A typical day as Brad Paisley's Guitar Tech - ASK ZAC EP 9
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
- To Support the Channel:
Patreon / askzac
Tip jar: paypal.me/AskZac
Venmo @AskZac
Or check out my store for merch - www.askzac.com
In the latest Ask Zac, we answer some viewer questions concerning who played lead guitar on Conway Twitty's "Tight Fittn' Jeans" and what a typical day as Brad Paisley's guitar tech looked like. While reminiscing about my Paisley days, I also share a funny story about a t-shirt fiasco.
Note: Lew Houston was the pedal steel player with Conway Twitty doing the chickn' pickin' on the "Workin' Girl" clip I mention. Thanks to Jeff McLeod for catching that.
Gear Used:
2014 Crook Custom Vintage Paisley APC Adder (Neck) Peter Florance TE-60 (Bridge)
www.crookcustom...
Strings: D'Addario 9.5-44 strings EXL120+
amzn.to/3a5qxVi
Amp: 1967 Deluxe Reverb with Celestion V30 speaker
Cables: George L's.
Effects:
Mirage Compressor
Boss TR-2 Tremolo
Boss DM-3 Delay
Power: Truetone CS6 amzn.to/38S9rZK
#askzac #guitartech #telecaster
Zac, I can't tell you how important it is that you are willing to share this history and knowledge. Some musicians and techs try to hide their secrets, and make it harder for the new guys to learn. Spreading the knowledge makes all of us better. No secrets here. Thanks man.
Your show is peaceful, insightful, and Makes a bad day when they come, manageable
Pro trick: you can watch movies on kaldrostream. Me and my gf have been using them for watching lots of of movies these days.
@Solomon Bowie yup, been watching on KaldroStream for years myself =)
That story bout the “gone fishin”shirt was hilarious.
First I heard Brad, I thought he was just a singer, and maybe strummed acoustic as per usual and I heard this killer guitar stuff so I went to look, who was this killer axe player in his band. Oh! Brad does all that stuff himself? Hot dog! That boy got mad skills on the six-string. Dang
Two things I learned from this: Brad is great because of the talented people he surrounds himself with and I never want to tech for anyone, I need more sleep!🤘😜
I had a lot of fun too. And you couldn’t outwork Brad. He is a very hard worker.
Hi Zac. I’ve been fascinated with Brad for years. Just a phenomenal talent. What an incredible experience that must have been for you. You are so generous to share it all with us. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much!
That was a great trip down memory lane. Thanks for the shout out, we had a lot of fun back than.
We did!!! Thanks, Bill!!!
Hey Bill!
@@ronelliott7262 Hi Ron, Hope all is well with you
@@ronelliott7262 Hi Ron Hope all is well with you
Wow, really enjoyed this Zac! Great stories and insights into working with Brad, an artist I really admire, and the varied responsibilities of a pro guitar tech. So glad I found your channel, thank you!
i love that youtube is recommending smaller channels about stuff i'm actually interested in. you strike me as a very grateful individual. I hope youtube serves you well.
Thank you for watching and the kind words, Steve.
Brad's phenomenal. Great talent and seems like a good guy too. Hard to find these days. Digging your channel. Keep up the good work.
Clicked the video because I’m a Brad fan and gear head...now after seeing your humble style and obvious talents I’m a fan you. Subscribed!
I am grateful. Thank you!. I am a Brad fan too!
The algorithm brought me here. I am so impressed by your humility. It reminds me of how we all have times when we need help and all the people in our lives that help us get through the challenges. It’s really something that you remember people’s names and thank them. People need to be reminded that none of us succeed alone, and that there’s no shame in asking for help. Thanks.
THANKS!
I got to meet you around 2004 when Brad and Sara Evans we’re touring. Thanks for taking time to chat with me and my 4 year old son before the show. You made this gear geek’s day, and my little guy’s too. When he saw you hold Old Pink in front of him, he glowed. Thanks sir
I remember! That was a good day
Just discovered your channel Zac....really digging the variety of content, the stories, the tech tips and most of all your playing !
