Ep. 8: Matt Wehling

09/02/21 • 83 min

When violin bow maker Matt Wehling offered to be a guest on Sweep the Floor, I couldn't resist. Violin bows look so simple - a long strip of wood, some horsehair, and something called a "frog" - yet they can command five or even six figures. How much work actually goes into them? How many parts do they actually have? Do they get better with age or retired? I had so many questions. Wehling - who practices his craft in Northfield, Minnesota - didn't disappoint. This five-time Gold Medal winner from the Violin Society of America walks us through the history of the modern bow, the actual woodworking he does, the importance of Francois Tourte, the varying styles players expect and outlines how a scarcity of bow-grade pernambuco challenges all newcomers to the craft. Wehling fielded all my questions and, after listening to this episode, I don't think I'll ever see a violin bow the same way again.

http://mattwehling.com

Sweep the Floor is a new podcast where we celebrate the stories behind the best makers in the world, including woodworkers, brewers, bootmakers, mechanics, designers and all points in-between.

Listener suggestions or sponsorship inquiries welcomed at [email protected]. Host: Jason Verlinde Music: Paul Rigby A Fretboard Journal Podcast production.

http://mattwehling.com

Sweep the Floor is a new podcast where we celebrate the stories behind the best makers in the world, including woodworkers, brewers, bootmakers, mechanics, designers and all points in-between.

Listener suggestions or sponsorship inquiries welcomed at [email protected]. Host: Jason Verlinde Music: Paul Rigby A Fretboard Journal Podcast production.

Previous Episode

Ep. 7: Jonathan Ward (ICON, TLC4x4)

After a long hiatus, Sweep the Floor is back with a guest who is particularly close to my heart, Jonathan Ward. Jonathan is an automotive fanatic, Land Cruiser guru, designer, maker, and a tireless learner. Over the years, he's built vehicles for celebrities like Joe Rogan and, as he discloses in this interview for the first time, he recently served as a consultant on the relaunch of the Ford Bronco. Truth be told, when I thought of doing a maker podcast, Jonathan was the first person I dreamed of having as a guest. I'm honored to have him on the show. His story is pretty unique: A former child actor, Jonathan took his love for the Toyota Land Cruiser to extremes, launching TLC4x4, one of the nation's premier repair and restoration shops for these cult classics, and eventually creating ICON, a thriving business where state-of-the-art vehicles are housed inside the shells of vintage Toyotas, Ford Broncos or whatever else he and his clients can dream up. ICONs aren't cheap, but they aren't meant to sit in garages, either. These are works of art that you can daily drive or take to the furthest reaches of the globe. https://www.icon4x4.com At his request, I was able to do this interview in-person at ICON's expansive Chatsworth, California facility and, to be honest, I was unexpectedly moved by seeing these cars up-close. Though I love old Land Cruisers, I'm far from an exotic car enthusiast. But these were different. Every curve, every bolt, every dial, wiring harness, and swatch of upholstery that Jonathan uses is chosen not for profit, but functionality. There were no corners cut, anywhere. I will never be an automotive designer, but it made me contemplate the attention to details I put (or don't put) into my own business and how I could be even better at what I do. During our chat, we covered a lot of ground: His background, his love for craft, Land Cruisers, the cars that he thinks will be the next coveted next and why he's not jumping on the electric drivetrain bandwagon just yet. Plus a lot more. Sweep the Floor's next episode will be out on September 1. Until then, please share this episode - and our former ones - on social media with friends. Share the podcast with your favorite brands who may love it, too. And don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes.

Sweep the Floor is a new podcast where we celebrate the stories behind the best makers in the world, including woodworkers, brewers, bootmakers, mechanics, designers and all points in-between.

Listener suggestions or sponsorship inquiries welcomed at [email protected]. Host: Jason Verlinde Music: Paul Rigby A Fretboard Journal Podcast production.

Next Episode

Ep. 9: David Harto

"It's breakneck-ish enough." When David Harto inherited his grandfather's 1952 Cushman Eagle scooter, his first inclination was to learn how to restore it. Then, he decided to make it into a chopper... then he decided to take it to Bonneville. On this week's Sweep the Floor, we meet the Washington State-based artist/fabricator/car enthusiast who broke the land speed record (for the Cushman's motor class) with a family heirloom. He walks us through the minutiae of salt flat racing; describes the neverending evolution of his very artistic creation; and explains how a guy who doesn't even consider himself a motorcyclist ended up racing on two wheels, trying to break the ton (a.k.a. go 100 mph). It's a story about embracing limitations, using what you have, building something from the ground up, and finding a passion in the unlikeliest of places. https://www.davidharto.com https://www.instagram.com/davidharto/ Host: Jason Verlinde Music: Paul Rigby

Sweep the Floor is a new podcast where we celebrate the stories behind the best makers in the world, including woodworkers, chefs, brewers, bootmakers, mechanics, designers and all points in-between.

Listener suggestions or sponsorship inquiries welcomed at [email protected].

A Fretboard Journal podcast.