1957 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top with Tom Bukovac at Gruhn Guitars | Vintage Guitars in Nashville

Join Greg Voros, the Repair Shop Manager at Gruhn Guitars, as he chats with Tom Bukovac, "The Session Man." Tom is the most sought-after session player in Nashville and has played with artists like Vince Gill, Stevie Nicks, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, Alabama, Faith Hill, Sheryl Crow, and Bob Seger.
Tom discusses his musical influences, his first guitar, and how he selects his new guitars.
In this video, Tom plays a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top and a 1964 Gibson ES-335 from Gruhn Guitars' collection.
Tom is playing through an Ebo Customs reverb unit and Gretsch 6161 amp.
Questions about availability of instruments featured in this video? Call the store at 615-338-8898 with inquiries.
Want to know when Gruhn Guitars gets new inventory like this? Sign up to receive email updates at gruhn.guitars.com/yt-optin/
Want to see more from Tom Bukovac? Gruhn Guitars is proud to set up and repair Tom Bukovac's guitars. Check out Premier Guitars most recent Rig Rundown with Greg Bukovac: www.premierguitar.com/articles/29874-rig-rundown-tom-bukovac
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Gruhn Guitars, Nashville’s premier vintage guitar store, was established on January 2, 1970 and is celebrating fifty years in business. While the business has come a long way since 1970, the basic foundation of our business principles remains unchanged. Gruhn Guitars continues to operate on knowledge, integrity, and service. The Gruhn Guitars repair shop has been world renowned for decades for its unrivaled experience, skill, and respectful repair practices. Offering a wide selection of new, used, and vintage guitars, basses, mandolins, the collection at Gruhn Guitars is one of the finest in the world. Come visit our store in Nashville, Tennessee or visit us online at guitars.com
#vintageguitars #tombukovac #vintage335 #vintagegoldtop #gruhnguitars

[@beachcomber4141]

Tom is such a no BS player. It comes right from his soul to his fingers. The first time I became aware of him was a "Rig Rundown" episode, and immediately I was blow away by his tones........they were all so pure. Not hiding behind any effects and trickery. I was a fan after that video, then I found his Homeskoolin' channel and he is now one of my absolute favorite players. He will post some improv jams now and then that will bring a tear to your eye. On top of that, he has the best damn personality!! Always a positive force.

[@roknfnrol]

"Hello, class!"

[@michaelnc4450]

I know, I was going down the KZbin rabbit hole, there was Little Tommy tearin it up... I can listen to that all day

[@jamesonnewhouse1298]

Its your favorite uncle larry

[@TJjjjjjjjjjj]

@@jamesonnewhouse1298 little tommy from Cleveland

[@JoelyPera]

Yesterday I saw that Premiere Guitar released a rig rundown with Mr. Bukovac. Needless to say, I was ecstatic... now, THIS?? I’m in heaven. Keep the Bukovac footage comin!!

[@gruhnguitarsinc]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeromemartin6571]

I just discovered Tom Bukovak thru PG interview released earlier this week... It is the most striking musical discovery I got since years... What a musician... AMAZING player!!!

[@JoelyPera]

He absolutely is a striking musical discovery. Glad you found out about him!

[@mschafft1358]

Sound quality from an Epiphone starter kit... ô well, we love you Tom.

[@d.c.6942]

Man, I just don't get tired of the sound, soul and groove Lil' Tommy has got in his fingers. Everything he plays is so tasteful and effortless, without trying too hard. Just the perfect flow. And he even made an effort and dressed up to the occasion. Put away the beer bottle and wound a hip scarf round his neck!

[@jaycheek254]

Little Tommy from Cleveland! He makes it look so easy. His phrasing is so unique.

[@kevinbolick2349]

He’s a monster player! I wish my hands were big enough to play lead licks while playing the bass line at the same time. Crazy good!

[@antonlemmy1417]

Fantastic tone! Tom is undoubtably a great player but that guitar sounds incredible. You can certainly see from watching him that the expressiveness is in the fingers.

[@bak1386]

Good lord I could listen to Tom play all day. He's such a pro, with that endless bag of goodies

[@T4JM]

Voros' face is the Homeskool class face. Jus' watchin' Uncle Larry make magic..

[@brian91145]

Buk is becoming my favorite guitarist ! The dude has style for days

[@rdmkeytohwy]

Bukovac is a name i have heard for many years in guitar circles but had never seen him or heard him play. Killer tone and great chops! Special guitar player for sure. Kudos for putting this video and interview together. I'm sure you realize the audio quality here is definitely not up to the standards of the player. You'll get it. Great guitars in the hands of a superb player is always a treat. More Buk!

[@clayhamm9078]

More Buk!!!!!!!

