From the Feed: Matt Munisteri and His Number One Guitar
Munisteri shares the fascinating history of his 1930 Gibson L-5, and the ideas behind his arrangement of “My Blue Heaven,” transcribed here in addition to Snoozer Quinn’s “Telephone Blues.”
The Eclectic Guitar
A guitar magazine writer and editor in conversation with musicians and luthiers, with note-for-note transcriptions.
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Latest episodes
L.A. Story: Meg Duffy’s Expanding Guitar World
Duffy on falling in with a community of players and builders in the city, guitars as orchestration tools, and a mysterious Rick Beato book. Plus, transcriptions of “Good Person” and “Graves.”
From the Feed: Alex Skolnick on Getting to Know a Prized D’Angelico
Skolnick shares what it’s been like to bond with a 1949 Excel, on loan from the Archtop Foundation. Plus, a transcription of his improvisation on the historic guitar.
Old-Time, Reimagined: Sophie Wellington Finds Her Own Voice in Tradition
The guitarist, fiddler, and percussive dancer reflects on the collaborations and communities that have shaped their artistry. Plus, a transcription of their DADGAD arrangement of “Scolding Wife.”
On the Record: Two Jim Hall Takes, Same Tune
How a pair of versions of “The Night Has a Thousand Eyes” with the Paul Desmond Quartet reveal the jazz great’s endless inventiveness.
Beyond Borders: Marisa Anderson Reimagines Music from Folklorist Harry Smith’s Global Record Collection
The exploratory guitarist discusses listening across cultures and rethinking tradition. Plus, a transcription of her arrangement of “Sarvi Simin,” originally performed on Badakhshan rubob.
From the Feed: Stash Wyslouch and His Atonal Flatpicking
A look inside an unconventional take on “Fiddler’s Dream,” with the guitarist’s own explanation and a downloadable transcription.
From the Feed: Wolfgang Muthspiel’s New Guitar
The acclaimed Austrian jazz guitarist-composer introduces an unusual nylon-string archtop by luthier Theo Scharpach. Plus, a transcription of the free improvisation he plays on it.
Among Friends: Tal Mashiach on Deep Musical Community
The longtime Anat Cohen collaborator discusses the joy of making music with friends, playing nylon-string guitar and upright bass, and a pair of note-for-note transcriptions from his latest album.
From the Feed: Ethan Sherman’s Arrangement of “The Lakes of Pontchartrain”
A closer look at a beautiful Instagram performance, with notation, analysis, and the guitarist’s thoughts on arranging the traditional ballad.
In the Shed: Courtney Hartman on Building Songs and a Musical Home
The guitarist and singer-songwriter talks about motherhood, musical community, and Bourgeois guitars, along with a transcription of her new song “Companion.”
Waiting to Be Asked
On my daughter discovering the guitar and exploring open-D tuning on a family heirloom, along with her requested transcription of the Longest Johns’ arrangement of “Fare Thee Well (Dink’s Song).”
Hearing Everything: Duck Baker Looks Back on a Long and Rich Life in Music
The fingerstyle great reflects on a lifetime of pursuing whatever caught his ear—and where it has taken him. Plus, a transcription of his quirky arrangement of “Limehouse Blues.”
Remembering James Blood Ulmer (1940–2026)
A few thoughts on a true guitar original, along with a transcribed excerpt of his piece “Page One: Grand Finale.”
Lady Day: An Unaccompanied Intro by Julian Lage
A free-time improvisation from Joe Lovano’s new Paramount Quartet album, transcribed here, showcases the guitarist’s melodic imagination, harmonic sophistication, and keen sense of direction.
A Blank Canvas: Matthew Stevens on the Fender Telecaster’s Chameleonic Appeal
The guitarist-composer discusses growing up in Toronto, the ideas behind his music, and playing an acoustic once owned by Elliott Smith. Includes a transcription of his new composition “SLMS.”
Far From Standard: Emma Harner on Alternate Tunings, Odd Meters, and Finding Her Own Path
The guitarist and singer-songwriter discusses intuitive harmony, contemporary classical influences, and the thinking behind her “math folk” songs. Plus, a transcription of “You're Right.”
Chasing Perfection: Steve Nall of Collings Guitars on Craft, Curiosity, and the Pursuit of Better Tone
The Austin, Texas maker’s head luthier discusses new models, tonewoods, and the obsessive details behind some of today’s most sought-after guitars, plus a Bob Minner transcription.
Inside the Song: Wendy Eisenberg on Time, Memory, and the Emotional Lives of Guitars
The Brooklyn-based musician discusses improvisation, writing, and the ways certain instruments can reshape a player’s relationship to the past—plus a transcription from their new self-titled album.
The Blue Guitars: Sean McGowan on Spending Time with a Rare Archtop Collection
A conversation with the guitarist and educator about making an album with instruments commissioned by Scott Chinery—plus a transcription of “Fanny Power,” as played on a custom Collings AT 18.