I remember seeing the Edge and James Hetfield with an Explorer. Billy Gibbons and Jimi Hendrix with a Flying V. Johnny Winter and Allen Collins with a Firebird… Such fascinating tones from such fascinating players. Of course I wouldn’t call these guitars traditional by any stretch of the imagination. Simply put… they look awkward, clunky, and like something out of a sci-fi movie. That said… I currently own the Gibson versions of an Explorer… Flying V… and Firebird… and they are probably some of ...
Jun 21, 2025•49 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Nothing can beat a charismatic frontman. Then again, there are some Side Players that give them a run for their money. I mean… who is Bono without Edge? Freddie Mercury without Brian May? Roth or Haggar without Eddie Van Halen? Robert Plant without Jimmy Page? Anthony Kiedis without John Frusciante? Bon Scott or Brian Johnson without Angus & Malcolm? Or Mick Jagger without Keith Richards. Of course I would be remiss not to mention the few charismatic Frontmen that are also ripping guitarists...
Jun 14, 2025•58 min•Season 6Ep. 2
I am fortunate enough to live in an area that not only has amazing guitar shops, but 1-2 times a year guitar shops from around the nation will come to buy, sell, trade, and showcase musical gear all under 1 roof. Occasionally you’ll see a celebrity. Get a chance to listen to some live music. And possibly touch a true holy grail piece. I grew up going to these shows and now I get to take my own children. Of course this may sound like heaven but I assure you it has its downfalls. High prices, loud...
Jun 04, 2025•53 min•Season 6Ep. 1
This has been a fun annual event to do each year. I enjoy the anticipation, the fun in the forums, and the chance to get something I normally would not pick out myself. I would also say that I am a consumer of Premier Guitar’s content and for me this is a small way to support what they do. Of course, not all people feel this way. Many believe it to be a disgrace and an irresponsible way to spend money. Some think it would be better to give the money to charity, some say it's better to support lo...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 29
As you just heard in the intro, Jason is now a licensed therapist in Texas. Although this podcast has never been about true scientific therapy and the advice here was never meant to treat anything but an entertainment deficiency. My hope was always that you left here encouraged, happier, and motivated to be a better person and musician… then in which you came. And all of this at no charge. Which is why I always ask for a like and subscribe on the YouTube Channel and podcast platform. It’s a free...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 28
We all have passions. When I was a kid I loved playing sports and collecting baseball and football cards. As a young adult I was into playing guitar and music. Now as a middle age adult I love being with my wife and kids. Teaching and learning. Being in the music industry. And obviously I love collecting, playing, and fixing guitars. Of course not all of these things can make us money. And if I’m honest, generally speaking, none of these things are going to make you filthy rich on its own. But h...
Sep 28, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 5Ep. 27
Back in 1954, Leo Fender once again created a guitar that would revolutionize popular music. Although many changes have occurred over the last 7 decades… at the heart of it… the Stratocaster is still just as revolutionary today as it was back then. Of course it has been a long journey since then. In 1965 the headstock was enlarged. In 1971 the 3 bolt neck began. In 1977 the 5 way switch became the stock design. In 1982 they began releasing Squier versions. In 1985 Japanese Strats started getting...
Sep 04, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 5Ep. 26
Every year I talk about how this festival feels like a family reunion and this year was no exception. It’s not just because I get to see my normal Tweed Couch Buddies and not just because I get to perform music with my bandmates. It is because of the bond we share because of our desire to see this Christ centered event be successful. Of course, much like a family working together. There are plenty of stories, frustrations, laughter, sweat, blood, and tears as the event goes on… oh and a fair amo...
Aug 18, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 5Ep. 25
There is something cool about the delay effect on guitar. Sometimes you need a little to add size. Sometimes you need a lot to add texture. Sometimes you need to go backwards or wobbly to do something completely different. Of course delay isn’t perfect… and it could cover your sloppy playing but really… when done right… It's one of the best ways to sculpt your style and create a tasty tone. But… who uses delay best? Is it the same as reverb? What do the knobs do? Does it have to be a pedal? Who ...
Jul 13, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 24
There is a reason why we fall in love with the tones of songs from decades ago. The player, the phrasing, the technique, the gear. All of this ignites and inspires a guitar player. Of course that gear has become harder and harder to obtain as time goes on. Plexi’s to JCM’s. Tweed to Silverface. Burst Les Paul to Korina Explorer. Pre-CBS Tele to Grunge Jagstang. If you want the real deal you will have to pay for it… if you don’t mind a newer reissue. then there might still be hope. But… Are reiss...
