No Cover Charge Podcast
The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar?and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.
Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode?a hidden gem, a new perspective, or a story that'll stick with you. It?s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.
Plug in and hang out.
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Episode 15 - The 5 Phases of a Guitarist's Life
In Episode 15 of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols break down every phase of a guitarist?s life ? from the first moment music grabs you to the highs, lows, gear spirals, plateaus, breakthroughs, and the reality of becoming a career musician. Expect hilarious stories, inspiring advice, honest struggles, and spontaneous riffing as Tyler and Jared reveal the universal stages all guitar players experience.
Whether you?re in the pre-guitar awakening phase, deep in the obsession phase, stuck in the plateau phase, overwhelmed by gear acquisition syndrome, or pushing through the practice and discipline phase, this episode will feel like therapy? with more overdrive.
Sit back, plug in, and enjoy a guitarist?s journey we all share.
?Subscribe on Apple Podcasts???
???The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify???
TIMESTAMPS
0:12 ? Opening Jam in D, the People's Key
1:37 ? Introducing today?s topic: the phases of a guitarist?s life
3:13 ? PRE-GUITAR AWAKENING PHASE
4:06 ? Wanting to be a drummer first
5:23 ? Getting talked into guitar instead
6:07 ? Early sounds that ?unlocked? the instrument
7:28 ? Discovering open-string magic
9:03 ? The Incubus/Mike Einziger influence
10:03 ? OBSESSION PHASE begins
12:17 ? Learning why players sound different
13:35 ? Unlocking nuance and tone
16:20 ? PLATEAU PHASE ? when everything feels wrong
21:15 ? Rut-busting tricks and new tunings
24:24 ? Entering the GAS PHASE
26:50 ? First pieces of gear that changed everything
29:20 ? Gear expectations vs. reality
31:13 ? PRACTICE & DISCIPLINE PHASE
33:55 ? Berklee stories & formative experiences
37:01 ? Leaving the comfort zone
39:01 ? Jared?s Guitar Center ?Horror Story?
43:37 ? The phase of becoming a CAREER MUSICIAN
46:16 ? Why we keep playing: the same feeling from day one
47:53 ? Walrus Audio Melee joystick pedal demo
49:18 ? Final jam & wrap-up
The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar?and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.
Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode?a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It?s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.
Plug in and hang out.
Link to episode
Episode 14 - The "Weird Gear" Episode (was hilarious)
Join Tyler Larson ( ?@MusicisWin? ) and Jared James Nichols ( ?@JJNicholsMusic? ) as they dig deep into the strangest, wildest, most unexplainable guitar gear they've collected over the years. From synth pedals that instantly break your brain to haunted stompboxes, octave chaos machines, forgotten vintage oddities, and micro-guitars that refuse to stay in tune, this episode is pure gear-nerd comedy gold.If you love guitar tone experiments, unpredictable sounds, and two friends losing it on camera over bonkers gear? this is the episode for you.Expect laughs, real tone talk, surprising discoveries, and some truly cursed noises. And if you wanna buy any of the gear in this episode, you can actually find some of it below...
Wanna buy one of these pedals?
Korg MIKU: good luck finding one
Boss Enhancer: good luck finding one
MXR La Machine (is unavailable now but...)
Copper Sound Pedals Triplegraph: good luck finding one
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 ? The funniest episode yet begins
1:45 ? Introducing the Weird Gear Episode
2:28 ? The mysterious Dark Planet guitar appears
3:06 ? Jared admits he?s scared of synth pedals
4:30 ? The FUNNIEST moment in the history of the show
5:59 ? Discovering legitimately cool tones by accident
7:13 ? Linking all pedals below (and why you?ll want the C4)
7:30 ? The infamous MIKU pedal makes its entrance
8:52 ? ?We?re getting censored for sure? ? the pedal screams at us
9:16 ? The Enhancer pedal: what exactly is it?
11:10 ? Seriously? is this thing doing anything?
11:34 ? The sea-monster pedal emerges
12:43 ? Pure chaos tones: ?This pedal might be broken? nope.?
