I had a dream one time where a man came to me on a flaming pie and said “you shall be Uncle Larry”, even though my Christian name is Thomas Joseph Bukovac
Hi Tom. My name is Pierpaolo and I follow you every night from Italy. I study electric guitar in an academy in Turin, Piedmont, Italy. In the afternoon I do my exercises for the first year electric guitar exam and in the evening I follow you to learn with my eyes. For me your program is a mine of advice and anecdotes. I really like when I see your studio recording sessions: now, when I practice, I try to put the same concentration as if I were recording a record like you. Thanks for introducing me to the Cars: I'm listening to the first record from 1978 and it's "intoxicating" pop, I've just listened to "Just What I Needed" 5 times in a row. I also discovered that Elliot Easton is a graduate of the Berklee School of Music in Boston: so he has a great technical preparation, but he has a lot of taste and does short but beautiful and incisive solos. Yours is the best and most original guitar program on TH-cam. Sorry for the long comment and keep it up! Pierpaolo.
In 1972 I sold my 10 speed bike to help buy an early 60s candy apple red Strat with gold hardware. Walked up to the guys door with the dough. Knock, knock - "I decided not to sell it". That was a long walk home. And long walks to Central Junior High the rest of the year.
I sold my 1952 J-50 refin for $120.00, gas money in order to get to my sister’s house in Gainesville, FL, in 1980. The guy at the music store said, “Do you know what this is?!!” I said, “No. Just that it’s a Gibson.” He showed me the faded pencil mark on the center back brace. “It’s a J-50!” I said, “I’ve gotta leave PA tomorrow. Is a J-50 a good guitar?” He begged me not to sell it. I should have listened. I was 19. JJZ…(°¿.°`)
That '63 is the one. Dang son. The next level tone through these headphones is unquestionably the finest Strat tone I've ever heard. Until I heard that middle position of the '62. Heck they were all beautiful - thank you SOOOO much for going through all of the pups on this one. Thank you, Tom!!
Hey Sammy, I agree. Although my immediate thought, my gut feeling, was - “New strings on the’63.” Wish I could find out. The ‘62, on it’s appearance, and the way Tom fawned over it, seems to have a healthy amount of Tom’s own Mojo coming out of it. Just had a thought - I’m really glad that Tom isn’t a dude that has the need to name his instruments! JJZ…(°¿.°`)
JD is just the nicest fella ever man. Over the years ive gotten to work with him, and hes unreal. Produced a few records for my band, played with him once, just an absolute jedi of improvisational guitar and a beautiful brilliant soul. Hes taught me a lot over the years, and the greatest lessons ive learned have had nothing to do with playing but being a good human.
So thrilled that you are part of this record! From Vince..What a cast!!!! The musicians contributing to Sweet Memories include: Tom Bukovac (electric guitar), Dennis Crouch (bass), Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Steve Gibson (electric guitar), John Jarvis (piano), Greg Morrow (drums), Wendy Moten (harmony vocals), the late Michael Rhodes (electric bass), Jerry Roe (drums), Derek Wells (electric guitar), and Andrea Zonn (harmony vocals).
Green Onions got this Memphis boy's ears perked up! Congrats on 20+ million views! I was so stoked to hear that. I wonder how the guys that bought all those fancy lights and cameras feel? HA! In a world full of flattering lighting, filters, and autotune, I'm glad to see skill, charisma, and honesty still connecting with so many people! It's refreshing, don't change a thing Tommy! Well, unless you want to...
Uncle Larry - Long time watcher, first time commenter, and fellow son of Cleveland. Really been a pleasure watching your videos over the last few years for many reasons, one of which is getting to see a Clevelander at the top of the world’s proverbial stage, tearing up a guitar harder than a Euclid Ave pothole on my rusty old beater. Would love to hear some of your stories from the legendary Cleveland venues, like The Agora. Peace and blessings to you and yours from all of your fans up here in NEO. Thanks for being you
Tom, I LOVE your idea for Plexi Soul 2 and home recording it with some badass analog board, maybe a couple old mojo-laden microphones, and other quirky but amazing pieces of audio recording tech that D'Auerbach probably has sitting around and willing to lend out. Let Marshall Bukovac lay down one undisclosed guitar overdub in there too as his first session man credential!
Went to his exhibit at Laguna Beach museum in 2007. They had some of his original paintings. Pretty Awsome. His Jimi Hendrix poster (bg 105) is a classic. It features the flaming eye ball.