[@Cottonrocket]

Incredible player! So much soul and uniqueness. Please have Tom back for more videos.

[@cgavin1]

Bukovac is living the dream. Wake n bake, then goof around with guitars all day. Go home to lovely family. Hero.

[@andrewwright6893]

Wow what a guitarist. Absolutely brilliant playing. Lovely guitars, nice 335

[@jasondarling]

You almost never see Tom without one of the Ebo reverb units. Damn, I gotta pull some $ together!

[@simonhough9045]

He’s got that touch.

[@marshallcohen9651]

Love it, but can you all improve the quality of the recording? Through KZbin the audio sounds bad.

[@musicmann1967]

Seriously, right?

[@snavyac]

I get the feeling an iPhone 6 was used, instead of the 11....

[@jipes]

Such a talent and immediate wonderful feeling One day I would like to be rebirth as Tom Bukovac ;o)

[@vhollund]

"Should we maybe use a decent microphone for this?" "nah!"

[@cgavin1]

I loved the video but the funny thing is they never normally allow you to hear the room mic because, despite sounding amazing, these guitars sound... like most other modern guitars with decent components. Hurts the hype. :)

[@Panic42000]

@@cgavin1 Have you played a real 50s Les Paul? I have and they sound nothing like a modern guitars. It’s funny how people that have never played or probably even seen a real 50s Les Paul no so much about them.

[@MiriusTube]

I checked when the video was released because when I heard the sound quality I was convinced it was from like 10 years ago

[@samclemmons5373]

Tom is a wizard. That’s some inspired playing.

[@johnbohlinger]

Voros is the best. So is Buk, for that matter.

[@SteveR5954]

Look forward to watching some more vids from Gruhns with better sound :-)

[@ShawnTubbs]

This is KILLING!!!

[@gwbuilder5779]

Instant classic! Greg, Excellent interview, back when only the pros knew who Tom was.😉 Too bad the complaint section sucked so bad. I've watched this video at least 5 times since it was posted just to remember what it was like before the stupid virus. I may not be able to afford a $50,000 guitar at todays prices, but I certainly played a few back in the day. Awesome video!👌 Definitely a memory laner for sure. Before HOMESKOOLIN, long before the 18,500,000 views, and all that. Just Greg and some session guy named Tom.😜 By the way, thanks for all the set up tips over the years Greg, can't even imagine how many people have used those tips to tune up their instruments. You guys are a class act as always.🤙

[@warngrace]

The Professor of Sessions!

[@goswo]

What a great interviewer. Good job 👍

[@paulya1269]

Little Tommy!

[@geofflee6295]

Great sound!

[@chrisboyd4641]

Fabulous !

[@SeeCSeesCC]

❤my guitar player crush❤. It’s as legit as Tom’s talent

[@joeurbanowski321]

Dude from Gruhn… lucky dude..! Sitting so close and watching the Sonic Wizard’s hands…!👍🏼

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Always awesome to see Tom play and see these beautiful classic guitars but the audio quality isn't doing anyone any favours. If you could find a way to step it up a bit I reckon' it'd be well worth it.

[@Theweeze100]

HEY!..It’s my Uncle Larry!!!

[@gktde9874]

More Bukovac... More Guitar Bukake.

[@shot8unshot8un75]

Adaptive noise control 🤣. This guy is awesome!

[@PastaPatate]

So good!

[@mikes2270]

A proper hero.

[@gratefulpipeandcigar3239]

The neck pick up on that 335 just stole the show for me.

[@chingasofarkaso]

Bukovac is one of the ONLY guitar players I've ever seen where the music just flows out of their finger tips. Almost like he's a conduit for something or "someone" else. Another entity, almost. The only other guitar player I can think of who did this had the initials SRV.

[@allanshort8264]

You've never heard of Jeff Beck then

[@Jimi_7-7-7]

omg 😭😳✌️what a musician! I hope you guys can recognize that… in this case… it’s not about the guitars he used… a regular/normal-good Gibson would also sound AMAZING with this Amp and this guy playing it. Of course the guitars are ultra awesome… but this killer demonstration is belongs to his awesome talent and skills 👍🔥 I’m deeply impressed how good he could make them sing! Woao :)

[@Nordic_Sky]

Some '57 goldtops had maple caps and others did not. Makes a big difference in the sound. Maple cap is much brighter. Easy to tell by looking in the cutaway.

[@WilRockQ]

That picking pattern at 12:43 on the pentatonic is crazy. He starts with an upstroke, and it would be easier to sweep it. But I slowed it down and think he alternating picks it, tho that seems next to impossible. ?!?

