Guitar Blah Blah
178 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago -Through interviews with guitar builders, musicians and other professionals from the world of music, Guitar Blah Blah takes an in-depth look at where the future of guitar music is heading. Each episode exploring a subject is followed by the full interviews with each guest, in which we go on to talk about life working with guitars and all things music.
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Episodes
”I Think We’re in the Golden Age of Instrument Building” | Interview w/ Florian of Millimetric Instruments
August 28, 2022 13:02 - 1 hour - 60.8 MBI talk with Florian of Millimetric Instruments about innovative guitar design, building skateboards and why B.C. Rich guitars belong in a burlesque show. This is my full-length interview with Florian, conducted for the episode "A New Era of Innovative Guitar Design". Millimetric Instruments: Website - https://www.millimetric.ca/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MILLIMETRICINSTRUMENTS Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/millimetricinstruments/
A New Era of Innovative Guitar Design
August 15, 2022 12:25 - 59 minutes - 67 MBIs the guitar world really as stuck in the past and conservative in its tastes as we often hear? If so, then where do all the innovators fit in? Because amongst all the reverence for a 'golden age' of guitars and guitar music are countless creative people taking the instrument in new directions. In this episode, I talk with three guitar builders who design out-there, innovative instruments that push the boundaries of guitar design. What perspective do they have on this – is the guitar world...
A New Direction For Guitar Blah Blah
August 17, 2021 20:12 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MBIt's been a while! But work on the podcast hasn't stopped, and there are some changes coming up in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned and all that. Today's music: cleopatrick.bandcamp.com/album/bummer
"The Tide Is Turning..." | Interview w/ Juha Ruokangas Pt. 3
June 29, 2021 14:28 - 54 minutes - 49.8 MBIn the final part of my interview with Juha Ruokangas of Ruokangas Guitars, we discuss what the work of a guitar builder looks like these days, what role it might have in the future, and just about anything and everything else we can think of. Check out Ruokangas Guitars: Website: ruokangas.com/ FB: facebook.com/ruokangas IG: instagram.com/ruokangasguitars/ YT: youtube.com/ruokangas
The Whole Story Of The Valvebucker | Interview w/ Juha Ruokangas Pt. 2
June 16, 2021 20:33 - 1 hour - 58.2 MBIn part two of my interview with the head honcho of Ruokangas Guitars, Juha takes us on a deep dive of the Valvebucker and what it can teach us about life as a craftsperson in the world of music and guitars. Be sure to listen to part three in tomorrow's episode! Check out Ruokangas Guitars: Website: ruokangas.com/ FB: facebook.com/ruokangas IG: instagram.com/ruokangasguitars/ YT: youtube.com/ruokangas
The Whole Story Of The Valvebucker | Interview w/ Juha Ruokangas Pt.2
June 16, 2021 20:33 - 1 hour - 58.2 MBIn part two of my interview with the head honcho of Ruokangas Guitars, Juha takes us on a deep dive of the Valvebucker and what it can teach us about life as a craftsperson in the world of music and guitars. Be sure to listen to part three in tomorrow's episode! Check out Ruokangas Guitars: Website: ruokangas.com/ FB: facebook.com/ruokangas IG: instagram.com/ruokangasguitars/ YT: youtube.com/ruokangas
Talking Everything Guitar (And Then Some) | Interview w/ Juha Ruokangas Pt. 1
June 15, 2021 13:14 - 55 minutes - 51.1 MBIn part one of my interview with guitar builder Juha Ruokangas, he gives us his insights into where things stand in the world of guitar and what the future of guitar music may look like. In part two tomorrow, we go on to discuss Ruokangas Guitars' own work in detail, and find out a little more about being a guitar maker today. Check out Ruokangas Guitars: Website: ruokangas.com/ FB: facebook.com/ruokangas IG: instagram.com/ruokangasguitars/ YT: youtube.com/ruokangas
The Trials Of Learning, Big Single Coil Tones And Quality Live Sessions
May 19, 2021 20:59 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBIt's a triple helping of guitar suggestions in today's episode with articles to read, new builds to check out and a live session to enjoy. The Hopeless Guitarist's articles: guitar.com/author/the-hopeless-guitarist/ The Franfret Pegasus: youtu.be/rIq7NMT9Oa0 Today's music: youtu.be/5vF42lgRTuU
A Great Reminder Of Why We Care About Guitars At All
May 16, 2021 20:04 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBWatching Mdou Moctar's latest live videos are a great reminder of why we even care about any of this stuff in the first place – just in case we forget! Today's music: youtu.be/G5xiaTWUTJk youtu.be/FDwT6trlSws youtu.be/cEAsL2qqdiU
Smart Phone, Smart Fridge, Smart Guitar?
