Janek Gwizdala Podcast
Dive deep into the music universe with the podcast that unveils the journey of one of the most influential bass players in the music industry – Janek Gwizdala. Designed for bass enthusiasts and musicians alike, each episode is a sonic exploration into the world of groove, gear. technique, and artistic evolution.
Janek Gwizdala, renowned for his mastery of the bass, shares his life's narrative – from the early days as a budding musician to his current status as a sought-after sideman and solo artist. Whether you're a seasoned bassist or simply appreciate the magic of live music, join us as we unravel the layers of Janek's experiences, revealing the secrets behind his signature sound.
Expect in-depth conversations with Janek and special guests, offering unique perspectives on music, composition, and the art of creating an unforgettable groove. Explore the challenges and triumphs of a professional bass player, gain insights into the creative process, and discover the stories behind some of Janek's most iconic performances.
Whether you're looking for inspiration for your own musical journey or simply want to bask in the rich tones of the bass, "The Janek Gwizdala Podcast" is your backstage pass to the world of bass and music.
Subscribe now for an intimate look at the life and legacy of Janek Gwizdala's bass-centric career.
janekgwizdala.substack.com
JHS Colour Box On Tour!
2024-05-25 15:05:00
It’s time for a report on the JHS Colour Box and how it held up for me on tour in Asia for the past few weeks. It was my pick for the touring board after my recent DI shootout video, and I’m excited to share the results with you. I also have some big news on the Teletronix TDI sale that is coming in the next few days, but before we get to that, there is a 10% discount on all signed physical copies of my books through Labor Day (Monday) at midnight. Due to us moving house this week, and me moving into a new studio with all the instruments, pedals, cameras and books, I want to get as many of these physical books out of the house as possible before it’s time to start carrying boxes down three flights of stairs to the new place! With almost everything in stock right now, that’s great for you, but a disaster for my lower back and legs on moving day. You don’t need a discount coupon, it will be applied automatically at checkout! I cannot wait to move into the new space, rebuild the studio, and start working on some of the things I’m discussing in this week’s episode of the podcast, as well as bring you footage from the road, and updates on all the exciting new pedals coming into the studio. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
It’s time for a report on the JHS Colour Box and how it held up for me on tour in Asia for the past few weeks.
It was my pick for the touring board after my recent DI shootout video, and I’m excited to share the results with you.
I also have some big news on the Teletronix TDI sale that is coming in the next few days, but before we get to that, there is a 10% discount on all signed physical copies of my books through Labor Day (Monday) at midnight.
Due to us moving house this week, and me moving into a new studio with all the instruments, pedals, cameras and books, I want to get as many of these physical books out of the house as possible before it’s time to start carrying boxes down three flights of stairs to the new place!
With almost everything in stock right now, that’s great for you, but a disaster for my lower back and legs on moving day. You don’t need a discount coupon, it will be applied automatically at checkout!
I cannot wait to move into the new space, rebuild the studio, and start working on some of the things I’m discussing in this week’s episode of the podcast, as well as bring you footage from the road, and updates on all the exciting new pedals coming into the studio.
More soon,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Interviewing Jack Roan, Founder of The Noble Amplifier Company
2024-05-13 15:05:00
This is an interview from last year with the founder of Noble, Jack Roan. It went up on my separate youtube podcast channel, but that has long since been abandoned, and with the recent release of my DI shootout video, it seemed fitting to release it on the main channel so a wider audience might hear the story behind Noble. Enjoy, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
This is an interview from last year with the founder of Noble, Jack Roan. It went up on my separate youtube podcast channel, but that has long since been abandoned, and with the recent release of my DI shootout video, it seemed fitting to release it on the main channel so a wider audience might hear the story behind Noble.
Enjoy,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
There's a New Bass Magazine
2024-05-05 21:27:27
Print media is not dead! Not only isn’t it dead, it’s actually representing the bass community in very high quality format with the launch of Bass Review Magazine in the UK. I thought the chance of being on the cover of a physical magazine had long since passed, but here we are in 2024 with it happening again. I wish BRM great success in this endeavor, and look forward to reading about our little bass-corner of the music community for many years to come on the pages of their publication. As I mentioned in the episode, I’m leaving on tour in two days for Asia... so if you want signed copies of the massive delivery of bass books that just arrived in my studio, get your order in as soon as you see this, and I’ll get them shipped out to you wherever you are in the world before I leave. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Print media is not dead! Not only isn’t it dead, it’s actually representing the bass community in very high quality format with the launch of Bass Review Magazine in the UK.
I thought the chance of being on the cover of a physical magazine had long since passed, but here we are in 2024 with it happening again.
I wish BRM great success in this endeavor, and look forward to reading about our little bass-corner of the music community for many years to come on the pages of their publication.
