Updated: July 21, 2026

Fretboard Summit 2026: Full Schedule

Thursday, August 20

(3-Day Passholders Only) Check-in begins at 10am.

New for 2026: All-Access passholders are entered to win a new Iris Guitar, a handmade tube amp and other amazing raffle prizes, in addition to sponsored giveaways, a stellar swag bag, the Summit happy hour, workshops, concerts and other perks.

Fretboard Summit Activities

Note: Summit workshops, clinics, interviews and concerts are available to All-Access Passholders only. Just want to guitar shop? We’ll have day Exhibitor Showcase tickets at the door for Friday and Saturday.

10am - 12pm Registration / Check-In (4544 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625)

12:00pm Opening Remarks

Just for three-day passholders: Old Town School of Folk Music CEO Troy Anderson and Fretboard Journal founder Jason Verlinde welcome you to the 2026 Fretboard Summit. We'll also go over logistics, surprise lineup additions, updates and more. (Maurer Hall - West)

1:00pm Luthier & Exhibitor Showcase Preview Opens

Exclusive preview of the Summit lutherie showcase just for three-day attendees. Scattered between the Old Town School of Folk Music's two buildings, Summit-goers will find nearly 100 brands and solo builders showcasing the latest in gear, including prototypes and new product launches. You’ll also have ample opportunities to meet some of the legends of the gear industry. Demo/listening rooms are available if you need a quiet space to try things out…or an amp to plug things in. (Both OTSFM buildings)

5:00pm - 6:00pm Happy Hour Hangout with William Downie Pinot Noir

Meet fellow 3-day pass holders and Summit exhibitors at a complimentary wine tasting courtesy of Australia’s William Downie Pinot Noir. Additional beverages are available. (Szold Hall - East)

Workshops & Speakers

1pm From K&F to CBS: The Real Relics of Fender History

Acclaimed guitar historian Terry Foster shows rare and unseen items from his collection that helped shape the future of electric guitar. Presentation followed by Q&A. (Maurer Hall - West)

1pm Ordering a Luthier-Built Acoustic

Guitarmaker Tom Sands and musician/educator Tony Polecastro walk attendees through best practices for commissioning a custom instrument. A must-listen whether you’re buying a guitar at the Summit or elsewhere. (Szold Hall - East)

2pm Fats Kaplin

Acclaimed Nashville musician Fats Kaplin will discuss the instruments, techniques, and musical traditions he has spent a lifetime studying and using on stage and in the studio with artists ranging from John Prine and Mitski to Jack White and the Dead Reckoners. A singular multi-instrumentalist on fiddle, banjo, guitar, ukulele, mandolin, steel guitar and more, Fats has followed an intriguing path through music: years on the road with Roy Book Binder, a long stretch touring the world with Tom Russell, and eventually landing in Nashville, where he has become one of the city’s most respected and in-demand players.

In this session, Fats demonstrate some of the techniques and sounds that have shaped his playing, and dig into the music that continues to fuel his desire to learn, create, and keep pushing forward. (Szold Hall - East)

3pm Twenty-One Years of the Fretboard Journal Live Podcast Taping

A live Fretboard Journal Podcast taping: FJ founder Jason Verlinde shares stories from the frontlines of publishing the world’s most unique guitar publication, what excites him today, and his vision for media going forward. (Maurer Hall - West)

3pm Jazz duos with Andy Reiss and Jonathan Stout

Returning Fretboard Summit performer Jonathan Stout is joined by Andy Reiss (Volcano Brothers) for a midday jazz performance. (Szold Hall - East)

4pm The Working Guitarist's Journey

Corey Congilio talks about his journey as a pro guitarist and the realities of being a working musician in 2026. He'll discuss the gear that he depends on and how to build a skill set so that one can adapt to any instrument that they are presented with. (Maurer Hall - West)

4pm Vintage Gibson Acoustics Petting Zoo

Mark Stutman is the expert on the Gibson L-style acoustic guitar. In this Summit session, he walks us through the quirks and magic found in these instruments. In this hands-on session, participants will also have a rare opportunity to play over a dozen Gibson, Kel Kroydon and other Gibson offshoot instruments from the 1930s. (Szold Hall - East)

4pm Hands-On Class: Build a Pedal with Summer School's Mark Turley

Never touched a soldering iron? Not a problem! Summer School Electronics’ founder Mark Turley leads a beginner-friendly class where each participant will build their very own drive pedal. Note: Due to materials cost, a separate admission is required (reserve your spot here). (B-4, West)

Featured Concerts

Maurer Hall

8pm
Jake Xerxes Fussell
Cameron Knowler

Szold Hall

8pm The Volcano Brothers (jazz-fueled Hawaiian music of the 1920s and ‘30s as channeled through Nashville’s Steve Dawson, Fats Kaplin, Richard Bennett, Dave Jacques, and Andy Reiss)

Friday, August 21

Check-in begins at 9:30am.

10am - 5pm Luthier & Exhibitor Showcase

The Fretboard Summit features one of the finest collections of handmade, high-end and boutique gear under one roof. Peruse both Old Town School buildings to demo and shop for gear from nearly 100 luthiers, brands, and gear makers. Can't make the rest of the Summit activities? We'll have Lutherie Showcase-only tickets available at the door on Friday and Saturday for those who just want to shop guitars. (Both OTSFM buildings)

Fretboard Summit Activities, Workshops, Speakers & More

8:30am The Fretboard Summit 5k!

Get up early and put your trainers on for a fun run with a few demented guitar fanatics who also like to jog in circles. Route to be emailed to passholders, weather permitting.

10am Josh Scott's Blindfold Test

How well do any of us really know our effects? In this session, JHS founder Josh Scott handpicks a few guitarists roaming the halls of the Summit to see how well they can identify the sounds of a pedal, blindfolded. A Pepsi challenge with fuzz. (Maurer Hall - West)

10am The Many Faces of Modern Lap-Style Guitar with Steve Dawson

Steve Dawson has been working in studios and on stage for years as a guitarist in many forms, but the steel guitar has always been his focus. Whether that’s solo gigs on Weissenborn, trad Hawaiian tricone with the Volcano Brothers, overdriven modern sounds on an Asher electro, Jerry Byrd-inspired retro lap steel, or pedal steel, Dawson has always found ways to keep interested in developing as a player and working musician. He'll do an interactive workshop where he plays a bit of those various styles, talks about tone, tunings and technique. (Szold Hall - East)

11am Dipped in Tone Podcast Live Podcast Taping

Join Rhett Shull, Zach Broyles (Mythos Pedals) and Addison Sauvan for a rare, live taping of their hit podcast. Expect unique takes on industry news, favorite gear, and more. (Maurer Hall - West)

11am In Conversation: Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is one of Nashville's most respected guitarists. In this session, he sits down with the Fretboard Journal to discuss decades of playing and performing with the likes of Mark Knopfler, Neil Diamond, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, and countless others. We'll talk gear, inspiration, memorable sessions and more. (Szold Hall - East)

1pm Featured Speaker: Chris Martin IV (Martin Guitars)

Experience an intimate talk with Chris Martin IV, the 6th-generation owner of the iconic guitar manufacturer, C.F. Martin & Co., as he shares his passion and stories from his over 35 years at the helm of the company. Founded in 1833 in New York City, Martin Guitar has been crafting the world’s finest acoustic guitars for nearly 200 years. (Maurer Hall - West)

1pm Rare & Vintage Pedals with Chris Vincent (R2R Electric)

Returning Fretboard Summit guest Chris Vincent and Meg Duffy (Hand Habits) walk us through some of the rarest and most unobtanium pedals they cherish, including a few that have their origins in Chicago. (Szold Hall - East)

2pm The Fretboard Summit Science Fair

Every year, we carve out an hour at the Summit to showcase the weekend's gear-making pioneers, experimenters and oddballs. It's an old-school Science Fair patterned after the one you had in Junior High, just for guitar geeks. Any exhibitors or attendees are welcome to bring their creations. Expect some jaw-dropping and some laughs. (Szold Hall - East)

3pm Pedal Party Clinic with Jessica Dobson of Deep Sea Diver

Dive into the sonic universe of Deep Sea Diver with an exclusive, behind-the-scenes session led by bandleader and multi-instrumentalist Jessica Dobson. In this dynamic presentation and Q&A, Jessica will explore how guitar textures, tone shaping, and creative effects work together to build entire musical worlds in both songwriting and production. Whether you’re a gear enthusiast, a songwriter, or simply a fan of Deep Sea Diver’s signature sound, join us to uncover the artistry behind their pedal choices, sonic landscapes, and the creative decisions that bring their music to life. (Maurer Hall - West)

3pm Workshop: Right-hand technique with Jacob Jolliff

Acclaimed mandolin player Jolliff shares techniques and life hacks that have improved his playing. Great for mandolin players, guitarists or anyone who wants to up their game. (Szold Hall - East)

4pm Guitar Collecting Roundtable

Join Emerald City Guitars, The Music Emporium, Mass Street Guitars, and Gearcheck for a deep chat about the perils and joys of amassing a growing guitar collection. (Maurer Hall - West)

4pm Workshop: Solo Fingerstyle With Shane Parish

Shane Parish will discuss his process for arranging music from various idioms--jazz, folk, electronica, rock, etc.- for solo fingerstyle guitar. The conversation will touch on ideas about transcription, adaptation, counterpoint, alternate tunings, notation, interpretation, timbre, practice, technique, mechanics, analysis, improvisation, and more! Specific examples from his records Autechre Guitar, Repertoire, and Solo at Cafe OTO, will be cited. Questions and suggestions encouraged.

4 pm Hands-On Class: Build a Pedal with Summer School's Mark Turley (Intermediate Level)

For those who attended last year’s Summer School class: Here’s your graduate school! Summer School Electronics’ founder Mark Turley leads an intermediate class, where each participant will build their very own pedal. Note: Due to materials cost, a separate admission is required (reserve your spot here). (B-4, West)

Featured Concerts

Maurer Hall

8pm
Deep Sea Diver (Solo)
Hand Habits

Szold Hall

8pm Michael Daves & Jacob Jolliff

Saturday, August 22

Check-in begins at 8:30am.

10am - 5pm Luthier & Exhibitor Showcase

The Fretboard Summit features one of the finest collections of handmade, high-end and boutique gear under one roof. Peruse both Old Town School buildings to demo and shop for gear from nearly 100 luthiers, brands, and gear makers. Can't make the rest of the Summit activities? We'll have Lutherie Showcase-only tickets available at the door on Friday and Saturday for those who just want to shop guitars. (Both OTSFM buildings)

Fretboard Summit Activities, Workshops, Speakers & More

9am Bob Taylor: Sustainability and the Future of Guitar Woods.

The sustainability efforts of Taylor Guitars co-founder Bob Taylor are the stuff of legend. In this extended session, Bob will do a tell-all for guitar lovers, fellow luthiers and industry leaders on the state of affairs of tonewoods, the legislation and permitting that may affect them down the road and how they can make change. Please Note: We're starting this session early (9-10:30am) so all exhibitors can attend before the show opens. (Maurer Hall - West)

9am Teach Your Children (How a Guitar is Built) – NO PASS REQUIRED, KIDS WELCOME

Geared toward kids but open to anyone curious, this workshop aims to demystify the guitar-building process. This is your chance to hear from some experts and then try your hand with the techniques, tools, and materials needed to build a guitar. Barry Grzebik (Grez Guitars), Wade Black (3Bender), Shelby Pollard (Black Bobbin), Benny Monson (Lockhorn Instruments), and Stephen Harrison (educator and hobbyist builder) will share their experiences, answer all your guitar questions, and guide you through some guitar building basics. (Szold Hall - East)

10:30am History: Martin Mystery Tops with Greig Hutton and TJ Thompson

Two of the world’s foremost experts – TJ Thompson and Greig Hutton – demystify one of the great mysteries of Martin collectors: The “mystery tops” of 1953 and 1957. It’s a deep dive into arcane guitar history, top woods, what matters and what doesn’t. (Maurer Hall - West)

11am Songwriting 201 with Sofia Wolfson

For this year’s Summit, the Fretboard Journal's Sofia Wolfson hosts a brand new songwriting class. She will be focusing on lyrical content and using the guitar as a dynamic vehicle for writing songs. There will also be time for a few students to receive live feedback on their own material. (Szold Hall - East)

1pm Evan Gluck's Guitar Repair Panel

Join Evan Gluck (NY Guitar Repair), TJ Thompson, Mark Stutman, Jonathan Scott and James Roadman for a lively session on all things guitar repair. Evan wanted us to call this "Between Two Nibs" so expect some laughs between all the hide glue talk. (Maurer Hall - West)

1pm Masterclass: The Guitar Styles of Norman Blake with Michael Daves

Bluegrass musician and historian Michael Daves walks participants through the singular guitar playing of Norman Blake. Included will be a deep dive featuring little-known facts about Blake's famed Sulfur Springs record and the gear that was used. (Szold Hall - East)

2pm Guitar Design with Grez

California-based boutique builder Barry Grzebik walks us through his design process, a strategy based on data, creativity, art and guts. (Maurer Hall - West)

2pm Workshop: Recording Acoustic and Electric Guitars in a Digital Age

LA-based studio owner and guitarist Eric Garcia (48 Windows) discusses amps, mics, processing gear, A/D converters, and more in this recording session deep dive. (Szold Hall - East)

3pm World Premiere: JHS's Electro-Harmonix Documentary

On the heels of his new book, Made On Earth for Rising Stars: The Electro-Harmonix Story, Josh Scott shares the documentary he made on the project on the Summit's big screen. A Q&A will follow. (Maurer Hall - West)

3pm Workshop: Fourths and Fifths with Gabe Noel

Upright bassist and now "cell-ar" (cello meets guitar) player Gabe Noel has played on countless pop hits by Sombr, Kendrick Lamar, Harry Styles and others. In this workshop, Noel walks us through the magic found in four-stringed (tenor) instruments and how downsizing may just open up your sonic possibilities. (Szold Hall - East)

5pm The 2026 Summit Pinewood Derby

Each Summit, we close out the festivities with a question: What can some of the world's finest guitarmakers do with a humble Boy Scout pinewood derby car kit? At the Summit Pinewood Derby, we borrow a track from a local troop and see what happens when luthiers get competitive. Wagering encouraged, cold beverages available. (Szold Hall - East)

Featured Concerts

Maurer Hall

8pm The Summit Summit

A night of instrumental guitar wizards. Hear Twanguero, Shane Parish, Jonathan Stout, Gabe Noel & surprise guests. Available only to passholders.

All Weekend Long: The Truth About Vintage Amps Room

Brian McAlister (vintagetubeamplifiers.com) and the community behind Skip Simmons’ Truth About Vintage Amps podcast share some of their favorite tube amp finds for anyone to try out. Come see what the tube fuss is about or just play a guitar you’ve been admiring at full volume. (B-1, West Building, all weekend long)