May 14, 2021 21:45 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MBThe newly announced guitars from, er, GTRS look to have an interesting way of incorporating Mooer's digital effects technology. But will it actually open up new possibilities for players? Check out GTRS here: gtrs.tech/ Today's music: youtu.be/ZAKUqCZ5MSw
Old Blood Noise Endeavours Open Up More Sonic Spheres
May 12, 2021 20:54 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBThe new pedal from OBNE isn't a freaky modulation box or a spacy reverb, but it may just open up some seriously interesting tonal options in the way it combines with other pedals. Check it out and learn more here: youtu.be/SosGQ-ciSHE Today's music: youtu.be/KnsF2R0yf9U
The Expressive, Complex, Soulful Guitarwork Of Naia Izumi
May 11, 2021 21:06 - 20 minutes - 19 MBNo gear-nerd stuff today as we get straight to what really matters, the music, and introduce the work of a truly exciting guitarist and songwriter: Naia Izumi. Voodoo official video: youtu.be/gyUOLBfZBTM Tiny Desk Concert: youtu.be/42MiCMJ6DJU Road to the Tiny Desk Concert: youtu.be/vOzYd1ehERo Audiotree Live session: youtu.be/lHLSwnavyh0
The Superest Super Strat Style Super Guitar? | Guitar Highlight
May 10, 2021 19:52 - 21 minutes - 20 MBFranfret Guitars in Spain is at it again with teasing another beautiful build, this one with some seriously cool appointments! Plus, there's another big virtual guitar event on the horizon. Franfret Instagram: instagram.com/franfret_guitars/ Franfret Facebook: facebook.com/FranfretGuitars Sweetwater GearFest Online: sweetwater.com/gearfest/ Today's music: music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kdEOI60gOfFypp5If6UnBZwYrmEQXhTTQ&feature=share
The King Of Inlays
May 08, 2021 21:44 - 21 minutes - 19.8 MBWilliam 'Grit' Laskin is recognised the world over for having taken guitar inlay work beyond just decoration and into an artform of its own. If only for being inspired by the sheer skill and imagination involved, his work is worth checking out. But he's also known simply for the quality of his instruments, and for making significant contributions in the world of guitar and guitar making. A little video intro to get to know Grit Laskin: youtu.be/VG-GQD80xoE A gallery showing just a sample ...
Hittin' The Big Time And Selling Out For A Big Ol' (Shaved) Sack Of Money
May 07, 2021 14:39 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MBYou want to stay independent but, well, when a huge sponsorship deal like this comes along, how can you resist selling out? Today's music: youtu.be/00AXzk7hAHU
The Right Way To Be A Guitarist Is Also The Way That Works For You
April 21, 2021 20:54 - 48 minutes - 44 MBWe all like something new, expressive, different, genuine. We can all also respect that artists need promotion. But if online spaces are creative outlets rather than just promotional tools, should we really drive our output on them with some kind of prescriptive digital marketing consultancy? Wouldn't our own creative inspirations and intuitions serve as a better foundation, just like when we're making albums/films/art/anything? Today's music/official PowerPoint presentation: youtu.be/9UVhL...
The Right Way To Play Guitar Is The Way That Works For You
April 19, 2021 21:11 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MBSometimes it's easy to get stuck in the mindset that there's a single 'right way' you need to be told to follow – from playing guitar to using gear to whatever else. It's usually when you're trying to figure something out or attain something in particular, and you end up just wanting an answer at a certain point. But it maybe isn't the most helpful or beneficial mindset for a few reasons, and it can take hearing from a great musician to reset your perspective. Lou Barlow video: youtu.be/ym...
