The Guitars of Early Blues

[@emailercc3565]

those cheap guitars were made with top of the line materials. most of the stuff was organic material not plastic. pre war materials were high quality, the wood alone was far superior, as it was usually made from really old trees with weather patterns that you will never see again. the craftsman even were all self taught by apprentice. times have changed automation and mass production and weather has made these guitars one of a kind. great video

[@DjSinxix]

Back when there wasn’t so many of us

[@Magnum_Opus_Music]

❤

[@garymelnyk7910]

That’s why I collect them!

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

Their hearts out. That's what they were playing.

[@MarkSmith-nw4os]

Very true. It's not the guitar strings, it's your heart strings.

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

@@MarkSmith-nw4os The history of roots music: Heart strings on barely affordable instruments ...

[@MarkSmith-nw4os]

@@whynottalklikeapirat Maybelle Carter played The Wildwood Flower on a Stella.

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

@@MarkSmith-nw4os I am not surprised.

[@missbritt288]

God bless you for this video .. this is apart of our American history ...

[@the.communist]

More like black history, whites just appropiated.

[@dinosqautch6941]

The Communist 😂😂😂😂 ever heard of Appalachia troll harder

[@wood4life]

The Communist Who did black people get the guitar from? They didn’t invent it. They appropriated it from white people. Who do you think taught them how to play. Blues is just the black version of folk music which has been around before any black man picked a guitar.

[@TheAlienFleet]

The Communist you’re saying “black people don’t count as Americans”

[@heathkish6901]

Come on, folks.... How about we save the fighting for political, and religious discussions? 😊

[@jimincornwall1925]

My first guitar, which I got as a Christmas present 1964, was a Stella purchased at The T. Eaton department store in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and I think it was $24.95. It was a difficult neck to play and to learn on, but it made my first electric guitar, a second-hand National solid body electric (shaped like a Les Paul), a breeze to play. I was 15 back then, and I just turned 70 last month, and I’m still playing guitar. Thank your good Lord for my Stella, I wish I still had it today.

[@ssy12335]

Hee hee 1972 got my first non-plastic guitar. It came from Sears. It's parlor size because I was just a little girl still, but it had steel strings and my God it hurt to play but I played and learned and bled...and then played some more. 50 years later and thru several guitars, back to a parlor guitar but with nylon strings now. It's a French brand. Decent.

[@PN1296]

Yeah with just a lil knowledge coulda had nylon on that sumbich. Felt like that when I discovered silk and steel string.

[@c.a.t.732]

My first guitar, that I got around 1970, was a Sears Silvertone. Action about an inch off the fretboard at the 12th fret, screw-on pickguard, separate bridge and tailpiece like a jazz guitar... it looks very much like those early guitars in the video. I say "looks" cause it's hanging on the wall a few feet from me now, a real tribute to the durability of good old American plywood!

[@garnetbezanson1404]

Clearly the best bluesmen only played 8 string jacksons with emgs and floyds. Of course they didn't have mesa boogie mark 3s so they had to use marshall jcm 800s

[@shaunw9270]

Over sixty people liked your ridiculous comment. Congratulations jack ass 👍

[@aaronbrown581]

Shaun W salty

[@hellsq]

8-string jackson is a guitar for pussies. here a 8-string guitar for real cool guys: kzbin.info/www/bejne/naPFd5udfbmkrLs

[@mdurst2009]

@@shaunw9270 you must not be an EMG fan

[@pt8175]

@@hellsq Thanks for posting the video link now I gotta get a Ellis Resonator.

[@bobaldo2339]

Thanks for the video. My first acoustic was a Stella. My first electric was a Sears brand, made by Harmony. Just remembered the Sears guitar was called a "Silvertone".

[@lindahartman4543]

my first was a Montgomery Wards AIrline as their house brand. Likely from the Kay.

[@swinde]

I think ALL Sears music and sound products were branded "Silvertone"

[@act.13.41]

@@swinde Yes. I remember my grand dad's Silvertone console stereo. The turntable was so-so, but that tube amp and alnico speakers sounded so good. I will never forget the first time I put Physical Graffiti on and cranked it up. "I'll chew on a piece of your custard pie"

[@DC-ei9vl]

I have a Silvertone in pretty rough shape. Sometimes, I wonder if it would be worth restoring.

