In this week's issue đŠ
- Using a pedal tone to create guitar riffs
- Seth Lee Jones Guitars
- Noteworthy guitar news
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Guitar Practice
Pedal Tone Riff
This week, lets take a look at a quick riff using a pedal tone.
A pedal tone (or pedal point) on guitar is a sustained or repeatedly-played note that stays constant while the harmony or chords change around it.
Think of it as a musical âanchorâ note. The other notes change, but one note keeps ringing or returning, creating tension and color.
The below riff uses an B pedal tone in the Key of E major, with a line that descends and ascends below it.
Spotlight
Seth Lee Jones Guitars
Seth Lee Jones is a Tulsa-based guitar builder and musician who has built his life around great tone and great craftsmanship. After graduating at the top of his class from the Musicians Instituteâs Guitar Craft Academy in 2007, Seth set out to turn his passion for guitars into a full-time calling. From the beginning, he stood out for both his skill and his dedication to doing things the right wayâcarefully, thoughtfully, and with a deep respect for the instrument.
Early in his career, Seth apprenticed with some of the most respected names in the repair and building world. Those hands-on years shaped his approach to guitar work. He learned not just how to fix and build instruments, but how to truly listenâto the wood, to the player, and to the music the guitar was meant to make. That mindset still guides his work today.
Now based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Seth runs SLJ Guitars, where he focuses on custom builds, detailed repairs, and full restorations. Whether heâs bringing an old, worn-in instrument back to life or building something completely new from the ground up, he puts care into every detail. From selecting tonewoods to shaping necks and dialing in fretwork, his goal is always the same: to create guitars that feel alive in the playerâs hands.
What makes Seth different is that he isnât just a builderâheâs also a working musician. He plays regularly and understands firsthand what players need from their instruments. That real-world experience helps him build guitars that donât just look beautiful, but perform at a high level on stage and in the studio.
At the heart of it all, Seth Lee Jones is driven by a love for the guitar. His work blends tradition with personal touch, craftsmanship with creativity. Whether youâre a touring professional or a local player who simply loves to play, Seth approaches every instrument with the same respect and passion for great music.
News & Notes đď¸
- Yamaha announced a couple 60th Anniversary guitars: the 60th Anniversary Revstar - RSP20B 60TH electric guitar, and 60th Anniversary FG9 acoustic guitar.
- Gretsch released an updated G2622 Streamliner⢠Center Block Double-Cut with V-Stoptail electric guitar. It features a double-cutaway 16" arched maple body with achambered center block, new Broad'Tron⢠BT-3S humbucking pickups, and a soft C-shaped nato neck. Retails for around $479 USD.
- đď¸ Bill Frisell joined That Pedal Show to chat about music, guitars & his current pedalboard. Side note: Bill's new album In My Dreams comes out 2/27/26.
- Seth Lee Jones (featured above) joined Greg Koch's Chewing The Gristle podcast. They discussed how a wrecked Tele neck and a stack of Musicians Institute lessons led Seth to a singular slide-and-bender voice, reclaimed wood guitar builds, the myth of âexpensive equals betterâ, and more. Apple Podcasts | Spotify
- đş This video is from a year ago, but wanted to give a shout out to a good interview Guthrie Trapp did with The Zak Kuhn Show discussing how to build a career as a guitarist.
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