Rig Rundown - Brent Mason
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- Article and Photos: bit.ly/BrentMas...
Mason has delivered some of the most incredible Tele-whacking, chicken-pickin', double-stopping, face-melting, mind-blowing solos in country music. For most of these sessions, he used a bastardized 1968 Fender Telecaster that he bought used in the '80s for a few hundred dollars.
Sporting a car primer finish applied by the previous owner, this Tele has been customized with a Joe Glaser B-Bender and a Gibson mini-humbucker at the neck position. A standard Tele 3-way switch controls the neck humbucker and Tele bridge pickups, while a blend knob brings in a Seymour Duncan Vintage Stack that Mason added as a middle pickup.
The session great's PRS Brent Mason Signature model is decidedly non-Tele-like. Featuring a bolt-on maple neck, a PRS tremolo, Phase III locking tuners, Narrow 408 humbuckers in the bridge and neck positions, and a 305 single-coil in the middle, this versatile guitar has coil-splitting options that let Mason dial in a huge variety of sounds.
For moody mellow tones, Mason goes to his stock, pre-Fender Gretsch 6120 Duane Eddy model. Mason takes advantage of the 6120's Filter'Ttron pickups for twang and the stock Bigsby tremolo for vibe.
When he wants go low and rumbly, Mason plugs in his stock PRS SE Mike Mushok Baritone guitar. This mahogany-body beauty is usually tuned down to B.
For more info on Mason's rig, visit: bit.ly/BrentMas...
![Rig Rundown: Brent Mason [2021]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YhS8bCs12N8/mqdefault.jpg)
![Rig Rundown: Brent Mason [2021]](/img/tr.png)
A great reminder that these great, great players weren't playing custom shop 5k vintage guitars when they were cutting their teeth and blazing a trail. It was always a trade off here and there to make do, so they developed their own style and their own unique sound. Great interview
Bohlinger is such a pro with how he handled himself with all those interruptions and still made a good Interview
Great rundown, such a monster of a player, though I always get the impression Brent finds talking to other human beings a dismal chore, haha. Props to John for his patience and politeness while being interrupted so much.
Lol i think you hit the nail on the head. It seems like most geniuses are like this.
On his own admission he admits to being a bit shy which might explain a lot. Lovely bloke and awesome player.
I honestly disagree but slightly. I feel like he truly enjoys sharing ideas and experience. But he’s definitely an introverted genius that may not always come across as a bubble welcoming type
These studio guitarists always blow me away. The understanding of tone and when and when not to add line is always inspiring and really can learn a lot from it.
Brent's is the Eddie van Halen of country playing...I think he just goes for it like Eddie does and killer stuff just flows out!!!
Picking it apart is kind of his eruption
Haven't watched this video in a while. "Do you have one of those?" is still great.
Brents hands are so good it undermines how versatile his guitar is supposed to be.
Brent Mason dominated for 25 years in the Nashville studios and played shit that still stumps most of us! Incredible player with great taste.
The Ace. When you are referred to as The Ace....your badass.
Brent Mason is the best...love watching his rig rundowns, he's so down to earth as well. Pay attention folks, everyone could learn something from this man... :) cheers
Awesome job guys!
*****
He's no Johnny Hiland, but he *is* great...and has the inter-style range.
hippiekarl7 Can Johnny Hiland beat Brent's solo in I dont even know your name? I dont think so.
+Kevin Afton wouldnt be great to see both Johnny and Brent on the same stage?one can only imagine.
Brett has a lot to say which is great for us players . Good interview , Rig Rundown folks do a great job handling these genius people .
I remember the first time I ever meet Brent Mason... Was after a show in Nashville on a Friday night around Summer NAMM time, and after Brents show, me, Brian Wampler, and David from WGS, was chattin with him. He's a really cool humble guy. And Wampler mentioned he forgot his guitar at home for the NAMM show, and Brent gave him that Tele to play throughout the show! Not sure if it's the same one, but I'm pretty sure it was. He just handed him that Tele in the parking lot, then we went out drinkin. Great time.
