Porter Pickups Tone-Cast

In episode 87 we're joined by Brandon Bagby, a Nashville based guitar player who talks to us about getting started and going to full time as well as making it work no matter what. We cover everything from endorsements to how he slept on the floor to get started and how to adapt when the gigs dry up.    Find out more about Brandon here: https://www.brandonjbagby.com   Fill out our Pickup Chooser fo...

Tone-Cast 86 is rocking with our new show logo and merch! Support the show and get your merch here: https://www.porterpickups.com/products/accessories-apparel/   We also recap the last few videos we've released and talk about a few followup stories to our digital vs analog discussion in episode 85.   Fill out the pickup chooser form to let us help you find your next set: https://www.porterpickups....

In Tone-Cast 85 we talk about the Digital vs Analog gear world for amps and effects. We take on roles as we defend each side in a simulated debate and ultimately share our true thoughts on the tones and usefulness of each option. What was our conclusion? You'll have to listen to find out!   Fill out our pickup chooser to find your next set: https://www.porterpickups.com/home/pickup-chooser/  

Youtube guitar man Derek Paul joins episode 84 covering the topic: Relic vs Non-Relic Guitars. We share what we like as well as some of the reactions he's gotten to a recent video about the same topic. We talk through why relics became so popular and why some people try too hard to create authentic ones that just end up looking bad.    Find Derek Paul here: https://www.youtube.com/c/DerekPaulGuita...

In episode 83 were joined by Sean Farley, a musician who has made it work through guitar building, guitar repair and playing gigs. Sean is a dealer of Porter Pickups and talks through this episode how he got into guitar repair, and what goes into building his instruments.    We touch on his music and why he stresses the importance of playing and writing alongside the rest of his guitar responsibil...

Tone-Cast 82 is a free form episode where we go back and forth on how to navigate the beast that is the internet when searching for info about gear or guitar topics. It can be an endless rabbit hole of a journey when you just want to know about some basic info.    Where can you go for reliable info? Who can you trust? We talk about the good, bad and ugly of the online gear world.    Try our pickup...

in Tonecast 81 we talk through the process of developing a Porter Pickup models. What goes into the process from idea to releasing to market? What do we look for in tone and concept? What pickups have not made the cut or have been discontinued and why?  We also talk about a recent batch of videos including our HSS deluxe loaded pickguard.   Episode Links Porter Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.co...

episode 80 is here! We chat with Trey Johnson, the owner of Tulsa Band and Guitars in Tulsa, OK.  We talk about him going from employee to owner to surviving these last few years as an independent music store.  We also talk about creating music and even his time as a college mascot, which brings Brian to remember when his car got trashed in Tulsa in the early 2000's   Find out more about Tulsa Ban...

Episode 79 is Jam packed with topics. We cover the news of the week about the NAMM show moving to next summer. Is that a good thing, or a sign of challenging times in the industry? Will Porter be attending the next show?    We also run through some design concepts and tones of our new Gold Foils which are releasing soon!   We end the show with a discussion on price increases and the reasons we imp...

In episode 78, Marco rejoins the show and we catch everyone up on his new roles at Porter. We also talk through some exciting news about the Porter Custom shop.  In our main topic, we talk through our favorite guitars to mod. we each share three guitars we enjoy overhauling and what we love about them.    See more about the custom shop here: https://www.porterpickups.com/custom-shop/ Fill out our...

In episode 77 Mike from Delaney Guitars joins us for a wide ranging episode of fun guitar topics. We cover everything from what he's been doing to survive running a guitar business for the last year to tone wood resonance, what makes a good guitar and what woods smell like feet and cat pee when you sand them Check out Delaney Guitars here: https://www.delaneyguitars.com   Need a new set of pickups...

Nick Scout from Scout Guitars in Orlando Florida joins the tone cast to talk about his business. We cover everything from his time as guitar tech for the Blue Man Group, to how he got started in the industry at a banjo factory. We also get his thoughts on what makes a good guitar, the craziest repair he's ever done and where he sees the music industry going from here.    Find more about scout guit...