Jun 29, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 23
Some trade their gear in and trade up. Others sell their unwanted stuff off to finance other endeavors. Some feel the clutter and just want to regain space and sanity. Of course you never know if you might need that gear again. And most of the time, selling it off is actually more of a hassle than it's worth. Then again the ROI is often lower and you’ll never be able to buy it back for what you sold it for. Add that up to the memories you’ve created with the stuff and you might just be better of...
Jun 15, 2024•59 min•Season 5Ep. 22
Some love them. Some hate them. Those that feel the love appreciate the history, tone, feel, and inspiration these guitars embody. Those that feel the hate. Disapprove of the hype and blinded devotion to a flawed guitar design that reeks of terrible tuning stability, inferior quality control, headstock breakage, high price, and heavy weight. Of course these are a few examples of the extremes based on the guitars. Add in the sketchy corporate decisions that has led the company to bankruptcy more ...
May 29, 2024•58 min•Season 5Ep. 21
I’ve used inear monitors for over 20 years and floor wedges for even longer. Although there is a huge price difference between these two. Depending on the venue or concert you are playing, there is definitely a clear winner. Of course a great mix with great musicians makes all the difference when it comes to the experience of the show. On top of that, everyone has a preference that suits their needs, style, and comfort level. But is it okay to get budget level monitors? What options do I have? C...
May 05, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 20
By now we all know that I love Marshall amplifiers but I also love my Fender and my Vox. Of course boutique amplifiers are incredible too and I’ve really enjoyed my Dr. Z, Clark, and Mesa amps. Then there’s Lloyd with his Saldono, Reason and Naylor… and Jason’s Carr… So many… But what amps do we need? Why would we need more than one? Is every amp competing with Fender? What classifies something as a bedroom amp? How does wattage factor in? What if we take modeler’s off the table for discussion? ...
Apr 13, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 5Ep. 19
My first overdrive was a tube screamer circuit. It turned my solid state amp into a broken up tone machine. A few years later I went with a tube amp, and although I could get it driven, nothing beat the tones I got with an overdrive pushing the front end. Of course tone is subjective. Some love the colors an EQ or clipping can give. Others prefer something more transparent or with a slight bump in a certain frequency. Either way, overdrives are necessary and overdrives are inspirational. But whi...
Mar 03, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 18
I’ve seen the gear reviews. I’ve joined the Facebook fan pages. I’ve updated and updated and updated software. I have captured with it. I’ve owned it for about three years and use it at least twice a week in a live setting. So I guess it's time I finally talk about it. Of course it's pretty amazing but I wouldn’t call it perfect. Being a beta tester for the last three years has only proven that there is room for growth. On top of that there have been new modelers that have come out since, that d...
Feb 22, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 17
Who doesn’t like getting a package in the mail? The excitement. The anticipation. The dopamine release… Now add to it that what you ordered is a surprise and you’ve essentially doubled down on all of these emotions. Of course, “doubling down” is an interesting way to put it. The Premier Guitar Mystery Stocking is kinda like gambling. Some people get guitars. Some get pedals. Others get GloKnobs and output jacks… It is those people who have dubbed this similar form of guitar gear roulette as rece...
Dec 18, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Drummers are awesome. Their ability to use every limb of their body to create syncopation and energy is astounding. A seasoned drummer with finesse and dynamics can take a song from meh to amazing! Of course they do have their quirks and downfalls to us guitar/vocalists. Their high volume and massive footprint create such a confined space in a mix and on a stage that it is easy to become annoyed… but then again we aren’t perfect either. Our quest for perfect tones and tendency to push tempo can ...
Oct 25, 2023•59 min•Season 5Ep. 15
I’m not sure if you’ve ever been in this place for gear? Content. You love what you have. It inspires you to play. Simply put, you have found your voice and you have found your mojo… Of course, you’d love some vintage gear. Or a custom built instrument. Or a signature artist’s piece of gear. Then there are pedalboards, amps, modelers, straps, mics, interfaces… You know, maybe no one is ever done. And if you only knew the amount of change that has occurred in Jason’s gear over the last 2 months… ...
Oct 08, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 14
How do you describe tone? Seriously… how do you describe guitar tone? Lush, responsive, meaty, throaty, organic… its a never ending thesaurus of adjectives to describe the feeling we have when we hear it. Of course tone is very subjective and opinions may differ. Some like a tone that is flabby and others like it tight. Some like it scooped and others want it in your face. But… Why do we use these terms? Do they have an origin? Is it okay to use them with the band? Can 2 people have a different ...