14:09 ? The Metal Zone test, 2025 edition
15:44 ? Isolated metal tones: so bad it?s good?
17:47 ? Why weird tones actually inspire better riffs
19:00 ? Jared tries to channel James Hetfield with no pick
20:57 ? The Triplegraph, tap-dancing into madness
23:02 ? The German chaos delay pedal takes over the room
26:25 ? The tiny guitar that refuses to stay in tune
30:51 ? Wrapping up + should we do Weird Gear Part 2?
The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar?and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode?a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It?s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.
Link to episode
Episode 13 - Angel Vivaldi
Guitar phenom Angel Vivaldi ( ?@AngelVivaldi? ) joins Tyler Larson ( ?@MusicisWin? ) for Episode 13 of The No Cover Charge Podcast ? and this one is packed with tone talk, tour stories, creative philosophy, and plenty of laughs. From joining the Steve Morse Band, to never having used a pedalboard (wtf?!), to carving out space as a genre-bending artist, Angel opens up about growth, humility, tone chasing, and what truly matters in a musician?s life. Expect deep insights, inspiring stories, killer playing, and a whole lot of guitar geekery.If you love guitar tone, creative evolution, progressive metal, Steve Morse, or Angel Vivaldi?s incredible artistry, this episode is for you.
Angel's artistic management service, Xenith Counsel
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 ? Where?s Jared? (UK tour update)
0:24 ? Why Steve Morse wanted Angel in his band
0:54 ? Angel plugs into a pedalboard for the first time
1:48 ? The Frusciante tuning method
4:05 ? Angel joins the Steve Morse Band
5:49 ? Tone, frequency targeting, and crafting patches on tour
8:05 ? Angel?s Latin, jazz, funk, and acoustic background
9:00 ? Growing up with salsa, dancing, and church music
10:46 ? Why many metal musicians don?t listen to metal
12:48 ? Conversation on grind culture and creative hiatus
14:53 ? How gear, fashion, and symmetry communicate identity
16:01 ? Why Angel moved from Ibanez to Charvel
19:57 ? Perspective: what if you couldn?t play anymore?
25:03 ? Angel & Tyler SHRED BATTLE
26:03 ? How guitar scenes have merged into one digital world
27:13 ? What Angel learned from Steve Morse about adapting
28:55 ? Angel?s upcoming tours, records, Charvel 7-string, and Xenith Counsel
?Subscribe on Apple Podcasts???
???The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify???
The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar?and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode?a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It?s always a good time, and best of all?
No cover charge.
Plug in and hang out.
Link to episode
Episode 12 - Josh Smith
Join Tyler Larson ( ?@MusicisWin? ) and Jared James Nichols ( ?@JJNicholsMusic? ) as they sit down with blues titan Josh Smith ( ?@JoshSmithGuitar? ) for one of the most inspiring guitarist deep-dives we?ve ever filmed, for real! In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Josh opens up about tone chasing, creativity, gear myths, BB King?s 100th birthday album, insane string gauges (yes? 13s in standard tuning), improvisation, career evolution, and the mindset required to survive as a lifelong musician. Expect jaw-dropping playing, hilarious moments, killer stories from the road and studio, and some of the most honest guitar philosophy you?ll hear anywhere. If you love guitar, blues, tone, Telecasters, or just watching masters talk shop?this episode is for you.
??The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify??
The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar?and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode?a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It?s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Welcome to the first NIGHT pod!
1:29 - The jam warm-up
4:50 - Tyler predicts the World Series
5:27 - Who is the Shohei Ohtani of guitar?
