Master Guitarists Playing Cheap Guitars

**blackcat** · 09-18-2016, 03:36 AM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

Epi ES175 Premium, for sure!

But through a BOOGIE it is revealed on You Tube. Tends to make a difference? Thread on Amp or Guitar - which makes the greatest difference comes to mind

**Franz 1997** · 09-18-2016, 05:15 AM

Wim Overgaauw on a ( I think) Kay Red Devil in 1960. They certainly knew how to make a pick guard statement.

Not exactly playing like a Master here, but in a few years or two he was up there. For those who don't know, he was the teacher of Jesse van Ruller and Martijn van Itersen. World-class Dutch players...

What a good thread this is.

**Frank67** · 09-18-2016, 05:44 AM

... here is a link to a recent concert where Birelli is playing the cheapo strat - even in a more traditional gypsy context:

and here in a more straight ahead environment

... I think he sounds really good. Looks like a twin reverb to me in the background.

**christianm77** · 09-18-2016, 05:50 AM

Yes he was playing very much a GJ gig with that guitar when I saw him - acoustic rhythm guitar etc.

EDIT: it was the band in the first video + sax. That bass player is a BEAST.

**christianm77** · 09-18-2016, 05:56 AM

Originally Posted by blackcat

But through a BOOGIE it is revealed on You Tube. Tends to make a difference? Thread on Amp or Guitar - which makes the greatest difference comes to mind

I'd always get a good amp over a good guitar if I had to choose one of the two. Guitar pickups etc can always be upgraded also.

**christianm77** · 09-18-2016, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by medblues

Rory Hoffman playing a Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin:

and an Eastman AR810:

And here is on a not so cheap guitar:

**Fidelcaster** · 09-18-2016, 06:08 AM

Enver Izmaylov playing an Aria Pro II (a "Thor Sound" I believe, a viking guitar if there ever was one):

And here playing with Bobby McFerrin:

**Thumpalumpacus** · 09-18-2016, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by christianm77

I'd always get a good amp over a good guitar if I had to choose one of the two. Guitar pickups etc can always be upgraded also.

My preference as well ... I've played a Les Paul through a Gorilla, I know whereof I speak.

**jorgemg1984** · 09-18-2016, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by christianm77

I really liked his tone on this tune - this was pretty much the first Kurt I heard...

He's great, if you can stand a more modern approach

He has excellent records and youtube clips (on more expensive axes), keep digging!

**christianm77** · 09-18-2016, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

He's great, if you can stand a more modern approach

He has excellent records and youtube clips (on more expensive axes), keep digging!

this was the first Kurt I heard in 2005 ;-) It was on a bootleg - I think I hadn't discovered youtube yet.

EDIT: Wait does that make me a hipster? :-) Or just an old fart?

**jorgemg1984** · 09-18-2016, 07:08 AM

---

**jorgemg1984** · 09-18-2016, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by christianm77

this was the first Kurt I heard in 2005 ;-) It was on a bootleg - I think I hadn't discovered youtube yet.

EDIT: Wait does that make me a hipster? :-) Or just an old fart?

Oh sorry, Christianm - my bad! Well I heard the same bootleg a long time ago too, so which one you are I guess I'm too

**christianm77** · 09-18-2016, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Oh sorry, Christianm - my bad! Well I heard the same bootleg a long time ago too, so which one you are I guess I'm too

Yeah it's always been Kurt's live stuff that hooked me. I often find his playing on the albums to be a bit subdued in comparison...

**jorgemg1984** · 09-18-2016, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by christianm77

Yeah it's always been Kurt's live stuff that hooked me. I often find his playing on the albums to be a bit subdued in comparison...

I agree, but to me that's true for any player. Every time I hear a good live record, the studio ones automatically become boring... that's why I love Kurt's "The Remedy", because it's live - his best record so far. As another example, I have some of his bootlegs from VV - the week his quartet spent there before recording "Star of Jupiter". Their playing is SO much better than the record...

**Alder Statesman** · 09-18-2016, 08:13 AM

Another non-jazz guitarist: Jimmie Vaughan plays his MIM Jimmie Vaughan Tex-Mex Strat. Only $850.00.

**silverfoxx** · 09-18-2016, 09:03 AM

Chris,
The Wim Overgaauw clip reminds me of Billy Bean's
"The Trio", good stuff. The clips of Wes are great
he was actually staying at Cedric West's house
In 1965 ( before my time I'm afraid, and yours)
I'm glad this thread has developed.

**Fidelcaster** · 09-18-2016, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

I love Kurt's "The Remedy", because it's live - his best record so far.

I haven't heard all of his records, but it's my favorite too. So good!

**GNAPPI** · 09-18-2016, 10:42 AM

Wouldn't this apply to anyone playing a Fender? They weren't always stupid expensive.

I remember the bullet rod adjuster CBS getting me laughed at.

**2bornot2bop** · 09-18-2016, 03:12 PM

Matt Otten, playing Estate in one of his early youtube loops featuring his Epiphone Joe Pass

**christianm77** · 09-18-2016, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

Wouldn't this apply to anyone playing a Fender? They weren't always stupid expensive.

I remember the bullet rod adjuster CBS getting me laughed at.

Possibly, but I think there's a sliding scale. Solid bodies are always going to be cheaper than comparable archtops for obvious reasons. I think if it's a solid body guitar, it should be one of the budget marques. MIM Fender is pushing it :-)

**christianm77** · 09-18-2016, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

I agree, but to me that's true for any player. Every time I hear a good live record, the studio ones automatically become boring... that's why I love Kurt's "The Remedy", because it's live - his best record so far. As another example, I have some of his bootlegs from VV - the week his quartet spent there before recording "Star of Jupiter". Their playing is SO much better than the record...

I do think some jazz players are very good at the studio thing tho - I would describe Peter Bernstein as a relatively consistent player for example.

But with Kurt there's such a mismatch - I was completely unprepared for how good he was live when I saw him, despite listening to that bootleg. He was playing mostly standards as well, and I have to say most jazz guitarists are far stronger on standards than originals, too, for obvious reasons.

**medblues** · 09-18-2016, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

Matt Otten, playing Estate in one of his early youtube loops featuring his Epiphone Joe Pass

I wanted to find out what was downstream from the guitar and ended up on his webpage. His comments are consistent with this thread's theme. He claims to use direct into computer recording a lot and mentions only two amps: A Sessionette 75 for gigs, and a ZT Club for unclear settings (maybe just an endorsement).

**2bornot2bop** · 09-18-2016, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by medblues

I wanted to find out what was downstream from the guitar and ended up on his webpage. His comments are consistent with this thread's theme. He claims to use direct into computer recording a lot and mentions only two amps: A Sessionette 75 for gigs, and a ZT Club for unclear settings (maybe just an endorsement).

Whatever it is, it's got his signature great tone, even though his recordings have vastly improved since '08. I dig his intro, voicings, and tempo, that laid the foundation for a groovin' loop. A little different Estate.

**jorgemg1984** · 09-18-2016, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by christianm77

I do think some jazz players are very good at the studio thing tho - I would describe Peter Bernstein as a relatively consistent player for example.

But with Kurt there's such a mismatch - I was completely unprepared for how good he was live when I saw him, despite listening to that bootleg. He was playing mostly standards as well, and I have to say most jazz guitarists are far stronger on standards than originals, too, for obvious reasons.

You're right! I only saw Kurt live once, with OJM and it was incredible.. one day I would love to see the standards trio on the VV!