No Cover Charge Podcast

Please enjoy this bonus mini episode featuring one of the godfathers of rock 'n roll, George Thorogood. Lonesome George has cultivated a 50+ year career through talent, hard work, and an incredible energy that you can't help but be magnetized to, and even though this short interview is only 15 minutes, you can rewind it back again to pick up new pieces of gold that may have gotten overshadowed by George's awesome presence.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

In Episode 26 of the No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols recap their wild trip to the NAMM Show: 6 a.m. flights, surprise jam sessions, insane vintage guitars, creator run-ins, booth takeovers, and some of the most unhinged (and hilarious) moments we’ve had yet.We jammed our way through California, from LA to Anaheim, and ended up running into YouTube heavyweights, testing bizarre gear, and filming a mini acoustic episode in the creator lounge with @ChrisBuckGuitar and @ArielPosen — this episode captures the beautiful, disjointed madness that is NAMM week.Thank you to NeuralDSP for sponsoring this episode! Use code *nocovercharge* for 30% off select plugins.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

What happens when Dweezil Zappa opens the vault? 🤯 In Episode 25 of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols step inside Dweezil’s studio to explore his wildest, weirdest, one-of-one guitars — including a half-fretless SG experiment, microtonal monsters, the heavily-modded "Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar" Les Paul from Frank Zappa, and the Kramer gifted to him by Eddie Van Halen himself.From microtonal fretboards and built-in sustain systems to a bizarre Peavey amp designed like an Aston Martin dashboard, this episode is a deep dive into experimental guitar design, tone shaping, feedback control, and the creative mind of a true innovator.If you love rare guitars, boutique gear, Zappa history, and next-level tone experiments — this one’s for you.For all things Dweezil, check outhttps://www.dweezilzappa.comSubscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

Legendary Los Angeles session guitarist Tim Pierce joins Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols for a deep, honest conversation about feel, pocket, creativity, and surviving a lifetime in music. Tim has spent decades recording for some of the most iconic artists and albums of all time, including Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Elton John, and countless others. From playing with the biggest musicians in the world to navigating social media pressure, perfectionism, and the real grind behind great guitar parts, Tim breaks down what truly matters — groove, service to the song, and staying human.Expect stories from decades of studio work, insights on rhythm vs. virtuosity, why imperfection is powerful, and practical wisdom for guitarists trying to build something real in today’s music world.If you care about feel over flash, this episode is required listening. We got a little flashy, too, though ;)Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

Joe Bonamassa returns to The No Cover Charge Podcast for a jaw-dropping episode featuring one of the most legendary guitar amps of all time: Gary Moore’s original 1989 Soldano SLO-100. Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols head to Nerdville in sunny Los Angeles to hear this historic amp cranked, discuss its provenance, tone, and wild journey from the UK to the U.S., and geek out over Gary Moore, Warren Haynes, Eric Clapton, and the birth of modern high-gain amps.Expect deep gear talk, behind-the-scenes stories, iconic tones, and real-world insight into why this amp helped shape blues-rock history. This is a must-watch episode for guitar players, tone chasers, and serious amp nerds.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

John Bohlinger joins Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols for a wide-ranging, guitar-centric conversation on Episode 22 of The No Cover Charge Podcast. From legendary Premier Guitar Rig Rundowns and life as a Nashville session player to AI in music, B Benders, pedal steel, tone philosophy, and why authenticity still matters, this episode is packed with insight, humor, and real-world wisdom.John shares stories from decades in Nashville, working with top artists, hosting iconic rig rundowns, directing major TV productions, and why great players take risks, embrace mistakes, and always chase feel over gear. Plus—plenty of guitar playing, tone talk, and spontaneous jams along the way, as the NCC boys do.If you love guitars, tone, Nashville stories, and honest conversations about music in the modern era, this one’s for you.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