7:30 - Electronic drums, The Who, and live performance quirks
9:05 - MIDI guitars and gear rabbit holes
10:30 - Improvisation vs. noodling
12:14 - Playing in time: the secret almost everyone learns late
13:26 - Following intuition and musical breadcrumbs
15:02 - What makes great solos connect
16:01 - Three-way rhythmic improvisation experiment
17:27 - Josh?s year producing the BB King 100th album
18:34 - Tracking 33 songs and wrangling 40 guest artists
20:56 - Paul Rodgers tracks Night Life on the BB King sessions
23:28 - Josh Smith uses 13 GAUGE STRINGS
24:40 - Trying Josh?s guitar out? ouch
27:36 - Roy Lanham and forgotten guitar influences
32:14 - Josh demonstrates how his style evolved
35:36 - Becoming yourself instead of copying your heroes
38:43 - Why the Telecaster unlocks Josh?s true voice
40:14 - The Telecaster is the ultimate apocalypse-proof guitar
41:44 - Tone is personal?and your gear should inspire you
44:45 - Amp vs. guitar: the eternal debate
47:29 - Josh?s new signature Ibanez Flat V2
56:12 - Life updates and reevaluating the dream
Link to episode
Episode 11 - A Klon Centaur Shootout Like You've Never Heard
The holy grail of overdrives takes center stage in this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast! Tyler Larson ( @MusicisWin ) and Jared James Nichols ( @JJNicholsMusic ) put an original Klon Centaur head-to-head with some of the most popular Klon clones on the market?from boutique builds to budget pedals?to find out if anything can match the legendary tone. Expect deep tone talk, epic shootouts, and plenty of guitar geekery (plus the story of how Jared became a dad mid-podcast).If you?ve ever wondered why the Klon is the most hyped overdrive pedal in history?or if the clones can truly hang?this is the shootout you?ve been waiting for. ??
?The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify?
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - The Legendary Klon Centaur Episode Begins... Again
1:06 - Jared?s Life-Changing Phone Call: Becoming a Dad Mid-Podcast
3:12 - ?Dad Tone? and the Power of Rock
3:25 - Why Guitarists Obsess Over the Klon Centaur
4:05 - Jared?s First Encounter with the Klon Back at Berklee
5:59 ? Discovering the Magic of the Original Klon Tone
6:13 ? Tyler?s Pandemic-Era Obsession with Finding a Klon
7:28 ? Why the Klon Is the ?Charizard? of Guitar Pedals
8:02 ? Joe Bonamassa?s Gift: The Story Behind Jared?s Klon
10:26 ? The Klon as a Gift and a Legacy
11:18 ? Breaking Down Klon Versions: Silver, Gold, Long Tail, Short Tail
12:18 ? Time to Hear the Real Klon in Action
13:19 ? Clean Tone Test: Fender Princeton vs. Klon Magic
16:40 ? The Sweet Spot: Finding the Perfect Klon Gain Setting
19:16 ? The First Boutique Pedal: Why the Klon Made History
20:25 ? Klon Clone Shootout Setup: OG vs. Modern Imitations
25:14 ? Comparing the Klon to Its Clones (JHS, Acorn, Wampler & More)
30:08 ? High-Gain Madness: Maxing Out the Klon and Clones
37:12 ? How Jared Dials In His Klon for Real-World Playing
40:13 ? Final Thoughts: Do You Really Need a $5,000 Klon?The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar?and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode?a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It?s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.
Link to episode
Episode 10 - Dweezil Zappa
Guitar legend Dweezil Zappa ( @thedweezilzappa ) joins Tyler Larson ( @MusicisWin ) and Jared James Nichols ( @JJNicholsMusic ) on The No Cover Charge Podcast for an epic deep dive into guitar tone, technique, creativity, and life lessons from growing up Zappa. Dweezil shares rare insights on his dad Frank Zappa?s genius, the art of improvisation, tone chasing, recording tricks, and why the ?mad scientist? mindset is the key to musical freedom. Expect jaw-dropping guitar demonstrations, stories from the road, and thought-provoking conversations every guitarist will love.For all things Dweezil, go to https://www.dweezilzappa.comDweezil's fan engagement platform builder: https://www.rewardmusic.comCheck out Jared on tour: https://www.jaredjamesnichols.com
The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Hey Dweezil!
1:00 - Building a house, studio, and a new chapter
3:30 - Dweezil?s YouTube channel and creative freedom
5:00 - The science behind amp tone experiments
7:00 - The Sundragon amp test gone wild
8:50 - How volume changes your playing
9:50 - Taking breaks and musical resets
10:50 - Rediscovering inspiration after time off
11:40 - Dweezil?s guitar fundamentals and interval tips
13:00 - How to navigate the fretboard with confidence
15:00 - Turning wrong notes into right ones
17:00 - Improvisation and the art of risk-taking
18:00 - ?Play your phone number? guitar technique explained
22:00 - How to create melodies from numbers
26:00 - Building a personal improvisation system
30:00 - Expanding your playing with permutations
33:00 - Using melodic minor and outside sounds
36:00 - Finding flow and emotional connection on stage
38:30 - Listening vs. overplaying
40:00 - What Dweezil learned from his dad Frank Zappa
42:00 - The story behind ?The Black Page?
44:00 - Jared?s questions from tour
45:00 - Desert island gear picks
46:50 - The amp that melts faces
47:40 - The one pedal Dweezil can?t live without
49:00 - Favorite recorded guitar tone ever
50:00 - Inside jokes behind Frank Zappa?s song titles
53:00 - Tube tone myths and recording reality
54:30 - Jamming with Steve Vai and Chick Corea
58:00 - The legacy of Randy Rhoads
1:02:00 - How Zappa and Rhoads shaped modern guitar
1:05:00 - RewardMusic.com and empowering independent
artists
1:08:00 - Closing thoughts and guitar wisdom
The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar?and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode?a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It?s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.
Plug in and hang out.
Link to episode
Episode 9 - Joel Hoekstra
Joel Hoekstra has played with everyone from Whitesnake and Night Ranger to Cher and Trans-Siberian Orchestra?and he?s here to tell the stories behind it all. In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols, Joel breaks down his incredible career path, from Broadway pits in New York to arena stages across the globe. Joel also shares his secrets for longevity, versatility, and surviving the hustle of a professional guitar life. Expect inspiring lessons, guitar nerdery, and some unforgettable stories from one of rock?s most versatile players.
Pre-save Joel's new single, "The Fall"
His new album, 'Into the Fade' drops February 2026.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 ? Why Joel is the ultimate guitar chameleon
1:17 ? Playing with Whitesnake, TSO, and Night Ranger
2:56 ? Early guitar influences and discovering Angus Young
4:18 ? Learning guitar in a pre-tab world
6:03 ? Growing up blue-collar and developing work ethic
8:09 ? Building a career as a sideman
10:02 ? Breaking into the New York scene
11:18 ? How Joel joined Night Ranger
13:05 ? Broadway gigs and Rock of Ages
15:44 ? Joining Trans-Siberian Orchestra
17:10 ? The genius of Paul O?Neill
19:05 ? Balancing gigs and finding your lane
20:00 ? Inspiring kids through live performance
21:01 ? Fear, stress, and motivation
22:03 ? Playing with Cher & embracing new styles
24:16 ? Lessons from playing with Foreigner
27:10 ? The Night Ranger guitar team
29:57 ? From Broadway to arenas
33:00 ? Landing the Whitesnake gig
36:00 ? Finding purpose and artistic balance
37:01 ? Advice for young players
38:05 ? Full-circle moments and staying open-minded
40:24 ? Handling pressure and last-minute gigs
45:04 ? Managing anxiety and performance stress
47:08 ? Collaborating with legends like Satriani and Schenker
49:19 ? Thoughts on online trolls and staying positive
51:01 ? Joel?s tapping and legato fundamentals
57:24 ? The art of phrasing and ?money notes?
1:01:34 ? Joel?s new album From the Fade
1:03:06 ? Closing thoughts & gratitude
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-cover-charge-podcast/id1837018751
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The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar?and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode?a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It?s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.
Link to episode
Episode 8 - Joe Bonamassa
One of the guitar world's kings of tone, Joe Bonamassa joins Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols for an unforgettable episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast! In this in-depth and hilarious chat, Joe opens up about his gear philosophy, vintage Les Pauls, touring stories, and the realities of being a modern guitar hero (though he won't call himself that).
Expect deep insight into tone chasing, amps and guitars, modelers vs. tube amps, lessons from Danny Gatton, and Joe?s honest take on the music industry, trolls, and staying inspired.Whether you?re a guitarist, gearhead, or Bonamassa fan, this episode is packed with laughs, wisdom, and killer guitar talk ? no cover charge required.
