Albert Collins Tone Secrets | TONE LAB

Let's dig into the tone of my favorite blues guitarist: Albert Collins
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[@clgmafnas]

IMHO, Albert is one of the meanest, most original blues players ever! ABSOLUTELY LOVE his style! Thanks Jay! 🤘🏼

[@JayLeonardJ]

Couldn't agree more!

[@maxpeck4154]

Amen

[@jltbass56]

Great video! I met Albert at one of his shows years ago outside of Cleveland Ohio. He had a 500 foot cable on a spool carried around behind him. During one of his solos, he left the stage with his guitar and the cable guy and sax player behind him. They left the ballroom, went down to the bar, got a drink, came back to the ballroom at Barney Google's in Richfield, saluted the crowd with drink in hand, took a sip and then went back to the stage with the sax player (and the cable guy was winding the cable furiously back on the spool!) Albert was playing his guitar the whole time!!🤣

[@JayLeonardJ]

So jealous. I would have loved to see him just once...

[@BrianDefferding]

That is awesome 😎❤

[@brianbrazil4426]

A big part of Albert Collins sound was the Humbucker in the neck position. Which is why it was clean yet fat. In 1973 I was in a band that opened a show for Bo Diddley and Albert Collins. I know first hand how he sounds. I have videos of him from other venues and he always gets that sound. He use to play through 1 some times 2 Fender Super Reverbs.

[@thisisjtom]

Not really as he only used - I think - the bridge pickup. As mentionned by Leonard here. The cable switch is the first time I can clearly hear the difference. Great video !

[@johnhodge3676]

You forgot to mention.... wear your strap over the wrong shoulder for additional mojo.

[@JayLeonardJ]

Definitely!

[@zhairewelch8291]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@dkapone]

Gunslinger style. Freddie King wore his the same way! Peace.

[@bryantherocker]

@@JayLeonardJ Nobody plays like Mr. Collins. The 3 Kings sometimes can be imitated, Freddie King to a lesser degree, but I ain't heard anyone sound like Mr. Collins yet.

[@KevyNova]

Great video and great information! To my ears though, Albert's sound was a little bit cleaner and with a lot more reverb.

[@33Chef]

You have the tuning and some of the licks right, but that is definitely not AC's tone or the subtlety of his attack.

[@sumoblues]

@33Chef and @Kevy Nova how about you both post your videos to show us how it's done!

[@KevyNova]

sumoblues because 1) I love Albert but I’m not interested in sounding like somebody else 2) I don’t think ANYONE can sound exactly like him because a lot of it is in the fingers. I’ve seen guys get the exact same gear that Hendrix or SRV used but they never sound exactly like them. 3) If you didn’t notice, I said it’s a great video and info. I’m not knocking the guy at all, just pointing out that Albert used a lot of reverb and wasn’t quite as distorted.

[@Mauitaoist]

I started listening to Albert Collins in 1978 I play without a pick myself so I really love his style. Your technique is similar but Albert's tone was more piercing and raw....maybe the string through body and the ashtray would help? I'd like to see a video on Roy Buchanan he's another tele man have been one of my all-time favorites

[@robertmorin6495]

Wow... lots of great tips to get the Albert Collins sound. Interesting that the final piece of the puzzle was the extra long cable!

[@RolandDuke]

Man he’s my favorite outta all the ol blues guys, his sound had so much personality so unique!! Houston Texas!!

[@JayLeonardJ]

Thanks so much!

[@masonianbund]

Killer chops dude! It was really interesting to hear how the impedence (sp) of the 100ft cable shaped the tone. Cray cray! Would love to hear you tackle the tones of one of my favs, Hubert Sumlin.

[@chusssMusic]

Mr. Collins is my favorite blues player since I first heard of him in 1999, I think he's a genius. Thanks for this great video. I have a couple of Albert Collins style guitar backing tracks on my channel, you might like to jam along with them.

