Shows
Life With Strings AttachedFrom the Army to Corporate Exec to Master Guitar Maker | Jason KostalHaving served for more than a decade in the Army, received an MBA and worked as an executive in a Fortune 500 company, Jason Kostal was already highly accomplished when he came to guitar building – and it’s now yet another area in his life where he’s achieved excellence.Bringing such a varied experience into his work gives Jason a uniquely informed perspective on running a business, being the best you can be and ensuring your vision becomes a reality. We talk about all this and more in this week’s episode of Life With Strings Attached, as well...
2024-10-201h 38
The Fretboard Journal Guitar PodcastWilliam "Grit" LaskinToronto's William "Grit" Laskin has been building acoustic instruments since 1971. Best known as one of the world's foremost inlay artists, Grit painstakingly crafts wildly ornate fingerboard and headstock creations that serve as one-of-a-kind tributes to his clients and their passions. When he's not building, Grit has also run a record label, performed around North America as a folk artist, and even invented an engraving filler used by fellow luthiers worldwide. In 2012, he was named to the Order Of Canada (C.M.)., Canada’s highest civilian honor. As if that weren't enough, Grit has jus...
2024-07-301h 03The Fretboard Journal Guitar PodcastJason Kostal and Mike Baranik at the 2023 Fretboard SummitThe word "handmade" is used a lot when it comes to high-end or luthier-built instruments, but what does it really mean? On this week's podcast, guitarmakers and longtime friends Jason Kostal and Mike Baranik talk about the technology (including CNC machines) they will and won't use when it comes to their creations. Recorded live at the 2023 Fretboard Summit, this is a fascinating chat about tools, being efficient, making a living as a luthier, and so much more. https://www.baranikguitars.com/ https://kostalguitars.com/ Registration is now open to attend our 2024...
2023-11-2056 minThe Fretboard Journal Guitar PodcastLuthier Judson Riviere (Riviere Guitars)On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we introduce you to a young guitarmaker at the very beginning of his career, Asheville, North Carolina-based luthier Judson Riviere. Fresh out of high school, Judson enrolled himself in the Minnesota State College Southeast's Guitar Repair and Building program (aka simply as Red Wing). He then dove deep into guitar repair work for Steve Mason in Kansas and, for the last two years, has apprenticed under acoustic guitarmaker Jason Kostal in Arizona. Judson is finally ready to start building guitars under his name. We talk about the skills he's learned along this...
2022-07-271h 03
Bullets 2 BeansEpisode 46 - The 98 Fund Alaska Project 2022In Episode 46, Doc is joined by The 98 Fund Posse; Rock DeRocchi and Jason Kostal join Doc in the studio, while Mark Weaver and Scottie Galloway dial in from parts unknown!Segment one kicks off with a recap of The Alaska Project 2021. The crew digs into the highs and lows, the comedy and pain, and the successes and lessons learned from this past season.During this weeks grind, the studio crew jumps into “Coffee or Die” from Black Rifle Coffee Company. This premium medium roast gets savored by itself before the team gets creative with t...
2022-01-311h 27
Behind the ProscSeries 3 Episode 1 - Larry BlankGary is joined by 3 Time Tony Award Nominee, 6 Time Drama Desk Award Nominee LARRY BLANK.
Brooklyn-born Larry has more than half a century of Broadway and West End Experience as a composer, arranger, orchestrator and conductor, working with some of the finest recording artists in the world, legendary musical theatre composers, and outstanding performers of the 20th and 21st Century. He has arranged and orchestrated on Catch Me if You Can, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, The Producers, Drowsy Chaperone, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls, The Sound of Music, as well as working annually on Th...
2021-07-011h 05Bullets 2 BeansEpisode 36 - The 98 FundIn episode 36, Doc J connects with West Point classmates Mark "Rock" DeRocchi and Jason Kostal from Class 1998. Enjoy the great discussion hearing of the careers of two military officers, their transitions from service, and finally the foundation that their classmates have started - The 98 Fund - and hear of their amazing mission and the work that they do to provide assistance, support and mentorship to the families of their fallen classmates, the West Point community, and the the Veteran population in general. This week Doc and Rock review Just Black - Cold Brew from Black Rif...
2021-04-181h 26
Talking GuitarSeason 1. Episode 2: Jason KostalEpisode 2 of our Talking Guitar Podcast is with our dear friend and sensational luthier, Jason Kostal. In this interview we speak to Jason about life during lockdown, building a guitar for the 39th US President Jimmy Carter and our recent Kostal arrivals.
2020-05-1553 minThe Fretboard Journal Guitar PodcastBuilding a Guitar for President CarterTwenty years ago, former president Jimmy Carter planted a grove of Paulownia trees on his Georgia property. Wood from those trees was recently harvested and, thanks to World Tree and FJ contributor/luthier Todd Lunneborg, some of that wood harvest is currently being turned into some rather special guitars. On this week’s Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to Lunneborg and acclaimed acoustic guitarmaker Jason Kostal about the project. Kostal recently completed his guitar featuring the Paulownia from Carter's grove and, thanks to a bit of a luck and some social distancing, he was able to show the...
2020-05-121h 15The Fretboard Journal Guitar PodcastSinger-Songwriter David WilcoxA lot of acoustic guitarists have a favorite pickup that they install on their instruments. Singer-songwriter/guitarist David Wilcox has more like ten…and he uses them all at the same time. On this week’s podcast, we talk to David about his very unique method for amplifying and recording his guitars, including the numerous pickups and mics he installs (Joe Mills, Sunrise, McIntyre Acoustic Featherand others!). We also talk about his signature model RainSong guitar and his forthcoming order with acclaimed luthier Jason Kostal. Beyond all the gear talk, David walks us through his Custo...
2018-10-241h 03
Luthier on Luthier with Michael BashkinJason KostalJason Kostal has led a full life: He graduated from West Point, served in the Army, earned an MBA and spent time as an executive in the corporate world. When he was ready for a new challenge he took up guitarmaking and now his instruments are considered to be among the best being made today. On this month's show, Jason talks candidly about branding, customer relations and his path into lutherie. Thanks to GLUBOOST for sponsoring this episode. Links Kostalguitars.com https://gluboost.com
2018-06-201h 18The Fretboard Journal Guitar PodcastPodcast 107: Luthier Jason KostalEven though his guitars command top dollar and his wait list is several years long, luthier Jason Kostal isn’t done learning his craft. In fact, as we hear on today’s Fretboard Journal Podcast, Kostal just flew to Europe to attend an inlay master class with Grit Laskin. We talk to Kostal about the course, Laskin’s approach to teaching and whether he’ll use his newfound inlay skills on his own guitar creations. Beyond describing his class with Laskin, Kostal also tells us a bit about his build philosophy, how his business is doing and the state...
2016-05-2640 min