The Tone Mob Podcast

In this conversation, Blake and Matt Eich discuss the growth of Mule Resonator Guitars and the development of the Mavis guitar. (The first wooden Mule guitar build!) We explore the importance of unique sounds and the balance between innovation and expression in instrument design. We also discuss the unique experience of building musical instruments and the emotional impact they have on people. They explore the feeling of creating something that becomes a tool for artistic expression and the responsibility that comes with it. They also delve into their shared interests outside of music, such as jujitsu and fly fishing, and the similarities in the flow state experienced in these activities. They emphasize the importance of being present and fully engaged in whatever they are doing. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the benefits and challenges of pursuing a passion full-time. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:22 The Development of the Mavis Guitar 08:32 The Importance of Unique Sounds 13:48 Balancing

In this episode of the Tone Mob Podcast, host Blake Wyland interviews David Greeves from Great Eastern FX. David shares his background as a music journalist and how he fell into writing about equipment from the gear world. He also discusses his journey into pedal design and the challenges he faced along the way. The conversation covers the inspiration behind the name Great Eastern FX and the launch of the company. Also in this episode, we get a sneak peek at the XO Variable Crossover pedal and Blake shares a short demo. (A first on this podcast!) David and Blake discuss the versatility and educational potential of the crossover pedal. Including creating complex effects chains and splitting the signal for different amps. David shares the origin of the pedal and how it evolved from a harmonic tremolo concept. They also discuss the importance of using your ears and understanding frequency ranges in music. The conversation concludes with David's favorite Boss pedal, the TR2 Tremolo, and his favorite kind of pizza

Markus Reeves from Reeves Electro returns to the podcast! On this episode we discuss how business has changed since he first started, and how his daughter is now building pedals full time as well! We also dig into some rather exciting new adventures that are happening with the progress of Reeves Electro Shop 2.0 on the horizon. Paypal whoas, and how he approaches his work with a "Rick Rubin" mindset, the big lightbulb moment, balance, bad gigs... All of this and more on this week's edition of The Tone Mob Podcast! If you aren't familiar with Markus's work I highly suggest that you head listen to his first appearance on the podcast. (I'm sure is you type "Markus Reeves Tone Mob" into the search bar of your podcast player it'll pop right up!) You can also find his website with all of the details HERE > https://reeveselectro.co.uk/ Takeaways Reeves Electro now supports Markus and his daughter full-time. The workshop expansion and move to a new house present logistical challenges, but Markus is determined to m

In this episode, Blake interviews Marty Schwartz, a renowned guitar teacher and one of the first music instructors on YouTube. Marty shares his journey of becoming a successful guitar teacher and the early adoption of YouTube for teaching guitar lessons. He discusses the impact of Guitar Hero on teaching classic rock songs and the benefits of video lessons for students. We also get into using YouTube to enhance private lessons, and the challenges he faced during the 2008 economic crash. We also get into his experience creating lesson courses and DVDs and how he started working with music brands. He discusses the process of getting a signature guitar and building relationships with brands like D'Addario and Gibson. Marty also mentions his involvement in Gibson's G3 mentorship program and his collaborations with the brand. Takeaways Marty Schwartz became a successful guitar teacher by seizing opportunities and working hard. YouTube provided a platform for Marty to teach guitar lessons at scale and reach a wid

In this conversation, Blake interviews Chris and Matt from Driftwood Guitars. This is an EXTREMELY YouTube driven episode. (Thanks Rhett Shull!) As the Driftwood Guitars channel has grown, so has the guitar building business and we talk about their approach, how to balance the guitar building side with the video side, negative troll comments, mental health, and a whole lot more! Head over to the Driftwood Guitars website HERE! https://www.driftwoodguitars.com/ And their YouTube HERE https://www.youtube.com/@DriftwoodGuitars Takeaways Building guitars was a hobby that turned into a business YouTube played a significant role in growing their business and connecting with customers. YouTube has revolutionized the guitar world, making it more accessible and exciting. Balancing marketing/promotion work can be difficult, but it's necessary. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:58 Getting Started in Guitar Building 03:01 Transition to YouTube 06:02 The Impact of YouTube on the Business 08:08 The Evoluti

Tye Tyler (Shock The Fox)shares his journey from the corporate world slinging cell phones to becoming a full time guitar builder. He discusses his background in woodworking and how he got into building guitars. We also go over the importance of sharing the process of guitar building and engaging with folks in a genuine way. He also talks about the joy of opening a guitar and the satisfaction of building for others. This is a banger of an episode, and you really should check out Tye's work on his webiste HERE: https://shockthefox.com/ Takeaways Sharing the process of guitar building can engage customers and create a deeper connection. Trusting the builder's creativity and giving them freedom can lead to a more exciting and satisfying final product. The joy of receiving a custom guitar is like experiencing Christmas morning as an adult. Innovative approaches and attention to detail can set a guitar builder apart and create a unique product. Chapters 00:00 Technical difficulties 01:00 Introduction and back

