kostal

On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we introduce you to a young guitarmaker at the very beginning of his career, Asheville, North Carolina-based luthier Judson Riviere. Fresh out of high school, Judson enrolled himself in the Minnesota State College Southeast's Guitar Repair and Building program (aka simply as Red Wing). He then dove deep into guitar repair work for Steve Mason in Kansas and, for the last two years, has apprenticed under acoustic guitarmaker Jason Kostal in Arizona.

Judson is finally ready to start building guitars under his name. We talk about the skills he's learned along this journey, how Red Wing turned him into an acoustic guitar fanatic, what the apprenticeship for Jason Kostal looked like, his own guitars, and much more.

The Fretboard Summit, our three-day gathering for guitar fanatics, takes place in Chicago August 25-27, 2022. fretboardsummit.org

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This episode is sponsored by Peghead Nation (use the promo code FRETBOARD and get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription); Izotope (use the coupon code FRET10 to save 10% off their plug-ins); Retrofret Vintage Guitars; Izotope (use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your Izotope purchase); and Calton Cases.

Author and guitar collector John Stubbings joins us for a very special episode of the Fretboard Journal Podcast to read from his monumental book, The Devil Is In It: A Story of Love, Obsession, and the American Acoustic Guitar. This hefty, slipbound-cased tome is equal parts history lesson, art book and memoir, showcasing John's love for the modern lutherie movement and all things acoustic guitar. It also features exquisite illustrations from FJ contributor Drew Christie. 

Listeners to the podcast can get a 50 GBP discount if they order now by using the discount code LONDON. Click here.

The Fretboard Journal Podcast is sponsored by Mono Cases and Folkway Music. 

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Twenty years ago, former president Jimmy Carter planted a grove of Paulownia trees on his Georgia property. Wood from those trees was recently harvested and, thanks to World Tree and FJ contributor/luthier Todd Lunneborg, some of that wood harvest is currently being turned into some rather special guitars.

On this week’s Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to Lunneborg and acclaimed acoustic guitarmaker Jason Kostal about the project. Kostal recently completed his guitar featuring the Paulownia from Carter's grove and, thanks to a bit of a luck and some social distancing, he was able to show the former president his finished instrument. It's an unforgettable moment and a great story that we think you'll love. 

See pics of the finished guitar and of Carter with it here.

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This week's podcast is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Mono Cases.

A lot of acoustic guitarists have a favorite pickup that they install on their instruments. Singer-songwriter/guitarist David Wilcox has more like ten…and he uses them all at the same time.

On this week’s podcast, we talk to David about his very unique method for amplifying and recording his guitars, including the numerous pickups and mics he installs (Joe Mills, Sunrise, McIntyre Acoustic Featherand others!). We also talk about his signature model RainSong guitar and his forthcoming order with acclaimed luthier Jason Kostal.

Beyond all the gear talk, David walks us through his Custom Songs program (where he takes commissions from fans to write songs specifically about their lives), the fateful moment that inspired him to take up the guitar and a lot more.

This episode is sponsored by Lowden Guitars, Lee Valley Tools and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. 

Thank you 2Babes Listeners, and Sponsors for all your ongoing support! Episode 50 Has Finally Arrived!!

Episode 50 Has Finally Arrived!!

To properly highlight the arrival of Episode 50 to the podcast, our 2Babes had the opportunity to chat with special guest, Bill DeMartino, General Manager at riskmethods. The company that provides SaaS, cloud-based SC risk management solutions for SMEs and large business that traditionally handle numerous international interactions daily. 

For this episode, Bill takes us through the in's and out's to spot some potentials risks to businesses today. As well as helps us out by listing five SC risk management mistakes that could even cost your company a fortune, and possibly, you, your job. 

Keep Your Business Listed as a "Risk Aware Enterprise."

Make sure to download riskmethods white paper on the same topic. https://www.riskmethods.net/en/download/Five-scrm-mistakes_whitepaper

As well as, check out additional resources off of our website: http://www.2babestalksupplychain.com/ 

Even though his guitars command top dollar and his wait list is several years long, luthier Jason Kostal isn’t done learning his craft. In fact, as we hear on today’s Fretboard Journal Podcast, Kostal just flew to Europe to attend an inlay master class with Grit Laskin. We talk to Kostal about the course, Laskin’s approach to teaching and whether he’ll use his newfound inlay skills on his own guitar creations.

Beyond describing his class with Laskin, Kostal also tells us a bit about his build philosophy, how his business is doing and the state of boutique guitarmaking in general.

Kostal is a tireless learner and easily one of the most fascinating builders around: Before becoming a full-time luthier, he graduated from West Point, served in the Army, earned an MBA from Emory and did his time working for a Fortune 500 company. Eventually, he found himself at Roberto-Venn in Phoenix, apprenticing for Ervin Somagyi (who will be featured in issue 36 of the Journal) and starting his own guitar company.  

This episode is sponsored by D’Addario’s new Nickel Bronze Wound strings:  nickelbronze.daddario.com

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www.fretboardjournal.com.