That 62 is magic, it has it all, and that middle pickup...as soon as you started playing I just started chuckling it's so good, the Senn is also killer, I just saw the video with Jeff and it's amazing that it has all bridge pups but doesn't sound muddy at all!! And the 63 think you said.. to me sound the most open, clear beautiful Hey bro, thanks for posting these types of things, it helps us mortals know what to listen for or how are strats...in this case stack up. Love you bro!!
The neck pickup on the 63 Strat is something else. Thank you for your very entertaining videos, Tom! The guitar playing, your thoughts on music, guitar playing, gear, and everything else. It's all great.
Hey Tom, JD is the first person i ever heard mention your name in about 2015. Him and the trio were playing philly and I got into a conversation with him before the show and I asked him who his favorite player in town was and he said you. That’s about when the first time I looked you up and found your TH-cam channel. Then You started the corona lessons When my work was going through it’s Covid shut down and that helped me get through the downtime at home. So thank you. Duke Levine is awesome. I’ve dealt with his brother buzzy quite a few times at lark street music.
I was 17 when I bought a brand new 1977 Stratocaster with HSC for $350 in June 1977. I saved for a year working as a Janitor in my church. It was white or (blonde they called it) with all black plastics. Bullet truss rod and Micro tilt neck. The Micro Tilt was a great thing to raise or lower the strings without using the truss rod. Great invention.
At a push I'd say I loved a combination - the bridge of the Sen, the middle of the 63, and the neck of the 62. They all sound killer in your hands tho.
First electric was a 70"s Strat that I ended up selling when my wife and I had kids (needed the money). Always regretted it. So, finally bought another 3 years ago. Amazing guitars.
All those Strats definitely serve their purpose. The tightening of the strings to get them broken in is a great idea, I didn’t start doing that until 2022.
This channel makes me smile out loud. It's like going to the boat show or the RV show. It's great being there, even though everything there is stuff you can't afford. Watching Tom pull out the wildly diverse items from his guitar collection and then playing them at such a high level of skill feels exactly like seeing that 35 foot dual inboard cabin cruiser that I can't afford to buy and don't have the skills to handle on the water. Fun to be there, fun to look, but resigned to a 14 foot flat boat with an electric trolling motor.
Uncle Larry, two incredible pints you make here, that are not to be overlooked: Middle pickup on a Strat awesome. It’s my favorite for sure. Marshalls are super underrated for clean tone. My ‘73 Superbass has about the best clean tone ever.
❤Mr Dugmore played on my dear dear friend Tom Kells album in 2021 just before Tom passed. I miss Tom. Big hole in my life without my friend . Love you Tom Bukavac for your commitment to honor music and musicians. We honor you
❤ Skool! I was hoping to see you before I go for my surgical procedure this morn… gotta leave now. Your timing ❤❤❤❤. you helped me yesterday feel better after my curbing incident.
Most beautiful album cover ever: Its a Beautiful Day (1969). The track Bombay Calling uses the Vince Wallace riff made famous by Deep Purple in Child in Time. The music matches the album cover. Runner up, Eli and the Thirteenth Confession (1968) by Laura Nyro - the romantic cover gives no hint to its revolutionary songwriting - the album " blew everybody's mind " Todd Rundgren. Todd considered tape hiss as a production fail.
Man i remember when i first moved to Nashville back around '09-'10, somehwere around in there, the first place i walked into was Roberts and they were just starting ghost riders in the sky. J.D. was playing an old black tele through a princeton with a curly q chord into a rat and i remember thinking to myself.....i wonder what this is going to sound like and mother of God....i had mever seen or heard anything like it. It was fucking mesmerizing. Went to Roberts every Wednesday after that until i finally ran out of money and food a couple years later. I still pull up some old videos on here back when he was still playing with Don. Loved his first solo album.
Beautiful top end shimmer to the cream colored strat, probably my favorite. That 63’s got a fatness to it that just pops right off your right hand fingers.
JD is a sweetheart. I met him when he still played at Robert's western world. I approached him and we started talking about fuzz pedals because he had a cool one with him. He asked me to build him something that nite, because I mentioned that I had just making them. He took me out to lunch a week later and payed for the pedal unchecked. I was like, I brought my soldering iron and more transistors and everything. Let's get this right for you. He said, I trust you. So we parted ways after lunch and he called me a few hours later talking about how much he loved it. It meant alot. He went on tour with Bonamassa about a year later. I think the world of him. A real class act. We haven't spoken in awhile but every time that we did, he mentioned the fuzz and how much he loved it. I told him several times, I could make it so much better now. But he would never let me change anything about it. Really great guy, and one of my favorite living guitar players!!