[@sparky6086]

My 1970 Sears Silvertone 12 string has the best of both worlds. It's clearly a Stella, but it has a truss rod, so I can adjust the action just right. It sounds just like the guitar Blind Willie McTell plays.

[@dreembarge]

My first guitar was a Stella. I had no idea. Wow.

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

Not all Stellas were actual Oscar Schmidt Stellas.

[@patfornies776]

Absolutely. I own a 1941 Kalamazoo Oriole and I’ll be damned if it doesn’t sound exactly like those early Delta Blues recordings.

[@shaunw9270]

Nice ! 👌

[@A.M......]

1:59 They're a product of jEaHzZ

[@hunt_sonicshaman5711]

😂

[@herrbonk3635]

A beautiful dialect of English, at least in my Scandinavian ears.

[@c.a.t.732]

I chuckled at that too.

[@A.M......]

@@herrbonk3635 Southern accents are harder to find these days.

[@johnmcaleese8459]

@@A.M...... I felt his voice to be very soothing to my Philly ears. New Orleans maybe??

[@18roselover]

Thanks for posting , as a long time builder and repairman . I have seen and repaired these instruments. It just proves you dont need much $ to get playing and singing.

[@daveventura1246]

I'm so glad I discovered your channel, Edward. This was a great trip through American Blues History. Thanks.

[@RicTic66]

I love videos like this. 👍😊 It could have gone on for another hour as far as I'm concerned. The Blues, The men and women who played it and the often overlooked, the instruments they used. What's not to love? 😊

[@Liesl_Cigarboxguitar]

A wealth of information and history.. Thanks from England.. 💜

[@rondy702]

I rocked a Stella acoustic and a Teisco electric that I got from a Western Auto Sports gear store!

[@vilstef6988]

I really love odd instruments, even though I don't play anything. Early in the rock era, most of Ritchie Valens's records had six string Dan Electro bass on them!

[@sparky6086]

Was it a Teisco Del Ray, and did you buy it, because it had the most pick-ups (3)?

[@goodun2974]

@@vilstef6988 , David Lindley played a Danelectro 6string "bass" on several records with his band El Rayo X. The cover version of the Isley Brothers tune "Your Old Lady" being an excellent example.

[@jimhood1202]

Great video. Once again I've been reminded that it isn't necessary to have the most expensive instrument (or anything) to make your mark.

[@gtate135]

That was a great video man, I mean seriously, thanks.

[@stephensmith799]

Agreed.

[@johnmcaleese8459]

Just the old photos alone ! Wish that video was 2hrs long. American history for sure. Music nurtured despite poverty and injustices. Would love to sit down with these men.

[@markzieg3593]

Nice job putting this video together. Learned so much that I didn’t even know, about people I thought I knew something about. I appreciate that and the obvious amount of hard work and research you put in to give this such high production value.

[@donloughrey1615]

Wow! Thanks for this . I have never seen such a great collection of these great legendary bluesmen in one place. Thanks for a great history lesson as well.

[@whatspadethinks]

Ed your playing is exemplary and keeps these styles alive brother, but these historical rundowns are just as cool. In just a few minutes you hepped people to the guitars that the delta & folk blues cats of those days did their work on. So cool...

[@art4life691]

Yes!! I am sooo interested in the old blues and wondered what kinds of instruments were played. Thank you for this video.

[@spacealienjesus709]

This is a great informative video..thank you for making this..love old delta blues.

[@AnonYmous-jp8uu]

I'm from Miss, and started on a stella, open tuned with a shot glass slide

[@urbanothepopeofdeath]

going to a doctor's appointment last year and some guy was tossing out a guitar while doing a renovation for a house. it was a Stella. fairly good shape!

[@Magnetron33]

Big Bill had a very unusual Gibson with a scroll at the top of the body. Beautiful instrument!

[@AnthonyRecenello]

Hey Edward I love your videos. Could you make a video about HOW these men in rural states came to learn the blues? It'd be cool to hear all about what they did. Did they have weekly guitar lessons? Did they learn through records? Did they play for hours a day? Thanks!

