Summary of "The End Of The Iconic Guitars"

Know Your Gear Podcast with Phillip McKnight
Release Date: August 13, 2025

In this episode titled "The End Of The Iconic Guitars," Phillip McKnight dives deep into the evolving world of guitars, addressing listener questions, sharing personal insights, and exploring the future of iconic guitar models. The discussion spans from signature guitars and boutique pedals to neck construction and market trends, providing a comprehensive overview for guitar enthusiasts.

1. Introduction and Opening Remarks

Phillip begins the episode by thanking Patreon members and subscribers, setting the stage for a question-driven discussion aimed at providing informative and engaging content for guitar lovers.

2. Listener Questions

a. Jeff Beck's Signature Guitars
Timestamp: [00:00]
A listener named Jeff asks about the quality, sound, and playability of Jeff Beck's signature guitars, specifically comparing older models with lattice sensors and "baseball bat" necks to newer ones featuring noiseless pickups and roller nuts.

Phillip’s Response:

• Quality and Playability: Phillip confirms that the store carried newer models during his tenure, highlighting their improved features like noiseless pickups and roller nuts.
  "For the store we had the newer ones, which is the ones with the noiseless pickups and the roller nut."
• Ownership: While he played these guitars professionally, Phillip admits he didn’t personally own one, preferring standard Strats for personal use.
  "I've never really owned... I've always liked a Fender standard Strat or a player Strat."
• Evolution of the Neck: Phillip explains that Jeff Beck initially had different necks, but after feedback, Fender remade his necks to better match his playing style.
  "The newer ones are more pro, more correctly profiled after his, his current neck."

b. Boutique Pedals vs. Big Brands
Timestamp: [XX:XX]
A listener named Hero Glop inquires whether digital pedals can be considered boutique, questioning if boutique brands like Chase Bliss can have better algorithms than large companies like Line 6.

Phillip’s Response:

• Definition of Boutique: Phillip argues that the term "boutique" has been diluted over time, now often implying simply "expensive" rather than "artisan-made."
  "I think boutique is definitely a word that has been morphed and changed to mean a lot less than what it used to."
• Algorithm Quality: He acknowledges that boutique brands have the potential to develop superior algorithms due to focused resources and innovation.
  "I think all that stuff. I mean, it's a digital product, right? So I think there's all kinds of things in the tech that can be improved."

c. Replacement Bridges for Telecasters
Timestamp: [XX:XX]
Tim Rod from 1984 asks about fitting a replacement bridge on his Made-in-Mexico Fender Telecaster from 2016.

Phillip’s Response:

• Compatibility: Phillip reassures Tim that standard Fender bridges are compatible with Made-in-Mexico models.
  "If you have a 2016 Fender Main Mexo bridge, the American made Bridges should fit that."

d. Fake Ads and Scams on Marketplaces
Timestamp: [XX:XX]
A listener named Litv shares concerns about fake ads on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Instagram, specifically fake Guitar Center and Sweetwater listings.

Phillip’s Response:

• Awareness: He warns listeners to be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, such as exaggerated discounts.
  "They're like, hey, 50% off. I think the guitar center one I saw said something about, you know, they have to sell this product off at 70% off. For some reason it was explaining that, but of course it was all fake."
• Advice: Phillip advises verifying deals and being wary of overly discounted listings to avoid scams.

3. Headless Guitars: Will Big Brands Follow Ibanez?

Timestamp: [XX:XX]
A listener named Antique Rocker asks if major manufacturers like Fender, Gibson, and PRS will ever produce headless guitars similar to Ibanez.

Phillip’s Response:

• Skepticism: He is doubtful, citing that large companies have vested interests in their iconic headstock designs, which are crucial for branding and intellectual property.
  "I don't think Fender is interested in it... Gibson has no interest at all."
• Current Market: Smaller companies like Kiesel are already offering high-quality headless models, and Phillip prefers these over what major brands might offer.
  "I'm happy with what Kiesel comes out with... It's a USA made high quality guitar."
• Potential but Unlikely: While it's possible for big brands to venture into headless designs, Phillip believes it’s not a priority for them unless driven by strong artist demand.

4. Guitar of the Week: Music Man Axis in Purple

Timestamp: [XX:XX]
Phillip introduces the "Guitar of the Week" segment, featuring the Music Man Axis in purple, highlighting its connection to Eddie Van Halen.

Details:

• Aesthetic and Features: The guitar boasts a beautiful basswood body with a maple cap, two special Eddie Van Halen pickups, and a patented "air gap" to prevent demagnetization.
  "This neck pickup, this specific DiMargio neck pickup, has a patent, and the patent is called the air gap."
• Personal Connection: Phillip shares his nostalgic connection to Eddie Van Halen's guitars and reflects on how iconic players elevate certain guitar models.
  "It's the players that made the guitars important. Guitars are pretty much not important."
• Weight and Authenticity: He discusses discrepancies in advertised versus actual guitar weights and emphasizes using reliable scales to verify claims.
  "Don't be a cheap... Get a scale. Get a nice scale."
• Market Value: The guitar, originally priced around $2,000, now commands prices around $5,000, illustrating how iconic models appreciate over time.

Notable Quote:
"It's the players that made the guitars important. Guitars are pretty much not important. It's the players."

5. Craftsmanship and Neck Construction

Timestamp: [XX:XX]
A significant discussion on neck-through construction methods, inspired by a video from KDH discussing Jackson's neck-through designs.