Mr. Mason is so clearly on a different level--he doesn't say humbucker, he says "double coil." Genius.
not all double coils are humbuckers?
Brent Mason is the man.John is the best host that's why he has been working in Nashville for years. Great player also.He knows how to say just enough to keep the guest talking and stays out of the way.
I like how Brent is basically staring John down whenever he's playing.
Really freaks me out when people do that while playing :')
Christian Friis Jensen then immediately asks him, “isn’t that a great tone?!”
Ummmm...yes sir. 😂😂😂
So this is what a guitar rig ready for everything looks like ...
Mason knows he's the man.
I saw Brent with the Don Kelly Band In ‘82 when he first began playing at the Stagecoach on Murfreesboro rd in Nashville. It was a big club and very popular at the time. I remember Brent playing that tele.
That pickup in the neck position on Brent Mason's signature Telecaster is a Vintage Mini Humbucker pickup from Seymour Duncan.
And I LOVE that pickup.
i'm always amazed watching this guys technique , truly beautiful to watch
That PRS guitar has the kind of circuit that Ibanez has been using for 40 years, love them, lots of tones that come very handy.
Awesome interview John, Brent is a Legend !!!
You listen to every word a guy like Brent says. You breathe the air. You watch his body language. He is the guy that does it all and does it right so that artist after artist can have hits. When he describes things like "sparkle" and "push" , these matter to him in the headphones... this is what he wants to give the producer. I'm glad that the interviewer can't get a word in; fine by me. I'd prefer he didn't tell Brent that gear is, "great".... how does he know? They finally get comfortable with each other when they both start bonding over Waylon Jennings.
~ Notes to self: If I'm ever interviewing Brent Mason, start off with his heroes. If I'm ever showing off a guitar, don't wear white shorts.
Jensen Bell
I just read John Bolinger's wikipedia page. It turns out he is a real live certified genius who probably could have been a big time corporate lawyer or politician but instead has dedicated his life to music. Far be it for me (or most any of the rest of you) to criticize his interviewing technique.
Misisipi Mike Well said. He has a tough job at times and he's brilliant at it. I really admire the guy. Superb style.
Lol no doubt this guy is smart and did well in school (magna cum laude and taught English I think), but are you sure you didn’t read the genius financial analyst John Bollinger’s wiki instead?
And he's a monster player in his own right
A great discussion. He covers a lot. Good job John.
It's amazing that he had time to shoot a video!!
It was a very interesting and informative interview. Brent Mason is a great player ... I'm sure he's a little wary about divulging some of his trade secrets ...so, he might have directed or deflected the conversation away from some areas where he didn't want to go. Love the rig rundowns.
Very nice to see the Red Llama on this masters board, that pedal and the Pork Loin (and to a lesser degree The Green Rhino) are GREAT sounding Dunlops that are as good as anything out there.
YES! A new long Brent Mason video!!!!!!!!!!
I'm always late to the party, it seems. Love seeing this.
Brent is so Down to earth and it shows in his playing. Love this guy.. Many can smole him but he is the guy.. Vince Gill is in the same. They know what they want to hear but don't take the technology too seriously.
Interesting hearing Brent mention Don Kelly and the old Stagecoach bar. I remember those days... it was a big musician hangout back then.
Brent looks like Grumpy Cat. You can't unsee it now. You're welcome.
Does it get any better on guitar than Brent Mason? Such a talented and inspiring player!
When they are both staring at the app and Brent is just like… Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....... OMFG lolol
At 18:05 Brent looks so bummed that John doesn't have one of those PRS amps. hahaha
I laughed so hard at that part 😂 especially the awkward silence
lmfao classic moment
I don’t think Brent is unimpressed or socially awkward. I think he just doesn’t like talking about gear and is more focused on playing and making music.
THAT is a MONSTER pedal board!
Not a big PRS fan but have read GP and VG on a regular basis. This Mason model slipped by me. I dig it.
Watch Brent perform Working Man Blues live. He is the ultimate working man on the Telecaster.
Brent Mason is a TRIP!! I love how he just cuts Bohlinger off mid-question to keep talking. Such a great player, and a really nice guy too.
