Podcast 495: Free Range

Mike Buchman is a Seattle-based guitar fanatic and the Fretboard Journal's newest hire! On this week's podcast, we talk to Mike about his recent experience learning the craft of guitarmaking with Colorado-based builder/instructor Robbie O'Brien.  We also talk about Mike's songwriting, his role at the FJ and so much more.  https://mikebuchmanmusic.com https://obrienguitars.com Our 56th issue of the Journal is now mailing to everyone. We hope you love it.  We are brought to you by:   Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). https://fretboardsummit.org/ https://www.fretboardjournal.com

You've heard Jon Rauhouse's music on every episode of the Fretboard Journal Podcast. For our 500th episode, we decided to check in with Jon to hear about his journey as a steel guitarist. We also talk about working with Neko Case, interviewing Bud Isaacs for the FJ, and so much more.  https://jonrauhouse.com This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/fret We are also brought to you by:   Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). https://fretboardsummit.org/ https://www.fretboardjournal.com  

Musician Anna Vogelzang joins us this week to talk about songwriting, motherhood, Chicago (come see her at our 2025 Fretboard Summit) and more!  Support Anna's Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theanna/afterglow-anna-vogelzangs-new-record We are also brought to you by:   Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). https://fretboardsummit.org/ (August 21-23, 2025 in Chicago!) https://www.fretboardjournal.com    

Guitarist Andy Pitcher promised himself that he would make a solo album before he turned 30. With just a few days to spare, the experimental/improvising guitarist recently released 'dot,' a beautiful album featuring great playing, a wide array of guitars - acoustic and electric - and some truly unique recording techniques. On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk about the record, his wild recording process, the gear he used (including his trusty Line 6 DL4). It's a fun chat with a truly innovative musician. https://andypitcher.bandcamp.com/album/dot This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/fret We are also brought to you by:   Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). https://fretboardsummit.org/ https://www.fretboardjournal.com  

In the 1960s, Joellen Lapidus built the dulcimer you hear on Joni Mitchell’s Blue album. Over the years, she's also sold instruments to some of rock's biggest names like David Crosby, Garth Hudson, Jackson Browne, and even Harry Styles. On this week's podcast, this acclaimed dulcimer maker gives us a crash course on the amazing history of the instrument. It's a wild story that will have you looking at the dulcimer in a whole new light.  https://www.lapidusmusic.com/home During our chat, we hear about how an entire generation of 1960s dulcimer makers based their design using a Richard Farina album cover as their blueprint (and how varied the results were); the early days of California’s Esalen Institute and that retreat's influence on Joellen; the many stripes of the instrument (from cardboard construction to high-end); and so much more. It's a revelatory conversation about a distinctly American, ever-evolving instrument. As Joellen puts it, “The dulcimer is an untamed animal.” This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). https://fretboardsummit.org/ https://www.fretboardjournal.com

Peghead Nation co-founder Dan Gabel joins us this week to talk about the online lesson portal's origin story, the growth they've experienced over the last decade, and some of their favorite online classes.  The Peghead Nation roster contains many former Fretboard Journal subjects and familiar faces to anyone who loves our podcast. In 2022, they even won a Distinguished Achievement Award from IBMA, the International Bluegrass Music Association.  This week, Peghead Nation is launching a live Flatpicking Old-Time Fiddle Tunes class with guitar virtuoso (and co-founder) Scott Nygaard. https://www.pegheadnation.com This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). https://fretboardsummit.org/ https://www.fretboardjournal.com

The Fretboard Journal's Sofia Wolfson interviews Chicago's Free Range (Sofia Jensen), whose second record 'Lost & Found' is out now.  Jensen recounts learning guitar at the School of Rock, starting Free Range as a teenager, getting influenced by Pinegrove (and King of the Hill!), developing your sound, and so much more. It's a great introduction to an artist we know you'll love. https://www.freerangesongs.com https://www.instagram.com/free__range/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). https://fretboardsummit.org/ https://www.fretboardjournal.com

This week, we talk to writer Jamie Etherington about his latest project, the Luthier's Tool Box. The Luthier's Tool Box is the Fretboard Journal's first hardcover book release. It's an anthology featuring guitarmakers from around the world sharing the stories behind their most cherished tools. What began as a Fretboard Journal magazine article quickly evolved into a full-fledged book with nearly 100 contributors and full-color photographs. If you like our magazine or podcasts, you'll love this book. Order the book here: http://fretboardjournal.com/tools We also talk about Jamie's life in Australia, his love for traditional and acoustic music from America, his interview with illustrator Annie Elliott, and so much more. Follow Jamie: https://www.instagram.com/jamie.etherington.35/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). https://fretboardsummit.org/ https://www.fretboardjournal.com

Did you watch 'A Complete Unknown' and wonder where all those vintage instruments came from?  If so, you're in luck. This week, we're talking to Buzzy Levine of Lark Street Music. Over 20 of the instruments featured in the movie came from Buzzy himself and we hear all about the process, his reaction to the finished film, and how he avoided a 'Hateful Eight' situation while his guitars were on-loan.    We also chat about the store, the unlikely story of how its location is cherished by Hollywood, and much more.  Want to be a part of our next Summit? Registration is now available for our 2025 Fretboard Summit, taking place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Attend and enjoy three days of panel discussions, all-star concerts, jam rooms, interviews, exhibitors, workshops and surprises...created just for like-minded guitar fanatics. https://fretboardsummit.org/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

How do you make a new acoustic guitar sound slightly more "vintage?" This was the nebulous premise that Jason posed to three great builders at the 2024 Fretboard Summit: John Slobod (Circa Guitars), TJ Thompson, and Steve "Nully" Nall from Collings. In this live panel, we hear these luthiers' thoughts on the topic, including wood, the importance of aging (even with a brand new guitar), the hardest body style to make sound period correct, and so much more. It's 45 minutes of great insights from three exceptional makers. http://www.circaguitars.com/ https://proluthiertools.com/ https://collingsguitars.com/ Want to be a part of our next Summit? Registration is now available for our 2025 Fretboard Summit, taking place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Attend and enjoy three days of panel discussions, all-star concerts, jam rooms, interviews, exhibitors, workshops and surprises...created just for like-minded guitar fanatics. https://fretboardsummit.org/ This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).