From the very anticipated DVD concert we discuss in both parts of of conversation-

For more info on the soulful James Crouch go to- http://jamescrouchguitar.com

Check out James delivering the goods-

For more on all things Leslie West and the new release “Soundcheck” go to- http://www.mountainrockband.com/leslie-west.html

Here’s Leslie blasting through the classic “Goin Down” from the new release “Soundcheck”-

Let’s dip back to this amazing version of “Satisfaction”from Leslie when he was with the Vagrants(1966)-

500 Words Dean Guitars

How can you hate on Dean Guitars? To me Dean represents everything great about rock ‘n‘ roll because they are big, bold, dynamic and slightly idiotic (but I mean that in the nicest possible way).

Throughout it’s history Dean Guitars have made instruments for almost every major rock act during the last forty years including Dimebag Darrell, Michael Schenker, Kansas, Leslie West, The Cars, Heart, Doobie Brothers, Jefferson Starship, Dave Mason, Triumph, Iron Maiden, Sammy Hagar, Nils Lofgren and ZZ Top.

Founded in 1977 by Dean Zelinsky in Chicago Dean Guitars was on the forefront of the handmade electric guitar revival during the 1970’s.

In my opinion Dean Guitars are criminally overlooked and I think that’s partly because they stood out like a giant middle finger in a way that Hamer or PRS never did. Take a look at some of Zelinsky’s original designs like the ML or the Cadillac there isn’t anything subtle about them.

Named as a memorial for one of Dean Zelinsky’s friends, Matthew Lynn, the ML is the most striking of Dean’s early designs. The ML is a mutant cross between a Flying V and an Explorer that sported a giant “v” shaped headstock that was clearly at odds with what other contemporary builder were making.

For me the other early standout design was the E’lite and it’s upscale brother the Cadillac. The E’lite /Cadillac was a riff the classic Les Paul design but had a more aggressive lower bout, an angular upper bout and the massive f* you Dean headstock.

It would be one thing if these guitars were all show but no go but Zelinsky’s guitars used classic building techniques such as high quality tone woods, long tenon neck joints, and high quality hardware and electronics.

While Dean did catch some flack during his early days for using some highly suggestive ad campaigns that featured scantily clad bikini models this approach worked and eventually his guitars found their way into the hands of high-profile players including one Randy Rhodes.

As Dean’s profile rose demand eventually outstripped the small company’s ability to keep up with demand so as was with the case of B.C. Rich Dean started importing lower price point versions of their guitars from the Far East.

In 1991 Zelinsky sold his company in order to spend time with his wife and family.

Nine years later Zelinsky returned to Dean as a consultant and was involved with marketing, US production, guitar design and artist relations.
By 2008 Zelinsky had left Dean for the final time only to start DBZ Guitars and in 2012 Zelinsky formed Dean Zelinsky Private Label. While Dean’s current guitars are considerably more subdued than his previous designs it’s any one’s guess how resonant players will find them.

Love them or hate them Dean Guitars are a uniquely American guitar, loud, obnoxious, outrageous and very rock ‘n’ roll.

For more of what Dean Zelinsky has been up to check out:

https://deanzelinsky.com

For people who are more interested in more “Dean” like guitar check out

http://www.deanguitars.com
http://www.guitarsbydiamond.com

For more on Gary and the guitar giveaway go to- http://garyhoey.com

500 Words Guitarists on YouTube You Should Know

Love it or hate it but YouTube has become a very big way to get noticed as a player. There’s a good number of players that have been able to either leverage their video presence to something resembling a musical career.

Let’s take a look.

Bob Margolin: Bob is one of the last sidemen to record and tour with Muddy Waters. If that wasn’t enough Margolin can also be spotted playing in the Martin Scorcese film “Last Waltz”. Margolin still records and tours and numerous “how to” videos of his tips and techniques have been released on YouTube throughout the years. If you have any interest in electric blues check out Margolin’s website. http://bobmargolin.com

Greg Koch: Koch is perhaps best known for his work as a clinician for Fender and numerous product demonstration videos for Wildwood Guitars. http://www.gregkoch.com

Rob “Chappers” Chapman: Clinician, gear demo guy, sessions musician, front person for his own band, Dorge, and entrepreneur Rob Chapman seems to be everywhere. “Chappers” has literally hundreds of videos that range from product demonstrations to travelogues to lesson plans and general goofing around. “Chappers” also has his own line of guitars called Chapman Guitars. Check out http://www.robchapman.tv

Scott Grove: Grove is a controversial choice I know. Some people just hate him and that’s okay but if you ever want to hear what some of the more unusual guitars that have been made chances are he as a video of him playing it… that is if you can get past all the talky bits. Check out http://www.freewebs.com/groovymusiclessons/meetscottgrove.htm

