The Tone Lounge Podcast

In this episode, Frank and Jonathan continue to explore the topic around "knowing your gear", the different angles of spending money on stuff that, after a couple of weeks or months ends up on a marketplace to be sold at a loss. Is that what it's all about? If you are currently looking for gear and would like to support us making the podcast, consider making your purchase at Thomann...

In this episode, Frank and Jonathan are talking to Janis Altmanis, the builder behind Janis Pedals. In an almost guerrilla-type manner, Janis is gaining more and more popularity in the boutique pedalbuilder scene with his Miesnieks Overdrive, an original design. Janis creates and builds pedals out of love and passion for doing it, not because he's seeking out to be the next JHS or Robert Keele...

In this episode, Frank and Jonathan are talking about how well musicians actually know their gear, how purchase decisions for gear are triggered and why some people have such a high fluctuation with the stuff they buy. They are also tapping into how gear is purchased today versus how things would work 20-25 years ago. If you are currently looking for gear and would like to support us making the po...

In this episode Frank and Jonathan are talking with Kenzo from NOF Customs, who made contact with Jonathan at Guitar Summit 2023. Kenzos booth had some really interesting and unique guitar designs, first and foremost, the Banana fret guitar, which uses multiscale fretboard design in an even more ergonomic way than what's currently available from bigger brands. Kenzo also talks about the challe...

In this episode Frank and Jonathan had the pleasure to talk to Guilllaume Pille, founder and creative head of Two Notes Engineering. Guillaume and Two Notes created an entirely new product category, when they launched the Torpedo VB-101 back in 2008. It was the world's first digital load box & speaker simulation with dynamic IRs. Since then, many other companies have tried to match the Two...

In this episode, Frank and Jonathan had the pleasure to talk with Brian Wampler who has been making pedals a lot longer than some of the guys who are currently floating around the market. Brian has a very accurate and honest view on the industry and also just released the new Wampler Ego76 Compressor. If you are currently looking for gear and would like to support us making the podcast, consider m...

In this episode Frank and Jonathan talk to Thomas Blug from  @BluGuitar  about his life as an active guitar player, inventor, businessman and industry veteran. We talk about the AMP1, which he launched 10 years ago and it really created a complete new product category, with many companies trying to get into the same space. Thomas is going to launch his new AMP X this year and it's going to cha...

In this episode Frank and Jonathan formally introduce themselves, after having recorded 13 podcast episodes on different topics and with a couple of really amazing guests. They talk about their different backgrounds with music, the MI industry and how they got to where they are at this point. They also talk about how they had the idea to start this podcast together. If you are currently looking fo...

Frank and Jonathan were fortunate to spend some time in this episode with Frank Falbo of Falbo Design/Falbo Guitars. Not only did he invent and develop a couple of groundbreaking products in the MI industry, such as the Seymour Duncan P-Rail or the Blackout Series, he also had a major part in the development of the Fishman Fluence pickups, which have redefined what active guitar pickups are capabl...

This episode of the Tone Lounge Podcast explores the history and impact of Rivera Amps, a brand that is often overlooked in the guitar community. Frank and Jonathan talk about the background of Paul Rivera, the founder of Rivera Amplification, and his work modifying amps for session players. They also highlight the unique features and versatility of Rivera Amps, as well as their use by famous musi...

In this episode, Frank and Jonathan are talking to Remco from Apollo Music Parts, who Jonathan got to know and meet and Guitar Summit 2023, whilst wondering through the halls. Remco worked as a chef while still living in the Netherlands, but then learned how to build and repair guitars in Amsterdam. He then worked in different positions in the MI industry over in Australia, before founding his own...

In this Frank and Jonathan take a look at some of the new gear releases from NAMM Show 2024, which took place last weekend. They also talk about some of the industry-related news around the show and screen-share all the important stuff with you guys at all time. If you are currently looking for gear and would like to support us making the podcast, consider making your purchase at Thomann through t...

In this episode Frank and Jonathan talk to Eirik from Living Room Gear Demos, who has been a content creator on Youtube and other platforms for over 10 years. His unique approach to the creation of videos has brought him a huge audience and the respect of many other creators over the past decade. If you are currently looking for gear and would like to support us making the podcast, consider making...

In this episode Jonathan and Frank are talking to Andy Ferris aka "Guitar Geek", who is arguably one of the most successful guitar youtubers in Europe, mostly know for his very honest and approachable way to entertain and inform his audience on all things related with guitar gear. If you are currently looking for gear and would like to support us making the podcast, consider making your...

In this episode, Jonathan and Frank are talking with Richard Oliver, who is the head of Amplify Creative Marketing, a company with many clients in the MI industry. He is doing most of his work with Boutique Amps Distribution and also hosts the Chasing Tone podcast with Brian Wampler. #geartalk #podcast #videopodcast #guitartalk #pedal #pedalboard #guitar #guitarsdaily #wampler #wamplertumnus #fxpe...

In this episode, Frank and Jonathan discuss their top MI gear releases of 2023. They cover a range of products, including Q Pickups, Fender Tone Master Pro, Surfy Bear Fuzz, Two Notes Revolt, B&G Bender, and Soldano Astro 20. They also mention the T-Bone BC500 microphone as a surprising find for podcasting. They conclude by sharing their plans for the podcast in the coming year, including more...

In this episode Frank and Jonathan are talking with José Martinez from Thermion, a boutique amp & pedal company based in Albacete, Spain. José is a studied electronic engineer, who came to designing his first pedal almost by accident, as he will explain in the first half of the podcast. Other topics are: - Reverb's list of best selling pedals and amps 2023 - Guitar Summit versus NAMM Show...

In this episode Frank and Jonathan welcome their first ever podcast guest: Chris from JPTR FX. He started making pedals a long time ago, but really gained traction after he started selling internationally via  @Reverb  JPTR FX is currently the biggest German boutique pedal manufacturer and recently expanded their portfolio with very high-powered amps, as he will explain in this episode. If you are...

In this episode, Frank and Jonathan discuss new pedals and amps, including the Wampler Tumnus, Boss IR-2, Soldano Astro 20, Alex Lifeson's Mojotone Amps, and Jimmy Page's SunDragon Amps. They then delve into the main topic of the episode: Vox Amps and their enduring popularity. Frank and Jonathan share their differing opinions on Vox Amps and discuss their unique sound and features. This c...

Talking about music gear is always fun! But we also need to take a closer look at the state of the MI industry from time to time. Frank and Jonathan are talking in depth about it in this episode, touching some of these points: - How is the MI industry doing, looking at it from 3 different angles (gear youtuber, pedal builder, MI professional with 26 years of experience) - How did we get into the c...

In this very first episode of the Tone Lounge Podcast, Frank & Jonathan talk about their recent music gear experiences and touch a few other topics around guitar players, recording at home. Among the topics are: - VOX Amps AC50 - Klark Teknik CT-1 Mic Booster - Two Notes Torpedo Captor series - Impuls responses versus micing a real cab - Treated recording rooms - Gear that was not working prop...