As I mentioned in the episode, I’m leaving on tour in two days for Asia... so if you want signed copies of the massive delivery of bass books that just arrived in my studio, get your order in as soon as you see this, and I’ll get them shipped out to you wherever you are in the world before I leave.
More soon,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Is This Even a Bass "Pedalboard"?
2024-04-28 20:48:56
Aside from posing the question of whether or not two pedals can be a "pedalboard", I get into what it takes to reboot the system ahead of a grueling international tour schedule. I’ll be in China and Taiwan for just over two weeks playing 10 concerts with Steve Smith’s Vital information, and that is book-ended by an insane home schedule of filming, recording, and family commitments. I talk all the time about consistency of practice and work, but no matter how I am, there is always the chance things can fall through the cracks for a few days and totally knock me off my game. This episode is all about how I remedy that get my playing back up to where I need it to be. Physical copies of Bass Player’s Guide To Pentatonics are back in stock, and shipping worldwide. Grab a signed copy while they last! More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Aside from posing the question of whether or not two pedals can be a "pedalboard", I get into what it takes to reboot the system ahead of a grueling international tour schedule.
I’ll be in China and Taiwan for just over two weeks playing 10 concerts with Steve Smith’s Vital information, and that is book-ended by an insane home schedule of filming, recording, and family commitments.
I talk all the time about consistency of practice and work, but no matter how I am, there is always the chance things can fall through the cracks for a few days and totally knock me off my game. This episode is all about how I remedy that get my playing back up to where I need it to be.
Physical copies of Bass Player’s Guide To Pentatonics are back in stock, and shipping worldwide. Grab a signed copy while they last!
More soon,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Is This The Best Bass Pedalboard Ever?
2024-04-23 20:07:10
I always find it fascinating as to how long a pedalboard lasts. For the most part in my career, the next board is already being planned before the current one is even fully wired and operational. Things seem to be a little different this time around though, and I’m excited to share with you what makes this one of the most musical builds I’ve ever completed. Enjoy, Janek P.S. For the first time in the store I have signed physical copies of Ultimate Chop Builder available! Both Minor and Major modes versions, plus a fresh batch of Bass Player’s Guide to Pentatonics. Shop Now Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
I always find it fascinating as to how long a pedalboard lasts. For the most part in my career, the next board is already being planned before the current one is even fully wired and operational.
Things seem to be a little different this time around though, and I’m excited to share with you what makes this one of the most musical builds I’ve ever completed.
Enjoy,
Janek
P.S. For the first time in the store I have signed physical copies of Ultimate Chop Builder available! Both Minor and Major modes versions, plus a fresh batch of Bass Player’s Guide to Pentatonics.
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Epic New Pedal Delivery
2024-04-15 14:05:00
After a fantastic week on the road and in the studio with Steve Smith and Vital Information, I'm back home in my studio to examine the most insane pedal delivery my collection has ever seen. As you may have heard I'm getting ready to start shoot the biggest Bass DI/Pre Amp video of all time. As you'll see from today's episode, that's not click bait or overselling, it's as accurate a description as I could make considering the companies I reached out to that said yes! So far in the lineup I have Jad Freer, Jule Amps, Noble, Origin Effects, Aguilar, Ampeg, JHS, Caveman Audio, Miura, MXR, REDDI, Sushi FX, DSM & Humbolt, Radial, and there are still more to come. If there's something you'd like to see featured in the video that you don't see on the list, drop it in the comments! For anyone in the Denver area, I’m very excited to be heading to play at Dazzle this coming weekend, Saturday April 20th, with two of my best friends and long-time musical colleagues Gabriel Santiago and Justin Vasquez. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
After a fantastic week on the road and in the studio with Steve Smith and Vital Information, I'm back home in my studio to examine the most insane pedal delivery my collection has ever seen.
As you may have heard I'm getting ready to start shoot the biggest Bass DI/Pre Amp video of all time.
As you'll see from today's episode, that's not click bait or overselling, it's as accurate a description as I could make considering the companies I reached out to that said yes!
So far in the lineup I have Jad Freer, Jule Amps, Noble, Origin Effects, Aguilar, Ampeg, JHS, Caveman Audio, Miura, MXR, REDDI, Sushi FX, DSM & Humbolt, Radial, and there are still more to come.
If there's something you'd like to see featured in the video that you don't see on the list, drop it in the comments!
For anyone in the Denver area, I’m very excited to be heading to play at Dazzle this coming weekend, Saturday April 20th, with two of my best friends and long-time musical colleagues Gabriel Santiago and Justin Vasquez.
