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PODCAST · music

Luthier on Luthier with Michael Bashkin

by The Fretboard Journal

Every month, luthier Michael Bashkin interviews some of his favorite fellow guitar builders, makers and creatives on the Luthier on Luthier podcast. Acoustic, electric, flattop, archtop and everything in-between... brought to you by the Fretboard Journal

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Sep 28, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. 118. Chris Holcomb

    Chris Holcomb specializes in making world-class resonator guitars in Santa Cruz, California. Chris built a guitar in his teens and has pursued the craft ever since. In episode 118, Chris tells us this wasn't a straightforward path, but one of persistence and dedication that ultimately paid off as...

  2. 117. Jamie Gale

    Jamie Gale is one of the most influential and forward-thinking voices in the guitar world. He is the founder of the Boutique Guitar Showcase, but his perspective goes far beyond guitars. His work has taken him into areas like artificial intelligence and robotics. For episode 117, we talk about…

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  3. 116: Paco Chorobo

    For episode 116, we're joined by Spanish guitarmaker Paco Chorobo from Úbeda, Spain. Paco shares his journey from telecommunications engineer to full-time luthier and discusses his approach to building both classical and flamenco guitars while blending traditional hand craftsmanship with modern...

  4. 115. Marco Bortolozzo

    For Episode 115 of the podcast, we're joined by classical guitarmaker Marco Bortolozzo. In our conversation, Marco tells us about the mentorship that launched his career, and the story behind his signature Olympic ring rosette, which was inspired by a 19th-century Spanish guitar. We also discuss...

  5. 114. Thierry André

    Working out of his solo shop in Quebec, Thierry André is a builder of truly one-of-a-kind instruments. For episode 114 of the podcast, Thierry dives into his design process and explains why he believes every instrument should include an element of danger and surprise. We also talk about his...

  6. 113. Sean McGowan

    For episode 113 of Luthier on Luthier, I'm joined by guitarist and educator Sean McGowan. We focus on his recent Archtop Foundation recording project, featuring 20 tracks across nine exceptional Blue series archtop guitars, and dig into his detailed approach to capturing their unique voices in…

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  7. 112. Otto D'Ambrosio

    For episode 112 of the podcast, I'm talking with Otto D'Ambrosio. Otto wears two hats—as a solo luthier and Chief Designer at Eastman Guitars—and he walks us through his journey from working with legends like Flip Scipio, John Monteleone, and Carl Thompson to his role today, bridging the gap...

  8. 111. Raymond Kraut

    For Episode 111, I'm joined by highly respected guitar builder Raymond Kraut. Ray shares why he's embraced unconventional sound ports while staying true to his traditional tone, how his porting designs have evolved over time, and what he's learned through real-world testing. We also dive into…

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  9. 110. Ben Wilborn

    On this episode of Luthier on Luthier, I'm joined by guitar maker Ben Wilborn. Based in Reno, Nevada, Ben brings a musician's perspective to his designs, drawing on his background in performance and composition to build instruments that are focused on tone. For episode 110, Ben shares the origins...

  10. 109. Juha Ruokangas

    For episode 109 of Luthier on Luthier, we're joined by Juha Ruokangas, a Finnish guitar maker pushing the boundaries of instrument design. We dive into his innovative Valve Bucker pickup, the Captain Nemo guitar prototype, and his use of local Arctic Birch and wood torrification to create unique...

  11. 108: Fred Carlson

    On this episode of Luthier on Luthier, I talk with the endlessly creative Fred Carlson. Fred shares his path into instrument making—from early sculptural dulcimers with mentor Ken Ripartella, to studying with Charles Fox, to building in communal workshops surrounded by musicians, woodworkers, and...

  12. 107. Rory Dowling (Taran Guitars)

    For Episode 107 of the Luthier on Luthier podcast, I'm joined by Rory Dowling, the owner and builder behind the beautifully crafted Taran Guitars. https://www.taranguitars.co.uk Rory talks about his team-based approach to building and his journey from furniture design to guitar making. We also…

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  13. 106. StewMac's Brock Poling and Gene Imbody

    On Episode 106 of the Luthier on Luthier podcast, I'm joined by Brock Poling and Gene Imbody from Stewart-MacDonald—the original luthier supply company. Brock and Gene take us behind the scenes to show how StewMac tools and products are developed, from the first idea all the way to delivery. We...

