt 2: http://hootpage.com/hoot_nelsshinebox1.html Nels Cline's Goo Pedal: http://www.toneconcepts.com/goo/ Watts' Gear: http://www.hootpage.com/hoot_gallery-thudstaffs.html Dos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFrgJBCtCmE Ring Spiel Tour '95: http://amzn.to/2gdyJqj Nikon Coolpix LX830: http://amzn.to/2gdzsaV Nels Cline is on the cover of the new Fretboard Journal #37, available now. Podcast listeners: Use the coupon code "podcast" when you check out. https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/collections/all/products/subscription

On this week's podcast, we talk to guitarist Jon Herington. For the last several years, Herrington has performed guitar duties for Steely Dan, but his credits go far beyond that. He's also an accomplished singer-songwriter and session musician. We also discuss his 2016 solo album Adult Entertainment, his Wysocki Telecaster, the rigors of touring and a bunch more.

On this week's podcast, we're sharing the vintage Martin guitar panel that took place at the 2016 Fretboard Summit. Included on this panel were guitar experts Mark Stutman (Folkway Music), TJ Thompson, Jim Baggett (Mass Street Music), David Sheppard (Lowe Vintage), Eric Schoenberg and Joe Glaser (Glaser Instruments). Also joining in is Dick Boak from Martin. This episode makes for a nice bookend with Fretboard Journal Podcast #122 with TJ Thompson. Topics include: TJ's background, the Martin "longscale" myth, proper intonation, hide glue, popsicle braces, slotted bridge pins, why you can't make a new guitar exactly like an old one and much more. All-told, a fun and informative chat with six of the world's best-known vintage instrument experts. Note: The audience was un-mic'd for this informal session so questions are hard to hear on this podcast. You should be able to figure out all the questions asked via the panel's responses. This episode is sponsored by TR Crandall Guitars.

On this week's Fretboard Journal podcast, we're sharing the talk that acclaimed luthier TJ Thompson gave at the 2016 Fretboard Summit in San Diego. This talk was billed as "Myth Busting with TJ Thompson" and had the following description in our program: Adirondack you say? What makes you think so? Is it possible to build a new guitar just like the old guitars? How long is long scale? Is hide glue really better? Should you have that popsicle brace removed? Internet bloggers who believe they know the answers to these questions beware, this lecture may not be for you. This was easily one of the most candid talks at the Summit. By popular demand (and with his permission), we're sharing it today. At the 2016 Summit, TJ was also on panels discussing vintage Martin guitars, vintage acoustic Gibson guitars and the merits of the PLEK machine. We'll be sharing those in the near future, too. Please review us on iTunes if you haven't yet and don't forget to subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print edition. Our new issue (#37) is now mailing with Nels Cline on the cover. This week's podcast sponsor is TR Crandall, a must-see vintage guitar shop in New York City. The Fretboard Journal Podcast on iTunes: click here TJ Thompson: https://proluthiertools.com TR Crandall: http://www.trcrandall.com Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here.

The last official talk at the 2016 Fretboard Summit featured three giants in the world of guitarmaking: Rick Turner, Dana Bourgeois and Andy Powers. This sprawling talk covers a lot of ground: What makes a great guitar? How long are guitars supposed to last? Will artificial intelligence take over guitar making? They also fielded plenty of enlightening questions from our audience. [Note: Audio is a little variable with audience questions – not everyone spoke into a microphone – but the answers should be plenty audible.] The second Fretboard Summit took place October 14-16, 2016 in San Diego. Over the next few months, we'll be releasing more content – talks, panels and concert footage – on fretboardjournal.com.

Two old friends join us on this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast as we talk with guitar improvising legend Henry Kaiser and Andy Marshall of THD Electronics. During our sprawling chat, Kaiser tells us about his love for diving in the Antarctic and how being underwater in the cold has affected his sense of rhythm. He also tells us how he met Alexander "Howard" Dumble and how he obtained his #1 Steel String Singer in one of the great guitar deals of the century. Kaiser then walks us through his pedalboard's entire signal chain, briefly demoing each pedal. The pair also discuss the magic of Bell & Howell Filmosound amplifiers and the future of Marshall's THD Electronics. Must-watch video of Henry Kaiser swimming with the Weddell seals: http://www.inktalks.com/discover/741/henry-kaiser-music-of-the-seals And Kaiser playing slide on the South Pole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9KnwR17V1c Note: During this taping, we filmed a few videos with Kaiser and Marshall performing at the FJ. Look for those on fretboardjournal.com and on our YouTube channel over the next couple of weeks. http://thdelectronics.com http://www.henrykaiserguitar.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com

On this week's podcast, we talk to Will Lowe and David Sheppard of Lowe Vintage. Lowe Vintage is a relatively new guitar shop based in Burlington, North Carolina. Despite their newcomer status in the world of vintage guitars, mandolins and banjos, they've already amassed an incredible selection of Gibsons, Martins and more. During our talk, Will Lowe tells us about how this store came about and where they find all these classic '20s-'40s era instruments. We also talk to David Sheppard about the repair work he does to these instruments, collector trends and more. We're happy to announce that Lowe Vintage will be bringing many of their instruments to our Fretboard Summit, October 14-16, 2016 in San Diego, California. Attend and have an opportunity to play (or purchase) some of these remarkable gems. http://lowevintage.comhttps://www.fretboardjournal.com http://www.fretboardsummit.com