Ask Larry something, in the VCB box below, with very little chance of a reply….just kiddin’ class!
965 thoughts on “Ask Uncle Larry – VCB”
Uncle Larry, just wanted to drop by and tell you that my 2.5 year old daughter’s favorite record in the entire world is Trip the Witch. I have an expansive collection of over 1000 records and every day when I get home from work, she demands a “dance party” and I always let her pick. Almost every single time, it’s TTW, or as she calls it “Rainbow Eyes”. Thanks to you and dean for a kickass record that I really enjoy and get to enjoy with my kid.
Hey Uncle Larry, Love the show. Can you give us a run down of what you do with your amp settings and tone/volume controls from the guitar to dial in tone? I know it’s subjective and probably different from guitar to guitar and amp to amp. But I’m guessing you have some first class insight on pointing us in the right direction with finding some “sweet spots”.
Tom,any info or opinion on 1974 Aims brand tele? Ever heard of the brand?…just picked one up for 200 bucks I’m diggin’ it. Also thanks for spending your personal time with all of us. Your honesty and insight and talent is priceless. Big love from AZ ..Rob M
Thank you for your time and constant jems of wisdom.
Question: Have you gone down the rabbit hole, in relation to “partscasters”, or assembling an electric guitar from various parts?
If so, have you come to any conclusions about what attributes to a guitar inherently “sounding good” (acoustically resonant), as apposed to a “dud” that might have quality parts, but just doesn’t seem to cut it? The same applies to name brand manufactured guitars too i suppose.
I recall reading an interview with David Lindley in which he discussed his experience with guitars that have that “special something”, he spoke of the neck and body having compatible resonant frequencies. Something along the lines of if they are either the same resonant frequency, or a whole tone apart, they seem to just work better.
Apart from hardware etc..Have you any thoughts on this, or what you consider to be essential ingredients for a “good guitar” recipe?
Session Man, thank you so much. The other day in front of the wife I commented to a friend how someone was a real sweetheart. The wife said “you sound like Uncle Larry”. I thought, yeah. I’m just going to keep singing folks’ praises, that seems like a good habit. You are younger than I, and a good influence! Peace & Love
This is probably a dumb question, but I have been trying to learn the first solo I ever saw you do in the studio. The song was called “different kind of crazy”. The hook you did right at the end… could you break that down? 10 years later and it’s still blowing my mind. So tasteful!
What do you think of ’72 Deluxe Teles? I think I have seen you with virtually every type of vintage guitar but these. Love to hear your thoughts and thanks for all you do for those of us who still dream of being great on guitar.
Cheers and best wishes from England.
Have you ever checked out Opeth? They’re a prog metal band from Sweden. Used to be elements of death metal in their earlier stuff, specifically cookie monster vocals, but since 2008, they’ve basically been straight Prog. The leader, Mikael Akerfeldt, was heavily influenced by guys like Andy Latimer from Camel and his playing is pretty tasteful and non-shreddy.
me too, dude. I don’t think he’ll bring it back until that nostalgia bug bites him in the ass though.
other news: I snagged a vinyl copy of Trip The Witch off the website. That is an amazing record. How did you get Jon Anderson on that opening track? It’s a great record to practice vocals over. excellent vinyl master on that bad boy
I was wondering if you teach guitar privately. I hope that it’s ok to send this question. I am a Musician and Bass Player of 55 years and I am working on my guitar playing. I am a composer / Songwriter just to be honest.
Gidday Tom,
Hope your well bro?
I messaged you a cupola days ago as I’m thinking about purchasing a Tone King Imperial ii amp? They don’t come up often down under here in lil ol New Zealand and when they do they’re horrifically expensive!
