# STL 48: Guitar God Mike Pekovich

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2013-12-27
- Length: 42m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-12-27-stl-48-guitar-god-mike-pekovich
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.libsyn.com/stl-48-guitar-god-mike-pekovich

## Summary

Mike Pekovich, Fine Woodworking's executive art director and former indie rock musician, joins editors Ed Burnick and Asa Christiana to discuss woodworking for profit and technical tool selection. Pekovich explains the distinction between hobbyist and professional tools, emphasizing that while pros prioritize speed and durability, serious hobbyists can achieve equal quality with more time. The conversation covers specific technical decisions, such as grinding table saw blades to 7.5 degrees for dovetails and managing slurry on 8000-grit waterstones. Pekovich also details his strategy for securing commission work through word-of-mouth and a curated Squarespace portfolio, noting the high cost of lumber and the importance of personal connection in sales.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-12-27-stl-48-guitar-god-mike-pekovich#t=6) Introduction: Mike Pekovich and Lost Dog
- [5:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-12-27-stl-48-guitar-god-mike-pekovich#t=339) Hobbyist vs. Pro Tools: Quality, Speed, and Durability
- [13:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-12-27-stl-48-guitar-god-mike-pekovich#t=805) Technical Q&A: 7.5 Degree Dovetail Blades and Waterstone Slurry
- [28:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-12-27-stl-48-guitar-god-mike-pekovich#t=1684) Starting Commission Work: Pricing, Lumber, and Marketing
- [40:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-12-27-stl-48-guitar-god-mike-pekovich#t=2416) Listener Comments and Show Wrap-up

## Topics

- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Fine Woodworking (company)
- Gibson SG (product)
- Rockler (company)
- Lee Valley (company)
- Veritas Mark 2 (tool)
- Squarespace (tool)
- Peckovichwoodworks.com (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 326: You can always sell a drumset…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-10-22-episode-326-you-can-always-sell-a-drumset) (Making It)
- [Making It #010: If it looks straight….](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-02-26-making-it-010-if-it-looks-straight) (Making It)
- [Making It #016: Perfect vs profit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-04-10-making-it-016-perfect-vs-profit) (Making It)
- [436: In Case I Saw A Witch Fly By](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-03-29-436-in-case-i-saw-a-witch-fly-by) (Making It)
- [478: Know When You’re Learning, and When You’re Earning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-04-11-478-know-when-youre-learning-and-when-youre-earning) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-12-27-stl-48-guitar-god-mike-pekovich. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Shop Talk Live.