  14. 105: TJ Thompson

    For episode 105 of the Luthier on Luthier podcast, my guest is TJ Thompson — widely regarded as the foremost authority on vintage Martins and a master guitar maker in his own right. In our conversation, TJ reflects on why he builds guitars, why he sometimes feels unsuited to the work, and he…

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  15. 104. Michael Sankey

    On Episode 104 of the podcast, I talk with Michael Sankey, a wildly creative guitar maker from Ottawa. Michael's work combines old-school methods like hand tools and hide glue with futuristic elements like 3D-printed metal parts. We get into how he balances tradition with innovation—and why he...

  16. 103. Andy Manson

    For episode 103 of the podcast, we speak with legendary guitar maker Andy Manson. Andy shares stories from his early days of building and tells us about his commitment to traditional construction techniques and how his craft has evolved over the years. Andy also discusses some of his most iconic...

  17. 102. Michel Pellerin

    For episode 102 of the podcast, I talk with Michel Pellerin, an inspiring guitar maker from Québec. Michel shares his journey, from teaching guitarmaking at lutherie schools to his time at the Godin factory, to developing and teaching his own advanced finishing course. We also dive into his…

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  18. 101. Peggy White

    On Episode 101 of the podcast, we welcome Peggy White, an exceptional acoustic guitar builder from Ontario, Canada. Peggy has honed her craft under the guidance of some of the finest luthiers in the world, including Sergei de Jonge, Linda Manzer, and Michel Pellerin. In this episode, she shares…

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  19. 100. Jim Olson

    For episode 100 of the podcast, I talk with the legendary Jim Olson. Jim should need little introduction to most Luthier on Luthier listeners. His guitars have been played and cherished by artists including James Taylor (you can even spot the trademark headstock "O" during Taylor's appearance on...

  20. 99. Maegen Wells

    Maegan Wells is known for her beautifully crafted archtop guitars and mandolins made in her one-person shop in Northern California. For episode 99 of the podcast, Meagan shares her guitar-making journey, starting with attending Bryan Galloup's Galloup School of Guitar Making and Guitar Repair,...

  21. 98. Gary Southwell (Southwell Guitars)

    For episode 98 of the podcast, I am joined by renowned classical guitar maker Gary Southwell. Based on the banks of the River Rede in Northumberland, England, Southwell has been building instruments since 1983. Gary and I talk about the unique characteristics of Bog Oak, the history and influence...

  22. 97. Max Monterosso

    Max Monterosso builds beautifully detailed steel string guitars, harp and electric guitars out of his one-person shop in the Veneto region of Italy. For episode 97 of the podcast, I caught up with Max at the Acoustic Guitar Village Show in Cremona, Italy this past October....

  23. 96. Rocky Mountain Archtop Guitar Festival and the New Blue Guitars

    Episode 96 of Luthier on Luthier is a collection of interviews from the 2024 Rocky Mountain Archtop Guitar Festival, sponsored by Henriksen Amplifiers. At the show, Cris Mirabella, Tyler Wells, and Maegan Wells each presented their guitars to the new Blue Guitars Collection. I sit down with each…

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  24. 95. Mark Stutman (Folkway Music)

    Mark Stutman is renowned for vintage guitar repairs and is also the owner of Canada's Folkway Music in Waterloo, Ontario. For episode 95 of the podcast, Mark goes into the history of his repair career and how it all started with the search for a good left-handed guitar. Mark also shares with us...

  25. 94: Michael Millard (Froggy Bottom Guitars)

    Episode 94 of the podcast is a live interview at the 2024 Fretboard Summit with the incredible Michael Millard of Froggy Bottom Guitars. Michael has over 50 years of guitar-building experience. In 1970, he spent four years working with Gurian Guitars before launching Froggy Bottom. He shares with...

  26. 93: Seth Baccus

    Seth Baccus creates a range of beautiful electric guitars in the UK. Seth learned the guitar business and guitar making from renowned luthiers Andy and Hugh Manson, who also happen to be his stepdad and uncle, respectively. For episode 93 of the podcast, Seth tells us about his retail experience...

