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THE BLUE HOUR LOUNGE

Pete exchanges information and gear talk for the advanced and the novice musician.

The Blue Hour Lounge was a forum in which Pete answered questions from fans on guitar playing and the music business. Although some of these questions were from the late 1990s, the answers are still helpful and insightful. There are also links to exclusive interviews.

PAGE FOUR

QUESTION: Hi,
I need some advice. I am looking to obtain a sound from my current set-up. The sound I am looking for is that classic country/Nashville (Brent Mason) style sound. Now I realize I will not get this exact sound that I hear on material that Brent Mason worked on. I am just hoping to get something close to it. This is my current Guitar/amp set-up. I use a Fender American Standard Guitar and a Fender '65 Reissue Twin Reverb amp. I love the sound of both, but I feel that I can't seem to get something fairly close to that Classic Brent Mason style sound out of it. My question is, is there anything I can add or change to my current set-up to get close to this sound??? Or ANY suggestions at all would be appreciated very much. Thanks much, Dean

ANSWER: I live and work in Los Angeles so I can't really help you on this ..I don't listen to enough modern country or what ever you call what is on the radio to tell who is doing what...most of it sounds weak and too wet to me over all...thanx/pete

QUESTION: Dear Pete:
My wife and I saw you play on Sunday at the Quinault Casino. We both loved the show. I was especially pleased that I could actually hear your leads over the screaming women. This was not the case when I saw you in Vancouver, B.C. several years ago.

I have a question about the effects that you are using on stage. At one point in the show you appeared to be using a volume pedal. After the show I asked a roadie and he said that it was a wha pedal. Is that correct?

If you have time perhaps you could list the other effects that you use live.

Thanks for playing country music that has real honesty and intention.
Les Toth

ANSWER: I use a volume pedal on the song "What's Left Of Me" ..on "Long White Cadillac" I use a wah-wah off stage operated by the tech. Most songs I use a 16th. note slap ..on a few songs I have an old ce1. boss chorus set on low chorus...and a little bit of spring reverb...thanx/pete

QUESTION: Hi Pete,
I have an original 60's jazzmaster that I'm thinking of making baritone. Can it be done without changing scale length or is a new neck in order? thanks Paul

ANSWER: You will need to re-cut the nut. Just get some real big ass strings and tune it down to A below your low E....thanx /pete

QUESTION: Pete,
At what age do you think my son would be able to begin learning to play? He is almost 8. I don't want to get him going too early and just have him frustrated. He is very anxious. I play and can teach him but I may consider private lessons instead. Sometimes that's better...less Dad pressure. If he is too young for theory and reading notes, is strumming and picking notes a bad idea. By the way, we both saw you at Rambler's ranch in Pa., he has been inspired not only by me..... See you at the Wolftrap next month!

ANSWER: No age is too young to learn.. They have small guitars that may suit his hands. The best thing at his age is to have fun playing. So maybe he can learn something real simple that he likes, just strumming or play the lick. Then you can play something together I think a quick sense of acomplishment is the best fuel to get him going on trying to learn the harder stuff....that is if he really wants to learn....your pal/pete

QUESTION: Hello,
First of all I would like to comment your playing abilities. When I first started out playing guitar I was mostly influenced by hard rock musicians, but when I heard your playing on Long White Cadillac I was pretty much blown away. So since about the late eighties I have been a big fan.

Any way, this brings me to my first question: As anyone that knows you, they know you have a great tone, and I know you pretty much rely on tube amps, but at the risk of sounding uncool ( besides modeling amps) are there any solid state amps on the market ( ie Fender Dyna-Touch or Peavey Transtube ) that you wouldn't be ashamed of owning?

My second question is about compressors I feel that they take away ones expressiveness. Just what you thought.

Thank you for your time,
L.J.H. Kansas

ANSWER: I use amp farm or a pod .... I have not used an amp on a recording for about 2 1/2 years..but live I use fender custom shop amps...that's about it. laaater/pete

QUESTION: Hi Pete,
I've been trying to no avail to get a full tone from my Tele w/ Bill Lawrence pick-ups in my Protools system. I'm going directly in through a POD, and I thought maybe you might share a tip or two.
I put a decent amount of reverb on it to give it some space.
Maybe what I'm hearing in my head is a baritone guitar after hearing your stuff for days on end, but I'm sure I could get more tone from my Tele.
Thanks and keep up the great work!
Peace.
Busterman

ANSWER: I use the black face on the pod .. crank the middle then bring up the bass and treble as desired ...I use antiquity pikups, and my string gage is 9,11,15,28,39,49...d addario...thanx/pete

QUESTION: Pete: If you where left on a desert island, what one guitar and amp would you have to have.
Paul Gleason
Boston, MA.

ANSWER: My Tom Anderson hollow T with a Wang bar and 3 pickups ...a black face pre CBS deluxe with an analog digital delay (old purple boss one) and maybe a full drive too....thanx/pete

QUESTION: Hi Pete:
Wondered why your preference for SD Antiquity pickups? Seems you're pretty consistent with them in most of your guitars (Tele's & Strats). To what extent are you also using the cab models in the POD when recording?

Thanks! :) Know you're busy
Just another Guitar Player...

