Ask Zac

Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac

Back in 1996, I got a call on a Saturday night from a drummer friend asking me to go on a 30-day run of dates in Wyoming and New Mexico. And by the way, we leave Monday. We were playing clubs 6-nights a week, 5 hours a night, with Sundays off to travel to the next show. I experienced some of the craziest gigs of my life, and probably learned more than I did in a year of lessons. I also tip the hat to the great Jim Weider. He played in The Band after Robertson, and made a video that influenced me a ton, "Get That Classic Fender Sound."

Spotify Playlist for Jim Weider's solo work, and with The Band
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1qN...

Get That Classic Fender Sound
https://www.homespun.com/shop/product...


Gear Used:

1983 JV TL-62 Telecaster

Strings: Ernie Ball 10,13,15,24,32,42

Pick:
Blue Chip TPR 35 RB

Amp:
1959 Fender Harvard #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

How do changing bridges, saddles, and perhaps even tuners affect your guitar's tone? Today I take that on, looking at vintage style 3-saddle bridges vs heavy brass 6-saddle bridges, what to expect going from steel to brass saddles, and what happens when you install die-cast tuners. I close the show with a nod to one of the great Telecaster players in Nashville, Bill Hullett. I was reminded of him recently after watching Fender's release video for the Brent Mason Telecaster, where Joe Glaser refers to Hullett as "Mr. Telecaster." I also begin the show by playing Bill's fantastic intro to Radney Foster's "Just Call Me Lonesome."

Link to the AskZac website with more info on Bill Hullett.
https://www.askzac.com/post/how-hardw...

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

Pick:
Blue Chip TPR 35 RB

Amp:
1967 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker

Effects used:
TC Polytune
Mirage compressor pedal
Boss DM-3
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

In this episode, we take a trip in the Wayback Machine and take a look at my 1992 era pedalboard.

After last week's Klon, and the birth of boutique episode, I thought about what was my rig was back in the early 90s. Besides the original TS808, that is long gone, I still had all of the pedals I used, and even the plastic Boss BCB6 pedalboard that I used back then. I go through the board, giving a demo, and a bit of history including what they cost new, and what that would be adjusted for inflation now. You won't believe how much a Boss DD-2 would cost in today's dollars new!

Gear Used:
1982 Kubicki Tele body with Danocaster soft V maple neck
Glaser B-Bender circa 1996
APC Adder (Neck) Ron Ellis 60T (Bridge)

Pick:
Blue Chip TPR 35 RB

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

Amp:
1967 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker

Effects used:
Boss PSM-5 Master Switch
Boss TU-12H Tuner
Boss CS-2 Compressor
Ibanez reissue TS808
Demeter Tremulator "Early Red Knob" Tremolo
Boss DM-2 delay
Boss DD-2 digital delay
Boss BCB-6 pedalboard with original daisy chain and Mogami patch cables
Power via 1990's Boss PSA 120 - 9v dc old style transformer 120v #askzac #guitartech #telecaster

Support the show

Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac

The decision to do a Klon focused episode was made easy by a good buddy loaning me his gold horsie Klon, and by the fact that I also had access to a silver horsie version. For this AZ, I wanted to set the context for the birth of this storied pedal by explaining what trends were occurring in music retail, and how that and the new collectible pedal market set the stage for both Bill Finnegan's Klon and the other boutique builders.

Gear Used:
2014 Crook Custom Vintage Paisley with Adder Neck, and underwound Florance TE60
http://www.crookcustomguitars.com/

Pick:
Blue Chip TPR 35 RB

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

Amp:
1967 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker

Effects used:
Gold Horsie Klon with 1990's Boss PSA 120 - old style transformer 120v unit. #askzac #guitartech #telecaster

Support the show

Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac

People often ask me what it takes to be a guitar tech, and how to find a job as one. Here I lay out some important considerations for anyone wanting to pursue a position as a guitar tech.

