Ask Zac

Eight months ago, I built a baritone Telecaster with some friends. Since then, it has traveled with me all over the United States and Europe on tours, stages, airplanes, and 18-wheelers. Through all these gigs, I’ve learned a lot about what makes a baritone work in a band setting, and what doesn’t.

In this episode of Ask Zac, I’m taking a deeper look at the evolution of this guitar and the biggest change I’ve made to it: installing a Glaser bender.

The guitar is tuned B-to-B, and I’ve found that the lower register makes it a fantastic complement to other instruments. I’ll discuss what I discovered while playing and soloing onstage, including how the lower range encouraged me to play more melodically and simply rather than trying to compete with the fastest players.

I’ll also share the practical lessons I’ve learned along the way, such as cutting low end, using more dirt, and experimenting with different string sets before settling on a lighter D’Addario set. I’ll explain why my attempt to use an unwound third string failed and how that ultimately led me to add the bender.

Additionally, we’ll take a close look at the Glaser bender itself to hear what happens when you put one on a B-to-B baritone. It delivers a bigger, throatier sound than a conventional Telecaster bender, bringing both unique advantages and drawbacks that open up interesting musical possibilities. Finally, I’ll talk about the Music City Bridge saddles, the Ron Ellis Tele pickups that have been in the guitar for the last seven months, and a few other experiments.

Think of this as a sequel to my original baritone Telecaster video, updated with everything I've learned from eight months of real-world use on the road.

www.truetone.com

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#AskZac #BaritoneGuitar #Telecaster #GlaserBender #BBender #FenderTelecaster #BaritoneTelecaster #GuitarGear
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In this episode of Ask Zac, I’m paying tribute to the late, great Jerry Jones, one of Nashville’s most respected guitar repairmen, builders, and innovators.

Before becoming known for his incredible line of instruments, Jerry was the guitar guru for many of Nashville’s top players, including Chet Atkins, Reggie Young, and Sam Bush. He eventually began building his own instruments, creating unique hybrids and, most famously, a whole range of beautifully made guitars inspired by the classic Danelectro designs.

We’ll look at Jerry’s incredible Bass 6, baritone, 12-string, sitar, double-neck, and other specialty instruments, and the musicians and records that helped make these unusual guitars essential studio tools. 

I’ll also talk about Jerry’s work for Merle Haggard, his friendship with Danelectro founder Nat Daniel, the return of the Danelectro name in the 1990s, and the lawsuit that ultimately had a major impact on Jerry’s guitar business.

And, of course, I’ll show you one of my favorite Jerry Jones instruments: Brad Paisley’s Bass 6, a guitar Brad bought in the mid-'90s that has appeared on every Brad Paisley record and continues to be an important part of his musical arsenal.

Jerry Jones made instruments that were innovative, incredibly useful, and built to survive the road. His guitars became the go-to “niche” instruments for countless players, and his influence can still be heard today.

This is a tribute to Jerry Jones, his remarkable instruments, and the lasting mark he left on the world of guitars.

www.truetone.com

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#AskZac #JerryJones #Danelectro #Bass6 #BaritoneGuitar #GuitarHistory #NashvilleGuitars #BradPaisley
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On today’s Ask Zac, I’m talking about playing in the context of a band, specifically how I used a Danelectro 6-String Bass (Tic-Tac Bass) with Brad Paisley on the Today Show.

A lot of players talk about the history of instruments like the Fender Bass VI or Danelectro 6-String Bass, but not enough people talk about how to actually use them in a song. These instruments can be amazing when they complement the arrangement instead of fighting for space.

I’ll break down my part on Brad Paisley’s song “This Town” from the Tackle Box album, including:

* How I approached the Tic-Tac Bass part
* Playing simple parts that support the song
* Doubling Telecaster licks for a bigger sound
* Using tremolo, overdrive, and EQ to make the instrument fit in a band
* Why avoiding full chords and staying out of the bass player’s way matters

I’ll also share the story behind playing “This Town” and “Home Sweet Hotel” on the Today Show, including the gear I used, the Danelectro Hodad 6-String Bass, and how I approached the live performance.

www.truetone.com

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Today Show with Brad Paisley "This Town"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMIJe18WeJg

#AskZac #Danelectro #BassVI #TicTacBass #BradPaisley #Telecaster #SessionGuitar
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In this episode of Ask Zac, I take a deep dive into Naturally (1971), the landmark debut album that quietly shaped the playing of Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Tom Petty, John Mayer, and countless others.

We'll explore the story behind the album, how "After Midnight" and "Call Me the Breeze" helped launch J.J. Cale's career, and why his understated touch, groove, and phrasing became the foundation of what many call the "Tulsa Sound." I also demonstrate some of Cale's signature guitar licks and explain how his simple, tasteful approach influenced generations of players.

Whether you're a longtime J.J. Cale fan or hearing Naturally for the first time, this album deserves a place on every guitarist's essential listening list.

www.truetone.com

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#JJCale #Naturally #EricClapton #MarkKnopfler #JohnMayer #TomPetty #Guitar #GuitarLessons #AskZac #VintageGuitar #TulsaSound #BluesGuitar #ClassicRock
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Ever wondered why the 1970s Fender Telecaster Custom and Telecaster Deluxe are some of the most misunderstood guitars Fender ever built? In this episode of Ask Zac, we take a deep dive into these "wicked stepchildren" of the Telecaster family and uncover what makes them so unique.

We'll explore the fascinating story of Seth Lover's Wide Range Humbucker, why Fender hired the inventor of Gibson's legendary humbucker, and how these guitars were designed to compete directly with Gibson in the 1970s. Along the way, we'll compare the Telecaster Custom and Deluxe to a traditional Telecaster, discuss the CBS-era design changes, demonstrate their unique tones, and look at the famous players who made them part of their sound, including Keith Richards.

In this video:
• The history of Seth Lover's Wide Range Humbucker
• Why Fender created the Telecaster Custom and Deluxe
• CBS-era features: Micro-Tilt, bullet truss rod, and three-bolt necks
• Gibson-style wiring and why it makes these guitars so versatile
• Tone demonstrations and pickup blending
• Keith Richards
• What makes these once-overlooked guitars collectible today

www.truetone.com

To Support the Channel:
Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZac
https://ask-zac-shop.fourthwall.com
Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac
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Thanks to my Patreon supporters and everyone who helps support the channel!

#Telecaster #Fender #VintageGuitars #AskZack #GuitarHistory #WideRangeHumbucker #SethLover #KeithRichards #TelecasterCustom #TelecasterDeluxe #ElectricGuitar
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