There is nothing more frustrating than being musically inspired or having a gig coming up but not being able to do it because of health problems. As mentioned in the podcast intro, I am not a licensed therapist but I am a Doctor. I have a Doctorate in Chiropractic and I have been licensed to treat patients in the state of Texas since 2012. So I think it might be time for me to educate the world on probably the most personal subject that can plague a musician… “the injuries that limit your abilit...
May 09, 2021•30 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Whether you have just a few guitars, pedals, and amps or you have a warehouse full like Billy Gibbons or Rick Neilson. At some point in your life you find yourself wanting to sell your gear to either pay a bill, make some room, or to buy more gear. Whatever your motivation, know that you share a common thread with people like Eric Clapton, David Gilmore, and Ted Nugent who all sold a number of their famous axe’s for charity or profit. Of course it can be very difficult to part with gear as you d...
May 02, 2021•55 min•Season 2Ep. 24
Not everyone is cut out to be a touring musician. Not everyone is a session player who shreds 7 days a week. You may love playing guitar by yourself in your room or in the garage with your buddies. Maybe it's your calling to serve at church or teach lessons. But usually at some point in a musicians hobby or career they decide they would like to try playing in front of people. But how do you get a gig? What if you don’t have a band? How much money do you ask for? Whose responsibility is it to mar...
Apr 25, 2021•56 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Back in the 50's, 60's, and 70's, before the internet, guitars were either purchased locally or from a catalog. A local guitar shop would often become a hang out for musicians who wanted to see what was new or talk about what they liked. As the 80's and 90's came into full swing, so did the big Guitar Shop chains. Sam Ash (1924) and Guitar Center (1959) expanded out of their respective states and throughout the US. But what makes a guitar shop great? Do they need certain products in their invent...
Apr 18, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 22
The KEMPER PROFILER™ is a leading-edge digital guitar amplifier and all-in-one effects processor. As a guy who has used many “modeling type” amplifiers, this was the first digital guitar amp to really nail the full and dynamic sound of what we call “guitar tone”. For me, it gave me that “amp in the room” or “amp on the recording” sound. Now part of what makes the Kemper special is the ability to profile. Profiling allows you to characteristically harness an amplifier's tone (or an amplifier stac...
Apr 11, 2021•49 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Celestion, Eminence, Jenson, JBL, Tone Tubby, Warehouse... There are 100’s of brands and thousands of guitar amp speakers. On top of that there are tens of thousands of Impulse Responses that digitally capture mic’d speakers and can be loaded into all sorts of gear. But what is a good guitar amp speaker? Do they really differ that much? How many do you need? Is there a proper way to mic it? Does the cabinet matter? And what is Geekyfundom? Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therap...
Apr 04, 2021•54 min•Season 2Ep. 20
The design of the Fender Stratocaster was the brain child of 4 people: Leo Fender, Bill Carson, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares. In 1954, a 25.5 inch scale, curvy, double horned, ash body with a bolt on maple neck was born sporting 3 pickups, 1 volume, 2 tones, a 3 way switch, and 6 tuners. These instruments have been so loved by their owners that they have been affectionately named like old buddies in the school yard. Names like Clapton’s “Blackie & Brownie”, Malmsteen’s “The Duck”, S...
Mar 28, 2021•50 min•Season 2Ep. 19
I’ve played arenas to gazebos; amphitheaters to auditoriums; county fairs to backyard bashes; main stage to truck bed trailer. In all of these venues, the most important thing I did was NOT the music. Of course, the music IS important. But if you want to perform again in that arena or gazebo, you better make sure you know your role for the gig. Whether you are a guitar player, singer, stange hand, monitor engineer, or the buddy that came along for the ride; everyone needs stage etiquette. But wh...
Mar 21, 2021•51 min•Season 2Ep. 18
There are so many stunning features on a guitar. I love the curves. I love the woods. I love the hardware. But there are some things that I don’t love on a guitar that will cause me to not buy it. In fact, I might choose to not even play it if they have a certain feature or design. And one of the biggest turn off factors... is the headstock. So what is the best headstock? Would you not buy a guitar because of its headstock? Is there a functional purpose? Why is there a string tree? Which headsto...
Mar 14, 2021•48 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Born October 28, 1972, Brad Paisley is an American Country superstar who has spent nearly 4 decades of his life in Country Music. He has sold over 11 million albums, won 3 grammys, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards, and 2 American Music Awards. He is a member of the Grand Ole Opry, Toured all over the world AND has played for multiple Presidents of the United States. But it is not his awards that set him apart from other performers. It is his humility, showm...