More soon,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
The Tim Landers Interview
2024-04-07 16:00:00
It’s hard to put into words what it means to meet your heroes. To be able hit record 5 minutes later and get to share that conversation with you is one of the prouder moments of my career. With stories about how he started out, practicing in a shed in Steve Smith’s backyard, to walking into Electric Ladyland in New York City for a record date where the horn section was Michael and Randy Brecker and Barry Rogers, we cover a lot of ground in this conversation. John Tesh, Tracy Chapman, Chick Corea, Lee Ritenour, Vince Neal, Billy Cobham, Mike Stern, Vinnie Colaiuta, Frank Gambale, about a thousand other legendary recording artists grace the pages of Tim’s career highlights. I hope this is the first of many times I get to pick Tim’s brain and share it with you. The man is a treasure chest of knowledge and experience with some of the best music and bass related stories you could hope to hear. Enjoy! Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
It’s hard to put into words what it means to meet your heroes. To be able hit record 5 minutes later and get to share that conversation with you is one of the prouder moments of my career.
With stories about how he started out, practicing in a shed in Steve Smith’s backyard, to walking into Electric Ladyland in New York City for a record date where the horn section was Michael and Randy Brecker and Barry Rogers, we cover a lot of ground in this conversation. John Tesh, Tracy Chapman, Chick Corea, Lee Ritenour, Vince Neal, Billy Cobham, Mike Stern, Vinnie Colaiuta, Frank Gambale, about a thousand other legendary recording artists grace the pages of Tim’s career highlights.
I hope this is the first of many times I get to pick Tim’s brain and share it with you. The man is a treasure chest of knowledge and experience with some of the best music and bass related stories you could hope to hear.
Enjoy!
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Boutique vs Beginner Bass Shootout
2024-04-01 23:15:35
Today I'm shooting out my wife's first $200 bass from when she was 13 years old against my Master-Built $10,000 signature Mattisson. It's such a fun experiment to see where the two are similar and then push the limits to where those similarities evaporate. Get in the comments on YouTube and let me know if you have two basses on opposite ends of the cost spectrum that are closer in actual value than you might like to admit! More Soon, Janek P.S. we have very limited numbers of signed copies of my books that have just come back in stock. Check them out before they’re gone! https://janekgwizdala.com/store Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Today I'm shooting out my wife's first $200 bass from when she was 13 years old against my Master-Built $10,000 signature Mattisson.
It's such a fun experiment to see where the two are similar and then push the limits to where those similarities evaporate.
Get in the comments on YouTube and let me know if you have two basses on opposite ends of the cost spectrum that are closer in actual value than you might like to admit!
More Soon,
Janek
P.S. we have very limited numbers of signed copies of my books that have just come back in stock. Check them out before they’re gone!
https://janekgwizdala.com/store
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Reviewing (almost) All My Flight Cases Ever
2024-03-24 19:25:05
Ranking the best and the worst flights cases and gig bags for basses and pedals from my entire career. I still have at least one example of almost every single style of case I've ever used, and I have them all out of storage for this video to share my thoughts with you, and hopefully help you figure out what might work for you. The bass I mention in the video that is for sale can be found here: https://janekgwizdala.com/store/p/fjr5v0q0momv6tg1awtui3mrjc3mtx Enjoy, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Ranking the best and the worst flights cases and gig bags for basses and pedals from my entire career.
I still have at least one example of almost every single style of case I've ever used, and I have them all out of storage for this video to share my thoughts with you, and hopefully help you figure out what might work for you.
The bass I mention in the video that is for sale can be found here: https://janekgwizdala.com/store/p/fjr5v0q0momv6tg1awtui3mrjc3mtx
Enjoy,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Programming The HX Stomp For Bass
2024-03-18 22:56:29
I'm programming new sounds for my HX Stomp today, and getting into some fundamental and more importantly useful sounds for regular bass players. As much as the YouTube algorithm might feed you some of the more flashy and soloistic moments of my career, the bigger portion of my bass playing life has been spent in the lower register of the instrument holding the band together. With that in mind, I would like to put some more useable presets out into the world, and I just started breaking the ice in today's podcast with the HX Stomp and what might be possible. You can get my existing HX Stomp Preset Pack HERE https://janekgwizdala.com/store/line6-presets And fresh copies of Bass Player’s Guide to Pentatonics just arrived last night. Get a signed copy before they’re sold out again! https://janekgwizdala.com/store More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
I'm programming new sounds for my HX Stomp today, and getting into some fundamental and more importantly useful sounds for regular bass players.
As much as the YouTube algorithm might feed you some of the more flashy and soloistic moments of my career, the bigger portion of my bass playing life has been spent in the lower register of the instrument holding the band together.
With that in mind, I would like to put some more useable presets out into the world, and I just started breaking the ice in today's podcast with the HX Stomp and what might be possible.
You can get my existing HX Stomp Preset Pack HERE https://janekgwizdala.com/store/line6-presets
And fresh copies of Bass Player’s Guide to Pentatonics just arrived last night. Get a signed copy before they’re sold out again! https://janekgwizdala.com/store
More soon,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe