After years of building one of the most extensive bass pedal collections imaginable, I’ve made a big decision… I’m letting almost all of it go.

In this episode, I talk through why I’m selling over 200 pedals, what triggered the shift, and how simplifying my setup is already changing the way I make music.

This isn’t just about gear, it’s about creativity, focus, and letting go of the “collector mindset” in favor of something much more intentional.

Owning more gear doesn’t necessarily make you more creative. In fact, it can do the opposite. I reference the Generation Loss Mkii as a key component of the process. It’s about removing friction, reclaiming focus, and getting more out of less.

More soon,

Janek

The podcast returns to its own channel with a 2026 reset: a clearer lane for each part of my output so the main YouTube channel can stay focused on harmony/theory-based lessons, while the podcast and live/performance content live on their own separate channels. I outline six recording projects I'm aiming to track across the year, share a packed touring schedule (US, Japan, Europe, Asia), and talk through a more realistic approach to tour gear—from compact boards to MIDI control, flight cases, and what I actually use on gigs.

In this episode

Why the podcast is back on the podcast-dedicated YouTube channel

The 3-lane restructure for 2026:

Main channel = harmony/bass lesson content

Podcast channel = long-form conversation + gear talk

Clips channel = live performance, studio, behind-the-scenes

The “why” behind the shift: reduce stress, increase clarity, serve each audience better

The six album/projects Janek is planning to track in 2026

Touring: how the volume is increasing in 2026 and what that means with family life

A candid look at saying “yes” vs “no” as a working musician, and how that advice changes by age/career stage

Gear logistics: what’s realistic to fly with, compact boards, and why “small but powerful” wins on the road

Compact rig idea: Walrus Mantle + HX Stomp

Testing rigs on warm-up gigs before international runs

New Gator / Vertex case system and a compact board build plan

MIDI control with a Morningstar MC4

The honest truth: on many gigs, only a fraction of the pedalboard gets used

How the harmony/triads videos unexpectedly clicked, and why that success triggered the restructure

The role of Substack: the hub where people can choose what to watch/listen to

Links Mentioned in the Episode

- Main Channel Triad Video 0 and Triad Video 1

- Clips Channel

- Podcast Channel

- SBL MIchael Jackson Cover

The latest short run of basses with RKM, in three new colors, is here! Check out all the specs below and use the contact email at the bottom of the description to enquire about ordering one today.

We also get into triads on dominants chords and a recap of the comments section of the now infamous Mantle video from a couple of weeks ago.

RKM CUSTOM 5JG Collab 2Scale: 33”No. Frets: 24No. Strings: 5Distance between strings: 17mmBody wood: Mahogany selected 2 pieceNeck: Hard rock Maple w/ carbon fiber reinforcementFretboard: Birdseye maple / Gaboon Ebony (fretted / fretless)Position markers: Luminlay Side dotsPickups: Nordstrand NP5F/NP5Fa (bridge/neck)Preamp: TRICKFISH IPA 3 band 18VTuners: Hipshot Ultralite w/ Bass XtenderBridge: Hipshot Style A 17mm brassStrap buttons: Dunlop StraplokGigbag: MONO Stealth blackOptions available:Body color:Dark Green / Dark gray / Surf BlueStyle:Fretted / Fretless with reference lines / Fretless clean fretboardTuningEADGC / BEADGOrder via email here: batch2@rkmbasses.com

More soon,

Janek

We're taking a look into the new Bass DI and preamp from Walrus audio in collaboration with Ian Martin Allison. Spoiler alert... It's a beautiful piece of gear, and the minor meltdowns about the price happening in the comments below the launch video are a little puzzling.

For the most part though, the feedback is hugely supportive and positive which is both great, and greatly deserved.

Hopefully this Episode gives you some perspective, some sounds, and a few things to think about when choosing the right gear for you.

Besides sending me the unit to try, Walrus Audio are not a sponsor in any other way. I’m never paid for my opinion, and Walrus have no say in what I present to you. As you well know, I just like to make cool sounds with cool stuff.

More soon,

Janek

Following on from our most recent discussion on the subject, I get a little deeper into the weeds on the state of streaming, the music industry as a whole, and some of the ethical decisions we face when considering how to release our music and share it with the world.

I have gone back and forth on the subject for many years, and endeavor to update my thinking on it as and when the information changes.

It’s currently less of a negative thing than a positive thing for what my long-term goals are as an artist, and that’s what I get deeper into detail about in this episode. Far more so than the latest article published in my newsletter.

More soon,

Janek

To close out the year I’m counting down my top ten YouTube shorts for 2025 and revealing all the numbers from both 2024 and 2025 for comparison.

It won’t buy me any beachfront property, but it’s not all doom and gloom, and it doesn’t signal the end by any stretch of the imagination.

Don’t forget, that for the next 24hrs only, the entire store is on a 20% holiday sale, with all discounts added automatically at checkout.

See you in 2026!

Janek

Looking back on two emotional weeks on the road with Mike Stern's band featuring Dennis Chambers on drums. I'm diving deep into how the new pedalboard held up on tour, how the past creeps into my present sometimes, and what the future holds.

More soon,

Janek

Our year-end holiday sale is now on! Get 20% off storewide with discounts added automatically at checkout: https://janekgwizdala.myshopify.com/

I can’t believe I haven’t utilized this function on any of the pedals or amps I’ve owned.

I’ve been getting so deep into the clean signal of my bass lately, especially with the addition of the Wetter Box from GigRig, and this week’s episode of the podcast takes a look at the latest mission to clean up the signal chain even more!

More soon,

Janek