  27. 92. Mark Blanchard (Blanchard Guitars)

    Guitarmaker Mark Blanchard has a background in machining, a skill he learned at a young age from his dad. These days, he uses his metal-working skills to not only make his own excellent truss rods but also a CNC lathe and many of his own tools, including chisels and planes. Mark does all this out...

  28. 91. Noemi Schembri (Noemi Guitars)

    Noemi Schembri builds outstanding guitars out of her one-person workshop in Northern Italy. Noemi had an interest in woodworking at a young age and went to high school and college to prepare for a career in the wood industry. For episode 91 of the podcast, Noemi tells us how she ended up forging...

  29. 90. Jeff LaQuatra

    Jeff LaQuatra is a professor of guitar and has directed the guitar program at Colorado State University since 2016. For episode 90 of the podcast, Jeff shares his musical journey from student, to winning and judging competitions, to teaching. Jeff also talks about how he prepares his students to...

  30. 89. Josh Rieck (J. Rieck Lutherie)

    Josh Rieck has many arrows in his luthier quiver. He builds and repairs instruments, and also owns a full-service music store in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Josh started out studying double bass in college and then completed the Guitar Repair & Building program at Red Wing College in Minnesota. He...

  31. 88. Casimi Guitars

    Lifelong friends Mathias Roux and Matthew Rice make visually stunning and beautifully executed Casimi Guitars out of their shop in South Africa. For episode 88 of the podcast, Mathias and Matthew discuss how they developed their visual style and the voice of their guitars. They also share their...

  32. 87. Joe Zon (Zon Guitars)

    Joe Zon of Zon Guitars has been pushing the limits of bass building with phenomenal results since the early 1980s. For episode 87 of the podcast, Joe explains his theory and the construction of all-composite necks and how they are used to enhance the sounds of the wood. Joe also discusses his...

  33. 86: Aluminati Guitar Company

    Aluminati Guitars offers innovative, environmentally friendly, and beautifully designed guitars built in Asheville, North Carolina. For episode 86 of the podcast, I sit down with the company's founder, James Little. James tells us about the aluminum, carbon fiber and Lucite components used to…

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  34. 85. Al Beardsell

    Al Beardsell makes beautifully designed and crafted guitars in Winnipeg, Canada. Al started building as a musician because he could not find, or in some cases, afford the kind of guitars he wanted to play. For episode 85 of the podcast, Al shares with us his thoughts on engineered sides, electric...

  35. 84. Cristian Mirabella

    Cris Mirabella (Mirabella Guitars) makes stunning archtop and electric guitars from his workshop on Long Island. For episode 84 of the podcast, Cris gives us a mini masterclass on New York archtop guitar history. We hear about the origins of Jimmy D'Angelico, Jimmy D'Aquisto, and Vincent DiSerio...

  36. 83. James Condino

    James Condino builds and repairs guitars, mandolins and standup basses in Asheville, NC. And he plays all of them! For episode 83, James shares with us some commonalities and differences of all the instruments he works on, his business philosophy and the importance of playing music to his craft....

  37. 82. Richard Hoover (Santa Cruz Guitar Co.)

    Richard Hoover is the founder of the Santa Cruz Guitar Company, which has been a leader in the world of boutique acoustic guitars since 1976. For episode 82 of the podcast, recorded live at the 2023 Fretboard Summit, Richard shares his guiding principles, thoughts on running a company, selecting...

  38. 81. Nic Delisle (Island Instruments)

    Island Instruments' Nic Delisle makes a wide variety of incredible and innovative guitars out of his Montreal workshop. For episode 81 of the podcast, Nic tells us all about the construction and origins of his new archtop double-top model. We also talk about the guitar co-op he operates out of…

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  39. 80. Larry Fitzgerald

    Larry Fitzgerald is considered one of the world's top guitar repairmen. As a teenager, Larry was often hanging around NYC's famous guitar shops on 48th Street. After a year at the Berklee College of Music, he worked at Rudy's doing repairs and eventually assisted John Suhr in making the renowned...

  40. 79. Mitsuhiro Uchida

    Support Luthier on Luthier with our new Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/luthieronluthier You may not know the name Mitsuhiro Uchida, but you should. Mitsuhiro is a national treasure of Japan and has influenced makers like Michi Matsuda and Isaac Jang, who join me for today's podcast....

