One of the questions I get a lot as an electric guitar player is about how to achiever certain (good?) tones. What types of guitars, pedals, amp, cables, tubes, picks, strings… you name it, it all makes some contribution (for better or for worse) to the tone.
So in these 2 videos, I’ll basically go over the Les Paul and Strat style guitars.
I’ll talk about the knobs and switches and how they work. We’ll also get into what types of sounds different options can achieve.
I hope you like them and please feel free to leave your comments below or share this on facebook with your friends if you found it useful 🙂
395 replies to "Getting Guitar Tones – Start With The Guitar"
Griff. so sorry to hear of your Father passing prayers for you and your family.
Hi Griff,
Sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing and convey my deepest and sincere condolences to you and your family. The fact that your Dad was playing music makes the memories grow fonder and that your music will help you during this time. Your Dad will always be within your musical heart & soul.
This lesson was a good refresher especially with all my effects pedals etc I still prefer going back to the basics of a clean amp sound using primarily the guitar tones.
My dad passed a long time ago, he was a veteran RAF during the wwar2, but was also an amazing musician playing Guitar, Drums, Trombone, Piano and ukelele and singer and i’m sure that he blessed me with some of his musical talent and I still think about him all the time during my music challenges.
Thank you very much.
Michael-Sydney-Australia Sunday 28th Oct 2018
Hi Griff,
Just watched both these videos again as I have both types of guitars except my Strat has a Bridge Humbucker PU. As usual your lessons on guitar tones are excellent. Good refresher, as I often can’t remember everything on all my guitars as I have each one set on a different tone for specific songs or sounds. Such as I have a Slim line 72 semi hollo Tele with twin humbuckers which has a different Tone compared with my other Tele with single coil..
All good and very helpful refresher.
Michael -Sydney- Australia Sunday 4th Nov 2018
Hello griff, sorry to hear about your father..I’m blessed to still have my father at 91 yrs.old.. god bless
Griff, you’re a wonderful instructor ….and a really nice gentleman… .. your Father must be looking down from the heavens ….and thinking” my legacy is my son who is passing down his knowledge, so that others can achieve their desires ….and dreams” well done good sir! it was a pleasure meeting you and your lovely wife in austin tx… …our deepest condolences to you and your family…
God bless
Great stuff Griff
but what about all those knobs and switches and sliders on the effects units , delays and such.
And my prayers are with you Griff let us all try and at least help fill the hole in you’re heart I know this will have left
Mickhunt
UK
Griff, thanks for the ongoing videos. My condolences on the loss of your father. I’ve been through it and know how hard it is.
Griff,
So sorry to hear of your father’s passing. My condolences to you and your family.
For those that don’t see the video(s)….. Click on “YouTube” at the bottom of the box, (if you see that), and you can watch it on YouTube’s sight. If that isn’t an option, just go to YouTube and search for Blues Guitar Unleashed. When you get to the Blues Guitar Unleashed home page (on YouTube), click the “videos” link. On that page you will need to scroll down towards the bottom until you see these 2 videos. They were originally posted around 7 years ago. Hope this helps.
Hi Griff. Very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Your family is in my prayers during this hard time. Take your time coming back.
Sorry for your loss, Griff. A dad is a great influence on a boy and young man’s life.
To lighten things up, here is a story about my dad and music…
My dad always sang in church choirs and barbershop quartets. He was known as a good singer. My dad ended up with Alzheimers, but up until 10 days before he died, he might not have known me, but he still sang harmony on the old hymns in the nursing home chapel.
Here is the story…
I went down to Werlein’s Music in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1963 to buy my 1963 Stratocaster (which I still have by the way).
I bought the Strat and a Princeton amp by trading my Gibson Melody Maker and a Champ amp and paying by the week earning money from mowing yards.
I brought the gear home and my dad said, “Son why do you want to play the electric guitar?” I said, “Daddy, it’s cool…you know…Beatles, Rolling Stones, blues.”
Dad said, “You ought to play the trumpet.” I said, “The trumpet? Why?”
He replied, “While you are packing up all that crap, the trumpet player will be leaving with the girls!”
Truer words were never spoken.
I hope my little story lightened up your burden a bit.
I didn’t get the lesson on tone. Blank screen. Please send again.
Hi Griff, sorry you lost your Dad. I know 1st hand the void it leaves as I lost my Dad in 2005. Keep strong. Praying for you and the family. By the way I didnt get the videos either.
My deep condolences, Griff. Your father must have been a fine man.
Edison
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad passing away. Stay strong I know how you feel. Incidentally I did not receive the video, all I have is a white screen
Could you resend the video. It seems quite a few of us didn’t get it.
Looking forward to watching the newest video on tone but the video doesn’t appear. I see a few other folks are also having that problem but not all of us.
Hey griff, sorry to hear about your dad. It must be tough. Just to let you know there is no video in this email.
I also have a blank page. No videos.
The video did not show up to be viewed it is blank white till I scroll down and then see the list of comments people made ?….
Great stuff, thanks!
Hi Griff. Thanks for this very useful video. I always thought my Strat was harder to play than my LP, with bending,chords etc. so I don’t use it very much. I thought the bridge might need altering so I asked at my local guitar shop and they just said ‘you have to get used to it’. They didn’t say anything about changing the string gauge, I use 10 gauge on both guitars and they said use what you are most comfortable with, so as I was ok with the LP set up I just left it. Now I’ve watched this video from you, I’ll get some 9’s and try them out. So thanks for that and all the other videos you send out. Best Regards. Phill Martin (North Wales)
Thanks for the walk through. I’m relatively new to electric so I appreciate it. Thanks.
Great videos and insight provided. Lots of good info in the comments as well. Thanks for putting this all together for us Griff. Two thumbs up 👍
Informative clarifying need to know, well explained Griff!
Thanks for the great video on Les Pauls. Mine is an Epiphone semi-hollowbody, and have been struggling with this. I lean more towards rhythm, but do throw in some licks from time to time. My amp is a Fender Mustang IV. Great help.
Great stuff Griff. I have these two guitars and you just helped me understand when to use which. Thanks and God bless.
this is great info Griff thanks
orhn
Nice one Griff, I’m in the U.K. and have inherited a 1996 Strat. with TBX tone control for the bridge and centre pickups. It certainly gives an extended range of tone, however, it takes a lot of getting used to as opposed to the 60th anniversary Strat of 2006. I don’t think the TBX system lasted for very long, about 6 months of production according to internet sources. Must admit I miss my 1973 light ash Tele though.
Thanks for the info… Been playing for 45 yrs but never knew there was a guitar with 5 different tones like the strat and never knew anything about the Les Paul
I see a strat in my future and 5 tones to choose from… this is very useful info
Crazy ? Just wondering on an acoustic the type of string I use makes a world of difference although it’s the same gage does that make scence example elixir very tight Ernie ball less tension have any comments?
Why no mention of Les Paul’s with maple wood bodies?
Thanks help understand the string size at 65 year old trying get back to playing wonder why one played easer have tele and lespaul
I am an Acoustic player and never messed with Electrics. always wondered what all the controls did on both types of guitars. Thanks for the excellent video.
Hi Griff,
When 14 years old I coulden’t afford a guitar so I asked the wood shop teacher id I could build a guitar in H.S. wood shop. He said go ahead get a release from my parents and go for it. It took 6 months to build out of mahogany and with an oak neck.That oak is sure hard to make with a sharp knife.
That was in 1956, My latest creation is what I call a combo guitar. The front or back deciding how it is held. Is a Les paul and the back is a strat. It has 12 strings, 6 in front and 6 in back. The l.p. side has hum buckers and the back has 3 single coils It also has 2 outputs. The front is played through a Marshall amp while the back is played through a fender 1965 85watt dual reverb tube amp.
I find the hardest part of playing is when playing rhythm on the l.p. and lead on the back at the same time.The front is played right handed while the back is lefty. I am over 75 years young and learn something new every day from your e-mails.
I play blues only when the wife comes in yelling turn that darn thing down.
I live on 160 acres and the neighbors keep sending me airline tickets to other countries.I’m waiting for them to get me a pass port.
Hope you enjoyed the humor.
I really built my first guitar in 1956 and have 9 others on the wall with 3 more in progress. Since retired this is my hobby.I also purchased your blues guitar unleashed 2 years ago and have watched it since. I think I’ll start to try it soon. Seriously it is really a good way to learn.
As usual a very good explanation of what we hammer on to make sound. Some us do use a pick. Just joking. well done.
Thanks for the information. Being relatively new to electric, I can use all the information I can get. Into blues and country, I bought a Tele. The guy at guitar center said that the Tele sound is with the volume cranked and the tone all the way down. I use that & I haven’t played with it. I play through head phones(live in an apt) so don’t know for sure if what I’m hearing is close to the cranked sound of what my tele can do or not. At any I’m fairly happy with what I hear. A Les Paul may be my next buy so thanks again.
I have a blacktop strat…double humbuckings…can you do a vid on these
Griff, this was really needed for me. Thanks so much for taking the time to explain it all. I have learned so much from your Blues Guitar Unleasdhed course and your emails. You’ve been a godsend to us all. Helping to fill in all of the blanks for us self-taught players!
Thanks for the tips. . I had wondered about the difference between the two styles of guitar.
Griff, interesting videos on tone Gibson/Strat. I have a problem and am hoping someone can help. I have a Strat and every other switch setting gives me a loud hum in my amp. Start with position one (all the way down) and I get hum. On the second setting – NO HUM. Setting 3 back to hum again. Setting 4 is free of hum and setting 5 (all the way up) -back to hum. How do I correct this situation? Thus settings 2 and 4 are clean. 1,3, and 5 hums. I would appreciate an answer from anyone in the know! Thanks in advance.
