We’ve been setting a high bar for ourselves for 21 years now, but Fretboard Journal 60 may just be our best issue yet. Included are features on actor/comedian/musician Christopher Guest, Brian Baker of Bad Religion, guitarist Andy Pitcher and so much more.
Here are some highlights found in this issue’s 128 keepsake pages.
Matt Bushlow hears the story of Damion Hardin, son of 1960s folksinger Tim Hardin (“How Long Can We Hang On To a Dream”). Though his father passed away when he was just a teenager, Damion is busy honoring Tim’s legacy through his guitars, including a Gibson J-160, an unlabelled and utterly beguiling classical (pictured above), and an Ovation Balladeer.
Experimental music is seldom sensitive, but Andy Pitcher is not your typical experimental guitarist. Cameron Knowler talks to the musician about his solo project, dot, an album that reflects on Pitcher’s first 30 years, loss and love. It’s a beautiful record and an equally beautiful conversation.
In a world of cookie-cutter guitar stores, Maryland’s Atomic Music stands out. For starters, it’s housed in a former Circuit City location inside a strip mall. More important is what’s inside: Thousands of pieces of rare and vintage gear lining the aisles that used to house Samsung TVs and laser printers. FJ contributor (and Atomic regular) Mark Finkelpearl talks to the store’s owners about its charming quirkiness, and massive inventory.
John Drenning sits down with one of punk’s true guitar icons, Bad Religion’s Brian Baker. Baker talks about his Les Paul Junior obsession, formative days in Minor Threat, Marshalls and more.
Fretboard Journal Publisher Jason Verlinde sits down with Christopher Guest, one of the funniest people in the world who also happens to be extremely serious about guitars. We talk Spinal Tap, his love for old Martins, his current gear obsessions and so much more.
Famed archtop luthier John Montleone pens the never-before-heard story of two consecutive John D’Angelico instruments currently in his possession. D’Angelico’s #2090 and #2091 were both built in the late summer of 1959 and more than a little pedigree. In fact, 2091 was the first D’Angelico that Monteleone ever saw (at the ripe old age of 12). It’s a deep dive into instrument history and inspiration.
You may not have know Peter Nevins by name, but chances are you’ve seen this Portland, Oregon’s artist’s poster and album designs. A musician in his own right, Nevins has designed for Gillian Welch, Old Crow Medicine Show, John Prine and other Fretboard Journal favorites. Jamie Etherington talks to Nevins about his printmaking process, his old Gibson, influences and more. Guitarist Eric Skye captures the photos.
Roberto-Venn, the world’s most famous school for lutherie, recently celebrated their 50th anniversary through (what else?) a bunch of guitar builds. In this case, some of their most famous graduates of the Phoenix institution honored their alma mater with one-of-a-kind instruments. One of those grads, Jason Kostal, pens the story.
Dylan Day and Hayden Pedigo are two of the most creative acoustic guitarists on the scene today. Though they approach the instrument in vastly different ways, they also happen to be phone buddies. The Fretboard Journal crashes one of their ongoing conversations to talk guitar, taste, Genesis (the band and the book), and more.
Plus: Apprenticing for Roger Sadowsky; reuniting with a lost Martin 000-18; Riverhorse on Big Tex; and so much more. Subscribe today to get this issue.