Check out all things Joe Bonamassa here
????Subscribe on Apple Podcasts????
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 ? We have a very special guitar rig for Joe
1:08 ? Opening jam
2:01 ? Joe's $450K Gibson Les Paul named "PJ"
3:36 - Comparing a 1958 Les Paul to a 2021 Les Paul
7:00 ? The craftsmanship and electronics of vintage guitars
8:00 ? Joe?s philosophy on touring with expensive gear
10:15 ? Airline horror stories: traveling with guitars
13:30 ? The rise of amp modelers and practicality on tour
15:00 ? Why Joe avoids digital rigs and modeling amps
17:00 ? When tech fails mid-gig is Joe?s nightmare
19:00 ? Redundancy in rigs and surviving on stage
21:00 ? Thoughts on gear demos and real-world tone
23:00 ? Volume, speakers, and why wattage matters
25:00 ? Inside Joe?s 7-amp live rig setup
27:30 ? How Joe dials in his stage tone
30:00 ? Adjusting tone on unfamiliar gear
33:00 ? Joe's "time compression philosophy on stage
36:00 ? Mastering dynamics and audience engagement
40:00 ? How Danny Gatton shaped Joe?s playing
43:00 ? Joe?s viral ?Guitar Controls Lesson? explained
47:00 ? Joe?s thoughts on online guitar culture & trolls
52:00 ? Why music should stay fun and positive
55:00 ? EPIC JAM WITH JOE
The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar?and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.
Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode?a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It?s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.
Plug in and hang out.
Link to episode
Episode 7 - Steve Morse
Legendary guitarist Steve Morse (Deep Purple, Kansas, Dixie Dregs, Flying Colors) joins Tyler Larson for an in-depth conversation about his incredible career, songwriting approach, and unique guitar philosophy. Steve breaks down tone secrets, composition techniques, and stories from life on the road with some of rock?s greatest bands. From his early influences to collaborating with John Petrucci and Eric Johnson on his new album Triangulation, this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast is a masterclass in musicianship and creativity.
Check out all things Steve Morse
???Subscribe on Apple Podcasts???
The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar?and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode?a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It?s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.
Plug in and hang out.
Link to episode
Episode 6 - Tommy Emmanuel
Join Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols on The No Cover Charge Podcast as they sit down with the legendary Tommy Emmanuel ? one of the greatest acoustic guitar players of all time. Tommy opens up about his musical philosophy, the art of performance, his relationship with Chet Atkins, and how he built a lifelong career brick by brick. Expect stories, wisdom, humor, and jaw-dropping playing from one of the most inspiring musicians on the planet.
Check out Tommy Emmanuel on tour!
??Subscribe on Apple Podcasts??
The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar?and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode?a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It?s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.
Plug in and hang out.
Link to episode
Episode 5 - Guitar Trends That CHANGED Music
Join Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols for Episode 5 of The No Cover Charge Podcast as they break down the biggest guitar trends from the 1950s to today?and even predict where the guitar world is headed next. From the sharp suits of early jazz cats, to Clapton?s ?woman tone,? to the rise of shred, grunge, boutique gear, and social media guitar culture, this episode is a fast-moving journey through the history of the instrument we love. Expect stories, laughs, and deep insights into how guitar trends shaped music history.
The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar?and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode?a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It?s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.
0:00 - Breaking a String to Start the Show
0:32 - Kicking Off with 1950s Guitar Trends
1:00 - Dressing Sharp: Suits and Jazz Roots
2:10 - Jazz Cats Gatekeeping Guitar Tone
3:00 - Les Paul?s Quest for the Cleanest Sound
3:42 - The Birth of Amp Overdrive
5:31 - Polite 1950s Guitar vs. Hendrix Chaos
6:00 - The 1960s: British Invasion & High Straps
7:54 - Guitar Destruction Becomes a Trend
10:00 - Clapton, the ?Blues Lawyer? Catalyst
12:41 - The 1970s: Enter the Guitar Gods
17:21 - 1980s Explosion of Shred
23:00 - The 1990s Pivot to Grunge
26:20 - The 2000s: Forums, Modeling Amps, and Emo
32:49 - 2010s: Social Media & Bedroom Guitarists
43:02 - The 2030s: AI Bands and the Future of Guitar
Link to episode
Episode 4 - The Gibson Futura has been RESURRECTED!