You always get mains frequency hum from a single coil unless you are very lucky, but its not usually that noticable, so maybe your grounding isn’t right. As others have said, when you play positions 2 & 4 on a Strat, you effectively create a humbucker because the middel pickup is usually reverse wired to the outer two (just the two coil sets within a standard humbucker).
I enjoyed this information, even though I’m an acoustic player.
Seems that all single pickup positions produce hum and when multiple pickups are selected no hum. So I think the middle pickup is installed with poles reversed to create a hum canceling effect.
See my comment below John D. : hum canceling effect
Hi there friend
I’m saying this with a friendly tone in my head not a critical one
Griff actually covers this in the video
The single bar pickups like you get on a strat act a bit like radio receivers so on positions 13&5 you have a 1 bar or single coil and if you have a neon sign near the room where you play or maybe the electric ring main for your house near the amp it will pick up the electromagnetic radiation or radio waves that these things put out and then it gets amplified
However on position 2&4 you have 2 pickups switched on at the same time and wired effectively in oposite directions to each other (out of phase) and this has the effect of countering or removing the hum effectively in those positions you have a 2 barpickup or 2 pole pickup otherwise known as a humbucker for self explanatory reasons as you will find on a les paul style the les pauls dont make such a husky sound with their 2 bar pickups because the 2 bars are so much closer together and are responding to a much more similar cycle on the strings vibration. you may be able to get rid of much of the hum by moving the amp try a different room or even a different building. If you can eliminate the hum that way you’ll be sure that the problem is not with the guitar or amp
If the hum comes and goes with you touching the strings or bridge and letting go there may be some bizarre earthing connectionand disconnection during pickup selection veru unlikely …try moving the kit around like I say even twisting the guitar then the amp through 90 degrees ie face the wall face the window while wearing the guitar
Best of luck and if you like watch the vid again and you’ll catch Griff confirm it but probably explain it better
Awesome videos Griff! Thanks for educating me on that I have both a strat style and les paul style guitar (Fender Tele and Fender Jag). Now I know what those knobs can really do!! 🙂
william ormerod said “Hi there friend
I’m saying this with a friendly tone in my head not a critical one
Griff actually covers this in the video
The single bar pickups like you get on a strat act a bit like radio receivers so on positions 13&5 you have a 1 bar or single coil and if you have a neon sign near the room where you play or maybe the electric ring main for your house near the amp it will pick up the electromagnetic radiation or radio waves that these things put out and then it gets amplified”
Thanks for the info, William. I will try different receptacles – THANKS!
Thank you so. much! I’ve often end bemoaned the fact that I get a manual when I buy a $20 toaster, but I have 15 guitars, and regardless of price and manufacturer, I have never seen a manual laying out the information you just did.
Add my thanks for this knowledgeable explanation. Clear and simple.
THANKS again
Thanks much Griff. I know more about my Epiphone Les Paul which really helps because I was having trouble figuring out the controls. Excellent info as usual.
I haven’t played guitar vary long but what I can add to Griffs video is the fender strat usually has a 9.5 radius on its fret board witch means your finger doesn’t have to be so flat to Barr a cord on a LP it usually has a12 – 14 radius fret board witch is much flatter for me it’s harder to Barr a cord with the flatter radius fret board . So if your a beginner like and your buying a guitar u might want to consider the feel of the neck before u buy . I was a bodyman for 50+ years so my hands have lots of strength but not that flexible , thin necks make my hands cramp , flat neck hard to Barr cords ….. We’re guitar players we are always looking for that ” sound ” we just can’t find or hear
Griff..I think your e-mails are really informative.I am a real beginner,have only been playing for 1 1/2 years,but I have two of your courses and starting to put some things down.I spend a lot of time going back so I feel like I really understand.I am good up to lesson 11 ,but scales have me confused at times.I know time will help ,but at 72 ,who has a lot of time.Keep sending the lessons you make my day.Gene
There is a site CHAPMAN AND THE CAPTAIN which is two guys. Very experience players and one owns a guitar store in England. Very knowledgeable. They do tons of blind tests. Really fun to watch. More than one has been done on tone woods. To their surprise, they couldn’t tell the difference in a very controlled experiment on tone with different woods. Another eccentric guy named Grove, a former professional performer literally owns 100’s of guitars.He is so confident that wood tone is overstated (non existent) he had a guitar made for him to his specs. Plexiglass. No tone knobs. Makes any sound he wants with amps and pedals. We are not talking acoustic. It should be so easy to prove with scientifically.
Check out “That Pedal Show” on YouTube also. Lots of info on pedals, of course and Mick the Strat player loves blues and I hear some of Griffs licks sometimes when he plays.
Very interesting new knowledge about guitars, I have learnt today from your videos . Thanks Griff. You have explained so easily that I felt the difference in guitars . Any how I am sticking only to Acoustic guitar without electronics for long time . .
I was wondering about that. Thanks.
Check out “That Pedal Show” on YouTube also. Excellent info on pedals.
Oops, I meant this comment to be under Anthony Ingoglia above.
As with all you videos, they are informative and fun. I would never think to take exception with you comments but I did pick up on your comments about a Les Paul style 335. If talking about ES-335 that would fall under the semi-hollow and in my case full hollow body (ES-330). Loving the Blues as I do I prefer the 330/335. So my point is the tones and sounds of hollow body type guitars, in my opinion, be a 3rd discussion over the LP and Strat types. At the time I chose the ES-330 over the 335 because of two main factors. One was being full hollow body for the deeper darker sound, and the other was because of the neck, The ES-330 has a more smooth and easier neck over the more squared of the 335. I understood at the time the neck was only a reachable 17fret over the 335 22 fret and the pickups being P90’s over the Humbuckers but the hollow body sound outweighed the other factors.
Thanks again for all your videos and course.
Good videos. I play an SG with two HB’s. I bought a VOX AC15C1 and I am struggling to get the brightness toned down. I thought about changing the bridge pickup to a P90 but apparently this is counterproductive. I am not really happy with the VOX. Suggestions. Changing AMPS is an expensive experiment. HELP???
Hey Patrick
Google “Brightness mod AC15” and you will find a dead simple mod that removes a capacitor, and really does the trick smoothing out that “icepick in the ear” AC15 sound. It takes about 2 minutes to do the mod, but 15 – 20 mins both ends getting at the cap to remove it. If you’re skeered of those small issues with tube amps, like dying, when you don’t know what you’re doing, have a tech do it for you. Makes a huge difference, but it’s still going to be a jangly Vox. Just not quite as harsh. Hope this helps.
My MIM Fender Powerhouse Strat doesn’t fir the mold of any standard configuration. But that’s a good thing. 3 single coil high output pups with a dummy coil under the pick guard for noise cancellation. Active electronics with no load master tone control and the tone 2 knob is a 12db boost. It’s a dream to play (noodle) on… admittedly, I don’t play well. You don’t have to be anywhere near a pedal board to crank the boost and get a nice crunch from any of the positions. Add an overdrive pedal to the boost and she’ll sustain for days! She looks a little like “Blackie” except for a mother-of-toilet-seat pick guard instead of plain white and the maple neck doesn’t have that Clapton-favored “V” shape. Loved the video Griff! Thanks man!
I have an Epiphone DR100 acoustic that I wish my worst enemy had instead of me. It has a fat body and I hurt after I play it for a very short time. I’m 68 years old, have been trying to learn guitar for some years but feel as if I’m still a beginner. I am on fixed income so I cannot afford to buy your courses. I depend on what you put out for free on the internet.
Happy to see so many ‘old timers’ commenting here. I am in the same situation – purchased a Bass guitar after I retired at age 68. Was not making any progress – problems with music theory. So I bought an acoustic guitar and starting taking guitar lessons, focusing on the theory aspects – not just memorizing songs.
Once I got the basic theory down, I went back to the Bass and am making progress finally but I still practice the guitar because of it’s versatility. I have 3 guitars, straight acoustic, acoustic electric and a Les Paul style electric.
I have not played the Les Paul much because the knob settings were confusing for me – until I watched this video. Now I am motivated to work with the Les Paul more, that will become my #1 practice guitar.
I am sure, if I continue to practice every day, that I will actually be able to play songs by the time I am 80. At that point, I hope to start a band of old timers & will name it “Rockers with Walkers”.
I’ve got a Tele jr….I stuck in the middle….
Sounds very familiar Jim. My name is Andy Petrechko and I also
have an Epiphone. Which by the way is a Wildkat Ltd. I too am
an old timer 72 yrs. to be exact. And have been continually
trying to improve my playing skills. And just like you Jim
I’m on a fixed income so I really can’t afford some of the
high dollar courses. However I did get Griff’s Blues Guitar
Unleashed Course back a couple of years ago but didn’t seem
to gain much ground either. Drop me an email if you like and
maybe us two old timers can come up with something that will work for both of us. Keep playin the blues just not crying
them!! Andy
Hi Andrew,
I’m from the UK so I doubt we’ll be getting together anytime soon 🙂 However, I’ve got an Epihpone Les Paul as my go to guitar but the pick ups have been changed to the Seymour Duncan “Hot Rodded Humbucker Set”. I can confirm that the change is well worth the effort and money. Hey Christmas is around the corner, drop a hint ;-). My main guitar is a John Surh strat like Griff’s except mine has a humbucker at the bridge. Wonderful guitar.
Cheers Terry (70)
Wow. Look at all the comments. Some very poinient. Some, not so much. Anyway Griff, and all other BGU’ers…I play my 1st guitar, made the year I got it, ’83 Ibanez Artwood series acustic. She sounds beautiful. An “EKO” 12 string Italian made acustic.