I have to say your T-Shirts are awesome. Super Soft and comfortable for a fat guy! Loving the Plexi Soul CD. Great for driving in the North GA mountains.
I was always partial to the Made in Japan 52 reissues from the mid 80's. I have two 1985's. Great quality and that V neck they put on them. Of course they needed an electronics upgrade but other than that....I would buy every neck from that Era I could find, they used to be available on flea bay but now you can't find them. I built a few nice parts casters with those necks. And an easy upgrade on the tone pot for the bridge pickup on a Strat, just one 3-4 inch jumper wire. All my Strats I've done it to. Love that Senn
Man, I liked the bridge pu on the 63 and the middle and neck on the 62. I did notice that there wasn’t as much difference in sound between the Strats as there was between the Gibsons. I love Homeskoolin’! It is often the high point of my day. God bless you Uncle Larry. Thanks for sharing a bit of your life with us.
I’m a big fan of moving the second tone knob to the bridge pickup…the “Eric Johnson” setup. Totally transformed the Strat for me. Hadn’t played it onstage for YEARS…been one of my main rides since I got off my dead ass and resoldered the ONE BLEEPING WIRE…
I always loved the album covers that had pics of the band and their gear and so forth. I'm 66 years old so in my day one of the album covers that I remember well is the Tommy James and the Shondels where they guy was sitting at a recording console I would stare at that for hours wondering what all those knobs were for. And of course the Yes albums, OssiBissi (sp?) and whatever else had the Roger Dean work on it. 4 Way Street also was a good one back then.
Uncle Larry, Absolutely record Plexi II 8 track analog and ourboard gear and play everything. Channel your inner child of recordings of your past. Thank you for a great channel since the garage days and always being you.
JD is the man, what a player and a good dude. He got me hip to those silvertone/harmony 1446 (“chris issak”) with the gibson pups and bigsby. Everyone should catch a show when hes around
He let me play his gig rig at sound check a couple of years ago. I didn't even have a ticket, was doing merch. 100% a prince among men. Edit: Was the 335!
Thanks for these great lessons Tom. My 1st guitar El Degas Les Paul copy I traded in the 80's for a Lado Hawk with a FR whammy. Got my USA 68 re-issue Strat in '93. Still my favorite after all these years. Cheers from Canada !
Hey Tom, I've been stuck on Strats as my go to for many years. I also, like to play other guitars such as Teles and Gibsons to exploit their traits as well. I appreciated your stories and appreciation for JD Simo. I love the direction that he is going. His music really speaks to me. I've seen him a few times and briefly met him. He is just the best guy. Anyway, thanks for todays offering. I learned a few new tricks as usual. You're one of kind man!
This is great Tom! Really interesting. The Senn has a really beautiful round tone. The Mac Truck 62 pickups are so full, and the 63 has so much articulation without being harsh. Just amazing to hear them. Of course, none of that would come out under my hands, its the way you know how to handle a Strat that is making all the difference.
All the strats sounded great and unique. The 63' was my favorite if I had to choose. Great wisdom and entertainment as always. Thanks! Oh and looking forward to any music you put out.
This channel is like having an awesome bud who has tons of cool stories and knows his shizz when it comes to the guitar. Those are all amazing sounding Strats, but that '63... yeah, that's the one.
Thank you!! Love the grit and overtones of the ‘63. But if I could play as well as you, I would choose the ‘62. White one is awesome too! Hence, got to have all of them
My first strat was a 1980 Cherry red see-thru finish...3 bolt Maple neck neck/bullet truss rod sucka...HEAVY AS HELL...within 2 years I was a Gibson guy for the next 10 years 😂
So true about that Sabbath over! I got that when I was ~ 10 or 11 years old. My friends and I were so creeped out by it, and then to hear those bells in the rain, the sinister chords ...
I was just talking with someone today about album art. I remember staring at the Tattoo You art when I was six years old while listening to The Rolling Stones. The sleeve had a picture of a hairy leg and foot in a high heel. I remember thinking “Is this a werewolf lady”? The art is something I miss with digital music.
'63 can be a uniquely strange year for pickups. I,ve had 2 strats, and heard of others, where they sound very dry and sterile. Only ever encounter this on a 63.
Organist Jack McDuff didn't know much at all about what he was playing. Back In college, he called the director of our jazz department out of the blue just to ask about music theory. The director explained what Jack was playing on the other end of the phone. I remember thinking Jack McDuff doesn't need explanations, he's just got it all down by ear. Our professor said "how cool is it that Jack McDuff is fascinated to know what he's actually doing after 50 yrs of playing. He was like a kid with a million questions."