That was a great story, Zach. Thanks for sharing. Really a unique and insightful glimpse into a day on the road of a big production.
My pleasure!
Thank you very much Zac. Great narrative style of yours with interesting background stories about Brad. What I knew that Brad is one of the few singers who also plays excellent on the tele - and this with an outstanding sound! Always - so this is thanks to you! All the best Zac
Thank you so much for watching, and the kind words.
That shirt should be re-released!! LMAO! That’s AWESOME!!.... I dig Brad and Keith Urban because they are true musicians! There’s so much more to being a guitar player than knowing a few chords and trying to look cool! These guys constantly challenge themselves to get better!!
Spot on!!
Zac, the True Tone Lounge videos are probably the single best content on youtube. This is a close second. One suggestion for a video is talking about the Vox vs Fender school of more traditional country pickers.
Great topic! Going on the list. Thanks
hey zac, been a fan of your Trutone interviews for some years now. glad I found your channel hear as well. solid content, my friend
Thank you so much, Darrien!
A pleasant surprise to see this RUclips video, congrats to you for persevering and succeeding in the Music world Zac! Watching this I couldn’t help but recall the time, many years ago, jamming with you at “Music Man” in Kingsville TX!
I remember that well, Beau. And you coming over to my parents house in Riviera to jam. Always loved your playing and singing.
Ask Zac Zac that means a lot I sure appreciate it
Man, I am such a fan of your Vintage Guitar columns and the Truetone Lounge interviews. How in the world am I JUST now learning about your own channel?!?! So glad to have found it.
Stanley, Thank you so much, and so glad you found it. If you don't mind, please spread the word.
@@AskZac I shall do my best!
This is the best show on the internet, I started 'trying' to play 5 years ago ( I'm 57 now ) and every avenue I've been down ends with one answer 'Telecaster' ! Thankfully because of the show I have now a new found respect for so many players, within the Telecaster scene, keep up the good work and a big thank you from Scotland !
Thank you so much, Gibson!
This just showed up in my RUclips feed and brought back some fond memories of our time on tour together. You had a tough gig and you handled with great talent and class. I hope all is well in your world. I will check out some of your other videos. :)
Jeff! So great to hear from you. You were so kind to me on the B&D tour. Thank you for the kind words
Another great show Zac! Excellent variety of topics. Look forward to next weeks. Cheers
Thanks, Ky!
Thanks for sharing Zac! I look forward to these every week.
You are so welcome, Michael.
Just found your channel, Zac. You keep it interesting and easy to follow along!
Thanks, Mike!
Great content zac! Keep the videos coming. Informative and love the stories and details.
Have any stories about how you’ve settled on the Teles you own? As in what you look for in feel and tone (all personal preference/subjective I know but interesting none the less), I know you’ve talked about neck pickups, any videos on bridge pickups?
Great idea. Going on the list! Thanks for watching.
Man I love the Deluxe Reverb tremolo! Sweet tone from that Tele and Deluxe pair! Love that shirt! Very informative video. Must have made some very tiring yet rewarding days.
Good days
You have an amazing speaking voice. Calm, clear, relaxing.
I could listen to these askzac videos all day...
Thank you!
Zac: No question here, just a comment. I dig your vids + the info you convey, but most of all, I appreciate that you respond to your followers' questions. That's class, my man.
I appreciate that!
Thanks Zac great video. I really love all the work you do and was very excited to stumble across your channel. Keep up the great work. Love the paisley tele by the way.
Thanks, Freddy. Bill Crook did a great job on it
Stellar and entertaining video and stories my friend! I'll keep-a-watchin!
Thanks, Michael!!
Very interesting to say the least. I’m a drummer half ass but enjoyed your intellect and insight on the guitar and equipment.
Gracias!