A Sound Design 5 string bass. And my pride n joy; a black Gretcsh 5125 with humbuckers, Bigsby vibrato, n custom locking Sperzels installed. Played through a Fender Mustang amp with all the fun stuff in it and a Boss Blues Driver. I like what I got and play as I need different sounds. I love the blues and “old” rock and paved the way for two of my sons to play themselves. There’s no better hobby. Thanks Griff.
wish i could send you pictuers of my DRAGOMFIRE CUSTOM WERKS GUITARS. EVERY THINK IS FROM SCRACTH. I USE EOTHER A NECK THRU BODY KNECK, OR A BOLT ON FENDER C SHAPED NECK. THE HEAD STOCK HAS CUTOUTS , LIKE A DRAGON TAIL I USE GPL’S. THERE DESEIGNED IN THE STATES B, BUT ERE BUILT IN JAPAN. THEY SOUD JUST AS GOOD, OR BETTER THAN DUNCANS, DE MARIZIO ECT. I FOR A HUMBUCKER I USE KRIK ANDERSON PICKUPS. THEY LOOK LIKE EMG AND FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD HE WAS THE MAIN GUY WHO MADE THE EMG. I USE HONDROUS MAHAOGONY AND BIRCH WOODS FOR THE BODIES. ON FENDER STRAT KITS THAT PEOPLE BUY AND WANT ME TO PUT A AIR BRUSHED DRAGON AND CHINISE CHRACTUERS, I USE FENDER HOT NOISELESS PICKUPS. CHANGE THE CAPACITOR FOR A BRIGHTER TONE CONTROL. LIKE THE BIG HEAD STOCK ON YOUR SURE. THAT ADDS A LOT OF SUSTAIN. MY BABIES ARE MY 1968 STRAT AND MY 1996 CANDY APPLE RED BLUES HAWK. I OWN 2 IBANEZ THAT I CHANGED OUT THE PICUPS FOR THE GPLS. ALINCO 5 HOT ROUND .THE IBANEZ IS ALL SOLD WALNUT SEMI HOLLOW BODY LIKE THE GIBSON SMALL BODYS STYLE. WITH GPLS AND A GIBSON TREMLO AND ROLLER BRIDGE. IF YOU HAVE EVER TRYED A ROLLER BRIDGE? THEY DON’T BREAK STRINGS AND MAKE YOUR SOUND MUCH BETTER. LOVE YOU GIBSON ES335!
Thank you so much Griff for this post, although I wish it had been available when I first started my foray into the world of electrics and electronics. There are three questions on my mind for you:
1. Some time ago there was an appeal for help because it was said that your trailer and some expensive equipment had been stolen. How has that situation played out or did we contributors get played?
2. What is the difference between the sound of the Gibson Les Paul and the hollow-body you mentioned. I am wrestling with the temptation to purchase one of those types even though I still am not the least bit proficient with my Les Paul which is the Ephiphone version and has the switch that lets me select between single and double coils in the humbuckers.
3. Without raising the ire of a lot of players out there, what is the difference between tube amps and the electronic modeling amps. With my first instrument I purchased a Line 6 75W amp which has more settings and volume than I will ever need or figure out.
remembering the clapton video when he talks about the woman tone . using the bridge pickup and droping the tone to zero or one . I have done this with my kramer guitars and my fender and like it . Of course it sounds diffrent but just try it. I also do this with my les paul style guitar to. You didnt speak of the diffrent types of pickups that can be changed . Like Seymore duncans which i use on a kramer and the les paul style guitar I am able to get the Ted Nugent sound on the les paul and the kramer gives me a Eric Johnson sound . On the fender using the neck and middle I believe I get a SRV sound using the bridge and middle i get a clapton sound ,but, thats just my opinion,i MAY HAVE THAT BACKWARDS . Oh yeah I am using a valve state marshall amp . Yes I have seen guitarists fiddle with the volume control on their fenders . A buddy put a small fat elastic band on the volume knob for better control yeah he is a shreader. An loves my guitars. Later time to get a session on .
You do not talk about pick up height . I saw a gibson demostration done by Mr Joe Walsh on how to set up your gibson guitar and was a very good demonstration . Joe did a bang up job .I find him to by a bit of a comidian but certainally a great guitarist . I saw him in 2008 at the moheagan sun with the Eagles . He has a new album but not sure when it came out . 11-14-2016 c ya
Hi Griff how often would you change the strings on a guitar if you play 20 min a day ? I have been changing them once a year . Does that sound about right or should it be every 6 months .
Because strings attract dust, whether you play them or not, the coil winding gets full of all kinds of crud. So, even though I too only play around 20-minutes, half-hour each day, I change my strings every 3-months.
Because strings attract dust, whether you play them or not, the coil winding gets full of all kinds of crud. So, even though I too only play around 20-minutes, half-hour each day, I change my strings every 3-months.
Oh, and I have a Mexican Telecaster, US Strat and a Tokai 335-style guitar in my collection. All with light gauge strings.
I’ve Been playing for about twelve years and a BGU guy for about three. Great stuff on tone. I don’t gig anymore but I’d get questions from beginners about tone. I play Strats and Fat Strats
I always ask who do you like to listen too? Whose tone do you like. And go from there. If they want to sound like Slssh it’s going to be tough to do that with a tele.
I think people who buy a guitar for the first time or have only had a few lessons should think about who do you wish your guitar would sound like. You’ll also find cost is a factor.
Thanks for the great demo. Clapton said one reason he left Gibson as his main guitar was too many knobs and too much adjusting. Easier with a Strat.
Well said Rob, I’ve been playing guitar since along time and to this time now I know why the tone’s sound like Clapton and BBKing etc, anyway and thank’s to Gliff for putting this thing’s to know.
Okay, you’re all probably (probably?) gonna winch at this – or at least laugh your aces off – but I bought a new axe a couple months ago, (An Eastwood P-90 Special) and I’ve come to love the tone that thing gives me through my… wait for it… bone stock, 1969, solid state, Sears 40XL.
The only tube amp I own is an old Valco Airline 62-9052, which is basically the same thing as the Silvertone 1484. But it hasn’t even been plugged in in nearly 40 years. And I’m afraid to try it, until I can afford to have it looked at.
So the 40XL it is. Without my Boss DS-1, my Strat & Epi Riviera sounded kinda bla through this amp. But this Eastwood sounds killer. With or without the Boss. And I got it just in time. As it’s no longer available.
When it comes to tone, it’s taken me many years to really understand what is meant by that word. At least for myself and my guitars. I used to like only brighter tones and didn’t really get what “Warmer” meant and I never messed with the tone knob.
Lately I’ve been messing around with some Mark Knopfler sounds to play. I’ve always loved his style and sound. When I started playing (too many years ago to admit) I was self taught and like Knopfler I’m a lefty playing righty and began as a bare-handed player (finger-style) with no clue on using picks.
I abandoned finger style about 18 years ago, started taking lessons and began using a pick (pretty difficult for a lefty turned righty!). Today I’m ok with a pick and some hybrid picking but about a month ago when I began to play Knopfler’s stuff again I abandoned the pick to attempt hs banjo playing finger style.
I find I’m picking it up decently so far but the percussives can be pretty challenging and he uses them a lot in his playing. I’m finding that my American Strat works better for this style along with the tone knob turned down to five and adding a touch of reverb.
I use Jazz III picks when I use a pick (after you recommended them years ago) and I also use “Cool Picks” which I find easier to hold on to as they have a soft layer of material bonded to them which makes them stickier while not affecting the pick itself. Also “Cool Picks” are unique in that when you drop them on the counter at the store they give off a ringing sound like metal but they are not made of metal in any way. All the picks I use are “Heavy” thickness as I find flexible picks a pain to work with and easily breakable.
This week I ordered a batch of “Tusq” picks that the manufacturer claims have their own “Harmonics” depending on which pick you choose to use. You can find them by just Googling “Tusq Picks” if you’re not familiar with the name. I came upon them in “Premier Guitar online” and decided to try them. They should be here any day now as I ordered them from Sweetwater which is where I also bought my Gibson ES 335.
If you haven’t done so, maybe you might put out a video on Mark Knopfler’s playing style and tone? I’m not sure what style of player you consider him to be eg. “Blues, Country, Rock etc. Or all of the above as he plays a lot of different stuff and quite often with other artists as well.
That would be very cool and educational with your teaching style.
Best,
Walt
Definitely believe that which you understood. Your desired rationalization appeared to ensue taking place the disposable the simplest thing to ensue discerning of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people care about fears that they immediately don’t know in relation to. You managed to hit the nail ahead the highest as thriving as clear made known the whole gadget without having side prompt , community can obtain a signal. Desire likely be real rearward to get extra. Thanks
WHAT? Are you stoned? I want what your smoking! Casimira. Your post is as cluttered as my pick drawer.lol
I suspect he was using some sort of translation service, so it didn’t quite make sense. But give the guy credit for trying.
Peace!
Wow, I have been playing for 54 years, and never really knew the way the knobs really worked on my strat. Your video was a great help.
Most of the time I use my acoustic electric Fender, and the strat just sits there. I will probably use the strat more now, but I do love my acoustic guitars.
For strings I look for highly flexible strings, and my favorite picks are Fender triangle flexible picks. I started using those picks early on because when on stage and the pick would break, I could just spin it around and keep playing without a problem.
Griff,
I have a Les Paul Custom and a Fender Strat. You really cleared alot up for me. I appreciate your videos and your teaching skills. You do a terrific job.
Thank You,
Bill Bellinzoni
Murrells Inlet,SC
Griff,
I have both a Les Paul Custom and and a Fender Srtat. You cleared so much up for me. Thank you. I really enjoy all your material and teing skill.
Thanks again.
Bill Beinzoni
Murrells Inlet, SC
Griff I have an American Strat professional Standards with a Zebra humbucker and two sc. How would I fid out what wood was used to build it? Or does it matter that much?