  41. 78. Keisuke Nishi (Keystone Guitars)

    This month's podcast features one of my favorite builders, Keisuke Nishi of Keystone Guitars. Keisuke went to luthier school in both Japan and the US, worked for First Act, and then did an apprenticeship with acclaimed guitarmaker Mario Beauregard. For episode 78 of the podcast, Keisuke compares...

  42. 77. Joshia de Jonge

    Joshia de Jonge builds world-renowned classical guitars out of her one-person shop in Western Quebec. Joshia grew up in a famed guitar-building family and was helping her dad, Sergei, build and teach guitarmaking while she was still a teenager. For episode 77 of the podcast, Joshia tells us when...

  43. 76. Dick Boak

    Dick Boak started as a draftsman at Martin guitars and stayed for 42 years taking on numerous roles at the company, including Director of the Martin Museum and Archives; Director of Advertising and Artist Models; Guitar Designer, Founder of the 1833 Shop; and more. For episode 76 of the podcast,...

  44. 75. Tim Frick

    From a young age, Tim Frick knew that he wanted to make instruments. As a teenager, he began building basses for himself. He'd eventually take a class with famed archtop guitarmaker Tom Ribbecke, work at Gary Brawer's repair shop in San Francisco, and then spend years alongside lutherie legend...

  45. 74. Larry Robinson

    Legendary inlay artist Larry Robinson has been adorning guitars with jaw-dropping inlays for over 40 years. For episode 74 of the podcast, Larry discusses the creative and the technical side of inlay work and working with directly with guitar builders and players. Larry also shares his experience...

  46. 73. Michael Watts

    Guitarist Michael Watts is back for episode 73 of the podcast. Michael recounts the history of Scott Chinery's famous Blue guitar collection and how it led to his new gig working for the Archtop Foundation. Michael also shares with us his views on flattop vs. archtop guitars, his experience with...

  47. 72. Bryan Galloup

    Bryan Galloup started out as a tool and die maker and now runs one of the largest lutherie schools in the US, in addition to making his own line of highly-coveted acoustic guitars. For episode 72 of the podcast, Bryan tells us about his background before making musical instruments, the path that...

  48. 71. Max Krimmel

    For his entire life, Max Krimmel has dedicated himself to two paths: Making and music. Though Max stopped building guitars in 1983, he went on to craft dulcimers and marimbas and create turned alabaster pieces, some of which are on display in the Smithsonian. For episode 71 of the podcast, I sit...

  49. 70. Michael Gurian

    Michael Gurian started building guitars in the early 1960s and then founded the Gurian Guitar Company. He'd go on to create one of the first successful boutique steel string guitar companies of the modern era, with clients ranging from Paul Simon and Jackson Browne to Pierre Bensusan. Michael has...

  50. 69. James Roadman

    San Antonio's James Roadman is not only a top-notch repair person but also the maker behind some incredible tooling for luthiers. For Episode 69 of the podcast, James tells us how he went from making his own drum set to repairing guitars. He also covers all his machine shop tools and how he uses...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Every month, luthier Michael Bashkin interviews some of his favorite fellow guitar builders, makers and creatives on the Luthier on Luthier podcast. Acoustic, electric, flattop, archtop and everything in-between... brought to you by the Fretboard Journal

HOSTED BY

The Fretboard Journal

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Luthier on Luthier with Michael Bashkin have?

Luthier on Luthier with Michael Bashkin currently has 118 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Luthier on Luthier with Michael Bashkin about?

Every month, luthier Michael Bashkin interviews some of his favorite fellow guitar builders, makers and creatives on the Luthier on Luthier podcast. Acoustic, electric, flattop, archtop and everything in-between... brought to you by the Fretboard Journal

How often does Luthier on Luthier with Michael Bashkin release new episodes?

Luthier on Luthier with Michael Bashkin publishes regularly with 118 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Luthier on Luthier with Michael Bashkin?

You can listen to Luthier on Luthier with Michael Bashkin on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Luthier on Luthier with Michael Bashkin?

Luthier on Luthier with Michael Bashkin is created and hosted by The Fretboard Journal.
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