The Fretboard Journal

On this week's episode of the Fretboard Journal talk radio podcast, we talk about summer music festivals and, of course, guitars. Marc Greilsamer, our editor, highlights the new Summer edition of the magazine as well as his recent trip to the High Sierra Festival. Jason Verlinde, our publisher, tells us a bit about the Montreal Guitar Show which took place over the Fourth of July weekend. Included is a short interview from Montreal with John Monteleone, about some of the "alternative" woods he's used in his guitars.

Our latest Fretboard Journal Talk Radio installment features acclaimed archtop guitar Cris Mirabella. Mirabella is the latest in a long-line of Italian-American jazz guitar builders, and his creations are some of the most innovative you'll ever see. We'll talk about his archtops, the restoration projects he continues to work on and much more. Also, we discuss the new Fretboard Journal website.

On this week's very special podcast, Fretboard Journal editor Marc Greilsamer talks to jazz fusion guitar great Larry Coryell. We'll hear about his earliest memories playing guitar, his tenure playing alongside Gary Burton and much, much more in this nearly hour long conversation.

The Fretboard Journal Talk Radio show and podcast is back. This week, Michael and Jason interview two of the most acclaimed men in lutherie: Kevin Ryan and Larry Robinson. We'll hear about Ryan's coveted guitars, Robinson's incredibly inlay art and also about the collaboration they've been working on: the amazing Lindisfarne guitar.

This week the Fretboard Journal's editors talk to Danny Kalb, legendary guitarist, founding member of the Blues Project and prolific session musician. We'll talk to him about Dave Van Ronk's Ragtime Jug Stompers, his favorite guitar, working with greats such as Dylan and Phil Ochs and much more.

This week, the Fretboard Journal's editors talk to one of the giants of the guitar industry, Bob Taylor of Taylor Guitars. We'll hear about how guitar making has changed over the company's 35 years in existence and also hear about Taylor's latest projects, business practices, woods and much more. Whether you own a Taylor guitar yourself or just like guitars in general, tune in!

This week, listen is as Fretboard Journal editor-at-large Michael John Simmons talks to uber-rare 78 record collector John Tefteller. Tefteller walks us through some of the highlights of his collection, tell us about his annual Blues Images Calendar and much more. If you're a fan of early blues or country music, tune in!

This week, the Fretboard Journal editors talk to Chicago-based guitar maker Frank Montuoro. Montuoro actually shows up in our current Fall 2009 in two completely different features: he's one of the world's experts on Larson Bros. guitars and he's also served as a former guitar tech for Wilco. We'll talk to him about both facets of his career, as well as his new guitar creations and some of the interesting luthiers who have helped him along the way. A must-listen for fans of Wilco or handmade guitars!

This week, Fretboard Journal publisher Jason Verlinde talks to guitarist Smokey Hormel. Hormel, after playing for years with Tom Waits, Beck and others, has recently released an album of 1950s African guitar music called "Smokey's Secret Family" (available via CD Baby). You can hear some tracks as well as his thoughts on guitars, studio sessions (including his stint on Justin Timberlake's Future Sex/ Love Sounds) and more.

Every week, the Fretboard Journal staff records a podcast interview with an influential musician or musical instrument maker. This week, we talk to Richard Hoover of the Santa Cruz Guitar Company. For over 30 years, Hoover has been creating world-class acoustic guitars. We'll hear about his latest creations, his building philosophy and some of his famous clients (which include Eric Clapton, Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Warren Haynes and Otis Taylor).

From a small New England town in New Hampshire, up-and-coming guitar luthier Erich Solomon builds some of the most innovative archtop and acoustic guitars around. This week, the Fretboard Journal editors talk to Solomon about how he learned his craft, the challenges of being a guitar builder in 2009 and about his current creations. Don't forget to check our Fretboard Journal Facebook page for some images of Solomon's latest creations.

Consider this week's show Car Talk for guitarists! World famous guitar repairman Frank Ford (frets.com) is our guest today. He'll be answering all of your guitar (or mandolin or banjo) related repair questions. Call in, email us or post questions to our Facebook page! We'll get them answered.

This week, the Fretboard Journal editors interview Maine-based luthier Dana Bourgeois of Bourgeois guitars. We'll talk about his lengthy career (35 years and counting) building guitars, his 5000th guitar (which he just completed) and much more. Feel free to call in questions!

This week, the Fretboard Journal's editors talk to WC Handy and Grammy Award-winning musician Alvin Youngblood Hart. Hart, who penned a story in the Fretboard Journal's Summer 2009 issue, will talk about his favorite guitars, his early influences and his latest recording projects.

This week, the Fretboard Journal's editors talk to contributor John Thomas, who just returned from last weekend's Newport Folk Festival. The festival, which just turned 50, included performances by Gillian Welch, Joan Baez, Neko Case and Pete Seeger. We'll hear about who was performing, what they were playing and much more.