Know Your Gear Podcast Episode #435
Host: Phillip McKnight
Date: October 21, 2025
Overview
In this lively, Q&A-driven episode, Phillip McKnight answers a wide range of guitar-related questions from listeners, tackling everything from maple tops and guitar tech etiquette to piezo pickups, the evolution of photo-finish guitars, market trends, and new gear releases. True to his approachable and knowledgeable style, Phil keeps the episode entertaining with stories from his career, honest takes on reputation in the guitar world, and thoughtful discussions on gear choices, all while encouraging players to trust their instincts and keep their passion in perspective.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Why PRS Maple Tops Look Better Than Gibson’s
- Discussion (00:05–19:00):
- Volume Affects Selection: Phil explains that all brands claim to use the “best” maple, but large manufacturers like Gibson simply produce more guitars, so beautiful tops become less frequent in the total output.
“The more guitars you make, the less pretty tops you're going to have out there, period.” (Phil, 05:00)
- PRS’s Appeal: PRS has built its brand heavily on stunning wood tops, making “better tops” part of their sales pitch.
- Historical Credit: Other brands like Carvin/Kiesel, Warrior, and Hamer were making stunning tops before PRS became known for it.
- Hierarchy of Tops: Phil breaks down how high-end lines (Private Stock, Custom Shop) get the best wood.
- Live Comparison: Phil physically compares a blue/grey PRS and a Gibson Custom Shop maple top on camera, asking viewers to judge without bias.
- Volume Affects Selection: Phil explains that all brands claim to use the “best” maple, but large manufacturers like Gibson simply produce more guitars, so beautiful tops become less frequent in the total output.
2. Finding a Trustworthy Guitar Tech
- Discussion (19:01–43:30):
- First Impressions Matter: Phil recommends trusting your gut if a tech’s workspace feels sloppy or sketchy.
“She [Shauna] says go with your gut. You did the right thing. But let me break it down into some logic that might help.” (Phil, 20:30)
- Clean Workspace = Professionalism: Phil emphasizes he kept his own work area clean to convey care and prevent damage—both for peace of mind and financial reasons.
- Tech Horror Stories: Phil shares a long, infamous story about a highly recommended Phoenix tech whose disastrous service and erratic reputation demonstrates that word-of-mouth can't always be trusted.
“A guitar tech can have a great reputation and also be as shitty as hell. That is absolutely the truth.” (34:20)
- Lesson Learned: If you get a bad vibe, don’t ignore it, regardless of reputation.
- First Impressions Matter: Phil recommends trusting your gut if a tech’s workspace feels sloppy or sketchy.
3. Maple Cap vs. Veneer: Does It Matter?
- Discussion (43:31–55:40):
- No Preference for Cap vs. Veneer: Phil doesn’t have a fundamental preference. What matters is transparency in pricing and specs.
“My only thoughts... have to do with the price. I don't care as long as I'm not paying for something I'm not getting.” (45:30)
- Educational Approach: He details why he points out body construction details in reviews—just so buyers know what they’re paying for.
- Veneers as a Solution: Veneers guarantee visual appeal; most buyers actually want a flawless look.
- Tone Myths: Phil rejects the magic-wood myth—good playability and build matter more than the cap or veneer.
- No Preference for Cap vs. Veneer: Phil doesn’t have a fundamental preference. What matters is transparency in pricing and specs.
4. Photo Finish Guitars & Their Legacy
- Discussion (55:41–1:02:30):
- Photo Flames vs. Veneers: Phil reminisces about guitars with photo finishes—literally photographs of wood grain applied to guitars (especially on affordable models in the ’90s).
“Every piece of furniture I grew up with... was a picture of wood just glued to particle board. Same kind of logic.” (58:20)
- Modern Advancements: Veneers have replaced most photo finishes, offering real wood appearance at low cost.
- Cracking Issues: Older photo flame finishes were prone to cracking and wear.