Your channel is hands down my favorite for thought provoking and inspiration. Speaking of Booker T probably not able to name all the notes/chords all over the place that he plays SO well naturally..........I have a confession to make: neither can I. Well, I can name a lot of em, but the more complicated chords & passages.........not a chance in hell. But I can damn sure play & perform them!!! Been doing it for decades. Even so, I'm a perfectionist. Does that make me a weirdo? So I can relate to a lot of old school cats like Booker T..............I'm no "wizard".......but every professional gig I've ever done with acoustic guitar, and I'm being totally honest: at least several people from the crowd would always approach me during my breaks to pay me some of the most precious compliments. And I'm not talking about "simple 3 chord shit" either. I tackle songs tricky tunes from Zeppelin to Clapton, to name only a couple. Did pretty well with electric guitar while gigging the classic rock cover tunes in full bands........but my strengths obviously lie with the acoustic guitar, in various alternate tunings to boot. For this reason, I always gig with 3 different acoustics. I hate re-tuning in front of audiences.
Hey Tom, of the strats, I gotta say, the Jeff made strat sounds the best, to my ears anyway. Great guitar! And, much love to Duke Levine! He’s the sole reason I got into country inspired guitar playing.
Sorry Tom but i zoned out after you mentioned JD. My imagination went berserk with the thought of you guys hanging out. I don't think there is anything cooler on TH-cam than watching JD at Roberts just destroying everything in sight. That boy sure has completely dedicated his life to music....and it shows 1000% Absolutely love that guy😊
Explain the uncle Larry thing sometime
I had a dream one time where a man came to me on a flaming pie and said “you shall be Uncle Larry”, even though my Christian name is Thomas Joseph Bukovac
@@501chorusecho , ha! The flaming pie! That man seems to make his rounds. Just ax the guys from Liverpool.
🤣🤣🤣
@@501chorusecho Gotta love a hot pie!
Thomas Joseph Bukovac?
Your rock name is T.J. Buk'er
I love how Tom never increases production quality. Amp in the room with an iPhone. No editing. That’s it.
Hi Tom.
My name is Pierpaolo and I follow you every night from Italy.
I study electric guitar in an academy in Turin, Piedmont, Italy.
In the afternoon I do my exercises for the first year electric guitar exam and in the evening I follow you to learn with my eyes.
For me your program is a mine of advice and anecdotes.
I really like when I see your studio recording sessions: now, when I practice, I try to put the same concentration as if I were recording a record like you.
Thanks for introducing me to the Cars: I'm listening to the first record from 1978 and it's "intoxicating" pop, I've just listened to "Just What I Needed" 5 times in a row.
I also discovered that Elliot Easton is a graduate of the Berklee School of Music in Boston: so he has a great technical preparation, but he has a lot of taste and does short but beautiful and incisive solos.
Yours is the best and most original guitar program on TH-cam.
Sorry for the long comment and keep it up!
Pierpaolo.
Thank you my friend…much appreciated
Those Elliot Easton solos were brilliant!
I agree. The best, most real, guitar personality on youtube.
In 1972 I sold my 10 speed bike to help buy an early 60s candy apple red Strat with gold hardware. Walked up to the guys door with the dough. Knock, knock - "I decided not to sell it". That was a long walk home. And long walks to Central Junior High the rest of the year.
Ouch!
I bought a 64 strat in 72. Still have it
I sold my 1952 J-50 refin for $120.00, gas money in order to get to my sister’s house in Gainesville, FL, in 1980. The guy at the music store said, “Do you know what this is?!!” I said, “No. Just that it’s a Gibson.” He showed me the faded pencil mark on the center back brace. “It’s a J-50!” I said, “I’ve gotta leave PA tomorrow. Is a J-50 a good guitar?” He begged me not to sell it. I should have listened. I was 19.
JJZ…(°¿.°`)
The trip the witch album art is stunning
Artgrab.com
Don't ever apologize for a long video, I wish they were longer!! Thanks Tom!
❤same
Strat middle pickups are like the archetype jam band tone, a la Jerry during Europe '72.
Strat is a masterpiece of industrial design
That '63 is the one. Dang son. The next level tone through these headphones is unquestionably the finest Strat tone I've ever heard. Until I heard that middle position of the '62. Heck they were all beautiful - thank you SOOOO much for going through all of the pups on this one. Thank you, Tom!!
