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The Fret Files
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In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take listener questions regarding mystery goo seeping out from under a Mustang Bass pickguard, No-caster Pickups, headstock repairs, Alnico magnets becoming demagnetized, a vintage Fender Jaguar with mysteriously low output, and the ol' standby, "Are vintage Gibson frets in the wrong place?"
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat discuss guitar string history. It's almost as riveting as it sounds. Then comes listener questions, including "how should I ruin my guitar", and "I bought your book, now what?," and the perennial favorite, "why can't I keep my guitar in tune?" Tune in for answers to the above and more.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric gives Nat yet another guitar quiz - Common Guitar Abbreviations and Acronyms. Then come the tech questions from listeners, including questions about finishing raw fretted maple necks, 50's Gibson wiring vs. modern wiring, rare Fender pre CBS custom colors, how to raise the "nut" on a zero-fret guitar, and gigging with guitars that have volume discrepancies.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat cover some guitar auction news about guitar owned by Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, and the resurfacing of Mick Taylor's 1959 Gibson Les Paul. Eric and Nat then take questions from listeners about fixing dings in a guitar neck, mystery noise from an acoustic soundhole pickup, hide glue preparation, and some advice for hearing aid users who play guitar.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric interviews Norman Harris of Norman's Rare Guitars. Norm's shop is celebrating 50 years in the business of buying and selling rare and vintage guitars. Norm is a pioneer in the vintage guitar market, dealing in vintage guitars well before the term "vintage guitars" was even used. Norman has authored two great books and also the subject of a great Netflix documentary simply entitled "Norman's Rare Guitars."
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric talks about what's been going on in the shop lately, and then answers questions from listeners including how to do a proper Vintage Amber neck tint, Eric's favorite vibrato unit, lots of offset/JM vibrato talk, treble bleed circuits, and more about that weird conductive PVC layer inside instrument cables and what it's for.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric talks about vintage pre-war (pre 1940) Washburns and discusses the book "Washburn Prewar Instrument Styles" by Pleijsier Hubert. Then, Eric answers questions from listener emails including how to remove superglue from a finish, how to properly cut a Fender style nut, and setup tips for those finicky Jazzmasters. Also, something of a follow up from the pictured P-Bass bridge, but it still remains a mystery.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk taxes, tarrifs, and Taylors in a session of Guitar News. Then comes the questions from listeners including questions about touching up lacquer, spraying over nitrate binding, refin color choices, hum in a humbucker, and where to get a Harmony Sovereign bridge.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric goes over some shop safety rules. Then, Eric takes questions from listeners including questions about refretting over a fingerboard extension, solidifying a soft finish, buffing advice, advice on starting a new guitar repair business, and finally - what's the big problem with adding a Bigsby vibrato unit? Oh, let me count the ways.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, we have a top ten list for you - "The top ten things NOT to say to your guitar tech." Next, Eric and Nat take questions from listeners including questions about a cloudy pickguard, Tele neck pickups that emulate a Strat neck pickup, bolt on neck techniques, humidification recommendations, string trees, and Eric and Nat's top tips for guitar players to get the most out of their guitar.
In this special episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat call listeners who have volunteered to play Guitar Trivia. It's chaos and it's fun and you should listen. Thanks to everyone who volunteered and thanks to those who participated!
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric gives Nat a quiz - "Guitar Pickup or Indie Band?" Then, they take questions regarding wax potting pickups, heavy duty soldering, Strat pickups, spraying lacquer, identifying parts on a schematic, and shielding cavities on electric guitars.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk about being prepared and cleating cracks in acoustic guitars. They then take questions regarding removing glued in saddles, a quiet high string with an acoustic pickup install, how to know what size frets to use on a vintage guitar, vintage guitar refrets, and why Rickenbacker guitars feel different than just about every other guitar.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding Baxendale Conversions, wood dust toxicity and sensitivity, magnetizing Alnico, Bolivian Rosewood, 5 string bass setups, and more.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric talks about his new endeavor in humbucker production - the "Patent Denied" humbucker pickups (available soon.) Eric does a few product reviews - the "Cleatus" guitar cleat system, the T. J. Thompson Belly Reducer, the Allparts True Tune tuners, and the vintage style Tele bridge plate from Philadelphia Luthier Tools and Supply. Then Eric answers questions about string spacing, Fender Mandocaster saddles, how to replicate the tone of your favorite player, string buzz and setup questions, are there any USA made potentiometers, and more.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk guitar news with the results of a few recent guitar auctions including guitars owned by Mark Knopfler, Prince, and John Lennon. Then they took questions about pickup polarity, a Kay Barney Kessel truss rod, a lot of wiring questions about Eric's book "Solid Sound," some talk about what types of polish Eric recommends, and a tool recommendation from down under.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat give a tribute to renowned guitar restoration expert Joel Wilkins who passed away this week. Then there's the questions - a question about Don Teeter's guitar repair books, a lot of wiring questions about Eric's book "Solid Sound," some intonation and bridge placement questions, and a very nice call from a satisfied owner of some of Eric's pickups.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric interviews Rhett Harris from Rhett's Frets in Nashville TN. Eric and Rhett talk fretwork, pickups, 3D printing, Eric's book, running your own business from home, and Idaho winters.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat review some guitar news about John Lennon's Framus Hootenany 12 string, Eric Clapton's 1974 Martin 000-28, and a guitar exhibit at the California Museum in Sacramento. They then take questions regarding backward functioning truss rods, what to do with an inherited guitar collection, P-90 queries, and more about compound radius guitars. Or is it compound radii? You decide.
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding ground wires on Telecasters, sheilding inside electric guitar cavities, idiot proofing jacks and pots, Desert Sand finishes, and how to set string radius when adjusting action on a guitar with a compound radius.