Mar 07, 2021•51 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Two weeks ago Texas was hit with freezing temperatures, heavy precipitation, and families without power, water, and depleted resources. My main concern was for my family, loved ones, and neighbors. Of course, once I made contact and knew they were all safe my concerns turned to my music equipment. But how do you protect the gear? What are the main concerns? Is there a process to decide which guitars to save? Are Texans really that bad at dealing with cold weather? And if it were all destroyed wo...
Feb 28, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Whether it was a family member's old classic. A buddies pawnshop beater. A gift you received or an item you worked all summer to afford. Every guitar player had a first guitar. But what is the right guitar to start with? Should I get an acoustic or an electric? What’s a good budget? Are there guitars I should not get? And where do I go to buy a beginner guitar? Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Jason, on the Tweed Couch.
Feb 21, 2021•44 min•Season 2Ep. 14
I love this instrument we call, the guitar. I love its layout, I love its features, I love the accessories, I love the amps, I. love. the. tones... but sometimes the guitar and the gear doesn’t love me. Have you ever made a regretful guitar purchase? Have you ever had rebound gear? Maybe you’re tone confused? Possibly you purchased the wrong guitar simply because it was a good deal? Maybe you are heartbroken over the gear that got away? Or you have been in an abusive relationship while tone chas...
Feb 14, 2021•49 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Growing up, I was fortunate enough to have people in my life who nurtured my positive interests and steered me away from negative ones. An interest I like to think of as positive... is the guitar. It stimulated creativity, built confidence, and gave me a skill that I have enjoyed nearly my entire life. Now I’m not saying it was easy. It took hard work, determination, and lots of effort to gain the skills that I have attained... and it will take even more to attain the skills I wish to have in th...
Feb 07, 2021•49 min•Season 2Ep. 12
The Gibson Les Paul was a guitar produced in response to the popularity found in Fender’s solidbody guitar called the Telecaster. To be clear, this therapy session is not about the history of a Les Paul guitar. This session is about the journey to find one. But what features make a guitar a Les Paul? Is there a Les Paul tone? Why did it take so long to find the right one? Are the lawsuit guitars just as good? And which LP-style guitar out there is the best bang for buck? Well we will discuss thi...
Jan 31, 2021•52 min•Season 2Ep. 11
When you think of left handed guitar players you probably think about Paul McCartney, Kurt Cobain, Tony Iommi, and of course Jimi Hendrix. These are left handed players who restrung a guitar to suit their needs and set themselves up for success. But how hard is it to find a left handed guitar? Do the pots and tuners work the same? Is the pedal industry anti-south paw? Is it cool to take a lefty guitar and flip it righty? Do lefties even think it's weird seeing a lefty? Well we will discuss this,...
Jan 24, 2021•46 min•Season 2Ep. 11
When you hear the name Keith Urban you probably think of passionate guitar playing, soulful vocals, and inspiring lyrics. But what is it about Keith Urban that makes him so great? Has he ever toured with another band? What gear is he using? And did Jason steal his guitar strap? Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Jason, on the tweed couch.
Jan 17, 2021•56 min•Season 2Ep. 10
When you hear the name Metallica you think of three things: Power driven Metal, Energetic live performances, and Rockstar lifestyles. Of course all these things can take a toll on a band that has been touring off and on for 40 years. But how did Metallica get started? Did James and Lars really meet through the newspaper? What does a Metallica whiskey taste like? Who's is Dave Pickerell and what is a Whistle Pig? And what's with the nickname Alcoholica? Well we will discuss this, and more on this...
Jan 10, 2021•56 min•Season 2Ep. 9
As we ring in the new year, many people feel compelled to start off the calendar year right. Some try to kick a bad habit. Some try to take on a good routine... We call this, a New Year's Resolution. Of course some people fail within a week due to pour will power, low accountability, and a lack of proper support. But what are Dr. T & Jason's New Years Resolutions? How do we plan to keep them? What did we get for Christmas? Did we give any good gear as a present? Whatever happened to the Glok...
Jan 03, 2021•50 min•Season 2Ep. 8
I grew up listening to my Dad's Blonde Fender Showman. It was big, loud, and clean. As my tone evolved, I started to like other amplifiers too. One of my favorite amplifier manufacturers is Marshall but the journey to get there took a while. But what is the Marshall sound? Is there a way to get the sound without a Marshall? Which Marshall is the best and what are the pros & cons? Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Lloyd, on the Tweed Couch.