[@BUTTER-oc5gs]

Creole, and black culture came together in southern states to create the blues, with roots in slave music.

[@AnthonyRecenello]

@@BUTTER-oc5gs yeah I know. But I wanna know how they learned.

[@magicg8112]

Edward - this is a great video! Your commentary is spot on about the old blues instruments. It also highlights the fact that the great form of music we call the "Blues" evolved on instruments that the common man of the time could afford. The Blues is not about having a great instrument it is about using what life lets you have to express yourself. If it is a second hand Kalamazoo, then make it your voice. Thanks for the commentary!

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

Beautifully well done essay on early blues guitars, many of which I have owned and played over the years. Thank you!

[@ROOKTABULA]

I picked up a black, 1958 Stella in the case, maybe 5 hours of use, mint shape: $65.00

[@345kobi]

Thanks for putting out this great informative video.

[@nicolen.9642]

Very interesting, fascinating blues I love playing! Some of those guitars are beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Cheers from France!

[@lesbutler5458]

Beautifully delivered narration.

[@robertcooney1938]

I'm a bluesman. I usually play my Seagull or two main electric guitars, fender Tele deluxe and Tele custom, but I have an old Stella that I use for slide because the action is so high. I got the Stella because I knew the history and was able to trade a decent 12 string for it.

[@TurtleGamers1]

Kinda reminds me of how Jazzmasters nowadays are super expensive when the indie musicians of the 80's bought them at pawn-shops for 200 bucks

[@shaunw9270]

Yes, but they were old guitars in the 80's and many of the custom colour ones had been stripped & varnished or just badly painted and were not as fashionable as the pointy metal cliché "axes" lol 😊

[@xzysyndrome]

It is because new players want the stuff their idols used...as if it will somehow make them good too. Hell, you could pick up Mustangs dirt cheap until Cobain decided to play one....which is exactly why he started playing one :)

[@TurtleGamers1]

@@xzysyndrome thats kind of my point

[@davidaston5773]

Why are they are they so expensive now? I've never heard of a Jazz master?

[@xzysyndrome]

@@TurtleGamers1 Oh, I didn't realize it was your point an no one was allowed to illustrate it too. My bad...

[@Thomas-pq4ys]

My hero, Paul Geremia, religiousy played a Stella 12 string like Blind Willie's. He detuned it. Paul has gigged across the USA since the mid 60's, playing old Blues. When I first saw him, I was studying the old Blues, spending 6 to 12 hours per day trying to learn it. Paul just blew me away by the ease with which he played. His skills, top notch. He had a stroke, got off the road... one of the hardest working acoustic musicians ever... driving himself in an old Plymouth... To emulate his sound, I found a Hofner 12 string at a used instrument store. I bought it because it sound very close to a Stella... $200. I put heavy gauge strings for the main strings, calculated the octave strings, detuned it down to a C. The thing roars. I love playing slide on it, doing the Johnny Winter version of Willie McTell's Broke Down Engine.... I'll play encores on it.... always a perfect way to end a gig.

[@1joshjosh1]

I am so glad I ran across this. I like music and I like history and this is perfect!!!

[@rickysguitar]

Great video Edward 😎🎸👍

[@JPhil1961]

Just bought a 1960 Stella harmony parlor guitar. I actually saw it three weeks ago. Stopped back in yesterday and saw it. Had to buy it. Sounds amazing and it’s in excellent condition

[@PacesIII]

I have an original head Stromberg Voisinet 4 string strumming banjo. It was my grandfather's and found it in dad's garage when he was moving many years ago. Hard to find anyone reputable willing to restring and replace the knobs.

[@iamnoone3040]

I had an old Stella from early 30's and slowly it came apart... what I am left with is a neck! I'm thinking of creating a one off hybrid similar to amp-in-case Silvertone's. Solid wood neck~ no truss rod! Hmmm.... Awesome video!

[@philsmall1601]

Have three stella guitars pre 1939.amazing sound.

[@MrJasonMcintyre]

Fascinating video. Thanks for making it.

[@lesteubes-r1t]

A friend from New Orleans collects old guitars that have a lot of history. They all carry repairs, some of them major. But I can barely play them with my modern technique because the actions are so high. He just says “Yer playin’ it wrong”, takes it back and plays it like a percussion instrument. Those high actions definitely give off a lot of impact when played right. Me and my low action style don’t cut it!

