PDA

View Full Version : T-Bone

johnhenry
10-09-2008, 06:01 AM
Admittedly, I have vintage sensibilities. To me, there's nothing like the sound of T-Bone's fingers dancing across the fret board-- his technique was joyous. While I'm aware of the great guitars he played, does anyone know what amps he played through in the studio? My guess is Gibson, but it's just a guess. I love the clean notes mixed with the raw distorted chording he does-- magnificent.

Of course, maybe there's more to be said for those wonderful P90s than his amp.
paulgroove82
10-09-2008, 08:34 AM
Not sure of the amps, but, check out his interview in the latest TapeOp - it's fantastic!
Tbone135
10-09-2008, 08:47 AM
Yeah, I am pretty fantastic.
johnhenry
10-09-2008, 09:06 AM
OK, I'll play along-- T-Bone Walker-- is that better?
K-man
10-09-2008, 09:36 AM
I would guess it was a Gibson as well. There weren't too many choices back in the 40's.
Thinsocks
10-09-2008, 10:50 AM
First, the early T-Bone sound isn't P-90's. He had a ES-250 with a Charlie Christian pickup. The ES-5 with P-90's came later. I've always heard that he used a Gibson EH-150 amp on the early classic stuff. I think the field coil speaker is the key. I had a EH-150 and the later BR-1 and both got the T-Bone sound regardless if I was playing a ES-5 or ES-150 with a CC pickup. Still, that later stuff of him playing the Barney Kessel into BF Fender amps still sounds like T-Bone too. Honestly, I think how he played is more important then what he played it on.
Neill
10-09-2008, 11:17 AM
walker or burnett, they both have a great sound. lo-fi goodness.
blueskalle
10-09-2008, 12:55 PM
I think I remember reading something about him maybe using something like a Standel-amp in the fifties. the early stuff is probarbly a Gibsonamp.
Kalle
johnhenry
10-09-2008, 04:08 PM
Agreed. It's funny how little cred Gibson amps get, but they always sound great (I know, you can't dismiss the player). I thought perhaps an old Supro/Valco/National thing-- I remember seeing a cool old shot of BB in front of a tweed National.
bluesjuke
10-09-2008, 05:57 PM
T Bone is the definition of tone is in your fingers.
jpfeiff
10-09-2008, 10:14 PM
Yes!! I think the real key to his tone is holding your guitar sideways!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1xvx0UHa0A
Bassomatic
10-10-2008, 01:08 AM
walker or burnett, they both have a great sound. lo-fi goodness.

Or Wolk.
derekd
10-10-2008, 10:10 AM
Oh yeah T-Bone was the man. Just a short time listening and you can totaly see where Chuck Berry got his licks. Keef has been mining that same vein for what, 50 years now? T-Bone doesn't get enough credit imo.
susudio
10-10-2008, 11:20 AM
T-Bone, Eddie Durham, Charlie Christian. You don't have to look too farfrom them to see where most of rock and modern blues legends copped their first licks and now they are part of the arsenal that many players still attempt to emulate.:bow
K-man
10-10-2008, 01:12 PM
Oh yeah T-Bone was the man. Just a short time listening and you can totaly see where Chuck Berry got his licks. Keef has been mining that same vein for what, 50 years now? T-Bone doesn't get enough credit imo.

As well as B.B. King, Freddie King, Albert Collins and every player influenced by them. And now you have all the west coast players like Duke Robillard, Kid Ramos, Rick Holmstrom, Junior Watson, etc. who all cite T-Bone as their biggest influence.

T-Bone is the godfather of electric blues. Anyone who doesn't give him credit is just plain ignorant.
bluesjuke
10-10-2008, 03:51 PM
Amen and Amen!
Alligator > jam
03-19-2009, 07:39 AM
T-Bone is the godfather of electric blues. Anyone who doesn't give him credit is just plain ignorant.
T-Bone's playing is a wellspring that never goes dry :)

Here's a beautiful old clip from BBC (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFqK6PBq-hA&feature=related) 1966, seems perfect for a cloudy rainy blah morning up here in New England ...

enjoy!