What Do Guitar Players Want? | Interview w/ Bastian Of Zeal Guitars Pt.2
April 18, 2021 11:12 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBIn part 2 of my interview with Bastian of Zeal Guitars, we go into more detail on some of the guitars Zeal offer, talk about what guitar players want, and throw out some thoughts on the future of guitar. Be sure to check out the last episode for part 1! Zeal Guitars: zeal-guitars.de/en/ Facebook: facebook.com/zealguitars/ Instagram: instagram.com/zeal_guitars/
Being A Guitar Builder In Crazy Times | Interview w/ Bastian Of Zeal Guitars Pt. 1
April 15, 2021 10:49 - 32 minutes - 30 MBBastian of Zeal Guitars in Germany was kind enough to come on the podcast and discuss some of Zeal's experimental finish work, the different paths to becoming a guitar builder, and what it's like being a professional guitar maker right now. Tune in to the next episode for part 2! Zeal Guitars: zeal-guitars.de/en/ Facebook: facebook.com/zealguitars/ Instagram: instagram.com/zeal_guitars/
Guitar Everywhere
April 13, 2021 21:13 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBTo start to back up a little more this idea that guitar is gaining prominence across more genres, here's a look at a cool project SBTV did with Tom Misch – and some ideas on what it shows us about how guitar fits into the current musical landscape. Check out the video here: youtu.be/qCtLQtiqPGw
A Legendary Guitar Before It Was Even Built
April 12, 2021 20:12 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBRon Thorn's new Acoustasonic Jazzmaster, called 'The Trees', is crafted from pieces of wood that each have their own legends behind them. Check it out here: youtu.be/V_n_ADc_IyM Today's music: cleopatrick.bandcamp.com/album/the-boys
Fender Vs. Gibson On The Future Of Guitar
April 11, 2021 20:31 - 1 hour - 59.1 MBIt's fun to compare what the big two are doing when it comes to the future of guitar. In the end though, it's the amazing artists with guitars in their hands that decide and shape the future of the instrument. Today's music 1: youtu.be/Gg28yPdBu_4 2: youtu.be/dioJ0FsN7pY 3: youtu.be/EVZ1yscnnHI 4: youtu.be/qIQJG3a6Kww
More Guitar Live Streams Coming Up
April 08, 2021 20:53 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MBWith us all still missing out on a bunch of things that make life fun, it's worth catching the awesome live music and guitar events that we can take in virtually. Kiko Loureiro clinic: youtu.be/jhFfBMqEAic Kiko Loureiro Reverb video: youtu.be/YsdDDGrz-ZI Staind live streams info: youtu.be/OHznEvJL_nI
What 'The Lost Tapes Of The 27 Club' Tells Us About Our Community
April 07, 2021 21:05 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MBThe project from organisation Over The Bridge opens up important conversations about the music industry and the music community as a whole. Check it out here: losttapesofthe27club.com/
More Fingerpicking And Guitar Technique Goodness
April 06, 2021 20:44 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBFollowing on from the last episode's dive into useful YouTube guitar series and changing up your technical foundations....here's more of that! Guitar Power: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIiglibBY3g_KSAPobV-1cY-9A05hcdr3 Today's music: youtu.be/weF8pfFnCK8
Fingerpickin' Good
April 02, 2021 21:51 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBChanging a foundational element of your playing is a great way to feel refreshed and inspired on guitar – for Matt Sweeney, it altered his whole approach to the instrument. Check out the article here: premierguitar.com/artists/matt-sweeney-loves-guitar-playing-that-you-dont-understand Guitar moves: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdoAu1uCjE-jIzaZrp-bFgfEeOsmuTBVx Today's music: youtu.be/SyhXrQEKPaY
I Enjoy And/Or Do Not Enjoy April Fools' Day
April 01, 2021 21:47 - 29 minutes - 27 MBIt's a pretty good annual reminder of how memeable we all are as a guitar community. But if you're looking for something that's not an April Fools today, try these (they are probably the actual links and not jokes, you can almost definitely trust me): Maker's Marks Pt. 1: guitar.com/features/interviews/makers-marks-ray-butts-gretsch-pickup-tester/ Maker's Marks Pt. 2: guitar.com/features/interviews/makers-marks-who-really-invented-the-humbucker/ Maker's Marks Pt. 3: guitar.com/features/i...
The Right Way To Make A T-Type Unique | Guitar Highlight – Ruokangas Mojo
March 31, 2021 10:39 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBIt might sound odd, but perhaps the best way to approach something that you feel has been done too many times is to not want to approach it at all. That way, you'll beat your own path and create something all your own – that's what Juha Ruokangas has done with the Mojo model. Check out the Mojo here: ruokangas.com/models/mojo/ Today's music: youtu.be/CGLMdIGsyD4
The Ultimate Custom Guitar Experience
March 29, 2021 20:59 - 26 minutes - 23.8 MBMoar Guitars' new "Luthier's Special" might just be the most custom shop guitar experience ever conceived. Find out more about it here: moarguitars.com/luthiers-special/ Today's music: youtu.be/Tz9JXRmtsJA
Getting To Know The Work Of Ray Butts
March 28, 2021 20:59 - 52 minutes - 48.5 MBIt's been an incredible privilege to get to work on this project, and I hope it's worth checking out for anyone interested in guitars, music history and the people who make music sound the way it does. Article 1: guitar.com/features/interviews/makers-marks-ray-butts-gretsch-pickup-tester/ Article 2: guitar.com/features/interviews/makers-marks-who-really-invented-the-humbucker/ Order Guitar Magazine issues (#381 June 2020; #382 July 2020; #383 August 2020): guitar.com/category/magazine/ ...
