Kimock's Corner: Discussion
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Lap Steel Tuning1Q Steve, what's your tuning, root 3rd 5th root 3rd 5th? Do you use many slants or behind the bar string pulls? Who are your influences, I'm guessing playing with Freddie Roulette must have been informative. Any advice on developing...
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Naught Again1Q I am very excited about your new release 'Naught Again' and would love to purchase a copy. But how do I purchase a digital copy? I have already sold all my vinyl and CDs due to space constraints and...
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Kimock Amp Mods for Fender Twin1Q Hey everyone, I’m looking to achieve a “Kimock-esque“ tone, but I’m completely new to amp mods. I have a Fender Twin Reverb. Could anyone make some mod recommendations that would point me in the right direction? Your input is appreciated! Rusty,...
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tremolo arm on guitar1Q hi steve, i've had the pleasure of seeing a bunch of your shows live & i keep up best as i can online with your journey, but i don't think I've ever seen you use a tremolo arm on any...
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Writing Instrumental Music1Q Hey Steve, I was wondering if you could shed some light on your process for writing some of your instrumental tunes... How did they come about? Divine inspiration? Brute force? Do you start with a groove or a snippet of...
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and Friends1Q When Steve Kimock is playing with Steve Kimock and Friends this summer, who is in that band and what instruments do they play? Is there a vocalist? gW Gerald, Texas
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Strange pickups2Q Hey Steve, With your extensive gear knowledge, I thought I’d ask you about your preferences regarding lesser used pickups (gold foils, Kleenex box, Charlie Christian, etc). Any thoughts? -George George, Colorado Springs, CO
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New amp recommendation - Fat Jimmy or?3Q Hi Steve, I recently sold my 59 Bassman with plans to replace it with a smaller amp. Yeah, I know, who the hell sells a 59 Bassman. It was just too valuable to take out of the house much and...
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Blackface Bassman2Q I know you are fond of the blond 6G6B Fender Bassman but what is your experience with the BF Fender Bassman? Part of the reason I ask is that the BF Bassman is much easier to obtain. I'm still...
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Sleeping Lady 1977?1Q Hi Steve, We met in Mill valley after a performance of the New Maihar Band (Ali Akbar College's student ensemble) at the Sleeping Lady. I was playing Double Bass, not brilliantly. After the gig you introduced yourself, and here's what...
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Favorite Reverb4Q Over the years, I’m sure you’ve had your fair share of reverb units. What is/was your favorite and why? Craig, FL
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Beginning Lap Steel4Q Hey Steve, Really enjoyed seeing the gig at the Ardmore with Ron Holloway and Tim Carbone at the end of last year! I'm currently sidelined from playing fretted guitar due to tennis elbow and a couple other nagging overuse injuries....
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Dumble5Q Dumble passed away, which Im sure youve heard. Did you ever get to meet the man? Was your Dumble amp one of the bespoke ones which he tuned to your playing or did you get it from a previous...
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String gauges and action height1Q Hey Steve, I read somewhere that you have dropped down in terms of your normal string gauges. Can you give us some insight into what you’re running on the strat and Les Paul? Brand would be cool too! Also wondering...
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Blonde Archtop1Q Hey Steve would you mind telling us about your new archtop you've been playing on stage lately? I'm curious about the pickup and that stripe running through the middle—I've never seen that in an archtop before! Jarett, Fl
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Subbing Tritones Into Blues Scale3Q I didn't mentally understand the suggestion for subbing tritones for every other blues note. Then I played it like a scale and I didnt hear it. Then I played it as double stops, and I heard it. Then I...
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Walker Phoenix1Q Hi Steve, I am the new owner of a guitar that I believe you collaborated with Scott Walker on. I believe it is the prototype to his Phoenix model. It has a bookmatched set of flamed mahogany with a rosewood...
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New Prototype Amp in your videos.2Q Steve, I can't get over the tone you're getting with the goldtop. I like it more than you're other humbucker related tones that you get from the Explorer and Walkers. My favorite tones are coming from your Jerry-related Instagram...
