Fretboard Journal

Over the course of his 39 years as a luthier, Tom Ribbecke has become one of the world's great archtop guitar builders and a tireless educator, promoter and spokesperson for the world of hand-built instruments. Sadly, Ribbecke may soon lose the legendary workshop, teaching facility and home that he occupies in Healdsburg, California. read more

For the last few years, Char and Gordon Mayer of Mya-Moe Ukuleles have combined creating stunning ukuleles with an interesting business model. They hope, quite simply, to be the Collings or Benedetto of high-end, American-built ukes. In this week's podcast, we talk to the couple about how they got started making ukuleles, the incredible growth their company has seen in just a few years and just how they get ukes into the hands of some of the music world's biggest artists. In addition to being used by Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder (who will be appearing on the cover of Fretboard Journal #24), Mya-Moes have been embraced by Dave Matthews, Florence & the Machine, Ben Harper and Trey Anastasio (Phish), to name a few. read more

For the last few years, Char and Gordon Mayer of Mya-Moe Ukuleles have combined creating stunning ukuleles with an interesting business model. They hope, quite simply, to be the Collings or Benedetto of high-end, American-built ukes. In this week's podcast, we talk to the couple about how they got started making ukuleles, the incredible growth their company has seen in just a few years and just how they get ukes into the hands of some of the music world's biggest artists. In addition to being used by Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder (who will be appearing on the cover of Fretboard Journal #24), Mya-Moes have been embraced by Dave Matthews, Florence & the Machine, Ben Harper and Trey Anastasio (Phish), to name a few. read more

From his home in Louisville, Kentucky, we talk to guitarist and music historian Nathan Salsburg. By our count, Salsburg has released two of the best instrumental acoustic guitar albums of 2011: Avos, a duet record with James Elkington, and a solo album entitled Affirmed.  We chat with Salsburg about both records, the guitars he used on these projects and his unique day job, working for the Alan Lomax Archives. We also discuss some of his favorite guitar players, including Nic Jones (featured in the Fretboard Journal #21) and E.C. Ball (a huge influence on luthier/player Wayne Henderson). It's an interesting half-hour chat with one of the guitar world's rising stars.

From his home in Louisville, Kentucky, we talk to guitarist and music historian Nathan Salsburg. By our count, Salsburg has released two of the best instrumental acoustic guitar albums of 2011: Avos, a duet record with James Elkington, and a solo album entitled Affirmed.  We chat with Salsburg about both records, the guitars he used on these projects and his unique day job, working for the Alan Lomax Archives. We also discuss some of his favorite guitar players, including Nic Jones (featured in the Fretboard Journal #21) and E.C. Ball (a huge influence on luthier/player Wayne Henderson). It's an interesting half-hour chat with one of the guitar world's rising stars.

"My days are very busy," pickup maker Seymour Duncan says with a laugh. It's no understatement. In addition to running one of the largest pickup companies in the musical instrument industry, Duncan is also serious about photography, the prehistoric art of flint knapping (he's on the board of the Stone Age Institute) and, of course, playing guitar. In addition, he still winds pickups for celebrities and average joes alike. read more

"My days are very busy," pickup maker Seymour Duncan says with a laugh. It's no understatement. In addition to running one of the largest pickup companies in the musical instrument industry, Duncan is also serious about photography, the prehistoric art of flint knapping (he's on the board of the Stone Age Institute) and, of course, playing guitar. In addition, he still winds pickups for celebrities and average joes alike. read more

Portland, Oregon's Eric Skye may be too humble to consider himself a great guitarist, but anyone who has heard this wonderful improviser in action would beg to differ. On this week's podcast, we talk to Skye about his early years playing music (including the job he held cleaning fish tanks so that he could pay for guitar lessons) and the music that inspires him today. We also hear about his new Santa Cruz signature model 00-sized guitar, which features many subtle refinements over the classic Martin design. All-told, it's a great 30 minute interview with one of the Pacific Northwest's best acoustic talents. 

Portland, Oregon's Eric Skye may be too humble to consider himself a great guitarist, but anyone who has heard this wonderful improviser in action would beg to differ. On this week's podcast, we talk to Skye about his early years playing music (including the job he held cleaning fish tanks so that he could pay for guitar lessons) and the music that inspires him today. We also hear about his new Santa Cruz signature model 00-sized guitar, which features many subtle refinements over the classic Martin design. All-told, it's a great 30 minute interview with one of the Pacific Northwest's best acoustic talents. 

With a name like Jonny Corndawg, you can guess that this week's podcast guest is going to be a unique one. And Mr. Corndawg does not disappoint. He's a quirky singer-songwriter influenced by artists such as Roger Miller, Michael Hurley and Jerry Reed. In this 20-minute interview, Corndawg walks us through his career as a musician and explains some of his stranger hobbies, including hand-tooling the leather that adorns his Telecaster and his hilarious attempt to bootleg his own album in India. read more

With a name like Jonny Corndawg, you can guess that this week's podcast guest is going to be a unique one. And Mr. Corndawg does not disappoint. He's a quirky singer-songwriter influenced by artists such as Roger Miller, Michael Hurley and Jerry Reed. In this 20-minute interview, Corndawg walks us through his career as a musician and explains some of his stranger hobbies, including hand-tooling the leather that adorns his Telecaster and his hilarious attempt to bootleg his own album in India. read more

Bill Frisell is one of the most original guitarists alive today. His guitar tone is unmistakable, regardless of which instrument he's playing and his music blurs the boundaries of jazz, free-improv and Americana. In this week's podcast, we talk to Frisell about his latest project, All We Are Saying, an album composed entirely of John Lennon compositions. We also ask him about his ever-growing instrument collection, how he decides on his gear during a session, his writing process and much more. It's a 30-minute conversation with a true music maverick. 

Bill Frisell is one of the most original guitarists alive today. His guitar tone is unmistakable, regardless of which instrument he's playing and his music blurs the boundaries of jazz, free-improv and Americana. In this week's podcast, we talk to Frisell about his latest project, All We Are Saying, an album composed entirely of John Lennon compositions. We also ask him about his ever-growing instrument collection, how he decides on his gear during a session, his writing process and much more. It's a 30-minute conversation with a true music maverick. 

Guitarist Adam Levy has explored every facet of being a professional musician. Over the course of his career, he's been an instructor, a music journalist, a session guitarist, a singer-songwriter and a touring artist. He's equally adept performing alongside avant-garde jazz figures as he is mainstream artists such as Norah Jones. On today's podcast, Levy sheds light on his unique music background and describes some of the influential musicians such as Ted Greene and Jimmy Wyble that he was lucky enough to learn from. We are also treated to a solo performance of one of his latest tunes. 

Guitarist Adam Levy has explored every facet of being a professional musician. Over the course of his career, he's been an instructor, a music journalist, a session guitarist, a singer-songwriter and a touring artist. He's equally adept performing alongside avant-garde jazz figures as he is mainstream artists such as Norah Jones. On today's podcast, Levy sheds light on his unique music background and describes some of the influential musicians such as Ted Greene and Jimmy Wyble that he was lucky enough to learn from. We are also treated to a solo performance of one of his latest tunes.