At 22:47, I'm gonna guess Zak is referring to rascal Flatts . I went to see Brad and the rascals by myself at the Fulton county Fair in wauseon Ohio during that tour labor day weekend when the "fishing" song was #1. Brad and his band was spot on perfect, the rascals was a rock show, gigantic bottom end bass/drums and Joe-don played a black EVH going through a twin that kept messing up and never played a clean tone the entire set. At that time, Brad's steel guitar player was actually from wauseon Ohio. The keyboard player was set up in the boat, lol. Brad and his band's show was phenomenal. Very cool video Zak 👌👌
I can say no more......
Hey Zac, just found your channel and subscribed. I love the story you shared working with Brad. Hey quick question. Can you share with us Brad's picking style, how he holds his pick etc? Can you also teach us his particular technique of his amazing soloing up and down the neck? Any further information you can share is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jason
He used a medium pick and his fingers for years, then more recently he started using a heavy Ernie Ball pick
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed these stories.
I enjoyed the stories....thank you . Keep them coming please .
Thanks! I will keep them coming. Make sure and subscribe.
hahaha, priceless t-shirt story. Can you imagine what the graphic designer was thinking while they were putting that together in Photoshop? 😂
It was 2003. Would that have been Photoshop?
@@AskZacYep, Photoshop has been around since the late '80's!
@@derosabike Thanks for the "Ask Tim" lesson
Hey Zac, looks like a bass V1 in the background… that’s worth a conversation of its own!!!
There is a whole episode on it. ruclips.net/video/qTOfrAfNCXQ/видео.html
Love the relaxed & informative vibe of your channel.
Thanks!
Did not know you play guitar! Thank you for this episode. Really appreciate what you are doing for the guitar world.
Thanks! And I appreciate you taking the time to watch.
That t-shirt was a Stone Hedge moment from Spinal Tap.
Love the recollections…especially the t-shirt story ! 😂
Another great video! Your tele sounds really good to that deluxe reverb. Is the deluxe reverb stock?
clipped the bright cap, and a Celestion v30 speaker. Otherwise stock.
Zac didn't know you had your own channel. Found out from the Truetone channel. This is totally awesome! Subscribed
Thank you!!!!
The tip about playing acoustic and finger picking to a click track and slowing it down to see how off you are is priceless ! Subbed , Thank you for the great content
Thanks for subscribing. Yes, that is a great thing to practice
Nothing like trial by fire. What a time, frightening at the moment but rich in memories today. I am just now (past 10 years) of taking this path of the electric. Makes picking out a fine acoustic guitar child’s play. So many variables for amp to (fill in the blank of hundreds of variants that affect tone). Should have been obsessed with electrics when I was younger. Damn folk music! I blame Early Bob Dylan, Robert Johnson and John Fahey for that.
It is a fun journey we are all on. Enlightenment is around every corner
Awesome story telling! Great video, thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Huge fan of “jazz on the back pickup” Paisley. Wore out the instrumental album!
All before I knew you. Go figure!
five watt world I love that album too. Thanks, Keith
Still waiting for "A Short History of...." P90's...lol
@@bryonkidder6199 Hey Bryon, The SG is next. So much history, so much work for each. Maybe Zac and I can do your P90 history. Difference is I'd have to study up and Zac, well, he just knows all this stuff. :)
Great video Zac! Loved it. Keep up the great work! I also have one of those Tascam Phrase trainers. Loved that story you told.
Thank you, David
You are welcome Zac. I found an old YT vid I did in 2012. The year I heard my first Brad Paisley CD. I actually had it for a year and never listened to it. I was hooked right away and bought everything he recorded. So here is my first venture into playing Country "I'll Take You Back" (Last couple minutes of the vid I play it all up to speed) I need to re do this with my Crook guitars. LOL ruclips.net/video/oTjGLF4YJ8E/видео.html
Zac, I am now considering investing in a 15” speaker and cab to switch between with my 12” speaker and cab. How night-and-day is switching between a 12” and a 15” speaker - say, keeping the same amp and settings, but switching between songs in a given set or during parts of a song? Perhaps, rhythm on a 15” and a solo on a 12”, instead of engaging a boost or other pedal to cut in the mix. (I only have experience with 10” and 12” speakers.)
Also, thanks for putting one of my questions into a video of yours. Even more, thank you for fielding so many of my questions over the years. You are truly an asset to the online Country guitar community.
Josh, FYI, we did not have a speaker switcher at that point. We would just move the speaker cable to another cab during soundcheck. To me, a 15" just sounds smoother and bigger than a 12". I feel like it also is less beam-y. Meaning the 15" disperses sound better than the 12'. I love a 15", I just don't like to carry them around. My favorite 15" is the EVM 15L. They are VERY heavy. I used to play through (2) Lab Series L9 amps, each with a EV 15". I used a TC Chorus to split the signal, and had a Deluxe Memory Man in front of that. I got tired of the weight, not the tone.
Great Journey! T-shirt SNAFU is like Spinal Tap's 18" Stonehenge sculpture. How about some Zac Merch?
Thank you! I'll start thinking about some merch
Hello Zac ! Great stuff !! Could tell the story about your guitar your using : Thank you
Yes. I will tell the story of it in another episode.
Great payoff at the end! Was cracking up. Was great to hear your backstory. Keep these videos coming!
I will. Thank you for watching it.
Awesome show! I too love teles thru combos with V30s, greenbacks and alnico blues.
Did Keeley ever talk mods with you? Specifically for Boss pedals? Thanks bro. Love your channel
I was just keeping everything working. I did not talk mods.
Thanks for the response Zac! You mentioned the way huge delay brad used...I was gifted an old CM delayla...any experience with those? Want to dial in a cool fast slap on it. It's interesting. Any tips?
To get your delay to be like the way Brad uses the Aqua Puss, set it for 1 repeat, and set the repeat volume to about 30%. Then set the delay to be really soon after the original note. That is for a slapback echo setting.
Sweet! Thanks a lot zac...keep your channel goin... I'm a subscriber 😎
Also...been looking at a keeley Memphis pedal, seems interesting, any feedback on that?
I liked the demos I heard on the Memphis. Saw one with Pete Anderson
Brad's a huge inspiration to me. It's really cool that you worked for him. Hope you guys are still on good terms :) as far as I hear from people, he's still really cool.
Still on good terms! And yes, he has always been a good guy.
I have been a huge BP fan since the beginning. I remember the tour with the bass boat. Pretty cool stage setup. I probably saw you during that era. I was at all the fan club shows. I almost had Bill Crook build me the exact guitar that you are holding. I still want one. I bought a Prescription ES from the Nashville Guitar Center. It was beautiful and mint, but WAY too much for my living room. Lol. You obviously did some great work for him in those years. This video is what introduced me to your channel. Love it. Keep up the good work.
Did you go to the one at the Factory in Franklin?
@@AskZac The ones I went to were the ones he had across the street and upstairs from the original Gruhn Guitars building on Broadway, then the next year was at the Ryman Auditorium. I must have missed the one in Franklin. I guess I should have said a couple of the fan club shows. LOL
Those were the days! My days, when i did my best playing, were roughly 1958 to 1970. Harmony h1260, and, h48 stratotone. Today, telecasters. Harmonys as collectors
Hi Zac, I am a bit late to the party, but I am starting to catch up with your videos on this channel. I would just like to thank you for making these videos, they are great :)
Loving these videos…Sorry late to the party here. As a metal and jazz fan I wasn’t familiar at all w/Brad’s music or Zach.
However, seeing Zach recently on another YT channel and playing the BP Esquire I’ve now been enlightened by both.
Teles & Esquires are my favorite guitars and I own a Fender CS 59’ relic which was a bit of a dream guitar for me.
I have to say though that years after it’s release I found that the black sparkle Fender road worn BP Esquire is not far off for a Mexican Made instrument. My understanding is that it has a CS pup in the bridge in addition to the SD Secret Agent under the guard (correct me if I’m wrong here).
That sandwich body is not only super light (oh boy 6 lbs maybe?), it was very resonant to boot!
I may have to not only pick one of these up but I may just check out some of Brad’s music.
Thanks for introducing me to some new stuff Zach!
That t-shirt story is awesome! Very "Spinal Tap"!
Good stuff. Thanks. I look forward to the next episode!
Thank you, Chris.
Thanks Zac. Love all your interviews and stories.
Glad you like them!
Fish With Doo Doo LMAO, Classic Spinal Tap
First time on your channel. I heard the intro music and thought, "that sounds like some stuff I had to learn in college..."
I'm also a Belmont alum so it makes sense. Great video!
I was a John Pell student. You?
@@AskZac I had Pell for a semester and he was my ensemble director for two semesters. I made the "John Pell shreds" videos which was probably stupid to do. I also ran a Twitter page with all his out of context quotes and analogies. I graduated in 2016 so that's fairly recent but I did get to talk to Chad Weaver a little and hear how Belmont was back in the day. Interesting stuff.
@@jaketurner3890 I just checked out the Pell stuff. FANTASTIC!!!! Kudos to you.
@@AskZac Thanks! I'd love to help if my limited experience is useful to you. Otherwise, I'll keep watching and telling people about your work.
Zac,
Love all your vids, but this video was awesome! I’m a HUGE BP fan! My parents actually went to school with Mark, Brad’s Monitor Engineer, so I’ve gotten to know quite a bit through him! Keep up the great work!
Mark is such a great guy and I loved working with him.
I just discover Country music, it did not really came averseas to France (not much I'd rather say), but your show is good and help to discover. Thanks and keep on "countrin"..
That anecdote was like something out of Spinal Tap!
This guy is the Mister Rogers of guitar techs..LOL I mean that in the nicest possible way.
I'll take it in the nicest possible way.
Hello there, neighbor
@@AskZac I don't care what everybody says about you I think you are an ok guy. :-)
Enjoyed that! Thank you so very much, and greetings from Scotland 👍
You are very welcome! Thank you for watching.
Great story Zac. Touring with Brad Paisley must have been extraordinary. I laughed out load when you were talking about the t-shirt!
It was!
Who would downvote this?? Damn. Mr. Zac, I really appreciate this video. I got to tech for Sonny Landreth a long time ago and this video brought back a lot of memories. Thank you.
You are so welcome, and always great to hear from a fellow former tech.
Great insights and fascinating stories Zac, thanks for these videos!
You are welcome. Thank you for watching, Paul.
Excellent story. Thanks!
I used to put dimarzio sdhp's in my guitars back in the late 70s, going through a head and 4x12 cabinet. I wish my current setup of a tele through a low wattage 1x12 combo was with me back then.
lighter to carry, and less taxing on the ears
Great stories. Brad has always seemed like the nicest guy and he’s clearly a gun slinger on those Teles. What an awesome experience.
Great vid. I love the fact you are actually thinking about what you are saying and contemplating things. Not much of that on RUclips!
Thank you
i loved all this insight of the day , thanks for sharing !!!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video! Any chance of a J.T. Corenflos interview down the road?
I’ll look into that for the Truetone Lounge
That was great Zac, I'm a big Brad Paisley fan. I have the paisley drive but no fender telecaster just a firefly. But your playing and tone is great also.
Thank you Zak. Very interesting. I allways enjoy back stage facts. That was very well presented. How are you getting on with the B bender that Joe fitted on you Paisley tele? That olso was very interesting. He seemed to be a really nice guy.
Love mine!
Ha, I cracked up at that shirt.
I remember seeing Brad back in about 2004 at a country festival. Think Keith Urban was on the same bill...totally blown away.