Key Points:

• Traditional vs. Modern Neck-Throughs:
  • Traditional Neck-Through: Single-piece wood necks offering seamless sustain and aesthetics.
  • Modern Approaches: Multi-piece constructions with scarf joints, which Phillip argues do not provide the same benefits as true single-piece neck-throughs.
• Expert Insights:
  • Neil Moser’s Opinion: Emphasizes that the overall build quality and setup are more crucial for sustain than the neck-through type.
    "Whether a guitar sustains or not has very little to do with the neck setup or almost anything on it."
• Phillip’s Critique: Questions the effectiveness and marketing honesty of companies like Jackson using multi-piece neck-throughs, suggesting it may be more about cost-saving than quality improvement.
  "It's still somebody taking pieces of wood, gluing it up... it's like... not a huge cost savings to do one piece of wood."
• Community Engagement: Encourages listeners to look inside guitars and understand construction methods, promoting informed choices over marketing jargon.

Notable Quote:
"It's how the guitar is built and set up depends on how well it sustains... as long as the construction is good."

6. Tube Amp Availability Amid Global Conflicts

Timestamp: [XX:XX]
Amanda inquires about the scarcity of tubes during the Ukraine-Russia war and its impact on the guitar industry.

Phillip’s Response:

• Current Situation: Acknowledges that while some panic was overblown, tube availability remains an issue due to limited production and increased demand.
  "Tubing is an issue... the tubes are getting more expensive... it's going to continue to be an issue."
• Advice: Recommends against hoarding tubes and suggests buying only what is necessary to prevent further shortages.
  "Don't buy up a crapload of tubes. Just if you need a couple preamp tubes, get preamp tubes."
• Market Trends: Observes a shift towards digital processors and modeling amps as tubes become more scarce and expensive.
  "Processors and processors are starting to outsell tube amps. That's just a reality."
• Future Predictions: Predicts that digital technology will continue to dominate due to cost-effectiveness and technological advancements.
  "They're growing and growing and growing and they're gonna get cheaper."

Notable Quote:
"If you look back, I said processors are not gonna get better, they're gonna get cheaper. And that's exactly what's happened."

7. Reverb Marketplace: Handling Returns and Insurance

Timestamp: [XX:XX]
Phillip addresses questions related to selling gear on Reverb, focusing on handling returns and the importance of shipping insurance.

Key Points:

• Buying Insurance: Emphasizes the necessity of purchasing Reverb’s buyer protection insurance to safeguard against scams and shipping damage.
  "If you're going to sell stuff, especially with today's day, Day and age, you definitely want to pay for the extra insurance."
• Proper Packaging: Recommends double-boxing and padding gear adequately to prevent damage during transit.
  "Double box when you can pad up everything you can."
• Handling Returns: Shares a personal mistake where he refunded a buyer directly instead of using Reverb’s resolution system, highlighting the importance of following proper procedures.
  "I should have done contact Reverb... You need to do whatever the complaint is from the buyer, contact Reverb."
• Community Feedback: Other listeners share positive experiences with Reverb’s protection policies, reinforcing Phillip’s advice.
  "Reverb saved me from a scam. No mess, no messing about."

Notable Quote:
"Don’t cheap out anymore. When selling stuff, use proper insurance and packaging."

8. Attenuators and Hybrid Amps

Timestamp: [XX:XX]
Steve inquires about using an attenuator on a hybrid amp with a tube preamp and solid-state power amp, wondering whether it’s better to use an attenuator or a volume pedal in the effects loop.

Phillip’s Response:

• Expert Advice: Suggests consulting with an amp specialist for detailed technical advice.
  "You'd really want to talk to an amp person more so than somebody like me about that."
• Personal Preference: Personally, he prefers using volume controls in the effects loop for solid-state sections.
  "Personally, I would run something in the effects loop as a volume control."

Notable Quote:
"Use volume controls in the effects loop when dealing with solid-state power sections."

9. Additional Listener Interactions

a. Fret Replacement and Neck Issues
Listener Nick Winning asks about replacing frets on a used Music Man Rock Rod Stratocaster and compares frets across different models.

Phillip’s Response:

• Fret Maintenance: Advises that fret wear may require leveling or replacing, depending on severity and quality of previous work.
  "You can get two leveling crowns out of a neck with medium jumbo frets."
• Craftsmanship Importance: Emphasizes that quality of fret work is crucial and that poor maintenance can lead to more significant issues.
  "I tend to stay away from any guitars that say they have fretwear because I can do the work myself."

b. Pricing and Market Trends
Listener Brian questions high prices of iconic models like Eddie Van Halen’s guitars if released today.

Phillip’s Response:

• Market Appreciation: Predicts substantial price increases for iconic models over time due to demand and rarity.
  "Probably $5,000 now... That guitar is not like an Eddie guitar was."
• Aesthetic vs. Functionality: Discusses the balance between a guitar’s look and its functional quality, noting that some features like unique neck profiles are more about style preferences.
  "Functionality wise, it's very easy to travel with. It sounds really good, it's always in tune."

10. Final Remarks and Community Engagement

Phillip wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with the community through Patreon, participate in live clinics, and stay informed about gear and industry trends. He reflects on the importance of quality construction over marketing claims and reiterates his commitment to providing valuable, honest content.

Notable Closing Quote:
"What matters the most is if you like the guitar. Don’t get hung up on the specs."

Conclusion

In "The End Of The Iconic Guitars," Phillip McKnight offers a nuanced exploration of current guitar trends, emphasizing the importance of craftsmanship, informed purchasing, and community engagement. By addressing listener questions with expertise and personal experience, he provides valuable insights into maintaining and selecting guitars in a rapidly changing market.