Know Your Gear Podcast Episode 405: The Guitar Market in 2025

Host: Phillip McKnight
Release Date: March 26, 2025

In Episode 405 of The Know Your Gear Podcast, host Phillip McKnight delves deep into the evolving landscape of the guitar market as we approach 2025. Balancing technical advice, personal anecdotes, and insightful market analysis, Phil offers a comprehensive overview that caters both to seasoned guitarists and enthusiasts eager to understand the industry's future.

1. Acknowledgements and Community Appreciation

Phil begins the episode by expressing gratitude towards his patrons, channel members, and moderators, highlighting the vital role they play in sustaining the podcast. He shares heartfelt thanks, emphasizing, "Without them, it would suck." (00:05). Special mentions include supporters like Hockhead418 and John Little, underscoring the community-driven spirit of the show.

2. Technical Deep Dives

a. Adjusting the Truss Rod with Strings On

A recurring question Phil addresses is whether it's more efficient to adjust the truss rod with the string tension on. At [10:15], Phil confidently asserts, "It's totally fine to do with the strings on." He elaborates on the advancements in modern guitars, explaining that contemporary truss rods, including dual-action and carbon fiber varieties, are designed to handle such adjustments without issue. Phil advises using the correct tools and making micro-adjustments to prevent damage, noting, "It's the most important thing." (14:30).

b. Custom Pickguard Cutting: DIY vs. Professional

Amanda's query about cutting custom pickguards prompts Phil to weigh the pros and cons of DIY versus professional services. At [20:45], he remarks, "It's messy work," comparing it to drywall tasks, and shares his personal preference for outsourcing pickguard modifications. However, he encourages listeners to try it themselves if they're inclined, mentioning, "It's not incredibly hard to do." (25:10).

c. Adding Frets to a Guitar Neck

Responding to a question from Paul, Phil discusses the feasibility of swapping a 21-fret neck for a 22-fret one. He explains the process involves precise measurements and potentially sourcing aftermarket necks, emphasizing the importance of compatibility. "It can be done," Phil confirms, though he admits it's a rare request he hasn't personally undertaken (35:50).

3. Personal Stories and Experiences

a. Navigating the Guitar Store Business

Phil shares a candid account of his challenges running a guitar store during economic downturns. He recounts, "The recession came and it was a brutal, just a brutal beast." (55:30). Detailing the impact of high rents and changing foot traffic, he illustrates the resilience required to sustain a retail business in volatile markets. Phil emphasizes the importance of adaptability, stating, "We pivoted. That's a big part of why I believe in myself." (1:05:00).

b. Branding and Naming Challenges

In a humorous anecdote, Phil explains how he almost named his store "The Guitar Company" before choosing to use his surname to avoid trademark issues with giants like Starbucks. "I go, mcknight. I go, that's my name. They can't sue me for my name, can they?" (1:10:20). This story underscores the complexities of branding in the competitive guitar market.

4. Market Insights and Future Predictions

a. Fender’s Upcoming Releases and Market Strategy

Listener Michael inquires about future Fender guitar releases, specifically the American Pro 3 series. Phil expresses uncertainty but shares his excitement for the Fender Standard Acoustic Castor, a guitar priced at $600, which he considers an accessible entry point for many enthusiasts. "For $600, I'm curious enough to buy one to see what I think of it." (1:25:45).

b. Impact of Global Events on the Guitar Industry

Addressing broader economic factors, Phil discusses how recessions and global politics influence guitar sales and manufacturing. He reflects on past experiences, such as the COVID boom and subsequent recession, highlighting how consumer behavior shifts during economic hardships. "The guitar market is still predominantly the U.S. in other words, U.S. consumption is the highest." (1:40:10). Phil warns that while major companies like Fender navigate these challenges through strategic pivots, individual musicians and smaller businesses must remain adaptable to survive.

c. Quality and Business Decisions of Major Brands

Phil critiques major brands like Fender and Gibson, pointing out perceived declines in quality and aggressive pricing strategies. "Their quality has gone down probably the hardest of anyone's during the boom." (1:50:25). He emphasizes the importance of passion-driven business practices over purely profit-driven ones, urging listeners to support companies that align with their values.

5. Guitar of the Week: Charvel DK24 Custom Edition

Phil introduces the Charvel DK24, a custom-modified guitar that has garnered significant interest from his audience. At 2:10:40, he describes its unique double blue sparkle finish, highlighting the Know Your Gear logos on both the front and back. The guitar features a 24-fret neck, DiMarzio pickups, and a kill switch installed by Tesi Switch, enhancing its functionality.

Notable Features:

• Finish: Double blue sparkle with gradual fading to blue edges.
• Pickups: P90 in the neck and a DiMarzio humbucker in the bridge.
• Hardware: Locking Cluson tuners and a customized DiMarzio Tone Zone.
• Playability: Tuned a full step down (D to D) for enhanced rock tones.

Phil showcases the guitar's sound, demonstrating its versatility across clean and distorted settings. "This guitar is doing it, which is great." (2:15:30). He invites listeners to ask questions about the guitar, solidifying its role as a centerpiece for community inquiries.

6. Listener Questions and Responses

a. Handling Fifth Fret Harmonics

A listener struggles with fifth fret harmonics on a PRS guitar. Phil suggests switching pickups and experimenting with string quality and placement. "It could be your strings. Maybe it's your technique." (2:30:50). He emphasizes the role of pickup positioning in capturing harmonics effectively.

b. Fender Custom Parts vs. Replacement Parts

In response to Clan of Housecast, Phil discusses the authenticity of Fender parts, noting that some ostensibly custom parts may be rebranded replacements. "You just buy whatever you want. You don't have to necessarily go for Fender parts." (2:45:00). He advises ensuring parts come from credible sources, especially when manufacturers like Schaller modify their production locations.

c. Restringing Bigsby Bridges

Addressing NM1122's query, Phil shares practical tips for restringing guitars with Bigsby bridges. He recommends having a helper to hold strings during tensioning and using painter's tape to secure the bridge if necessary. "It's not that hard. Just do them all real fast and then call it a day." (3:00:15).

7. Concluding Thoughts and Future Content

As the episode wraps up, Phil reiterates his commitment to providing valuable guitar-related content beyond mere gear reviews. He teases upcoming videos and encourages listeners to continue engaging with the community. "I hope everybody has a fantastic weekend playing guitar and also look forward to this week's videos." (3:15:50).

Phil closes with a reminder of the podcast's mission: to offer a respite from daily stresses through engaging and informative guitar discussions, highlighting his dedication to the craft and the community he serves.

Notable Quotes:

• "It's the most important thing." (10:15) – On adjusting the truss rod with strings on.
• "It's messy work." (20:45) – Discussing DIY pickguard cutting.
• "It's not incredibly hard to do." (25:10) – Encouraging DIY approaches.
• "We pivoted. That's a big part of why I believe in myself." (1:05:00) – On adapting business strategies during a recession.
• "For $600, I'm curious enough to buy one to see what I think of it." (1:25:45) – On the Fender Standard Acoustic Castor.

Conclusion

Episode 405 of The Know Your Gear Podcast offers a multifaceted exploration of the guitar market's trajectory towards 2025. Through a blend of technical advice, personal storytelling, and critical market analysis, Phil McKnight equips his listeners with the knowledge and perspective needed to navigate the ever-changing world of guitars. Whether you're tinkering with your instrument at home or strategizing your next business move in the music industry, this episode provides invaluable insights to guide your journey.