Older Episodes
- September 9, 2024
#79 Fretboard Summit 2024
Chris and I talk about my trip to Chicago to attend the Fretboard Summit put on by Jason Verlinde of Fretboard Journal. I enjoyed the whole trip from the amazing facility of the Old Town School of Folk Music, Grez Guitars, Rock & Roll Guitars, Colin Hay, panel discussions, deep dish pizza, the BIG lake and so much more...
Listen: - August 27, 2024
#78 Damn Right We Got The Blues
Chris and I explore the delicate subject of the blues and how that genre has evolved - but always seems to rise above its cliches and survive to live another day.
Listen: - August 18, 2024
#77 One-Owner Guitars
We talk about the various perceptions people might have when they hear the phrase "one-owner guitar". What doest it mean to you?!
Listen: - July 29, 2024
#76 Crossroads
Chris and I lovingly roast the 1986 movie Crossroads starring Ralph Macchio and Joe Seneca.
Listen: - July 7, 2024
#75 One Guitar to Rule Them All
Chris and I talk about the concept of one guitar to rule them all whether it's a guitar associated with a specific artist, or a swiss army knife that allows you to get any sounds you want.
Listen: - June 21, 2024
#74 3 for 3 - Chris picks 3 songs, and Rick picks 3 songs
In our 3 for 3 Chris picks 3 songs, Rick picks 3 songs and we discuss. Check out the links for reference Chris's picks: Cowboy Junkies - Misguided Angel https://youtu.be/xKNiyOKiuHo?si=AEefgpUABbx_HoUF Ry Cooder - Paris, Texas https://youtu.be/X6ymVaq3Fqk?si=XAGk1_x0KgFyrvt4 Dennis Coffey - Scorpio https://youtu.be/DyuS16P911g?si=1OnU9rZI3Q_T4Kgc Rick's Picks: Rush - What You're Doing (live) https://youtu.be/6Dn8VH30eWs?si=4-ptZiRAPGxjvZmv Elvis Costello - Watching the Detectives https://youtu.be/k1Qnt5bx1OI?si=S8bayGA-kZsLCIat Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over https://youtu.be/J9gKyRmic20?si=Nua0z-M1kcgv_Qa- Tim Pierce - Second guitar Don't Dream It's Over https://youtu.be/bB7x638PhVM?si=_lNfasNgqkB6yPj3
Listen: - May 27, 2024
#73 Guitarist's Guitarist - Who do you think fits the bill for a guitarist's guitarist?
Chris & Rick talk about what makes a guitarist's guitarist. We'd love to find out what you think about this topic, and who comes to mind when you think of a guitarist's guitarist.
Listen: - May 11, 2024
#72 Audio Myths
We talk about the biases, and preconceptions we bring to how we hear and listen. Check out the video - https://youtu.be/BYTlN6wjcvQ?si=HDghoHiJvE9BmoLB
Listen: - April 16, 2024
#71 Rick Builds a Guitar
We talk about Rick's ups and downs as he builds a classical guitar from scratch.
Listen: - March 30, 2024
#70 Red Light Fever - Nerves in the studio and other fun stuff!
Chris and Rick talk about how to deal with nerves when recording in the studio. Chris has been doing a lot of recording lately, and recently encountered some nerves - and other studio related feels.
Listen: - March 18, 2024
#69 Rock & Roll Animals - Hunter & Wagner
Session players Steve Hunter, and Dick Wagner made their marks with Aerosmith, Alice Cooper and Lou Reed to name a few. 70s rock was guitar was heavily influenced by these creative session players.
Listen: - March 1, 2024
#68 Wayne Kramer - We pay our respects to a rock & roll classic
Chris and I pay our respects to Wayne Kramer who recently passed. He inspired us as a guitar player, and life-long activist. His legacy is secure, and his spirit lives on in every band started and loud guitar plugged into a Marshall stack.