Hey Sammy, I agree. Although my immediate thought, my gut feeling, was - “New strings on the’63.” Wish I could find out. The ‘62, on it’s appearance, and the way Tom fawned over it, seems to have a healthy amount of Tom’s own Mojo coming out of it. Just had a thought - I’m really glad that Tom isn’t a dude that has the need to name his instruments!
JJZ…(°¿.°`)
JD is just the nicest fella ever man. Over the years ive gotten to work with him, and hes unreal. Produced a few records for my band, played with him once, just an absolute jedi of improvisational guitar and a beautiful brilliant soul. Hes taught me a lot over the years, and the greatest lessons ive learned have had nothing to do with playing but being a good human.
The 62 for the win...Just wonderful.....Had me crying Uncle-----------Larry!!!!!
So thrilled that you are part of this record! From Vince..What a cast!!!!
The musicians contributing to Sweet Memories include: Tom Bukovac (electric guitar), Dennis Crouch (bass), Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Steve Gibson (electric guitar), John Jarvis (piano), Greg Morrow (drums), Wendy Moten (harmony vocals), the late Michael Rhodes (electric bass), Jerry Roe (drums), Derek Wells (electric guitar), and Andrea Zonn (harmony vocals).
All three of those strats are amazing, but that 63 is truly something special
Someone should remake big lebowksi as a guitar player and cast you man. The dude abides 😎
“And I hate the fuckin Eagles, man!”
And replace the white Russian with beers?
Green Onions is the coolest jam of all time.
So anxious to hear the upcoming albums!! Keep on rocking Tom, you're my favourite musician
Thank you dude
Hey Tom, you’re right about that ‘62. They all have something special, but that ‘62 has more of it. Magic.
Green Onions got this Memphis boy's ears perked up! Congrats on 20+ million views! I was so stoked to hear that. I wonder how the guys that bought all those fancy lights and cameras feel? HA! In a world full of flattering lighting, filters, and autotune, I'm glad to see skill, charisma, and honesty still connecting with so many people! It's refreshing, don't change a thing Tommy! Well, unless you want to...
Uncle Larry - Long time watcher, first time commenter, and fellow son of Cleveland. Really been a pleasure watching your videos over the last few years for many reasons, one of which is getting to see a Clevelander at the top of the world’s proverbial stage, tearing up a guitar harder than a Euclid Ave pothole on my rusty old beater. Would love to hear some of your stories from the legendary Cleveland venues, like The Agora. Peace and blessings to you and yours from all of your fans up here in NEO. Thanks for being you
Tom, I LOVE your idea for Plexi Soul 2 and home recording it with some badass analog board, maybe a couple old mojo-laden microphones, and other quirky but amazing pieces of audio recording tech that D'Auerbach probably has sitting around and willing to lend out. Let Marshall Bukovac lay down one undisclosed guitar overdub in there too as his first session man credential!
Maybe include a Yacht rock tune recorded out in the pool house. Sorry I keep fantasizing about this but I just think it would be the coolest shit.
I'm getting the feeling that Ol' uncle Larry will get a character class in the new VR / A.I. metaverse that someone's building
Thanks Tom!
:)
Back when I worked in music stores people would often ask for a ‘Startercaster’ as their first guitar 🎸
There is a certain sweetness to that 62.
Rick Griffin was a great album and poster artist. He did some iconic covers for the Grateful Dead. Thanks Tom
One of the best
Not to mention his surf art. Spent many a day in school absently drawing a flaming eyeball surfing a huge wave.
I have a collection of his posters, albums and comic books. The Pacific Vibrations poster is one of my favorites.
What a great surf flick, and the soundtrack! (glad it's on youtube), brings back memories.
Went to his exhibit at Laguna Beach museum in 2007. They had some of his original paintings. Pretty Awsome. His Jimi Hendrix poster (bg 105) is a classic. It features the flaming eye ball.
Your sence of humor is infectious... the dumb stares into the camera at times says it all. Keep the content coming!
"Will you expound on that?"
"No, just google Chuck Berry, etc ..."
Rofl.
Evers from England. New to you Tom but thank you so much for being like I've always known you. That's the key. Love and best 👌 Thank you
Unc saying "just checking in real quick" usually equates to a longass lesson from a master of the craft and we cant thank you enough, good sir!
That 62 is magic, it has it all, and that middle pickup...as soon as you started playing I just started chuckling it's so good, the Senn is also killer, I just saw the video with Jeff and it's amazing that it has all bridge pups but doesn't sound muddy at all!! And the 63 think you said.. to me sound the most open, clear beautiful
Hey bro, thanks for posting these types of things, it helps us mortals know what to listen for or how are strats...in this case stack up.
