Getting Guitar Tones - Start With The Guitar

Griff, you are without question the most enjoyable and easy to understand guitar tutor known to mankind. You make things so understandable and want me to pick up my guitar and play - cheers,

Neil

absolutely worth knowing
and as always, I appreciate your time, knowledge, and skill level

Lordy, Lordy. I am 16 guitars and 10 stomp boxes into this thing trying to find a tone that was stuck into my head when I finally picked up a Telecaster and plugged it into a Fender Delux amp along with the Jazz 3 pick that you recommended. Bingo, there it was, that certain blues tone that I was searching for without any extra do-wahs, widgets, and gizmos. It always seems like your playing sounds awesomely different yet, so I think that sound beauty (aka tone) is always in the mind of the beholder. I still pull out the Stratocaster and Michael Kelly LP's with PAF's and P90's to change it up a bit but that Telecaster always seems to slip back into my arms like a woman wanting to cuddle. The wife just sits back, smiles and waits knowing that this only lasts for an hour or so. Then it's lights out. ;O}}

Thanks for the extremely informative videos. Those are my favorite types of guitars, and play them both. I now understand some things I didn't. Keep 'em comin' Griff.

Thank you so much for the videos,Griff. I have one of each (a Gibson Standard Traditional Pro and an American Strat with Tex-Mex pickups.) You cleared up some things that I wasn't aware of. Thanks again,Griff.

Griff - thanks for the insight - well done. Question - what is the basic difference between a Gibson and Epiphone Less Paul outside of price? Can you really hear a difference in sound quality?

Yeah, the world, for me, IS divided into two sounds. The formidable Stratocaster, and the undeniable Les Paul. So, I keep a mint late 90's American Deluxe (two year model) with Alnico II's, locking tuners, and it's alder body and rosewood neck. Took that damn bar off the first day. You can either bend 'em, or you can't, but a crutch won't make you a better player. Look to Albert King for Lesson One on bending.

The Paul is an '80 Black Custom, with an ebony fingerboard and all gold hardware. It has been rewired to '57 specs, with correct date coded pots and the big orange Sprague cap by a guy who worked for Gibson, in 1980, when the guitar was made. They didn't have a "Custom Shop", like you see it advertised today, but some years, produced about 60 "Customs" out of the best bodies they saw come down the line. Somewhere around one a week was 'perfect', and got the deep gloss black paint and a pair of extra hot pickups. Or so I have been told.

Both play like dreams, and I feel like I'm 'cheatin' on my woman' when I play the other. But, the sound comes from the amp.

I have a Laney AC30-210, which is 30 watts of pure British Class A tube heaven. WIth the Paul, I can dial it in right to the edge of grizzle and screaming feedback, yet, play clean as a mountain stream.

The Strat, she no like the Laney. She like my leetle Pro Junior, where I can crank it and yank it. The amp volume knob goes to 11, you know. Sometimes, the Strat likes to get her feet wet with my 90's, AMERICAN made Blues Junior. A little overdrive, some reverb and a 'Fat' switch give her some tone and some stones.

FInd your sound, make it define you, and be happy. It's not in his foot pedals, kids. Griff's magic is in his fingers!

Good stuff.

Thanks for always getting back to basics first! I love that you share the so many things I didn't know about those basics in all your videos. Always look forward to your clear concise well thought out and best of all INFORMATIVE videos. Thanks for sharing all the things you know with us!

Hey there Griff:
It's like you were reading my mind. I got an Ibanez semi Hollow Body. It's the first Electric Guitar I've owned. After 35 years of playing my accustic it's taking some getting used to. I used your Les Paul tips and got the sound I was hoping for. What I'm curious about now is foot pedals? I watched a video you did showing your foot pedal setup. Seeing how you have it set up is great, but with all the various setting on the various pedals, (verious links in the chains) at which end of the chain should I start when I begin setting up the levels on the pedals etc... This is a whole new avenue I've never been down and it can be a little daunting.

Specificly what amp and stomp pedals should I use also any guitar work necessary
to capture the blues sound

Good information that I have never seen anywhere before. I had to learn this through experience. I see how a beginner is going or intermeadiate player is going to benifit from these videos. Keep them coming.

to the poster who asked about strat tremolo ... I'm no expert, but here's what I know ...

First, use fender bullet strings. they have a bullet end, not a ball end, in the bridge. that way, when you use the tremolo, that end in the bridge doesn't move around.

also I use 10s, which I think increases the tension on the neck.

because of that increased tension, I use five springs to hold the tremolo in place. (my strat came with two or three). SRV also used five springs, btw.

the added tension and extra springs require a little more muscle to use the whammy bar, but it stays in tune.