Step into guitar history with Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols as they unveil the resurrected Gibson Futura?a rare prototype that paved the way for the Explorer. In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, they dive into the story behind Gibson?s bold late-?50s designs, demo the one-of-a-kind Korina-built Custom Shop Futura, and explore the legacy of vintage guitars, including Jared?s legendary ?Dorothy? Les Paul rescued from a tornado. Expect laughs, deep gear talk, and tones you won?t hear anywhere else.? Watch now if you love Gibson guitars, rare prototypes, or vintage gear stories that changed rock forever.
The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar?and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode?a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It?s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.
Link to episode
Episode 3 - Richie "The Falcon" Faulkner
In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson ( ?@MusicisWin? ) and Jared James Nichols ( ?@JJNicholsMusic? ) sit down with Richie ?The Falcon? Faulkner of Judas Priest ?@judaspriest? . Richie opens up about his journey in one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time, his approach to guitar playing, tone, gear, and what it means to carry the torch of legendary riffs.
Expect stories from the road, deep guitar talk, and insight into what makes Richie one of the most exciting guitarists in modern metal. Fun fact?Richie has only changed his guitar strings once in nine years. Lol.
? If you love Judas Priest, heavy metal, guitar gear, and shred, this episode is for you!
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Richie Faulkner, the firepower of Judas Priest
1:02 - Jamming with The Falcon
2:36 - Richie changed his strings once in 9 years
3:14 - Testing an electric guitar unplugged reveals its secrets
5:14 - Richie?s touring guitars with Judas Priest
6:47 - EMGs are always the answer
9:41 - Why a guitar player?s ear is their most important asset
15:46 - The ?clone? comparison of yourself to other guitarists
18:08 - Richie?s sausage selling days
23:53 - The ?Breaking the Law? riff
26:54 - The ?Breaking the Law? solo
29:57 - Nightmare stage moments
35:04 - Richie?s incredible feature on his first Judas Priest run
38:45 - Richie?s advice to guitar players everywhere
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The No Cover Charge Podcast YouTube Channel
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Link to episode
Episode 2 - Andy Wood
? In Episode 2 of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols sit down with guitar virtuoso Andy Wood. Known for his jaw-dropping technique, blend of bluegrass, country, and rock, and his fearless approach to tone and songwriting, Andy takes us deep into his musical journey.
Expect stories from the road, inspiring insights on finding your voice as a guitarist, gear talk, and live playing that will leave you speechless. If you?re into shred, chicken pickin?, tone chasing, or just love hearing from one of today?s most versatile guitarists, this episode is for you.
Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations with the world?s best players ? all with no cover charge.
The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larso & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar?and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.
Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode?a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It?s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.
Plug in and hang out.
The Woodshed Guitar Experience
Email the show at [email protected]
The No Cover Charge Podcast YouTube Channel
The No Cover Charge Instagram Page
Link to episode
Episode 1 - Greg Koch
Welcome to the very first episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols! Our inaugural guest is none other than guitar legend Greg Koch ? a player known for his explosive tone, humor, and masterful storytelling.
In this episode, Greg shares his guitar journey, signature techniques, stories from the road, and the wisdom behind his one-of-a-kind style. Expect gear talk, wild riffs, and plenty of laughs as we dive deep into the mind of one of the most entertaining guitarists alive.
If you love guitar, blues, rock, tone, and raw creativity, this podcast is for you. Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring candid conversations with the world?s best players ? all with no cover charge.
The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar?and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.
Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode?a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It?s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge. New episodes weekly!
Plug in and hang out.
Learn guitar from Greg on Patreon
Check out Greg Koch's official website
The JAMPedals Kochness Monster
Email the show at [email protected]
The No Cover Charge Podcast YouTube Channel
The No Cover Charge Instagram Page
Link to episode