Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this episode of the INTHEBLUES Tone Podcast, Shane and Dr. Ric share guitar shopping stories from different countries. They discuss Ric's new Gibson ES-335 purchase and the rabbit hole it led to, a funny experience selling a guitar in the UK, a visit to Andertons Music Co., and an unforgettable Texas guitar store. The talk compares Gibson versus PRS guitars, covers Music Man models, weighs Fender Custom Shop against Gibson Custom Shop, and examines the drawbacks of heavy guitars.
The second half shifts to practical advice: downsizing gear to allow more practice time, getting back into guitar playing after a break, why blues music benefits the soul, and moving from gaming to guitar. Ideal listening for players exploring brands like Gibson, PRS, Fender, and Music Man, or seeking motivation to play more.
Guy King & Chris Cain Video - youtube.com/watch?v=CS-UNnicsBc
Video Chapters
00:00 - Welcome Back & Dr. Rick's World Travels
01:24 - Buying a 335 Copy in London (The "Rick New Guitar Day" Story)
02:19 - Going Down the 335 Rabbit Hole & Blues Tone
03:03 - Humbuckers vs. P90s & The Entwistle Pickup Experience
04:47 - Dr. Rick Gets Recognized in a London Marketplace
06:13 - Visiting Andertons (Expectation vs. Reality)
08:14 - Gibson vs. PRS (The "Les Paul Killer" Test at Andertons)
11:27 - Music Man Guitars & Why Their Resale Value Struggles
12:35 - Fender Custom Shop vs. Gibson Custom Shop (The $10,000 Strat Debate)
14:21 - Why Cheap Guitars are Heavy & Custom Shops are Light
16:43 - The Gear Minimalist Journey & Fighting "Gear Fatigue"
18:55 - Moving to an All-Digital Rig (No More Glassware!)
19:51 - Tonex Live Experience (Using the Tonex Cab as a Monitor)
21:37 - Testing the Tonex vs. Small Valve Amps (Blind Test Plans)
22:55 - Is Digital More Reliable than Valves?
25:23 - Dr. Rick’s Small Gigging Rig (Tonex One & AirStep)
28:44 - Do Audiences Actually Care About Your Tone?
29:43 - Settling on the "Hybrid Dumble/Marshall" Sound
31:13 - How to Regain Your Chops After a Break
33:13 - Shane’s Struggle with Calluses and Timing After 4 Weeks Off
34:39 - Why Rhythm Guitar is the Secret to Better Lead Playing
37:41 - Getting Back into the "Flow State"
39:14 - Listening to Music on Long-Haul Flights (The Beatles & Beyond)
41:48 - Interpreting the Blues vs. Just Playing the Notes
43:23 - The Journey of Learning Guitar (Why it Beats Gaming)
44:50 - Wrap Up & What’s Coming Next
🔊 Dive deeper on this topic in The INTHEBLUES Tone Podcast!
Episode: Best & Worst Guitar Gear of 2025 → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNYCekIbACITNOxtqSw5ZqY_gZumfCuV1
Full audio on Spotify/Apple: inthebluespodcast.com
🇺🇸🇦🇺🇬🇧🎸Get the best prices on guitar gear below! 🇺🇸🇦🇺🇬🇧🌎🎸
🛒 Sweetwater Crazy Good Deals - sweetwater.sjv.io/dealzone
🛒 Guitar Center Massive Discounts - guitar-center.pxf.io/gbQbDv
🛒 Thomann's Guitar Bargain-Zone - thomannmusic.com/?offid=1&affid=345
🛒 Sky Music, Australia Guitar Bargains - alnk.to/9TaMrto
🛒 ZZounds Massive Deals - zzounds.com/blowouts/a--3990673
🛒 Artist Guitars - alnk.to/hhCBDJe
🛒 Best Used Guitars on Reverb - tidd.ly/4dCxOxl
=============================
Channel Memberships & Patreon
=============================
🔗 Find Me Online - https://linktr.ee/intheblues
►Patreon: patreon.com/intheblues
►Join this channel to get access to channel perks:
youtube.com/channel/UC-oSaKCCEffJph0F7m6_xfA/join
►My Sweetwater Gear Page - imp.i114863.net/intheblues
►intheblues Merch - intheblues.net/go/tees
-
This YouTube channel participates in Affiliate programs. These programs are designed for the channel to earn an income using the links provided in the description or pinned comment section. Please note: Not all links on this website are affiliate links.