[@christopherlees1134]

Great video and very interesting. Easy to listen to.

[@anonamous6968]

I found this very interesting and informative. Your voice has a charm that I felt really suited the video.

[@johndufford5561]

Thank-you, Edward. Very valuable insights and grasp of this important history. Much appreciated!

[@MsCaleb79]

Old blues is very nice to listen to.

[@tedbownas2748]

Fascinating collection of information, well organized and articulated. Great job. 👍

[@herrfriberger5]

Illustrates what I often say: Most forms of blues, as we know it today, are younger than jazz (with R&B, "Rock'n roll", etc. being even younger). Ragtime existed in the 1890s and jazz in the 1910s. Originally they were more syncopated variants of imported European cabaré, military and gypsy music. Styles that were good for improvisation. (This was before jazz took of and included more advanced elements from both Latin music and Stravinskij, Schönberg, etc. and also before swing and the modern drum set with hi hat + large ride cymbals were invented.)

[@muzalan7601]

Wow. These videos are awesome. Just binged this whole lot.

[@williamrobertson1563]

I got a 1990 hello kitty its pretty bad ass. Sounds alot like those old blues guitars.

[@lgwhittaker]

My favourite and newest guitar is a 1935? Slingerland Maybelle under the name Mastertone. It is amazing!

[@calebsutton6219]

The song Stella Blue is about those old blues guitars "🎶Dust of those rusty strings just one more time🎶"

[@rooguitar]

Very instructive and interesting! I 💙 BLUES

[@TUBESTOOL]

Really enjoyed this. Not too much talking. Very objective. Great job.

[@drewskidmore9392]

Great video, lots of good info. A couple other features that really gave these old guitars such a particular sound were the prevalence of birch as a tonewood at the time, and the wide use of ladder bracing as opposed to more modern x-bracing.

[@davidlawson7786]

Great video, thank you for making this video. Guitar is an amazing instrument and I’m grateful to have become a guitarist in my life, it’s the very thing that gives me peace, hope and joy within. Thanks again

[@yloiron]

Love the blues and watching your channel

[@mcpauldjrickmusicmaker4504]

Wow!!! My very first guitar, i ordered out of a Sears catalogue. No idea what brand it was,but it was black, with abalone inlay.

[@wheninroamful]

Great video, thank you...i have and play the Gretsch Guitars G9201 Honey Dipper shown at 1:51; i dig it. I was shocked at how much more a metal body resonator responded so quickly and loudly then my wood body resonator i had before...

[@TheGman858]

I had the pleasure of playing a very old gibson L1 a few years back i tried playing different styles on it didn't fair too well but when I played old fingerstyle blues on it that guitar shined like nobody's business

[@ChrisOkunbor]

Thanks, great info. I bought a Stella a year ago, now reset and playable. You're right about the restrictions, but it sure has that Skip sound :-)

[@tonybennett5377]

Makes me feel better about my old guitars.

[@bluesman1063]

Even today if you step into a real southern Juke Joint I doubt you'll see old Blue's guy's playing $2500 Les Paul's and $5000 boutique amps. More like Epiphone 335's, Mex Strats and old Fender and Peavey amps. They know most of your tone comes from your fingers.

[@bluesman1063]

@William Harvey Been out of the house for 40 years asswipe you f@cking assholes who think they have to have $10k worth of equipment on stage are still in the "look at me stage" of playing! 99% of the people listening couldn't care less what your rig is, and couldn't tell if it is a Marshall or a Boogie. but then again "you" probably need every thing you can get to hide your lack of skill. here's proof ass hat. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGqQnaeGqMeqb8k

[@vitabricksnailslime8273]

@@bluesman1063 Nice touch to find the link went to my favourite piece from my favourite subscription.

[@bluesman1063]

@@vitabricksnailslime8273 The man is flat out amazing!