Gear Used:
2014 Crook Custom Vintage Paisley with Adder Neck, and underwound Florance TE60
http://www.crookcustomguitars.com/

Pick:
Blue Chip TPR 35 RB

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

Amp:
1967 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker

Effects used:
TC Polytune
Mirage compressor pedal
Ibanez Mostortion
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

This episode of AZ was inspired by finding a 1983 JV bound 62 reissue Telecaster recently, and from a past Truetone Lounge interview with John Jorgenson in 2017. In the interview, Jorgenson mentioned that he used a "JV Telecaster" on the first two Desert Rose Band albums, including the iconic solo to "Hello Trouble." In addition to that, he later told me that he used the same guitar for the Hellecaster's first album, The Return of the Hellecasters, on "Highlander Boogie" and "Back On Terra Firma." After John piqued my interest, I was surprised how hard it was to find info on the JV Telecasters, especially the TL62 models like he used. The best information I could find was from the website 21Frets, older sales listings, and original Japanese catalogs from the early 80s. Here I lay out the beginnings of Fender Japan, the short-lived JV series (1982-1984), John's use of the guitar, and the story of finding my own 1983 TL62 JV Fender Telecaster.

link to photos & video clips of John Jorgenson and his JV Telecaster
https://www.askzac.com/post/john-jorg...

My Spotify Playlist featuring Jorgenson on a 1982 Fender JV Telecaster
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/48f...

Strings:
Ernie Ball 10-46

Pick:
Blue Chip TPR 35 RB

Amp:
1959 Fender Harvard

Effects used:
Turbo Tuner
Boss DD-2
Boss RV-2 - Plate setting
9v power via Truetone CS6  https://amzn.to/38S9rZK
#askzac  #guitartech #jvtelecaster

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

Even though I am a Tele-Guy, there are times when you just need a Les Paul. In today's AZ, I tell how I finagled my way into the Gibson Custom Shop and was able to go through 35 R9 (1959 Reissues) to find the one that checked all the boxes, lightweight, gorgeous top, and acoustically loud. Also, I explain what mods I have done, and what pickups I landed with after a long search.

Gear used in Video:
2008 Gibson R9 1959 Reissue - Underwound Seymour Duncan Antiquity pickups

Strings:
D'Addario XL120+ 9.5-44

Pick:
Blue Chip TPR 35 RB

Amp:
1967 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker

Effects used:
TC Polytune
Ibanez Mostortion
Line 6 Echo Park
MXR Clone Looper  https://amzn.to/2AwoM7o
9v power via Truetone CS6  https://amzn.to/38S9rZK
#askzac  #guitartech #lespaul

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

With my "Why The Deluxe Reverb is the Best Amp" video, many of you asked for a comparison between one of my 60's Deluxe Reverb amps, and the new Tone Master modeling amp. Well here it is, my unvarnished take on the amp, and I have to say that Fender did a great job on the Tone Master.


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:
1967 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker
Tone Master Deluxe Reverb https://amzn.to/2ZppSLG

Effects used:
TC Polytune
Ibanez Mostortion
Line 6 Echo Park
Live Wire ABY switcher
9v power via Truetone CS6  https://amzn.to/38S9rZK
#askzac #tonemasterdeluxe #telecaster

Support the show

Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac

The purpose of today's episode is to put forth the question, can we start using the chorus effect again without being subjected to ridicule? After the overuse of it in the 80s and '90s, it has become the pariah of effects. Should it be freed after its nearly 20-year quarantine, or does it deserve to continue to be an outcast? 

To support the show: go to www.askzac.com and visit the store

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.

Pick:
Blue Chip TPR 35 RB

Amp:
1965 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker

Effects used:
Sonic Research Turbo Tuner
Mirage compressor pedal
Karma MTN-10 Mostortion Clone
Arion SCH-1 Chorus
Boss DD-2 Delay
TC Chorus/Flanger SCF from the early 80s
9v power via Truetone CS6  https://amzn.to/38S9rZK #askzac #guitartech #telecaster

Support the show

Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac

All of us start playing guitar for various reasons. Here is my story, and please share yours below.

To support the show: go to www.askzac.com and visit the store

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.

Pick:
Blue Chip TPR 35 RB

Amp:
1965 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker

Effects used:
Sonic Research Turbo Tuner
Mirage compressor pedal
9v power via Truetone CS6  https://amzn.to/38S9rZK #askzac #guitartech #telecaster

Support the show