Listen: - February 7, 2024
#67 Trevor Boone - Guitar Hunter for Emerald City Guitars
Trevor Boone searches for the coolest, vintage guitars for collectors - and bands for Emerald City Guitars.
Listen: - January 22, 2024
#66 3 for 3 - We swap 3 songs, and 3 guitar players
Chris and I swap 3 songs and guitar players and chew it up! Chris's selections: September Gurls - Alex Chilton Maybe I'm Amazed - Ronny Wood Hymn for the Dudes - Mick Ralphs Rick's selections: Magazine - Roger Fisher/Nancy Wilson Kid - James Honeyman-Scott Life on a Wave - G. Weller
Listen: - January 6, 2024
#65 Things We Should Care About But Don't
We talk about things we should care about, but don't. Noisy guitars, 3-bolt necks, flame tops, and more...
Listen: - December 6, 2023
#64 George Gruhn and the Versitar
C & R discuss Vintage Guitar guru George Gruhn’s Versitar guitar design. links to things discussed: The Gruhn Versitar Fretboard Journal George Gruhn Interview
Listen: - November 22, 2023
#63 The Super Strat
A discussion of the high performance Strat-style guitars that were developed in the 80s.
Listen: - November 1, 2023
#62 Listener recommended Topic: Our Pedalboards
Our pedalboards for reference
Listen: - October 16, 2023
#61 Interview with Liz Keller guitar tech and and guitarist for the Seattle’s the Purrs
Discussion with Liz, guitar tech and guitarist with Seattle bnand the Purrs. A few of links to things discussed: THE Purrs on Facebook THE Purrs Bandcamp page Eva Pickups Crackle & Pop
Listen: - June 12, 2023
#60 Dealing With ‘Ruts’
C and R discuss strategies for dealing with being stuck and uninspired.
Listen: - April 30, 2023
#59 Interview with Frank Gross of Thunder Road Guitars
Chris and Rick speak with Thunder Road Guitar owner/operator Frank Gross.
Listen: - March 27, 2023
#58 Guitar Trends Through the Years – Part 2
Part 2 of discussion of various guitar and gear trends over the years.
Listen: - December 10, 2022
#57 Guitar Trends Through the Years
Discussion of various guitar and gear trends over the years.
Listen: - November 26, 2022
#56 Guitar Heros
Is the era of the guitar hero over? C and R discuss the guitar god in today’s guitar culture. Correction: in this episode Chris erroneously attributes the solo for the MC5’s The American Ruse to Wayne Kramer. It is in fact Fred ‘Sonic” Smith who rips the tasty Chuck Berry influenced solo.
Listen: - August 22, 2022
#55 Tube Amp Maintenance
Episode 55. Discussion of care and feeding of tube amps. The podcast mentioned in the episode: The Truth about Vintage Amplifiers Some Cool sites mentioned in the episode for over the shoulder peeks inside tube amps. Plus tech tips and inspiration: Fazio Electric Uncle Doug Psionic Audio
Listen: - July 4, 2022
#54 Dialing in Stage Volume (remote Zoom)
Dialing in a good stage volume and keeping a happy headspace.
Listen: - May 30, 2022
#53 Mythical Gear (remote Zoom)
Discussion of gear steeped in myth and hype like the KLON and Dumble amps etc.
Listen: - April 20, 2022
#52 Strings (Remote Zoom)
C and R discuss strings and some observations and experiences with them.
Listen: - February 5, 2022
#51 Carvin (Remote Zoom)
Discussion on the mail order musical instrument company Carvin.
Listen: - December 6, 2021
#50 Get Back (Remote Zoom)
C & R discuss Peter Jackson’s brilliant documentary GET BACK.
Listen: - October 17, 2021
#49 Collaborating (Remote Zoom)
Collaborating with others on guitar parts and songs.
Listen: - September 6, 2021
#48 Theory (or lack thereof) – remote ZOOM
C and R discuss navigating the fretboard without a solid background in music theory. *Mott The Hoople’s All the Young Dudes mentioned in the episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNHdPPJGowY
Listen: - June 20, 2021
#47 Checking in June 2021 (remote ZOOM)
Following an extended break C & R catch up on guitar stuff, work and life.