Aug 26, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 5Ep. 13
The magnificence of a big stage. The PA, lights, smoke, and the size that allows you to be able to move and perform with high energy. Of course a small stage has its charm too. Generally it means a more intimate crowd, more accessibility to the audience, and less pressure to perform visually. But which stage is better? Does it affect your gear choices? Is there more pressure on a certain stage? Should you use inear monitors or wedges? What is a thrust? Can I walk on it? How do you get a big stag...
Aug 14, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 5Ep. 12
I love this festival! I love playing music at this festival. I love bringing my family. I love the community. I love this festival! Of these 25 years of Lifest, I have been to 17 of them in Oshkosh, WI. In 2000 I was there to play with Echelon. 2004 - 2007 I played with Second Adam. 2008 I played with Echelon & Lynn Stoneking. And from 2012 - now, I have driven the 1300 miles up to play with Echelon, Lynn, Swen & Dean, and Jonathan Cain of the Hall of Fame rock band Journey. I’ve played ...
Jul 27, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 11
The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, U2, Queen, Brad Paisley. What do they all have in common? They are part of the story of the iconic tone that is Vox Amplification. Starting out, I was a Fender guy. Early professional, I made my way to Vox Modeling amps. Professional, I rocked a Marshall half stack. Now I play them all when I can but when I fly into a gig I generally ask for Vox. Of course, over time I had a lot of trial and error but it wasn’t until I played a cranked Vox AC15 or ...
Jul 08, 2023•57 min•Season 5Ep. 10
My first guitar pedal was a Visual Sound Jekyll & Hyde. My second was a Dunlop Crybaby Wah. Then I jumped over to the world of modulation and pedal building. As my pedal needs grew and my situations changed. It didn’t take long before I realized that I took longer to set up than the drummer and I needed to speed up which started me on the journey of finding the perfect pedalboard. But how do you layout a pedalboard? Are there templates or online resources? What is the best way to attach peda...
Jun 24, 2023•57 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Gigs are great. Fly gigs are special. Weekend events are amazing. Doing all 3 with some of your best friends in the world… priceless. Of course getting a gig, with fantastic gear and tone, is only one part of what makes touring special. Doing all this in a different region or town where you get to take in the sights, food, and visit a few guitar shops along the way is pretty awesome as well. But how did the show in Minneapolis go? Who all was there? What kind of event was it? What gear did we pl...
Jun 10, 2023•52 min•Season 5Ep. 8
There are many reasons why someone picks the gear they have. Influence, recommendation, budget, necessity… but at the end of the day, the gear that is picked creates your tone. Of course after a few decades of playing and some transitions in life you may find yourself a gear hoarder and what you have created is a timeline of tone. But why did we purchase this gear in the first place? Is there a good story on how we got it? Did we get the sound we were looking for? What happens to the stuff that ...
May 30, 2023•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 7
Sometimes you just feel claustrophobic. You go one direction in tone… then another… then another. You join new bands, you scratch the itch of the new gadget, you find a deal you can’t pass up… years go by and then you see it and you feel it. Cluttered and Claustrophobic. Now I realize this is a blessing and I also realize that this is a first world problem. So today we will talk about my recent Gear Purge and my justification of it. Also we are going to talk about where I’ve been the last couple...
May 14, 2023•42 min•Season 5Ep. 6
I’ve said it for years, “Failure IS an option”. Most people hate this statement but it’s true. Of course I’d rather see success and sometimes things are out of your control but nevertheless… It is an option. Another statement I often remember saying was, “If you fail to plan. Then you plan to fail”. It is because of these statements that today we will discuss the failures we have seen, what we did to solve it, and how we took action to make sure we never had to deal with it again. But how import...
Mar 06, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 5
90’s country made a positive mark on me. I loved the stories they told, the sense of pride they carried, and the twangy stringed instruments. Of course Country wasn’t always like this. Country music pioneers, for better or worse, created new sounds and new tones by mixing genres in order to infiltrate and widen their market. People like Conway Twitty & Johnny Cash paved a way for 90’s country artists like Billy Ray Cyrus, The Dixie Chicks, and Sawyer Brown. People of the early 2000’s like Ke...
Feb 27, 2023•55 min•Season 5Ep. 4
There is no denying the ease of use of a modeler when recording. Sure there is an argument of simplicity when you put a mic in front of a speaker, hit record and let it be what it is… but there are downfalls of the analog situation too. Amps are bigger, have less options, more noise artifacts, and of course the elephant in the room… sheer loudness in order to get the tubes cooked and the speakers moving. Pedals have their issues too. Cables fail, powering issues, number of pedals, size of the en...
Feb 20, 2023•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 3