Love you bro!!
The neck pickup on the 63 Strat is something else. Thank you for your very entertaining videos, Tom! The guitar playing, your thoughts on music, guitar playing, gear, and everything else. It's all great.
I really like how JD’s playing matured over the last few years. Like fine whiskey.
Hey Tom, JD is the first person i ever heard mention your name in about 2015. Him and the trio were playing philly and I got into a conversation with him before the show and I asked him who his favorite player in town was and he said you. That’s about when the first time I looked you up and found your TH-cam channel. Then You started the corona lessons When my work was going through it’s Covid shut down and that helped me get through the downtime at home. So thank you.
Duke Levine is awesome. I’ve dealt with his brother buzzy quite a few times at lark street music.
I was 17 when I bought a brand new 1977 Stratocaster with HSC for $350 in June 1977. I saved for a year working as a Janitor in my church. It was white or (blonde they called it) with all black plastics. Bullet truss rod and Micro tilt neck. The Micro Tilt was a great thing to raise or lower the strings without using the truss rod. Great invention.
At a push I'd say I loved a combination - the bridge of the Sen, the middle of the 63, and the neck of the 62. They all sound killer in your hands tho.
LOL "a sculpture of the air between your chest and arm". Just WOW!! You sure you don't smoke Bro? Love your channel Tom!
First electric was a 70"s Strat that I ended up selling when my wife and I had kids (needed the money). Always regretted it. So, finally bought another 3 years ago. Amazing guitars.
All those Strats definitely serve their purpose. The tightening of the strings to get them broken in is a great idea, I didn’t start doing that until 2022.
This channel makes me smile out loud. It's like going to the boat show or the RV show. It's great being there, even though everything there is stuff you can't afford. Watching Tom pull out the wildly diverse items from his guitar collection and then playing them at such a high level of skill feels exactly like seeing that 35 foot dual inboard cabin cruiser that I can't afford to buy and don't have the skills to handle on the water. Fun to be there, fun to look, but resigned to a 14 foot flat boat with an electric trolling motor.
The cream one is the best 👍 😊
Simo is one cool cat. Love his music and his style. You should get him in on a episode!
Uncle Larry, two incredible pints you make here, that are not to be overlooked:
Middle pickup on a Strat awesome. It’s my favorite for sure.
Marshalls are super underrated for clean tone. My ‘73 Superbass has about the best clean tone ever.
Love that ‘63 bridge. Love the neck on the ‘62. All three of those are great.
❤Mr Dugmore played on my dear dear friend Tom Kells album in 2021 just before Tom passed. I miss Tom. Big hole in my life without my friend . Love you Tom Bukavac for your commitment to honor music and musicians. We honor you
❤ Skool! I was hoping to see you before I go for my surgical procedure this morn… gotta leave now. Your timing ❤❤❤❤. you helped me yesterday feel better after my curbing incident.
Most beautiful album cover ever: Its a Beautiful Day (1969). The track Bombay Calling uses the Vince Wallace riff made famous by Deep Purple in Child in Time. The music matches the album cover. Runner up, Eli and the Thirteenth Confession (1968) by Laura Nyro - the romantic cover gives no hint to its revolutionary songwriting - the album " blew everybody's mind " Todd Rundgren. Todd considered tape hiss as a production fail.
Man i remember when i first moved to Nashville back around '09-'10, somehwere around in there, the first place i walked into was Roberts and they were just starting ghost riders in the sky. J.D. was playing an old black tele through a princeton with a curly q chord into a rat and i remember thinking to myself.....i wonder what this is going to sound like and mother of God....i had mever seen or heard anything like it. It was fucking mesmerizing. Went to Roberts every Wednesday after that until i finally ran out of money and food a couple years later. I still pull up some old videos on here back when he was still playing with Don. Loved his first solo album.
Beautiful top end shimmer to the cream colored strat, probably my favorite. That 63’s got a fatness to it that just pops right off your right hand fingers.
JD is a sweetheart. I met him when he still played at Robert's western world. I approached him and we started talking about fuzz pedals because he had a cool one with him. He asked me to build him something that nite, because I mentioned that I had just making them. He took me out to lunch a week later and payed for the pedal unchecked. I was like, I brought my soldering iron and more transistors and everything. Let's get this right for you. He said, I trust you. So we parted ways after lunch and he called me a few hours later talking about how much he loved it. It meant alot. He went on tour with Bonamassa about a year later. I think the world of him. A real class act. We haven't spoken in awhile but every time that we did, he mentioned the fuzz and how much he loved it. I told him several times, I could make it so much better now. But he would never let me change anything about it. Really great guy, and one of my favorite living guitar players!!