Thanks, you are the best.
Jeff
Great info griff, thx.
Your always right on time griff, got to re-string my strat this week, your info most helpful. Thx.
As always, your videos are helpful and enjoyable. Thank you for all you do for us guitar players.
Griff, Another great video/advice. I have a Epiphone Joe Pass, a Schecter Diamond Series, and a Peavy Preditor, and like you said different songs – different guitars. I’ve gotten used to Fender .042’s on all of them and they sound and feel great. The amp I use is a Fender Frontman 212R. Again your lessons/advice is great and mos helpful.
Keep up the great work
Bruce
Griff, This video lesson has to be one of the best!
I still find it amazing that with your busy life. You can still managed to produce quality lessons! There are so many variables when it comes to setting the amp/guitar controls.
You have given me many new ways to get the best sound out of my equipment!
Hi Griff,
I have got a Epiphone Guitar model G-400 Custom (with 3 humbuckers) and I don’t know how the knobs work. They are not independents. I don’t understand them yet. Could you please give me some instructions about that? Thanks for your usual attention.
Hi Griff,
These two tones were a great inspiration, especially as am nearly at 2 years learning blues guitar as my bucket list challenge. I now have a Les Paul twin humbuckers (in White as BB King)also I have an Epiphone Dot 335 semi-hollow in Cherry Red (Like Chuck Berry)using gauge 0.10 getting fantastic tones now after your lessons here. I also have a Telecaster and a Strat Squier that came with 1 humbucker at the bridge and two single pickups. Both these have great sounds as well. When practicing technical stuff like Fret board notes I tend to use the Telecaster a lot more.
I never use the tremolo on the strat because I bend the strings. Is there a Difference in Bending and the Tremelo?
Now that you have guided us all for the Guitar tones, I need some help on the Amp which is 100 watt Marshal 101FX
Great stuff and yes you are a great teacher.
Michael – Sydney Australia
Thanks again Griff, more excellent information. I always learn something worthwhile. Could you possibly describe and demonstrate the strat wammy bar/tremolo arm, especially about the different replacement types that are supposedly better than the standard Fender fit. Thanks.
Many thanks griff, information is always good. Still waiting for my dvds, I hope not long to go . Cheers geoff
I’m really enjoy and learn, and soon I hope to play close as you do. 🙂 Thanks Griff
What kind of strings would you use on a classical guitar?
Thanks griff really enjoyed info on strat and les Paul sounds and how electronics work.
Although my first instrument is a fender bass I also play a 1982 strat and a fender f35 acoustic.
You make things so understandable and as a teacher you are first class
Wish you could come to uk and do some blues workshops
Kind regards from leeds uk
Hi Griff,Thank you very much,I have played for years and have never found anyone,that could explain,just how all this information works.Len.
THENKS GRIFF. I HAVE A 1986 STRAT AND A1996 GIBSON BLUES HAWK AND A FNMODEL IBANEZ SIMI HLOOW BOTTY. PUT SUTOM PICKUP ON IT FOR MORE CRUNCH AND A TREMLO THAT FITS THE GIBSON STRING BRIGE STUDS. I SEE ON YOUR GIBSON YOU HAVE THE BRIDGE WITH THE POINTED STRIN GUIDES. CAHNGE IT OUT TO A ROLLER BRIDGE. YOU’LL BE AMMAZED IN THE SUSTAIN AND SMOOTH SOUND. NO MORE BROKEN STRINNGD FROM BENDS. I’VE BEEN LAYIN G FOR 40 YEARS. I DO USE DIFFERANT GUITARS FOR DIFFERANT SONGS WHEN I WAS IN A BAND. I ALSO CUSTOM MAKE ELECTRIC GUITARS. I STOPPED DUE TO MY DISABILITY AND NO GARAGE ANY MORE, BUT I MADE A CHAMBERED BODY AND 1/2″ CEDAR TOP ON A BIRCH WOOD BODY AND DID ALL THE WORK FROM SCRATCH .NO KITS JUST BOUT THE NECKS. THE CEDAR TOP I GAVE TO MY DAUHTER. TOOK IT TOO GUITAR CENTER AND THEY WHERE BLOWIN AWAY HOW GREAT IT SOUNDED AND ONE GUY SAID IT SOUNDED AND PLAYED BETTER THAN HIS LES PAUL. SO YOU FORGOT ABOUT TONE WOODS . I HAVE MY OWN SIGNATURE TONE AND SOUND. THIS IS GREAT THING FOR YOU TO DO. I FOUND WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG THAT TONE REALLY MATTERS. THANKS FOR THE INFO. I’M SURE IT WILL HELP SOMEONE OUT. TK, PAUL D.
Great post Griff but you don’t mention my favorite guitars, Gibson SG’s! I have 2 one with humbuckers and one with P-90’s. I know SG’s are an off shoot of LP’s but I like the fact that they are lighter weight and the solid thinner body allows for great tone even acoustically.
Keep Rockin’
Steve Z.
Thanks Griff for explaining things the way you do. I have such a better understanding of my guitar in a way that nobody else has ever been able to help me with. Watching your videos and being a student of Blues Unleashed I am now a better blues player and blues man for life!!!
Griff, you are an excellent teacher and I love your stuff so much. Keep on giving off your God given talent. God bless you
Here’s a curve – bought my first electric guitar, an Epiphone Les Paul. It’s a 1960 Tribute Plus which has American pick-ups, Grover locking tuners, and both pick- ups have a switch that makes them single coil. So in the context of these videos (great by the way) I have more tone possibilities. I am waiting for your blues course to arrive so I can start to learn to play it. Love your stuff – keep it coming!
One thing I noticed on my strat is when I use 10s instead of 9s when I tune it it’s a problem ,it raises the bridge too high. I did have some luck changing the positions of the bridge springs in the body of the guitar. I don’t know if I did the right thing or not? Should I have added two more springs or did I do the right thing. I don’t even know if you give answers or not lol . Anyways TY for your insight on the difference between the Les Pauls and the Strats etc.
I leavve a response each time I especially enjoy a post on a site or I have something to contribute to the discussion.
It is caused by the passion communicated in the post I read.
Andd oon this post blog topic. I was excited enough to create a commenta response :
) I do have some questions for you if you do
not mind. Is it just me or does itt look like a few of
the remarks appear like they are coming from brazin dead folks?
😛 And, if you are posting at other online social sites, I
would like to keep up witth you. Could you list every one of your social pages like your linkdin profile, Facebook page or twittsr feed?
Sounds like u r the very kind of person u r talking about.
How ridiculous to ask Griff Hamlin to “list every one of your social pages like your linkdin profile, Facebook page or twittsr feed”
Griff
Do you have any recommendations or comments on adjusting pickup heights on telez and/or strats?
What about types of picks? Do you recommend thin, medium, or thick? I find the thin pick to be easier to strum chords with. I also would like to know about guitar positioning while standing. What is the best positioning for bar chords and leads?
and pick angle. Various sounds from picky to slippy.
Very informative lesson.I’m planning on buying a Strat. and now I have a better idea as to what to get,thanks!
been taken lessons for about a yr. first time anything has been explained
about tone like that. Think i’m about to learn a whole lot about playing lookin
forward to it so thanks
Hello There. I discovered your blog the use of msn. This is a really neatly written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and return to learn extra of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.
Ah, if life was so simple! The sublime difference between Fender and Gibson. They are as different as … But viva la differance! Les, meet Leo.
Incredible video. Great information about the two guitar styles. How about hollow and semi-hollow bodies??
Griff,thanks for all the free lessons and information that you give,I have learned so much from lessons you have given,If only you lived in Great Britain I would travel miles to be one of your students.
Hey Griff, which amp with medium price do you reccomend for a good blues sound
Griff,
This is really great information for a guy who is about to make his initial foray into the world of the electrified guitar as I roll up my sleeves and get stuck into your BGU course…I don’t want to give up the acoustic just broaden my horizons.
I don’t know if this is the place to ask questions, but I’ll fire away. What your view of HSS strat from a tone perspective…is it a more flexible instrument with a broader range of tone possibilities or a compromise because it is trying to do too much? I’m guessing there is a reason why you use single-coils on your strat and leave the humbuckers to your LP, but it is only a guess so it’d be good to get your view.
I’m digging the email lessons – can’t wait to get the DVDs 😉
Jeff.
Thanks Griff. Now I know that it is not all me when I can’t get those tones I am looking for.
This was so cool, and I applied it right away to my new Epiphone Bonamassa signature LP.The sound, sustain, everything about it so far is great and this video came in right on the mark with getting tone out of the LP (mostly Gretsch, acoustic and Strat gear until now). And, while what I’ve seen in video of Joe hitting his Gibson model he’s using it primarily for slide guitar I’m going to mount some 13’s on it and work on my slide guitar with the Intro To Slide Guitar course of yours soon but not till I break a few sets of 11’s on the LP though. With my Blues Driver and compression sustainer pedals through a Fender SuperChamp on the clean channel it is sweet, warm and so bluesy…Wish I could find his pedal you demo in the other video to try out but maybe I’ll just have to break out the cash and buy one since his signature EP LP didn’t disappoint. Don’t know how you do it but please keep up the great work, you never disappoint. – bc aka cleveland rocks, an old bluesman.
Hey Griff,thanks for the info on the strat I have one and could not workout them tone controls as I now know whats what after watching your video. Great stuff
Simple, straight forward, knowledgeable information on the important foundation aspects of guitars. In my case, the wonderful Fender Strat! Thanks Griff. I find your teaching to be uncluttered with the fog usually found in other explanations that then hide the bones of the subject. You have a skill in clearing the trees so we can see the wood! Keep it up.
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
great info for us beginners It would have taken me years to figure out the comtrols on a guitar. and great info about strings
hey great stuff griff,more nuts and bolts stuff for us beginners.look forward to more!
