He says "Hand strength is everything". He is so right! Throughout the decades I always worked on numerous exercises up and down the neck to increase my strength and dexterity. It kept me going. 1.5 years I suffered a stroke and now just regaining the use of my left hand. My left is so weak. I can't play at all now. Its only been in the last month, I was strong enough to play a single note - never mind the vibrato!
Saw this guy in a small gig last year and both he and his band were completely incredible. So much passion and commitment. One of the best gigs I've ever been to
Totally entitled to your opinion dude but for me, there is way more raw emotion evident in Simo's music than Bonamassa's. I didn't fully 'get' JD's music until i'd saw them live but was hooked after that. Not knocking Mr Bonamassa at all (who am I to do that?) but I do find his studio recordings rather sterile by comparison
@1954telecaster ~ I totally agree about both, although Bonamassa is a much better guitarist, and has his musical moments too occasionally. And why do all these guitar players insist on wearing big scarves around their necks to look cool? It's become a parody of that look, which began with the Brits back in the day, now everyone is copying it. Personally, I don't want a scarf between me and the guitar (playing naked is best!)!
Probaly the finest electric guitar ever made !! thankyou for all this great info on its use ! I have just a washburn copy but she beautiful and i love her till death ))
Never heard of this guy but became a fan right now! What he says about guitar changes and how horn players will stick to one horn for an entire gig (or career!) makes SO MUCH sense!
I always come back to this video every year and every year i'm not only amazed by JD's playing but also his gigantic hands. Good thing he's such a nice guy would hate to think what a hit from this mitts could do lol.
LOVE his comment on the fact that horn players show up to the gig with one axe and squeeze all the tone they can out of it instead of just opening one more case... cheers.
the way this guy describes things so concisely and truly in just the right order, you can tell he's a great teacher. awesome guitarist too. and very knowledgeable about different players/styles from a number of fields. i subscribed to this channel and am going to investigate mr. Simo's music soon enough. ps-very happily awaiting an Eart 335 copy which seems quite well made. think i got lucky.
I wish Gibson would go ahead and make that production model version of his 335 and not just the custom shop one. He’s mentioned it in vids for like 2 years now. Still one of my favorite players hands down!
It does seem like people today don't care enough about that connection with one guitar. I recently go mine.. it's a 2019 LP Traditional and it's a special one. The stars aligned for me after 20 years and now I don't want to play any others. I've already played this one a ton and I'm familiar with it. It sounds amazing into my 65 princeton reissue!
I recently have been using my 1982 Ibanez as80 artist (very similar to an old es335) through a cranked 68' super...man alive, that's a sound, gibby through a cranked blackface
Funny, my dog took quite an interest each time he did that picking technique with the slide (13:41). I think the dog thought it was a turkey. Dog went to the door to find out who might be in the neighborhood.
Sweet guitar. Spot on advice about the dynamics in approaching the guitar. All kinds of tones going on with one instrument if you take advantage of it. Great player.
I've watched lots of clips of JD playing many different guitars and it's easy to see why this guitar is the one. Something special comes across, like Chuck Berry or Freddie King with their respective guitars. Congrats JD on finding that elusive "one".
@@andrewcruz7595 now here is the catch. If I had one guitar it would be the tele. If I had two guitars it would be the 335 and the strat. If I had 3 guitars no problem
Years ago I watched this and thought it was so cool.... ...now I’m watching it and it’s even cooler. JD doesn’t give a fck when it comes to his playing. He’s the modern day bluesman. Plays how he wants and it’s like take it or leave it
I know what you mean but he was playing so many gigs so he doesn’t need to relic the instrument. If you see that guitar now (3 years after this was shot) some of the paint is down to wood......that’s because of him playing it.
@@pg123ab I guess if you are someone whose name alone will increase the value of the guitar then you can do that. I like to baby my instruments though. I don't subscribe to that "character" argument. I want my instruments to be heirlooms.