[@msspi764]

These folks you're talking about are working musicians. What people play here (Mississippi) is a mix. A lot of people play Epiphones (Mr. Sipp, Keith Johnson) but others play Gibsons ("Kingfish" Ingram, Luther Dickinson). I've seen people play whatever, Bill Howl N Madd Perry with both a Strat and a Gibson Les Paul, Kenny Brown plays a couple of guitars, I've seen him with Gibson ES 335s a Strat, even a Danelectro. But a guitar that's made inroads among some professional musicians here are PRSs. The tools are different, but a lot of the tone is in the fingers.

[@3niknicholson]

Epiphone 335 excellent guitar, I had one in the 80's, wish I still had it, very nice action, nice feel, nice weight. Still got the Peavey Classic: loudest 50 watts I've ever heard...

[@chassisresearchkid]

Thank you.

[@foorwq7816]

yeah, thats bout right, God bless you.

[@saplingstreat5082]

Wicked tubie brother... Thank you very much.

[@redrock1963]

Thx EP. This is a great highlight for the mostly unknown Stella guitar.

[@12artman]

Hardly unknown, actually rather well known. I've been hearing Stella stories since I started playing in 1966. My teacher's first guitar in 1938.

[@leocomerford]

@@12artman It's all relative. Compared to the number of people who recognise Gibson or even Martin awareness of Stella is surely a lot lower. That said, the Stella brand must be floating around somewhere in the legal ether, and it's surely ripe for one of those brand-revival efforts, if someone isn't doing it already. Not only does it have a great story and fairly good brand awareness, there are some pretty beautiful designs to work from. That Art Deco black-and-white guitar at 1:14 for instance, both beautiful and distinct from the usual Gibson/Martin looks.

[@DFDuck55]

I'm a Stella fan. I play a '63 Harmony Stella tenor.

[@danbarclay9431]

I really enjoyed this video, thanks for making it. It wasnt something I'd ever thought about till I saw the thumbnail then I HAD to know!

[@garygaither8263]

This is a great you tube channel. Lots of historical information and music. 🎸👍

[@dewiaustin3177]

I never skip ads on Ed Philips videos.

[@phillipholt1073]

I use 3 guitars that I made sure that my guitars capable to play my blues!! I use Epiphone E.S.339PRO, Epiphone hummingbird,and Washburn nylon string! Worked for me!!Phillip Austin

[@Orieus]

My epiphones serve me well too!

[@gsdfan8455]

Very cool video! I don’t play but it’s cool to hear this history. Thanks dude

[@chrisostling805]

I am a Bass player in a very good original band. A couple of years ago a friend of mine moved to Hawaii and had to unload a bunch of his gear. I ended up with a Stella double neck electric. I recently sold it to my current rhythm guitarist. Great sounding guitar.

[@davidgunter4308]

Phenomenal video!

[@Benjabola]

So it follows that if you want to be like the early blues men you buy a cheap guitar for this era. Spending thousands of dollars for an old cheap guitar is still spending thousands of dollars. Buy cheap and put the time in. Find your own sound.

[@ironmanmachine]

The cheap guitars of today are not comparable to those of yesteryear.

[@xzysyndrome]

Cheap guitar, expensive guitar....it matters not. Without talent, they all sound the same.

[@bluesman1063]

Buy the equipment you can afford, then put in the time to find your sound. thats all we're sayin. you don't need a Marshall half stack to play any club, especially now that you can mic your amps to ear splitting vol through the mixer board.

[@tuckerpeters1913]

You nailed it. I'm currently trying to find my own sound with a Martin Backpacker. Great guitar IMO. Fairly affordable, good sound, and extremely portable. I have a feeling many of the Delta Blues Masters would have appreciated it.

[@michelm306]

Very well made short documentary. Thanks.

[@thisisstevet]

Nice, highly informative video; thank you very much

[@trevorgwelch7412]

I was at a barn sale in Silverton and not only did I buy a 1962 mint Stratocaster but a Stella all for $300 and a 1967 good condition Camaro SS . The old farmer was 92 and had mild Dementia the car was $1200 not bad . I passed on the 1958 Rolex Submariner wasn’t my thing , $35

[@banjoman44]

Excellent video. I have heard it said that the Gibson L1 was designed for the blues. This of course is not so. It was just around at the time.

[@teksight9714]

Great video. I learned as much about the artists as I did about their guitars. I recently discovered the blues and dont know much history, just that I love it now more than modern rock which I grew up on.

[@Marcelo-m6f]

Whow!!! Such a precious video like this is so hard pop up from KZbin...thank you for the great job.

[@tommytramp]

NICLY DONE!!! thank you i enjoyed this vid very much!!!

[@nudge2626]

Fantastic doco

[@chriseliothernandez]

I put a trapeze tailpiece on my gretsch jim dandy. The reason these guitars were so good for stride style picking was the thumbed bass didnt resonate long enough to muddy up the melodies and blues licks.

[@craigjacob3704]

Yes I've seen some prices on old Montomery Ward banjos and those prices today are insanely expensive lol.

[@lavinhotchandani]

You are really doing great service to the subject. God Speed.

[@phayzyre1052]

I agree with what you said about Robert Johnson; he probably either borrowed that Gibson L-1 for the photo or it was a prop. As an owner of several Gibsons I can attest that Gibsons have always carried a hefty price tag. If I had to take a guess I'd say that a Gibson L-1 back then probably costed around $75 to $100 give or take.

[@marthajf73]

I love Blues.

[@MaximilianBocek]

Good Blues guitars 101! I've worked on 6 pre-1940 parlor guitars, and I can second the action being high on all but one (that one has a Stauffer mechanism to change the neck angle). It is the rare guitar over 70 years old that doesn't need a neck reset. If you buy one online, just assume it does-especially if the ad copy says it's a "great slide guitar", which translates as "the neck is so bowed you could use it on an archery range." The cheap guitars of the great Country Blues years were cheap and usually they have been badly treated, keep that in mind, too, with more than their share of cracks, loose braces, bridges that are raising (if a peg bridge), abd cigaret burns. The other thing all the ones I've handled have in common? From starting out dirt cheap to pretty nice, they have developed amazing sustain and depth in a century.

[@scottnathanphoto]

Great video. I have a 1923 Gibson L-Jr. Bought at a garage sale in the mid 80's for $300. Plays and sounds killer.

[@wyattearp5229]

Keeping the blues alive!

[@Alliejen12345]

This video was awesome. Great respect for those old players. They made sounds that only those old “cheap” guitars could make. I have a nice guitar collection but I still enjoy pulling the Harmony out of its case from time to time. Again, great video.

[@sparky6086]

My 1970 Sears Silvertone 12 string has the best of both worlds. It's clearly a Stella, but it has a truss rod, so I can adjust the action just right. It sounds just like the guitar Blind Willie McTell plays.

[@morog7933]

What they played? Magic.

[@tomgnau]

Good video. Not only were most of these guys playing relatively inexpensive instruments, but those living an itinerant existence had these guitars out there with them in the heat, cold, rain, morning dew, you name it.

[@randyscott9034]

Look at Robert Johnson’s fingers no wonder he played well those are some long ass fingers

[@richardgreen9393]

Johnny Winter had long thin fingers...they looked like a spider crawling on the fretboard

[@goodun2974]

Randy Scott, It's not the length of the fingers so much as the strength of the fingers. Martin Simpson, one of the best modern finger pickers I know of, commented in an interview about how most of the old blues men picked cotton throughout their youth and developed really strong and heavily calloused hands doing manual labor. Cotton bolls are prickly and abrasive and would rip your fingers to shreds until you build-up callouses. The same could be said about the guitars with high action and rusty strings that these guys were forced to play because it was all they could get, all they could afford.

[@clawhammer704]

Practiced is where it's at. These guys also probably played around 15 songs all the time and stayed in the key they sang in for the most part. They knew their range fingerings very well.

[@paulgordon6949]

Theres a possibility that Robert johnson had a condition called marfans, which can cause people with the condition to have elongated digits and limbs. I'm not sure if that is the case, but it does look like it could be

[@juliansantaguida6225]

I think mostly the guitars where so expensive back in those days and even today even modern day guitars like Gibsons fenders martins Epiphones harmony Geratchs what is your opinion about this Edward

[@gentlegiant6585]

Cool video. I have an old Harmony guitar in my collection Classical parlor size, made in 1980. Not worth a worth a whole lot, but am saving it for my grandson. Just felt like sharing with the class 😁🎶🎸