Ask Zac

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Introduced in 1954, the Fender Stratocaster could have died a quick death if it had not caught on with key players on the music scene of the day. The guitarists who put it on the map, Ike Turner, Otis Rush, Pee Wee Crayton, Buddy Guy, Buddy Holly, Johnny Meeks, Eldon Shamblin, Buddy Merrill, and Neil LeVang, deserve credit for their important role in the success story of the Strat. Bill Carson & Rex Gallion also get special mention as the guys who pushed Leo Fender to create the Stratocaster because of their desire for an instrument with a built-in vibrato, a 6-piece bridge, 3 pickups, and a contoured body.  

Playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4XGaErkuMmb0aa1tYu9jaE?si=cceae943364246dc

Doye O'Dell with Bill Carson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtuBYo3e9lQ

Deke's article on Rex Gallion and Strat 001
https://dekedickerson.com/musings/rex-gallion-and-stratocaster-serial-no-001/

Gear used:

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

1955 Stratocaster built by my old college buddy, B. Paisley, using a mix of old and new parts. Ron Ellis 50/60 middle and neck, Duncan Twang banger in the bridge.

https://www.ronellispickups.com/

Strings: 
D'Addario NYXL 10-46
Affiliate link
https://amzn.to/494qQ1y

Pick:
Pick Boy Small Jazz, Tortoise Shell, 1.00mm

Effects: Amp reverb

#askzac #zacchilds #stratocaster

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

To Support the Channel:
Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZac
Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac
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Today I look at my 2 favorite options for Strat tremolo setup, fully floating, or deck it and removing the bar. Also, we look at some handy tips for helping you stay in tune when floating the bridge, adjusting the string break angle at the headstock, using low-tension Raw Vintage springs, recommended string gauges, and lubing the nut slots and string tree. 

Affiliate link, Raw Vintage Springs
https://amzn.to/46VaG8Y

Gear used:

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

1955 Stratocaster built by my old college buddy, B. Paisley, using a mix of old and new parts. Ron Ellis 50/60 middle and neck, Duncan Twang banger in the bridge.

https://www.ronellispickups.com/

Strings: 
D'Addario NYXL 10-46
Affiliate link
https://amzn.to/494qQ1y

Pick:
Pick Boy Small Jazz, Tortoise Shell, 1.00mm

Effects: Amp reverb

#askzac #zacchilds #stratocaster

Support the show

To Support the Channel:
Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZac
Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac
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Or check out my store for merch  - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/

Today, my old buddy Austin Skinner takes the helm of the show. While we were in Las Vegas doing a 7-night residency, Skinner filmed on the street, on the stage, and backstage during our time there. I hope you enjoy it as we talk about everything from parts guitars, parts coupling, neck pockets, using the UA Dream 65 modeler, pre-gig warm-up, and my recently acquired 53 Tele-style guitar. 

Gear used:

Mirage comp, XTS re-housed Mostortion, XTS modified GE-7, Mad Prof Deep Blue Delay, UA Dream 65, and Walrus Audio Canvas interface.

1953 Telecaster built by my old college buddy, B. Paisley, using a mix of old and new parts. Ron Ellis 52T and Standard Plus pickups

https://www.ronellispickups.com/

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

Pick:
Pick Boy Small Jazz, Tortoise Shell, 1.00mm


#askzac #zacchilds #telecaster

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

To Support the Channel:
Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZac
Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac
Venmo @AskZac  
Or check out my store for merch  - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/

In 1986, Warner/Reprise took an indie-released EP, added 4 newly recorded tunes, and launched Dwight Yoakam into the stratosphere with the revamped version of Guitars Cadillacs Etc, Etc. The album's first single,  a cover of Johnny Horton's "Honky Tonk Man," was a clear message that this was a roots-influenced album, yet the energy and production made it also contemporary. Producer/Guitarist Pete Anderson took Dwight's tunes and added a modern take on the Bakersfield sound, that was the perfect nod to the past, but without becoming a pastiche of California Country styles of the 1960s.  Although Yoakam had 21 great original tunes in the bag, he and Pete agreed to mix 7 of the backlog of original tunes, along with 3 revved-up covers to fill out the album. This winning formula would also serve as the template for his next two releases, Hillbilly Deluxe, and Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room. Besides a history of the album, we will also look at some of Pete's parts, and the gear he used for the album.

Gear used:

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

1953 Telecaster built by my old college buddy, B. Paisley, using a mix of old and new parts. Ron Ellis 52T and Standard Plus pickups

https://www.ronellispickups.com/

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

Pick:
Pick Boy Small Jazz, Tortoise Shell, 1.00mm

Effects: Amp reverb

#askzac #peteanderson #dwightyoakam

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

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To Support the Channel:
Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZac
Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac
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Adam Levy has an established guitar voice that we first heard on Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason," then on albums and tours with Norah Jones, and sharpened to a fine point on his latest release, Spry. Besides his work as a guitarist, Levy has also devoted himself to being an educator through his Guitar Tips channel, Truefire instructional courses, and time spent as the Guitar Dept. Chair at the Los Angeles College of Music. Additionally, Adam made great contributions to the world of guitar journalism as a staff writer for Guitar Player Magazine in the 90s. 

Today Adam shares his musical adventures, expresses his love for his 1964 Gibson ES-335, and his excitement in releasing the "jazz album of his dreams," Spry.

#askzac #adamlevy

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

To Support the Channel:
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Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac
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A deep dive on Luxury Liner, the album that was my gateway drug for both the Telecaster and Country Music. My father bought the album for me on a road trip, and once I got home and placed the album on the turn table, I was hooked as soon as I heard the opening guitar riff from the title track. Luxury Liner is filled with top-notch songs, superb playing/singing, and beautiful production work from Brian Ahern. This album changed my musical direction.

Amazon link
https://amzn.to/46d1UCR

Emmylou Harris - Luxury Liner 
Released in 1977, by Warner Bros Records and Produced by Brian Ahern

Featuring:

The Hot Band
Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell, John Ware, Hank DeVito, Emory Gordy Jr, Glen D. Hardin 

Guests
Dolly Parton, James Burton, Ricky Skaggs, Herb Pedersen, Mickey Raphael, Rick Cunha, Mike Auldridge, Fayssoux Starling, Dianne Brooks, Nicolette Larson 


#askzac #albertlee #emmylouharris

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

To Support the Channel:
Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZac
Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac
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A look at the history of the G-Bender. From the Bigsby palm pedal to the modern Glaser convertible B/G Bender. We also discuss the major players to use the G-Bender, Jeff King, Jimmy Olander, and Brad Paisley.


Gear Used:

Crook Custom Paisley - Glaser Convertible Bender, Music City Bridge 3-string tree

Joe Glaser installs a Convertible Bender in the paisley
https://youtu.be/JLBKjRpRA7U

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

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

Pick:
Blue Chip TPR 35

Effects: Amp reverb

#askzac #Diamondrio #bradpaisley

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Jimmy Olander, Diamond Rio founding member, and lead guitarist, and I sit down along with new drummer Micah Schweinsberg to discuss the backstory of their latest single "The Kick."

To Support the Channel:
Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZac
Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac
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Or check out my store for merch  - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/


#askzac #Diamondrio #jimmyolander

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

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Over the last 15 years, I have had numerous requests to assist buyers vette their alleged celebrity-owned instruments. Early on, I would try and help them out, tracking down high-profile guitarists, and sending photos to them of the guitars in question. What I ended up learning was that over 90% of the time, the artist would indicate that they never owned the instrument. Today's episode is a warning to anyone who's considering the purchase of a celebrity-owned instrument. Please buy from reputable dealers, and insist on true letters of authenticity and/or photographic proof. 

Thanks to Glaser Bender/Music City Bridge for sponsoring today's episode.

Music City Bridge Guitar Parts:
https://musiccitybridge.com/collections/guitar-parts

Glaser Benders
https://www.glaserbender.com/

To Support the Channel:
Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZac
Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac
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Or check out my store for merch  - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/

In our book nook segment, I talk about a favorite book on guitar setup and two Merle Haggard books; one to buy, and another to avoid. 

Dan Erlewine's Setup Book
https://amzn.to/3PYme5Z

David Cantwell's The Running Kind
https://amzn.to/3NWzsOl

#askzac #zacchilds #telecaster

Support the show

To Support the Channel:
Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZac
Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac
Venmo @AskZac  
Or check out my store for merch  - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/

I recently got a call from the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society, asking me to speak at their annual event here in Nashville. Without hesitation, I agreed and was pleased to also get asked by Chet's grand-niece, Meagan Taylor Anderson, to perform with her at one of the evening concerts. Today you get the heart of my speech from the event, and a book nook segment on Pete Anderson's new release, "How To Produce A Record: A Players Philosophy For Making A Great Recording."

Pete Anderson's book:
How To Produce A Record: A Players Philosophy For Making A Great Recording
https://amzn.to/46ZJfvq

Chet Society
https://www.chetsociety.com/

The French Family Band on the Grand Ole Opry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCpH_wXWHw4

#askzac #zacchilds #chetatkins

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