ZZ Top Cheap Sun Glasses ?

[billdurham]

I don't have the album, cd or anything.. heard the tune on XM today and noticed something that I hadn't in the past. There is a piano doubling the rhythm track.. I think its one of the old Wurlitzers through a guitar amp.. and whom ever played it is dead on to the guitar. Does anybody know who played it? what it is exactly.. I'm curious

BD

 

[The Last Rebel]

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.

 

[jiml]

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

 

[EricPeterson]

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

 

[billdurham]

I"ve heard some guys that were really good on those old Wurlys that you would swear its a guitar.. especially through a Marshall or something..

 

[billdurham]

Good point Eric.. maybe its a guitar through a Leslie or something.. but it sure sounds like a piano to me

 

[halorealm7]

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

 

[Stike]

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.

 

[HHB]

I hear electric piano too

 

[eoshreds]

Always thought it was a rhodes.

 

[BadHat]

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

 

[JB Eckl]

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!

 

[torgeot]

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.

 

[neastguy]

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..

 

[DiazDude]

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

 

[Beng2040]

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.

 

[The_Whale]

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".

 

[blueserv]

Sounds like a Wurly to me.

 

[wichita]

I"ve heard some guys that were really good on those old Wurlys that you would swear its a guitar.. especially through a Marshall or something..

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

 

[billdurham]

I'm glad my ears aren't totally shot!! I felt pretty sure it was a Wurly.. glad that some of you guys agree.. and how about the chops of the guy playing it.. as some body said.. its damn tricky doubling the Rev period.. much less on a piano. And to the guys that have a hard time telling the diff between a Wurly and a Rhodes.. the Rhodes as a lot more top end chime to the notes than a Wurly.
Anyway, thanks for all of the responses

BD