About this episode
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 YouTube Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Follow on Instagram Follow on TikTok Follow on Facebook 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.