Know Your Gear Podcast - Episode 426

Title: Another Guitar Brand Closing After 60 Years
Host: Phillip McKnight
Date: August 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Phillip McKnight dives into a broad range of guitar-related topics, fielding audience questions with his signature blend of expertise, humor, and authenticity. The main thread running through the conversation is the closure of yet another legacy guitar brand after decades in the business, highlighting shifting dynamics and challenges in the guitar industry. Phillip explores technical questions, shares insider stories about gear and industry personalities, and offers insights on both playing and collecting guitars in today’s evolving landscape.

Key Topics & Insights

1. True Temperament Necks & Gear Demos

Timestamp: 02:05–08:45

• Phil's Experience: Discusses his year with a Strandberg True Temperament guitar.
• Pros: "I really love the way the guitar sounds. It really is really pleasing to me… beautiful and sustains and sounds great." (03:40)
• Cons: Challenges jamming with others: “I can't play it with any other guitar. So I can't play with any other musicians with it.” (04:25)
• Takeaway: True Temperament systems shine with solo acoustic playing and complex chords, but don't blend seamlessly with standard fretted guitars.

2. Content Creation Philosophy

Timestamp: 09:00–12:30

• Motivation: Phil prioritizes creating content that is educational and personally rewarding, likening videos to potluck dishes:
  “It's like I spent all night cooking to bring something to the potluck, and I come to the potluck and nobody ate it. And I feel… it really eats at me. It kills my soul a little bit.” (09:55)
• Boutique vs. Affordable Gear: Explains preference evolution and why sometimes he gravitates toward high-end/boutique gear for the learning experience.

3. Stainless Steel Frets: Grinding Sounds & Polishing

Timestamp: 13:00–21:00

• Common Issue: Metal grinding noise during vibrato is usually due to insufficiently polished frets or the specific string/fret combination.
• Stainless vs. Nickel: Stainless steel frets are harder, harder to polish, but also last longer; micro-scratches may cause unwanted noise.
• Tech Insight:
  “The hardest thing about stainless steel frets is getting out all of the micro scratches in them.” (13:55)
• Practical Advice: Try changing strings first before major work, inspect for flat spots, and polish frets thoroughly with steel wool or micro-mesh pads. Kiesel factory innovates with a shoe polisher using steel wool.

4. Piezo Saddle Installations

Timestamp: 21:15–25:35

• Recommended System: Graphtech Ghost saddles get a practical nod.
• Build Complexity: Not hard, just time-consuming and involves careful wire routing/testing.
• Sound Quality: The final tone is influenced heavily by the guitar’s construction—hollow bodies generally sound more convincing with piezos than solid bodies.

5. Wolfgang/Music Man Guitars: Emotional Attachments & Legacy

Timestamp: 25:45–32:30

• Neck Differences: Music Man Axis guitars have notably thinner necks than EVH or Peavey Wolfgangs.
• Personal Connection: Phil shares touching stories about the emotional resonance Eddie Van Halen and specific guitars have had for him, referencing photographer Larry DiMarzio’s black-and-white concert photos.
• On Grief & Guitar Legends: Reflects on why Eddie's passing impacted him and the community so deeply compared to other legends like Jeff Beck.

  “Eddie is a chapter of time for me, like, this is when this was Eddie… I don't know how to explain it.” (31:55)

6. Learning to Refret & Affordable Practice Guitars

Timestamp: 32:45–35:20

• Advice: Practice on $100 'junker' guitars from local shops before tackling valuable instruments.
• Community:
  “What a way to get. You cannot buy that skill any cheaper than that and you're doing something for the community...” (34:25)

7. Hand-Wired Princeton Reverb Amp Discussion

Timestamp: 35:30–39:15

• Amp Love: Phil's retention of his Princeton amps over the years reflects their unique feel and clean tone for home playing.
• Comparisons: Prefers Princeton’s feel over Deluxe Reverbs at home, especially at lower volumes.
• Notable Quote:
  “I'll always have a Princeton. I just can't imagine a world where I don't.” (37:55)

8. Fret King, Vintage Guitars, and Industry Succession

Timestamp: 39:30–47:10
Main Theme Alert!

• Industry Losses: Discusses the impending closures of legacy brands like Fret King and Vintage Guitars, largely due to lack of succession rather than bankruptcy.

  “I think we're going to lose about a dozen guitar companies and amp companies this year. One a month. And that's been about what we've been losing…” (46:00)

• Personal Story: Recalls meeting Trev Wilkinson, who complimented him as “the only person on YouTube who knows what they're talking about” at NAMM (44:00).
• Future Speculation: Predicts a wave of further closures in coming years, driven by aging owners and no transition strategies.
• On Fender:
  “I'm waiting for the next iteration of Fender… I hope it comes soon. Fender, to me, changes every five or six years— they become a different Fender.” (48:15)

9. Gear Values & Price Shocks

Timestamp: 48:30–52:10

• Inflation in Pricing: Discusses the skyrocketing costs of Fender amps and guitars—juxtaposes a $350 Deluxe Reverb purchase in 2016 vs. today’s $1800+ price tags.
• Community Reactions: Listeners chime in with their own stories about past bargain scores.

