If you are listening to this then you have probably been there. You sit down to watch a movie and somewhere in there you see guitar gear. From Tom Hanks’, That Thing You Do to Rob Reiner’s Spinal Tap… nothing is more engaging, entertaining, and aggravating to a guitarist than a movie with guitar gear. But what does Steve Vai, Ralph Macchio & Brittany Spears have in common? Did Back to the Future make critical Gibson, Fender & PRS errors? Is Huey Lewis’ hearing okay after Marty’s band aud...
Feb 13, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Ah the age old debate.. Is tone really in the fingers? From the grip of the neck to the pluck of a string. This debate has been heard time and time again. Of course the gear has to play a part too, right? I have been told that a 51 Nocaster is magical and a 59 burst is godly and if the right Marshall Plexi gets cranked to 11 then “ultimate tone” is achieved. But where does most guitar tone come from? Does the gear really make all the difference? Can you get heavy metal tones out of an acoustic? ...
Feb 06, 2023•59 min•Season 5Ep. 1
It is hard to believe that nearly 3 years ago I started a podcast because all of my bookings had been canceled and I missed my music friends. Now that the gigs have started to return I thought about stopping this podcast and moving on with life. But when I returned to gigging, what I didn’t expect was a stronger connection with the people I talk and play with a handful of times a year. Of course there have been frustrations, time constraints, thoughts of quitting, and naturally exhaustion but ov...
Jan 30, 2023•53 min
Live music is amazing. I remember listening to Van Halen on the radio and thinking they were good but wasn’t sure what the fuss was about. Then I saw them live. At that moment I knew I was missing out on an important element of a band… the performance. But big rock concerts are more expensive and difficult to get to nowadays. This is why a quality cover band is a special breed. They focus on musicianship, stage presence, and quantity of music to make sure that people are having a great time with...
Jan 23, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 4Ep. 38
The term best is always subjective. Best for the price, best for the size, best for this sound… what we really mean is best for myself in this situation. With that said. This is why it is important to have a conversation with someone who speaks your language and can help you organize your thoughts. Today we do this with a Worship Leader who wants to buy a great all in one amp & pedal modeler for his church musicians to use. But… What features are important? Is there a benefit to size? Can 2 ...
Jan 09, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 4Ep. 37
It has been another year of Podcasting, Gigs, Gear, and Videos. Of course, with this being the the end of a new year comes time to reflect on the past and look to the future. But did we accomplish all of our goals? Do we have new gear on the horizon? How well did the podcast do last year? Are we really in the top 15% of most followed podcasts? How did the 2022 resolutions go? How did I rescue a high end guitar from becoming trash? And New Year, New Tone… what do we have to look forward to in 202...
Jan 01, 2023•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 36
I love having a place I can call my own. Not just because it gives me a place to house my gear but because it gives me a place to take pride in. From the guitars on the wall to the knick knacks and memories. This Guitar Sanctuary is mine. I recently visited Lloyd at his converted Corn Crib, His Music Making Shred Shed, and today we talk about the place and the gear that is stored in it. But what makes a good guitar man cave? Can you find it by accident? How personal should it get? Do you need to...
Dec 26, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 4Ep. 35
Today on the Tweed Couch we are counseling on “Mystery Stocking 2022… Strikes Back” Way back in 2020, episode 22, Jason and I did the Premier Guitar Mystery Stocking. We got some cables, shirts, straps, coupons, and a GloKnob. It was a lot of fun and we vowed to do it again the next year. Unfortunately we missed out the next year… but not in 2022! Today we will unbox and discuss this mystery stocking that was shipped to our door. But why does The Gear Page call it the Box of Sad? Did we get our ...
Dec 19, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 4Ep. 34
There is no question that Bob Dylan has inspired many musicians over decades of playing. From his musical style to his lyrics he has a sound and flavor all his own. Of course other bands have covered his songs. Within the unique identity of the Byrds, Hendrix, and even Rage Against the Machine there is the soul and stink of Bob Dylan. Now he’s not just a Musician. He is also an artist and a whiskey aficionado. In the spirit of this, I would like to talk about the parallels between a song being c...
Dec 06, 2022•49 min•Season 4Ep. 33
Nothing in guitar is more personal than the guitar itself but there are many factors that play into it. One of the big ones is string gauge. Whether you have a heavy hand or a light touch the gauge of a string can sculpt your tone and change your thinking. But does the gauge of string really matter? How does it affect feel? Does the brand matter? How does it change tone? What are the pros and cons? Why did Billy Gibbons name his strings the Safest & Cheapest? And did Chris and I just win the...