Faaaantastic played and an awesome Sound and Guitar. Great example that at first you have to play with the different adjustments at the Guitar before using Pedals.
Some valid, useful advice I would say-the details and letting the guitar breath by not hitting it too hard and choking the character of the notes off-hand strength - yep all great stuff.
I like his diplomatic response to playing Duane's guitar. These days it's really easy to overglorify gear... which I'm certainly guilty of... but it was a tool for him that worked well, and that's a philosophy that helps your playing/performing skills.
I'm digging the strap locks he's using on this. Looks like the rubber washers that come on the tops of Grolsh beer bottles. Very cost effective compared to buying strap locks. Only $10 for a six pack, you get six washers, plus you get to drink a decent beer.
JD, thanks for the words of wisdom. I just got back from "TH-cam Land" where I got my 1st look at your work. Flabberghasted ! Great voice. Great-lyrical guitar playing. Your drummer is a real finesse player. Your bassist, however, seems to be fucking up your vocal range with his choice of rather nasty tones. I mean he needs to be supporting your voice, not stepping all over it. Sorry, but you're too important a talent to not say something. Good luck.
I sat with a secondhand 335 I’ve just acquired (never had one before - only played S and T style guitars) whilst watching this, and learned a ton. What a dude
Connected? A famous base player's wife invited me in their mill valley house when a neighborhood issue came up. He was rushing around to catch a plane and didn't have a single guitar in the house for me to show him a song I wrote perfect to put his band back on the charts. His band had been neck-n-neck with the stones the prior 2 years at number 1 but fell off the face of the earth after that. He thought I was Orenet Coleman because I had played the B side of the 1970 Science Fiction album (where) Orenet solos (no backup) on my patio one night. All I could do was to explain I didn't play the sax but needed a guitar to show him the song. But he was only interested in talking about Orenet.
This guy is good, don't base your appraisal of his playing on this video alone. You should check out [Be With You - electrifying encore at the Tavastia Club, Helsinki, Finland Dec 8, 2016] and all the others first.
This was awesome. Loved the tips about hand strength ...and the light picking hand. Reminds me a lot when he demonstrated it of Peter Greens playing. Totally got the bending right. Amazing stuff!!! I will now practice!!!
Some guitarists like to treat guitars like they are babies. Keep them in cases!! Others hit them and twist them and bang them into stuff. I like the batterers personally. Smack it up, swear at it, never sell it enjoy the wear
Seems like he was going for a percussive effect. Something tells me that was deliberate. As in listen to where the muted notes are in the riff. Straight after he talks about Rhythm.. Seems a very creative player.
He says "Hand strength is everything". He is so right! Throughout the decades I always worked on numerous exercises up and down the neck to increase my strength and dexterity. It kept me going. 1.5 years I suffered a stroke and now just regaining the use of my left hand. My left is so weak. I can't play at all now. Its only been in the last month, I was strong enough to play a single note - never mind the vibrato!
I hope you are doing better now and you are still playing guitar. My uncle also suffered a stroke but he is doing very well.
Can you switch to slide guitar? You could be the next derek trucks!
Saw this guy in a small gig last year and both he and his band were completely incredible. So much passion and commitment. One of the best gigs I've ever been to
He's definitely a great guitar player but (like Bonamassa) his music sucks.
Totally entitled to your opinion dude but for me, there is way more raw emotion evident in Simo's music than Bonamassa's. I didn't fully 'get' JD's music until i'd saw them live but was hooked after that. Not knocking Mr Bonamassa at all (who am I to do that?) but I do find his studio recordings rather sterile by comparison
really? lol many would disagree
@1954telecaster ~ I totally agree about both, although Bonamassa is a much better guitarist, and has his musical moments too occasionally. And why do all these guitar players insist on wearing big scarves around their necks to look cool? It's become a parody of that look, which began with the Brits back in the day, now everyone is copying it. Personally, I don't want a scarf between me and the guitar (playing naked is best!)!
Did you not hear he is coughing? Listen to people instead of worrying about appearance, it's not of your business anyway.