- Photo Flames vs. Veneers: Phil reminisces about guitars with photo finishes—literally photographs of wood grain applied to guitars (especially on affordable models in the ’90s).
5. Piezo Pickups in Solid-Body Electrics
- Discussion (1:02:31–1:10:00):
- Limited Use, Mediocre Results: Phil explains piezos in electrics rarely sound convincing, especially in solid bodies.
“Most of the time they don't sound great. That’s the big thing.” (1:03:40)
- Best in Semi/Hollows: He finds better results in semi-hollow designs.
- Genre Trends: Piezo and “do-it-all” guitars were a ’90s/early 2000s fad but lost steam as specialized instruments remained superior for their intended sounds.
- Limited Use, Mediocre Results: Phil explains piezos in electrics rarely sound convincing, especially in solid bodies.
6. Why No Black Gloss PRS Core Guitars?
- Discussion (1:10:01–1:15:45):
- Black Core Guitars Didn’t Sell: Phil recalls a Gear Fest where Sweetwater had an excess of black PRS cores that went unsold—buyers want flashy tops from PRS.
- Special Orders Possible: Dealers can special-order black gloss PRS cores, but don’t expect a price break.
“You’re gonna pay full price for the guitar to be black.” (1:15:20)
7. Commemorating Ace Frehley
- Discussion (1:15:46–1:17:50):
- Phil reflects on the passing of Kiss’s Ace Frehley, remembering his influential persona and unique Les Paul mods (with smoke).
“Play a Kiss song this weekend for him. That’s definitely something you should do.” (1:17:40)
- Phil reflects on the passing of Kiss’s Ace Frehley, remembering his influential persona and unique Les Paul mods (with smoke).
8. Ordering a Custom Kiesel: Tips & Pitfalls
- Discussion (1:17:51–1:30:10):
- Headless Kiesels are Great—If You Like Headless: Phil recommends Kiesel’s headless models for those who want that style, hailing their design and build quality.
- Warning on Fretboard Radius Experimentation: Stick to what you know—Phil’s own bad experience with an unfamiliar radius showed it’s the one spec that can make or break long-term satisfaction.
- HSS Pickup Configurations: Phil likes HSS but doesn’t mind other layouts for variety among his many guitars.
9. Do Fretboard Woods Really Affect Feel?
- Discussion (1:30:11–1:34:00):
- Finish, Not Wood, is Key: Differences in feel have more to do with how the wood is finished than the species—unfinished rosewood can feel rougher, finished maple smoother or slicker.
10. Used Guitar Market: Trends and Strategy
- Discussion (1:34:01–1:39:50):
- Be a Smart Hunter: Phil stresses patience and strategic trades in the used market.
“You decide what you pay, not the market... there's always an opportunity for whatever you're looking for.” (1:35:45)
- Trades with Friends: His best deals came via fair trades, not cash purchases.
- Be a Smart Hunter: Phil stresses patience and strategic trades in the used market.
11. Learning Guitar Repairs for Beginners
- Discussion (1:39:51–1:43:40):
- DIY Approach: Phil encourages experimentation—use cheap guitars, mess up, and learn as you go.
- Practice is Key: He recalls teaching his friend Ralph skills through repetition on dozens of Squier Bullets.
“Messing something up is how you learn the most.” (1:41:35)
12. Do Looks Matter More Than Playability?
- Discussion (1:43:41–1:51:00):
- Phil’s Evolution: Used to value looks, but now always chooses playability over aesthetics.
“Every brand that I loved the way it looked sounded... horrible. And I don't like them.” (1:44:00)
- Make a Priority List: He suggests players list their true needs before buying to avoid distractions and impulsive mistakes in stores.
- Phil’s Evolution: Used to value looks, but now always chooses playability over aesthetics.
13. Fender’s New ‘Classic Professional’ Guitars and the ‘Hotshot’
- Discussion (1:51:01–2:03:00):
- New Models: Fender released the American Professional Classic, including the tongue–in–cheek “Hotshot.”
