The Fret Files
Episodes
Ep 214 – Guitar News and Listener Questions
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat report a few guitar news stories including David Gilmour’s famous Black Fender Stratocas...
Ep 213 – Listener Questions
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take listener questions regarding dog ear P90 shims, Tele saddle alignment, Filter Tron pickup...
Ep 212 – Guitar News and an interview with “Freddy”
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric talks guitar news and hosts an interview with a high school student who is making a kit guitar and is ...
Ep 211 – Listener Questions and a gig recording
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take listener questions regarding Jaguar pickup hum, ordering pre-slotted nuts, pickup output,...
Ep 210- Listener Questions
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
Ep 209 – String History and Listener Questions
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 listen...
Ep 208 – Listener Questions and a Quiz
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric gives Nat yet another guitar quiz – Common Guitar Abbreviations and Acronyms. Then come the tech...
Ep 207- Guitar News and Listener Questions
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 resu...
Ep 206 – Norman Harris of Norman’s Rare Guitars
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric interviews Norman Harris of Norman’s Rare Guitars. Norm’s famous shop is celebrating 50 y...
Ep 205 – Listener Questions
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 i...
Ep 204 – Listener Questions and a book review
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric talks about vintage pre-war (pre 1940) Washburns and discusses the book “Washburn Prewar Instrum...
Ep 203 -Guitar News and Listener Questions
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 li...
Ep 202 – Listener Questions and Shop Safety
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric goes over some shop safety rules. Then, Eric takes questions from listeners including questions about ...
Ep 201 – Listener Questions and a Top Ten List
16 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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.” Ne...
Ep 200 – Listener Quiz!
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Ep 199-Quiz and Listener Questions
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric gives Nat a quiz – “Guitar Pickup or Indie Band?” Then, they take questions regardi...
Ep 198 – Listener Questions
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 re...
Ep 197 – Listener Questions
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding Baxendale Conversions, wood dust toxicity and sensitivity, magnetizin...
Ep 196 – Listener Questions and Product Reviews
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric talks about his new endeavor in humbucker production – the “Patent Denied” humbucker...
Ep 195 – Listener Questions and Guitar News
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 M...
Ep 194 – A Tribute to Joel Wilkens and Listener Questions
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat give a tribute to renowned guitar restoration expert Joel Wilkens who passed away this week. ...
Ep 193 – Rhett Harris from Rhett’s Frets in Nashville
15 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric interviews Rhett Harris from Rhett’s Frets in Nashville TN. Eric and Rhett talk fretwork, picku...
Ep 192 – Listener Questions and Guitar News
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat review some guitar news about John Lennon’s Framus Hootenany 12 string, Eric ClaptonR...
Ep 191 – Listener Questions
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding ground wires on Telecasters, sheilding inside electric guitar cavitie...
Ep 190 – Listener Questions
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding pickup phase, guitar finishes with no pore filler, getting rid of pic...
Ep 189 – Listener Questions
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding the string wrap around Telecaster bridge pickups, coated strings, whe...
Ep 188 – Listener Questions and Celebrating 10 Years
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this, the ten year anniversary episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding string trees, power tools, acoustic guitar ...
Ep 187 – Frank Gross from Thunder Road Guitars
15 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric announces the new podcast schedule for 2024, answers a few listener submitted questions, and interview...
Ep 186 – Q&A
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat do a little guitar news, and then take questions regarding softening lacquer on Rickenbackers,...
Ep 185 – Q&A
15 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric talks about life recently, and then answers listener questions regarding tapping threads in Telecaster...
Ep 184 – Q&A
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk about Eric’s website contact form malfunction, and take questions regarding wood su...
Ep 183 – Q&A
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk about Eric’s ten tips for independent luthiers. Then, they take questions regardin...
Ep 182 – Q&A
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding proper potentiometer values for a pedal steel guitar, plastic underco...
Ep 181 – Guitar News and Q&A
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, we have some guitar news, and then Eric takes questions regarding tremolo springs on Stratocasters, correct...
Ep 180 – Jim Glinsky of Austin, TX
01 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric takes questions regarding pickup choices and a soldering stations. Also discussed is the schematic for...
Ep 179 – Q&A
16 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding Gibson wiring, stripped pickup mounting holes, rewinding Danelectro p...
Ep 178 – Q&A
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric takes questions regarding fret ends, proper pronounciation of Yamaha, steel wool, fret levelling, guit...