The Mack truck Strat has the Jerry Garcia tone in spades. Indeed a beast!
Oh yeah….JD is also a beast. Those Carter videos….
I have to say your T-Shirts are awesome. Super Soft and comfortable for a fat guy! Loving the Plexi Soul CD. Great for driving in the North GA mountains.
hell yeah man
I was always partial to the Made in Japan 52 reissues from the mid 80's. I have two 1985's. Great quality and that V neck they put on them. Of course they needed an electronics upgrade but other than that....I would buy every neck from that Era I could find, they used to be available on flea bay but now you can't find them. I built a few nice parts casters with those necks. And an easy upgrade on the tone pot for the bridge pickup on a Strat, just one 3-4 inch jumper wire. All my Strats I've done it to. Love that Senn
The great Duke Levine! He has magic hands.
The middle pickup on a Stratocaster is the real secret weapon.
Man, I liked the bridge pu on the 63 and the middle and neck on the 62. I did notice that there wasn’t as much difference in sound between the Strats as there was between the Gibsons. I love Homeskoolin’! It is often the high point of my day. God bless you Uncle Larry. Thanks for sharing a bit of your life with us.
I’m a big fan of moving the second tone knob to the bridge pickup…the “Eric Johnson” setup. Totally transformed the Strat for me. Hadn’t played it onstage for YEARS…been one of my main rides since I got off my dead ass and resoldered the ONE BLEEPING WIRE…
Picked up a GTT shirt when I was in Guitar House last week...sweet t shirt....
Wonderful episode this morning...
Happy to hear JD mentioned, he’s peaking right now, the absolute real deal.
I always loved the album covers that had pics of the band and their gear and so forth. I'm 66 years old so in my day one of the album covers that I remember well is the Tommy James and the Shondels where they guy was sitting at a recording console I would stare at that for hours wondering what all those knobs were for. And of course the Yes albums, OssiBissi (sp?) and whatever else had the Roger Dean work on it. 4 Way Street also was a good one back then.
best favorite t- shirt is guthrie trapp trio. this week only!
Uncle Larry, Absolutely record Plexi II 8 track analog and ourboard gear and play everything. Channel your inner child of recordings of your past. Thank you for a great channel since the garage days and always being you.
One million thank yous...
JD is the man, what a player and a good dude. He got me hip to those silvertone/harmony 1446 (“chris issak”) with the gibson pups and bigsby. Everyone should catch a show when hes around
He let me play his gig rig at sound check a couple of years ago. I didn't even have a ticket, was doing merch. 100% a prince among men.
Edit: Was the 335!
Maybe it’s just what comes through on my phone but that 63! Man- clear winner to my ears
Thanks for these great lessons Tom. My 1st guitar El Degas Les Paul copy I traded in the 80's for a Lado Hawk with a FR whammy. Got my USA 68 re-issue Strat in '93. Still my favorite after all these years. Cheers from Canada !
Hey Tom, I've been stuck on Strats as my go to for many years. I also, like to play other guitars such as Teles and Gibsons to exploit their traits as well. I appreciated your stories and appreciation for JD Simo. I love the direction that he is going. His music really speaks to me. I've seen him a few times and briefly met him. He is just the best guy. Anyway, thanks for todays offering. I learned a few new tricks as usual. You're one of kind man!
‘63 neck and bridge, ‘62 and Senn middle. Just something about that ‘63. Damn!
63 has killer bite and my favorite sound, full and stratty!
Thank you !!! I want to be this guy !!! Sit in my kitchen play guitar and drink, drink and drink alot 😊
Middle pickup on a strat is my favorite.
I have been fortunate to hear both GT and JD play with the Don Kelley band at Roberts on Broadway many years ago.
This is great Tom! Really interesting. The Senn has a really beautiful round tone. The Mac Truck 62 pickups are so full, and the 63 has so much articulation without being harsh. Just amazing to hear them. Of course, none of that would come out under my hands, its the way you know how to handle a Strat that is making all the difference.
Captain Fantastic…. I was memorized
All the strats sounded great and unique. The 63' was my favorite if I had to choose. Great wisdom and entertainment as always. Thanks! Oh and looking forward to any music you put out.
