What’s Inside: Fretboard Journal 56

The Fretboard Journal community knows that FJ is far from your average guitar publication. With 128 pages filled with exceptional photography, our issues are more like art books than magazines. In fact, our designer André has said that he believes this is our best looking issue to date!

Join us as we celebrate our 20th year of publishing!

Tim Heidecker, best known for his comedy duo Tim and Eric, shares gems from his guitar collection with FJ’s Ryan Richter. The two discuss the making of Heidecker’s 2024 album Slipping Away, touring, and the joys of being in a band.

 

Jamie Etherington interviews luthier and fly-fishing rod maker Olivia Elia, who shares beautiful photos and self-portraits of her work, studio, and more. In this profile, learn more about Elia’s guitar-making journey and the next generation of luthiers.

 

In this interview, Chris Eldridge meets his hero Eric Johnson. The two legendary guitarists discuss the instruments that shaped them, musical origins, and playing styles.

 

Gracing the cover of FJ56 is Italian luthier Noemi Schembri, who has been making inventive steel string, nylon, and archtop guitars for over a decade. Fretboard Journal’s very own Jason Verlinde talks with Schembri about her signature designs, her workshop environment, and the aesthetics of her practice. This essay includes photographs by the one-and-only Jim Herrington.

 

Nathaniel Braddock documents the luthiers of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In this highly immersive essay, Braddock walks readers through Kinshasa’s history of luthiery and deep guitar heritage.

 

Interested in what a luthier apprenticeship entails? Jeff Silverman details his time in Ervin Somogyi’s apprenticeship program, everything from his initial interview and test (hint: the cube!), to his current guitar projects and finding his own visual language.

 

You know Cameron Knowler from being a contributor to the magazine and a reoccurring podcast guest. Now, we turn the camera on him in honor of his newest record, CRK. He is profiled by Philippe Custeau.

 

Michael Watts takes us into Richard Waddell’s workshop, who makes guitars under the name Uberfrank. Waddell is best known for innovative designs with a retro flare, including his signature Spellbinder model.

 

This issue of FJ has a special treat: an immersive and detailed personal-meets-historical essay by Trevor Barnes, who narrates his journey unearthing and learning to play Silas Seth Weeks’ compositions for solo mandolin. If you’re interested in reading about composers’ historical relationships to instruments, this essay is for you.

 

Finally, Jason Verlinde interviews the founder of Folkway Music Mark Stutman about his love for macro photography. Best known for being an expert on 1930’s and 1940’s vintage Gibson and Martin acoustics, Stutman has always been interested in giving vintage instruments a close-up and methodical look, reflected throughout this photo essay.

Plus a lot more…

Thanks to our community of subscribers, contributors, and sponsors for helping make this issue a reality.

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The post What’s Inside: Fretboard Journal 56 first appeared on Fretboard Journal.

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