Listen: - April 26, 2021
#46 Straight In To The Amp (remote ZOOM)
Discussion the pros and cons of the “guitar > cord > amp” principle.
Listen: - March 3, 2021
#45 Guitar Solos and Soloing (remote ZOOM)
C & R discuss guitar solos and soloing.
Listen: - February 2, 2021
#44 Gibson P-90 Pickups (remote ZOOM)
C & R discuss the classic Gibson P-90 pickup and the guitars that sport it.
Listen: - January 2, 2021
#43 Dealing with multiple Guitars (remote ZOOM)
C & R discuss acquiring and maintaining a small stable of guitars.
Listen: - December 5, 2020
#42 Edward Van Halen (remote ZOOM)
C & R Discuss EVH and what his music and guitar playing meant to them. Link to Van Halen live show mentioned is episode: Van Halen at the Pasadena Hilton
Listen: - November 9, 2020
#41 With Nick Millward of the Riffbrokers (remote skype)
C & R chat with special guest Nick Millward of Seattle’s Riffbrokers.
Listen: - October 12, 2020
#40 Interview with Emerald City Guitar’s Jay Boone (remote Skype)
Discussion with Emerald City Guitar’s “Soul Proprietor” Jay Boone.
Listen: - September 13, 2020
#39 Sorry Ma Forgot To Turn Out The Lights (remote Skype)
C&R discuss the music and guitars of the Replacement’s “Sorry Ma Forgot To Take Out The Trash” and UFO’s “Lights Out” LPs.
Listen: - August 10, 2020
#38 Versatility (remote Skype)
One guitar to rule them all? C & R discuss what makes a guitar (or amp) versatile.
Listen: - July 5, 2020
#37 Checking In (remote Skype)
C&R catch up on what’s been happening in their respective bunkers.
Listen: - June 7, 2020
#36 Phase Shifters (remote Skype)
C & R set phasers to stun.
Listen: - May 25, 2020
#35 Guitar and Tone (remote Skype)
C&R scratch the surface of the super broad topic of guitar tone. Remote via SKYPE.
Listen: - April 18, 2020
#34 Lockdown Inspiration (remote Skype)
Discussion of staying inspired during quarantine.
Listen: - April 5, 2020
#33 Delay and Reverb (remote Skype)
Discussion of delay and reverb for guitar from C&R’s respective bunkers via Skype note: apologies for the low quality. Skype proved a little problematic in getting good quality, non-choppy audio.
Listen: - March 2, 2020
#32 The Telecaster
Discussion of this classic American solid body guitar.
Listen: - February 16, 2020
#31 Peavey
Discussion of the innovative American musical instrument manufacturer that was an important entry point for many musicians in their quest for quality affordable instruments. NOTE: in the episode Chris refers to a Peavey bass amp as the TKO model. It was actually the TNT model that he was refering to.
Listen: - February 3, 2020
#30 Checking In
Chris and Rick check in on what is up in their respective guitar nerd worlds (new amps and new old amps and other stuff)
Listen: - January 16, 2020
#29 The Birth of Loud
Discussion of the excellent book The Birth Of Loud by Ian S. Port.
Listen: - January 1, 2020
#28 Artist Series Gear
Listener requested topic (thank you!) Artist series gear. What’s the deal?
Listen: - December 16, 2019
#27 Dealing with Plateaus and Creative Blocks
C & R Talk discuss feeling like your playing is going nowhere and overcoming creative blocks.
Listen: - December 1, 2019
#26 Guitar Shops
Discussion of guitar stores and the joy and sorrow they can bring.
Listen: - November 26, 2019
#25 Playing Live
From Headspace to horror stories. C&R tackle bringin’ it to the people.