I have seen Brad twice and his tech has their hands full. I don't think i have ever seen an artist or band roll from one hit to the next as quickly. The last note is fading from one song as he swaps guitars and leans right into the next song. So many guitar swaps, all seamless. Also, he has great live tone.
He played for what seemed like two hours and i dont think he missed a note.
Hey Zac, love your videos! I would love to know how brad likes his teles setup? Like action, truss rod and such. Your knowledge is very appreciated, thank you. :)
straight neck, little relief, lowish action.
@@AskZac Thank you Zac!
wow ! Nice channel :D Just have a simple question; what would be a great tele bridge pickup on a alder telecaster ? I actually have Voodoos on my first ones, but those are no longer available (due to lat year really sad circumstances )O: )... Many thanks !
I would go for a staggered-pole bridge pickup. I don't have a rec other than Ellis and Voodoo right now. Check out OC Duff ocduffpickups.com/tele-pickups.html
Thanks for this, really enjoy the stories as Brad is my #1 inspiration for learning electric guitar. I have a frankinstien tele i just installed Le Brea pickups and they sound so good! I also have a Paisley drive Deluxe and a Dr Z Nova. Look forward to more of these videos 💯👌🎸🎶
I am going to check out those pickups soon!
Hey man! I really enjoy your tone in this video. What's happening here? How are you capturing it? What's in your signal path? I don't see any mics in front of the DLX.... Cheers!
I can't giveaway all my secrets!
@@AskZac I can respect that lol. Have a great day man!
@@jquickstad you too!
Hi ! I’m a strat man ! And recently I tried the brad esquire with the Seymour Duncan secret agent and I totally fall in love with that guitar more tan the Telecaster… I own her now 🙏 there’s something magic in this esquire 😍😍😍😍 I can’t tell anymore I’m a strat man of course I’m in love with my srv but I found a new baby ! I discover your channel and I really appreciate your job thanks for what you do it’s so interesting ! Greetings for France 🇫🇷
This is probably my favorite episode.
Very interesting to hear what it was like working for Brad..i got to see him in Concert back in 2007 in Nova Scotia. Right after that concert I put in an order for a blue paisley sparkle with g-bender. Unfortunately I ended up selling it...5 kids and a wife Lol. I emailed Bill the other day about another future build hopefully someday. Now I'm playing a $300 Harley Benton TE-52..pretty good little guitar for the price. I have my eye on the Paisley Fender Esquire. I work as a custodian at a local high school with 2-10 p.m shifts so when I get home at night I put in my headphones and watch You Tube vids. I was trying not to wake my wife last night at the end of your segment when reading the back of the T-shirt, really made me laugh! Any way, keep up the great work Zac!
great history and the art of dialing it in on the fly
I can’t believe they did a production run without send a final version first. Good story!
I can't either
Really enjoyed this. ❤
Love your channel and your relationships with artists. Pete Anderson is a great guy and amazing player. I tried to get that black esquire from him. Great info and authentic playing. Tremendous pressure teaching For Brad I'm sure, its amazing how calm you are. Glad I found your channel.
Zac,
Very enjoyable....keep 'em coming
I will! Thanks for watching.
I love the story about Brads Grandpa communicating with a fellow worker on the railroad about country songs. Fast forward the tape to when Brad bought an acoustic guitar at Graham’s only to find out that guitar belonged to Brads Grandfather’s friend on the railroad.
Sorry about the spelling… Gruhans not Graham’s. So much for spell checking
You mentioned Porter Wagner. I remember a singer on his show with hips and wore among others polka dot dresses. Lady Dolly Pardon. Porter wasn't the most talented singer but someone had enough intelligence to hire Dolly. I'm so glad they did.
Love your show brother Zac! I recently found out Brad is a brother Mason and Shriner. I'd love to meet him one day. Seems like a great guy to be around!
On that closing part of the video's note, can you talk about Paisleys Wood? What are Brad's Paisley guitars made out of? You've talked about the maple cap necks before, but I don't remember anything about the bodies. Are they Ash or Alder?
His old paisley is alder.