Ep 177 – Q&A
15 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding a warped back on an acoustic guitar, deteriorating binding, a custom ...
Ep 176 – Q&A
01 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding warped pickguards, pinless acoustic bridges, potting pickups in lacqu...
Ep 175 – Q&A
15 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and special guest host Lauren take questions about truss rods, fret slots, saddle shims, Epiphone guit...
Ep 174 – Q&A
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions about Luthier stress levels, lacquer checking techniques, gummy finish on a Les...
Ep 173 – Q&A
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric takes questions about finding rare tuner ferrules, wax potting pickups, guitar refinishing, amplifier ...
Ep 172 – Q&A
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding notched straight edges, identifying mystery fretwire, pickup winding,...
Ep 171 – Q&A
15 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions regarding the Stephens Extended Cutaway, treble bleed circuits, Supro pickups, ...
Ep 170 – John Theisen of El Camino School
01 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric interviews John Theisen of the El Camino School of Music, Repair, and Technology. John, founder and p...
Ep 169 – Q&A
15 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat answer questions regarding nitro lacquer in aerosol cans, string wear, mystery switching on an...
Ep 168 – Q&A
01 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat answer questions about roller bridges, Gibson Vibrola vibrato tailpieces, mystery pickups, a w...
Ep 167 – Q&A
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric ponders whether removing the finish from John Lennon’s Epiphone Casino really did improve the to...
Ep 166 – Q&A
01 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat answer a few questions regarding P-90 pickups, mysterious pickups with 3 wires, how to get nap...
Ep 165 – Q&A
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat answer questions regarding removing sticker residue, an archtop that won’t stabilize, sl...
Ep 164 – Q&A
16 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat answer questions regarding Eric’s book “Solid Sound,” discuss out of phase g...
Ep 163 – Q&A
02 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat read a little bit of guitar news and then answer questions regarding acoustic guitar neck rese...
Ep 162 – Q&A
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat read a few book reviews of Eric’s guitar wiring book, Solid Sound. Then the two read an...
Ep 161 – Q&A and Quiz recap
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric answers a few questions about F-stamp tuner installation problems and using wax to lubricate wood scre...
Ep 160 – Q&A
15 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat field your guitar tech questions regarding soldering, the fingerboard radius of Martin Guitars...
Ep 159 – Q&A
01 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric goes over some of the contents of his new book, “Solid Sound.” Then comes listener submit...
Ep 158 – Book Release
15 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, it’s the book release for Eric’s new guitar wiring book “Solid Sound.” Get your copy at SolidSoundBook.com! ...
Ep 157 – Calls Only
02 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast – Eric hosts solo while answering all the calls that have piled up since there hasn’t been a Q&a...
Ep 156 – just a few announcements
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast – just a quick few announcements concerning price increases and my soon-to-be-released book. Also, we...
Ep 155 – Dave Staudte revisted
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric interviews Dave Staudte, veteran luthier, longtime guitar repairman and former Taylor Guitars employee...
Ep 154 – Q&A
16 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions about repair cauls left inside guitars, bridge plate repairs, making an electri...
Ep 153 – Q&A
01 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat call Jeff Metz in PA for a conversation about finish touch up and Yamaha neck resets. Then th...
Ep152 – Q&A
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat take questions about fret levelling, Paulownia wood for guitar bodies, intonating acoustic gui...
Ep 151 – Q&A and Mark Tossman
01 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric takes questions about building a pickup winder, string breakage, standing on guitar necks, and a follo...
Ep 150 – Q&A
15 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk about the guitar history of the famed Stratosphere Twin double neck guitar from the 1950&...
Ep 149 – Q&A
01 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric takes questions regarding adding a 3rd pickup to a Les Paul, how to deal with critics, what kind of gl...
Ep 148 – Q&A
16 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk about Framus guitar history, and then take questions regarding amp handles, dubious bass ...
Ep 147 – Q&A
01 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk about P-90 Staple pickup history, and take questions regarding adding an acoustic pickup ...
Ep 146 – Q&A
15 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk about Albert King’s many flying Vee guitars, and take questions regarding how to se...
Ep 145 – Q&A
01 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Eric and Nat field questions about friction in potentiometers, using super glue for refrets, fret polishing wheels, and how to drill ...
Ep 144 – Q&A
16 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Eric reads a segment from his forthcoming guitar schematic book, and then fields questions about guitar humidification, Fender neck h...