You think that's cool? It's just plain rude. Doesn't matter how many tracks he's played on, he still comes across as a dick.
He could have let him ask the questions. Maybe he was going to ask something different than what he was talking about. The interviewer is very humble.
Alexander Cardoso mmm.... I didn't see him interrupting a question, more like the way we talk over when in conversations - he did speak over a little bit. But that wasn't done arrogantly. Brent doesn't smile a lot, that's true. I used to do that, i.e. not smile, and I noticed that has an impact one people, I realized that because I didn't like people who don't smile :). But, yes, of course, it is best to patiently and attentively listen to what the other person wants to say.
Never seen that kind of mounted rack before. The one between his legs...
When Brent Mason asks you if it’s a great tone, there’s only one answer 😂
it makes me uncomfortable when people look at me and play guitar at the same time and I'm pretty sure Brent Mason invented that technique
+Chandler Crane Totally agree. SOOOOOO many guitar players do that! And I hate it too. I think a lot of guitarist who perform a lot get used to looking at the audience and it translates to everywhere.
make eye contact and assert dominance
That's funny. I know what you mean.. kind of ... alpha, right?
Chandler Crane hahahahahahhahah
I thought you were gonna say it makes you uncomfortable when he looks at you with a Rob Chapman "mantoe" cameltoe
The car primer tele is gorgeous, not sure it looks that sweet in person or not.
Man I have tried those mega switching axes, and they are like whip cream on steak:) I ALWAYS come back to H/S :)
Brent dresses like he’s auditioning for a professional dad lawn mowing competition😂😂😂😂😂
Brent is cutting him off so bad its funny. 18:32 brent really goes for it hahahahahhahahahahahahaha. Id be pissed cause it would make me feel
weird.
All the best musicians are a little socially awkward. That's always been a thing. Haha
Throat Yogurt That's how they got to be the best musicians
My little brother was an exception, then. Could play with Holdsworth but personable and funny.
he's not socially awkward, what are you talking about? He seems cool as hell
This comment just changed my entire aspect on life.
@@babayaga1767 whatever you did to try and make it but failed is your business,nttawwt......
Mason interrupts JB at least 40 times
John talks too damn much anyway
lmao, i was literally about to write that in the comment section!
Pssh whatever - JB's the man
Yeah! So was I! ;)
I actually recognize that as I am the same way. It's not to be disrespectful. What happens is if we don't interrupt, then we are trying to hang on to that thought and are left trying to remember to bring it up at a convenient moment. The whole time not being able to focus on the current topic because of it. It may be some sort of ADD or something in the autism spectrum.
the essential Nashville sketchers
For those that criticize Brent's interview skills...
Brent's just not a technical guy. He could easily say "I'm using a highly modified '67 Tele with a few Seymore Duncan pickups, a 'Blackface Deluxe Reverb, and here's my pedals. I don't really know the specifics of how they do what they do, but here are the amazing tones I get"
Brent is not a gear snob or even a gear guy. As a session player, he's a tone guy. He might use a $50 pedal that gets him exactly what he's looking for on a specific recording. Doesn't seem to matter much to him.
Physically demoing his rig is his way of talking about his rig. This is probably the way his heroes and mentors talked about their rigs, too; they just let their playing do the talking.
There is a name I remember setting a lot when I used to rip the liners it of CD cases as a kid. Right next to Rob Hajacos and Paul Franklin
I love to here Brent and Lukathur play a gig together
Brent 'Van Halen' Mason. He looks like Eddie there. 🎖️
Thanks !
I gotta tell ya, Brent Mason is not the best with words, but you would be hard pressed to find anyone in Nashville, or anywhere else that has the chops and versatility of this guy. I'm not sure he really knows how good he is. Unfortunately, he didn't even come close to playing on the level he is capable of during this video. I admire John too by the way. He seems to know how to ask the questions a typical guitar player would want to ask. I do think he was somewhat mesmerized by being in the presence of Brent Mason. I know I would be. Agree... probably not the best camera angle. Nuff said bout that. LOL Chet Atkins was my first guitar hero. Brent Mason has been my second. Good day fellow players.
he is awesome Sold his soul to the devil to play like he does
No mention of the Way Huge Moose Knuckle
Brent is awesome
I wish John would have asked Brent's about his B Bender on his Tele!