This channel is like having an awesome bud who has tons of cool stories and knows his shizz when it comes to the guitar. Those are all amazing sounding Strats, but that '63... yeah, that's the one.
so glad someone mentioned the "Plexi Soul" album ,the more I play it the more I dig it, thanks Man ! yes do another!
The 62 has a clarity to it that in my opinion and my ears (listening on a phone anyway) ha! That is the best!!
Thats my fave Tom!!
Thank you!!
Love the grit and overtones of the ‘63. But if I could play as well as you, I would choose the ‘62. White one is awesome too! Hence, got to have all of them
1962.....rules the roost...sometimes heavy guitars own the road like a big ol caddy...
JD Simo & Duke Levine - nice mention, great players!
That 62 sounds beautiful, Larry.
My first strat was a 1980 Cherry red see-thru finish...3 bolt Maple neck neck/bullet truss rod sucka...HEAVY AS HELL...within 2 years I was a Gibson guy for the next 10 years 😂
So true about that Sabbath over! I got that when I was ~ 10 or 11 years old. My friends and I were so creeped out by it, and then to hear those bells in the rain, the sinister chords ...
The neck pup on the 63 is pure strat gold
I used to play a hotel bar in the 90's that had 30 dimmer switches behind the bar, my Strat buzzed more than a Grateful Dead concert!!
I agree about the tone control on the bridge pickup
I was just talking with someone today about album art. I remember staring at the Tattoo You art when I was six years old while listening to The Rolling Stones. The sleeve had a picture of a hairy leg and foot in a high heel. I remember thinking “Is this a werewolf lady”? The art is something I miss with digital music.
Hey Uncle Larry thank for making me feel normal and sane for liking dead strings.
That’s some ripping playing. Love that little lick your buddy showed you. Like a bumble bee sting.
Hey Tom, your ‘63 sounds the best to my old ears.
'63 can be a uniquely strange year for pickups. I,ve had 2 strats, and heard of others, where they sound very dry and sterile. Only ever encounter this on a 63.
Organist Jack McDuff didn't know much at all about what he was playing. Back In college, he called the director of our jazz department out of the blue just to ask about music theory. The director explained what Jack was playing on the other end of the phone. I remember thinking Jack McDuff doesn't need explanations, he's just got it all down by ear. Our professor said "how cool is it that Jack McDuff is fascinated to know what he's actually doing after 50 yrs of playing. He was like a kid with a million questions."
Love that you’re a Duke Levine fan. Also one of my favorite players.
Your channel is hands down my favorite for thought provoking and inspiration. Speaking of Booker T probably not able to name all the notes/chords all over the place that he plays SO well naturally..........I have a confession to make: neither can I. Well, I can name a lot of em, but the more complicated chords & passages.........not a chance in hell. But I can damn sure play & perform them!!! Been doing it for decades. Even so, I'm a perfectionist. Does that make me a weirdo? So I can relate to a lot of old school cats like Booker T..............I'm no "wizard".......but every professional gig I've ever done with acoustic guitar, and I'm being totally honest: at least several people from the crowd would always approach me during my breaks to pay me some of the most precious compliments. And I'm not talking about "simple 3 chord shit" either. I tackle songs tricky tunes from Zeppelin to Clapton, to name only a couple. Did pretty well with electric guitar while gigging the classic rock cover tunes in full bands........but my strengths obviously lie with the acoustic guitar, in various alternate tunings to boot. For this reason, I always gig with 3 different acoustics. I hate re-tuning in front of audiences.
You did that wonderful Bon Temps Rouler jam on the Senn a few years back. One of the best!
Love JD Simo! So cool that you guys are buds.
Hey Tom, of the strats, I gotta say, the Jeff made strat sounds the best, to my ears anyway. Great guitar! And, much love to Duke Levine! He’s the sole reason I got into country inspired guitar playing.
Nice! Was not expecting a show today. Had just started re-watching the Rig Rundown.
A. 63
B. 62
C. Senn
Each has their own characteristic and sound amazing.
Tom, your mojo is the clue. Every Strat inspired you uniquely.
Duke is the man glad he's up here NE you guys are my two favorites in reality.
Sorry Tom but i zoned out after you mentioned JD.
My imagination went berserk with the thought of you guys hanging out.
I don't think there is anything cooler on TH-cam than watching JD at Roberts just destroying everything in sight.
That boy sure has completely dedicated his life to music....and it shows 1000%
Absolutely love that guy😊
hey Tom sunburst sounds out of this world ,Rory was a big tone wah user ,cheers for another episode Dude
Solid Strategery! Cheers Tom!!