Dec 27, 2020•57 min•Season 2Ep. 7
The tradition of hanging a stocking above a fireplace has been around for centuries. There are many theories, stories, and folklore that surround the origin of the stocking but the modern tradition uses the stocking as a place Santa Clause can put small gifts of toys, food, or clothing. Usually the stocking is a boot but Premier Guitar uses a box. But what's in the box? What did other people get? How did it get nicknamed, "the box of sad"? And what exactly is a Bird Cord? Well we will discuss th...
Dec 20, 2020•55 min•Season 2Ep. 6
I love Christmas. I love the hunt for the best deals. I love giving the gift. I love giving the gift. Unlike some, for most things, I prefer buying online. I like shopping from the comfort of my own home. I like searching, putting it in my cart, looking for coupons or better deals... I like clicking on the "Process Order" button and I like the wait. But what are the concerns with shipping? Is there a right and wrong way to ship? Which carrier should I use and what if it takes longer than expecte...
Dec 13, 2020•52 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Largely described in the late 50s and 60s as an utter failure... the Gibson explorer has become an iconic guitar that brings on a personality of its own. As part of the modernistic series, the Gibson explorer, has caught the eye of Eric Clapton, Rick Nielsen, James Hetfield, Lizzie Hale, Dave Grohl, and the Edge. Many have played it. Many have copied it. Many have a redefined it. But there is no denying the impact of a Gibson explorer. But why was it a failure? Why did they re-release it? Was it...
Dec 06, 2020•35 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Born May 24, 1941 in Duluth, MN. Robert Allen Zimmerman was raised a few miles northwest in Hibbing, MN. While in high school, Zimmerman formed a number of high school cover bands on the Rock N' Roll music of the time. But for him, Rock N' Roll was too vain and lacked substance. So he went back to his roots of Folk. This marriage of Folk, Rock, & Substance created a musical poet. That poets name became Bob Dylan. But who is Bob Dylan? Why is he such an icon? Did he really create a bourbon an...
Nov 29, 2020•54 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Sometimes it's difficult to express gratitude. But at this time of the year it is important to count our blessings, take time to acknowledge, and give credit where it is due. So what genre of music brought us joy this year? Is there an artist that influenced us? Is there a manufacturer or piece of gear we are grateful for? If I was making a thanksgiving meal of tasty tone what would the courses be? Well we will discuss this, and more, on this group gratitude session with Jason on the Tweed Couch...
Nov 22, 2020•56 min•Season 2Ep. 2
It only took me twice playing out with a band and taking longer than the drummer to setup before I realized I needed a pedalboard. But what size do I need? How do I attach the pedals? Do I need a power supply? What brand should I get or should I just make my own? Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Jason, on the Tweed Couch.
Nov 15, 2020•56 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Edward Lodewijk Van Halen born January 26, 1955 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Died October 6, 2020 in Santa Monica, California of tongue and throat cancer. He was a musician, songwriter, arranger, produce, an actor, a brother, a bandmate, a father, an inventor, and an entrepreneur. In 1972 he and his brother decided to start a band named Van Halen. What occurred after that was an explosion of Rock N' Roll which would shape the way music is done and played for generations to come. His energy, showma...
Oct 11, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 16
When I hear Telecaster, the first word I think of is simplicity… a slab of wood with a neck bolted onto it. Then add some hardware, pickups, and tuners. No need for tremolos, no need for carved tops or belly cuts. Just simplicity… Now the second word I think of is versatile! No guitar sounds like a tele... yet, a tele can sound like so many other guitars. But what defines a telecaster? Is it the shape? Is it the sound? Is it the history? Maybe the name Telecaster isn’t even the term that should ...
Sep 20, 2020•46 min•Season 1Ep. 15
There’s nothing quite like waiting for your gear to arrive. You spend your valuable time researching. You spend your hard earned money purchasing. You spend your small amount of patience waiting for that day that new piece of gear comes home with you. But what’s the process to finding the gear? Do you try it in a store? Do you watch reviews or read forums? Do you buy it online? Maybe you trade for it? And once you get it, how do you celebrate? Is there a wrong way to celebrate? Well we will disc...
Sep 06, 2020•46 min•Season 1Ep. 14
There is something about this beautiful solid bodied, singlecut, carved top, set neck, 22 fret, 24 and ¾” masterpiece. It’s shape, dimensions, and features are copied by many but few can replicate its tone and feel. So what is it about this guitar? Why do so many manufacturers replicate it? Is it the style? The familiarity? The history? We will discuss this, and more, on this session of, the Tweed Couch.
Aug 23, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 13