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Alternate tunings1Q Hey Steve- We e talked about this before, but we’re always interrupted by work. Can you tell what tunings you use and why? Why use the “Stella blue” tuning bringing string 3 up to A. Why not just use that...
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Settings on your boss reverb pedal.8Q Hey Steve, Going for a strong reverb sound to match with an old blackface head. Where do you keep the settings on your old grey boss reverb? You’re the man. Much love and respect as always. -Sam Sam, Sheridan, WY
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Practice2Q Hey man thank you. Love your quarter note swing. Was there a specific practice regime you followed coming up, or was more of a “if you like it learn it” type situation? And if you could change anything regarding...
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cables4Q Hi Steve, love all you've done. what cables are you using these days? thanks in advance mark Mark, ontario, canada
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Lipstick Pickups4Q Hi Steve, I am having Bilt make me a guitar with lipstick pups. I can't get a hold of anything vintage. Do you have a recommendation for a modern winder? Thanks! Rick Rick, CO
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Setlist for SunEagles show0Q Hi Steve, Just recently discovered your music, and saw my first show at SunEagles…I was blown away! I was trying to figure out the setlist based on my research of your music…hopefully you could provide it! Really really liked that...
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Impedance question1Q Hi Steve! I was just wondering how you run your 3 by 10 cab. I’m guessing you’re using the blackface bandmaster with the updated output transformer in it. Do you run the cab at the normal 4 ohm rating...
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Setlist for SunEagles show1Q Hi Steve, Just recently discovered your music, and saw my first show at SunEagles…I was blown away! I was trying to figure out the setlist based on my research of your music…hopefully you could provide it! Really really liked that...
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Note of Appreciation1Q 10 Aug. 21 Hi Steve: Just a brief note of appreciation for you and your band's and staff show at The Ardmore Music Hall on Sat. evening. You can play all tempos of music in an engaging way. Everyone is...
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Gibson Goldtop3Q Whats the story with the Gibson Goldtop youve been playing recently? Is it a Les Paul Deluxe? Ben, Ca
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the upcoming Jerry Week show at the Ardmore0Q Morning! I'm taking my daughter (16) to her first real concert - your upcoming show at the Ardmore for Jerry week. Can you share any songs you're working on so that I can get a tune or two in...
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Tongue n Groove0Q Steve, Could you please tab out that beautiful descending riff at the very end of TnG? Thats incredible!! One of the most melodic riffs Iv'e ever heard. Thanks Ron Ron, Pennsylvania
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Silverface Dual Showman Reverb Head with 2 x 8" Speakers inside?1Q Hello, Do you think it's possible to retain an original Silverface Dual Showman Reverb chassis in it's head form and then install 2 x 8" speakers inside the head cabinet to convert the head into a combo? I think the SF...
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Achieving Tone0Q Hi Steve. I’ve been struggling for years to achieve a tone I love. I have a fender strat w stock pick ups, and a mid 70’s fender twin that is way too heavy for me now. I can get...
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Guitar at the Gothic3Q Hey was just watching Bad Hair from the Gothic. Looks like a pro shot vid, and Steve's playing a les Paul looking guitar with an intricate carving. Looks like scalloped frets as well, but maybe that's an optical illusion....
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Strat Wiring / Philosophy of Cleans1Q Hey Steve, It’s great to hear that you’re gonna be getting back out on the road. Meanwhile, I was wondering if you can point me at a good write-up that explains the wiring of your 60 Strat w lipstick...
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"Surely this day " Slide1Q What's the slide used ( make , gauge etc ) on Surely this day ? Em, Ca
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Hamilton Elementary friend - congratulations and a great career!1Q Hi Steve! Pete Loupos from the old neighborhood and Hamilton Elementary alumni. I have been following your career and videos on YouTube. So much good music! Congratulations on a wonderful career so far, I am sure there is more to...
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Shelter in place gear4Q Hey Steve! Since we are all emerging from our year and a half hibernation, I am wondering what amps and gear were you really digging while having to spend lots of hours playing at home? Anything you discovered or re-discovered? Thanks! Ben Ben,...
