Fretboard Journal
The Fretboard Journal is a keepsake magazine for guitar, mandolin, and stringed instrument players. In the same vein of other "coffee table magazines" such as The Surfer's Journal, the Golfer's Journal and the Rodder's Journal, it boasts high-end production values, lengthy interviews and exclusive photography in each issue. Each issue is filled with photos of rare instruments, well-known musicians, and even the workshops of instrument builders. The magazine is also distributed digitally.
The Fretboard Journal was founded by Michael Simmons, a veteran of musical instrument retail sales, and Jason Verlinde, a longtime music journalist. It is published out of Seattle, Washington. Years before, they collaborated on the Ukulele Occasional magazine, a small zine devoted to the four string instrument.
The first issue of the Fretboard Journal was unveiled in November 2005. Stories included an interview with mandolinist David Grisman, an interview with Charlie Louvin by Neko Case, and a profile of Santa Cruz Guitar Company. The second issue featured Case on the cover discussing tenor guitars, an article about C. F. Martin & Company