Join Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols in Episode 21 of The No Cover Charge Podcast as they geek out over the Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X plugin. This is not sponsored! The boys just love tone! Expect epic jams, preset breakdowns, real amp comparisons, and surprises like... Jared playing a Silver Sky? Gasp! From buttery cleans to roaring drives, discover why this plugin captures John Mayer's iconic tones and what its potential may be.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.TIMESTAMPS0:00 - John Mayer's Neural DSP plugin1:19 - How good is this plugin actually?2:08 - A Surprise For Jared4:02 - The sound of three amps in the room4:56 - Lead 2 Live Room preset7:22 - Eflat Voodoo preset10:13 - Golden Gate preset10:45 - Just Plain Dumb preset16:43 - Gravity Clean preset18:09 - Gravity Lead preset18:55 - ODX preset19:42 - Hot Bridge preset20:53 - Stately Blues preset26:22 - Party Time preset26:32 - Play Nice Voicings preset28:30 - Funk Start Me Up preset30:42 - John Will Be Loved preset32:20 - Johnzilla 5 preset32:32 - Johnzilla 1 preset34:27 - Gnarly Slide preset36:30 - Express Yourself preset37:46 - Clean Your Room preset39:15 - SRV 54 preset39:49 - Green Zone Rhythm preset43:11 - I Don't Trust Myself vibes43:18 - Reflective Funk preset44:00 - Tasty Trem preset45:55 - This video wasn't sponsored, but we love this plugin47:30 - Have you ever heard Wild Blue?

Looking to level up your guitar playing in 2026? 🎸In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols share 26 real-world guitar practice tips that go beyond boring routines and actually make you a better musician.From honing rhythm, melody, and tone, to mindset shifts, recording yourself, silent practice, and learning from non-guitar instruments, this episode is packed with practical advice for beginner, intermediate, and advanced guitar players alike.Whether you’ve got 15 minutes a day or you’re chasing your next breakthrough, these tips will help you practice smarter, stay inspired, and make real progress in the new year.⁠⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

In Episode 19 of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols sit down with Ben Travers, a monster guitarist, thoughtful musician, and Grammy-nominated songwriter — for a deep, honest conversation about guitar, creativity, technique, and the mental side of being a musician.This episode goes far beyond chops. Ben opens up about insecurity, social anxiety, discipline, effective practice, alternate picking, theory vs feel, songwriting, touring realities, and what it really takes to keep growing as a guitarist in today’s world. Expect jaw-dropping playing, real talk, and practical insights you can apply to your own guitar journey.Whether you’re into shredding, blues, songwriting, or just love thoughtful guitar conversations, this episode delivers. Check out all things Ben Travers⁠⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge. Plug in and hang out.

What an incredible year it's been! Although we only launched this show a few months ago, it feels like something we'll be doing for a long time, thanks to you, our guests, and the power of ROCK. We are humbled and grateful for all of your support, and we'll see you in 2026! Happy New Year!Love,Tyler & Jared⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge. Plug in and hang out.

In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols take on the timeless creative challenge: writing a song in an hour. With no plan, no pressure, and a room full of guitars, amps, and pedals, they build a rock song from scratch in real time.Watch as riffs turn into verses, choruses emerge organically, and a full song takes shape through tone chasing, odd time signatures, gear experiments, and pure musical instinct. This episode pulls back the curtain on the songwriting process, showing how musicians collaborate, problem-solve, keep it real, and follow inspiration wherever it leads.If you love guitar tone, songwriting, creative process, or watching music get made from nothing — this one’s for you. The song isn't half bad either ;)⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠Facebook⁠0:00 - Writing a Song in One Hour0:31 - Rules of the Songwriting Challenge0:48 - Guitar Pedals and Gear Overview1:38 - Choosing Guitars and Amps for Songwriting1:58 - How Guitar Tone Sparks Song Ideas2:29 - Cranking a Marshall for Riff Writing3:03 - Finding the Groove and Tempo3:54 - Building the Main Guitar Riff4:23 - Turning a Riff into a Song Structure5:04 - Songwriting Advice: Don’t Overthink It6:06 - Using Fuzz and Texture for Inspiration7:52 - Creating Verses and Choruses9:04 - Switching Guitar Amps for New Sounds10:34 - Using Alternate Tuning for Songwriting11:46 - Writing a Chorus That Hits Hard13:01 - Adding Harmony and Movement15:49 - Avoiding Blues Clichés in Rock Songs17:16 - Choosing the Right Drum Groove18:40 - Writing a Bridge That Creates Contrast22:28 - Experimenting with Odd Time Signatures24:57 - Locking in the Bridge Section25:38 - Preparing for Guitar Solos30:29 - Adding Ambient Guitar Layers38:09 - Final Song Structure Comes Together40:48 - Recording Guitar Solos47:05 - The Creative Process Explained51:40 - Final Song Reveal: Dr. DeathThe No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.Thank you to the sponsor of our show, ⁠Roswell Pro Audio!

Looking for the perfect gift for the guitarist in your life? In this holiday-themed episode of the No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols are joined by very special guest Marty Schwartz to share genuinely useful, fun, and inspiring guitar gift ideas at every price point.From must-have pedals and practice tools to clever stocking stuffers and tone-shaping essentials, this is not your typical guitar gift guide. Expect real talk, great stories, live playing, and thoughtful recommendations that guitar players will actually use.Perfect for beginners, serious players, and anyone shopping for a guitarist who already “has everything.”Thank you to the sponsor of our show, Roswell Pro Audio!0:00 - Holiday Episode Kickoff0:43 - Our first sponsor, Roswell Pro Audio2:45 - Why This Isn’t a Typical Guitar Gift Guide5:15 - Our VERY Special Guest Marty Schwartz Joins Us6:34 - Worst Guitar Gifts Ever (And Why They Miss)12:32 - Gift #1: Joe Bonamassa Guitar Back Scratcher14:57 - Gift #2: Guitar Technique & Exercise Books17:53 - Gift #3: This Precious Guitar Pick20:32 - Gift #4: Stylish Capos That Don’t Suck22:58 - Gift #5: Source Audio C4 Synth Pedal25:24 - Gift #6: Gristle King Dual-Gain Overdrive27:23 - Gift #7: Walrus Audio Jupiter Fuzz28:52 - Gift #8: D’Addario Micro Headstock Tuner31:09 - Should You Ever Buy a Guitar as a Gift?Wrap-Up & Reflections32:15 - Marty Schwartz on Gratitude and Teaching Guitar34:21 - The Real Impact of Guitar Education36:57 - Final JAM SessionGIFT LINKS!Source Audio C4 SynthGristle King Dual-Gain OverdriveWalrus Audio Jupiter FuzzD’Addario Micro Headstock TunerJoe Bonamassa Blues Rock BackscratcherSubscribe on Apple PodcastsThe No Cover Charge Podcast on SpotifyInstagramTikTokFacebookThe No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

In Episode 15 of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols break down every phase of a guitarist’s life — from the first moment music grabs you to the highs, lows, gear spirals, plateaus, breakthroughs, and the reality of becoming a career musician. Expect hilarious stories, inspiring advice, honest struggles, and spontaneous riffing as Tyler and Jared reveal the universal stages all guitar players experience.Whether you’re in the pre-guitar awakening phase, deep in the obsession phase, stuck in the plateau phase, overwhelmed by gear acquisition syndrome, or pushing through the practice and discipline phase, this episode will feel like therapy… with more overdrive.Sit back, plug in, and enjoy a guitarist’s journey we all share.⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠TIMESTAMPS0:12 – Opening Jam in D, the People's Key1:37 – Introducing today’s topic: the phases of a guitarist’s life3:13 – PRE-GUITAR AWAKENING PHASE4:06 – Wanting to be a drummer first5:23 – Getting talked into guitar instead6:07 – Early sounds that “unlocked” the instrument7:28 – Discovering open-string magic9:03 – The Incubus/Mike Einziger influence10:03 – OBSESSION PHASE begins12:17 – Learning why players sound different13:35 – Unlocking nuance and tone16:20 – PLATEAU PHASE — when everything feels wrong21:15 – Rut-busting tricks and new tunings24:24 – Entering the GAS PHASE26:50 – First pieces of gear that changed everything29:20 – Gear expectations vs. reality31:13 – PRACTICE & DISCIPLINE PHASE33:55 – Berklee stories & formative experiences37:01 – Leaving the comfort zone39:01 – Jared’s Guitar Center “Horror Story”43:37 – The phase of becoming a CAREER MUSICIAN46:16 – Why we keep playing: the same feeling from day one47:53 – Walrus Audio Melee joystick pedal demo49:18 – Final jam & wrap-upBuy a Walrus Audio MeleeThe No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

