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I’m in the bustling metropolis of Pittsburgh, PA. Funny, I was down in Clarksdale, MS for a week last year recording a blues album. I definitely felt the “single chord boogie” vibe. Some of the jazz-blues stuff I was doing seemed totally foreign to them. But I was playing in Memphis last month and there are definitely some T-Bone-esque cats there that can really swing!
Originally Posted by DawgBone
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02-26-2026 03:37 PM
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Originally Posted by andrew
Let's bring back the Crawford Grill. Franco's estate owns it.
Maybe George Benson can pitch in a few bucks.
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Recording in Clarksdale? Right on! I think the shuffles actually is very foreign to them but yeah Memphis you hear shuffles pretty consistently. Little Jimmy King used to do many shuffles! I would guess they are somehow more closely tied to city life and western swing/jazz influenced areas. Haven't been to Memphis in decades but I have a friend who plays there regularly that tells me Beale isn't what it used to be, that it's all club/hip-hop music after 10pm. Originally Posted by andrew
I have a couple gigs cooking in Clarksdale and Helena again later this year, and possibly even soon but seems like the juke joint fest people are not exactly on the ball, booking bands one month before the festival downbeat happens, smh. Seems like they would be a little more vigilant since that is basically the only thing holding that town above water but I suppose the rural south moves at it's own pace which is what makes it what it is. I try not to sweat getting/not getting gigs anymore. Easier to let whatever happens happen.
I'd love to hear that record of yours if you ever wanna share I'll share mine back! Best in '26!!!
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Well, T-Bone was FROM Texas, so it's not surprising that he has a bigger lasting influence there than elsewhere. Up here in the northeast, I don't think I've ever met anyone who was familiar with him. BB King, of course. Charlie Christian, yes. But not T-Bone Walker. He's one of my faves. Originally Posted by DawgBone
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Well, I wasn’t expecting this to be the outcome of opening a thread about an outrageously expensive guitar… I have to admit, I never really appreciated T-Bone Walker not that I didn’t like him. I just didn’t listen to him. Now doing a deep dive, it appears that I missed exposing myself to the J. S. Bach of electric guitar blues. He laid everything out, didn’t he? Every approach to soloing and rhythm, including altered chords, almost every blues lick I’ve ever heard… Amazing. I just ordered Hal Leonard’s transcription book of 20 or so of his songs. This will be time very well spent not to mention listening to his CDs and all for well under $1 million.
Last edited by Woodstove; 02-27-2026 at 11:52 AM.
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He is basically the guitar flip side of Charlie Christian. Originally Posted by Woodstove
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Glad to have spread the gospel of T-Bone! If you haven't already, check out his 1950's album "T-Bone Blues". That's probably THE T-Bone album to have. It was recorded with that famous ES-5 with some guy named Barney Kessel playing rhythm guitar. Most of the tunes on there are re-recordings of tunes that he originally recorded in the '40s.
For some 'modern' blues players in the T-Bone school (and by 'modern' I mean "guys who have been doing it for over 50 years but they're still alive so in blues terms that makes them modern"), look up Duke Robillard and Junior Watson. Both of them have quite a bit of jazz sensibility in their playing. Duke recorded two albums with Herb Ellis.
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THE T-Bone Walker album (actually three-disc set) to get is The Complete Imperial Recordings, 1950-1954
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Well, if you wanna go all out look for a copy of The Complete T Bone Walker 1940-1954 on Mosaic records. Originally Posted by Phil59
I think it's out of print but worth searching for.
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I own the Mosaic set and can report that is well worth having.
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True, but quite expensive if you can find it. On the other hand, Complete Imperial Recordings is available new for $18 at Amazon. Also worth looking for is Complete Capitol/Black & White Recordings. Originally Posted by wintermoon
Well, if you wanna go all out look for a copy of The Complete T Bone Walker 1940-1954 on Mosaic records.
I think it's out of print but worth searching for.
Last edited by Phil59; 02-27-2026 at 02:27 PM. Reason: typo
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I prefer Complete Imperial to Complete Capital. I will have to start looking for the Complete Mosaic.
Also, there's a good book on him:
Stormy Monday - the T-Bone Walker Story
Amazon.com
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Very Rare on Reprise is among my favorite vinyl. The tunes and playing are stellar. Check it out:
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I dunno, looks like they cut corners on that one Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
Very Rare on Reprise is among my favorite vinyl. The tunes and playing are stellar. Check it out:
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I noticed that his guitar appears to have no strap button on it in photographs such as the one above, he attached his strap to the headstock. Yet the guitar for sale has a strap button on it, one wonders if it has been modified in other ways too (other than plugging up the bullet holes). Originally Posted by wintermoon
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Crazy, man! The jacket may be trimmed, but the platter's brimmin' with avant lard! Originally Posted by wintermoon
I dunno, looks like they cut corners on that one
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Maybe the button's in one of them Originally Posted by Mick-7
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This is something of a departure from the subject of the OP. But as a violinmaking beginner student of blues guitar, I would like to know what hollow body archtop models have been made in the ensuing years most nearly approach the tonal qualities of the ES-5N.
Acknowledging of course that T-Bone's sound was a function of the whole rig as well as his playing technique, along with placement in the venue and general venue acoustics.
But if one were to "build" the sound, might as well start out with a more readily available guitar that comes closest to the tonal qualities of the original.
And for anyone concerned about the scale of such an adventure, don't worry.
At 70, I've got all the time in the world.
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The biggest part of the ES5 sound is the out of phase P90 pickups. Any archtop with at least two P90s (one of which is out of phase) will get you in the ballpark. Having a separate volume for each pickup is a big plus too.
that being said, the ES5 was the same general dimensions as an L5CES (17” x 3-3/8” body, 25.5” scale length) but with laminate (plywood) construction. The bridge pickup was generally the one that was out of phase, but on some examples it was the middle pickup. (T-Bone’s is supposed to be the bridge pickup)
Epiphone made a Zephyr Blues Deluxe in the 90s and early 2000s that was their take on the ES5. At the same time, Gibson had an ES5 reissue. There are some Japanese companies like King Snake making guitars in the style today, such as the King Snake Three Bone.
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Little Charley Batey said in an interview (sorry I’ll never find it) turning the bridge tone all the way off and the neck wide open got him the T-Bone sound.
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As the song goes: Originally Posted by Stringswinger
"Now I don't know but I've been told
it's hard to run with weight of gold.
On the other hand I've heard it said
it's just as hard with the weight of lead."
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As a newbie, I am really enjoying these recordings. In fact, they brought me to the ES 5N. Which brought me to this group. So, you (or actually I) could say, "T-Bone sent me." Though that would be a bit presumptuous.
[Oops! I should have selected repeat post to which I was replying. I am referencing the Imperial recordings set.]Last edited by Julian Cossmann Cooke; 03-05-2026 at 11:55 PM. Reason: Correction
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Anyway you get here is cool! Welcome!
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I came the other way. Saw the ES5 and thought, this guys got to be good.
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My favorite T-Bone Walker recording:
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