The Fretboard Journal is a quarterly magazine for guitar, mandolin, and stringed instrument players. In the same vein of other "coffee table magazines" such as Gastronomica, The Surfer's Journal, and the Rodder's Journal, it boasts high-end production values and exclusive photography in each issue. Each issue is filled with exclusive photographs of rare instruments, well-known musicians, and even the workshops of instrument builders. Each issue only contains a few ads and the cover price is higher than most magazines ($12.95 in the US).
The magazine 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 Guitars. The second issue featured Case on the cover discussing tenor guitars, an article about Martin Guitars', history and an interview with mandolinist Andy Statman. Issues now come out every three months.
In 2006, the magazine was the only publication listed in the Washington Post's annual Best of 2006: Music section. It was also profiled in the July 2009 issue of Seattle magazine.
The magazine is known for its long-form journalism and in-depth interviews, often several thousand words long, covering a wide array of musician subjects and styles. It also often frequently asks well known musicians to interview their musical heroes. In addition to Case interviewing Louvin, the magazine has had Ben Harper interview David Lindley for the Fall 2008 issue; Bill Frisell interview Jim Hall for the Winter 2008 issue and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth interview Michael Chapman for the Winter 2009 issue.