#guitar #intheblues #itbpodcast #andertons @rselp
In this episode of the INTHEBLUES Tone Podcast, Shane and Dr. Ric share guitar shopping stories from different countries. They discuss Ric's new Gibson ES-335 purchase and the rabbit hole it led to, a funny experience selling a guitar in the UK, a visit to Andertons Music Co., and an unforgettable Texas guitar store. The talk compares Gibson versus PRS guitars, covers Music Man models, weighs Fender Custom Shop against Gibson Custom Shop, and examines the drawbacks of heavy guitars.
The second half shifts to practical advice: downsizing gear to allow more practice time, getting back into guitar playing after a break, why blues music benefits the soul, and moving from gaming to guitar. Ideal listening for players exploring brands like Gibson, PRS, Fender, and Music Man, or seeking motivation to play more.
Guy King & Chris Cain Video - youtube.com/watch?v=CS-UNnicsBc
Video Chapters
00:00 - Welcome Back & Dr. Rick's World Travels
01:24 - Buying a 335 Copy in London (The "Rick New Guitar Day" Story)
02:19 - Going Down the 335 Rabbit Hole & Blues Tone
03:03 - Humbuckers vs. P90s & The Entwistle Pickup Experience
04:47 - Dr. Rick Gets Recognized in a London Marketplace
06:13 - Visiting Andertons (Expectation vs. Reality)
08:14 - Gibson vs. PRS (The "Les Paul Killer" Test at Andertons)
11:27 - Music Man Guitars & Why Their Resale Value Struggles
12:35 - Fender Custom Shop vs. Gibson Custom Shop (The $10,000 Strat Debate)
14:21 - Why Cheap Guitars are Heavy & Custom Shops are Light
16:43 - The Gear Minimalist Journey & Fighting "Gear Fatigue"
18:55 - Moving to an All-Digital Rig (No More Glassware!)
19:51 - Tonex Live Experience (Using the Tonex Cab as a Monitor)
21:37 - Testing the Tonex vs. Small Valve Amps (Blind Test Plans)
22:55 - Is Digital More Reliable than Valves?
25:23 - Dr. Rick’s Small Gigging Rig (Tonex One & AirStep)
28:44 - Do Audiences Actually Care About Your Tone?
29:43 - Settling on the "Hybrid Dumble/Marshall" Sound
31:13 - How to Regain Your Chops After a Break
33:13 - Shane’s Struggle with Calluses and Timing After 4 Weeks Off
34:39 - Why Rhythm Guitar is the Secret to Better Lead Playing
37:41 - Getting Back into the "Flow State"
39:14 - Listening to Music on Long-Haul Flights (The Beatles & Beyond)
41:48 - Interpreting the Blues vs. Just Playing the Notes
43:23 - The Journey of Learning Guitar (Why it Beats Gaming)
44:50 - Wrap Up & What’s Coming Next
🔊 Dive deeper on this topic in The INTHEBLUES Tone Podcast!
Episode: Best & Worst Guitar Gear of 2025 → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNYCekIbACITNOxtqSw5ZqY_gZumfCuV1
Full audio on Spotify/Apple: inthebluespodcast.com
🇺🇸🇦🇺🇬🇧🎸Get the best prices on guitar gear below! 🇺🇸🇦🇺🇬🇧🌎🎸
🛒 Sweetwater Crazy Good Deals - sweetwater.sjv.io/dealzone
🛒 Guitar Center Massive Discounts - guitar-center.pxf.io/gbQbDv
🛒 Thomann's Guitar Bargain-Zone - thomannmusic.com/?offid=1&affid=345
🛒 Sky Music, Australia Guitar Bargains - alnk.to/9TaMrto
🛒 ZZounds Massive Deals - zzounds.com/blowouts/a--3990673
🛒 Artist Guitars - alnk.to/hhCBDJe
🛒 Best Used Guitars on Reverb - tidd.ly/4dCxOxl
=============================
Channel Memberships & Patreon
=============================
🔗 Find Me Online - https://linktr.ee/intheblues
►Patreon: patreon.com/intheblues
►Join this channel to get access to channel perks:
youtube.com/channel/UC-oSaKCCEffJph0F7m6_xfA/join
►My Sweetwater Gear Page - imp.i114863.net/intheblues
►intheblues Merch - intheblues.net/go/tees
-
This YouTube channel participates in Affiliate programs. These programs are designed for the channel to earn an income using the links provided in the description or pinned comment section. Please note: Not all links on this website are affiliate links.
#guitar #intheblues #itbpodcast #andertons @rselp
