Gear for Guitar

This is the second of our five part series of interviews completed at the 2011 Nashville Amp Show. In this episode will have Andy Fuchs from Fuchs Audio Technology, acoustic luthier Kipp Krusa, Vinnie Smith from V-Picks, and the beautiful woodworking from Matt Schellenberg of Ark Amps.

This is the first of our five part series of interviews completed at the 2011 Nashville Amp Expo. Matt and Derek conducted 22 interviews over the 2.5 days, covering Amp builders, luthiers, effects builders, and accessory makers. As we did with the Montreal Show series last year, we have broken the interviews into several episodes—specifically five. In this one, we cover interviews with Adam Grim of Satellite Amps, Pete Malinowski of Malinowski Art Guitars, David Allen of D Allen Pickups, Jacob Rynearson and William Hesser of Steamboat Ampworks, and Tony from Industrial Amps.

Please note: we misidentified the episode number in the boradcast. This is Episode 27, not 26. In this episode, Matt talks with Susan Palmer, author and guitar teacher. Susan has written two volumes of guitar instruction. She discussed both what's in the books and her process for writing them. She also dives into her teaching approach when in person or on video. Susan has had an interesting history that led her to where she is. She will also be contributing a 5 minute lesson for future shows after our Nashville Series airs in the coming weeks.

We are very excited to introduce our newest co-host, jazz guitarist and teacher Jeff Matz. Episode 26 is all about getting to know Jeff-- his background, what gear he uses, and more. Jeff will be joining us on a rotating basis so we can get more episodes out in a timely manner. So, let's all say, "Welcome, Jeff."

Derek and Matt catch up after their sabbatical. They touch on new gear they have acquired, discuss the upcoming Nashville Amp Show, and play a "Can You Guess Which Guitar?" game. In the game, Matt plays four guitars, a hollowbody archtop, 2 different semi-hollows, and solidbody Les Paul. Can you hear the differences between these different types of guitars? Our test audience had no trouble hearing one of them, but had real difficulty identifying the other three. How will you do? The Youtube link with background information is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I44RhkdhFKM Enjoy the show.

Hi and welcome to Gear for Guitar Episode 24. It’s been a long time. My apologies to all of you. Between health issues and an abundance of work (a good thing), we have lost a bit of Gear for Guitar Focus. But, I think we are back on track and have a great show for you today. We have two segments for you. First, a wonderful interview with Tim Brookes, author of one our all-time favorite books, Guitar, An American Life. The book intersperses a history of the Guitar in the US with a very personal experience of having a hand-built guitar made from Rick Davis of Running Dog Guitars. After our discussion with Tim, Richard Hoover rejoins us with an update on my Santa Cruz OO Eric Skye Signature build.

Richard Hoover, founder of the Santa Cruz Guitar Company joins Matt for an in depth conversation. Richard talks about how he got into the business, what distinguishes Santa Cruz Guitars, how signature models come about, why guitars are priced the way they are, the new Eric Skye OO, and so much more. A great storyteller, Richard will be regularly featured on Gear for Guitar over the next several months as he shares with us the step-by-step process for building a guitar.

Eric Skye rejoins the show, but this time in person. He shares with Matt his brand new Santa Cruz OO Eric Skye Signature Model. Along with a great description, Eric plays the guitar for us providing a real sampling of how the instrument sounds and plays. Eric also shares some of his teaching perspectives and thoughts on tempo.

We are very excited to have Pete Malinoski join us, today. Derek leads a dual role as interviewer and reviewer of Pete's guitars. If you are unfamiliar with Malinoski Guitars, check them out! Pete combines both really cool artistry and musicianship to create some of the most unique instruments around. He talks with Derek and Matt about his build philosophy, different models, his creative process, and upstate New York. A great and engaging guy!

Continuing to catch up from their sabbatical, Matt and Derek just chew the "you know what." A much needed breather episode after the cool interviews we've had, and have coming up. They talk about new acquisitions, their top 5 favorite guitars, top 5 guitarists, top 5 amps, etc. Note: Matt mistakenly labels the episode 21.

We are back, after a bit of a sabbatical. Join Matt as he interviews Chris Kroenlein, the guy behind K-Line Guitars. Chris shares with us his background, the different models K-Line offers, what makes a K-Line a great guitar, the build process, his view on relicing, and much more.

This is Part 6 of our Montreal Guitar Show Series, a series of interviews Derek Dodson and Matt conducted during the MGS. Today, we have our last three interviews. We start out with Claudio Pagelli, the great Swiss archtop builder. Then Derek interviews Sheldon Dingwall, who’s extremely well known for his basses and has started building guitars again. And last, but definitely not least, we are joined by the acoustic luthier Mark Blanchard. Not only does Mark build wonderful steelstrings, he also builds classicals and archtops. As with the previous interviews, all three of these were conducted right in the middle of the show. So, there is a lot of noise—people talking, guitars playing, and Cappuccino machines rumbling. We apologize for any difficulty with the sound quality.

This is Part 5 of our Montreal Guitar Show Series, a series of interviews Derek Dodson and Matt conducted during the MGS. Today, we have another of the electric guitar rock star makers, Chuck Thornton from CP Thornton Guitars, Principals Alexander Calorasi and Gavin Scott from the new and innovative electric guitar company, Alexander James Guitars, and Classical & Flamenco luthier, Jeremy Clark of 52 Guitars. As with the previous interviews, all three of these were conducted right in the middle of the show. So, there is a lot of noise—people talking, guitars playing, and Cappuccino machines rumbling. We apologize for any difficulty with the sound quality.

This is Part 4 of our Montreal Guitar Show Series, a series of interviews Derek Dodson and Matt conducted during the MGS. Today, we have four excellent interviews-- amazing electric builder Nik Huber, premier acoustic builder Kathy Wingert, Jason Verlinde, the publisher of the Fretboard Journal, and Marc Lupien of XXL Guitars. As with the previous interviews, all four of these were conducted right smack dab in the middle of chaos. So, there is a lot of noise—people talking, guitars playing, and Cappuccino machines rumbling. So, we apologize for any difficulty with the sound quality.

This is Part 3 of our Montreal Guitar Show Series, a series of interviews Derek Dodson and I conducted during the MGS. Today, we have famed luthier George Lowden, one of Matt's heroes. Archtop builder Peter Hopkins sits down with Derek to discuss his build philosophy and what he strives to achieve with each guitar he constructs. Electric guitar builder Doug Kauer has been building guitars for a while, but is new to the business of selling them. He has a great perspective and is a fun conversationalist.