In this episode, Blake interviews Scott Strange from Templo Audio Devices. They discuss Scott's traveling lifestyle and the challenges of running a business while constantly on the move. Scott shares his approach to finding the right balance and bringing in help to scale his company. They also talk about the importance of specialized skills in business and the human element that is absolutely essential in companies. Finally, Scott introduces some of the new pedals he has been working on and his design process. We also get into the process of translating vintage preamps into pedal form and the importance of embracing imperfections in sound. We also dive into some of Scott's favorite cuisines that are in the town he current resides in. Check out Scott's wares at his website HERE https://templodevices.com/ Takeaways Running a business while traveling requires finding the right balance and bringing in help. Specialized skills are essential for the growth and success of a company. Maintaining the vision and th

In this conversation, Molly Miller discusses her early start in a family band and her formal education in guitar. She shares her approach to teaching and the importance of balance in her career, which includes performing, teaching, and session work. Molly also talks about her approach to gear and pedals and the challenges of imposter syndrome in the music industry. She offers tips for traveling musicians and emphasizes the importance of self-care and staying centered while on tour. In this conversation, We also get into the benefits of limitations in creativity, and the all important element of gratitude. Molly's website is HERE: https://www.mollymillermusic.com/ Takeaways Molly is intensely focused on guitar, specifically. Balancing exercise with travel can be challenging, but planning and flexibility can help. Finding the right gear and equipment is a personal process, and it's important to have setups that work well for individual preferences and situations. Limitations can foster creativity and lead

In this conversation, Blake and Landon discuss their experiences in making that sweet, sweet content. We also talk about our time at Gear Fest and the importance of networking and building relationships in the industry. (Its always good to have buddies!) We also discuss the evolution of YouTube and the changing landscape of the platform. Landon shares his journey from being in a band to starting his YouTube channel and how he found his niche. (We also get into the unpredictability of the platform, and the difficulties of explaining their work to others and the perception of being a YouTuber/podcaster.) Landon and I also get into the topic of soundproofing and how we built out our studios for content creation SECOND and loud amps FIRST. We also discuss the misconceptions surrounding soundproofing and the importance of using the right materials. Finally, they discuss the weird side of doing this for a living and the impact it can have on mental health. In this portion of the chat, Landon and Blake discuss a ran

Summary Justyna Kelley is a "Nashville-by-way of France" recording artist, producer, songwriter, actress, and a whole bunch of other stuff! In this conversation, Justyna and Blake discuss her background in music, her work as a producer, and her love for different genres. Justyna shares her experiences growing up in Nashville and being surrounded by country music. She also talks about her journey as a musician and how she ended up living in Paris. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the importance of putting oneself out there and finding your people. She also shares stories about her guitars. Later in the conversation, Eddie joins the chat to discuss Steve Cropper's guitars, how Justyna and himself work together, and a whole lot more! including writing from titles and finding sources of inspiration. They also share their experiences with song ideas coming from dreams and the importance of using the mighty voice memo app! You are going to like this one! Check out Justyna's website HERE: https://www.just

Summary In this episode, host Blake Wyland interviews John Dyer Baizley from the band Baroness. They discuss the band's touring rig and guitar setup, the importance of band chemistry, and the role of the song and audience in live performances. John also shares insights into the band's intuitive approach to songwriting and the exploration of ideas that don't fit the band's sound. Additionally, they touch on John's visual artistry and his influences as an artist. Custom Rickenbackers, favorite BOSS Pedals, and of course pizza are the topics of the day! You are going to enjoy this! Takeaways Band chemistry is crucial for creating a balanced and dynamic live performance. The role of each band member is to support and enhance the overall sound, rather than seeking individual attention. The band's writing process is a combination of structured and intuitive approaches, allowing for creative exploration and discovery. Trusting instincts and embracing creativity without overthinking can lead to unique and excitin

Nick Loux is a musician out of Kansas City who is best known for being a HUGE part of the widely popular JHS Show on YouTube. You've seen him, you've heard him play, but do you know his story? I certainly didn't! So I figured I should get him on the podcast to find out just exactly how he became a part of one of the most popular guitar gear channels on the World Wide Web! Let's just say that Jack Black was definitely involved. Check out Nick's music HERE: https://linktr.ee/nickloux Check out The JHS Show HERE: https://thejhsshow.com/ The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577 You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy Release your music via DistroKid and save 30% by going to Tonemob.com/distrokid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever heard of ANYONE hitting the road and visiting basically every single guitar store in the United States? Few have done it, and even fewer have done it for a guitar accessories brand. But Charlton Moore of Franklin Strap has, and his efforts were a large part of the reason that Franklin Strap & Glider Capo is carried in well over 1000 retailers across North America. (And the world at this point.) We dive into how he did this under the tutelage of the late, great Greg Bennett, his classical music schooling, writing 300+ songs a year, and a whole lot more! Check out Franklin's wares at their website HERE: https://franklinstrap.com/ Give Charlton a follow and check out his music on his Instagram https://www.instagram.com/c_mozie The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577 You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy Release your music via DistroKid and save 3