Join Tyler Larson ( ⁨@MusicisWin⁩ ) and Jared James Nichols ( ⁨@JJNicholsMusic⁩ ) as they dig deep into the strangest, wildest, most unexplainable guitar gear they've collected over the years. From synth pedals that instantly break your brain to haunted stompboxes, octave chaos machines, forgotten vintage oddities, and micro-guitars that refuse to stay in tune, this episode is pure gear-nerd comedy gold.If you love guitar tone experiments, unpredictable sounds, and two friends losing it on camera over bonkers gear… this is the episode for you.Expect laughs, real tone talk, surprising discoveries, and some truly cursed noises. And if you wanna buy any of the gear in this episode, you can actually find some of it below...Wanna buy one of these pedals?Source Audio C4 SynthKorg MIKU: good luck finding oneBoss Enhancer: good luck finding oneMXR La Machine (is unavailable now but...)Boss Metal Zone, babyCopper Sound Pedals Triplegraph: good luck finding oneFender mini StratocasterTIMESTAMPS0:00 – The funniest episode yet begins1:45 – Introducing the Weird Gear Episode 2:28 – The mysterious Dark Planet guitar appears 3:06 – Jared admits he’s scared of synth pedals 4:30 – The FUNNIEST moment in the history of the show5:59 – Discovering legitimately cool tones by accident 7:13 – Linking all pedals below (and why you’ll want the C4) 7:30 – The infamous MIKU pedal makes its entrance 8:52 – “We’re getting censored for sure” – the pedal screams at us 9:16 – The Enhancer pedal: what exactly is it?11:10 – Seriously… is this thing doing anything? 11:34 – The sea-monster pedal emerges12:43 – Pure chaos tones: “This pedal might be broken… nope.” 14:09 – The Metal Zone test, 2025 edition 15:44 – Isolated metal tones: so bad it’s good? 17:47 – Why weird tones actually inspire better riffs 19:00 – Jared tries to channel James Hetfield with no pick 20:57 – The Triplegraph, tap-dancing into madness 23:02 – The German chaos delay pedal takes over the room 26:25 – The tiny guitar that refuses to stay in tune 30:51 – Wrapping up + should we do Weird Gear Part 2?The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

Guitar phenom Angel Vivaldi ( ⁨@AngelVivaldi⁩ ) joins Tyler Larson ( ⁨@MusicisWin⁩ ) for Episode 13 of The No Cover Charge Podcast — and this one is packed with tone talk, tour stories, creative philosophy, and plenty of laughs. From joining the Steve Morse Band, to never having used a pedalboard (wtf?!), to carving out space as a genre-bending artist, Angel opens up about growth, humility, tone chasing, and what truly matters in a musician’s life. Expect deep insights, inspiring stories, killer playing, and a whole lot of guitar geekery.If you love guitar tone, creative evolution, progressive metal, Steve Morse, or Angel Vivaldi’s incredible artistry, this episode is for you.For all things Angel VivaldiAngel's artistic management service, Xenith CounselCheck out Jared on tour!TIMESTAMPS0:00 – Where’s Jared? (UK tour update)0:24 – Why Steve Morse wanted Angel in his band0:54 – Angel plugs into a pedalboard for the first time1:48 – The Frusciante tuning method4:05 – Angel joins the Steve Morse Band5:49 – Tone, frequency targeting, and crafting patches on tour8:05 – Angel’s Latin, jazz, funk, and acoustic background9:00 – Growing up with salsa, dancing, and church music10:46 – Why many metal musicians don’t listen to metal12:48 – Conversation on grind culture and creative hiatus14:53 – How gear, fashion, and symmetry communicate identity16:01 – Why Angel moved from Ibanez to Charvel19:57 – Perspective: what if you couldn’t play anymore?25:03 – Angel & Tyler SHRED BATTLE26:03 – How guitar scenes have merged into one digital world27:13 – What Angel learned from Steve Morse about adapting28:55 – Angel’s upcoming tours, records, Charvel 7-string, and Xenith Counsel⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

Join Tyler Larson ( ⁨@MusicisWin⁩ ) and Jared James Nichols ( ⁨@JJNicholsMusic⁩ ) as they sit down with blues titan Josh Smith ( ⁨@JoshSmithGuitar⁩ ) for one of the most inspiring guitarist deep-dives we’ve ever filmed, for real! In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Josh opens up about tone chasing, creativity, gear myths, BB King’s 100th birthday album, insane string gauges (yes… 13s in standard tuning), improvisation, career evolution, and the mindset required to survive as a lifelong musician. Expect jaw-dropping playing, hilarious moments, killer stories from the road and studio, and some of the most honest guitar philosophy you’ll hear anywhere. If you love guitar, blues, tone, Telecasters, or just watching masters talk shop—this episode is for you.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.TIMESTAMPS0:00 - Welcome to the first NIGHT pod!1:29 - The jam warm-up4:50 - Tyler predicts the World Series5:27 - Who is the Shohei Ohtani of guitar?7:30 - Electronic drums, The Who, and live performance quirks9:05 - MIDI guitars and gear rabbit holes10:30 - Improvisation vs. noodling12:14 - Playing in time: the secret almost everyone learns late13:26 - Following intuition and musical breadcrumbs15:02 - What makes great solos connect16:01 - Three-way rhythmic improvisation experiment17:27 - Josh’s year producing the BB King 100th album18:34 - Tracking 33 songs and wrangling 40 guest artists20:56 - Paul Rodgers tracks Night Life on the BB King sessions23:28 - Josh Smith uses 13 GAUGE STRINGS24:40 - Trying Josh’s guitar out… ouch27:36 - Roy Lanham and forgotten guitar influences32:14 - Josh demonstrates how his style evolved35:36 - Becoming yourself instead of copying your heroes38:43 - Why the Telecaster unlocks Josh’s true voice40:14 - The Telecaster is the ultimate apocalypse-proof guitar41:44 - Tone is personal—and your gear should inspire you44:45 - Amp vs. guitar: the eternal debate47:29 - Josh’s new signature Ibanez Flat V256:12 - Life updates and reevaluating the dream

The holy grail of overdrives takes center stage in this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast! Tyler Larson ( @MusicisWin ) and Jared James Nichols ( @JJNicholsMusic ) put an original Klon Centaur head-to-head with some of the most popular Klon clones on the market—from boutique builds to budget pedals—to find out if anything can match the legendary tone. Expect deep tone talk, epic shootouts, and plenty of guitar geekery (plus the story of how Jared became a dad mid-podcast).If you’ve ever wondered why the Klon is the most hyped overdrive pedal in history—or if the clones can truly hang—this is the shootout you’ve been waiting for. 🎸⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠Facebook⁠TIMESTAMPS0:00 - The Legendary Klon Centaur Episode Begins... Again1:06 - Jared’s Life-Changing Phone Call: Becoming a Dad Mid-Podcast3:12 - “Dad Tone” and the Power of Rock3:25 - Why Guitarists Obsess Over the Klon Centaur4:05 - Jared’s First Encounter with the Klon Back at Berklee5:59 – Discovering the Magic of the Original Klon Tone6:13 – Tyler’s Pandemic-Era Obsession with Finding a Klon7:28 – Why the Klon Is the “Charizard” of Guitar Pedals8:02 – Joe Bonamassa’s Gift: The Story Behind Jared’s Klon10:26 – The Klon as a Gift and a Legacy11:18 – Breaking Down Klon Versions: Silver, Gold, Long Tail, Short Tail12:18 – Time to Hear the Real Klon in Action13:19 – Clean Tone Test: Fender Princeton vs. Klon Magic16:40 – The Sweet Spot: Finding the Perfect Klon Gain Setting19:16 – The First Boutique Pedal: Why the Klon Made History20:25 – Klon Clone Shootout Setup: OG vs. Modern Imitations25:14 – Comparing the Klon to Its Clones (JHS, Acorn, Wampler & More)30:08 – High-Gain Madness: Maxing Out the Klon and Clones37:12 – How Jared Dials In His Klon for Real-World Playing40:13 – Final Thoughts: Do You Really Need a $5,000 Klon?The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

Guitar legend Dweezil Zappa ( @thedweezilzappa ) joins Tyler Larson ( @MusicisWin ) and Jared James Nichols ( @JJNicholsMusic ) on The No Cover Charge Podcast for an epic deep dive into guitar tone, technique, creativity, and life lessons from growing up Zappa. Dweezil shares rare insights on his dad Frank Zappa’s genius, the art of improvisation, tone chasing, recording tricks, and why the “mad scientist” mindset is the key to musical freedom. Expect jaw-dropping guitar demonstrations, stories from the road, and thought-provoking conversations every guitarist will love.For all things Dweezil, go to https://www.dweezilzappa.comDweezil's fan engagement platform builder: https://www.rewardmusic.comCheck out Jared on tour: https://www.jaredjamesnichols.comSubscribe on Apple PodcastsThe No Cover Charge Podcast on SpotifyInstagramTikTokFacebookTIMESTAMPS0:00 - Hey Dweezil!1:00 - Building a house, studio, and a new chapter3:30 - Dweezil’s YouTube channel and creative freedom5:00 - The science behind amp tone experiments7:00 - The Sundragon amp test gone wild8:50 - How volume changes your playing9:50 - Taking breaks and musical resets10:50 - Rediscovering inspiration after time off11:40 - Dweezil’s guitar fundamentals and interval tips13:00 - How to navigate the fretboard with confidence15:00 - Turning wrong notes into right ones17:00 - Improvisation and the art of risk-taking18:00 - “Play your phone number” guitar technique explained22:00 - How to create melodies from numbers26:00 - Building a personal improvisation system30:00 - Expanding your playing with permutations33:00 - Using melodic minor and outside sounds36:00 - Finding flow and emotional connection on stage38:30 - Listening vs. overplaying40:00 - What Dweezil learned from his dad Frank Zappa42:00 - The story behind “The Black Page”44:00 - Jared’s questions from tour45:00 - Desert island gear picks46:50 - The amp that melts faces47:40 - The one pedal Dweezil can’t live without49:00 - Favorite recorded guitar tone ever50:00 - Inside jokes behind Frank Zappa’s song titles53:00 - Tube tone myths and recording reality54:30 - Jamming with Steve Vai and Chick Corea58:00 - The legacy of Randy Rhoads1:02:00 - How Zappa and Rhoads shaped modern guitar1:05:00 - RewardMusic.com and empowering independent artists1:08:00 - Closing thoughts and guitar wisdomThe No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

Joel Hoekstra has played with everyone from Whitesnake and Night Ranger to Cher and Trans-Siberian Orchestra—and he’s here to tell the stories behind it all. In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols, Joel breaks down his incredible career path, from Broadway pits in New York to arena stages across the globe. Joel also shares his secrets for longevity, versatility, and surviving the hustle of a professional guitar life. Expect inspiring lessons, guitar nerdery, and some unforgettable stories from one of rock’s most versatile players.Pre-save Joel's new single, "The Fall" His new album, 'Into the Fade' drops February 2026.TIMESTAMPS0:00 – Why Joel is the ultimate guitar chameleon1:17 – Playing with Whitesnake, TSO, and Night Ranger2:56 – Early guitar influences and discovering Angus Young4:18 – Learning guitar in a pre-tab world6:03 – Growing up blue-collar and developing work ethic8:09 – Building a career as a sideman10:02 – Breaking into the New York scene11:18 – How Joel joined Night Ranger13:05 – Broadway gigs and Rock of Ages15:44 – Joining Trans-Siberian Orchestra17:10 – The genius of Paul O’Neill19:05 – Balancing gigs and finding your lane20:00 – Inspiring kids through live performance21:01 – Fear, stress, and motivation22:03 – Playing with Cher & embracing new styles24:16 – Lessons from playing with Foreigner27:10 – The Night Ranger guitar team29:57 – From Broadway to arenas33:00 – Landing the Whitesnake gig36:00 – Finding purpose and artistic balance37:01 – Advice for young players38:05 – Full-circle moments and staying open-minded40:24 – Handling pressure and last-minute gigs45:04 – Managing anxiety and performance stress47:08 – Collaborating with legends like Satriani and Schenker49:19 – Thoughts on online trolls and staying positive51:01 – Joel’s tapping and legato fundamentals57:24 – The art of phrasing and “money notes”1:01:34 – Joel’s new album From the Fade1:03:06 – Closing thoughts & gratitudeSubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-cover-charge-podcast/id1837018751The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1etwgleKExKzncMWSeSqe6?si=a22394d8374542a1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nocoverchargepodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nocoverchargepodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579811813164The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

One of the guitar world's kings of tone, Joe Bonamassa joins Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols for an unforgettable episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast! In this in-depth and hilarious chat, Joe opens up about his gear philosophy, vintage Les Pauls, touring stories, and the realities of being a modern guitar hero (though he won't call himself that).Expect deep insight into tone chasing, amps and guitars, modelers vs. tube amps, lessons from Danny Gatton, and Joe’s honest take on the music industry, trolls, and staying inspired.Whether you’re a guitarist, gearhead, or Bonamassa fan, this episode is packed with laughs, wisdom, and killer guitar talk — no cover charge required.Check out all things Joe Bonamassa here⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠TIMESTAMPS0:00 – We have a very special guitar rig for Joe1:08 – Opening jam2:01 – Joe's $450K Gibson Les Paul named "PJ"3:36 - Comparing a 1958 Les Paul to a 2021 Les Paul7:00 – The craftsmanship and electronics of vintage guitars8:00 – Joe’s philosophy on touring with expensive gear10:15 – Airline horror stories: traveling with guitars13:30 – The rise of amp modelers and practicality on tour15:00 – Why Joe avoids digital rigs and modeling amps17:00 – When tech fails mid-gig is Joe’s nightmare19:00 – Redundancy in rigs and surviving on stage21:00 – Thoughts on gear demos and real-world tone23:00 – Volume, speakers, and why wattage matters25:00 – Inside Joe’s 7-amp live rig setup27:30 – How Joe dials in his stage tone30:00 – Adjusting tone on unfamiliar gear33:00 – Joe's "time compression philosophy on stage36:00 – Mastering dynamics and audience engagement40:00 – How Danny Gatton shaped Joe’s playing43:00 – Joe’s viral “Guitar Controls Lesson” explained47:00 – Joe’s thoughts on online guitar culture & trolls52:00 – Why music should stay fun and positive55:00 – EPIC JAM WITH JOEThe No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.