Totally ‘Tube-ular
When YouTube was launched in 2005, it didn’t take long before it became one of the most useful education tools for the guitar player. Even in its early days, it was easy to find instructional videos, gear tours, and rare performances, all of which blew young Christopher’s developing mind. And, of course, who could forget being trolled by one of those early, infamous “Shreds” videos in which a live clip of a notable guitar hero’s solo would have its audio replaced with a loosely interpreted pantomime of goofy licks that would work hilariously well (seriously, search “Eric Clapton Shreds” or “Celine Dion Shreds” on YouTube if you’re in need of a hearty chuckle!). Since then, YouTube has grown into a tremendous and integral resource for just about any musician, whether professional or hobbyist.
If you’re reading this, then by now you’re certainly aware of the fact that we’ve maintained a YouTube channel of our own for several years! We have some new videos that have just dropped (which you can find links to throughout THIS VERY NEWSLETTER!) and we put a fair amount of time and energy into getting these done when there’s some free time around the store. Some of us that work here are masochists and certified guitar nerds that continue to watch guitar-related YouTube videos on our lunch breaks or even outside of work! As one of those nerds, I’ve sifted through plenty of unique channels and have some recommendations for those looking to add some more guitar-related content to their media feeds!
Rhett Shull – An Atlanta native, we’ve enjoyed a long history with Rhett who has been coming to our store since his youth. Rhett has generously shot a few videos at our store over the last few years (he’s never asked us to sponsor his videos or to do any advertising for him despite his videos selling a few guitars for us) but that’s far from the only reason why we recommend his channel. His more editorial-style approach to videos is welcomed amidst the sea of endless product demos. I particularly enjoy his series on “What is ‘The’ Sound” where he digs into classic pieces of gear throughout history and clears up any of the confusion as to why those pieces have become so beloved. He’s also not shy about expressing his opinions and, while we may not share all of the same opinions, they always come from a place that’s informed and authentic. More than just a gear guy, Rhett’s videos are a one-stop for all avenues of the guitar player.
Five Watt World – Keith Williams is another YouTuber who takes a much more editorial approach in his videos. Touting the slogan “Making the Most Music from the Least Gear,” his general ethos is admirable in terms of remembering that these tools are here for the purpose of making music. His “Short History” series has become a must watch for anyone interested in how classic instruments have cemented themselves as legends in our industry. He’ll periodically do live streams on a wide range of music- and gear-related topics, often with a guest, that are great comfort watches/listens that I find often mirror real-life experiences that I’ve shared throughout my career as a guitarist.
Casino Guitars – Casino Guitars has established a channel that we’re very envious of. Baxter, Jonathan, and co. do a great job of “lifting the veil” of our industry in a way that’s casual, approachable, and entertaining. They also take time to be transparent regarding a lot of the frustrations that we share in our industry and say a lot of the things that we wish we’d been able to say for a long time. Though they do often go off on non-sequiturs and film- or TV-related tangents that can distract from their topic, they remind us a lot of the camaraderie we share at our store and serve as a prime example of the best (and, occasionally, worst) parts of our job.
John Nathan Cordy – John Cordy is likely the YouTuber that I personally have spent the most time with. Though he lacks the production value of many of these other channels, he makes up for it with the sheer quantity of videos he produces in a variety of subjects and with a much more genuine approach. He’s become my go-to source for tips and thoughts on modelers, the Line6 Helix products chief among them, but he also has plenty of guitar lessons that primarily focus on jazz guitar as well as shining a light on his effortless legato techniques. Amongst the other YouTube giants, he feels like the underdog and his drive to pump out so much content as a means of supporting his newborn daughter makes me want to support him all the more.
Fretboard Journal – Perhaps most well-known for their long-running print publication, Fretboard Journal also maintain a great YouTube channel! It serves a home to their podcasts and some truly special in-studio performances from players like Bill Frisell, Blake Mills, Julian Lage, John McEuen, and countless others. Their focus is a bit broader than just the guitar and all of their videos are presented just as beautifully as it is in their magazine.
That Pedal Show This may be the channel that I personally have learned the most from throughout the history of YouTube. As the name suggests, Dan & Mick take a deep dive down the rabbit hole of pedals and effects but also every other avenue of the electric guitar. Their artist pedalboard interviews/builds are always excellent and have featured some of my favorite guitarists. More than anything, they always manage to maintain that same childlike joy we’ve all shared when feeling the vibrations of a hard-strummed E chord through our body for the first time.
Rick Beato – Last but certainly not least, this list would not be complete without Rick Beato. Another Atlanta guy, Rick has become the internet’s music teacher. He does tend to have a bit more of a guitar focus as he is a guitar player himself, but his videos expand into the realms of rock, jazz, blues, classical, film scoring, production, and beyond. I’ve long been a fan of his “What Makes This Song Great” series that breaks down not only the musical content of popular songs but also the overall production, which is always a fascinating exercise to me. But amongst all of his great videos, perhaps the most important are his interviews. Rick has accumulated a collection of in-depth interviews with musical icons as well as notable up-and-comers that will be revered for years, if not decades, to come.
Honorable Mentions – These are just a few of the many great channels operating today. I could write a 15 page long essay on more but only have so much time and space in this newsletter! Here’s a list of some other notable channels (though far from an exhaustive list) that are worth your time: Acoustic Guitar Magazine, The North American Guitar/Carter Vintage, Adam Levy Guitar Tips, Paul Davids, Tony Polecastro, and many, many more!
-Chris Capitanio, February 2024
