To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/ The story of how JD Simo played the Ryman with Chris Isaak using my Stratocaster built by Brad Paisley. I also go in-depth on the Stratocaster that my old college buddy crafted for me. Gear used: 2023 Headstrong Lil' King with 12" Eminence GA-SC64 speaker https://headstrongamps.com/lil-king-amp 1955 Stratocast...
Nov 14, 2023•23 min•Ep. 179
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/ Introduced in 1954, the Fender Stratocaster could have died a quick death if it had not caught on with key players on the music scene of the day. The guitarists who put it on the map, Ike Turner, Otis Rush, Pee Wee Crayton, Buddy Guy, Buddy Holly, Johnny Meeks, Eldon Shamblin, Buddy Merrill, and Neil LeVang, d...
Oct 31, 2023•27 min•Ep. 178
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/ Today I look at my 2 favorite options for Strat tremolo setup, fully floating, or deck it and removing the bar. Also, we look at some handy tips for helping you stay in tune when floating the bridge, adjusting the string break angle at the headstock, using low-tension Raw Vintage springs, recommended string ga...
Oct 24, 2023•23 min•Ep. 177
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/ Today, my old buddy Austin Skinner takes the helm of the show. While we were in Las Vegas doing a 7-night residency, Skinner filmed on the street, on the stage, and backstage during our time there. I hope you enjoy it as we talk about everything from parts guitars, parts coupling, neck pockets, using the UA Dr...
Oct 22, 2023•33 min•Ep. 176
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/ In 1986, Warner/Reprise took an indie-released EP, added 4 newly recorded tunes, and launched Dwight Yoakam into the stratosphere with the revamped version of Guitars Cadillacs Etc, Etc. The album's first single, a cover of Johnny Horton's "Honky Tonk Man," was a clear message that this was a roots-influenced ...
Oct 21, 2023•26 min•Ep. 175
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/ Adam Levy has an established guitar voice that we first heard on Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason," then on albums and tours with Norah Jones, and sharpened to a fine point on his latest release, Spry. Besides his work as a guitarist, Levy has also devoted himself to being an educator through his Guitar Tip...
Oct 20, 2023•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 174
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/ A deep dive on Luxury Liner, the album that was my gateway drug for both the Telecaster and Country Music. My father bought the album for me on a road trip, and once I got home and placed the album on the turn table, I was hooked as soon as I heard the opening guitar riff from the title track. Luxury Liner is ...
Oct 19, 2023•28 min•Ep. 173
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/ A look at the history of the G-Bender. From the Bigsby palm pedal to the modern Glaser convertible B/G Bender. We also discuss the major players to use the G-Bender, Jeff King, Jimmy Olander, and Brad Paisley. Gear Used: Crook Custom Paisley - Glaser Convertible Bender, Music City Bridge 3-string tree Joe Glas...
Oct 18, 2023•16 min•Ep. 172
Jimmy Olander, Diamond Rio founding member, and lead guitarist, and I sit down along with new drummer Micah Schweinsberg to discuss the backstory of their latest single "The Kick." To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/ #askzac #Diamondrio #jimmyolander Texas Toast The #1 Country Music Podcast in Texas! Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the...
Oct 17, 2023•41 min•Ep. 171
Over the last 15 years, I have had numerous requests to assist buyers vette their alleged celebrity-owned instruments. Early on, I would try and help them out, tracking down high-profile guitarists, and sending photos to them of the guitars in question. What I ended up learning was that over 90% of the time, the artist would indicate that they never owned the instrument. Today's episode is a warning to anyone who's considering the purchase of a celebrity-owned instrument. Please buy from reputab...
Oct 17, 2023•22 min•Ep. 169
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/ I recently got a call from the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society, asking me to speak at their annual event here in Nashville. Without hesitation, I agreed and was pleased to also get asked by Chet's grand-niece, Meagan Taylor Anderson, to perform with her at one of the evening concerts. Today you get the heart ...
Oct 16, 2023•16 min•Ep. 170
Thanks to Truetone for sponsoring today's episode. Find your next pedal board power supply at: www.truetone.com Jeff King was raised in the Smokey Mountains of East Tennessee, where as a young boy, he found a guitar in an attic and was immediately hooked. Though he loved music and played frequent gigs, he did not study it in college, yet post-graduation, he decided to throw in his lot with a friend that moved to Nashville in the early 80s. With luck on his side, he fairly quickly hit the scene i...
Oct 06, 2023•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 168
Music City Bridge Guitar Parts: https://musiccitybridge.com/collections/guitar-parts Glaser Benders https://www.glaserbender.com/ To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/ A look at my 6 Telecasters: 1. 1982 Kubicki/Danocaster with Musi City Bridge 3-pickup blend wiring, Glaser convertible bender. More on my Kubicki/Dano https://youtu.be/F9fjUeQtjUM 2...
Oct 04, 2023•26 min•Ep. 167
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/ video of show https://youtu.be/IbWSeuLuj6A I was about to put away all of my gear after a run of shows, and I decided to show my somewhat minimalist approach to what I take to gig with. Here, I show my pedalboard, amp, cables, and spares I take with me, including my direct amp rig I use as a backup to my Heads...
Oct 02, 2023•26 min•Ep. 166
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/ When Bill McCumber sent me his 1967 Telecaster, he knew it needed some work, as the high E-string was resting against the bridge pickup, and the action was already set fairly high. I raised the action and did a neck shim to help it, but I knew more work was needed to get it playing right for the long haul. As ...
Sep 30, 2023•13 min•Ep. 165
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - www.askzac.com As soon as I got a second guitar amp in High School, I began experimenting with running both of them at the same time. In 1990 this usually meant a stereo chorus splitting the signal. An unwanted side-effect was that I found that my noise floor went way up, and sometimes, with certain pairings of amps, it seemed like my sound got smaller ...
