Hey. Since we are kind of talking about George … and also after your “i was wrong” video. I know you don’t like requests And I repeat this not a request mainly a clarification. You ve covered While my guitar gently weeps on your channel, thank you for that.. then the other day I was listening to the live version from 1971 MSG New York and I like the gritty guitar intro not sure what guitar he used for that but also the first lick before he starts singing kind I’d sounds different from other studio versions ? Any thoughts appreciated.. Thank you.
That's funny you posted this - I've had "Cheer Down" as an earwig for the past week! Check out the live version on YT if you have not seen it. He was a great slide player, and such a kind soul.
Funny thing about the Rocky Strat; we know George and John got matching Sonic Blue Strats and George eventually paint his to become Rocky. But the story of John's is a little fuzzy. John held on to his and you can see George playing it with John on that "How do you sleep" video. George is then playing a Strat with the paint stripped off at the Concert for Bangladesh, and people have looked into where this guitar came from and deduced that it is probably Rocky's brother. So, quite possibly George ended up with both! I'm not saying this is 100% true, but it is more that likely...and that's pretty cool. ps: I never use the middle pickup on my strat either.
Hi James James, I really like your channel for what it is and even the comment section seems to attract rather the nicer folks here on YT (for that kudos to y'all out there). I'd like to ask you, whether you ever had built your own guitars and if so, why? I am currently fiddling on a self-made Partscaster, and despite having some "real" Strats, I increasingly enjoy my own - far from perfect - "custom" model. It would be nice to know, whether you have similar experiences. Thanks!
Greetings James! Long time fan here. I just want to give you a heads up! As a full time luthier, I want to inform you that setting the strat up with no springs is not the way to temporarily hardtail the instrument. You should actually have a qualified person set the guitar up with all 5 springs to bring the bridge down flush with the top and re-intonate the guitar at the end of the setup. I can tell just by looking at your saddles that the compensation is not set properly. The added springs will temporarily and noninvasively hardtail the bridge. The new setup will also accurately set your intonation. Hope this helps! Thanks for all of your videos over the years!
If you could have one electric guitar to play the songs you like to play, what would it be? I ask because so many people claim certain guitars are capable of playing more tones than others. For example, live always heard telecasters are the most versatile, but to me they are limited when compared to Les Pauls in that you can switch pickups without adjusting the volume and tone settings (Jimmy Page gives a great example of this in It Might Get Loud when playing Ramble On). Then, some claim the strat is the best because you can get the tele tone and the Gibson tone - but I’ve not found this to be true. Personally, I find telecasters ideal for open tuning. And I think LPs are the best for playing a wide variety of songs.
That’s the second position on the PU selector. It’s kind of a signature Strat tone. Clapton used it quite a bit in the 70s…which is one reason I don’t like his 70s tone. :)
I have always been a bit surprised you have held onto this one for so long. You’re kinda a Gibson/humbucker man. You don’t seem to have a straight-up Tele (just scheiters with humbuckers and dragon tele) and occasionally - occasionally - you bust out the LP with P90s. I know you protect the strat your brother gave you, but I figured this one would have been loooong gone by now
Iconic guitar. So recognizable.
It's a remarkably well done job.
Oh, wow! Gorgeous guitar!!
Hermosa guitarra!!
That's a great piece!!
One of the coolest you own in my opinion. It just looks cool.
Hey. Since we are kind of talking about George … and also after your “i was wrong” video. I know you don’t like requests And I repeat this not a request mainly a clarification. You ve covered While my guitar gently weeps on your channel, thank you for that.. then the other day I was listening to the live version from 1971 MSG New York and I like the gritty guitar intro not sure what guitar he used for that but also the first lick before he starts singing kind I’d sounds different from other studio versions ? Any thoughts appreciated.. Thank you.
Not sure about the intro, but watch the Clapton tribute. He plays it in a different position (2nd??) and it sounds pretty good.
beautiful guitar i want one
Love that guitar. A maple fretboard would make it look awesome. Maple fretboard fan here. That’s why I have two Telecasters.
What a cool ax!
That's funny you posted this - I've had "Cheer Down" as an earwig for the past week! Check out the live version on YT if you have not seen it. He was a great slide player, and such a kind soul.
Saving money to get one eventually can't wait
Funny thing about the Rocky Strat; we know George and John got matching Sonic Blue Strats and George eventually paint his to become Rocky. But the story of John's is a little fuzzy. John held on to his and you can see George playing it with John on that "How do you sleep" video. George is then playing a Strat with the paint stripped off at the Concert for Bangladesh, and people have looked into where this guitar came from and deduced that it is probably Rocky's brother. So, quite possibly George ended up with both! I'm not saying this is 100% true, but it is more that likely...and that's pretty cool.
ps: I never use the middle pickup on my strat either.
That's not a bad theory.
Unrelated: where did you get that shirt? Love it!!!
Hi James James,
I really like your channel for what it is and even the comment section seems to attract rather the nicer folks here on YT (for that kudos to y'all out there).
I'd like to ask you, whether you ever had built your own guitars and if so, why?
I am currently fiddling on a self-made Partscaster, and despite having some "real" Strats, I increasingly enjoy my own - far from perfect - "custom" model. It would be nice to know, whether you have similar experiences.
Thanks!
He talked about modifying his Schecter guitars once.
I’ve re-necked a few, but I’ve never built one. I wouldn’t have the patience, unfortunately.
Love your Zeppelin videos, are you in a band or teach?
Greetings James! Long time fan here. I just want to give you a heads up! As a full time luthier, I want to inform you that setting the strat up with no springs is not the way to temporarily hardtail the instrument.
You should actually have a qualified person set the guitar up with all 5 springs to bring the bridge down flush with the top and re-intonate the guitar at the end of the setup. I can tell just by looking at your saddles that the compensation is not set properly. The added springs will temporarily and noninvasively hardtail the bridge. The new setup will also accurately set your intonation.
Hope this helps! Thanks for all of your videos over the years!
That’s OK. I have 26 guitars, 3 of which are Strats. This guitar cost $400. I’m not particularly worried about it’s long-term health.
Still waiting for the Keith paint jobber on the black LP. :)
I have an old Squier here and I'm in COVID lockdown, hmmm....
If you could have one electric guitar to play the songs you like to play, what would it be? I ask because so many people claim certain guitars are capable of playing more tones than others. For example, live always heard telecasters are the most versatile, but to me they are limited when compared to Les Pauls in that you can switch pickups without adjusting the volume and tone settings (Jimmy Page gives a great example of this in It Might Get Loud when playing Ramble On). Then, some claim the strat is the best because you can get the tele tone and the Gibson tone - but I’ve not found this to be true. Personally, I find telecasters ideal for open tuning. And I think LPs are the best for playing a wide variety of songs.
I’d probably go with the ES-345. With the Varitone knob, it gets all kinds of tones.
I’ve never heard of anyone using a strat with no springs on the tremolo system.
He really said he got it for 400 dollars 200 years ago.
No springs in the term? No wood block behind the term? How high is the action?
No springs, no block. Action is perfect. I can't explain it, I only know it works. :)
Where can buy it?
Would you consider selling it?
@2:28 what does he do to get that tone ?
That’s the second position on the PU selector. It’s kind of a signature Strat tone. Clapton used it quite a bit in the 70s…which is one reason I don’t like his 70s tone. :)
I have always been a bit surprised you have held onto this one for so long. You’re kinda a Gibson/humbucker man. You don’t seem to have a straight-up Tele (just scheiters with humbuckers and dragon tele) and occasionally - occasionally - you bust out the LP with P90s. I know you protect the strat your brother gave you, but I figured this one would have been loooong gone by now
I recently got approved for a line of credit, so I have been wasting my money on guitars and amps.!