I’m just an intermediate player (mainly at home, sometimes jam nights out) but found playing guitar an extremely cathartic experience that’s helped me through a lot of adversity over the years. I watch every Homeskoolin episode you do mate and learn so much from them. The only amps I’ve owned are the Blues Junior, Pro Junior, Vox AC 10. They’re fine for home practice but feel a desire to step up to something I can use both at home and small gigs n jam nights? The reason I started looking at the Imperial ii is their reputation at a stand out amp plus the iron man attenuator for lower volume home use. As it’s a big investment for me I would love your thoughts? I don’t see many professional musicians playing them? Am I wrong or missing some reason they’re not used more often on the scene? I’m totally open to any thoughts or suggestions you’d have on a decent versatile amp to step up to?
Many thanks for your help bro,
Tim
Hey Tom. I just watched The Ringmaster General. Can you chat a bit about those sessions with Dave Stewart and making those albums in such a short timeframe?
Just wanted to say that I love the show-makes the bad days better. Two questions. I have seen a Jag but do you have any love for the Jazzmaster? Would love to see one on the show sometime. Mine makes me approach the guitar in a totally different way than any of my other guitars.
Also, thanks for the Nobels introduction. Just got mine in Vanderbilt Gold (30th Anniversary)-had to man that pedal ain’t leaving my board!
Hey Tom. Getting back to what you were saying about playing guitar like a blues harp, check out what Hugh McCraken is doing on John Lennon’s “Dear Yoko” from Double Fantasy. Apparently he tracked guitar (slide?) and harmonica in unison. It’s a very cool sound. Also a cool song for Lennon’s very clean rhythm guitar and the bass track (Tony Levin).
Hey Tom, not a question today just a comment. I just saw an interview you gave about your 79 Les Paul Deluxe. I wanted to say how much I enjoyed it. I bought one in 1980 as well. Mine is a 78 Pro Deluxe with the soap bar P90s. I paid $450 dollars for it in 1980. That was an enormous amount of money to me back then and I think my brother helped me with the last $150 bucks or so. I had to smile when you kept talking about how heavy they are. I remember hauling that horse around for four hour gigs back then. It is the only electric that I hung on to as well and have never once considered selling. I ran mine through a Paul Rivera Superchamp that I also still have. Anyway loved the interview and thanks for the memories!
Dear Uncle Larry –
Offered in the hope that it might help.
I notice that you mention it taking forever to upload videos.
I wonder if you are recording the videos in QuickTime and then
uploading straight from there.
I have uploaded some clips like that and it does take hours.
If you have a Mac and can put your QuickTime clip into IMovie
it will convert in in IMovie and make it much quicker and easier to upload. Just thought I would offer that.
I am ever grateful for your kind and thoughtful posts.
Best Wishes – John in Maine
Hi Tom, you’ve mentioned Jeff Porcaro in a few of your videos. Drummed for Steely Dan, went on to found Toto, I finished a book about him, amazing session career, played on all the hits, is he someone you had heard about before Steely Dan? Seems to still be talked about, 30 years on from his death.
What fretwire do you recommend for refretting a vintage Gibson, while still keeping that “vintage” feel? I don’t jive w/ the wide/tall railroad tie 6105s, as I’m a legato player who likes to slide around the fretboard.
Thanks,
Bigsby
Hi Uncle Larry-
Love your playing on the new Sarah Jarosz record. Wondering if you might be able to share some anecdotes from those sessions, gear used, whatever.. thanks!!
Thanks for taking the time to read this, or if you don’t that’s ok too.
I don’t know jack shit about the music business, probably because I am a plumber/gas fitter. But I feel like session players are the unsung heroes of some of the greatest music in history, and I’m not trying to blow smoke up your ass! In my alcohol soaked maybe slightly drug abused brain this is a typical conversation between a session player and “famous artist”,
Famous Artist : Hey session man, here is the “gist” of a song I wrote. I need you to lay down some killer jams to make it a number one hit!
Session Man : Um yeah, I can work with that.
Famous Artist : if I don’t like what you’re laying down….you’re fired! And if it’s good and this becomes a hit you get no credit.
Session Man : Sounds good bro, let’s get into it!!!
