Music is the universal language
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” - Luke 2:14
Fretboard Journal
Podcast 546: Michael Daves and Jacob Jolliff on Jim & Jesse
Guitarist Michael Daves and mandolinist Jacob Jolliff join us this week to talk about their latest project, ‘We Like Jim & Jesse!’ The album, a tribute to Jim & Jesse and the Virginia Boys, features 10 tracks by the famed bluegrass duo.
During our conversation, we talk about the magic of Jim & Jesse McReynolds, some of the unique quirks of their performance style (including Jesse’s wild fingernail routine), how Michael and Jacob recorded this tribute and more.
https://michaeldavesjacobjolliff.bandcamp.com/album/we-like-jim-jesse
Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print magazine here.
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Gabe Noel & His Rickenbacker Vibrola Tenor Guitar
Musician/composer/arranger Gabe Noel (Sombr, Kendrick Lamar, Harry Styles, Dijon) shares his latest instrument acquisition, an incredibly rare 1930s Rickenbacker tenor guitar with a built-in motorized vibrola system.
He also jams with a player piano, proving that even the quirkiest of vintage instruments can sound great in the right hands.
We’ll share more on Gabe and this instrument in the 60th issue of our print magazine, out later in 2026. Subscribe to get it.
Register today for our 2026 Fretboard Summit in Chicago: https://fretboardsummit.org
It’s three days of concerts, workshops, panel discussions, a lutherie showcase and surprises, just for guitar lovers. The festival takes place August 20-22, 2026 at Chicago’s Old Town School.
Stills and filming by Jim Newberry
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The Truth About Vintage Amps, Ep. 163 with Guitarist Roy Rogers
Acclaimed guitarist Roy Rogers joins us this week to talk about his unique gear choices, working with John Lee Hooker, vintage amps, his new album and so much more!
Thank our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars; and Amplified Parts / Mod Electronics.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
:56 Eric Barbour’s the Tube Dumpster in Vacuum Tube Valley: 6K6, 6F6, 6Y6 tubes
2:39 A flea market Tweed Bassman
8:51 A Garnet book giveaway!
13:42 What’s on Skip’s bench: A distribution pre-amp
17:12 Special guest: Roy Rogers: ‘The Sky’s the Limit’ (his new album, out now!); Mesa Boogie Mark IIB and Epiphone Electar Zephyr amps; DeArmonds in flattop acoustics; Martin New Yorkers; his custom Chappell Guitars double-neck; Johnny Shines; working with John Lee Hooker; the Hot Spot soundtrack (with Roy Rogers, Miles Davis, John Lee Hooker, and Taj Mahal!!)
Get Roy’s new album here: https://royrogers.hearnow.com/
Order ‘Gaynell’s Kitchen – Down Home Cooking from A Wayward Southern Belle’: https://amzn.to/41mcZBn
1:27:45 How can a Traynor Bassmaster Mk. II be rated at 90 watts, while the same power-tubed YBA-1 is only 40?
1:32:14 Is Skip related to Chris Shiflett?
1:33:01 Never trust, always double-check; output transformers
1:34:29 An October meetup at Skip’s, maybe
Want amp tech Skip Simmons’ advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Want to share your top secret family recipe? Need relationship advice? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Include a photo, too.
Want to support the show? Join our Patreon page to get to the front of the advice line, see exclusive pics, the occasional video and more.
Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.
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Podcast 545: Wendy Eisenberg
The incredibly talented Wendy Eisenberg joins us this week to talk about their new, self-titled album, which just earned a Best New Music nod from Pitchfork.
Wendy talks about their start playing music in Western Massachusetts, the perils of awful guitar instructors, discovering prog rock (and eventually jazz…and singer-songwriters), and so much more. Hosted by Sofia Wolfson.
https://www.wendyeisenberg.com
Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print magazine here.
Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 20-22, 2026, at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. Register today: https://fretboardsummit.org
We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).
Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com
Mike & Mike’s Substack: https://mmguitarbar.substack.com
Above photo: Eleanor Petry
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Podcast 544: Thomm Jutz
Thomm Jutz’s story is unlike any other we’ve ever shared.
Born in the Black Forest of Germany, Jutz became obsessed with American music when, at the age of 11, he saw Bobby Bare on TV. He eventually moved to Nashville, where he has worked with Nanci Griffith, Mary Gauthier, Billy Strings, and others. These days, he also teaches songwriting at Belmont University.
On this week’s podcast, we talk to the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer about his new solo album, Ring-A-Bellin’, its companion book, his secrets for success in Nashville, and so much more. It’s a great chat.
Order the Ring-A-Bellin’ book: https://thommjutz.com/store
Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print magazine here.
Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 20-22, 2026, at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. Register today: https://fretboardsummit.org
We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).
Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com
Mike & Mike’s Substack: https://mmguitarbar.substack.com
Above photo: Otis
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Podcast 543: Rhys John Stubbs (Bigfoot Engineering)
This week, we’re chatting with Rhys John Stubbs, founder of UK-based Bigfoot Engineering. Rhys is best known for his effects pedals, but he just released a beautiful album of original acoustic guitar instrumentals called ‘Zems.’ We love it.
We talk about Rhys’ journey through music (and how a Fretboard Journal video with the Milk Carton Kids shaped his playing!), his love for acoustic guitars, pedal production, and so much more.
https://www.bigfootengineering.com/
Listen to ‘Zems’: https://www.bigfootengineering.com/music.html#/
Our next Summit takes place August 20-22, 2026, at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. Register today: https://fretboardsummit.org
We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).
Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com
Mike & Mike’s Substack: https://mmguitarbar.substack.com
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Podcast 542: John Craigie
Singer-songwriter John Craigie joins us this week to talk about his new album, I Swam Here.
We also talk about Craigie’s unique humor during his sets, his Beatles covers, album covers, and so much more.
Plus…a really exciting Fretboard Summit update. Our next Summit takes place August 20-22, 2026, at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. Register today: https://fretboardsummit.org
We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).
Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com
Above photo: Savannah Lauren
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Luthier on Luthier: Otto D’Ambrosio
For episode 112 of the podcast, I’m talking with Otto D’Ambrosio.
Otto wears two hats—as a solo luthier and Chief Designer at Eastman Guitars—and he walks us through his journey from working with legends like Flip Scipio, John Monteleone, and Carl Thompson to his role today, bridging the gap between hands-on building and production design.
We talk about how the pandemic pushed him into 3D CAD, changing the way he collaborates with Eastman’s workshops, and dive into some of his design work—including the Fullertone neck system, his boutique archtop builds, and an upcoming project comparing domestic and European tonewoods.
Links:
https://dambrosioguitars.com/
Luthier on Luthier is hosted by Michael Bashkin of Bashkin Guitars and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal. This episode is sponsored by the Looth Group, Dream Guitars and StewMac.
Michael Bashkin’s Hub of Acoustics 2026 US Academy: https://hubofacoustics.com/en/#Colorado_Academy
Want to support Luthier on Luthier? Join our Patreon to get access to exclusive photos and content from Michael and his builds.
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Podcast 541: Ramsey Thornton
This week, the Fretboard Journal’s Sofia Wolfson talks to Tulsa, Oklahoma-based songwriter Ramsey Thornton. Ramsey is a multi-instrumentalist with a love for both banjo and guitar. In fact, he’s one of those rare individuals who boasts a graduate degree in banjo!
We hear all about it and about Ramsey’s forthcoming debut album, I Called It!
Follow Ramsey here: https://www.instagram.com/ramsey.thornton/
Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 20-22, 2026, at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. Register today: https://fretboardsummit.org
We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).
Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com
Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com
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Announcing the 2026 Fretboard Summit Pay It Forward Program
Our annual Fretboard Summit is a unique event where we spare no expense. For three days, attendees participate in workshops, panel discussions, jaw-droppingly great concerts and hands-on exhibits, along with one of the world’s largest showcases of modern guitarmaking. It’s like no other public guitar gathering out there.
We are grateful for all the attendees – literally from around the world – who show up to support this weekend. We also want our annual guitar gathering to be as diverse as possible and to inspire the next generation of luthiers, players and students.
With that in mind, we’re pleased to launch the Summit’s inaugural Pay It Forward program, a sponsorship program that will grant full, all-access passes to individuals who want to participate in the Summit but can’t due to financial hardship. (Note: We unfortunately cannot cover airfare, hotel or travel expenses.)
To apply for the program, simply fill out this questionnaire.
Thanks to a generous sponsorship from The Music Emporium, we’ll be granting ten full-access, three-day passes to players, builders, students or content creators in 2026. The Summit is a once-in-a-lifetime weekend where you can meet the leaders of the gear space and some truly inspiring artists. Connections get made in truly impactful ways. We’d love for you to be a part of our community.
Our team will review all the applicants and notify the recipients by May 15, 2o26.
The post Announcing the 2026 Fretboard Summit Pay It Forward Program first appeared on Fretboard Journal.
The Truth About Vintage Amps, Ep. 162
Episode 162 of the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons tackles all of your questions about guitar tube amps! This week, we go deep on Canadian amps, tremolo tweaks, and tech tips. Plus: Rumors of a possible TAVA meetup at Skip’s and a (very short) poetry slam!
Thank our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars; and Amplified Parts / Mod Electronics. Use the discount code TAVA10MOD for a one-time, 10% discount on Mod Electronics orders at https://www.modelectronics.com. Usable on speakers, amp kits, pedal kits, reverb tanks, etc. Offer ends April 11, 2026.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
:00 Skip has a cold
2:04 SF’s The Fab Mab (Wikipedia), 1971 Guitar Player magazine advice; changing the vibrato speed on a Fender Super Reverb
8:42 The answer to last episode’s baffler: The Canadian Standards Association; TAVA merch?