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Rehearsal Babble1Q How does one maintain cool during rude rehearsal distractions? JR, NY
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Dead guitarists and their equipment4Q Steve, would love to get your perspective on other "Garcia style" guitarists and their approach and tone. The good news is that they, like Dead fans, are like snowflakes. No two are the same. Some are faithful to...
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What Wha?3Q Hey there, Steve - Don't know as I've ever crossed paths with any recordings of you using a wah - if you have, do you have a weapon of choice? I think my favorite voicing is the Colorsound wah Jerry was...
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Modern amp speakers and Boost/OD pedals1Q Hey Steve! Two questions for you: 1. Are there any modern speakers that you prefer/recommend for Fender style amps? 2. I know you don’t use boost or OD pedals, but are there ones that you like? I’m on a quest to really minimize...
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Stereo guitar rig out of phase.1Q I have been on a long quest for the “perfect” guitar tone. I play a 1984-85 Guild Aviator, and it’s my one and only. I recently bought a Motion Sound kp-408 3D stereo keyboard amp. It has 2 offset...
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dumble speaker load2Q miss ya, brutha... i’m waiting on a louis electric dumble 183 build, 100 watt. (he calls it the cobra). i’m curious about the difference if any in running two 16 ohm speakers vs two 8 ohm speakers (wired parallel), IOW,...
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Guitar Tab for Chance in a Million album1Q Hi Steve, Huge fan...seen you with Zero so many times I lost count. I have been looking for the tab for this amazing album and I cannot find it anywhere. Can I purchase it from you? John John, NY
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Lessons1Q I came across your music totally randomly on the Internet Archive Live Music Archive years ago and have been hooked ever since. I had never heard of you at all, I only saw the number of shows uploaded and...
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Guitar ID1Q What is the backstory on that Dr.Seuss guitar you played on Dark Star on the 3rd night of Phil and Phriends? It’s the weird thing with the large hole between pickups - second from the right at the bottom...
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paging dr.zaius0Q hi steve huge fan here. hope you and yours are well. i've never figured out how to count along with the song dr.zaius. i usually leave the imponderables alone and let it just play along and wash over...
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Fan from the old days1Q Hi Steve. Fan from the OPEN Days, always admired your playing. Would like to see your band here in the Lehigh Valley. 😊🙏🎶 Mark, Allentown, Pennsylvania
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White Strat Pick UPS2Q Hi Steve, Long time listener first time caller... I love the white strat’s tone. I’ve heard the pickups were Danelectro bass pick ups. Any details or intel on this would be greatly appreciated. Hope all is well. Bart Bart,...
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About the"It's up to you " lap steel tuning0Q Hi, I'm Gérard, a french guitarist living in St Etienne, France. I admire the work of Steve since I discovered him on the Everybody's slides 2 compilation in 1993. Since 2009 I have been writing for a French magazine "blues magazine"...
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Song Creation and Location1Q Dear Steve, I am curious if there are any particular physical locations that invoked or inspired particular songs. While I imagine The Muse transcends any specific place, is there an instance where you can say, "Yes, (insert song title) arose...
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Tabs of Steve’s Music0Q Hi there, hope everyone’s well. I’m hoping to see if anyone here can point me to some tabs of Steve’s music. There were some great tabs floating around a few years back that seem to have vanished into thin...
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SKB Cover Band0Q Hey Steve im in a band that does alot of SKB and originals......please dont laugh :))) Its been great, so we do Ice Cream, Moon People. Poonk, Tongue and Groove, electric wildlife, Tangled hangers, 5b4funk. Anyway, do you have any...
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The State of Tonewood and Instrument Archiving1Q In an effort to occupy my mind mid-quarantine I've taken to researching your primary Charles Lobue Explorer and came across the (somewhat defunct) website which states that the body is made of birch, while the neck is mahogany. So...
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soundman / lighting question0Q Obviously there are relevant differences between playing in a small bar or in a big shed and / or playing with a small band or with a bigger ensemble, but taking all that into consideration, what qualities and talents...