Awsome I kinda like that one here have it give me yours lol
Such a great player who also has no real interest whatsoever in gear, (double coil)? The sheer destruction at 18:05 when he finds out john doesnt have this obscure prs amp.
He's a great singer and incredible personality but I don't know how he ever made it as a guitarist. .
Two things are for certain. Brent does not drive a big black pickup truck and tailgate people on the road, and the camera person for this video has a one track mind.
LOL Brent interrupts that shit is hilarious
Thanks to Premier Guitar for these awesome videos. We appreciate that Brent chooses to use Little Walter Tube Amps (mentioned at 20 minute mark). Thanks so much gentlemen!
guitar giant.....just this
Great shoe
According to PRS website the middle pickup on Brent Mason PRS is 305 Singlecoil
www.prsguitars.com/brentmason/specs.php
hes so good
Thank you Brent. Can we pixel out your package next time though?
master class
Don't call this guy a chicken-picker-he is so much more
I always wondered about what Fender color that was?
Never could pin it down until this video. Car primer gray, who would have thought that?
Hmmm, wondering what became of the Genz Benz Black Pearl he once used. It was said that he liked the amp so much, he offered to endorse the amp, without being approached by Genz Benz about it.
What a cool guy…!
3 minutes playing and half hour talking. Perfect
Brent is one of my favorite players but I was sad to hear there's apparently no mic on the amp, just the bleed into the two lavaliere mic's. It can't be that hard to record the audio into a laptop with 3 or 4 channels and then mix out the lav's in post when he's playing.
...yet sounds great.
Little baby's ice-cream..... anyone?!
can anyone suggest an essential albums where Brent Mason displayed his guitar prowess? thanks
He played on Brooks and Dunn signature album with Neon Moon which has some super cool guitars ,most Alan Jackson almost every country record from the 90's really.
Pretty much every country hit in the 90s
I never seen him to play with anymore....(prs)
Is John wearing an Alter Bridge t shirt?
Brent Mason and Eddie Van Halen could be brothers. lol. They look damn near identical now
Anybody know what circuit his Bassman is? AA864/AA165/AB165/other?
Does anyone have a link for that "Audio Techniques" boost pedal Brent talks about by the end of the video?
creationaudiolabs.com/mk423/
Anybody know which effects loopers those are?
www.ebay.com/usr/www_willsledgefx_com?_trksid=p2047675.l2559
Lots of good comments here. Yeah, interviewer seems to lose confidence or something like that. Brent is great!
He is not too sure about the PRS amp, but I think he did not want to offend Paul
I noticed Brian Jones used the Bassman. Clapton has the older model..56 or something.
badass
Love Brent but wow that PRS signature really was not a good looking guitar!
1 thing i don't get. a guy becomes famous playing a Tele, but then gets a signature guitar from something as far from a tele as can be. Albert lee did it too. i just don't get it. A Brent Mason signature tele would make more sense to me.
It seems like he already had a tele that worked well for him so he took it as an opportunity to design a guitar that would cover a lot of his other tonal needs.
Jason Krahn show me the money prs sterile tone. Fender missed the boat with Brett
So the Silver Sky is a revamped Brent Mason? Hum 🤔🤨
I think his g string is a little out, his nuts are a little strained
ain't got no 'verbs
Hey Brent, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, and Rick Medlocke dontt use toys. Just saying
it's a very.. it's a very...
The Tele that paid for the house is'nt allowed in the house.
This interview is kinda awkward in a funny way 🤣
Regardless of how you feel about Bolinger he was there to do his job and Brent was too disrespectful for my tastes. even if there was some dislike between them let the guy do his job. Brent acted overall as if he was willing to do the rig run down but not willing to put any effort into the quality of it . I guess our impressions of it are of little concern to Brent . Whatever.