ANSWER: The Seymour's sound the most pleasing to me. Since I am not using vintage guitars much ...these pick-ups replicate the sound I am looking for. When I use the pod I never use the cabs. With amp farm I always mix and match as per the song and the desired effect....thanx/pete

QUESTION: Pete,
Thanks for the great show in Pittsburgh and for taking the time after to meet everybody. I've got some great comments on the dogbone.com t-shirt I bought. I got a couple more guitar questions for ya though. First, I am thinking of getting a wireless for my setup and was wondering what you'd recommend.

Second, I have an old Fender Bassman, the piggyback one from the early 60's like you see Brian Setzer with. It was a great amp for quite a while, I got it for around $600. Even though I don't use it much it needs repaired again. (It's being checked out right now, I could explain the nature of the problems if you like later.) I am fixing it up one last time and getting new speakers in the cabinet. What would you recommend there? It still had the original stuff.

Keep putting the awesome lessons and info on your site and thanks again! Chris

ANSWER: We use nady wireless units, I like those the best because the have a bass boost in the back. This helps simulate a guitar chord sound....I would not buy one if I was playing in clubs. On the bassman I think if you like the original sound I would stick with those speakers...go to mojo tone on the web they have everything....thanx/pete

QUESTION: Pete,
First off I love your playing. You have a style and sound that's hard to beat. My question is what model pick-ups do you use in your tele's.
Thanx and keep rockin!
Jim Collier

ANSWER: I have been using Seymour Duncan antiquities for quite some time. ...thanx/Pete

QUESTION: Hi Pete,
I'm Bob Rasero of the Renovators (with Bob Mayo).
I read somewhere about your mod to an old Deluxe Reverb where you change the speaker, a power tube and a resistor.
What does this actually do to the sound? I've got a '64 and don't want to chance it without some idea...Can you help?

Thanks and good luck...
Bob

ANSWER: More mid range..tighter bass..cleaner tone over all...good luck/pete

QUESTION: Pete
I have been a fan of yours for many years, I also have been a guitar player for over 35 years. I would like to know how you formulated your brillant "Little Sister" solos. Also what effects, if any, you used on that recording.
Thank you
Tom Whitty

ANSWER: Just a black face deluxe reverb and a fender tele....cross collateralizing styles is a good way to mix it up. Channel some of your favorite players styles with your tone...also if you listen to the area where you are going to solo with out playing the image of the solo may come to you. Also try singing your solo to yourself first...good luck...your pal /pete

QUESTION: Hi, Pete.
My name is Jayson Chance and I am a working pro in the Atlanta area. I'm from Nashville originally, and come from a long line of pickers. Both my grandfather (Lightnin' Chance- Opry bassist, Ray Price, Marty Robbins, etc.) and father (Barry Chance- Jimmy Buffett, Marty Stuart, etc.) are pretty prominent Nashville players, and throughout my career I have been a big fan of yours.

Having said that, most of my working picker buddies and I have pretty much decided that your sounds are some of the best recorded guitar tracks in our genre, in the history of guitar! . So I'm always looking for tips, especially when it comes to tone reproduction both live and in the studio.

I have struggled recently with mic placement experimentation, and have probably "over-thought" the process. So hopefully you can help! I currently use various Strats and Teles, and a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp (1-12", 2 6L6, 40 watts), and a Fender Pro Junior amp (1-10", 2 EL84, 15 watts).

What do you recommend to get that classic Strat/Tele sound as far as mic placement goes, and what are some of your favorite mics for live and studio? I usually use an SM57 for everything, and I am really partial to the old Unidine 57's, but can't find one!

Thanks for your time and help, and hopefully I can catch you with Dwight next time you are in the area.

Sincerely,
Jayson Chance

ANSWER: Jayson /thanx for the compliments....

I have been using a pod or amp farm for the last few years...I have found that you have to struggle much more and struggle on your live sound than the studio one. In the early days of my carear recording in studios was always a challenge..mostly because of the lack of skill of a low budjet engineer, but the way to overcome it is to get the sound you like on the floor of the studio. Then I would use a sm57 pointed at the speaker (hopefully a 12") around 2 o'clock, about 3 to 5 inches away. The lower you place the mike the more bass you will get. As in looking at the speaker as a clock, around 6 o'clock would be the bassiest...then another mike ..what ever you have ...as a room mike.. up around ear level about 3 feet away. Then listen in the control room fairly loud on the biggest speakers you have and blend the two until the desired effect is there. Usually the room mike should just be audible. Remember tone is mostly in our head ..it is a sound we like..so we recreate it... the rest is up to your amp, guitar and your skill...good luck/pete

QUESTION: Hi Pete, I've got a tele and a strat. Could you tell me the best way to set up the pickups?? Mainly the distance they should be from the strings. (neck, center and bridge). Appreciate your time.

Luke Lukas
Richardson, Texas.

ANSWER: I fret the strings at the last fret on the guitar then I adjust the pick-ups as close as possible with out touching the strings with the pole pieces. Some people like to bring the bass side of the strings down ...but that is not the way I do it ....good luck pete

QUESTION: Greeting Pete! Thanks for all the information and suggestions you provide us players and fans.

I bought a Les Paul Classic recently and lowered the action a bit, but there is one place it frets out. (really bad, E string at the 13th) Otherwise there is no problem with buzz, the curvature of the neck seems fine. What can I do, can one fret be repaired?
Thanks, Chris

ANSWER: The next fret above the one fretted is high, yes it can be fixed, make sure you go to the best guy in town. You will not want to refret because of some else's mistake...thanx ......pete

More Blue Lounge Questions & Answers - Page Five...