Brian, Blake, and Richard are joined by NAMM President John Mlynczak for Episode 548 of the Chasing Tone Podcast - Everything you wanted to know about NAMM but were too afraid to ask...

The guys welcome a very special guest this week - John Mlynczak, president and CEO of NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) - and he gives us an in-depth and candid history of his involvement with NAMM and what that actually entails. We all know about the show (that Richard will never be allowed to go to) but NAMM stands for so much more for the music community. John gives us a fascinating breakdown of his personal musical and work history, how he landed the job, and just how many hats he wears.

We couldn't have recorded this episode without discussing the tragic fires that are currently raging in LA. John gives a passionate and emotional response about what the fires mean for the show, what they mean for the wider community, and what NAMM are doing to help. He also confirms exactly what the situation is with regards to the show this January so if you have read any rumors, and are unsure about what's going on, John sets everything straight.

Finally we ask some of those difficult questions that you always wanted to know about NAMM. Will the noise police be there? Will Brian be forced to sit next to the cymbals for 3 days straight? Will Blake eat his entire bodyweight in barbecued meat? Yes to all three - maybe! The British King of Fuzz gets dealt a serious blow and there is much laughter.

This is a very special episode and we would like to thank John and his team for helping to set this up. If you are going to the show you will find Wampler pedals represented at the Boutique Amps stand!

Nobody needs trumpets at 9:30am, PreSonus, Captain NAMM, Public day, Brian's insomnia...it’s all in this week’s Chasing Tone!

NAMM Foundation website - Donate here to help the LA community
https://donate.nammfoundation.org/give/655087/#!/donation/checkout

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Brian, Blake, and Richard are back for Episode 547 of the Chasing Tone Podcast - New year, new gear, someone has been imitating Brian, and the scent of John Petrucci

The band is back together and they chat about the Christmas break, Blake's jerk boss, and why Brian has been swinging a hammer in anger. Brian received some ire from the internet (shock horror) about an Ai advert and it upset Richard but made Brian happy. A video comparing every current Wampler drive pedal has been put up on YouTube and the guys discuss it.

Richard built a guitar over Christmas by taking a Squier donor and it didn't go quite according to plan so he tells us about it in quite a bit of detail. There are some great tips for anyone wanting to build a guitar - namely by doing the opposite of some of the things Richard did. Brian tries to lead Richard into more gear purchases. The guys then look at a response to Behringer about their LM Drum from one of the pioneers of music synthesis.

The debate about budget pedals rolls on as Keeley announces some wallet friendly pedals so the guys talk about it before lamenting one of Brian's less successful pedals. Richard has some of John Petrucci's cologne and the guys discuss their signature scents. Brian had a tip off from one of our good friends and he discovered someone has been ripping him off.

270 degrees of tabs, Special pyjamas, Hammer talk, Terrible jokes, Codpasting, James Walkenlots, Bert Weedon...it’s all in this week’s Chasing Tone!

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It's the holidays and Brian, Blake, and Richard are enjoying a well earned break. As a little Holiday Bonus we bring you another show from Blake's other podcast, the Tone Mob, where he interviews the legendary Tim Pierce.

On today's episode I'm chatting with renowned guitarist Tim Pierce. (This is wildly exciting for me!)

Some of the artists that Tim has worked with include Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Phil Collins, The Goo Goo Dolls, Celine Dion, and many, many more.

We discuss Tim's extensive career in the music industry, his early inspirations, the evolution of gear, the challenges of being a session musician today, the rise of online education through platforms like YouTube, and the importance of hearing health.

Tim also shares insights on how to navigate the music industry, the significance of building relationships, and his current guitar preferences.

This is one of the best conversations I've had in a very long time. You are going to love it!

Check out Tim's incredible YouTube channel HERE https://www.youtube.com/@timpierceguitar

Wanna learn from Tim? Check out the Masterclass HERE https://www.timpierce.com/masterclass-info

Normal service will resume with the next episode...thanks for listening to Chasing Tone in 2024 we love you all!

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Awesome Course, Merch and DIY mods:
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Find us at:
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It's Christmas and Brian, Blake, and Richard are enjoying a well earned break. As a little Christmas Bonus we bring you a show from Blake's other podcast, the Tone Mob, where he interviews Travis Stever from Coheed and Cambria.

On this very special episode of The Tone Mob Podcast I sat down with my new buddy Travis Stever of Coheed & Cambria and L.S. Dunes! It turned out absolutely wonderful and Travis even let me share some of his music with you that most people have not heard!

We had an absolute blast nerding out on all things music and we covered things like:

• Travis's deep love for Les Pauls, and the influence of Jimmy Page, Neil Young, Tony Iommi and more.
• Travis shares his perspective on collaboration and the importance of serving the song. 
• Some Jason Isbell Telecaster love
• The amps used on "Good Apollo"
• When to "take a knee" as bandmate Frank Iero says.
• The differences in songwriting approaches between Coheed and L.S. Dunes
• The debut (sort of) of some NEW MUSIC! (It's on the podcast!)
• A whole lot more!