Listen: - November 26, 2019
#24 The Guitars of Ken Burns Country
C & R blather on about the overflowing cornucopia of cool guitars featured the Ken Burn Country Music documentary. Link to PBS episodes: https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/country-music/
Listen: - November 26, 2019
#23 Mods and Partscasters
Personalizing a gem or polishing a turd? C & R talk upgrades and customizations.
Listen: - October 1, 2019
#22 The Player Not The Guitar
While it’s really fun to obsess over the finer details of guitar and gear it often comes down to the old “it’s all in the fingers”, Episode references: Magic Sam tears it up on a LP copy and Steve Earl and his amazing guitars
Listen: - September 16, 2019
#21 Unplugged
C & R discuss the benefits of switching to acoustic for a spell to ignite creativity.
Listen: - September 2, 2019
#20 My Guitar Player is Better than Your Guitar Player
Discussion of “Overrated/Underrated” guitarists discussions.
Listen: - August 16, 2019
#19 Tuning and Intonation
Inspired by a youtube video on tuning the Telecaster. Chris and Rick discuss tuning and intonation.
Listen: - August 1, 2019
#18 Made in Japan Part 2
Continued discussion of Japan’s role in the evolution of the electric guitar. Part 2 of 2 parts.
Listen: - July 14, 2019
#17 Made In Japan Part 1
Discussion of Japan’s role in the evolution of the electric guitar. Part 1 of ? parts.
Listen: - July 2, 2019
#16 Gibson Does Stupid
C and R discuss internet losing its mind over ill advised Gibson video.
Listen: - June 15, 2019
#15 Gear and Muse
Discussion of gear and its effect on inspiration.
Listen: - May 31, 2019
#14 Watershed Moments for Guitar
Chris and Rick chat about turning points for the guitar. From Buddy Holly on T.V to the Beatles on the roof.
Listen: - May 15, 2019
#13 Guitar Pedals
General discussion of guitar pedals and such.
Listen: - May 1, 2019
#12 Television Vs. Styx
A listener requested topic! In 1977 Both Television’s Marquee Moon and STYX’s Grand Illusion came out. Chris and Rick discuss guitar moments of these two strikingly different releases.
Listen: - April 14, 2019
#11 Pet Peeves
C & R discuss explore things that “sort of bug them” when it comes to guitars and guitar playing.
Listen: - April 1, 2019
#10 Guitar In The 80s
Discussion of the era of pointy headstocks and Bradshaw racks.
Listen: - March 15, 2019
#9 The Tube Screamer
C & R discuss the classic screaming green meanie!
Listen: - March 1, 2019
#8 The Ones That Got Away
Chris and Rick pine for the stuff they didn’t have the sense to hang on to.
Listen: - February 15, 2019
#7 The Fender Stratocaster
Chris and Rick discuss one of the world’s most iconic guitars.
Listen: - February 11, 2019
#6 Horror Stories (Special Seattle Snowpocalypse episode)
Chris and Rick discuss the horrors inflicted on musical instruments over the years in this SPECIAL cabin fever reducing remote Skype episode.
Listen: - February 1, 2019
#5 RUSH 2112 and Guitar
Off-the-cuff discussion of RUSH’s career saving LP.
Listen: - January 15, 2019
#4 Guitar In Movies
Chris and Rick discuss some influential – to them – movies that feature guitar and guitar players.
Listen: - January 1, 2019
#3 Gibson and Fender Norlan/CBS
Chris and Rick shoot the shit about the “Big 2” in their respective “Dark Years”.
Listen: - November 29, 2018
#2 Musicmaster Bass Amp
From the early 70s to the early 80s Fender produced this all tube student bass amp. While pretty dismal for a bass, turns out it’s a pretty great guitar amp. In this episode Chris and Rick tell you all about it.
Listen: - November 28, 2018
#1 First Guitars
Everyone recalls the joy and or heartbreak of that first guitar. This is the maiden voyage of Chris and Rick talk guitars and a perfect place to start the series.
Listen: