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”
Larry Dig the channel, Dig you, would love to see you talking more about how you derive at your note choices, they always seem so tasty and spot on. I’m sure more of the class, and personally myself would stand to gain a lot from your in depth insight!!
Hey Uncle Larry, got a question I have been thinking about for a bit. If you could go back in time and witness any song of the past being recorded without them knowing you are there. what song would you pick?
Hey Tom,
I’ve been learning your acoustic version of Deacon Blues and your jam from lesson 44. Really curious about something. Your #44 lesson talks about the minor blues rub over major. At the 17 – 20 second point of the vid, I think you’re playing out of a C minor blues scale over major chords. It sounds awesome but isn’t that the minor over major rub? If so, why does it sound so good? Also, it kind of looks like you’re emphasizing the riff because of the straight blues scale shape it’s coming from. Very sly!! I’m learning a lot from the vids. Thanks for taking the time to post them. Greg
i just went back and watched what you said….not sure what you are talking about. any little riffs i threw in amongst the chords were just ghosts of the horn arrangement…i didn’t see any minor over major stuff
Uncle Larry! I know you’re a Tejas fan. Any idea what Gibbons uses to get that Arrested for Driving While Blind tone? Is it a fuzz pedal? Kinda has that ripped speaker sound. You can almost hear another octave. There’s very little out there regarding his gear in the earlier albums
Hey Tom,
Totally enjoying the B’Day bash show. So, in search for more Uncle Larry I’ve rewatched that great Trigger Hippy video. My question is: what is Joan referring to when she calls you “ a very bad man?” Can we have some insight or should we never speak of this again? . I’m sure there’s a few great road-tales there somewhere. All the best to you
I got in my truck and Cardboard Cut Outs in the Shade started playing. I was immediately in a spy thriller. I was weaving through traffic, on a mission to stop some evil ploy by a villian from a far off land. As the music played, everything made sense to me. I would not stop my mission until I did the work set in front of me. Then I realized I was just going to the grocery store to get some things for my kids lunches tomorrow. But Plexi Soul made it a hell of a lot more interesting. Thank you Tom.
Hey Tom, I have my old ’59 ES345 that I bought years ago… it was a guitar that had a headstock repair, tuners, fretboard work, replaced pot or two, one old patent PAF/1 Original, etc… a “player” but was all I could afford back then. I was thinking of having restoration done on some of this stuff. The guitar plays well, stays in tune, but I want to make it the best it can be. Any suggestions on luthiers who can perform quality work on this old guitar? I had Mike Scaggs (saw him on one of your recent episodes) do a tune-up on my 66 Deluxe Reverb and couldn’t be happier, great job by a great guy! As probably one of my top fav guitarists taht knows vintage gear, I respect your opinion.
I see Gibson opened a restoration facility, but not sure about that…
Thanks,
Tom Ragz
Yes it’s a sunburst. Bought from Hoboken Guitars back in late 90s or so. Traded a Matchless Chieftan and some cash. I’m trying to decide if I should restore some issues or just leave it alone and play it (which Ive been doing).
Diggin the new website, very cool!!
Tom, I am enjoying the B’Day bash show and when it reached the part where the video gets a bit goofy I actually thought that it would make for some really cool pics of you and your Les Paul. I especially liked the B&W stuff, it captured the moment well. Anyway, like the video, keep on truckin’ brother!
It would be great to see you and Jackie Greene do something together again.
I can only imagine there might be some lighting in a bottle there.
Just my thoughts.
Larry: I’m a retired guy… my wife recently informed me that she thinks that YOU have become “a friend” for me. everyday, i get up and rush to see what you’ve posted. now you’ve got me drinking yuengling and answering you audibly on you tube. thanks for being you and being there!
Hey Tom, Love the music. Maybe I’m too fast in listening… is it just me or isn’t video and audio in sync? Kind of irritating for a homescooler. Cheers Bernhard
Have you ever tried the Rams head big muff with the Uncle Larry amp? Just curious how you think those two would pair together for some Gilmour type stuff?
Also, Love the birthday show video! Great quality!!
Thanks man!
Uncle Larry, Just want to thank you from the heart that your insights into vintage guitars, amps, technique are spot on from a guitarist who has been playing since I turned 13 in 1963. Your visions coincide with mine & I have gleaned so much great info from you on what makes some vintage instruments sound great vs others. It is so true that the player determines what is great not the equipment. Hard work, dedication, knowledge, skill, putting in the effort day after day thru all the hassles
& caring about your craft is what matters. You are a gem in a sea of want to be’s. Vince Gill, Guthrie Trapp, Brent Mason, Chet Atkins, put the soul/fire in play as you do when it matters. Keep the great music coming. Make it burn. Plus, The
recording studio stuff is fascinating. Kudo’s to you my friend. Country Glenn
I’m enjoying the vinyl Trip The Witch. I’ve gotten Plexi Soul on CD but yearn for it on LP. Any chance of pressing it? Just downloaded the video. Can’t wait to enjoy it. Thanks, Pal. Cousin Stevie
PS I love Indian food but it is hard to find the really good stuff. What do you recommend for the next time in Nashville?
Please press plexi soul on vinyl. Please make it a gatefold. I’ll pre order and pay for it it even if the vinyl backlog takes 3 years! It was done all analog right!? Finish the analog journey. Was it mixed and mastered for wax? P.S. Your videos and company helped me through a lot of very rough days over the pandemic.
Uncle, I have a no balls odr1 but I don’t use it much. I can’t seem to get a good tone out of it. It either gets very woofy or fuzzy. Any chance you could lay some settings/tips on me? I’m sure there are videos on the tube but I’d rather hear from you if possible. Thanks in advance.
Dear Lawrence,
Thanks for the recent homework assignment of listening to the Pete Townsend record. You know the one with the hilarious title. I’m on the younger end of your viewership so I’ve never heard of a lot of the albums and such that you reference and then go listen them immediately and appreciate them all.
On that note, I always am glad when you give us specific assignments such as learning “America” by ear or go listen to such and such a record. It’s fun and I then make it a point to do so later that day or the next. I learn something every time and it gets me out of my usual rut. Maybe make it a more regular feature of the homeskoolin show?
Hey Tom!! I grabbed the Plexi Soul record from Band Camp soon as I knew where to get it, friggin BRILLIANT got Trip The Witch as well, also awesome. I’ve always known your name but like the rest of your fans, after digging your YouTube show last couple years you’re like family now, minus the presents! I’ll be downloading the show asap, as a drummer/guitarist I’m a huge Shannon fan as well, keeping doing what you do man, love it
thank you so much man, i’m glad you dig it.
i cannot WAIT for you guys to hear this record Guthrie and I are making….i get bored super easy and it’s even fun for ME to listen to
Tom, have you played the Strat Plus or Ultra from the late 80s with the Lace Sensors? I have one of each and love them, but the Plus was my very first Fender. To me, the Plus sounds like a classic Strat without the noise.
Damn, Uncle Larry. I’m that guy. I hate being that guy and don’t want to be. Shit. I don’t see how to download the show. Paid up immediately and got the receipt but can’t see where the download button is.
Shamefully,
G
Hi, thanks so much for your order. You should receive an email with a download link to the email that you used to make the purchase. Be sure to check your spam folder as well. Please let me know if you have any further issues.
Your Birthday bash video is fantastic. Audio and video are also excellent, the video glitches don’t bother me at all, almost like they are supposed to be there, The double exposure effect, very trippy!!
Larry Dig the channel, Dig you, would love to see you talking more about how you derive at your note choices, they always seem so tasty and spot on. I’m sure more of the class, and personally myself would stand to gain a lot from your in depth insight!!
Stay cool man America needs it
Fan Man
i hear the melodies in my head…i try to sing through the guitar. I don’t think of it in terms of scales or modes….try it
hope this helps
Hey Uncle Larry, got a question I have been thinking about for a bit. If you could go back in time and witness any song of the past being recorded without them knowing you are there. what song would you pick?
Cheers. Thomas
probably some abbey road era beatles shit…maybe pink floyd animals…or genesis lamb era
Hey Tom,
I’ve been learning your acoustic version of Deacon Blues and your jam from lesson 44. Really curious about something. Your #44 lesson talks about the minor blues rub over major. At the 17 – 20 second point of the vid, I think you’re playing out of a C minor blues scale over major chords. It sounds awesome but isn’t that the minor over major rub? If so, why does it sound so good? Also, it kind of looks like you’re emphasizing the riff because of the straight blues scale shape it’s coming from. Very sly!! I’m learning a lot from the vids. Thanks for taking the time to post them. Greg
i just went back and watched what you said….not sure what you are talking about. any little riffs i threw in amongst the chords were just ghosts of the horn arrangement…i didn’t see any minor over major stuff
Lovin the new website, brother…. You have been a lighthouse to me over these past few turbulent years..