You are really going to enjoy this episode whether you are a diehard Coheed/Dunes fan or you've never heard of them before. Travis's enthusiasm for music as a whole is absolutely infectious and it will make you want to break out your instrument and get to writing! ?

Check out Coheed & Cambria HERE https://www.coheedandcambria.com/

Check out L.S. Dunes HERE https://lsdunes.com/

We'll have another bonus episode next week then normal service will resume in the new year...thanks for listening to Chasing Tone in 2024 we have huge plans for 2025! 

We are on Patreon now too!
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Awesome Course, Merch and DIY mods:
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Brian, Blake, and Richard are back for Episode 544 of the Chasing Tone Podcast - Christmas Gear of the Year and Brian's last episode...until 2025 

Ho Ho Ho - Merry Humbugs! 'Tis the episode before Christmas and the guys gather up some festive cheer for your ears! Brian has bought a new toy and it is ridiculous. Brian also has plans to build a new studio and as a result is going off line for two weeks so we are going to engage in a not-so-secret Santa based experiment with the podcast until we return after the holidays.

How confident are you with guitar setup? Richard took a short course and tells us all about it. He has filled a missing and potentially woolly hole in his head and he is very happy about his newfound skills and he has a ridiculous idea. He also asks some foolish questions and gets to check out a lot of very awesome guitars. 

The guys then talk about their gear highlights from the past year. There is some obvious bias but also both Brian and Richard pick the same Amplifier. It wouldn't be Christmas without lights and this year they appear to be generally in the skies and mysterious - so the guys talk about their UAP experiences.

Finally we would like to wish all of our listeners a very happy holidays and hope you get to play some awesome music and be with those that you love - thank you so much for your support in 2024 and we'll see you all in 2025! 

Brian's spaceship, Richard's special drawing, The Burpatron 2000, UAPs, Christmas traditions...it’s all in this week’s Chasing Tone!

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Awesome Course, Merch and DIY mods:
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Brian and Richard are back for Episode 543 of the Chasing Tone Podcast - Is Rock music ready for the nursing home? 

Brian struggles with percentages but it's ok - Richard is telepathic - and they are sadly without 1/3rd of the regular crew as Blake is unwell thanks to those pesky kids! Brian tells us about some strange customs in the Wampler household and Richard thinks he's a comedian. He also has some nice things to say about his missing brother in arms. Brian inspires a new mega business idea. 

Is Rock music as we know it dead or dying? The guys ponder this because there are worrying signs and Richard thinks the time might be up for this period of wonderful guitar based music. He also tells tales of British school life and Brian is amused. One of Richard's favourite musicians has retired and he reflects on that.

Richard has ordered a new breadboard and a new pedal kit and he is excited as Brian also finds some new toys. The guys talk about their travel guitar arrangements and Richard is impressed with Brian's choice of serenade. Richard is off to Crimson guitars to learn how to break his guitars more and he is pretty excited. Behringer have lit the blue touch-paper with their clone strategy and came out with some fighting talk so the guys chat a little about this. 

Body sanitizer, Stay Tuned, Boss Katana, Indiana Jones and the mysterious rhombus, Cookie rant, UFOs...it’s all in this week’s Chasing Tone!

We are on Patreon now too!
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Awesome Course, Merch and DIY mods:
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Find us at:
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Youtube:
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Brian, Blake, and Richard are back for Episode 542 of the Chasing Tone Podcast - and this week they have a special guest as the legendary Brent Mason is in the house!

This week we are joined by Nashville legend Brent Mason - one of the world's finest guitar players and one of Brian's guitar heroes - and he takes us on a detailed journey through his career. Brent tells us the utterly insane story about how he got his first break in music after being literally thrust at one of the most famous players of his era when he was a youngster.

Brent then regales us with colorful tales of his early session playing career, how his talent was picked up, and how some of his early encounters with legendary musicians played out. He gives us a fascinating insight into how hard he had to work to get to his big break and has some great insights for all guitar players to learn from. There is also plentiful gear talk too as Brent breaks down how his rig has evolved from the 90's to today.

There are some amusing tales about library music including something that blows Richard and Blake's tiny minds when they discover just how widespread Brent's talents can be found. The guys get deep into Brent's creative process and learn about how he comes up with his solos and Brian makes a confession. Oh, and we might mention the new Wampler ReWired pedal and its topology. Hint - it is not a tubescreamer. 

This is an episode not to be missed, and we are very grateful to Brent for spending this time with us - enjoy!

Mariachi, Jerry Reed, Mark Knopfler, Perfectionism is a disease, Mourning a guitar, Family Guy...it’s all in this week’s Chasing Tone!

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Find out more about Brent Mason here

Awesome Course, Merch and DIY mods:
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Brian, Blake, and Richard are back for Episode 541 of the Chasing Tone Podcast - Brian plays with a session legend and is this the worst guitar ever?   

Richard has got valve problems and Brian and Blake offer up solutions. Brian has been jamming with the legendary Brent Mason and tells us how he managed to hold his nerve. Richard has had a schooling in some country music and Blake has a mysterious incident to deal with. Brian has been thinking about true temperament fretboards and the guys invent the worst guitar possible.

Do you think pedal manufacturers are ripping you off? A British YouTuber decided to break down (literally) a JHS fuzz pedal and this in turn lead to a response from Josh Scott which was both educational and a fun pedal industry hangout. Spoiler alert - pedal companies are not ripping you off. 

A guitar was released this week that raised more eyebrows than a gallon of Botox - with questionable design aesthetics and a very questionable origin. This leads into a conversation about whether or not imported guitars were about to get a whole lot more expensive. Following on from last week's Tone Bender clone, a new Klon Klone has hit the market and it has caused a lot of controversy itself... 

The British banana, Brian's butler, Country Music Christmas songs, The return of the king, Pedal hinting...it’s all in this week’s Chasing Tone!

We are on Patreon now too!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/chasingtonepodcast)

Awesome Course, Merch and DIY mods:
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Find us at:
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https://www.instagram.com/WamplerPedals/
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Youtube:
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Brian, Blake, and Richard are back for Episode 540 of the Chasing Tone Podcast -  Crazy looper pedals, the Fuzz Bender wars, and triple transistors 

There can be no avoiding the recent news from JHS where they announced the re-vamped Ross pedals line is to be no more and the guys attempt to do the subject justice via the medium of mountain dew. Opinions are given. Stupidity occurs. Blake has been posting on threads and appears to break Richard’s brain. Didn’t take much if truth be told.

Richard has a problem with a certain guitar company’s branding and cannot keep it to himself. This somehow leads into a conversation about Brian’s physical properties and it gets very weird for a hot minute. Richard treats us to some switch based ASMR thanks to our friend Sean from Gunstreet wiring and frustrates Brian with his silly accent.

The recent passing of Vic Flick has got the guys looking into fuzz schematics and Brian looks a bit onto the design of the Tone bender and the Maestro FZ-1 which somehow involves Terry and Debra. Meanwhile Matthews Effects have released an awesome looking pedal that Blake has desires on and Brian loves the LED rings. The guys then talk about one of the smallest pedals ever.   

Fixed fights, Johnny Guitarfeller, Martinsville never forgets, Depth Charge, Funky dialects...it’s all in this week’s Chasing Tone!

We are on Patreon now too!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/chasingtonepodcast)

Awesome Course, Merch and DIY mods:
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Find us at:
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Youtube:
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Brian, Blake, and Richard are back for Episode 539 of the Chasing Tone Podcast - Hello Kitty, the ground-breaking Wampler Catacombs, and how guitars work! 

Richard has made a rookie error and ended up buying a new guitar and tells the guys all about it while Brian thinks of a new knock off product he can release. There is some excitement in the old country as the British King of Fuzz has finally figured out how guitars work thanks to friend of the show. He has also got a custom wiring harness from the amazing Gun Street Wiring and is very excited.

Wampler released their latest DSP based pedal, the Catacombs, and so Brian and Richard talk about the 2 year+ development process, the science, and the mean things the people of YouTube have said. Richard made a dad joke and explains how the new Syntax switcher was made to be “Brian proof”. In order to get the exacting reverb sounds Brian wanted the team at Wampler had to enter new territory by reverse engineering the sound of impulse response models and Brian is very happy with the results.

The worst dating site ever is unveiled and there were some queries about a new pedal. Finally the guys weigh in on the debate about Guitar Magazines - they are closing down fast and this may or may not be a good thing for us players...listen to the very end for a MASSIVE pedal hint.

Good luck - I'm British, Gotoh, The Bearded Butcher, Disney mistake, Wangler pedals, Notafuzzbender, Black Friday details, Image enhancement...it's all in this week's Chasing Tone!

We are on Patreon now too!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/chasingtonepodcast)

Awesome Course, Merch and DIY mods:
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Find us at:
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Youtube:
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Brian, Blake, and Richard are back for Episode 538 of the Chasing Tone Podcast - Three new Wampler products and look out - it's the Chasing Tone Bandits

There are explosions aplenty in the UK as Richard tells us about one of their many strange customs and Brian reminisces about dangerous childhood toys. Brian also hints that this week he will be releasing multiple products and the guys talk about the new JHS Violet. A fight almost breaks out. Richard bought a guitar and is being an idiot with it and Brian needs a new PAF.

Brian suggests Richard should make his own pickups and the guys come up with a very foolish idea before they talk about the strangest band practice ever. What's the longest you have ever waited in line to see a band? Richard has set a new personal record and also simultaneously invented a new drinking game. 

Brian has also been to an amazing gig and he tells us about it and the pedals it involved. Fender have released a number of special new guitars and the guys debate them and consider a fictional heist that somehow involves sandwiches. 

Kinky pedals, Wide range humbuckers, The Cure, Zach Top, Boss...it's all in this week's Chasing Tone!

We are on Patreon now too!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/chasingtonepodcast)

Awesome Course, Merch and DIY mods:
https://www.guitarpedalcourse.com/
https://www.wamplerdiy.com/

Find us at:
https://www.wamplerpedals.com/
https://www.instagram.com/WamplerPedals/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/wamplerfanpage/

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdVrg4Wl3vjIxonABn6RfWw

Contact us at: [email protected]

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