Pete Thorn: Peter Thorn has been a sideman to the stars with stints with Mick Jagger, Stevie Nicks and Warren Zevon to name a few. Thorn also has numerous high quality demo videos on YouTube showing off top end gear and he also has an extensive list of lesson plans on his website. Check out http://peterthorn.com

Gregor Hilden: If you ever want to see some high quality demonstration videos of high-end guitars Gregor Hilden of Greg’s Guitars is your guy. He doesn’t talk, he uses a teddy bear as a mic stand, and he uses exactly the same delay pedal and OD pedal through the same amp with every demo so a viewer can get a very good side-by-side comparison of a lot of different gear. It also doesn’t hurt he’s got some very tasty chops so he’s a pleasure to listen to. Check out
http://www.gregorhilden.de

Lance Keltner: Ever want a glimpse into the “unobtanium” market? Lance has probably made a video with it. Like Thorn and Chapman, Keltner has also acted as a sideman and a session guy so he’s got some impressive chops. http://www.destroyallguitars.com/dag-artists/80-lance-keltner

Glen Kuykendall: Speaking about “unobtanium” nothing says “unobtanium” like a ’59 Les Paul and a Ken Fischer made Trainwrek amp. But owning some impressive gear doesn’t make you a standout player, playing on the popular “O Brother Where Art Thou?” soundtrack and cutting some tracks with both Eric Clapton and Gregg Allman does. Check out http://glenkuykendall.com

For more on Rachel and the CrashDollz- http://www.crashdollz.com

CrashDollz Live-

For more info on Dani and the band Marbin go to- http://www.marbinmusic.com

Check out the track African Shabtay from the album Aggressive Hippie’s-

For more info on Adrian X go to- http://http://www.musicisageless.com

Check out the track Soul Fingaz from the album Soulgazer by Adrian X-

500 Words Fender Bassman

If the real thing don’t do the trick, no
You better make up something quick
You gonna burn, burn, burn, burn, burn it to the wick
Oooo, Barra-Barracuda

– Heart, Barracuda

Chug chugga chug chugga chuch chug … whaaaaa… pew! Didjyaknow the opening riff for Heart’s 1977 classic rock song “Barracuda” was played with a Telecaster and a ’56 Fender Bassman?

Yeah, I know, crazy, right?

But that perfect blend of snarl, grit, and rock ‘n’ roll attitude was probably the last thing Leo Fender had in mind when he produced the first 5B6 Bassman back in 1952. While there were some extremely primitive small-scale production amps that predate Fender’s Bassman the Bassman was a giant step forward in bass amplification.

Ampeg beat Leo to the punch by introducing an 18watt amp with a single 12” called the Super 800 in 1951 and a year later they introduced a more powerful 20watt version with a single 15” speaker.

Feel the power!

Fender’s original 5B6 Bassman was also a low powered affair that sported a single 15”. By some accounts the 5B6 Bassman was not a staggering success. The combination of a single 15” speaker and an underwhelming 26watts of power lead to a murky and distorted tone with the 5B6 so something needed to change.

Leo and designer Freddie Tavares went back to the drawing board and in 1954 produced the much-improved 5D6. The 5D6 was a radical departure from the earlier 5B6 because it now used four 10” speakers rather than a single 15” and increased its wattage dramatically.

Additional improvements were added to the 1957 model that included three tone controls and in the 1958 version that included a presence control.

When Jim Marshall was approached by Pete Townshend to get a louder amplifier Jim Marshall looked to the 5F6-A Fender Bassman for inspiration.

While there are obvious differences between the earliest Marshall JTM45s and the Bassman (different power tubes, modified feedback circuit, completely different speakers) the Bassman somewhat fell out of favor with guitar players.

But not with everyone felt the Bassman’s best days were behind it. Buddy Guy’s piercing aggressive sound comes as much from his Strat as it does from his trusty ’59 Bassman.

Any one familiar with the body of Buddy’s work are familiar with his ability to go from sparkling cleans to face melting blasts of sonic mayhem and the Bassman was right there behind him.

When Fender eventually replaced the 5F6-A with the so-called “piggy back” models the Bassman went through some dramatic changes. Most of all the Bassman went from being a combo amp to becoming a separate head and speaker configuration and circuit changes were made to give it a clearer sound.

Fortunately for “tweed” fans Fender reintroduced the Bassman in its earlier configuration. For those with deeper pockets both Victoria Amps and Valve Train make tweed Bassman inspired amps too.

If you want a wild ride jack into a “tweed” Bassman, crank it up, and hang on, it’s an experience fo’ su’.