“Hotshot is what you called somebody when you're trying to be an asshole, right? ... That's how I feel about the new Fender Hotshot.” (1:53:30)
- Price Shock: Phil notes new $1,500 ‘entry-level’ pricing as a sign of the times.
- Solid Specs & Interest: Overall, he likes the weights, colors, and basic features, but teases Fender for endless releases and “marketing room” logic.
- Should He Review One?: He asks if listeners want a deep-dive on a new model.
- New Models: Fender released the American Professional Classic, including the tongue–in–cheek “Hotshot.”
14. Yellow Fender Soft Cases & PRS's Jack Higginbotham
- Discussion (2:03:01–2:07:00):
- New Fender Cases: Reactions to Fender’s yellow gig bags—reminds him of Hello Kitty bags, look cool but perhaps quickly pick up dirt.
- On Jack vs. Paul Reed Smith: Jack is the grounded, reasonable voice at PRS; Phil is working to get him as a podcast guest.
“Jack has done pretty much every job at PRS... Jack is definitely more approachable and he definitely has more even–keeled opinions.”
15. Gear Channel Life and Guitar Rotation
- Discussion (2:07:01–2:13:00):
- Behind the Scenes: Most guitars Phil features are temporary—for videos, not personal keepers. Typically, nine out of ten guitars rotate out.
- Paring Down: Juggling video projects and personal collection means he’s often selling or boxing up instruments.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the Reputation of Guitar Techs:
“A guitar tech can have a great reputation and also be as shitty as hell. That is absolutely the truth.”
— Phil, 34:20 -
On Guitar Looks vs. Playability:
“Every brand that I loved the way it looked sounded... horrible. And I don't like them.”
— Phil, 1:44:00 -
On Buying and Trading Used Gear:
“You decide what you pay, not the market... there's always an opportunity for whatever you're looking for.” — Phil, 1:35:45 -
On Fender’s ‘Hotshot’ Name:
“Hotshot is what you called somebody when you're trying to be an asshole, right?... That's how I feel about the new Fender Hotshot.”
— Phil, 1:53:30 -
Advice to New Techs:
“Messing something up is how you learn the most.”
— Phil, 1:41:35
Time-Stamped Segment Highlights
- Maple Tops Debate: 00:05–19:00
- Guitar Tech Horror Stories & Workspace Cleanliness: 19:01–43:30
- Veneers vs. Maple Caps & Value for Money: 43:31–55:40
- Photo Flame/Fake Wood Grain History: 55:41–1:02:30
- Piezo Pickups in Electrics: 1:02:31–1:10:00
- PRS Core Black Guitars: 1:10:01–1:15:45
- Ace Frehley Tribute: 1:15:46–1:17:50
- Ordering a Kiesel—Pitfalls & Tips: 1:17:51–1:30:10
- Fretboard Wood Feel: 1:30:11–1:34:00
- Used Market Insights & Trades: 1:34:01–1:39:50
- Learning Repairs Yourself: 1:39:51–1:43:40
- Looks vs. Playability & Buying Strategy: 1:43:41–1:51:00
- New Fender Gear & ‘Hotshot’ Model: 1:51:01–2:03:00
- New Fender Cases and PRS COO Jack Higginbotham: 2:03:01–2:07:00
- Handling a Guitar Channel’s Massive Rotation: 2:07:01–2:13:00
Closing Thoughts
Phil closes the episode by encouraging listeners to enjoy their passion, play what inspires them, and remember that emotions and practicality both matter when it comes to guitars. As always, he’s open, humorous, and real—celebrating the community of gear lovers while cutting through marketing noise and myths.
“If you're learning something or having a good time, don't forget you can subscribe for free and help this channel or for $10 a month, you can join me on Patreon for live clinics where you can ask questions every [week].”
— Phil, 2:13:00
Listeners leave with practical advice, industry stories, and hearty laughs—making this episode both an informative resource and a celebration of guitar culture.