Thanks Griff.
I am using a Fender twin amp and an ES135′ I have never been able to get the sound that I want untill you put up the getting tones with the Less Paul type guitars.
You just made my day!!
Duke
I don”t know why I did not know that I have been playing the strat for 25 years
Hi Griff,
Great lesson but what about a semi-acoustic Jazz style guitar with 2 Humbucker pickups? The knobs and and toggle switch work the same, can you give some advice on tone with a semi-acoustic guitar.
Love all your tips. Thanks.
Hi Griff,
thanks for that tutorial, it was very enlightening. I have a telecastert ype guitar and would like to know how different is the pick up to the single coil Strat type pick up ( the fact that it is completely enclosed in a chrome casing). Thanks
Thanks Griff that is so good to know an remember I played a telecaster for a long time never new that just knew i liked the 9 gage mostly now makes sence. bought the less paul black beauty like yours great love it agian thanks
Griff,this presentation has taught me more about my guitar in ten minutes than several years of playing. Thanks so much. John [from downunder]
Grif, this was a great tutorial. I have a Strat for over a year and this is the first time I fully understood the pickups, tone knobs, etc.. I have played around with them but didn’t fully understand what I was controlling. I found that I have been playing with the switch in the 5th position most of the time. I have been listening to your tutorials and examples for the past year and I have learned many things that my guitar instructor never addresses. Keep up the fine job of helping us beginners & adanced beginners.
thank’s griff, i have been messing around with guitars for ten or so years now, and never really understood how all that works , i would just have to mess with it untill i got it right , trail and error, so much easier for someone to teach it to you , i could have saved alot of time, thank’s again , don
excellent videos very helpful thank you Griff.
Hey Grif, Again I have learnt something. I have an American made Fender strat- Bought 1 tr ago love it to bits. Love the clean tones 4th & 5th positions esp.. Have a Fender Blues Junior amp to complement it..Love listening to you play- more of it please. Johnno
Griff,
would you give us your rating of a:
Fender strat
PRS
Rickenbacker Guitars?
I truly enjoy all the lessons and demonstrations. I learn something everysingle time. Thanks Griff
Thanks for clearing that up Griff, I have two cheap Strats, and now a new Gibson SG, so yes very usefull info; All I need to do now is stick at it !!! Still working my way through BGU;
Again great demonstration,i get the drift. Thanks, I wil continue to read your e-mails and learn more.
Griff, I like your tutorials so much…. but it’s far too much like hard work to listen to them. I’m a TV pro and it’s driving me nuts (to the stage that I feel I need to write!) that your voice levels are ALWAYS far too low compared with your guitar. Really, mate, even with my laptop speakers turned fully up I struggle to hear what you are saying and then I have to crank the vol down when you start to play!! Like I say, I’m in the sound/vision business so I know about this stuff and if it’s driving me to write it must also be something that’s giving other faithful followers grief! I hope you see this as a constructive criticism rather than something negative. Please try to do something about it.
Great Job as always. I love the overdrive mode…! I love tons of dirt and distortion….
Great info! Thanks so much for the emails and videos you send me.
Thanks again
Larry
Thanks again Griff.Nice job as always.
Regards Ros
I think your great, you talent is something to strive for.
Great chops, and great demos to help people understand. That being said, there’s so much more that can be done these days to affect tone, including different pitch tunings, coil splitting, out of phase options, etc. And like you, I prefer to make tone adjustments on the amp, and could live without tone controls on the guitar–quality amps do make a big difference too! Plus, so many great pickups to choose from now as well, and they have their own signature sounds too–time for more video demos!
Hi Griff,
These video’s are great I have been beeting my head trying to figure out tones, crunch etc for my Les Paul, mine is an Eppy but still a LP. I just wish I could download these two video’s because all the vid’s you send me are at work. Again thanks very much for all the help, you have no idea how much help you have been to me and my playing enjoyment.
this was very informative info for me,great lesson.your lessons have always taught me something new,thanks.
Thanx again for two excellent lessons that distill down to common denominators which are easy to understand – As a relative newcomer to electric guitars you are an excellent resource.
I also enjoyed the video on how to use a wha pedal, and I will be looking for one now that I understand how it can be used for more than just full on or full off.
Hopefully we will also be seeing videos on how to get other sounds out of electrics using OverDrive, Distortion, Delay and other effects – There are so many options it becomes somewhat trial-and-error for a newbie, and I would love to better understand how to emulate some of those amazing sounds with my Telecaster without spending hours fiddling.
Griff,
Thank you for a great effort and commitment to teaching guitar. Making this available online is a huge plus that did not exist when we were cutting our teeth.
My comment is not so much critical as it is technical. What the tone switches do on all guitars without onboard preamp boosters is cut/decrease either low (bass) or high (treble) frequencies.
The idea is to leave them wide open unless there is an apparent unwanted buzz, noise or rumble.
For all practical purposes, nobody plays with the treble or bass tone switches off except in rare instances. It is more tone and overtones that we all crave. The first thing I would tell a student is copy a master. Most of them have their ax cranked wide open when soloing because they want the hottest signal possible to the amp.
I justwatched the video on the les paul and liked the way you showed it. very imformative. I am a guy who has FOOLED around on a gutair for a few years Now I am here to LEARN the right way Thanks Own a les paul studio and marshall mg102fx amp. Sound is everything.
This lesson is more like a text book. Text and pictures.How else do you explain the function of an object besides text. The demonstration section of the lesson has sound. If I was a beginner, I would find this video an excellent source of information.Griff covers the guitar learning process for beginners well. Non threatening and more importantly, he does not use it to show how flash he can be.. Griff tells you the answers to questions that you are to embarrassed to ask the local guitar stores, self obsessed rock god shred meister.I teach guitar. One question I get ask often is “What’s the difference between a Strat and a Les Paul?” I would refer students to this video. I don’t expect an instructional video to be nothing more than blistering solos for me to copy. Keep talking Griff. It’s like having a text book, but someone is reading you the important essential bits. Yeah, Griff talks a lot, but what he has to say is worth listening to. And the man can really play the thing when he wants to. No, I am not a Griff ‘Fanboy’, or a paid employee, just a teacher that recognizes a great LESSON when he sees one.
Great, Griff, one of your very best! I’ve learnt more in these two clips than in months of other lessons, particularly the Strat lesson
Hi Griff,
Very informative…any input on hollow and semi hollows. I’m an Alvin Lee fan and enjoy the sounds he gets from his 335.
daja
A video on “Guitar Tones” that is over 9 minutes long…you went over four minutes before you ever made a guitar sound…like your stuff, but as the song says, little less talk and a lot more action.
Griff,
as usual a very informative and simply explained video THANK YOU !!! I got alot out of it and am very appreciative of your simple approach to your videos . I myself play a strat and really havn’t heard the tones explained so simply and clearly so now I’m going to go and experiment.
Thank you Griff. Your vid’s will save a lot of time spent knob twiddling.
Les.UK
hey griff,
at last a good and simple expli. I already have more fun in the playing.
thanks
christian
Griff Thanks for the videos, I always find them interesting and informing.
As a teacher myself, here in England, I appreciate your easy approach and style.
Your Blues Unleashed discs are helping me a lot.
The only problem I have is …yes you guessed it…ME.
I simply have to be more disciplined to get where I want to be.
However, good stuff. Your guidance is a big help. Thanks.
JOHN
Griff,
Thanks for explaining how to get the different tones out of my strat. It makes a lot more sense now. Also, what might also be helpful would be how to use a pedal board to get the different tones you want.
Al
thanks for the info on the difference between les paul and strats concerning the tone. I always learn something from your videos. you are so easy to understand. by the way I am also really enjoying the blues guitar unleashed dvds. great job. thanks
Griff, thanks for the education! I always finish your lessons with more knowledge and insight. After a year I can hear quite a difference (from the first 30! lol ) Now what about a mahogany firebird with three pickups? Thanks for being there!
good lesson,thank you could you talk about pedals and amps,(tube screamer etc.
Love your videos. I’m 53 and am just now blossoming as a guitar player. I fell in love with the Les Paul a long time ago. I love the tone so much. I finally bought one 20 years ago and would like to own more of them.
Umpteen years ago I read an article in Guitar Player magazine about Paul Reed Smith. Paul said to play an electric without amplification and listen to the tone. That is what the guitar will sound like amplified, colored of course by the electronics. I have found that to be true.
I also, love the Strat sound too. It depends on the song.
Thanks Griff
ARRIVED BACK HOME FROM A SIX DAY JAM IN ‘PAHRUMP’ NV.WHERE WE PLAYED BLUEGRASS—I MENTIONED YOUR NAME TO A FELLOW PICKER WHO ,LIKE MYSELF, ALTERNATELY PLAYS BLUES–HE IS FAMILIAR WITH YOUR SITE NOW….THANKS FOR THE INFO. —-NOW I’LL BE LOOKING INTO A ‘LES PAUL’—-‘WIL’
Good job on explaing the difference between the strat and lp
guitars. Always wondered but never heard so clear a definition
and it will help with my setups, not so hit or miss.Thanks
Ed
Really appreciate your videos, As a “older” guitar player, you talk in “plain”language which is easier to learn and you take your time teaching verses those that run the fret board which is impossible to learn. Thanks
thanks for the simplified explanation I’ve always been a fender guy i have a strat and tele until my wife bought me a gretch electromatic. good tips I’m gonna give them a swing
Hi Griff,
only at the other afternoons jam with a freind, did I notice the diference in lengths when we swapped guitars and went for a E and played a D# then out can a tapemeasure and were amazed they were 2 diferent lengths and in collectivlly 40 years of playing both had not noticed this before.It made me realise why I like playing the Strat more with my large hands.