I hope that session jobs don’t go down like this despite my pessimistic mind, but here is a huge shoutout to you and all the other amazing session musicians that I am sure have a huge part in putting out some of the greatest music people listen to everyday, and have no idea who is playing on the track.
Dig your channel and big fan of your playing. At 48 I recently picked up guitar after wanting to since I was 12, a lot of what you play and discuss musically on YouTube is way above my pay grade but still so cool. I am awful at guitar but I fucking love it!!!
Sorry for rambling, but one more thing….I am Canadian, any favourite Canadian musicians?
So… If you were to have another child… would their name be Orville ?
Also curious if you ever run across my old college drummer Eric Darken – He’s a longtime Nashville session-percussionist and was Jimmy Buffet’s touring guy –
Thanks for all the great stuff (recent “100% wood pussy” comment made me pause to convulse in laughter)
Uncle Larry, just wanted to drop by and tell you that my 2.5 year old daughter’s favorite record in the entire world is Trip the Witch. I have an expansive collection of over 1000 records and every day when I get home from work, she demands a “dance party” and I always let her pick. Almost every single time, it’s TTW, or as she calls it “Rainbow Eyes”. Thanks to you and dean for a kickass record that I really enjoy and get to enjoy with my kid.
man that is awesome…thank you
Hey Uncle Larry, Love the show. Can you give us a run down of what you do with your amp settings and tone/volume controls from the guitar to dial in tone? I know it’s subjective and probably different from guitar to guitar and amp to amp. But I’m guessing you have some first class insight on pointing us in the right direction with finding some “sweet spots”.
i don’t have “settings” man….just turn the knobs til it sounds right
I hear Stephen Stills might have a Martin D-45 he’s looking to sell. Maybe you should hit ‘im up?
f**k that
Tom,any info or opinion on 1974 Aims brand tele? Ever heard of the brand?…just picked one up for 200 bucks I’m diggin’ it. Also thanks for spending your personal time with all of us. Your honesty and insight and talent is priceless. Big love from AZ ..Rob M
i remember the giant solid state AIMS PA systems and speaker columns that littered pawnshops all through the west for decades
Gday Uncle Larry,
Thank you for your time and constant jems of wisdom.
Question: Have you gone down the rabbit hole, in relation to “partscasters”, or assembling an electric guitar from various parts?
If so, have you come to any conclusions about what attributes to a guitar inherently “sounding good” (acoustically resonant), as apposed to a “dud” that might have quality parts, but just doesn’t seem to cut it? The same applies to name brand manufactured guitars too i suppose.
I recall reading an interview with David Lindley in which he discussed his experience with guitars that have that “special something”, he spoke of the neck and body having compatible resonant frequencies. Something along the lines of if they are either the same resonant frequency, or a whole tone apart, they seem to just work better.
Apart from hardware etc..Have you any thoughts on this, or what you consider to be essential ingredients for a “good guitar” recipe?
Much obliged
LG
no man i don’t build guitars…i just keep picking a bunch of them up until i go “here’s a good one”
Session Man, thank you so much. The other day in front of the wife I commented to a friend how someone was a real sweetheart. The wife said “you sound like Uncle Larry”. I thought, yeah. I’m just going to keep singing folks’ praises, that seems like a good habit. You are younger than I, and a good influence! Peace & Love
telling someone you love them AFTER you find out you have cancer cheapens the experience
Hey Tom!
This is probably a dumb question, but I have been trying to learn the first solo I ever saw you do in the studio. The song was called “different kind of crazy”. The hook you did right at the end… could you break that down? 10 years later and it’s still blowing my mind. So tasteful!
you gotta get a digitech whammy pedal and learn a couple blues licks
Hey Tom,
What do you think of ’72 Deluxe Teles? I think I have seen you with virtually every type of vintage guitar but these. Love to hear your thoughts and thanks for all you do for those of us who still dream of being great on guitar.
Cheers and best wishes from England.
they’re ok mate….fender entered a dark dark era post 71
Uncle Larry,
Have you ever checked out Opeth? They’re a prog metal band from Sweden. Used to be elements of death metal in their earlier stuff, specifically cookie monster vocals, but since 2008, they’ve basically been straight Prog. The leader, Mikael Akerfeldt, was heavily influenced by guys like Andy Latimer from Camel and his playing is pretty tasteful and non-shreddy.
Just read that Ian Anderson will be supplying flute to tracks from their next record. Any thoughts? https://www.loudersound.com/news/ian-anderson-to-guest-on-upcoming-opeth-album
i miss the cookie monster
me too, dude. I don’t think he’ll bring it back until that nostalgia bug bites him in the ass though.
other news: I snagged a vinyl copy of Trip The Witch off the website. That is an amazing record. How did you get Jon Anderson on that opening track? It’s a great record to practice vocals over. excellent vinyl master on that bad boy
Hi Tom,
I was wondering if you teach guitar privately. I hope that it’s ok to send this question. I am a Musician and Bass Player of 55 years and I am working on my guitar playing. I am a composer / Songwriter just to be honest.
Thank You,
Alan Warrick
Tom, how often do you normally change strings?
when they become un-tunable due to fret indentions
Gidday Tom,
Hope your well bro?
I messaged you a cupola days ago as I’m thinking about purchasing a Tone King Imperial ii amp? They don’t come up often down under here in lil ol New Zealand and when they do they’re horrifically expensive!
I’m just an intermediate player (mainly at home, sometimes jam nights out) but found playing guitar an extremely cathartic experience that’s helped me through a lot of adversity over the years. I watch every Homeskoolin episode you do mate and learn so much from them. The only amps I’ve owned are the Blues Junior, Pro Junior, Vox AC 10. They’re fine for home practice but feel a desire to step up to something I can use both at home and small gigs n jam nights? The reason I started looking at the Imperial ii is their reputation at a stand out amp plus the iron man attenuator for lower volume home use. As it’s a big investment for me I would love your thoughts? I don’t see many professional musicians playing them? Am I wrong or missing some reason they’re not used more often on the scene? I’m totally open to any thoughts or suggestions you’d have on a decent versatile amp to step up to?
Many thanks for your help bro,
Tim
save your money and buy a 64-67 fender Princeton or deluxe reverb in original condition….you will never regret it
Many thanks Tom, much appreciated for your help bro.
Hey Tom. I just watched The Ringmaster General. Can you chat a bit about those sessions with Dave Stewart and making those albums in such a short timeframe?
love dave to pieces and we had an absolute blast making all the records that we did. he is a very special man
Hi Tom,
Just wanted to say that I love the show-makes the bad days better. Two questions. I have seen a Jag but do you have any love for the Jazzmaster? Would love to see one on the show sometime. Mine makes me approach the guitar in a totally different way than any of my other guitars.
Also, thanks for the Nobels introduction. Just got mine in Vanderbilt Gold (30th Anniversary)-had to man that pedal ain’t leaving my board!
love jags and jazz masters mate
Hey Tom. Getting back to what you were saying about playing guitar like a blues harp, check out what Hugh McCraken is doing on John Lennon’s “Dear Yoko” from Double Fantasy. Apparently he tracked guitar (slide?) and harmonica in unison. It’s a very cool sound. Also a cool song for Lennon’s very clean rhythm guitar and the bass track (Tony Levin).
thanks i’ll check it
Hey Tom, not a question today just a comment. I just saw an interview you gave about your 79 Les Paul Deluxe. I wanted to say how much I enjoyed it. I bought one in 1980 as well. Mine is a 78 Pro Deluxe with the soap bar P90s. I paid $450 dollars for it in 1980. That was an enormous amount of money to me back then and I think my brother helped me with the last $150 bucks or so. I had to smile when you kept talking about how heavy they are. I remember hauling that horse around for four hour gigs back then. It is the only electric that I hung on to as well and have never once considered selling. I ran mine through a Paul Rivera Superchamp that I also still have. Anyway loved the interview and thanks for the memories!
rock on brother
Dear Uncle Larry –
Offered in the hope that it might help.
