ZZ Top Cheap Sun Glasses ?

I'm listening to it right now. I think I hear what you're talking about, but I don't think it's a piano. The Rev. said that he used a ring mod on the song. IMO, I think that's probably what you're hearing, it would also explain why it's to tight. If it is a piano, I'd guess, and this is a pure, out of the blue guess, that Frank played it.

 

That is some kinda guitar with some kinda effect playing along. Love that tune.

 

Yeah I dont think there is a piano, at least all music doesn't have one credited:

http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hpfexqq5ldde~T2

 

Thought I read somewhere there was a Hammond something or another on that tune. Gettin old...memory ain't what it used to be.

 

I always assumed there was a Wurlitzer doubling the rhythm guitar on CS. Van Halen's "And The Cradle Will Rock" is a Wurlitzer into a Marshall.

 

I hear electric piano too

 

Always thought it was a rhodes.

 

it sounds like a piano of some sort, but I think it's a guitar. You can't really do those cool little half tone slide up bits with a piano and make them sound that smooth. plus you can hear him doing an occasional little muted pick strum in between the licks

 

100% no doubt about it lads; that's a Wurlitzer through an amp. I love that sound... more lo-fi than a Rhodes, with a funny upper mid range honk in it that makes it the ultimate rock & roll keyboard. I know it sounds like a guitar, but once you get used to Wurlies there's no mistaking the sound.

Check out Queen's song 'Best Friend' (or whatever the title is.. The chorus is "Ooh you're makin' me live"). Similar Wurli tone there, but not as distorted and/or modulated.

One of the cool things about 'Cheap Sunglasses' is that you only hear that sound once in awhile, on that low riff when everything drops out for 2 beats. But you can hear what it is better when it doubles the little jazzy guitar chords during the instrumental part. Too cool!

 

I thought it was a Rhodes, but I'm not all that up to speed on the difference in sound between a Rhodes and a Wurli.

That said, my old cover band had 2 guitars, and I had one of those Roland guitar synths and played it with a Rhodes sound, and really made the cover of it sound right on.

I got tired of lugging around more crap, stopped bringing the guitar synth, and just doubled the rhythm part on guitar and of course no one in the audience ever noticed the difference.

 

yep, weve been playing this song for years.. and no one has ever compained about that part in the audience...lol... people dont care, as long as your in tune... its cool... thats why I get a chuckle out of all this tone searching at times..

 

I've always thought it was a whirlie/leslie overdriven.

 

definitely sounds like a wurlitzer 200A. i picked one of those up cheap (40 bucks) at a garage sale and it is perfect for complimenting guitar tracks. no other instrument sounds quite like it.

 

I thought it was an electric piano, but I wasn't sure.

The only thing I can tell between electic pianos is "maybe a Rhodes" or "probably not a Rhodes".

 

Sounds like a Wurly to me.

 

Bad Company "Burning Sky" sounds the way it does because a Wurly is doubling the guitar.