11:30 Caveat emptor: A UTC output transformer; why is my reverb not working?
26:12 Lead dress 101
31:40 An amp sale/TAVA gathering at Skip’s? (Follow our Instagram for updates/polls)
40:01 Harmony H410 and speaker impedance
44:10 Why is the tremolo on my 1969 Traynor YSR-1 Custom Reverb head not working and how can I slow it down?
50:38 Can you put variable capacitors in a guitar circuit?
53:11 Series filaments and a Berlant Concertone MCM-2; the Epiphone Rivoli EA-65 schematic
1:00:27 Gibson Falcon mods; whatever happened to the reissue Falcon?
1:07:24 Tech tip: Hammond 154M chokes (Amplified Parts link)
1:12:10 Guitarist Chuck Wayne
1:14:05 Spaghetti sauce with meat; getting Skip an iPhone; tremolo using bias modulation on the power tubes; the Ampeg Supereverb
1:22:21 Garnet amps and Kale; the Garnet Herzog
1:24:43 A listening room for Dynaco amps and Acoustic Research turntables
Above: Listener Bruce’s Berlant Concertone MCM-2, which he definitely shouldn’t mod
Want amp tech Skip Simmons’ advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Want to share your top secret family recipe? Need relationship advice? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Include a photo, too.
Want to support the show? Join our Patreon page to get to the front of the advice line, see exclusive pics, the occasional video and more.
Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.
The post The Truth About Vintage Amps, Ep. 162 first appeared on Fretboard Journal.
Podcast 540: Jonah Sissoyev & Eric Skye
Portland, Oregon-based musicians Eric Skye and Jonah Sissoyev join us this week to talk about Jonah’s beautiful new EP, ‘A Place Called Nowhere.’
The EP’s origin story begins with Jonah asking Eric, an acclaimed fingerstyle guitarist and Santa Cruz Guitar Co. signature model artist, for guitar lessons. Once he heard Jonah’s songs, Eric offered to produce and record this project.
During our chat, we hear all about their collaboration, Eric’s recording techniques (including some DIY home recording advice), the Stew-Mac kit guitar that Jonah built for himself, and so much more.
Listen to Jonah’s EP here:
https://jonahsissoyev.hearnow.com/a-place-called-nowhere
Follow Eric: https://www.instagram.com/eric.skye.guitar/
Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 20-22, 2026, at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. Register today: https://fretboardsummit.org
We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).
Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com
Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com
Mike & Mike’s Substack: https://mmguitarbar.substack.com
The post Podcast 540: Jonah Sissoyev & Eric Skye first appeared on Fretboard Journal.
The Truth About Vintage Amps, Ep. 161
Episode 161 of the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons tackles all of your questions about guitar tube amps.
Thank our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars; and Amplified Parts / Mod Electronics. Use the discount code TAVA10MOD for a one-time, 10% discount on Mod Electronics orders at https://www.modelectronics.com. Usable on speakers, amp kits, pedal kits, reverb tanks, etc. Offer ends April 11, 2026.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
:42 Phil Upchurch and ‘What It’s Like to Be a Musician’
3:25 On the Bench: A non-working outboard tremolo by Skip, a unique Massie trem circuit, putting trem in a Bassman 100, bias modulating tremolo
9:57 A TAVA giveaway (Thank you, Union Tube & Transistor and Exile!)
14:44 An Electro-Music Baffler, answered; a vintage Roberts electric mandolin; Tiny Moore; Bob Wills in Sacramento
25:12 Follow our Instagram page and help us get to 10,000 followers, the Garnet amp book (link), the Garnet Herzog
28:16 An amp tech for Guam
36:12 Working on a Johnson Celestion, why were some volume pots in front of the first tube? the best spare 6V6s to seek out
42:02 Talking Micro-Frets guitars on the Fretboard Journal Podcast (link)
43:13 Why is my Fender Super 60 so noisy?
49:30 A 1968 Fender Super Reverb with replaced transformers, using the extra secondaries? bias talk
56:03 Homemade salsa
59:19 Recommended reading: Proper Records’ ‘Hillbilly Boogie’ box set (Amazon link)
1:00:33 Recommended watching: ‘The Life We Have’ (YouTube link, warning: it’s a tear jerker)
1:01:46 The Webster-Chicago 166-1 vs. the Voice of Music 160 amp schematics; homemade chicken wings
Want amp tech Skip Simmons’ advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Want to share your top secret family recipe? Need relationship advice? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Include a photo, too.
Want to support the show? Join our Patreon page to get to the front of the advice line, see exclusive pics, the occasional video and more.
Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.
Win these shirts (details around minute 10)… 
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