Are we currently at a place where we can talk about "the old days" of The Internet? Are blogs cool again? Is Generation Y going to flock to the written word? Which Batman is the scariest Batman? My good buddy, published writer, guitarist, gear enthusiast, and YouTuber Jason Mays of Working Class Music has returned to the podcast to talk about all of this and a whole lot more! Check out Jason's new YouTube channel HERE > https://www.youtube.com/@JasonTMays Check out Working Class Music HERE > https://www.youtube.com/@WorkingClassMusic The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577 You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy Release your music via DistroKid and save 30% by going to Tonemob.com/distrokid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Klon. There are few words in the guitar world that will get guitarists clamoring, foaming at the mouth, or shouting hysterically like the word Klon. (I'll let you decide if that is a negative or a positive in your own mind.) So much so that even the best clones of the legendary circuit can send folks right into a frenzy. And if those clones are using some of the same hard-to-source components as the original? Well, people lose their almost as hard as they do over an original! My buddies over at Wampler Pedals had just that happen at the end of last year with the Germanium Tumnus release, and I invited my buddy/co-host Richard Oliver (a man of many hats at Wampler) on the podcast to discuss just that. Let's get into it! Need a website? Why not have Richard make you one? Check his company out HERE https://amplify-creative.com/ Give Richard a follow on his Instagram HERE https://www.instagram.com/olly_1975 Check out the Wampler Pedals website: https://www.wamplerpedals.com/ The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (5

It is officially a tradition now! My dude Dewey from the Peer Pleasure Podcast is back on for our annual Year In Review. We dive right in and discuss the WEIRDEST things that happened while we were recording the podcast this year, and trust me when I say there are some really, really weird things that guests have done while recording. Squirrels, clock mechanics, "hitting them where they ain't" and well... I don't want to spoil it. This is a good one. Make sure you check out Dewey's show Peer Pleasure Podcast wherever you listen to this one! Check out our 30 Day Guitar Challenge HERE https://stringjoy.com/30-day-guitar-challenge/ The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577 You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy Release your music via DistroKid and save 30% by going to Tonemob.com/distrokid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Randall Taylor (better known as Amulets) is a Portland based musician who is well known for his very unique approach to ambient/post rock. He records to tape loops and manually manipulates the loops in real time while playing guitar. Its a fascinating process and produces textures unlike anything you've ever heard. He's also a super cool and fascinating dude! We had an excellent chat and I think you are really going to enjoy it. Dive on in! Check him out on his website HERE: http://www.amuletsmusic.com/ The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577 You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy Release your music via DistroKid and save 30% by going to Tonemob.com/distrokid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Phil McKnight is one of the most popular content creators in the guitar gear space. He's been spreading his knowledge of gear on YouTube for around a decade now, and yet... There is still a LOT that people don't know about Phil himself. So we dive into the Phil McKnight story pretty heavily on this episode and uncover how all of this unfolded for him. It's a pretty crazy story that not very many people know, so give this a listen and enjoy! Subscribe to Phil's channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PhillipMcKnight The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577 You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy Release your music via DistroKid and save 30% by going to Tonemob.com/distrokid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I had the opportunity to sit down with singer/songwriter Calder Allen when I was at Fairwell Fest over the summer. This dude didn't start writing until 2020 and he is already churning out some really incredible stuff. It's a quick one, but we had a really cool conversation about his story, fly fishing and a whole lot more. Enjoy! Check out Calder on his website HERE: https://www.calderallen.com/  The Text Chat is back!Hit me up at (503) 751-8577 You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy Release your music via DistroKid and save 30% by going to Tonemob.com/distrokid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Fairwell Fest conversation, I sat down with The Band The Brook And The Bluff. Unlike most episodes, on this one I'm talking to the WHOLE BAND! These Fairwell Fest episodes are recorded in the "green room area' of the festival and it is a much different environment than I'm accustomed to, and I was running around like a maniac for the whole weekend. So you'll notice the vibe is slightly different, but not in a bad way. These dudes are super cool, and I think you are going to enjoy this chat! Check out the band on their website HERE: https://www.brookandbluff.com/ The Text Chat is back!Hit me up at (503) 751-8577 You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy Release your music via DistroKid and save 30% by going to Tonemob.com/distrokid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices