The Tone Mob Podcast

First Act is a brand that almost nobody associates with a high quality instrument. We are used to seeing them in the Walmart toy section, not in the hands of professional touring musicians. But at some point in the mid-2000s First Act created their own Custom Shop. These instruments went into the hands of some very popular musicians of the era, and are experiencing a serious resurgence all these y...

This episode is definitely something different! On this one you are getting something a little different. Today Sean Arbow of Gunstreet and Scott Marquart of Stringjoy are on the podcast to announce that Stringjoy and Gunstreet are officially teaming up! This is something that we've all been working on behind the scenes on this merger for a very long time, so it is very exciting to finally have th...

Carlos Lopez has a fascinating story. On this episode we explore how his extreme level of focus have guided him through his career. From his early days in East LA as a boxer, to attending Musician's Institute, getting a job a Fender Musical Instruments, becoming a freaking MASTER BUILDER in the Fender Custom Shop... and then heading out on his own adventure with Castedosa Guitars. It is a fantasti...

Thursday is an absolutely incredible and influential band so you can imagine how excited I was to sit down and talk with guitarist Steve Pedulla for this very special episode of the podcast. On this episode we dive into Steve's gear journey in a very extensive way. Starting with his Gibson SG, and landing in Telecaster land. We really went down the rabbit hole of his guitar pedal choices, his digi...

Jo Braga is the insanely talented and very hard working creator behind the YouTube channel Pedal Playhouse. It is one of the most entertaining and unique viewing experiences in the guitar gear content world. What started out as a very light and bouncy episode took a very unexpected turn when Jo told me her full story. That said, her insane positivity and bubbly personality somehow still managed to...

On this very special video episode of the podcast I invited my friend Dewey Halpaus of The Peer Pleasure Podcast to the Shred Shed for a TWO HOUR conversation of epic proportions. We intended on this being a recap of our podcast lives in 2022, and we definitely got into how things are changing for his podcast, as well as my own. Including a new effort focused on YouTube for me! The chat included a...

This episode is absolutely insane! Big KO and I sit down with the guitar legend Eddie Martinez for one of the most epic chats in the history of this show. Whether you know it or not, you have almost certainly heard Eddies guitar playing. The tracks are too numerous to list, but some names include RUN DMC, Meatloaf, Mick Jagger, Patti LaBelle, and many more. We had a blast and I think you are going...

Mo Tedder is a songwriter from Nashville, TN who has an extremely interesting story! I met her on one of my plane rides back home from Nashville, and we talked for basically the entire flight. Once she told me about her work with Healing Heartstrings, I knew I had to get her on the podcast. She takes people in the their darkest moments and helps them write and create songs to help them manage thei...

Chris Gill has worked in the music industry in many different capacities over the years, but is most well known for his long tenures at Guitar Player & Guitar World Magazines. He has interviewed the most famous guitarists on the planet hundreds of times, (Eddie Van Halen, Jeff Beck, Billy Gibbons etc.) collected hundreds of pieces of gear, did artist management at Boardwalk Records, and just gener...

Today I am talking to Dan and Krystal from a company called Online Marketing. (No it isn't necessarily THAT kind of online marketing). They hold a rather unique position in the musical instruments market that I do not think most people have considered or are even aware exists. We talk about what that is, what the purpose of the company is and go over some products from a couple of the brands that...

Hemorage are a San Francisco based band who have made a name for themselves by performing heavy thrash metal out of their van. They just pull up outside of a venue (oftentimes venues that refused to book them) and rip a fantastic set right in the street. We talk about the philosophy behind this process, what their rigs look like, the goals for the band and a whole lot more! Check out the band at t...

This is definitely one of those "pinch me" moments. Chris Shiflett is not only a member of one of the raddest bands of all time, but he also is the host of a podcast that I love called Walking The Floor which you definitely should be listening to. This was truly an epic conversation where we break down his process, talk about how he started his podcast, get into how he got into Foo Fighters, and a...

This is a long overdue episode! I am bringing back one of my favorite people, Bob Keeley himself. When Rob agreed to come on the podcast way back in 2015, I was not only flabergasted that he agreed to it, but it was one of the best episodes of this show that has been published. Rob is back and giving us a much needed update on the state of Keeley Electronics, talking about collaborating with Andy...

On this glorious episode, Ryan Ratajski from Fuzzrocious Pedals returns to the podcast to nerd out with Blake about Thrice's Alchemy Index, talk about his new collaboration with the band Cave In, and just generally hag out for a fun chat. Ryan has become a true friend of the show for several years, and this is officially his fourth podcast appearance. Check his wares out at his website.  The Tone...

Lots of people have theorized that the video game "Rock Band" may have kick started a whole generation of guitarists. Ayla proves that that might just be true. We had a great conversation about bringing just what the song needs to the table, technical ability vs songwriting, asking about the death of "genre" saying "YES" to everything and a whole lot more! Check her out on YouTube & Instagram as w...

WHAT MAKES THIS SONG STINK? That is the question that launched Pat's YouTube career. In the depths of lockdown, Pat Finnerty, a lifetime musician from Scranton, PA started making videos critiquing songs. I found him via a video he made where he was literally protesting Train's "Soul Sister". Normally I kind of detest these types of things, but Pat has such a hilarious yet honest delivery that it j...

What is the deal with Dumble Amplifiers? What is it about these guitar amplifiers that cause so much of a stir amongst us guitar geeks? Is the Overdrive Special really magical? Is a Steel String Singer deserving of it's legendary status? Taylor Cox is the man behind Amplified Nation, which is one of the best known companies selling "Dumble style" amplifier companies in the musical instrument indus...

Mark Agnesi first popped up in internet guitarland as the host of Guitar of The Day and other such content for the legendary Norman's Rare Guitars in Los Angeles, California. Eventually he became the Director of Brand Experience for Gibson Guitars and returned to Nashville Tennessee. If you've spent much time in the online guitar communities, you know who he is. And if you don't, you are about to...

It was bound to happen eventually... I am very excited to welcome to the podcast Scott Wiener of Scott's Pizza Tours! In another life, Scott was a touring musician who had a breakthrough while sampling various famous pizzerias. These days, he is a world renowned pizza expert and the man behind the famous Scott's Pizza Tours in New York City. On this episode we dissect the similarities between musi...

On this week's episode, I am stoked to be talking to Addison Sauvan from JHS Pedals/The JHS Show! We had a brilliant chat about his career and how it has lead him to a spot on one of the most popular gear channels on YouTube. Addison is a great dude who is obsessed with all things music and also is the owner of a fantastic mustache. Check him out at least once a week on The JHS Show. The Tone Mob...

Ian Martin Allison is a bassist. And not just any bassist, this dude is an absolute MONSTER on the instrument. Ever since he was first "forced" into the roll of commanding the low end, he developed a true passion for the instrument that is nearly impossible to match. Ian has performed countless times in a wide variety of situations, but as far as The Internet is concerned he is most closely associ...

Welcome to today's episode! Today I'm talking to Corey Congilio. Corey has made his living as a professional guitarist for many years, and has done session work/toured with a ton of different artists. The dude has a ton of insight into making a living as a creative individual, and we talk very extensively about that very subject on this episode. Corey is extremely passionate about teaching guitar...

Here we go! This week I have John Dines from Origin Effects on the show this week to discuss his musical history, how he got into messing with electronics, and the history of Origin Effects. Everything from Digitech Pod ripoffs, to high end tube amps. We run through his whole timeline and get deep into the weeds. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Check out Origin Effects HERE The Tone Mob Di...

Is the whole entertainment industry kafabe? The rules are made up and the points don't matter? Maybe... On this episode I'm talking with Exel. The dude is a lifelong musician based in the big ole state of Texas. On this episode we follow his musical trajectory from getting his first guitar to having his music pumping through the American Airlines Stadium in front of 20,000 people. I love bringing...

How do I get sponsored? How do I get FREE GEAR??? These are questions that I get fairly consistently and the short answer is that nothing is free. The long answer is at least partially contained in this podcast episode. Alex has a long history of working with brands and artists to help them help each other. He is managing the A&R program at Stringjoy, Victory Amps, Origin Effects and more. He's tr...