Hi Griff, great info, I notice a few comments on Strat tremolo arms. I have a silver anniversary Strat the tremolo is extremely stiff (like a bull worker) it has been like it from new I have taken all the return springs off and it still prefers to bend the arm than work correctly. any ideas?

How simple and precise your explanations are ,Thanks! Happy New Year, Paul

Hey, Griff - I have a strat and I am having some trouble with it. The guy I bought it from ( he plays in 9 bands currently although its not important) blocked the tremolo with a broken RULER! So I un -blocked it and immediately it went way out of tune without me even touching it! I was hoping that you could give me some advice on what to do.
Thanks, John

.Hello, Griff- at last, some mature understanding of how to learn the guitar and it's many secret's. Will see you lots. Leon

Hello Griff-Thanks for being so generous with your considerable guitar knowledge.Your lessons are great. Have a brilliant 2012.

Best regards Andy

Thanks Griff, Enjoy your informative videos. I only have a Les Paul, I always liked it's thicker muddier tone. I did though install some two stage tone pots that split the pick ups to single coil. It doesn't totally mimic the strat without the middle out of phase pick up, but it's a nice add on. The fact that your strat has a either a rosewood neck also affects the tone which I didn't know until recently. The maple necks definitely have a twangier tone. As well they are easier to clean, but don't look very nice when they start to wear. The bolt on neck of the strat also translates to less sustain than the LP. Regards, Gerry

Thanks so much for the various explanations of how to tone an electric guitar.

I have been playing for awhile and he does cover stuff that I wonder about ,but never took the time to fiqure out, he's very good

What about hollow bodies?

I'm finding that some of the facts about the guitar, you don't give as much thought to. In these videos, I was taught something that I would never ask about, and just take it all for granted. Thank you for such an informative piece of information.

A. Longshore

Hi Griff,
Thank you so much for the inspiration. Just bought myself a white Strat on eBay, with hard shell coffin case. Offer too good to not try for it. Got it. Great lesson on the knobs and switches for the Strat. Thank you again.
Danny

A lot to it. Thanks for the insight. You really are a pro.

enjoyed very basic aand informative

Very Good information!!!

Hi Griff,

Great video especially as my wife has bought me my first electic guitar for Christmas! Am used to a Levin accoustic so getting a new blues sound will be interesting. My electric is a Stagg, James Neligan EW3000 - not a "high end" but it's good value and can sound great. Best wishes for 2012.

Regards,

Rasputin
England

HEY GRIFF,
WOULD LOVE TO GET SOME INFO ON THE STRAT TREMOLO,,,,FROM YOU-
HOW TO KEEP IT IN TUNE,,,,ETC

We are lucky to have you with these demos. Brilliant !

Griff,
great info as always, but the volume on your guitar was much higher than your mic. and that made it really hard to watch these videos at work, thanks for puting all that info out to people, I have really enjoyed your short tutorials that you send, please keep them coming,

I bought your Blues unleashed package about 6 months ago and I'm imbarrised to say I haven't even had a chance to delve into it yet, but that will be my New Years resolution.
Thanks Griff,
Talk to you soon.

Let's see some more foot-pedal work.

Very well presented info cheers

Griff - thanks. Your videos are awesome learning tools. Thank you. I wish we had the internet in '65! Will you do a video on pedals and amps as well? I would be interested in knowing what you have between the guitar and my ear! Thanks, and a Happy New Year to you and your family.

Brilliant clear and concise thanks

Great help. Keep the info flowing. Cheers from Australia

Great help. Keep th info rolling. Big thanks

Hey Rob:

Griff is the best instructor on the net and talks much less than many of them. Lighten up, learn and be happy.

Jim

.

Hi Griff

What overdrive box are you using in this strat tone video?

Chris

Reduce the amount of gabbing and increase the playing please
Thanks

Spot on. Keep up these helpfull litte Gems.

This learning the guitar is a completely different world for me. You keep sharing your information which keep my interest and helps me get into your world and helps my learning. This video explains why I hear different guitar sounds in CDs.

Hi Griff,

When you´re gonna release a new package with "new blues" ?
I play rithym guitar in a band, in Brazil, and love very much to play blues !
Best Regards.

thanks for the info will make my decision easier

Thank you for the info on a Less Paul style guitar, it was very helpful with my playing.

Griff,
Thanks for all tips and help that you give us.Your work is amazing, !!!Congratulatios!!! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2012
Carlos J.V.