Let's Talk About Sustainable Guitar Making
March 26, 2021 22:59 - 24 minutes - 22.7 MBI already covered the release of Arielle's signature guitar on the podcast. But in a recent interview, she's revealed that it's become a chance for her to open up more conversations about sustainability in the guitar community – an awesome way to take the release of a new guitar and make it about something more. Read the interview here: musicradar.com/amp/news/arielle-interview-i-want-to-educate-people-about-where-their-guitars-come-from-theres-a-level-of-disconnect-thats-affecting-the-pla...
Can Guitar Modding Save You Money?
March 23, 2021 21:23 - 26 minutes - 23.8 MBLearning to mod and work on guitars comes with a ton of benefits, especially if you enjoy it as a hobby in itself – but can it save you money? Today's music: wurldseries.bandcamp.com/album/whats-growing
You Don't Need All The Gear To Record Guitar And Make Music
March 21, 2021 20:28 - 20 minutes - 19 MBIt's a topic gone over a few times on this podcast, but a regular reminder helps me a lot, and I assume it might help others too. In particular, seeing great examples of music made without all the gear really reminds us to stay focused on just making what we want to make, however we can. youtu.be/KbqzJYml520 youtu.be/tlRcgTo5Iz4
Source Audio Work Their Digital Wizardry
March 19, 2021 22:35 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBSource Audio's new pedal, the Ultrawave, is another example of their creation-focused approach to digital guitar technology. Have fun listening to me attempt to explain what it is! Check out the Ultrawave: sourceaudio.net/ultrawave_multiband_processor.html Bonamassa live stream concert: jbonamassa.com/streaming/acl/ Today's music: youtu.be/prgqUTvk2LM
More Perspectives On The Current Guitar Boom
March 18, 2021 22:00 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBA new article gives a further look into the current guitar boom and possibly some more insights into whether it will continue past the weird times of the last year. Check it out here: bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-17/musicians-are-hoarding-musical-gear-like-never-before Today's music: youtu.be/uLjRp4vhGoA
The Acoustasonic Jazzmaster And The Evolution Of Digital Guitar Gear
March 16, 2021 19:30 - 50 minutes - 46.7 MBBringing together my thoughts from previous episodes on electro-acoustic guitars and the future of digital gear, the new addition to Fender's Acoustasonic range grabbed my attention more than I'd anticipated. Episode on electro-acoustic guitars: guitarblahblah.podbean.com/e/solving-the-electro-acoustic-guitar-problem-a-space-odyssey/ Episode on digital gear: guitarblahblah.podbean.com/e/where-does-digital-guitar-gear-go-next/ Fender's intro to the Acoustasonic Jazzmaster: youtu.be/wpFi4dp...
Who Plays Boutique Guitars?! Schorr Guitars & Lionel Loueke
March 15, 2021 20:18 - 10 minutes - 9.6 MBTo keep answering the question of who plays these small-builder, luthier-made guitars, here's a beautiful performance from Lionel Loueke that showcases a new seven-string prototype from Berlin-based Schorr Guitars: youtu.be/9pt5YAaDGN4
Will The Guitar Boom Last?
March 14, 2021 21:23 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBThis past year or so has seen massive guitar sales, and companies big and small are still struggling to keep up with demand now. Even with some supply side issues taken into consideration, that's largely been caused by record guitar sales. While this will all inevitably level off, will the guitar community continue to get (and stay) bigger? Today's music: youtu.be/bEkC-ew9G5o
Where Does Digital Guitar Gear Go Next?
March 13, 2021 22:51 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBJust speculating here, but if digital modelling-style gear (and other gear technology) moves beyond the central aim of recreating other technologies (such as tube amps), where will it go then? Today's music: bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000szd2
Live Guitar Events Coming Up!
March 12, 2021 22:04 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBWhile we all keep missing live music and guitar shows, live streamed sessions, concerts and events are keeping us going, and here are some more to check out over this weekend and into next week. Pedals The Musical trailer: youtu.be/LZJ7qJFvUdA SXSW Online line-up announcements: sxsw.com/news/2021/ximena-sarinana-iceage-the-chats-awich-and-more-second-wave-of-2021-showcasing-artists/ Today's music: youtu.be/ZrrpVFwN3Q4
Totally Different Skateboard Guitars
March 11, 2021 22:14 - 39 minutes - 36.5 MBLooking at the Skate Guitar Project, and looking again at yesterday's episode on Prisma, is a great way to start explaining a lot of what draws me to the work of guitar builders. Skate Guitars: skateguitar.com/ Today's music: youtu.be/CqWsreZl_dw
More Than Just Guitars Made From Skateboards
March 10, 2021 22:10 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBPrisma Guitars have drawn huge interest and praise for building beautiful guitars from used skateboard decks, but their unique approach to design and craftsmanship goes beyond skateboards. Prisma Guitars (and today's music): prismaguitars.com/
Guitar Anniversaries, Guitar History And A Fantastic Live Set
March 08, 2021 21:42 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBIt's a triple helping of guitar stuff on today's episode: stuff to read, stuff to listen to and stuff to...gawk at? Want to buy? Whatever it is you're supposed to do with guitars. Josh Scott's article: guitar.com/features/opinion-analysis/josh-scott-electricity-meets-guitar/ Today's music/performance: youtu.be/HS2TxfBSmjs
A New Guitar Model Backed By Genuine Vintage Know-How
March 07, 2021 21:32 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBIvison Guitars are known for their skill and depth of knowledge when it comes to vintage guitars, and their model, The Hurricane, received plenty of interest and plaudits last year. The newly announced 'Dakota' looks to have an equally winning formula. Ivison Guitars FB: facebook.com/ivisonguitars/ Ivison Guitars IG: instagram.com/ivison_guitars/ Today's music: youtu.be/idUF7Vp1i6c
Guitar Myth Busting
March 05, 2021 22:59 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBI've had quite a few conversations now with luthiers on the subject of bolt-on vs glued-in vs neck-through guitars, and they've all come to more or less the same conclusion... Maxime Baron Guitars IG: instagram.com/baronguitars/ Axes & Blades IG: instagram.com/axes_and_blades/ Today's music: marmotoproject.bandcamp.com/
A New Guitar Build And A New Guitar Book
March 04, 2021 21:49 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MBAs a guitar maker and an author on the subject, Leo Lospennato has both fascinating builds and books under his belt. Now, he's presented a new one of each, and they're both worth checking out for anyone interested in the world of guitar building. Lospennato Guitars FB: facebook.com/LospennatoGuitars/ Lospennato Guitars IG: instagram.com/lospennatoguitars/ Today's Music: diiv.bandcamp.com/album/deceiver
Are We Finally Going To Fix The Problem With Streaming Music?
March 03, 2021 21:45 - 20 minutes - 19 MBSoundcloud have announced a new royalties model with the aim of making music streaming on their platform more equitable for artists – particularly independent and smaller ones. But will this kind of approach solve the problems with streaming music? Read more about it here: guitar.com/news/industry-news/soundcloud-fan-powered-royalties/ Today's music: youtu.be/u51HJcN1Dp8
Inclusivity And Guitar Design
March 02, 2021 21:30 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBPushing the boundaries of established guitar design can do great things: spark our own creativity, open up new potential in the instrument and inspire future music and genres. But it can also make the instrument more accessible for more people. Today, I'm taking a look at an invention that aims to make the guitar easier to play and learn for those who are differently abled. Check out a video of the Armstrum here: youtu.be/lS9usX7Pprs Today's music: thearmed.bandcamp.com/track/average-death
Will This 'Retro' Tech Be A New Guitar Trend?
March 01, 2021 21:58 - 42 minutes - 38.6 MBGuitar gear with modular elements is often described as old-school, retro or at-odds with the current market. In many ways that's true. But with modular guitar gear coming about consistently in recent years, and in many different forms, is it actually a niche trend in itself? Today's music
Inspiring Guitar Sessions To Check Out Today
February 28, 2021 21:43 - 17 minutes - 16 MBIn continuing to share as many spaces for awesome music, live music experiences and guitar events as possible in these weird times, here's an introduction to a couple of fantastic channels you should definitely check out. The Audubon Sessions (Previously An Evening At Elvis') Red Ants Pants Music Festival