In this week's issue 📩
- We check out a Julian Lage-inspired Arpeggio Riff
- Folk guitarist and singer Jake Xerxes Fussell
- Fret12 guitar shop, apparel & merchandise
- This week's most interesting guitar news
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Guitar Practice
Julian Lage inspired Arpeggio Riff
Let's take a look at a 2-octave arpeggio riff that Julian Lage occasionally works into his solos.
While 2-octave arpeggio runs are certainly not uncommon across jazz and other genres, what Julian sometimes does is play the root note twice.
In the below examples (which are shown in both B Major and B Minor), we play 4-note clusters.
The first part of the phrase (the first 4 notes) ends on B. Julian often repeats that same note on a different string - in this case the 14th fret on the A string. The examples below have this riff ascending and descending.
In B Major:
In B Minor:
Guitarist Spotlight
Jake Xerxes Fussell
Jake Xerxes Fussell is a singer, guitarist, and songwriter known for breathing new life into old American folk songs. Rather than focusing on writing original material, he reimagines traditional songs, shaping them with his own voice, guitar style, and thoughtful arrangements. His music feels both timeless and personal, connecting the past to the present in a warm, approachable way.
Fussell grew up in Durham, North Carolina, in a family deeply rooted in music. His father, Fred Fussell, is a well-known folklorist and archivist, which meant Jake was surrounded by field recordings, songbooks, and visiting musicians from a young age. This early exposure helped him develop a deep respect for folk traditions and a strong sense of musical curiosity.
He studied at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he honed his guitar skills and expanded his understanding of American roots music. Over time, he developed a gentle, expressive singing style and a fingerpicking approach that feels both precise and relaxed. His playing supports the songs without overpowering them, letting the stories and melodies take center stage.
Jake is known for keeping his electric guitar tone simple and honest. He typically plays a Telecaster plugged straight into a Fender Deluxe Reverb or Princeton Reverb, without pedals or heavy effects. This clean, direct setup matches his overall approach to music—clear, unpretentious, and focused on feel rather than flash.
Jake has released several critically acclaimed albums, including Out of Sight, What in the Natural World, and Good and Green Again. His recordings are known for their careful production, emotional honesty, and deep respect for the source material. Jake makes centuries-old songs feel fresh and relevant without losing their original spirit.
Key Gear
- 1976 ash-body Fender Telecaster
- Fender Deluxe Reverb amp (appears to be a 1968)
- Fender Princeton Reverb
Check out Jake's NPR Tiny Desk concert:
Gear Showcase
Fret12
I’m throwing a bit of a curveball with this week’s gear showcase. While this section usually features guitars, amps, and pedals, I wanted to spotlight a company doing something truly special in the guitar, music apparel, art, and culture space.
Fret12 is a Chicago-based lifestyle and music culture brand that celebrates guitars, live performance, and life on the road. It sits somewhere between a boutique guitar shop and a guitar-focused apparel, art, and home goods company—bringing together gear, design, and music culture under one roof.
Founded in 2008, Fret12’s mission is to blend music, art, and design to create a space where musicians and fans can connect through shared passion and creativity. Through both their online store and their physical shop at Chicago’s Salt Shed, they offer a carefully curated mix of guitars, accessories, apparel, artwork, and home goods.
From graphic tees and hoodies to art prints, custom guitar straps, and unique accessories, Fret12’s products are made for people who truly live and breathe music.
Fret12 also places a strong emphasis on community and storytelling. Through projects like FRET12 Sessions and their online Journal, they feature local and touring artists, sharing live performances, interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories. These efforts spotlight Chicago’s music scene while building meaningful connections between artists and fans.
By blending shopping, culture, and creativity, Fret12 brings the energy of the stage, the road, and everything in between to musicians and music fans everywhere.
Key details about FRET12:
- Retail & Gear: The company is an official dealer of boutique guitars (including Paul Reed Smith) and offers a wide range of pedals, amps, and accessories.
- Apparel & Merchandise: FRET12 designs unique, road-inspired apparel, including t-shirts, hoodies, and jackets.
- The Shop: Located in Chicago's Salt Shed concert venue & and community space, the shop is open to the public during weekends and most concert nights.
- Media & Community: Beyond products, they produce original content, including interviews and performances with artists.
- Philosophy: The brand focuses on the "nomadic spirit of life on the road," creating products that reflect the beauty in the toil of being a musician
News & Notes 🗞️
- JHS Pedals released a new version of their popular Morning Glory overdrive pedal - the Morning Glory Clean. Taking inspiration from watching how Julian Lage dials in his tone during a sound check last year, Josh from JSH took the Morning Glory and rebuilt it around a studio-grade parallel clean blend. This is designed to give you back your amp's natural warmth and that crystal pick attack.
- Jazz guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel joined Rick Beato for an in-depth interview. Kurt discusses his influences, practice routine, and how he developed such a unique sound on the guitar.
- Rick Beato also posted a great new interview with 28-year-old Gypsy Jazz guitar master Antoine Boyer.
- Premier Guitar's John Bohlinger posted a new video interview with guitarist Ariel Posen. They chatted about his signature Fender Stratocaster, moving from a sideman guitarist to a solo artist, his songwriting, improvisation & creative philosophy, and more. P.S. - check out our interview with Ariel Posen as well.
- Legendary Los Angeles guitar store Norman's Rare Guitars – one of the world's most respected vintage guitar dealers – was acquired by TNAG Global (which also owns Carter Vintage Guitars and Cotten Music Center in Nashville, TN). The store will continue to operate in its current location, with the same staff.
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