I keep coming back to this video and studying his vibrato and his commentary about hand strength. Amazing and inspirational.
Jesus Christ, these pickups sound beautiful and Simo really knows how to get his tone. Lovely guitar!
His closing statements on beauty and simplicity struck home, very inspiring Mr. Simo!
"the neck pickup is the neck pickup"....I like this cat
10:15
What a great video. Great production to boot.
Truetone Yeah Zac!
Good life lesson here. You can lean on others, but to be truly happy and satisfied, be yourself and find your own path.
Probaly the finest electric guitar ever made !! thankyou for all this great info on its use ! I have just a washburn copy but she beautiful and i love her till death ))
Never heard of this guy but became a fan right now! What he says about guitar changes and how horn players will stick to one horn for an entire gig (or career!) makes SO MUCH sense!
Mr. Frodo !
Lol
😀
We have to destroy it sam
Semi Wise Gangy 😆
Your mom is calling again...
His guitar sounds so lightweight and airy... Incredibly open and dynamic with so much clarity and yet so much balls and aggression
I always come back to this video every year and every year i'm not only amazed by JD's playing but also his gigantic hands. Good thing he's such a nice guy would hate to think what a hit from this mitts could do lol.
I was so sad when this guy died on Stranger Things
I felt the same when Frodo turned his back on him in the middle of Mordor.
But Sam can flat play!!
Stop it. Find a better hobby
@@geraldhenrickson7472 What do you want a hobbit for?
Daniel Ferrera For Christmas.
This guy has one of the best live tones I have ever heard.
Back in the shire Samwise used to play a telecaster through a deluxe reverb 2x12
Give it a break...try to contribute something substantial whenever you comment. Please?
@@geraldhenrickson7472 Mr frodo!
Just watched TLOTR trilogy yesterday, then I see this comment. Winner. LMBO!!!
Saw him when he was 17 in a Nashville bar, he was great then and just keeps getting better
LOVE his comment on the fact that horn players show up to the gig with one axe and squeeze all the tone they can out of it instead of just opening one more case... cheers.
the way this guy describes things so concisely and truly in just the right order, you can tell he's a great teacher. awesome guitarist too. and very knowledgeable about different players/styles from a number of fields. i subscribed to this channel and am going to investigate mr. Simo's music soon enough.
ps-very happily awaiting an Eart 335 copy which seems quite well made. think i got lucky.
J.D. Is the MAN! Great interview!
He's like the Tom Morello of the blues. Really impressive!
I wish Gibson would go ahead and make that production model version of his 335 and not just the custom shop one. He’s mentioned it in vids for like 2 years now. Still one of my favorite players hands down!
That in fact may be the best "middle position" sound I've ever heard.
It does seem like people today don't care enough about that connection with one guitar. I recently go mine.. it's a 2019 LP Traditional and it's a special one. The stars aligned for me after 20 years and now I don't want to play any others. I've already played this one a ton and I'm familiar with it. It sounds amazing into my 65 princeton reissue!
I recently have been using my 1982 Ibanez as80 artist (very similar to an old es335) through a cranked 68' super...man alive, that's a sound, gibby through a cranked blackface
My cat went mad when he did that bird slide technique.
Funny, my dog took quite an interest each time he did that picking technique with the slide (13:41). I think the dog thought it was a turkey. Dog went to the door to find out who might be in the neighborhood.
Sweet guitar. Spot on advice about the dynamics in approaching the guitar. All kinds of tones going on with one instrument if you take advantage of it. Great player.
I've watched lots of clips of JD playing many different guitars and it's easy to see why this guitar is the one. Something special comes across, like Chuck Berry or Freddie King with their respective guitars. Congrats JD on finding that elusive "one".
I'm stealing all these licks - (or at least I'm going to try!). JD's the man.