Griff

Thanks for the great comparison. Now the different tons make sense. I just bought a G&L and your Strat demo explains a lot about my new ( first electric) guitar

Griff; I am an OLD rock and roller that's played in several bands over the years. I've always had an ear for figuring out the chords and singing. However I have never been able to figure out how to play soloes. After putting it off for many years, I have made the leap and purchased a progam - yours. I've only had it for a few weeks, but its starting to make sense to me and I can now play some basic soloes and am eager to learn more. Starting with the 'basics' has been enlightening in terms of some of the 'glue' that pulls everything together. I play a Les Paul and learned more about my guitar by watching your video about Les paul style guitars than I had known previously. Thanks. Gregg

great info especially for new guitar players that have not had the opportunity to experience most of these different situatins.

thanks for yhe lessons

Super great help,I'm 75 and trying to learn to play , not doing to bad ,it takes me longer to get things right but, I'm haveing fun. So thanks for the help.

Once again, great info. Your tips really help.

Griff,
Another great video on the differences in how guitars are set up...The demo was bang on and gives potential electric buyers a clue on what to look for when shopping for that electric.

Thanks again for all the great information throughout the year!
Truly your site and lessons are the best!

Thanks for the information. I have just picked up a guitar after retirement . My wife bought your course for me . WOW, am I rusty , havent really played since the late 50's early 60's so I enjoy and need the information. Thanks a bunch.
Cap.

I think your demostration of the Les Paul and stra Guitars are well executed to your viewers

Griff,excellent thanks for explaining,have been wanting to know this for awhile - i appreciate all the tone controls on my Strat a lot better now,also im planning to buy a Les Paul in the near future,and wondered about the switch for the pickups and the tone controls,nice one- informative and usefull so when i go in to a guitar store i wont be wondering whats what with all the tone controls with a Les Paul?, also i now understand my Strat better too! to get better sounds and the sounds i hear other guitarists use.

Hi Griff, Very helpful. Thank You...........John.

it is a great help to armatures like me. very informative

Dear Griff: Just purchased an 05 USA Gibson SG Special to play along with my 90s Fender Jap Strat so this is a perfect lesson for me, thanks for the info, Steve

Dear Griff:
Thanks for the teaching and info. Great lessons!

(continued from previous message, my computer cut out part of my comment)Twelve string guitar, with pick ups is my most recent dream. Anything you could share would be great. Thanks again, and my best to Bob Murnihan. I am still working on Tore Down.

Griff: thanks for all your many videos. they have continued to be a big help in my ongoing education. These two videos were helpful as well. What I am hoping you do some time in the future, budget permitting.

Fantastic video's very useful. I have both style guitars and really only lately playing the Les Paul (Epiphone LP Traditional) and I love the sustain I get with that guitar. I also have a Gibson SG which to me is very different than a Les Paul but it is derived from a LP.

Can you ever really have too many guitars????LOL!!!!!

Keep Rockin'

Z

Thank you Griff. Really appreciate the knowledge you shared. I havent bought a guitar yet, that has come with an owners manual, and always strive to have a clear understanding of the "where's, what's and why's", of these amazing instruments. Thank you once again. I'm still trying to finish your BGU dvd set.

Hi Griff, once again great stuff. I found the info realy helpful.
Still working through BGU and SWS and still enjoying learning BIG thank you.
Hope you and your family are all in the best of health.

Thanks Griff. A great lesson and something I haven't seen covered by anyone before!

Hi Griff,
This is great stuff. Identifiying the differences in the Stat and Les Paul was perfect. I now would like to request an education on pedals. Favorites, what they do and which is best from your perspective. You might guess I play acoustic and am moving into the electric and do not know sh*&. I hate not knowing and I'm expected to know everything. Please help me define myself with an education on pedals, set ups, etc. Thanks, Rod

Excellent presentation. You continue to impress. And this is "value added" on top of the already fine CD's you put out.

Hey Grif, I have been viewing some of your vids and I have always liked blues style music. I am getting ready to order the blues guitar unleashed course.

Thanks and keep the videos coming.

Griff,

Fascinating insight into these 2 guitar types. But I've heard a Les Paul which had such a honey sweet harmonic about it; is there a specific Les Paul "geared" to that?

Thanks, Ed!
Toronto, Canada

thanks Griff, of 40 years of playing, not professionally of course. I always wondered how pickups worked. Never bothered to ask. I enjoy watching you teach, also, i recently bought your jamorana package can't wait to get it. I'm trying to reverse myself and learn the right way to play.

all good information helps.thank you