Ep 143 – Q&A
01 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Eric and Nat take questions about upgrading cheap resonators, improving an electric guitar’s resonance, polishing frets, vintag...
Ep 142 – Q&A
15 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Eric and Nat take questions regarding reshaping necks, Esquire wiring, winding pickups, adjusting action on a resonator, filling finge...
Ep 141 – Q&A
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Eric and Nat take questions regarding rolled fingerboard edges, tool recommendations, stainless steel frets, plain vs. wound strings, ...
Ep 140 – News, a Question, and an Interview
01 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Eric is recovering from a cold but manages to slog through a news segment, answer a question about nuts, and replay an old but great i...
Ep 139 – Q&A
16 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Eric and Nat do a guitar history corner segment about Dan Armstrong. Then come the questions about vintage guitar pickup winding, ref...
Ep 138 – Horror Stories!
31 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Eric and Nat read listener submitted guitar and gig horror stories for our annual Halloween Special. There’s gigs from Hell, s...
Ep 137 – Q&A
15 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Eric and Nat do a little guitar news concerning Les Paul’s “Number One” Gibson Gold Top Les Paul Model guitar sellin...
Ep 136 – Q&A
01 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Eric talks a little guitar history about John Lennon’s famous 325 Capri Rickenbacker guitar, and takes questions concerning treb...
Ep 134 – Q&A
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk about what’s new in Eric’s repair shop, and why Nat’s guitars never see...
Ep 133 – Q&A
15 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk about what’s new in Eric’s repair shop, followed by a guitar history segment ...
Ep 132 – Q&A
01 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk about what’s new and take questions regarding truss rods, guitar myths, out of phas...
Ep 131 – Jay Boone of Emerald City Guitars and some Q&A
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric talks to Jay Boone, owner of Emerald City Guitars in Seattle about what’s hot in the vintage gui...
Ep 130 – Q&A and a surprise interview
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Nat talk about the history of the solid body electric guitar and the influence of Les Paul, and th...
Ep 129 – Q&A
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Sage talk about the history of the Clarence White B Bender, bowling ball repair, filling finish di...
Ep 128 – Q&A
01 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Melissa talk about the history of guitar distortion, and take questions regarding fret hump, water...
Ep 127 – Q&A
15 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Melissa talk about the history of switch companies, and take questions regarding gold foil MIJ cat...
Ep 126 – Q&A
01 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Melissa talk about the history of 6 string basses, and take questions regarding fret leveling, cut...
Ep 125 – Q&A & a new segment
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Melissa introduce a new segment, The Guitar History Corner! Then they take questions regarding tun...
Ep 124 – Q&A
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Fret Files Podcast, Eric and Melissa take questions regarding RWRP pickups, setting up a guitar for an alternate tuning, 3 piec...
Ep 123 – Q&A
15 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Eric is joined by his buddy Nat (Melissa is on vacation) to answer questions about the Trinity Triton Amp Kit build that we talked about in episode 88...
Ep 122 – Q&A
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Eric and Melissa take questions about Eric’s kit amp, making guitar straps, why do people wax pot pickups, are Martin F-55̵...
Ep 121 – Q&A
15 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Eric and Melissa take questions about Jerry Garcia’s guitars built by Doug Irwin, stranded vs solid core wire, cutting nut slot...
Ep 120 – Rick Tish from playersgearmusic.com
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Eric takes a question about removing residue from the finish on a pre-CBS custom color Fender Stratocaster, and interviews Rick Tish ...
Ep 119 – Q&A
15 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Eric and Melissa take questions about humming Charlie Christian pickups, Eric’s “secret” out of phase wiring trick,...
Ep 118 – Q&A
15 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Eric and Melissa take questions about cryogenic fret wire, Jazzmaster wiring, linear pots, adjustable saddles on Gibson acoustics, ad...
Ep 117 – Q&A and a Quiz
01 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Eric and Melissa take questions about nickel hardware, Gretsch Guitars, a hipshot multibender, switch tips that won’t stay on, ...
Ep 116 – Q&A & Scott Freilich
15 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Eric takes questions concerning when and how to lubricate tuning machines, fretting a compound radius, why are luthier’s turnar...
Ep 115 – Horror Stories!
31 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Eric and Melissa share listener submitted gig horror stories!! Not for the faint of heart! Eric also shares a few of his own. Also...
Ep 114 – Q&A
15 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Eric and Melissa take questions concerning locking tuners, steel wool, starting a guitar repair business, making a guitar lighter, ca...