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I talk with Florian of Millimetric Instruments about innovative guitar design, building skateboards and why B.C. Rich guitars belong in a burlesque show.  This is my full-length interview with Florian, conducted for the episode "A New Era of Innovative Guitar Design". Millimetric Instruments: Website - https://www.millimetric.ca/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MILLIMETRICINSTRUMENTS Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/millimetricinstruments/

Is the guitar world really as stuck in the past and conservative in its tastes as we often hear? If so, then where do all the innovators fit in? Because amongst all the reverence for a 'golden age' of guitars and guitar music are countless creative people taking the instrument in new directions. In this episode, I talk with three guitar builders who design out-there, innovative instruments that push the boundaries of guitar design. What perspective do they have on this – is the guitar world stuck in its ways, or are we heading into a new era of openness and experimentation? I want to say a massive thank you to Florian, Robin and Leo for joining me on this episode. Please do check out their work at the links below. Millimetric Instruments: Website - https://www.millimetric.ca/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MILLIMETRICINSTRUMENTS Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/millimetricinstruments/ Verso Musical Instruments: Website - https://versoinstruments.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/versoinstruments Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/versoinstruments/ Lospennato Electric Guitars: Website - https://www.lospennatoguitars.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LospennatoGuitars Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/lospennatoguitars/

It's been a while! But work on the podcast hasn't stopped, and there are some changes coming up in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned and all that. Today's music: cleopatrick.bandcamp.com/album/bummer

In the final part of my interview with Juha Ruokangas of Ruokangas Guitars, we discuss what the work of a guitar builder looks like these days, what role it might have in the future, and just about anything and everything else we can think of. Check out Ruokangas Guitars:  Website: ruokangas.com/ FB: facebook.com/ruokangas IG: instagram.com/ruokangasguitars/ YT: youtube.com/ruokangas

In part two of my interview with the head honcho of Ruokangas Guitars, Juha takes us on a deep dive of the Valvebucker and what it can teach us about life as a craftsperson in the world of music and guitars. Be sure to listen to part three in tomorrow's episode! Check out Ruokangas Guitars:  Website: ruokangas.com/ FB: facebook.com/ruokangas IG: instagram.com/ruokangasguitars/ YT: youtube.com/ruokangas

In part one of my interview with guitar builder Juha Ruokangas, he gives us his insights into where things stand in the world of guitar and what the future of guitar music may look like.  In part two tomorrow, we go on to discuss Ruokangas Guitars' own work in detail, and find out a little more about being a guitar maker today.  Check out Ruokangas Guitars:  Website: ruokangas.com/ FB: facebook.com/ruokangas IG: instagram.com/ruokangasguitars/ YT: youtube.com/ruokangas

It's a triple helping of guitar suggestions in today's episode with articles to read, new builds to check out and a live session to enjoy.  The Hopeless Guitarist's articles: guitar.com/author/the-hopeless-guitarist/ The Franfret Pegasus: youtu.be/rIq7NMT9Oa0 Today's music: youtu.be/5vF42lgRTuU

Watching Mdou Moctar's latest live videos are a great reminder of why we even care about any of this stuff in the first place – just in case we forget! Today's music:  youtu.be/G5xiaTWUTJk youtu.be/FDwT6trlSws youtu.be/cEAsL2qqdiU

The newly announced guitars from, er, GTRS look to have an interesting way of incorporating Mooer's digital effects technology. But will it actually open up new possibilities for players?  Check out GTRS here: gtrs.tech/ Today's music: youtu.be/ZAKUqCZ5MSw

The new pedal from OBNE isn't a freaky modulation box or a spacy reverb, but it may just open up some seriously interesting tonal options in the way it combines with other pedals.  Check it out and learn more here: youtu.be/SosGQ-ciSHE Today's music: youtu.be/KnsF2R0yf9U

No gear-nerd stuff today as we get straight to what really matters, the music, and introduce the work of a truly exciting guitarist and songwriter: Naia Izumi.  Voodoo official video: youtu.be/gyUOLBfZBTM Tiny Desk Concert: youtu.be/42MiCMJ6DJU Road to the Tiny Desk Concert: youtu.be/vOzYd1ehERo Audiotree Live session: youtu.be/lHLSwnavyh0

Franfret Guitars in Spain is at it again with teasing another beautiful build, this one with some seriously cool appointments! Plus, there's another big virtual guitar event on the horizon.  Franfret Instagram: instagram.com/franfret_guitars/ Franfret Facebook: facebook.com/FranfretGuitars Sweetwater GearFest Online: sweetwater.com/gearfest/ Today's music: music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kdEOI60gOfFypp5If6UnBZwYrmEQXhTTQ&feature=share

William 'Grit' Laskin is recognised the world over for having taken guitar inlay work beyond just decoration and into an artform of its own. If only for being inspired by the sheer skill and imagination involved, his work is worth checking out. But he's also known simply for the quality of his instruments, and for making significant contributions in the world of guitar and guitar making.  A little video intro to get to know Grit Laskin: youtu.be/VG-GQD80xoE A gallery showing just a sample of Grit's work: williamlaskin.com/gallery/ Today's music: smandem.bandcamp.com/album/self-titled

You want to stay independent but, well, when a huge sponsorship deal like this comes along, how can you resist selling out?  Today's music: youtu.be/00AXzk7hAHU

We all like something new, expressive, different, genuine. We can all also respect that artists need promotion. But if online spaces are creative outlets rather than just promotional tools, should we really drive our output on them with some kind of prescriptive digital marketing consultancy? Wouldn't our own creative inspirations and intuitions serve as a better foundation, just like when we're making albums/films/art/anything? Today's music/official PowerPoint presentation: youtu.be/9UVhLu5c500

Sometimes it's easy to get stuck in the mindset that there's a single 'right way' you need to be told to follow – from playing guitar to using gear to whatever else. It's usually when you're trying to figure something out or attain something in particular, and you end up just wanting an answer at a certain point. But it maybe isn't the most helpful or beneficial mindset for a few reasons, and it can take hearing from a great musician to reset your perspective.  Lou Barlow video: youtu.be/ymI7t9gb8nk Today's music: youtu.be/oJS_fT5OHig

In part 2 of my interview with Bastian of Zeal Guitars, we go into more detail on some of the guitars Zeal offer, talk about what guitar players want, and throw out some thoughts on the future of guitar.  Be sure to check out the last episode for part 1!   Zeal Guitars: zeal-guitars.de/en/ Facebook: facebook.com/zealguitars/ Instagram: instagram.com/zeal_guitars/

Bastian of Zeal Guitars in Germany was kind enough to come on the podcast and discuss some of Zeal's experimental finish work, the different paths to becoming a guitar builder, and what it's like being a professional guitar maker right now.  Tune in to the next episode for part 2! Zeal Guitars: zeal-guitars.de/en/ Facebook: facebook.com/zealguitars/ Instagram: instagram.com/zeal_guitars/

To start to back up a little more this idea that guitar is gaining prominence across more genres, here's a look at a cool project SBTV did with Tom Misch – and some ideas on what it shows us about how guitar fits into the current musical landscape. Check out the video here: youtu.be/qCtLQtiqPGw

Ron Thorn's new Acoustasonic Jazzmaster, called 'The Trees', is crafted from pieces of wood that each have their own legends behind them.  Check it out here: youtu.be/V_n_ADc_IyM Today's music: cleopatrick.bandcamp.com/album/the-boys