Sep 28, 2023•22 min•Ep. 164
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - https://my-store-be0243.creator-sprin... I recently had access to a variety of 1957-1974 Fender guitars, and I wanted to spotlight the change in finishes when Fender started using polyurethane on necks and bodies in mid-1968. That change did not mean the total elimination of lacquer/nitro finishes, it meant that nitro was used less, but at times was sti...
Sep 26, 2023•12 min•Ep. 163
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - www.askzac.com For my 50th birthday, my wonderful wife, Amy, took me on a surprise trip to New Orleans to go to Jazz Fest and see Mavis Staples. Through a twist of fate, Mavis played 2 nights later in Nashville, and I was able to have breakfast with Rick. At my studio, he showed off the modified Broadcaster/Nocaster blend wiring he was using in his 56-m...
Sep 25, 2023•40 min•Ep. 162
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - www.askzac.com My dear friend and mentor, Bill McCumber, contacted me a couple of weeks ago saying he wanted to give me his 1967 factory-equipped Bigsby Telecaster. I was blown away, not just by the gift, but also remembering the many kindnesses Bill had done for me through the years. I share about Bill and the modifications that he had done to the guit...
Sep 24, 2023•25 min•Ep. 162
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - www.askzac.com One of my Patreon supporters started playing with a new group, and they wanted to add some Western Swing numbers and he wanted some pointers for playing in that style. I thought this would be the perfect topic for a video. Here, I share some do's and don'ts along with harmonic & tonal concepts for sounding legit when performing Wester...
Sep 22, 2023•27 min•Ep. 161
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - www.askzac.com I have been struggling off and on with hand pain since 2019 but had been able to keep things under control until March 2023. Last month, my hand pain hit a new level, and I knew I needed to find out what was going on. Today's episode lays out my journey and my road forward. FYI, I just played one of my gigs in Tulsa last night. All went w...
Sep 20, 2023•16 min•Ep. 160
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - www.askzac.com In today’s Zac’s Hacks, I demonstrate the old-timey “bend the saddle screw” solution for better intonation using vintage saddles. To do this, one bends the long screw that attaches the saddle to the bridge. Also, I tell the story of how I learned how to do the modification while watching Joe Glaser work on Vince Gill’s prized 1953 Telecas...
Sep 18, 2023•18 min•Ep. 159
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - www.askzac.com I have bought and sold at least 10 Princeton Reverb-style amps over the last 30 years. I want to love them, but I hate the way most of them sound really small when dialed in clean with a Telecaster's bridge pickup. And as much as I love my old 1965 Deluxe Reverb amp, there are many times when I wish I had an amp that would hit the sweet s...
Sep 16, 2023•20 min•Ep. 158
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - www.askzac.com The bane of most Telecaster players is getting both the neck and bridge pickups to sound their best. It seems when you get the neck pickup sounding right, the bridge is too bright, or if reversed, the bridge sounds great, and the neck pickup is just too dark to cut through. The bridge pickup needs the amp to be set darker, and the neck pi...
Sep 14, 2023•18 min•Ep. 157
Truefire Link https://prf.hn/l/LbY3nGL Enter promo code "ASKZAC30" to save 30% To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Many know Merle Travis simply as the name behind "Travis Picking," yet are unaware of his influence as a performer and songwriter. Perhaps even less known, is how in the late 40s he was one of the architects of the solid body guitar. It seems almost a deep dark secret that his Bigsby-made guitar was borrowed ...
Sep 12, 2023•25 min•Ep. 156
To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - www.askzac.com Mike Eli LoPinto along with Derek Mixon, J.T. Cure, and Paul Franklin make up the stellar backing band for superstar Chris Stapleton. LoPinto stopped by for a hang, and he was kind enough to oblige me with a bit of playing and Q&A. #askzac #mikelopinto #chrisstapleton Support the show...
Sep 10, 2023•14 min•Ep. 155
Chris Scruggs is the host of his own WSM radio show that runs on Friday nights after the Grand Ole Opry, fronts his own band, The Stone Fox Five, and is a member of the white-hot group backing Marty Stuart, The Fabulous Superlatives. He is also a busy session man with everyone from up-and-comers to hitmakers Kacey Musgraves & Sierra Ferrell, and more recently, he was the youngest member inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame. In today's episode, Scruggs tells his own story, and along the w...
Sep 08, 2023•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 154
The volume pedal was the first effect device created for the guitar. They were introduced in the mid-1930s, being offered by most major electric guitar makers, including Gibson & Rickenbacker, and pickup maker DeArmond. Although it was initially mainly used by steel guitarists from the 1930s-1960s, the 70s brought us 3 musicians that made it an important tool for guitarists, Reggie Young, Larry Carlton, and Mark Knopfler. These players used the volume pedal as an effect on numerous hit recor...
Sep 06, 2023•27 min•Ep. 153
Truefire Link https://prf.hn/l/LbY3nGL Enter promo code "ASKZAC30" to save 30% To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - www.askzac.com A visit to JD Simo's House of Grease to get a tweak done on my wah ends up leading him to demo his new fly board, talking about his love for StringJoy Broadway pure nickel strings, and us getting to hear his Headstrong Lil King (Princeton Reverb) amp that he ha...
Sep 04, 2023•35 min•Ep. 152
Enter promo code "ASKZAC30" to save 30% Truefire https://prf.hn/l/LbY3nGL To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Or check out my store for merch - www.askzac.com I have loved the classic wah sound for years, but have never been able to find one I liked. Years of buying various models, and feeling like they had too wide of a tonal variance finally caused me to quit looking. Recently, a friend told me that old wahs had less tr...
Sep 02, 2023•43 min•Ep. 151
