Ask Zac

What is the best speaker for my Deluxe Reverb, is one of the most asked questions of all-time. A friend recently asked me about doing an episode on this topic, and added that I should give it some added weightiness by finding out what all the pros I know use. So I queried Brent Mason, John Leventhal, Tom Bukovac, Duke Levine, Luke McQeary, JD Simo, Guthrie Trapp, Redd Volkaert, Steve Wariner, James Pennebaker, Jeff King, Jerry McPherson, Rob McNelley, Jedd Hughes, Stuie French, Ryan Wariner, Andy Reiss, Derek Wells, and Kenny Vaughan to find out what they prefer in their Deluxe Reverb. I thought we would have a huge variety of speakers, but surprisingly, it really came down to 3-types. Today we compare those 3 varieties, and look at their strengths and weaknesses. We also look at the stock speakers that were shipped with vintage (1963-1967) BF Deluxe Reverb amps, and why most players don't use them.

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#askzac #deluxereverb #zacchilds

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In the 1960s and 70s, the JBL D120/K120 was the top choice  for the touring pro who didn't want to worry about blowing a speaker on the road. However, in 1983,  Electro-Voice released the EVM-12L, and soon after everyone from Eric Clapton & Stevie Ray Vaughan to Mark Knopfler and Larry Carlton were using EV speakers in their rigs. Today,  I lay out some history/context, and compare it with my usual Eminence GA-SC64, as we look at the 200-watt, 20 pound, 12" speaker that changed guitar tones throughout the 80s and 90s, the EVM 12L.

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#askzac #evm12l #zacchilds

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The hardtail Strat is a different beast from it's tremolo equipped brother, with a tone, and feel of it's own. Today we look at the history, and spotlight the famous players, all with a beautiful 1957 hardtail Stratocaster.

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#askzac #hardtailstrat #stratocaster

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Vince Gill is at the top of his game. He recently completed a 4-night run at the Ryman where he played a three-and-a-half hour show each night, still singing & playing the songs in the same keys, or higher. Gill is some kind of superhero, as artists half his age could barely do this. Today we sit down with Vince, as he shares stories about some of his favorite guitars and a life well lived.

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#vincegill #telecaster #askzac

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Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert, Johnny Hiland, J.D. Simo, and Daniel Donato reunited with Don Kelley on August 5th 2024 for a one-time concert to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Robert's Western World. Besides being a fete for one of the longtime anchors of Broadway's club scene, it was also a celebration of Don Kelley, and the incredible alumni of his band over the last 40-years. Today, we discuss both the concert and Kelley's influence on Nashville guitarists.

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My interview with Don Kelley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vZWFFIxn14

Strings: 
D'Addario NYXL 95-44
https://amzn.to/41rnl0V

1957 Esquire

2023 Headstrong Lil' King with 12" Eminence GA-SC64 speaker
https://headstrongamps.com/lil-king-amp

Mirage compressor pedal, Boss DM-3 delay

#askzac #reddvolkaert #donkelleyband

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In the Spring of 1956, Leo Fender introduced the greatest little solid body of all-time, the Fender Electric Mandolin. Nicknamed ,Mandocaster, by collectors, they were designed to replicate the sound of Tiny Moore, and Johnny Gimble, the fiery 4-string mandolin playing veterans of Bob Wills Texas Playboys Band. The instrument was not a success as Western Swing's popularity was waning by the time Leo introduced it, but it found new and exciting uses in the ensuing 70 years. Today we look at the instrument, and the inspiration behind it, with a look at the playing and influence of both Tiny Moore and Johnny Gimble.

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Gear Used:
1958 Fender Electric Mandolin
1959 Fender Harvard Amp

Thanks to the following sites
www.guitarhq.com
www.emando.com

Book Mentioned
Fender The Golden Age 1946-1970
https://amzn.to/4duer8P


#fendermandolin #mandocaster #askzac

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For years I went back and forth between 9s and 10s on my Telecaster, always frustrated with both gauges for different reasons. 9s, although easy to bend, were just not as full sounding, and I had to be careful not to "overplay" them, as they really needed to be played with a light touch. 10s, while certainly fatter sounding, always felt a bit too stiff for my liking. There just seemed to be to much of a difference in tension between the two sets. Finally, a friend clued me into the 9.5-44 D'Addario set, and I found to be the perfect happy-medium between the 9 and 10 gauges.    

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Strings: 
D'Addario NYXL 95-44
https://amzn.to/41rnl0V

2023 Danocaster single cut in Duco red

2023 Headstrong Lil' King with 12" Eminence GA-SC64 speaker
https://headstrongamps.com/lil-king-amp

Mirage compressor pedal

#askzac #guitarstrings  #daddariostrings

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In the summer of 1968, Fender released their most unconventional finishes to date, the Blue Flower & Paisley Red finishes. Available on only the Telecaster and Telecaster Bass, their striking appearance was made possible by a new product line from Borden Chemicals of Columbus, Ohio, "Cling Foil." This new "beautifully embossed" & "beautifully printed" foil was a product designed to go on refrigerators, tv-trays, cabinets, and boxes of all types to make them look more hip and modern. Somehow, Fender decided to take this existing product being sold in hardware stores and paint shops, and glue it to the front and back of their non-contoured Telecaster. Today we take a deep dive with an original 1968 Blue Flower Telecaster, and look at the differences between it and a standard Tele, detail the novel finishing process it required, and theorize as to why these are so much harder to find than their paisley brothers from 1968-69.

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To Support the Channel:
Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZac
Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac
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The Blues Brothers movie was a blockbuster in the summer of 1980. Even with a 27.5 Million dollar budget, that's 102 million in 2024 money, it managed to make that back in a couple of weeks. A sequel was even being discussed, but plans were shelved when John Belushi passed away in 1982. Today we take a look at the impact of the movie on both viewers, and the careers of its musical stars, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Cab Calloway, and John Lee Hooker. We also take a look at the guitars used in the film by Steve Cropper, and Matt "Guitar" Murphy. We end with a short lesson showing how to play Murphy's intro to "Sweet Home Chicago."   

Strings: 
D'Addario NYXL 95-44
https://amzn.to/41rnl0V

1953 replica Telecaster

2023 Headstrong Lil' King with 12" Eminence GA-SC64 speaker
https://headstrongamps.com/lil-king-amp


#askzac #bluesbrothers #stevecropper

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