The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

The great John Leventhal joins us once again to talk about the making of his new solo album, 'National Drift.' 
https://www.instagram.com/johnleventhal/
We talk about his recording process for the album, how the songs came to be, the guitars he's currently loving, the perils of compression and so much more.  
Watch John perform "The Old Improv" on our YouTube page: https://youtu.be/M-1JbpOEwVY
Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is now mailing and features Christopher Guest; a cover story penned by John Monteleone and other surprises:  https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription

We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com 
(Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

We are also brought to you by Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com, located in Seattle, Washington.

Frank Gross, founder of West Seattle's Thunder Road Guitars, joins us this week.

Thunder Road is a unique brick-and-mortar success story. Thanks to some smart business moves (online and off), Thunder Road has thrived. In fact, Frank recently purchased and renovated a commercial space for the store! 

During our chat, we talk about Seattle's thriving independent guitar stores; Thunder Road's offerings (they carry big brands like Fender and Gibson alongside consignment instruments); and so much more.
https://www.thunderroadguitars.com
 
Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is now mailing and features Christopher Guest; a cover story penned by John Monteleone and other surprises: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription

We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com 
(Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

We are also brought to you by Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com, located in Seattle, Washington.

On today's episode, guest host Ryan Richter sits down with multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer Nate Mercereau.
Renowned for pushing the boundaries of stringed instruments, Nate continues to redefine what it means to play and compose with the guitar as the centerpiece. 
In this conversation, Ryan and Nate dive into the making of Mercereau's compelling new album, Fantastic Thoughts. They discuss the creative philosophy, gear setups, and spontaneous moments of inspiration that shaped the record, giving listeners an insider's look into Nate's unique artistic process.
https://www.natemercereau.com
 
Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is now mailing and features Christopher Guest; a cover story penned by John Monteleone and other surprises: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription

We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com 
(Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

We are also brought to you by Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com, located in Seattle, Washington.

Molly Tuttle joins us this week to talk about guitars (of course), her touring rig, life on the road and so much more. 
We chat about vintage Martins, the new Martin double-neck guitar she's using (the Martin Grand J-28E DN), why she hasn't gone electric yet, and so much more. It's a fun chat with one of the bluegrass world's most inspiring artists. 
https://www.mollytuttlemusic.com
 
Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is now mailing and features Christopher Guest; a cover story penned by John Monteleone and other surprises: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription

We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com 
(Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

and Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com, located in Seattle, Washington!

New Truth About Vintage Amps discount from Amplified Parts on all Apex matched-tube products: TAVAAPEX10 gets you a one-time discount of 10% off Apex products now through October 31. So stock up! https://www.apexmatching.com


It's the 170th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields all of your guitar amplification questions (or at least the ones involving tubes). 
 
Thank you to our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars; and Amplified Parts / Mod Electronics. 
Some of the topics discussed this week:
:32 What's on Skip's Bench: A Voice of Music 8810

2:40 Jason's Fretboard Summit 2026 report

10:13 Recommended reading: Willie Dixon's 'I Am the Blues,' 'Bo Diddley: Living Legend,' and 'Buzz Busby: Father of Washington DC Bluegrass' 

12:35 Is this Fender Super Champ safe to use?

20:06  Aotearoa New Zealand Amplifier History Project (support it here); New Zealand pop and punk; building guitars in the Congo (Fretboard Journal #56)

25:19 MusicMan HD130; Sun O))); a typewriter at the 2027 Summit?

33:34 Who made Rickenbacker amps? Talk to me about my Rickenbacker M11
41:14 Bix Beiderbecke's birthday (August 6); conversing with your amp heroes; frozen udon noodles and mushroom stock powder; Red Norvo's "In a Mist"; Donald Brosnac's 'Guitar Electronics for Musicians'

50:06 Warming up a two-pronged amp through a Variac; if a Jenson speaker has been reconed, can I stop worrying about its value? 

55:35 Listener recommendation: A cheap Amazon wall outlet meter (link)

57:36 Mark Bartel's prototype line-out interface (see Instagram pic!) 

58:24 The magic of purslane 

1:00:29 Why a vibrator? (on old DC amps/PAs)

1:04:19 The Savage Croaker amp; Bloodstone's "Natural High;" Mesa Boogie Mark I repairs and Jim Washburn
Want to be a part of the show? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Include a photo, too.

Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.