Hi Griff,
Just finished with the tone videos. Just wondering about my Anderson Drop Top with neck Humbucker, mid single, and bridge Humbucker with a B5 switching system with Add-bridge Push/Pull Switch. There also is a phase switch. Body wood is mahogany and it claims to have something called a vintage voicing. With all that going on, I basically find something I like and leave it alone. What does it sound like? I haven’t a clue. I suppose that someone with a good ear could use those devices to approach the sound of either the strat of LP. When I tire of practicing, I fiddle with the things seeing what happens, what a trip. If you want to pull it up on the Anderson site, it is SN 05-01-06P. I inquired of Tom about it’s history and he tells me he made it up special for the 08 NAMM, but did not know what became of it afterwards. It is kind of neat having a guitar with a little history.
Gary Odom
PS. I bought the guitar after days of playing guitars and not finding anything that really interested me. Finally the salesman says, “I have something in the back, used but in mint condition.” He brought it out and dropped it in my lap and I fell in love. I bought it on the spot. Being a newbie, I had no idea what I had just bought. “What in the world is a Tom Anderson?” The price tag told me I had bought something special or I just got bent over. When I got home, I Goggled it up and was blown away by what I had stumbled on; at actually a very good price. During check out, I bumped into a surgeon friend (lots of bucks) of mine that has a room full of guitars perhaps 50 or 60. I told him I was in the beginning phases of learning the guitar. He laughed and said, “That is like learning to drive in a Lamborghini.” I think he is right.
Griff,
Great little info clip on helping to understand the tone variations between a Strat style and a Les Paul style guitar.
I did find the info about having nines on a strat but having tens on the Les Paul. Having the heavier gauge on the Les Paul definitly helped the tone issue with the Les Paul and also improved the action and feel on the LP.
You are a great source of info and a great guitar instructor. I only wished you lived in my town in North Carolina….!!!!
Thanks’ and keep the info coming,
Jimbo
Hey Griff,
Very good info on these videos mate.
Cheers Rich.
i just finished with the 2 vedios on tone and why they are different. i haqd not thought of it being in the pickups and scale length. i have 2 prs se type guitars, 1 single cutaway and 1 strat shape and use 9.5s on both. i had wondered why one felt a little easier to bend and cord then other one. thanks for info.
Brilliant presentation of the differences between Strats and Les Paul.
I didn’t know there was a difference!
Thanks
Great explanations of the main two types of electric guitars Griff!
Thanks! : )
Hello Griff excellent video’s and like so many others i would like to see you do one on amps, and also i assume you have a range of effects pedals and i would like to know if someone said they were going to take all but 3 of your pedals off you which ones would you choose to keep, i am sure others will be interested in the answer thanks.
GREAT INFO!!!!…ALSO DIG THE SHIRT …WHERE DID YA GET IT AT
will this work on left hand
Thanks Griff,
I’ve had both styles and the videos answer my questions.
Bobtak
Thanks for the videos. I would like to see something on amps. I have a VOX 15 that has oodles of effects, but I can’t get a purely clean tone from it. With a larger Crate amp I can get a purer tone that works better with my acoustic/electrics. Any ideas?
Thanks for the tonal tips. I’m new at this and plan on getting your cds, ( can’t now ).
best wishes,
Paul
Hi Griff
Very informative.I use both Les Pauls and Strats but I’ve found the variable to getting the best out of both guitars is the amp. Any chance you could do something on getting the best out of your amp ?
I like the sound of your overdrive pedal you first use on the bridge pickup
What is it?
Hi Griff,
as i have both strat and les paul, i found the tips very usefull, and will help me to understand my guitars better as i am new to all this starting at 65.
thanks
alan
Thanks Griff – that was good – how about something on effects pedals and amps & perhaps even some combined settings to achieve a selection of different sounds (say billy gibbons, tony joe white, SRV for example) That would be very helpful – Steve
Hi Griff. The info is totally great value. I think though by watching your fingering technique I’m probably a little out of my depth wanting to play lead guitar- I’ve played rhythm for years. I’m touching on 60 years old and know that my fingers will never move that fast but hope to start the Blues Unleashed programme soon and give it a crack!. Keep up the great work.
Regards
Griffy
I really want to thank you for this lesson. I have struggled with tone for the past 10 years. (i have been playing on and off for 10 years) and I have never learned exactly what the switches did.
Do all Strats have the tuning knobs on one side of the neck? Also do all Les Pauls have 3 knobs on one side of the neck and 3 on the other?
Griff. Your videos are pointed, articulate and very helpful. As a 60 year old starter on guitar I find the basics challenging and want to go straight to the song. You bridge my desires with the necessities even as you depress me with your finger work. Oh well.
Many thanks.
Strobey Summers
Very cool demonstration tanks Griff….
Griff, thanks a mill. So, what about PRS guitars? Closer to the Strat or the Les Paul?
Thanks Griff, I didn’t know about ths scale length effect on the feel of the strings. I’ve used 10’s on both. May try 11’s on the LP next time.
Keep on rockin!
You cleared up some very aggravating questions. That wasn’t a light going off. It was the sun in my face! LOL Thank you so much.
thanks griff….never really knew what those tone controls affected my guitar ..now i do…keep the vids comming…you’re the best!
Thanks for the lesson Griff.
It’s something I’ve never paid much attention to in the past.
but shall do from here on.(very interesting)
thanks again.
Regards
George Howard
From the U/K
Thanks Griff, nice an very informative video’s.
First. All your videos are excellent. My two favorites are the Bob Murnahan and you together at a gig, and the second is you and your bare feet demonstrating your pedal board. Superb.
Now the comment and question. You addressed the differences between humbucker and single coil equipped guitars. Excellent. Now the question that has always nagged me since I played semi-pro for 15 years ending in complete ‘burn out’ in 1980. I played a Fender Jaguar, and owned two Gibson Les Pauls at that time. I did not touch a guitar for 30 years. I have now returned, and in little over one year have expanded my electric guitar collection from 1 to more than 1 dozen – looking for the answer to the following question…
Is it necessary to purchase a 1000+ dollar guitar to get a ‘good sounding’ guitar? Maybe my ears are fried, but I can tell not hear a difference in the sound of guitars based strictly on price. I do tend to favor the sound of humbuckers over single coil pickups. I don’t find that high priced, made in America, guitars to necessarily sound better than my low cost made in Asian guitars. I find that strictly based on sound, or tone, I have ‘passed by’ the high dollar guitars, and purchased low cost guitars. I have even ‘upgraded’ original pickups with 60 dollar replacements. I have converted the guitars back to original pickups, because I did not hear an improvement.
I am not a guitar collector. Having said that, electric guitars do appeal to me as attractive ‘works of art’. Regardless of price and fancy or plain adornments. After a little ‘set up’ and maybe some fret ‘dressing’, the low cost guitars sound very good to me.
Most excellent lesson Griff. Been playing a little over 5 years and never really understood my switch or tones. Now I do! You are a plethora of information. (my Enlish teacher would be so proud) Thank you again!
Liked the videos. I have strat and gibson clones
Some of the stuff you talked about I knew. I knew they sounded different.
Now I know why. Thanks for the videos.
Does fingertip shape,size and position on fret affect the tone also?
I only ask because when someone else picks up my guitars and plays they sound different.
I can tell someone else is playing my guitar. The sound or tone seems different, yet I just handed it over with no change in the settingss on the guitar or amp.
Thanks again Griff, really found the videos helpfull, Chris
Great stuff.
Perhaps you could consider covering arch top guitars, i.e. L5, ES 335 & 355’s, pickups, i.e. Joe Barden, Seymour Duncan, etc. and amps Fender, Marshall, Soldano, etc.
thank you so much i am learning all the time.
Great Stuff Griff. I thankyou for that tid bit it will make it quicker for me I useually get there but it took longer than I liked.
Very informative,I have a strat with a humbucker bridge pickup..do you know what these types of strat are called ? Thanks again for a great website,Griff.
Griff– Thanks for this clear nuts and bolts differentiation between the two general styles as relates to tone. I took some lessons years ago but nobody ever told me some of these basics.
Very informative. Learned quite a bit from this. I practice on a Les Paul style and was just looking a stepping up, so came at a good time. Thanks
Thank you for the info- Very helpful!
Thanks Griff. A wonderful overview and comparison when listened to back to back. I loved the fact that you went pickup by pickup with virtually the same progression or lick. I never considered tonal differences between the strat and les paul when using the same gauge string. It made perfect sense when you explained it. Now if you could only debunk the mystery of pedal settings..I’m just starting to explore pedals..and well, I feel like an old hound chasing a young rabbit….I’m doing a lot of running and panting….but still no where near ber’rabbit.
Thanks Griff,
That was very helpful and informative.
Totally info on the Les Paul and Strat pickups, tones and volume options. Great demo, great info has given me a lot to absorb. I enjoy both video’s very much.
Thanks. Now i know how the pickups work on my 1973 les paul.
Great info and very nice demonstration. I have been working my way through the Blue Guitar Unleashed course and am getting a lot of mileage out of it. Thanks Griff!!
Griff, it is with out question totaly amazing what you don’t know about subjects that you’ve been around
for a long time. Your videos on the subject tones, has got me doing a lot of thinking ,why I am trying
to learn to play the brand and type of instrument that I have chosen, it has been an eye opener for me.
Thanks TEACHER you are always right on time.
guitar tones with a les-paul was great thank you
Nice info and great explanation. Love the opinion of “not right or wrong, just different”.
Great info. Better job than my instructor in talking abot differences.
Thanks for the info . Handy if wanting to buy a new guitar .
