Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac

In this episode, I spell out some philosophies and techniques that have helped my soloing improve.

1. Getting a Looper Pedal (I use an MXR Clone Looper) https://amzn.to/2AwoM7o
2. Singing a solo over the changes
3. Finding Rhythmic and Melodic Motifs
4. Limiting Myself - Play like a hero, or with a different sound
5. Become a guitar tinkerer. Make what I steal my own.

To Support the Channel, go to my store at  - www.askzac.com

Gear used in Video:
2019 Danocaster Blackguard (1953 Telecaster Style) with Ron Ellis 52T (Bridge) and Julian Lage (Neck)
https://danocaster.com/

Strings:
D'Addario NYXL 10,12,16, 24, 34, 44.

Pick:
Blue Chip TPR 35 RB

Amp:
1965 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker

Effects used:
TC Polytune
Mirage compressor pedal
Boss TR-2 Tremolo
Line 6 Echo Park delay
9v power via Truetone CS6  https://amzn.to/38S9rZK #askzac #guitartech #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  - www.askzac.com

Although I started on the guitar in 1985, by 1992 I was a full-fledged Telecaster guy. In the ensuing decades, I have not deviated an iota from my love of the senior solid-body guitar. Here I tell how I fell for the Telecaster, and how the simple, pure elegance of the Telecaster design gives it an edge over all of its many electric guitar brethren. 

Gear for this video
1967 Telecaster - stock except for steel compensated saddles, and the tone control is wired to the bridge pickup only.

Pyramid "Jimi Hendrix" pure nickel round-core string set

Pick:
Blue Chip TPR 35 RB

Amp:
1965 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker

Effects used:
TC Polytune
Mirage compressor pedal
9v power via Truetone CS6  https://amzn.to/38S9rZK #askzac #guitartech #telecaster

Support the show

Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac

After my past Mostortion episode, John Lomas, the designer contacted me. When preparing that episode, I had not been able to track him down. Recently, we spoke on the phone, and I was able to get "The Rest Of The Story" on this Nashville favorite. Also, I wanted to keep up the pick and finger exercises with a couple of Atkins/Travis licks I learned from my "Guitar Dad," Pat Grogan.

To Support the Channel, go to my store at  - www.askzac.com

Gear used in Video:
2019 Danocaster Blackguard (1953 Telecaster Style) with Ron Ellis 52T (Bridge) and Julian Lage (Neck)
https://danocaster.com/

Strings:
Ernie Ball 10,13,15, 24, 32, 42. Nickel-Plated Steel.

Pick:
Blue Chip TPR 35 RB

Amp:
1965 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker

Effects used:
TC Polytune
Mirage compressor pedal
9v power via Truetone CS6  https://amzn.to/38S9rZK #askzac #guitartech #telecaster

Support the show

Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac

Here is the best playing advice I have ever received. Also, I had to share James Burton's outro on "Ooh Las Vegas" that Heitor Crespo at Ultimate Elvis Guitar was kind enough to show me how to play.

Please support the channel by going to my store at www.AskZac.com

Gear Used:
2014 Crook Custom Vintage Paisley with Duncan La Brea pickups
http://www.crookcustomguitars.com/

Strings:
Ernie Ball 10,11,15, 24, 32, 42. Nickel-Plated Steel.

Amp:
1965 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker

Effects used:
TC Polytune
Mirage compressor pedal
Boss TR-2 Tremolo
9v power via Truetone CS6  https://amzn.to/38S9rZK #askzac #guitartech #telecaster

Support the show

To Support the Channel, go to my store at  - www.askzac.com
Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac

Most guitar players make many gear purchases based on what their heroes use. This is fine in itself, but what is more difficult, is to know when their gear is not working for us. And to keep from getting too philosophical, I also dissect some of the licks and parts to  "Quarantine Man Blues" that I play at the top of the show.

The Danny Gatton Hot Licks video I mentioned  https://amzn.to/3g42h9u

Gear used in Video:
2019 Danocaster Blackguard (1953 Telecaster Style) with Ron Ellis 52T (Bridge) and Julian Lage (Neck)
https://danocaster.com/

Strings:
Ernie Ball 10,13,15, 24, 32, 42. Nickel-Plated Steel. 

Pick:
Blue Chip TPR 35 RB

Amp:
1965 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker

Effects used:

TC Polytune
Mirage compressor pedal
Line 6 Echo Park Delay
9v power via Truetone CS6  https://amzn.to/38S9rZK #askzac #guitartech #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  - www.askzac.com

As you can tell from my videos, I am a dyed-in-the-wool Telecaster guy. However, if I am playing electric, and the faithful Tele is not cutting it, I am going to first reach for a Strat. Besides the different sounds it offers, I also get more variation by setting the action higher on the Strat, and by floating the vibrato to keep me from steel guitar bends. In this video, I talk about what I think are essential mods, and what I use a Strat for.   