Thanks, *The Guitar Magazine*!
probably the most versatile guitar you can buy
This and the telecaster
@@andrewcruz7595 now here is the catch. If I had one guitar it would be the tele. If I had two guitars it would be the 335 and the strat. If I had 3 guitars no problem
Lovelovelove the T-Bone Walker bit.Fantastic playing and a helpful mod.
Years ago I watched this and thought it was so cool....
...now I’m watching it and it’s even cooler. JD doesn’t give a fck when it comes to his playing. He’s the modern day bluesman. Plays how he wants and it’s like take it or leave it
I saw him open up for Ace Frehley this past year. He and his band were incredible !!!!
He's a wonderful guitarist but I'm cringing every time his ring hits his finish in conversation. It's like he's passively trying to relic it.
I know what you mean but he was playing so many gigs so he doesn’t need to relic the instrument. If you see that guitar now (3 years after this was shot) some of the paint is down to wood......that’s because of him playing it.
@@pg123ab I guess if you are someone whose name alone will increase the value of the guitar then you can do that. I like to baby my instruments though. I don't subscribe to that "character" argument. I want my instruments to be heirlooms.
He owns it and plays it. won't hurt it.
@@pappyodanial It absolutely will, but okay.
@@Rhythmicons you baby yours, others play them in (yes it’s character) you do you. Live and let live ✌🏻
That man has a great catalogue of killer tunes 👌
I liked when he made that tackle in the movie
Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!
Or carried Frodo into Mt Doom
I don't know why, but JD's explanations always help me improve my guitar playing in ways that some great teachers on youtube don't.
hes just inspiring. He makes me play harder and work on stuff more every time I see a video.
Will check it out! Thanks so much.
Great player, I have fallen in love with the new 335's myself.
This man understands his instrument.
One of the best players around nowadays. 🙏
Y'all need to turn up the thermostat in there. My man shouldn't have to wear a scarf and coat inside to stay warm.
But the scarf and 2 sizes too small jacket make him look kewl
Faaaantastic played and an awesome Sound and Guitar.
Great example that at first you have to play with the different adjustments at the Guitar
before using Pedals.
Was this guy in Goonies?
Lord of the rings I believe
Yeeeah that too LOL
Jazzer Caster XD hahaha
his name is Rudy, he played football in Notre Dame.
Some valid, useful advice I would say-the details and letting the guitar breath by not hitting it too hard and choking the character of the notes off-hand strength - yep all great stuff.
What amp is he using? I missed it if they said. Anybody know?
I'm still looking for the sweet spot to get great sustain & feedback
whats with the scarf ? was it cold in the building ?
So do you think i need to buy a fender strat?!can i get a strat sound on my es 335 semi hollow?
In the right hands...a 335 can do amazing things. Just not mine. Stick with the 335 if it seems a good one.
Excellent interview. I love his attention to the basics of techniques
"It's the shittiest sounding amp you've ever heard...but it's amazing." Well said.
What a guitar historian he really is and thats rare
I like his diplomatic response to playing Duane's guitar. These days it's really easy to overglorify gear... which I'm certainly guilty of... but it was a tool for him that worked well, and that's a philosophy that helps your playing/performing skills.
I'm digging the strap locks he's using on this. Looks like the rubber washers that come on the tops of Grolsh beer bottles. Very cost effective compared to buying strap locks. Only $10 for a six pack, you get six washers, plus you get to drink a decent beer.
one of the best guys around....you gotta love the man
Could you be so kind to tell what his amp was this time? Sounds amazing matched with his 335..
Amazing, thanx!!
are you shitting me...? I guess it does go to show just how much of a difference mic'ing an amp really makes
thoroughly impressed.
JD, thanks for the words of wisdom. I just got back from "TH-cam Land" where I got my 1st look at your work.
Flabberghasted ! Great voice. Great-lyrical guitar playing. Your drummer is a real finesse player. Your bassist, however, seems to be fucking up your vocal range with his choice of rather nasty tones. I mean he needs to be supporting your voice, not stepping all over it.
Sorry, but you're too important a talent to not say something. Good luck.
What pickups are in that majestic beast?