Griff-I’ve been an acoustic player for (lots of) decades. Purchased your blues guitar unleashed program (& some other stuff of yours as well) and an electric guitar to open up my playing a bit; now these 2 short videos have opened up the electric A BUNCH. I finally get it. I love your teaching style, love your courses, love my guitars & what your instruction has helped me do with them. Please keep it coming-YOU ROCK.
good info for a beginner like me.
very informative
Wonderfull,that’s very-very good for you!
Always look forward to a new video tks
if in doubt buy both..thow in a tele also, greg k
Thanks for the video. Very informative and easy to understand. As is usual with all of your instructions.
Thanks Griff another great vid. How about some help with effects pedals!!. Mike from Australia
Thank you this helps to under stand more about my Fender Strat. I have the HSs and two pk ups keep sending more info every little bit helps
A drummer I always will be but now converted to guitar 6 years ago, these videos were a great help for me.
Mike (Australia)
Very interesting and useful. Well done.
Thanks, I enjoyed the info and appreciate your time and effort in helping me and others out with every thing your doing.
Thanks
I liked the two videos on tone.thanks
Hey griff, any chance on a look at some open tuning licks and tricks, the use of a peso etc.like ZZTop?, A lesson on bottleneck would be a nice edition to the blues dvds,Thank’s
You’ve ignored an important guitar style/maker that doesnt fit in either camp. RIckenbacker.
Hey Griff
I keep whacking the pick up selector on my strat when I’m playing, It drives me crazy. Any suggestions? Beyond the obvious
Thanks and keep up these amazing lessons
Regards
Mike
Hi, Griff!
Thanks for the informative videos. Now I finally know how to get that “bell”- like tone from my single coil pick-ups!
do you play black gospel
very clear explanation thanks for you videos… more power…
Man, I just realized how much I don’t know about my own strat. KUDOS {:>)
Griff , Great job on both tone lessons. You have a great way to get the point across and are very informative. Keep up the Great Job.
Griff; Where where you when was starting out 50 years ago? Every time I turn on my computer there is another jaw dropping little gem from you. Keep It up and thanks.
I’ve been playing a (very!) long time and this is among the most useful, informative lessons I’ve seen. Thanks, Griff.
Griff. This was excellent! It sure is a help to a low intermediate player. I would love to see a similar video on Amp types and configurations. I seem to get lost with the multiple possibilites in guitar tone changes and amp tones, etc. Thanks so much for your efforts. Tom
I’m 72 been playing forever. Never knew this shit. Great, Thanks
Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath uses .008 on his high E and a .008 on his B also.
He has a pretty fat tone.
Thanks Griff,
Very informative.Explained a lot that I hadn’t realised before.Especially concerning scale length.
Griff,
These videos have taken the randomness out of my knob twiddling. They are well worth your efforts. Many thanks.
Great info on Les Paul guitar. It was greatly appreciated and will help me get the sound I’m looking for. Thanks
Very informative and great presentation. Thanks, Bob
Griff, thanks for the explanation. I have been playing for 45+ years and now I teach new guitar players. I used to play a solid body Epiphone back in my 60’s rock and roll days. I have been acoustic or acoustic/electric ever since. Now I can explain to my young students who want to go electric the basic differences between the two types of pickups and what they may want to get for their first electric guitar. It is great working with kids who want to learn guitar and seeing their vision of the possibilities open up. Thanks for all you are offering here.
I been hoping someone would show this, I haven’t had anyone show me this about my Les Paul. Now I understand.
Thank’s
Griff,
thanks a lot, you responded the mistery, I was wondering why bending on LP is much easier as on Strat with the same 9-46 strings.
Member/Marko
Super information. I have wondered about the operational effects of the two guitars for some time. Thanks for presenting the two lessons.
Really useful info. re the Fender Strat re the pick-ups and controls. Many thanks.
Hey Gruff
Ibought a Strat a couple of years ago, there are only 3 positions on my pickup switch. When did this occur or did you customize yours?
Thanks, John
Hey Griff
Great information we all should know. Maybe a word sometime on what overdrive you’re using.
Am working through your BGU course, and appreciate your alliance with Bob Murnahan
Opening up whole new horizons
Thanks
Very informative, and demonstrative. thanx :^)
Like Larry but opposite – I have a Les Paul but now need to get a Strat. That was a great informative presentation. Keep up the great work.
thx for the info, especially the difference between the stratv 9’s and les paul 10’s it makes sense. got you off Bob Murnahan’s referal e-mail. Jack…..
Griff
I have a strat HSS with double humbuckers. does that mean it behaves more like a gibson than a strat? TO ROBERTD I hope you are never too old because I started out when I was 70. Spent thusands od dollars for worthless lessons before buying griffs lessons. The only individual lessons I ever felt worth while were slide lessons where learning the subtilties of muting and effective finger picking were so valuable. I also have a gibson and find it a little easier to play up to the 12th fret, I think just because of the neck length. I have small hands and short fingers. I recently bought an Ibanez ARX320 with double humbuckers with an even shorter neck and find I can bend those strings eazyest of all. I think it is a PRS knockoff and it is half the weight even though it’s a solid body. I play that more than any other guitar I have. Acoustic guitars are such a challenge I don’t even try any more although I have a very expensive Taylor hanging on my wall.I appreciateGriffs videos and his alliance with Murnahan seems to fit well.
Great explanation of the differences. If possible can you recommend an electric guitar between the Epiphone limited edition Les Paul Royale and an Epiphone limited edition Rivera Custom P93
Thanks
thanks for the tone stuff Griff…excellent…in fact all your stuffs good
cheers mate…keep it up
jb
Great explanation of the differences between these two guitar types. What you need to do is compare a hollow body guitar to the solid body guitars and show the tonal differences. This is great to show students who are just starting out.
Great explanation, its nice to see someone take a simple approach to explain something in terms we can all understand. I’m 55 yrs old and just started playing an electric Stratacaster 6 months ago. I’m working on the basic stuff learing the fretboard, scales and making sure that the notes are ringing clear. I really enjoying challenge its like learning a new language. Thanks
Griff,
Nice video, especially explaining using the volume control on a Strat.
I had a question regarding strings. I’ve always been told “Thicker String = More Tone”.
I’m using D’Addario Blues/Jazz Rock EXL115’s – .011/.014/.018/.028/.038/.049
You will definitely build up finger strength on bends with these. 🙂
But, back to my question on tone. Is it true, that these will produce more tone, than a set of .009’s or .010’s?
Hey RobertD – Visit Griff’s BGU Forum. There are a whole lot – a whole lot – of us guys in our sixties (and from the sixites) that have hopped onto Griff’s blues bandwagon. You are absolutely never too old to start, learn, or improve. Take a free ride over here…
http://bluesguitarunleashed.com/forum/YaBB.pl
All your questions get answered by those of us who have been where you are…see you there!
Griff –
Your lessons and videos are wonderful! I have always wanted to take lessons but never got to it – now I feel like I am too old to try and start over, but your series lets me learn what I need from a very competent teacher. I LOVE IT!
In your videos I have noticed some very odd picking practices, and Ive come to find out it is something called sweep picking that you utilize. Could you possibly do a video on this and show how it applies to us blues players? I always thought sweep picking was for the longhair/shredder types only…
Thanks
Robert
Hey Griff,
Great timing. I went to my Best Buy and after trying a few strat and sg style guitars I decided to pick up a Epiphone Les Paul traditional. Wow after 40 minutes of not putting it down I knew I was home. I just saw a Tradition Pro that allow for the pickups to be split. Now it is the color.
This was a very great discussion. Now P 90 versus Alnico II or V. Let’s hear about that aspect.
Barry
Very good, thanks. With regard to scale length, I wish that you had included effect, if any, on ease of string bending.
thanks again Griff,all the good stuff that you provide us with is so helpful.Itproves that we learn every day. Thanks again and keep it coming………
Well Griff, now you did it, I have a Strat already and now, I must have the Les Paul also.
Your explanations are very clear, good job.
Thanks for the info. I really like the sounds of both. Must have both.
Thanks again.
Larry
Good info.
Two other important factors are:
1) Strat style guitars have much better balance than Les Paul style guitars.
2) Strat style guitars have the removable neck which makes it MUCH easier
to level and dress the frets yourself. Almost all new guitars need to have
the frets leveled and dressed, regardless of price, so that the action can be
lowered significantly which can make the Strat style guitar the easiest guitar
to play, by far. Strats also have more easily adjustable bridges. Doing these
adjustments yourself can save a huge amount of money.
Bob,
You should acquaint yourself with PRS guitars. You will never have to level and dress the frets on any one of their models, not even one of the SE Standards which are right in the $400-500 range. Quality is second to none.
Thanks for that Griff, always wanted to know the differences between the two. Every so often you play an up and down “riff” on the pentatonic scale, going rather quickly. Is there a video where you show us how to do that a few notes at a time? More specifically you do it at about at 4:18 on your Les Paul discussion as well as other places in both video’s of course.
Are any electric guitars made with cedar? I think some acoustics are. What sound does cedar make?
Hi Griff, thanks a lot for the information, that was pretty quick overview between the two different guitar camps. I would like to see you explain the the pedal overdrive devices that you use, they seem to really liven things up somewhat, thanks.
Thanks Griff
I thank you for the information regarding the two guitars. I’m just beyond a beginner and don’t know much about guitars, especially electric. I personally have two acoustic electric guitars.
I appreciate the info because I am looking to buy an electric one.
Thanks again,
Jim
Griff: Good explaination regarding the differences between Strat/Gibson-style guitars. One missing point worth mentioning, and that is the neck wood. Gibson style guitars are always rosewood (ebony on older models) whereas Strats have a choice between that and maple. Yes the differences are suttle but should be considered when purchasing a strat.. Look at Clapton; all maple necks, and his sound (to a degree) reflects that.
Cheers,
Rick
That was great. I find it quite deficult to get the sound I want.