Gear used in Video:
2018 Danocaster Double-Cut (1955 Stratocaster Style) with Ron Ellis 50/60 FAT pickups. Soft V neck, ash body, faded Inca Silver finish. Raw Vintage Trem Springs
https://danocaster.com/

Strings:
Ernie Ball 10,13,16, 24, 32, 42. Nickel-Plated Steel. A non-pure nickel variation of the famous Rock-N-Roll set. 

Pick:
Blue Chip TPR 35 RB

Amp:
1965 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker

Effects used:
TC Polytune
Mirage compressor pedal
AnalogMan Boss TR-2 Tremolo
Boss DM-3 Delay
Line 6 Echo Park Delay
9v power via Truetone CS6  https://amzn.to/38S9rZK #askzac #guitartech #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  - www.askzac.com

For years, I lugged around a huge pedalboard that weighed as much as a combo amp. After making multiple trips to my car for all my gear, I started getting weary of the big board. Through doing the Truetone Lounge interviews, I got to see quite a few large boards, but I was most intrigued by the players that got the most from small pedalboards. The two minimalistic cats that stuck out were Guthrie Trapp and John Leventhal. Both had small boards and both created a variety of wonderful tones with simple rigs. It was then that I decided to make my own, minimalistic grab & go board.


My Pedalboard essentials:
EBS Low-Profile patch cables https://amzn.to/2yEWc2D
Mono Lite Plus Board https://amzn.to/2SHNiby
Truetone CS6 Power Supply https://amzn.to/38S9rZK

Gear used in Video:
2019 Danocaster Blackguard (1953 Telecaster Style) with Ron Ellis 52T (Bridge) and Julian Lage (Neck)
https://danocaster.com/

Strings:
Ernie Ball 10,13,15, 24, 32, 42. Nickel-Plated Steel. A non-pure nickel variation of the famous Rock-N-Roll set. 

Amp:
1965 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker

Effects used:

TC Polytune
Mirage compressor pedal
AnalogMan Boss TR-2 Tremolo
Ibanez Mostortion Overdrive
Boss DM-3 Delay
Line 6 Echo Park Delay
9v power via Truetone CS6 

Support the show

To Support the Channel, go to my store at  - www.askzac.com
Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac

Sometimes saying "yes" can change your trajectory in fantastic ways. I am so glad I said "yes" when I was offered a column with Vintage Guitar Magazine 16-years ago.

Like many, I started cleaning out and fixing things around the house during this crazy time of isolation. While looking at my overcrowded bookshelves, I decided to take the 16-years worth of Vintage Guitar Magazines, and cut out all of the columns, featured articles, and product reviews I had written. It was a wonderful process for me, both to look back and appreciate the wonderful opportunities that have come my way through working with VG Magazine, and the fact that I cleared out a bunch of space on my bookshelves. During this time, I also was asked, "How did you start writing for Vintage?" Well here is that story, and also how that eventually begat this Ask Zac Channel.

Also, please check out my new website, www.askzac.com #askzac #guitartech #telecaster

Support the show

To Support the Channel, go to my store at  - www.askzac.com
Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac

Pick and fingers is a fabulous "picking hand" technique. In the beginning, it can seem clumsy, and daunting, but it is very rewarding once mastered. In this episode I spell out my first experience seeing a guitarist using this technique in the mid-1980s, and how a Danny Gatton Instructional video from that era really helped me "get it" by separating out the picking hand and fretting hand parts to make for a more bite-sized lesson.

GEAR USED:
2019 Danocaster Blackguard (1953 Telecaster Style) with Ron Ellis 52T (Bridge) and Julian Lage (Neck)
https://danocaster.com/

Strings: Ernie Ball 10,13,16, 24, 32, 42. Made from singles I had. Nickel-Plated Steel. A non-pure nickel variation of the Rock-N-Roll set. 

1965 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker
effects used:
Mirage compressor pedal
Boss DM-3 Delay
9v power via Truetone CS6  https://amzn.to/38S9rZK #askzac #guitartech #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  - www.askzac.com

I bought a mandolin after seeing two of my favorite guitarists, Albert Lee & John Jorgenson play mandolin on TV in the early 90s. I loved the sound, and the real change of color and tone they offered the bands they were playing in by putting down their electric guitars and picking up the mandolin. Wanting to be like my heroes, I bought a mandolin and began a long and fruitful journey that I hope you too will consider going on. In this Ask Zac, I cover a few essential techniques for the guitarist to know when they begin playing mandolin, and some mandolin features to look for that make a huge difference in their playability for guitar players.

My Spotify Playlist for great Mandolin tracks
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/39b... #askzac #guitartech #mandolin

Support the show