[@donewithmodernlife]

Prince! I think you’d do a bang up job on Prince Jay. I’m truly stunned out how good the Twin sounded when pushed into overdrive. In all my years of playing I’ve never had the opportunity to play one on 10, but now I know! I’ve always read Steve Jones used a Twin on Never Mind The Bollocks but just couldn’t see how he got that tone... I am now enlightened thanks to you good sir. You just gotta turn it all the way up & lose most if not all of the bass. Hazah!

[@stu2596]

I wish more guitar channels would do demos like this. Instead of of just showing some licks played in standard, you gone in depth and actually shown how Albert Collins played. This is great stuff! You should do Albert King. He also had an unusual style.

[@JayLeonardJ]

Albert King is a master!! Yeah, I need to dig a little deeper into Albert Collins... Great idea

[@michaelyolch79]

Okay, this was literally FANTASTIC in every single aspect. Albert is also my favorite Blues guitarist, tone-wise...and I could just never figure out all of the ingredients. THANK YOU!!! Time to go shopping! :D

[@JayLeonardJ]

He's my absolute hero. I'm glad you dug the vid and good luck!

[@amguit]

I recently discovered Albert Collins and man!!! You are right about his tone. I am listening to Albert and Walter Trout right now.

[@dongdelacruz1250]

Try Coco Montoya he has a big influence of albert and sounds amazing.

[@rselp]

Great video mate, nailed Albert’s iconic Iceman tone and attack! That girl back in high school did you a huge favour!

[@BG-jg4pt]

you deserve all the subs i watch your videos wether i know the player the gear or what not just because you have some of the best tone and playing on youtube hands down

[@runjogwalk]

Wow that tele has some gorgeous wood patterns in it

[@livingabovethe12th]

Wow....maybe I am an idiot but after 27 yrs of playing I never heard of anyone rolling with a gtr in Fm. Learn something new every day. Tackle 1970 to 1978 Ritchie Blackmore....never heard anyone nail that strat tone since him....everyone attempts it with too much gain. That marshall major amp of his makes it tuff.

[@moreorlesslikeso]

Yeah, that's perfectly true! That vintage Richie Blackmore sound has so much less compression/gain than most "heavy" stuff you hear (and heard) elsewhere. But it's got that really punchy attack and "solidness", which makes it quite demanding to master in your playing. You can't afford to be sloppy here as you often can with heavily compressed hi gain sounds that tend to cover up quite a bit of dynamically uneven playing. So many player have gone the easier way (and still do). But in terms of Blues and adjecent styles just listen to Josh Smith who very obviously puts headroom and dynamics over compression in his tone and playing. Totally different player than Richie Blackmore, of course, but totally awesome nevertheless...

[@PowerThirteen]

I remember reading somewhere that Albert Collins started off playing the organ, and the Fm tuning was based on organ technique. There's an interview where he talks about using finger vibrato to copy the organ too.

[@moreorlesslikeso]

@@PowerThirteen I actually wonder what string gauge he played. tuning up (even a half step) doesn't make bends any easier... and that with some of his really wild bends in mind.

[@johnhodge3676]

You just made me want to listen to Albert way past my bedtime. I was lucky to see him in '87 and '92.

[@JayLeonardJ]

Lucky!

[@matteovrizzi]

Thanks! i used a twin reverb back in the day and don't miss hauling that thing around from place to place. I guess a lot of the Iceman's tone also comes from his fingers! (And don't forget you have to sling the tele across your right shoulder!)

[@JayLeonardJ]

Forgot the strap part!!! Essential Iceman right there!!!

[@superflea72]

love the video Jay. I really dig your playing, and it's awesome to see that you appreciate the master that is Albert Collins as much as me...one of the all-time greats for sure. keep 'em coming!

[@JayLeonardJ]

Definitely one of the most overlooked blues musicians! Glad you dug the vid.

[@davidaraujo927]

Beautiful tribute to a criminally underrated legend. Merry Christmas!

[@JayLeonardJ]

Merry Christmas!

[@Guitargate]

Awesome job dude!!

[@sumoblues]

you make the Iceman proud son! great job!

[@i-tiyahman6519]

LEONARD,THE REASON HE HAD THE PLATE WAS TO REST THE HAND.he made a dvd where he broke it down.i have somewhere,bougth it at MANNYS NYC where there was a ALBERT COLLINS custom shop in display.MANNYS closed long time ago

[@JayLeonardJ]

Cool. I gotta find that DVD!

[@i-tiyahman6519]

warner,bros,classics Albert Collins if you scrolldown when your video is on you will see it click on it and you will find the info

[@hgostos]

Excellent video. I love Albert's playing too. So unique. Please remember to keep the spring reverb quite high up and blues away!

[@glisteningkabana8154]

Must check out some Albert Collins, what a cool player! What a killer tone. Great job Jay! The cable thing was interesting and cool!

[@surgen9499]

Helps if you play thru Fender Quad Reverb . Love Albert , seen him play Year's Ago . Outrageously Good

[@JayLeonardJ]

Thanks!

[@maximo.01]

Hey Jay :-) I love your Videos and your playing!! You are such a cool dude!! I've got two questions: 1. what is a good setup for playing guitar through your headphones? 2. what are your favorite fuzz pedals?? All the best to you - Max

[@JayLeonardJ]

1. Try something like the Iconoclast in the fx loop of your amp :) 2. My favorite all time fuzz is the Jordan Bosstone.

[@maximo.01]

JayLeonardJ thanks a Lot man :-))

[@mikes062]

Great video! Sounds kind of like a half cocked wah or something, I like it! It helps that's almost the same tele I've got, except mine doesn't have a bigsby. I'd like to hear you try Brad Paisley.

[@moreorlesslikeso]

Nice try (and some nice playing as well), but I fee like there's just a bit too much compression to the tone here to sound really authentic. The cable thing is interesting, though hardly anybody will seriously consider using a 100ft long cable today, I guess... What about string gauges? When you're using - at least - a 10s set for a bit of fatness (as many players today do) you might not like the higher tension after tuning up that half step, let alone do those heavy bendings. Or did AC actually prefer really thin strings like B.B.?

[@bryantherocker]

Nobody plays like Mr. Collins. The 3 Kings sometimes can be imitated, Freddie King to a lesser degree, but I ain't heard anyone sound like Mr. Collins yet.

[@JayLeonardJ]

Me neither :)

[@12stringblues]

Wow!! .. unbelievable setup. Thanks

[@user-up1us9jf1o]

What about old school Leslie West? One of the tone masters. 1 pickup, 2 knobs, no pedals, amp dimed.

[@obscurebandfan]

You even make the same faces as he did. Fucking killer playing man

[@robertscottpurse1]

Awesome Video! I'd love to see you make an Albert King tone demo. Cheers!

[@ericsell9469]

This was great! Looking forward to more "Tone of the Artists" videos like this one!

[@williamthomaspenn]

Awesome video! Been listening to Chris Isaac and Boanerges (Argentinian, Christian, heavy metal)

[@jmwhittl]

Great stuff! So any trick to keeping the guitar in tune w/ a capo and pulling off those big bends? I seem to keep bending the strings out of place (once I bend the tension of the capo keeps the string in it's bent position)

[@JayLeonardJ]

Try cutting very subtle string slots in the rubber of your capo: that may help you keep them in place. Just be sure to make sure that the spacing matches the specific fret you will be putting your capo on for all your bending songs...

[@gregorystone768]

Or Zuzu Bollin he had that creeping eary tone. Otis Rush would be cool too. Defiantly Buchanan though.

[@johnjordan2677]

Awesome.... I’d love to see another tele guy... Tab Benoit if you can

[@justinpaquette224]

I wonder if its possible to get that long cable sound with the right tone cap

[@Renhjarta]

This is a lovely video! Thank you very much!

[@HashiAkitaPuppy]

I'm sorry to say this, but this is not Albert's tone at all. Too warm and fuzzy. They called him the "Iceman" for a reason. It's a cool tone and you play well, but this is NOT the Albert Collins sound by a long shot.

[@davidharding966]

s k you’re right on the money. I couldn’t add to that comment.

[@triffh5956]

Didn't he use heavy black dimond strings to.

[@paulblanchet542]

How about BB King?

[@fknWorldSeries]

Well …I mean…..you were really feeling it in the beginning 😂

[@phatman1478]

Re-upload? Great series Jay! You should definitely try Prince next

[@JayLeonardJ]

I did! I didn't bounce the first version properly :)

[@telecasper]

Didn’t he use an out of phase pickup combination?? Is it really just the Tele bridge pu with a super long cable??

[@JayLeonardJ]

Yup, as far as I know, it was just the capacitance with the super long cable and his magic bridge pickup

[@JohnEAdams]

Wonderful piece Jay, just stumbled on your stuff. A bit late but I would try Toy Caldwell -;0)

[@jamesross790]

Good video but he played an Esquire with swapped out pickups. Ssw him at the Town Pump in Gastown a couple of times as well as the Commodore. You are definitely right about the volume though. Continued success to tou

[@JayLeonardJ]

Lucky! I would have loved to have seen him live: especially at the Town Pump.

[@jamesross790]

@@JayLeonardJ what can I say, I'm old.

[@jpaulmusic8389]

B.B. King or really any of the Kings, and Keith Richards. Those guys are who came to my mind first.

[@my1after909]

Laughing! So cool! Thanks!

[@josephdimalante7023]

Great A.C. tone Jay and playing. I'm looking to get that Ronnie Wood tone when he was with the Faces. Thank You!

[@i-tiyahman6519]

Albert Collins DVD on E BAY

[@Sldumas1983]

Albert is related to Lightning Hopkins😊 Let that sink in

[@BG-jg4pt]

DAVID GILMOUR! The wall and dark side tones :)

[@williamdon3442]

I know it didn’t work out but did you end up hitting it???

[@JayLeonardJ]

Nailed it.

[@stan2211stan]

Hi JLJ, how's about Guitar Slim? Slim's tone is the template for everyone who followed.

[@bradking1067]

In an interview ,He said he turns the treble knob to 10? I'm a big fan of Albert too.What about getting the sound with a humbucker and a crate amp?-(ok, don't laugh too hard) .You sound great,I just wanna get that snap! that he gets.thanks for sharing hope you are well God loves you deeply Shalom 🎸🔊🏔️🏞️🎆⛰️🎉🎇✨🎊😎🎈

[@michaelyolch79]

YES!!!! Awesome job, man! :D

[@gregorystone768]

Nailed it

[@TonyWhelanSLIDES]

Well done.

[@JayLeonardJ]

Thanks :)

[@MrTDembinski]

Love Albert Collins. Such a great player and performer. Missed. Would love to see a video on Bo Diddley (just because it’s a lot of fun). I got it close in a George Thorogood kinda way 😜

[@JayLeonardJ]

Bo Diddley... That's a great one!

[@raytheprinter]

Wow,Very good!!!

[@Jacksonade]

Jonny Lang, Joe Bonamassa, Black Keys!

[@ForViewingOnly]

I thought I'd see how long I could hold out before giving you a thumbs-up... I made it to 30 seconds in and couldn't resist any longer! Jay, you might be interested in checking out an old television broadcast featuring The Ice Man that inspired me when I was learning. I uploaded my old VHS TV recording of the guitar event back in 1992 - search for "Expo 92 Blues" on KZbin uploaded by FergusonVideostar. I know you'll love it... so many big blues names at one event, 25 years ago... I'm getting old! As for tones, how about the thick Clapton solo tone from the YT video "Eric Clapton performs Crossroads Live" uploaded by Guitar World. Thanks!

[@DRCRANKNSTEIN]

great and very informative, thank you.

[@oskiallorio2478]

wow!!! great job! Thanks!!!!

[@SkoolofskillsInc]

Can you please do Albert King...I been trying to capture the tone with no luck.

[@fisheyedblues6489]

Very cool 😎 👌

[@JayLeonardJ]

Thanks!

[@mommy0715]

Can you do one on albert king

[@ernielim4118]

I'm just here to see you play mah dude hahah

[@ZekeMan62]

I saw Albert live several times before he passed on. He had this gigantic clear as a bell tone that sliced through the air like a bolt of lightning. The rig of any other guitar player that happened to be onstage with him sounded like a toy by comparison. Even Stevie Ray's legendary tone sounded weak compared to the electric chill of the Ice Man.

[@JayLeonardJ]

You are one lucky man. I would have killed to see him live!

[@ZekeMan62]

JayLeonardJ At one show I had gotten what I thought was an awesome viewing position standing about 5-6 feet from Albert's mic stand. Trouble was I was also only about 8 feet from his amp and directly in front of it. Everytime he would hit one of his trademark staccato high note bend and hold vibratos I could feel it hit me in the chest and go right through me to claim another victim behind me. After the 4th song I had to retreat to higher ground in the lower balcony. In spite of this preventative measure my ears still rang for 3 days afterwards. I'd gladly do it all over again though just to seem him one more time. He was a hell of a showman. Good times.

[@geraldcharlie9318]

What pickups he use

[@shanesims2864]

GREAT JOB !!! THANK YOU !!!

[@BobIrving2]

Wow. I’ve never heard anyone get this close to Albert’s tone! Thanks, and great stuff.

[@scottsoucy6186]

How about Roy Buchanan or Michael Bloomfield? Roy Gallagher would be cool, too!

[@JayLeonardJ]

Great picks!

[@jakobcampbell8029]

that guitar is amazing!

[@bganzer3997]

where do you buy a 100 feet cable

[@JayLeonardJ]

make one or custom order from a company like Sinasoid :)

[@Mr7Poz]

Double wow.

[@operonium]

Philip Sayce please.

[@le0mendez]

Great! totally nailed it

[@MrMongo321]

I never knew that the length of the cable could affect the tone so much!

[@mikes062]

mrmongo673 using a 20' versus a 10' makes a difference too if you really listen but I like that longer cables take a little of the highs off anyway. Cheap versus expensive cables, even on your pedal board changes it too.

[@JayLeonardJ]

A cool trick you can try if you want to use a wireless pedal with your fuzz pedals is to put a 100ft cable between the receiver and the fuzz. Won't solve the prob entirely, but definitely makes an awesome difference :)

[@Ye_shu_a]

John Mayer!

[@jeffbeck6501]

Great tone and playing. But I think my hands might look like a tire coming apart on an 18-wheeler.

[@blueshoddan]

Peter green + Jeremy Spencer!

[@JayLeonardJ]

Peter Green!!!

[@89blackcamaro]

I have one😁 quad reverb

[@JayLeonardJ]

Very jealous!

[@JamaineCampbell]

Freddy King Please

[@JayLeonardJ]

Good one!

[@mojo5763]

Roy Buchanan please. Nobody seems to want try it. Maybe they can't, I don't know. I'd sure enjoy seeing it.

[@JayLeonardJ]

Great call!

[@parishfamily4]

Peter Green!

[@2006axis]

So facking cool

[@minisurfbanana]

Galing mo✌️✌️✌️

[@Kenjh71]

Great stuff, but you need to slow down a bit.

[@harmonicsball89]

AC is my fav. Not sure this nails it.

[@bradkeegan6787]

Master at 10? How omg

[@gregorystone768]

Roy Buchanan next please!!!

[@mojo5763]

Gregory Stone yes sir that's the man

[@JayLeonardJ]

Ooh.... That sounds fun!!!

[@gregorystone768]

I'll keep my eye out for it!

[@joelfrenchmusic]

Impossible

[@LUCKYB.]

whats This !!!!

[@i-tiyahman6519]

leonard is guitar-trailer-Albert Collins

[@Amazology]

Boss