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Picked up a LoBue Guitar1Q Hi Steve, Through the magic of the internet, I have picked up a LoBue guitar. I knew who he was from being an admirer of your playing, so figured why not reach out? Would love to hear any info you've...
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Strat wiring0Q Hi Steve. I have a customer in Paris, France who is a fan of your music and playing style. I'm building him a custom hollow strat and he wants your electronics suite. I have no idea what goes on...
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Cole’s Law and such...0Q I’ve had the pleasure of not only listening to your music but also being educated by it. I can only play by ear(as a lefty-strung-righty no instructors would take the time...I digress..), you’ve made an insatiable desire to learn....
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Playing with Bernie Worrell0Q Hi Mr Kimock - I just got done watching the documentary on Bernie Worrell. Worth the watch. I saw your tour with Bernie in Columbus, OH and it was a great show! Have you ever considered releasing some of those...
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All the best0Q Just want to wish the best to you and your family. I was just listening to a Sweetwater download of yours an it was amazing yet again. I was there to see you play the Orson Welles song....
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Phil & Friends 1999 rig2Q Hi Steve, I saw you play with Phil at the two July shows at the Warfield, I wonder if you have a memory of what your general rig was with that mutating band around that time? Thanks for your time...
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Scale lengths and Cabs1Q Hey there Steve! I've been curious about a few things—first, what's the scale length for your main explorer? And what are your opinions on differing scale lengths in general? Lastly, what's the setup on your 3x10 cab you use...
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thanks...just listening...not a question...1Q i met you a long time ago...at a hornsby show...my buddy knew charlie miller...we spoke about your guitars and amp...basically how you get the sound...dumble amps...just want to make it short...we have all been trapped for the last seven...
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Using 2 amps in Stereo4Q Hi Steve - I hope all is well with you and that you are staying safe and sane. I have a number of questions I would love to ask you, but will start with 1. I am new to using...
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Playing with different bass players2Q You've played with a wide variety of bass players throughout your career ranging from those categorized as -- please excuse the labels -- more jazzy (for instance, a Tony Saunders), more funky (e.g., a George Porter), "classical" (Alfonso Johnson),...
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Semi Hollow Guitar2Q Saw you last night with Hot Tuna. Love the sound of your semi-hollow/archtop. I didn’t get a good look at it, but wanted to get some additional for. Brand, model, year, modifications, etc. Great show. Thanks. Craig, New Jersey
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Sideways amp1Q Hey Steve, I've seen you and some others position your amp on its side on stage during a show. Is there a specific reason one might do that? Anything tone-wise? I've noticed you place a head on top of,...
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Boogie Prototype/Nick Gravenites0Q Steve, We've met several times before, back in the day. The Cotati Caberet, with the Mix, and also as sound tech at Studio KAFE in Santa Rosa. Also, we have a lot of mutual friends, including Richie Blue and Galene...
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Taming feedback with arch top.2Q Hi Steve, how do you manage feedback with your L-7 at stage volume? Thank you. John, PA Taming feedback
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Favorite Guitar To Play?2Q Steve, In your vast array of amazing stringed instruments, which is your favorite to play and why? Ron, NJ
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How about we do your birthday in Fayetteville again next year?1Q George's is such a great venue, i would love to do it again. Silly question, but when a room is listening that intently, do you consciously go for more subtle approaches to phrasing and volume? pat, Texas
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Past and present gear1Q About a year ago I acquired a guitar that used to belong to Michael Travis from string cheese, it’s a 1978 Ibanez mc 200 with a bunch of mods such as built in pre amp . From what I...
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Jam band tips1Q Hey Steve, I’m a huge fan of your music! I recently (5 months ago) started a jam band with some of my friends from college, and we’ve been loving every second of it! My question is, do you have...
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Steel2Q Hello Steve, I have been enjoying the lap steel, after Ohio I work with it at least once a week. Couple questions: 1. Did you recommend a picking pattern? I am mostly thumb and index. 2. Is the...
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Scott Walker neck plates1Q Hey Steve. You think one of these might affect adversely the tone of my ‘56 strat or do you see these neck plates as only adding benefit. Also do you notice that they thicken up the high E string...