Nov 29, 2022•58 min•Season 4Ep. 32
Well here is a week where I had some time but no one to Podcast with so I will discuss a common ailment that plagues a musician. As mentioned already… I am not a licensed therapist… or at least a licensed mental therapist. I am a licensed Physiotherapist, Educator, and Doctor of Chiropractic. In the state of Texas I have the education and certification to diagnose, treat, and educate conditions associated with muscles and joints. So without further adieu today’s ailment is, “Foot Problems”. But ...
Nov 21, 2022•39 min•Season 4Ep. 31
There are many things in life that bring us enjoyment. Good food, a loving family, a new piece of gear, a podcast… and there are parallels to why we enjoy these things equally but different. Well today Lloyd has a list and would like to discuss, and convince me, of the parallels he has found between Cigars and Guitars. But how do you compare two completely different objects? Is it okay to enjoy both? Do I have to like cigars to like this episode? What correlation can be made between the player a...
Nov 07, 2022•54 min•Season 4Ep. 30
Most people will probably stop listening at this point but wait… I think it is important to cover this subject. From the instruments, to the artist, to the reason why it changed… The Evolution of Modern Worship holds many properties of non-worship styled music. But… What are the deciding factors? Do acoustic instruments sound as good as electric? When did lights and fog become a thing? Should we pay these musicians? What does Martin Luther have to do with all this? Do I need to be ampless? Who h...
Oct 17, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 4Ep. 29
Icons like The Who, Aerosmith, Rolling Stones, Beatles, and ZZ Top are really getting up there in age. As time went on…Van Halen, Guns N Roses, Black Crows, and the Foo Fighters moved that torch and kept Rock N Roll alive. Now we lack the mojo of old and it leaves us wondering… is rock dying figuratively and literally? But… who’s still playing old school rock? How old are these bands getting? Are they still relevant? Should we just let it go? What gear is iconic to Rock N Roll? Will it make a co...
Oct 11, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 28
Back in the day I played Danelectro mini’s, the Visual Sound Jekyll & Hyde, & Vox Wah’s. Years later I started to dabble in pedal building with Build Your Own Clone. As time moved on, so did my needs, and I went to multi effects. Now I am all over the place but ready to get back into the pedal world. But what’s out there? Does it have to be boutique? Is True Bypass still a thing? Does the power supply matter? Am I using the right cables? Should I do rack gear? Does the amp matter? Is PRS...
Oct 05, 2022•59 min•Season 4Ep. 27
We’ve all had them. The aha moment when all of a sudden you realize something that changes your perspective on tone forever. Of course the epiphanies are generally not new. For many they are a no brainer and seem obvious but there is nothing like the aha moment, the epiphany, when you are the one who discovered or possibly rediscovered it. But what is a gear epiphany? Should you act on it immediately? Are they the same for everyone? Do seasoned professionals already know it? Can you still have a...
Sep 19, 2022•55 min•Season 4Ep. 26
Today of the Tweed Couch we are counseling on “Relic Guitars” Some love them and some hate them but nobody can deny their controversy in the guitar community. Some love relics because they look old or think they sound better. While others despise relics because it shows a lack of care or it tells a story that the guitar or guitarist didn’t earn. But… Why do people relic? Is it a money thing? Can a guitar be too relic’d? Which company does it the best? Do relic guitars sound better? Can you reall...
Sep 05, 2022•56 min•Season 4Ep. 25
Dumble’s, Pelxi’s, Tweed’s, Boutique, Rare, Vintage, High Gain... All of these amp types are amazing, expensive, loud and some are rare! I’d love to have an amp collection but don’t have the room or the money to support that new endeavor. Of course amp modelers remedy most of those excuses. I can profile, capture, or emulate any one of these amps for a fraction of the cost and space. Then there is the portability to take it all on the road or into the studio. But do amp modelers really sound the...
Aug 28, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 24
Today on the Tweed Couch we are counseling on “Lifest Music City, TN 2022” This is the second year on Johnny Cash’s Hide Away Farm doing a music festival and it did not disappoint! Yes there were less stages but the quality of performer went up. Casting Crowns, Zack Williams, Steven Curtis Chapman, Skillet, Sidewalk Prophets, Swenless, and the list goes on… But, what changed this year at the festival? Did we see any good gear? Where did all the tube amps go? Why are we now lighting guys? How did...
Aug 21, 2022•51 min•Season 4Ep. 23
Last year, before Lifest Music City, TN, Owen and I went into Nashville and visited some guitar stores. We had such a great time we brought our buddies Lloyd, Thomas, & Dave along with us this year. We visited Gruhn’s Guitars, Rumble Seat Music, Carter Vintage, Gibson Garage, and two different Guitar Centers. But, was it as much fun as last year? Did we buy any gear? What were Lloyd’s thoughts about Gibson R9’s? Should you do a Murphy Lab? What year did the Gibson ABR-1 Bridge start? Do two ...
Aug 14, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 4Ep. 22
Some people stay home and vacation. Some like to go to the beach. Some enjoy camping. Others like to sight see. My family likes to do Lifest. It is probably the only working trip that feels more like a family reunion. Of course my experience is unique. I am an artist, as well as a production team member. I get the best of both worlds and the worst of both worlds… But what is a Fluffy White Bunny? Do bad things happen to gear at a festival? Why does Owen hate brooms? Did a band really have a baby...
Aug 07, 2022•50 min•Season 4Ep. 21
When I’m not playing my gear, I’m talking about gear. When I’m not talking about gear, I’m thinking about gear. When I’m not thinking about gear, I’m reading about gear. When I’m not reading about gear, I am watching gear on YouTube. It is apart of me. I love it. I want it. I need it. But what makes someone a gearhead? Is it a bad thing? Should I feel guilty? Is there a checklist to determine my gearheadedness? Is that actually a word? And… is this condition only specific to guitar? Well we will...
Aug 02, 2022•52 min•Season 4Ep. 20
Jason and I recently went to an estate sale and picked up some great stuff for a great deal. This got me thinking about my life and the gear I have purchased over time. The deals that swayed my tone and the feeling of finding them. But when is a deal more like a steal? Should you tell someone they priced too low? What did we buy at the Estate Sale? Is this the first time we’ve gotten deals like this? Will we ever go back? And our Dads… what an influence they have been on us. Well we will discuss...
Jun 19, 2022•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 19
I love supporting up and coming manufacturers when I can. Working with Martin Kretzmann of Kretzmann Guitars, Bob Weil of Visual Sound (Now Truetone), or Keith Vonderhulls of Build Your Own Clone has been a great joy as I have watched them grow and cheered them on every step of the way. Now Jason has done this FAR more than I have and today we talk about his New Guitar Day of his Custom Order Serus J Novo Guitar. But why did he order it? Was there something missing in his arsenal of instruments?...
Jun 12, 2022•45 min•Season 4Ep. 18
I remember the first time I modded a guitar. Putting my dad’s soldering iron to the volume pot of my Fender Stratocaster. It was nerve racking and liberating at the same time. I also helped a friend strip a lefty Stratocaster… Of course I had to stop that modification when my dad, rightfully, told me to leave that guitar alone for someone who could actually use it. I assume he meant a lefty. But when does a partscaster become a partscaster? Are they just modded guitars? What if you buy a husk or...
Jun 05, 2022•57 min•Season 4Ep. 16
Access to a local guitar store is cool. Access to a local guitar store that has good gear is awesome. Access to a local guitar store that has good gear and actively finds ways for you to succeed in your musical passion is AMAZING! But… What kind of guitar store do you want to be? Why haven’t you done it yet? How will you be different from other shops? Is the goal to be profitable? Who is the band Northlake? Why are we talking in Bon Jovi song titles? And… how has mom been an amazing encouragemen...
May 08, 2022•48 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Tweaking guitars has always been interesting to me. Changing strings, doing setup, tightening loose parts, and changing pickups and pots. Now there are some things I don’t like doing. Like fretwork, headstock repair, or finish touch ups. On top of that, there is the fear of damaging the guitar worse than it was already. But does my insurance cover stupidity? Should I do my own guitar work? When do I take it to a professional? Should I pot my own pickups? Who is a Luthier? And did Lloyd really de...
May 01, 2022•55 min•Season 4Ep. 14
Much like a fine wine or spirit, a band or even a guitar, can really find its musical palate over time. Of course there are many factors that make this aging process one that we appreciate. Whether it be the finish on the guitar, the vibration of the wood, the style of the music, or the changes made over the course of its life, we all can agree that many find vintage gear to be better. But… Does old really mean better? Is it the guitar or is it the player that changed? Can we speed up the proces...
Apr 25, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 13
There is something special about vintage gear. The history, the stories, the nostalgia… it really is not just 1 thing that makes it all so cool. But what classifies gear as vintage? Are they actually better? What makes them different than modern guitars? Why does it cost so much? Would it make a good investment? Why are they so desirable? And what vintage gear have we experienced? Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with John, on the Tweed Couch. P.S. Happy Easter!!...
Apr 17, 2022•59 min•Season 4Ep. 12
We’ve all seen iconic gear abuse. Jimi Hendrix setting his guitar on fire, Paul Stanley busting up prop guitars, Richie Blackmore destroying a guitar on a TV camera, or Pete Townsend smashing guitars, amps, drums, stands, microphones, monitors, really anything in sight. Of course this is the extreme. Obviously scratches and dents can happen through normal playwear and tear. Belt buckle rash, hand and arm friction on the body and neck, getting knocked by an instrument cable, stand rash, sun bleac...
Apr 10, 2022•57 min•Season 4Ep. 11