10. Epiphone Les Paul Construction: Maple Caps or Veneers?

Timestamp: 52:20–56:10

• Clarification: Most Epiphone Les Pauls have a real quarter-inch maple cap plus a thin maple or flamed maple veneer on top, except for lowest-dollar models.
• Factory Video Tease: Upcoming videos will reveal factory secrets about how veneers are chosen and applied, cultivated from rare behind-the-scenes access.

11. Behind-the-Scenes: Guitar Factory Access

Timestamp: 56:15–60:55

• Upcoming Content: Extensive videos from the Cortek and PRS SE factories are being edited, promising unprecedented looks at production processes.
• NDAs & Brand Anonymity:
  “Some brands pay Cortek to build their instruments, and those brands… don’t want us to know, even though we all know. My joke: it's like they're all wearing a toupee and we all have to pretend we don't know.” (58:45)

12. Speaker & Amp Choices: Wonderland Overdrive Example

Timestamp: 61:05–64:35

• 50W vs. 22W: Phil prefers 50W versions of Amplified Nation amps, based on builder advice and personal experience—suitable for both gigging and home use.
• Speaker Preferences: Recommends Creamback speakers for 1x12 cabs; Creamback and Redback combination for 2x12s.

13. EQ Pedals: Boss GE7 and Mods

Timestamp: 64:40–66:40

• Boss GE7: Praised as the “greatest problem-solving product ever,” especially after collaborating with Tim Pierce in a widely-viewed video.
• Modified Versions: Tim prefers the analog-modded GE7, which Phil wants to try in the future.

14. Boutique Pickup Companies & Small Builder Videos

Timestamp: 66:45–70:55

• Flooded Market: Comments on the proliferation of small pickup/pedal/guitar companies due to low entry barriers.
• Small Builder Challenges:
  “It's getting really hard to… deal with these companies… if you have small builders and people you want to suggest, please email them to us.”
• Second Channel Expansion: The Know Your Gear channel now serves as the home for small builder and “pod clip” content.

15. Digital vs. Real Amps & The Hobbyist Experience

Timestamp: 71:00–80:50

• No Shame in Preferences: Firm stance that neither digital nor real amps are “better” universally—use what inspires creativity.
• The Hobbyist Myth:
  “If you were going to learn to become a chef and you bought all kinds of pots and pans and knives… it's about the experience. I want to make music.” (73:40)
• Concert Anecdote: Shares attending Christopher Cross, Men at Work, and Toto—insights on players’ gear, stage confidence, and why pros play what they play.

  “Why does [Christopher Cross] have expensive guitars and expensive amps? Because he’s Christopher Cross. That’s what inspires him. That’s what motivates him.” (78:15)

16. Best Marshall-ish Pedals for JTM20

Timestamp: 80:55–82:15

• Phil’s Picks: Pedal Pal Plexi, Marshall Blues Breaker, Raya (Klon style), LPD 87 (for high gain), Taurus and Exotic pedals for boosts.

17. EMG Pickup Pot Upgrades?

Timestamp: 82:20–84:20

• Short Answer: Not necessary—EMG kits come optimized from factory.
• Switch Upgrade:
  “The only thing I usually recommend upgrading is the switches… but that’s up to you. My confidence on stage is knowing stuff isn’t going to break.” (84:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Video Engagement:
  “It kills my soul a little bit. Like, why? What, did I make a mistake? I thought it was engaging. And then... the dog doesn’t even eat it.” (10:30)

• On Industry Closures:
  “We're going to lose a brand that you'll know of once a month. That's just how this works.” (46:07)

• On Brand Anonymity:
  “It's like the brands are all wearing a toupee and we all have to pretend we don’t know it’s a toupee.” (58:45)

• On Tone Gear Shaming:
  “I've never seen a musician on stage who played like ass but had great gear and was jealous of them. Never. Not once ever.” (53:10)

• Hobbyist Inspiration:
  “Listening to music is the greatest thing that's ever happened in my life… after that, I wanted to experience every element of it.” (73:15)

• Fender’s Future:
  “I'm waiting for the next iteration of Fender… .I hope it comes soon.” (48:15)

Summary

This episode blends technical troubleshooting, heartfelt industry laments, and Phil’s gift for storytelling. The central theme—the closure of long-standing guitar brands like Fret King and Vintage, and the broader industry loss of succession planning—underscores a changing era in gear and the business behind it. Meanwhile, Phil’s approachable, egalitarian attitude toward all things gear reminds listeners that whether you’re a gigging pro or a bedroom hobbyist, music is about personal inspiration and connection, not price tags or tradition.

Additional Listening Guide

00:00–09:00: True Temperament & Gear Philosophy
09:00–13:00: Content Creation & Boutique Gear
13:00–21:00: Stainless Steel Frets
21:15–25:35: Piezo Saddles
25:45–32:30: Wolfgang Guitars & Eddie's Legacy
32:45–35:20: Refretting & Practice Guitars
35:30–39:15: Princeton Reverb Discussion
39:30–47:10: Fret King/Vintage Brand Closure
48:30–52:10: Pricing Trends & Stories
52:20–56:10: Epiphone Les Paul Construction
56:15–60:55: Factory Tour Teases
61:05–64:35: Wonderland Overdrive Amps
64:40–66:40: Boss GE7 Pedal
66:45–70:55: Boutique Builders & Secondary Channel
71:00–80:50: Digital vs. Real Amps & Concert Story
80:55–82:15: Marshall-Style Pedals
82:20–84:20: Upgrading EMG Pots

End of summary.