40 Watt Podcast

Send us a text Jeremy Sheppard has built a reputation as being an expert in the acoustic guitar world - not just in buying and selling but his knowledge of vintage Martins and Gibsons and their contemporary boutique builders is unparalleled. I've been lucky to have him on the podcast a few times now and each time is an absolute treat. I'm thankful to call him a friend and I'm sure y...

Send us a text In today's episode, Phillip talks about his recent trip to Chicago with Scott Hamilton and together we define what makes a great music store! I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did! Find Scott and The Effects Loop on: Internet: https://www.theeffectsloop.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeffectsloop/ Support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/40wattpodcast/...

Send us a text Gecko Pedals is an example of what happens when a dare between bandmates ruminates for 15 years and then is finally brought to fruition. Riley at Gecko Pedals has designed and released one of the most ambitious first pedals I've ever seen and it's incredible. On this episode I talk to Riley and Pete about the beauty of tape delays, the marvel of the echoplex, and why the G...

Send us a text Neil and Newtone Strings make incredible guitar strings - it's that simple. They're a direct to customer seller of boutique, affordable strings in custom gauges and sets that are made to the highest quality possible. Neil is a success story of his own - beginning at Newtone early on and rising up to eventually own the company, he has prided himself on the quality they are...

Send us a text Brady Goldman is a guitar builder and pickup winder based in South Texas who is building unique designs and creating a name for himself as an instrument maker. He has relocated and is in the process of setting his shop back up but in the meantime took some time to stop by and record an episode with me and I think you'll like it. In this episode we talk about how Brady got start...

Send us a text Dan Pilver is a guitarist and a music industry marketer with experience at Guitar Center, Gibson Guitars, and now Lewitt Audio. Currently in his role at Lewitt Audio he has helped get them in major retailers like Sweetwater and Alto Music. Lewitt Audio is a relatively new player in the microphone game and they pride themselves on original microphone design, affordable prices, and pr...

Send us a text Jesse Honig is obsessive - and I mean this in the most amazing way possible. He has a singular focus for audio integrity and authenticity. He's worked in some incredible studios, on the road for some incredible artists, and that's because he knows audio. This obsession with tone has lead him to create 29 Pedals, a branch of his bigger audio enterprise - Believable Audio. J...

Send us a text Jordan Withers is a wizard. No seriously - he's a wizard. With his background in electronics, audio engineering, and his love of all those noise rock, he (and his colleagues) have built Poison Noises from the ashes of the dumpster fire that has been the COVID-19 Pandemic. I had a blast getting to know Jordan and talking about guitar pedals, movies, and all sorts of other weirdn...

Send us a text Ari Garcia is the Marketing Manager for Hotone Audio. Hotone Audio has been on the scene for around ten years and has brought some exciting products like their line of Nano Legacy 5 watt amplifiers and their mini Skyline effects pedals. Lately they have jumped into the digital world offering amp sims, effects, IR loaders, and has even partnered with Celestion in their Ampero series...

Send us a text Silas Caldwell is a guitarist/singer/songwriter and the co-owner of  burgeoning new guitar store in  the guitar city, Nashville, TN ... and he's 15 years old. In this episode I talk to Silas about his adventures in starting a virtual music store during the pandemic, transitioning to a brick and mortar store, and the world of Nashville guitar selling. We also find time to talk a...

Send us a text Barry Grzebik is a guitar builder out of Petaluma, CA. With a background in electronics and acoustical design Barry found himself fascinated with the idea of building guitars building everything from acoustic, archtops, solid body electrics, and even basses. His Mendocino has been so popular he's got five variations of it available for order! In this episode we talk about how h...

Send us a text David Ishizaka is a singer/guitarist/songwriter based in Los Angeles, CA. He's recorded under both The Timber Owls and as Viator. As I was unable to attend NAMM this year, David volunteered to go in my stead and in this episode we find out about David's musical experiences, how he found that musical spark that made him want to be a musician, and what he thought about NAMM...

Send us a text This week I wanted reshare this episode from season one of the podcast with recent Grammy award winner Christone "Kingfish" Ingram. Kingfish and I are both from Clarksdale and grew up playing guitar around the same blues men and where I just ended up talking about guitar, Christone ended up making a living out of it and he's tearing it up on the road. I really hope y&...

Send us a text Nick Diener has a super fun story! From signed artist in the band The Swellers, touring the world to running his own studio, Oneder Studios, to now making his own brand of effects pedals - he's done it all in the music industry. I loved this conversation with Nick about his experiences finding his own confidence to start trying new things and how that led to building effects pe...

Send us a text Kirk Fletcher is a monster blues and gospel guitarist/singer/songwriter with the kind of soulful playing that many of us only dream of having. His style of music evokes legendary players of the past while being fresh and definitively his own voice. His shows are a can't miss experience and I was so excited to have him on the podcast! Support the show at: https://www.patreon.com...

Send us a text Spencer Lull is the President of Mike Lull Custom Guitars and is carrying on his father's legacy of creating incredibly high quality guitars and basses for players that demand the very best. In our conversation we talk about building quality, creating relationships with customers, employees, and the guitar community at large. I really loved my conversation with Spencer and I th...

Send us a text Markus Reeves is an artist who happens to use guitar pedal circuits as his canvas. His pedals have been touted by pedal builders like Brian Wampler and Guitar Guru Influences Mick and Dan from That Pedal Show. In this episode we talk about the convergence of art and pedal design, what makes a great design, and the importance of attention to details. Support the show at: https://www....

Send us a text Elad has been making custom enclosures for pedal companies for years and has finally come out with his own pedal, the Yellowjacket. In this episode we talk about our favorite pedals, Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, new pedals coming up, and other pedal shenanigans! Support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/40wattpodcast/​ Find all of the podcast links at: https://www.linktr.ee...

Send us a text Blake started building pedals long before the development of Kaisertronics back when he was a Nashville guitarist playing with blues acts in and around the Music City as well as touring with his own band. In this episode we talk about his inspirations in pedal design, how he got started as a young Blues guitarist, and what lead him to begin working in studios and making pedals inste...

Send us a text Trey is a pedal designer and maker out of Nashville. He's been on the road with bands from The Afghan Wigs to the Raconteurs. When 2020 hit, he settled in and focused on building and designing pedals and his pedals are incredibly unique and expressive. I hope you enjoy this episode as we talk about his various pedals, his inspirations, and how he got into music. Support the sho...

Send us a text Glyn Evans is a New Zealand based guitar luthier and pickup winder with more than 25 years of experience. Glyn studied under legendary guitar repairman Ted Lee where he learned the fine art of guitar repair and pickup winding while studying the City of Leeds College of Music in the North of England. In 2020 Glyn decided to stop repairing guitars and pursue pickup building full-time....

Send us a text R.J. Ronquillio is a Nashville-based session and tour guitarist who made the decision to get off the road and focus on providing gear demos of gear from his home studio. His depth as a guitarist in several styles makes him an in demand demo artist with a personality that provides a fun approach to the instrument.  In this conversation we talk about his roots as a Blues guitarist, ho...

Send us a text Will Bennett is a Canadian guitarist and effects pedal demo artist on Instagram. In this episode we talk about how he got started making Instagram demos, the challenges in creating short demos, and why I am just not interested in PRS Silver Sky guitars. Support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/40wattpodcast/​ Find all of the podcast links at: https://www.linktr.ee/40wattpodcast...

Send us a text Adam Shoenfeld is a Nashville guitarist who has appeared on well over 200 albums , written a #1 hit song, toured with Tim McGraw and now has recorded his debut album All the Birds Sing in which he flexes all of his non-country roots and influences. You're going to love this conversation! Support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/40wattpodcast/​ Find all of the podcast links...

Send us a text In this episode Phillip sits down with singer, songwriter, and guitarist Brandy Zdan to talk about her newest album that she recorded in quarantine, guitar albums, and building a career in the music industry. Support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/40wattpodcast/​ Find all of the podcast links at: https://www.linktr.ee/40wattpodcast https://www.40wattpodcast.com/ 40 Watt Mercha...