Ask Zac!

The summer is blazing by, but I wish the blazing temperatures would leave us alone. Last weekend I played with a songwriter friend of mine, Paul Bogart, at Pucketts Grocery in Leipers Fork, TN. I had never had the chance to play there before, and its the only gig in town where you can have dinner, play, fill your car up with gas, and buy a half gallon of milk, all at one wonderful location. Why can’t every gig be like this? Later this month, my buddy Jay and I will attend Experience PRS. For those not in the know, PRS is a well respected guitar manufacture in Maryland. There will be guitar building clinics, new model demonstrations, and concerts by their top endorsers. Looking forward to it.

As with most things, I don’t do it half-way. After checking out the Les Paul’s at the Gibson Custom Shop, I became increasingly interested in the history of the man, the guitar, and the players who helped make it famous. My wife aided in my insanity by giving me the PBS documentary of Les Paul, “Chasing Sound.” The documentary focuses on Les Paul the man, and his years as a inventor, sideman to the stars, and star in his own right with then wife Mary Ford. I also picked up the book “The Les Paul Legacy,” which gave a good run down of the man, and an in-depth look at the guitar, and the players that use it.

As the illness grew, I bought the book “The Beauty of The Burst” a very in depth look at the sunburst Les Paul’s made from 1958-60. Finally I began looking at some of the players that had helped make the guitar popular, Duane Allman, Eric Clapton, and Mike Bloomfield. To learn about Duane, I read “Sky Dog,” by Randy Poe. It is hard to believe that Duane made such an impact in the very short time that he was a session guitarist in Muscle Shoals, AL, and as a member/founder of the Allman Brothers Band. He died in 1971.

The biography of Bloomers was quite sad as he was such a wonderful player, and died in such a tragic way. The book is a non-traditional biography as it is a collection of interviews with Mike and all the principal players in his story. Eric’s time as a Les Paul player was during the brief time he played in John Mayal’s Bluesbreakers, and his time in Cream.

Amy and I saw Mark Knopfler at the Ryman last month. He has one of the best bands I have ever seen, and Mark more than lives up to his status as one of the greatest living guitarists. Otherwise the Summer is blazing by, both in its speed, and level of heat. Been listening to an old friend, Tom Yarbrough. If you have a chance, catch him live here in Nashville.

Best,

Zac

VG just posted my interview with Keith Urban online. Check it out

They also posted my interview with Richard Bennett:

In the September 2008 issue is a reiview I did of the Gadotti King nylon string guitar. Hope you are having a good summer.

My dear wife took me on a surprise trip to Lynchburg TN. On the way, we passed by a wonderful sign. We had to take a picture.

To think, one stop shopping!!!!

A week or so later, got the chance to take a tour of Gibson’s Custom/Historic Division here in Nashville. It was quite fun to see how they make the Historic Les Paul’s from start to finish. Here is a picture of the racks of guitars that are being readied to ship out.

Notice that there are also cardboard bins going 20 feet in the air that are also filled with guitars. Here is a shot of my buddy Jay holding a maple top that will be used for an R9, or 1959 Historic Les Paul.

They put aside the best looking maple for the R9’s.

Here is a shot of a mahogany body that has had its maple top glued on, but has yet to see the CNC machine that will carve the top.

The R8 signifies it will be a ‘58 Historic.

Here is a R7 Gold Top that has seen the CNC machine, but not the sander.

After going to the finishing department, some of the instruments get the “VOS” treatment. Its a compound that is rubbed on the finish. Here it is in all its funky glory.

The last step is of course final inspection. Here the instrument is tuned and tested, and given the OK

Looking through the racks, we found a R9 that had such a nice top on it, they had not put a pick guard on it

I spent a week in Germany for Musik Messe, the European counterpart to NAMM. It was fun, but very tiring. It might sound glamorous to fly to Germany, and stand all day and talk to people about guitars, but its not. It was fun though, and I did eat lots of good German cuisine. Also, being that Messe is a little more laid back than NAMM, I had a moment to wander around and snap a couple of pictures. Here they are in all their glory:

First off, our booth that we share with the lovely ladies at George L’s, and Pedaltrain.

Next up we have the larger than life Boss pedals

And I have to include a shot of a wonderful guitar that PRS introduced last year, the DGT, David Grissom Tremolo model in gold

Here are from right to left, Bob Weil, PRS guitar guru J. Hayes, and yours truly.

And here I am being a poser in front of the Orange Amp display that was right next door to us

Well, its been a couple of months since I last posted. Lot’s of excitement:

1. I am off the road, and am working for Visual Sound. I am taking care of International/Distributor accounts. Great company, with an incredible product.

2. Went to Texas for New Year’s with my parents. Southwest Airlines lost our luggage though. It has been almost a month, and we have filled out all the necessary paperwork. I am hoping they do the right thing.

3. Went to NAMM this last week. It was fun, but very tiring standing for 9 hours a day. Got lots of ideas for Halloween costumes next year.

More later…….Zac

So I decided to show off my new toys. The Dr Z Stingray head is a wedding gift from an old friend, and I just got the 1-12 cab to go with it. I put a Celestion Gold speaker in it, and have been very pleased with the results.

You can also see my Carmen Ghia, and a Mini-Z underneath. The Crook Custom Strat-style in the forefront is a longtime favorite.

Just got back from a run of shows with Miss Underwood. We did a number of State Fairs and performed on CBS’s Fashion Rocks show. Underwood and band performed “Go Your Own Way” with Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac fame. Lindsey was a lot of fun to work with, and still goes for the jugular when performing. We were also reminded of what a singular guitar style he has. In this age of racks and pedal boards, it was nice to see that Mr. Buckingham had only a Boss Overdrive and Delay pedal under foot

I took a couple shots before sound check of some of the boys in the band. Here is the always polite Shawn Tubbs with his Tyler Strat-style, and “Gary” the drummer watching on as Ed finesses his McPherson guitar.

On the VG front, look for my regularly scheduled column, and a review of the Savage Macht 12x amplifier. Zac

Just got back from a 10-day run with Carrie Underwood. Started in Kamloops British Columbia, and ended in Harrington Delware, for their State Fair. Reba was on the bill with us for a couple of the shows, and she had quite the band with her: John Jarvis, Bruce Bouton, and Jeff King to put names to but a few of the all-star 9-piece band. Had a good time, but was very ready to be home toward the end.

While out, I heard the theory that what we really judge a gig by is the quality of the catering. Not how well the show went, or if there were good stage hands, but how good was the food. Thinking back, I am starting to believe this to be true. If so, then the Delaware State Fair takes the cake with its spread of grilled shrimp, crab cakes, prime rib, and cakes galore. So many times one gets flat meat and sweaty cheese for lunch, and a pan of Stouffer’s Lasagna for supper.

And now for something completely different:
Played on the Opry with BNA recording artist Blaine Larsen about 2-weeks ago. My wife took this picture of me with Porter Wagoner, as he was about to introduce us.

Also found an old picture from a couple years back of me on the Opry with Steve Wariner, Gary Hooker, and the head of Brad Paisley. Enjoy!

So, I just got back from trekking in India. It was a wonderful trip, but am glad to be home. Here is a picture of me in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Also, in the Vintage Guitar Mag that hits stands in June, look for a feature I wrote on one of the best acoustic guitar players around, Bryan Sutton.

Nice 40’s Martin D-28!