Really enjoyed this ...Love that 335 Tone!! THumbs up on this clip!
Does a Gibson come with such a fancy scarf? Because if it does, I'm in.
I sat with a secondhand 335 I’ve just acquired (never had one before - only played S and T style guitars) whilst watching this, and learned a ton. What a dude
Beauty & Simplicity - amen JD!!
question do u guys like the pick guard on or off?
Connected? A famous base player's wife invited me in their mill valley house when a neighborhood issue came up. He was rushing around to catch a plane and didn't have a single guitar in the house for me to show him a song I wrote perfect to put his band back on the charts. His band had been neck-n-neck with the stones the prior 2 years at number 1 but fell off the face of the earth after that. He thought I was Orenet Coleman because I had played the B side of the 1970 Science Fiction album (where) Orenet solos (no backup) on my patio one night. All I could do was to explain I didn't play the sax but needed a guitar to show him the song. But he was only interested in talking about Orenet.
Great video and impressed!
I'm a late comer to this but Mr Simo is spot on with his views on touch and feel.
A JD Simo signature 335? I'm intrigued
Where can I take a class to learn how to shake the guitar after every note?
Only some. If you do not know why...just ask.
He's wearing a Elvis Tcb ring , very cool
This guy is good, don't base your appraisal of his playing on this video alone. You should check out [Be With You - electrifying encore at the Tavastia Club, Helsinki, Finland Dec 8, 2016] and all the others first.
Hit like of you checked what year it was recorded , as soon as he coughed .
When he plays the string softly and gets the long sustain, couldn't help but think of Spinal Tap
Jazz isn't dead it just smells funny
This was awesome. Loved the tips about hand strength ...and the light picking hand. Reminds me a lot when he demonstrated it of Peter Greens playing. Totally got the bending right. Amazing stuff!!! I will now practice!!!
That's the guitar for that guy. So much in there...
It's nice when you find 'the one', isn't it?
Some guitarists like to treat guitars like they are babies. Keep them in cases!! Others hit them and twist them and bang them into stuff. I like the batterers personally. Smack it up, swear at it, never sell it enjoy the wear
I like that tcb ring.
Great tones!
He is quite skilled.
Is that an Elvis TCB ring?
This dude looks like a character from a Dr. Seuss book.
Gut wreching flu like cough
"Caaauuuggggaaahhhhggccchhh"
Tone comes from within.
JD is a great guitarist
Glad I'm not the only one who says Three Thirty-Five instead of the more common, Three Three Five lol
jd simo is awesome .
Love the 335 with the original "Mickey Mouse" ears..
You mean there are 335''s without Mickey Mouse ears>?
Yes, the later models i think after 1963 had the ears slimmed down...Its very subtle but once you notice it there is a difference!
You’re just coming to the conclusion that emulating Clapton snd beck is boring?
wonderful player
This guitrar has Treble Bleed???????
I’ve watched dozens and dozens and dozens of Simo clips and I’ve never seen him do any of these things.....
then youve never seen them live. each nights entirely different
looks very much like Gary Moore's '63 335, love the 300's series of Gibbys.. we dont use set list's.. or licensed Barbers ..
He finally found the treasure Chester Copperpot was looking for!
Sean Astin?
JD sounds tired and depressed. My favourite player.
Ok! Life on the road takes a toll on everyone
and he gained a lot of weight
That simple lesson on vibrato was gold. You ain't done with that note... Hold on....
His hands are gigantic.
Awesome player, awesome
Interesting player
Great tone
If you ever need a new INDESTRUCTIBLE case for a 335, check this out: th-cam.com/video/Jph7bJxFS7Q/w-d-xo.html
"I hit harmonics alot" Proceeds to sort-of hit harmonics.
I know we all cannot be as good as you yet need you always remind us of this?
Seems like he was going for a percussive effect. Something tells me that was deliberate. As in listen to where the muted notes are in the riff.
Straight after he talks about Rhythm..
Seems a very creative player.