Thank you, Griff. I play mostly acoustic, but this helped tremendously!!
Great vid Griff. I learned the hard way. I’m in a band that plays some so that’s generally in a bar with all the lighting roadblocks. I tried using both a Strat and a LP during the set but found I had to make too many adjustments to tone and volume between songs. Plus stepping on a pedal for effect gets varying results for both guitars. Now I just use Strats so I don’t have to deal with so many variables. The Les Paul I only use for slide. I wish I’d have seen the videos a few years ago. I would have been happier and my band mates.
Very helpful information on tones for both guitars Thanks ! I enjoy your videos
Great stuff! Did not understand “Scale Length” before. Thank you!!!
Good information Griff. I would also be interested in more information about the amount of distortion you use (pedal or amp) in order to color your favorite blues tone. I see that you use a Strat style guitar on most of your lessons so I assume you prefer the single coil sound over the humbucker (or do you just like the feel and action of your Suhr?).
excellent intro – may confuse some folks who see 9.5 string sets, ‘short’ strats and teles, or those who think ‘woman tone’ is sexist and wonder what the idea is behind them. then again, i have an ash tele w/ lil ’59 bridge strat and antiquity neck and a mahog strat w/spalt top and kinmans w/a fishman bridge (both from ray redniss @ old moon guitars). both have exotic necks and ebony boards. you would have a field day. i have pix of my now 22 year old son w/ a s/s/h prs custom 24 and a small boogie. the 25 prs and andersons since didn’t make me better – it takes the work that u encourage and i commend u for that.
Playing both a Strat and a WIndsong through a line 6, tones are critical.
Keep those videos coming, they are a perfect fit with the the Blues Unleashed lessons
Awesome! I have a Les Paul Firebrand and a Fender Squire, and now I finally understand some of the differences. The Squire has the neck and middle single pickups but the bridge is a double, with adjustments. Thank you immensely.
Excellent information for me. Being a somewhat hidden guitarist (i.e I very seldom find anybody who wishes join me in a jam) this sort of information is invaluable.
Thanks & best Regards
Great explanations in a couple of brief tutorials.
Thanks
Thanks, a very good explanation. Now I know a lot more about my electric guitar. I don’t play it much and mostly use my acustic guitars as they are simpler to just pick up and play.
HI Griff, Thanks for the excellent explanation. Good stuff. Love the free videos.. Tom B
great stuff and fantastic when watching the Strat and LP videos back2back! Really helps to hear and see the range of options presented this way – THX
Griff,
Great video. Nice to see how you break down and explain the different tones on the strat in simple terms.
Thanks. Keep ’em coming.
Great lesson. I bought my first Les Paul in December and I learned more about tone from this one short lesson than my teacher has been able to show me in several weeks of lessons.
good quality info and tips.just bought a vintage les paul model v100 the sustain on this guitar is awesome any info on how to tame my new baby im running a laney lc 15
Very useful information! Thanks.
hey Griff, been teachin for years and find your programs great for beginners. i send folks to your site first, and when they’ve “found themselves” i try to further that direction with technique. Thanks for helping folks that can’ really afford it…. peace, chris.
Great!
Griff, thanks for the comparison. Very valuable to here the differences and see the adjustments side by side. Thanks again.
Great stuff Griff, you have made it simple, yet again. I thank you for always……almost all of the time…getting quickly to the point of the matter and not running your mouth forrrrr ever as most of the other video teachers do. I still go back to the Blues Unleashed videos for practice. Most of what has helped me, I’ve learned from you. Thanks again for the information.
Thanks Griff. I enjoy your videos, your real informative I wish I had the internet 30 years ago maybe I’d be playing now instead of driving a truck. P.S. I’m enjoying the Blues Unleashed DVDS.
Great info. I’d like some insight into the different upgrade pickups that are available.
Just curious about your Strat. The logo doesn’t seem to be Fender.
Thanks, DM
I’ve been playing a strat for 20 years but I learned a lot from this video that I didn’t have a clue about. Of course I play in church so I lock it in to the neck position and use only the bottom tone knob to make up for not having a bass player. When everybody starts getting off track I go for a heavy (Knoffler style) rhythm to get them back on track. I do it suttlely of coarse because I don’t like ruffling feathers amoung the flattops.
Hi
I’d really like it if you would talk about Gretsch. Also please hit on neck adjustments. Proper care and storage of your guitars. Seasonal changes. String Selection. Also ,how to choose a guitar for purchase.
In addition, I may feature a guitar story once a week on my blog. I’d love to use some of your stuff.
Please get back to me if your interested.
Thanks Griff. Unfortunately for a beginner this is way over my head, although very impressive.
A good example of the many prices I am keeping my eyes on!
Didy
Thanks Griff, I’m 68 years old and really appreciate these kinds of video’s-I don’t play out anymore
and when I first started back then, guitar players kept their secrets under the radar– really a great thing when knowledge is shared–keep it up, please.
Bill Filson
great info for me…very clear and helpful…thanks Have a great day. I had never heard it explained as you did. If you don’t know you have no clue what to ask.
Hi, Griff
Great lesson , very useful, thank you very much.
EXCELLENT!!!
Thanks Griff, Very helpfulI would be cool if you take it further and maybe do a couple of Video’s on getting the right tone out of Amps.
Great vids Griff. I have one of each a Strat and a DBZ actually and noticed the different tensions but had no idea why. I am going to put 9s on my Strat now because I like easier bends. Good stuff keep it coming please!
Two good ones, Griff! If you remember I have a 1968 B.B. King Gibson and consider myself a wannabe rythem (can’t spell either) Guitarist, longing for the ability to play lead! Since I’m almost 81 I think that ain’t gonna happen.
None the less I get great enjoyment from my “BB” in a C/W Band that plays @ nursing homes mainly. The most enjoyable is at a Veteran’s home (I’m a Korea Era Vet myself) and know they do enjoy what we do.
Back to the two vid’s – they showed me just what I have been trying to find by trial and error. Believe it or not, it reduces the infinite possible combinations on the “BB” to a simpler way to get the sound I want. The “BB” does have stereo out-puts, that I have yet to try. I’ll get the “guts” to try them someday, since it ideally takes two amps that are seperated in space.
thanks Griff.
Hi Griff,
I have made 2 electric guitars. The second one has a very interesting sound. It has Semour D SH4 bridge and Pearky Gate neck. the uniqueness of the guitar is that the top is 3/4″ arch top made of Purple Heart which is twice as hard as oak and 1 1/4″mahogany. The guitar was tested in real gigs. In one case the lead guitar used a Tele and mine sounded better, another case the lead used a Strat and again mine sounded better and last case it was a LP custom and again mine sounded better. In all cases the lead were professional recording musician, each made a set with his guitar then one with mine. My guitar sounds between a Strat and a LP. The Purple Heart guives it a crisp bright sound and mahogany accentuates the mids which removes the thin twin sound of the Tele and Strat. At the same time the sound is not as muddy as the LP.
Thanks for the videos, Griff. One point re: Les Paul (especially my ’71 Gibson LP Custom) that I really enjoy is the sustain that I get from the mahogany body and neck! I have Fender Strats, Telecasters, and a ’59 Jazzmaster that simply do not have the sustain capabilities. It is nice to have both style guitars though. Each has their unique characteristics!!
Excellent and well explained, as always Griff.
Many thanks.
Merci,
Enfin une explication courte et claire, précise et compréhensible, comme on en voit peu.
Keep up the good work…comme vous dites…
Great instructions Griff; I’ve taught basic guitar without even knowing what those nobs were, even playing with all of them in the studio to try and acheive the P/U sound I was looking for. Thanks for sharing. I happen to kn ow there are other “dynamic” totally far out guitar instruction sites that will tell you that you will learn these guitar functions as you go along in order to sound like the pros when you play. I’ve never bought that and even after consulting instruction music books have only found a clear understanding from you video. Thanks Griff, you the man!
really nice stuff…..most of us just keep the controls at one place and never change anything….but its great to know that there is a difference when you fool around with the controls….makes it more interesting to finding new sounds rather than always having the same ones over and over…..i thought your videos were pretty informative…..nice work….thanks
First class presentation as usual.
Thanks Griff!
Very enjoyable.
Great info, well explained & very clear
Thanks
Hi Griff !
Nicely explained thanks Buddy ! You explained the differences really well and I now appreciate my Strat & Tele guitars even more !
It would be really useful to beginners on lead guitar like me to get some guidance on use of effects and amp settings to get nice blues or country style sounds if you could ?
Best Regards . . . Eddie ( UK ).
Good rundown on the difference in guitars. I am fortunate to have a Fender Powerhouse Stratocaster. Some unique features it has are a master “no load” tone control (tone knob 1 controls all 3 pickups) and a 12db boost or gain from tone knob 2. It also has active electronics and a dummy pickup under the pick guard for noise cancellation. Love this thing… excuse me… I have to go noodle on it.
WHEN I FIRST STARTED TO PLAY I WAS ASKING ALL THESE QUESTIONS THAT YOU ARE ANSWERING SO WELL. GREAT DEMONSTRATION. YOU SEEM TO BE GETTING A GREAT TONE FROM BOTH GUITARS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT AMP AND OVERDRIVE PEDAL YOU ARE USING. I FIGURED THESE QUESTIONS OUT YEARS AGO. YOU NEED A STRAT AND A LES PAUL AND YOU ARE SET FOR LIFE!!!!!
very good accurately demonstrated easy to follow as usual he is patient
Would you mind making these videos available for download ?
This is one of the first clear explanations I have ever seen on the two basic styles of electric guitars and I have to say it is very well done.
Excellent work Grill!
Are amps next ?
mine has …
Power Level
Gain
Volume
Master
knobs
seems very excessive to me.