In episode 75 we discuss some concerning trends in the guitar industry. After a busy year of guitar sales where are we headed next? Are the wheels coming off? What are we as a business facing and the industry as a whole dealing with currently? Are delays, supplier price increases and cost of living going to hamper doing business going forward? Brian Porter shares a few concerning things as we navi...

In episode 74, we talk though a topic that we have to deal with weekly. What do we do about endorsements and influencer requests? It's a subject we have different thoughts and good and bad experiences with. We attempt to walk through it from the manufacturers perspective while acknowledging we have not fully landed on a position.  Have a suggestion or know of a company that handles it really well?...

in episode 73, Brian Porter discusses some changes with Porter this year and how we've survived the last year with a crazy music industry with some rapid fire updates.    We also cover some "Less is more" topics from pausing Porter Guitars to getting rid of or thinning down some social media to remain focused on the tasks we have to accomplish as a business.    We reference a recent video where we...

In tone-cast 72, we're talking with McQ Olsen from ExtraMile Arena about music venue dynamics in this strange year. He talked about his experience working in the venue for 20+ years in all types of roles and how they have had to get creative to adapt to cancelations, rescheduling and safety.    We're all rooting for the live music scene to come back and we particularly enjoyed this conversation fr...

In episode 71, we talk about the ways we're hopeful our industry will pull through this. From more people modding guitars, to getting creative and resiliency shining through, the music industry will continue to work hard and adapt to the very real challenges we face.     

In episode 70, we talk about our newest release, Gatekeeper Pickups!  We're releasing 5 sets of pickups at a killer price point of $99 ea. Hear the story behind the line, the tones and more information as we talk about on of our biggest product released ever.  Find out more here: https://www.porterpickups.com/gatekeeper/      

In episode 69 we're joined by Mitch from Emerson Custom. We talk about how he's handled all the changes this year to how he made the jump to full time in the early years or Emerson. We also talk about what makes a good pre-wired kit and why he's gravitating towards acoustic guitars in his spare playing time.  Emerson Custom Website: https://emersoncustom.com Pickup Chooser Form: https://www.porter...

In episode 68. we're joined by guitarist Steve Sterlacci of the Jessica Lynn Band. We cover everything from how they as a band have handled a European tour being cancelled because of Corona to creating online content and growing your skill as a guitarist. We cover why he's a huge fan of digital modeling and how he's been growing his newer Youtube Channel.  Episode Links Jessica Lynn Band: https://...

In Episode 67, Mike and Brian talk about 5 areas of focus for our business as we navigate the craziness of 2020. These areas have been key for our growth as a business and have made a massive difference to our outlook and results.   

In episode 66, we're joined by Nick Greer of Greer Amps for a show covering a wide range of topics. We talk about his love for interesting and unique guitars, Eastman Guitars and what the pandemic has taught him to never forget about his business.  He also challenges me to re-release the Greer wind pickups we created and to make a guitar with three tele bridges. A little more free form with this o...

In episode 65, we're joined by my friend Ken Steorts. He's the director of Visible Music College in Memphis, TN.  We cover everything from his time as the founding guitarist of the band Skillet to running a music college in these strange times. We also get to talk about some of his favorite gear, music inspirations and some advice he'd give aspiring musicians trying to make it.    Read Kens "Music...

In episode 64, we're joined by Blake Wyland from the Tone Mob to talk all things podcasts, the pulse of the gear industry and more about the "Shred Shed" located at his house.  We also cover some gear regrets and what one Guitar-Pedal-Amp combo he'd play if he had to choose. Find Blake's other podcast ventures here:  Tone Mob: https://tonemob.com/tag/podcast/ Chasing Tone Podcast with Brian Wample...

In Episode 63 we're joined by Mike Delaney from Delaney Guitars. Mike shares with us about what makes a good artist endorsement and how he didn't have a guitar he completely loved so he got into the guitar business to help others find their dream guitar specs.   Delaney Guitars Website: https://delaneyguitars.com Pickup Chooser form: https://www.porterpickups.com/pickupchooser/