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Gear2Q I was wondering what amps you typically use- I have been listening to some of the Zero material and your later albums- I really like your lead tone with the clean Jerryish thing happening. I am thinking Fender, or...
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Zero/Greg/Robert Hunter1Q Hey Steve- gotta imagine that both you and Greg wrote a lot of tunes with Hunter that haven't seen the light of day. The Zero shows last July and Nov were great and SF brought back the Zero...
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germany1Q hi are there plans for touring germany in the future? i remember herrenwies black forest. best wishes rudi rudi, germany
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Rainbows Cadillac0Q I’m having trouble with the guitar parts on Bruce’s song Rainbows Cadillac. It moves so fast and I cannot find the music anywhere. Can you lead me to a sorce so I can slow it down and...
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Custom guitar1Q First of all, thank you for playing such honest and truly from the soul music. I have been playing the same kind of music for as long as I can remember. Although not on the same level. Even in 8th...
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Supro Ozark Question8Q Hello. I have been to your gigs a couple of times both in the US and Japan. They were two of the best gigs I have ever expereinced. Anyway, I have had a 50s or 60s Supro Ozark guitar...
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Old recordings0Q Is it possible to get a copy of 12/9/2004 at the Mystic. I think I bought a copy from digitalsoundboard.net but they are now defunct... That show was amazing! Theo, NY
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About your amp Fender Bandmaster1Q Hello, I'm Tatsuro Kusunoki from Japan. I play the guitar and I'm trying to buy an amp soon. Would you tell me some detail specifications about your Fender Bandmaster. I really love your sound and want to sound like you but Two Rock is...
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Les paul3Q Hi Steve, I have all way been told that light les Paul’s are the only ones worth bothering with. I just bought one 11.5lb and it is the best Les Paul I have ever owned. So do I have this weight thing backwards? Bill, California
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Thirds on the guitar. Consonant or dissonant?2Q Hello Steve! Tal here, I have this discussion with piano tuners and various musicians, but when it comes to guitarists it’s a shoulder shrug usually, like it’s just an inherent part of our instrument that the interval of a third...
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Acoustic pickup.2Q At Godfrey’s the sound was very organic, not piezo clack. Is that the Turner thing or do you tame that with the black box/ sho impedance tempering. John, Emmaus PA
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missing man sound2Q over the last year or so I keep going back to the Missing Man Formation videos. The sound is so unique.... bobby's bass and your guitar meld so well. Very emotional. That Strat looks unique too, what configuration is...
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George's Fayetteville,Arkansas 10/4 - 10/61Q Any chance Earl Cate will sit in one night? If so, peek into your crystal ball and enlighten me with the date. Much Appreciated! Miss seeing you in Fayetteville as often as when the highly esteemed Harold Wieties was...
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Wah, fuzz 'n' shine5Q Hey there, Steve - Many thanks for years of great tunes and vibes. Simple stuff: I know at one point you were an occasional Hartman Ge fuzz user ... how about these days? And: you've never been one to get lost in the...
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Kimock Signature model Two Rock amp2Q Hi there Steve. I just bought a Two Rock Kimock signature model amp. I was wondering what amp this is based on or is it more of a custom to your specs type of this? Do...
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Lap steel1Q Hey Steve! I recently got a lap steel and was wondering about yours! What are some turnings you use? Any specific tone bars or slides that you prefer? What string gauges you find work best? Any beginner lap steel mistakes i...
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Pickups3Q What kind of pickups are in your explorer. What are you looking for from your pickups? Flat response, a little color? I feel like Ive got to the point where Im making little steps as far as better "tone"....
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All Things String1Q Hey Steve! This might be a basic/oft asked question, but for the sake of clarity, as well as compartmentalizing in the new forum, I was wondering what strings you're running on your current guitars these days? —mainly the primary...
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Plectrums1Q I noticed you were using a big ol' clear triangle (v-pick?) at the Sweetwater run back in February. At OCF it looked like a standard 351 shape but still that transparent material. Do you have a preferred...