I notice that you mention it taking forever to upload videos.
I wonder if you are recording the videos in QuickTime and then
uploading straight from there.
I have uploaded some clips like that and it does take hours.
If you have a Mac and can put your QuickTime clip into IMovie
it will convert in in IMovie and make it much quicker and easier to upload. Just thought I would offer that.
I am ever grateful for your kind and thoughtful posts.
Best Wishes – John in Maine
my internet sucks here…thats the biggest problem
Hey Uncle Larry,
Could you please remind me of them books you recommended for guitar history stuff? I forgot and can’t find the correspondin’ Homeskoolin’ ep.
Fender “the sound heard round the world”
Gibson electrics “the classic years”
The Marshall book by Mike Doyle
all must haves
Hey Tom
I recently branched out into archtop land…
Do they always buzz and rattle? Do you just have to live with it?
no they don’t
Hey Tom
Which type of guitarspeakers do you use in your speakercab in the studio, when you are using your Marshall Superbass?
Thanks!!
Lex
Hi Tom, you’ve mentioned Jeff Porcaro in a few of your videos. Drummed for Steely Dan, went on to found Toto, I finished a book about him, amazing session career, played on all the hits, is he someone you had heard about before Steely Dan? Seems to still be talked about, 30 years on from his death.
jeff was great, he’s a legend amongst all drummers
Hey Tom,
What fretwire do you recommend for refretting a vintage Gibson, while still keeping that “vintage” feel? I don’t jive w/ the wide/tall railroad tie 6105s, as I’m a legato player who likes to slide around the fretboard.
Thanks,
Bigsby
just have your luthier measure the original wire and get that mate
Hi Uncle Larry-
Love your playing on the new Sarah Jarosz record. Wondering if you might be able to share some anecdotes from those sessions, gear used, whatever.. thanks!!
thank you…i just used my normal session rig on that record….100 watt marshall and all my old guitars.
sarah is a sweetheart and so is her producer daniel tashian
Hello Tom Bukovac,
Thanks for taking the time to read this, or if you don’t that’s ok too.
I don’t know jack shit about the music business, probably because I am a plumber/gas fitter. But I feel like session players are the unsung heroes of some of the greatest music in history, and I’m not trying to blow smoke up your ass! In my alcohol soaked maybe slightly drug abused brain this is a typical conversation between a session player and “famous artist”,
Famous Artist : Hey session man, here is the “gist” of a song I wrote. I need you to lay down some killer jams to make it a number one hit!
Session Man : Um yeah, I can work with that.
Famous Artist : if I don’t like what you’re laying down….you’re fired! And if it’s good and this becomes a hit you get no credit.
Session Man : Sounds good bro, let’s get into it!!!
I hope that session jobs don’t go down like this despite my pessimistic mind, but here is a huge shoutout to you and all the other amazing session musicians that I am sure have a huge part in putting out some of the greatest music people listen to everyday, and have no idea who is playing on the track.
Dig your channel and big fan of your playing. At 48 I recently picked up guitar after wanting to since I was 12, a lot of what you play and discuss musically on YouTube is way above my pay grade but still so cool. I am awful at guitar but I fucking love it!!!
Sorry for rambling, but one more thing….I am Canadian, any favourite Canadian musicians?
Thanks Uncle Larry, looking forward #300
no thats not how it works man
Hey Tom –
So… If you were to have another child… would their name be Orville ?
Also curious if you ever run across my old college drummer Eric Darken – He’s a longtime Nashville session-percussionist and was Jimmy Buffet’s touring guy –
Thanks for all the great stuff (recent “100% wood pussy” comment made me pause to convulse in laughter)
Lucky
yes i know eric…nice guy…haven’t seen him in years sadly