Uncle Larry! I know you’re a Tejas fan. Any idea what Gibbons uses to get that Arrested for Driving While Blind tone? Is it a fuzz pedal? Kinda has that ripped speaker sound. You can almost hear another octave. There’s very little out there regarding his gear in the earlier albums
Hey Tom,
Totally enjoying the B’Day bash show. So, in search for more Uncle Larry I’ve rewatched that great Trigger Hippy video. My question is: what is Joan referring to when she calls you “ a very bad man?” Can we have some insight or should we never speak of this again? . I’m sure there’s a few great road-tales there somewhere. All the best to you
Doug, I always thought it was a Les Paul plugged into a Tweed Deluxe with the volume cranked…for the SMEAR. Check out Homeskoolin Vol 4.
I got in my truck and Cardboard Cut Outs in the Shade started playing. I was immediately in a spy thriller. I was weaving through traffic, on a mission to stop some evil ploy by a villian from a far off land. As the music played, everything made sense to me. I would not stop my mission until I did the work set in front of me. Then I realized I was just going to the grocery store to get some things for my kids lunches tomorrow. But Plexi Soul made it a hell of a lot more interesting. Thank you Tom.
I am loving my two Homeskoolen’ t shirts i got for my birthday.
Hey Tom, I have my old ’59 ES345 that I bought years ago… it was a guitar that had a headstock repair, tuners, fretboard work, replaced pot or two, one old patent PAF/1 Original, etc… a “player” but was all I could afford back then. I was thinking of having restoration done on some of this stuff. The guitar plays well, stays in tune, but I want to make it the best it can be. Any suggestions on luthiers who can perform quality work on this old guitar? I had Mike Scaggs (saw him on one of your recent episodes) do a tune-up on my 66 Deluxe Reverb and couldn’t be happier, great job by a great guy! As probably one of my top fav guitarists taht knows vintage gear, I respect your opinion.
I see Gibson opened a restoration facility, but not sure about that…
Thanks,
Tom Ragz
Is it sunburst? I think I might have owned that guitar.
Yes it’s a sunburst. Bought from Hoboken Guitars back in late 90s or so. Traded a Matchless Chieftan and some cash. I’m trying to decide if I should restore some issues or just leave it alone and play it (which Ive been doing).
Diggin the new website, very cool!!
Tom, I am enjoying the B’Day bash show and when it reached the part where the video gets a bit goofy I actually thought that it would make for some really cool pics of you and your Les Paul. I especially liked the B&W stuff, it captured the moment well. Anyway, like the video, keep on truckin’ brother!
Knock yourself out my man
Tom,
It would be great to see you and Jackie Greene do something together again.
I can only imagine there might be some lighting in a bottle there.
Just my thoughts.
I love that boy
BTW, loved the redo of your birthday show. it looks and sounds fabulous!!!
Thank you bro
Larry: I’m a retired guy… my wife recently informed me that she thinks that YOU have become “a friend” for me. everyday, i get up and rush to see what you’ve posted. now you’ve got me drinking yuengling and answering you audibly on you tube. thanks for being you and being there!
Is it sunburst? I think I owned that guitar
It will probably be really weird for her when we run off together….just sayin
Tom – I love the idea of you playing/recording together with Duke Levine! He too appears to be a very sweet man.
He’s a great dude and a great player
Hey Tom, Love the music. Maybe I’m too fast in listening… is it just me or isn’t video and audio in sync? Kind of irritating for a homescooler. Cheers Bernhard
You are the first person to say that…possibly a download problem
Have you ever tried the Rams head big muff with the Uncle Larry amp? Just curious how you think those two would pair together for some Gilmour type stuff?
Also, Love the birthday show video! Great quality!!
Thanks man!
a real rams head big muff sounds great through anything…even direct… you don’t even need an amp
Uncle Larry, Just want to thank you from the heart that your insights into vintage guitars, amps, technique are spot on from a guitarist who has been playing since I turned 13 in 1963. Your visions coincide with mine & I have gleaned so much great info from you on what makes some vintage instruments sound great vs others. It is so true that the player determines what is great not the equipment. Hard work, dedication, knowledge, skill, putting in the effort day after day thru all the hassles
& caring about your craft is what matters. You are a gem in a sea of want to be’s. Vince Gill, Guthrie Trapp, Brent Mason, Chet Atkins, put the soul/fire in play as you do when it matters. Keep the great music coming. Make it burn. Plus, The
recording studio stuff is fascinating. Kudo’s to you my friend. Country Glenn
thank you bro
Little Tommy,
I’m enjoying the vinyl Trip The Witch. I’ve gotten Plexi Soul on CD but yearn for it on LP. Any chance of pressing it? Just downloaded the video. Can’t wait to enjoy it. Thanks, Pal. Cousin Stevie
PS I love Indian food but it is hard to find the really good stuff. What do you recommend for the next time in Nashville?
Barwachi..thats the place
i would love to press vinyl of plexi soul but the wait at pressing plants is longer than i probably have left to live
Please press plexi soul on vinyl. Please make it a gatefold. I’ll pre order and pay for it it even if the vinyl backlog takes 3 years! It was done all analog right!? Finish the analog journey. Was it mixed and mastered for wax? P.S. Your videos and company helped me through a lot of very rough days over the pandemic.
i would love to but the wait is too long at pressing plants man
Uncle, I have a no balls odr1 but I don’t use it much. I can’t seem to get a good tone out of it. It either gets very woofy or fuzzy. Any chance you could lay some settings/tips on me? I’m sure there are videos on the tube but I’d rather hear from you if possible. Thanks in advance.
if you don’t like it i think you should sell it for the 2K they are going for now
I have my Odr1 all set at midnight and it is beautiful…playing through a Twin or an Uncle Larry P2P…
Dear Lawrence,
Thanks for the recent homework assignment of listening to the Pete Townsend record. You know the one with the hilarious title. I’m on the younger end of your viewership so I’ve never heard of a lot of the albums and such that you reference and then go listen them immediately and appreciate them all.
On that note, I always am glad when you give us specific assignments such as learning “America” by ear or go listen to such and such a record. It’s fun and I then make it a point to do so later that day or the next. I learn something every time and it gets me out of my usual rut. Maybe make it a more regular feature of the homeskoolin show?
Anyways, keep it up, sir.
right on bro…there will be more homework….for now, buy a copy of the first Peter Gabriel solo record and memorize it
1976…the one with the rain on the blue car
its a masterpiece
Hey Tom!! I grabbed the Plexi Soul record from Band Camp soon as I knew where to get it, friggin BRILLIANT got Trip The Witch as well, also awesome. I’ve always known your name but like the rest of your fans, after digging your YouTube show last couple years you’re like family now, minus the presents! I’ll be downloading the show asap, as a drummer/guitarist I’m a huge Shannon fan as well, keeping doing what you do man, love it
thank you so much man, i’m glad you dig it.
i cannot WAIT for you guys to hear this record Guthrie and I are making….i get bored super easy and it’s even fun for ME to listen to
Tom, have you played the Strat Plus or Ultra from the late 80s with the Lace Sensors? I have one of each and love them, but the Plus was my very first Fender. To me, the Plus sounds like a classic Strat without the noise.
yeah man…lace sensors are a little polite for my taste but if i was going for a REAL hi fi thing i would go there
Damn, Uncle Larry. I’m that guy. I hate being that guy and don’t want to be. Shit. I don’t see how to download the show. Paid up immediately and got the receipt but can’t see where the download button is.
Shamefully,
G
Hi, thanks so much for your order. You should receive an email with a download link to the email that you used to make the purchase. Be sure to check your spam folder as well. Please let me know if you have any further issues.
Thanks back to you. I hope my knuckleheadedness was a benefit to someone else out there. I see the invite in my email. All the best!
Lol, no worries! Enjoy the show!
Your Birthday bash video is fantastic. Audio and video are also excellent, the video glitches don’t bother me at all, almost like they are supposed to be there, The double exposure effect, very trippy!!
This is awesome Unc! Thanks for all the inspiration!