[@soundpainter2590]

Hello !! (( It's been Sooo Long)) since you've posted a Vid... That I was Litterly hesitant in asking ANYONE if ( All was well ) I've been buying & selling Vintage, ( Generally to retailer's) since 79' As a Performing Musician, I 《Can't help but keep the best playing & sounding examples for myself 》 ! PLEASE Upload more Vids! I'm 40 minutes away.. ( For now ) I have much to Trade/ purchase . Nashville has grown Sooo much !! ( Much like my hometown) Ugh... Puting a "New" Old guitar in my hands ignites my inner creativity blowtorch ! See you soon...

[@gruhnguitarsinc]

We're still here! More videos to come, we promise.

[@ropiyas]

Regardless of the non existent mic, I thought that the 335 ate that Les Paul, alive.

[@AP-ui7oi]

The mic is irrelevant

[@rjlong89]

Ol uncle tommy

[@guitarsword1]

Bukovac is the Session Man.

[@steveferry4922]

I sat in Jay Wolfe's living room and played a Heritage 535 for about a half hour before I told him I'd take it. He said "don't you want to plug it in?" "I guess we ought too just to see if the faucets all work." Still got her.

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

I just bought one of the Heritage 535 Artisian Aged in Cherry Red!! I'm 66 and have had too many guitars to count including a '54 LP Goldtop, a '55 LP Custom, 2 1956 LP Customs, a '63 Strat amongst others. I swear to God this isn't internet bullshit. To put those guitars into context I worked at a vintage guitar shop here in Seattle from 1995 to 2012 and I didn't pay street price for any of those guitars. For instance I sold my '63 Strat for $650 to another shop in 1984!! So please believe that I really had those fine guitars, just not at today's market value. Having gone down that long-winded rabbit hole I have to say this Heritage is just blowing my mind! The responsiveness to pick attack, the beautiful neck profile and the incredible balance of the instrument is just stunning as is the overall craftsmanship and attention to detail. I'm loving those Duncan 59 pickups for sure. And the price?! It eats 335's for Every meal!!

[@thurmanjuan]

The neck pickup of the 335... Dang. Uncle Larry saved the best for last.

[@rohw0016]

That groove @11:45

[@claessorensson225]

Sounds like the audio is set for "interview" on a Samsung phone. That only works when the phone is placed between the 2 sound sources.

[@lasparks6804]

Uncle Larry is schoolin at Gruhn's

[@sus4add13]

Uncle Larry!!!

[@toddoliver168]

Too bad you never showed the gretch 6161, great amp!

[@adotbeck]

You couldn't spring for a couple lav mics?

[@northernmonkey8652]

Uncle Larry comin at ya

[@cb24203]

6:25 this little jam right here. So tasty.

[@dennisgarza9053]

8:43💯💯💯

[@RollieFingers59]

2 gazillion dollars in vintage guitars and amps and used Walter Cronkite’s lapel mic to record this. For the record as soon as Uncle Larry starts playing it sounds awesome !!!

[@toddkozik9459]

👍🎸

[@lager9342]

Whats with the sound, phaser?

[@vhollund]

Lazyness

[@niguel4438]

Sound check?

[@vminator]

Tom has always felt like he was an old neighbor or something. He’s the only dude who I don’t mind if he talks most of the video.

[@mikedr1549]

Am I the only one who was nervous watching the 57 Les Paul bounce around on Tom's lap with no strap holding it safe?????

[@leemeyer7629]

Yup

[@CreamyBone]

Wouldn't have been the same without the scarf

[@johncrace911]

To improve my plans ting, I need to get more wasted.

[@Larry-Art179]

😃

[@SwampEye1]

The cool thang about Tom is ... he don't need no tatoos

[@goodsteel53]

Love everything about this but the poor sound quality! Of all places... in Nashville... really?? C'mon folks...

[@LambAndTheDragon]

Don’t believe in aliens? You will after watching Tom own the fretboard.

[@Iamnickdude09]

Uncle Larry in unfamiliar habitat

[@ryan8779]

How could I buy an instrument from a store that doesn't know anything about basic audio?

[@TempoDrift1480]

Did you record this with a weed eater?

[@gregberry3524]

🤣😂

[@AshRavens]

No it was a Potato

[@TempoDrift1480]

@@AshRavens Not bad for a potato.

[@AshRavens]

@@TempoDrift1480 That's true. It was a HD Potato from Idaho :D

[@christiand7678]

57 or not...doesn`t matter...give Tom shovel with 6 (or less) strings on it and it will still sounds good!!!

[@teddyboy9116]

Or get a line 6 variaxe! Haha

[@94Shredder]

Is Tom high all the time or just naturally chill as hell

[@philipStClair-mm4jq]

need microphones!

[@davetube2ful]

i can watch uncle Larry play all day, poor sound quality when away once he started playing.

[@robertandrewjunior1410]

Audio is terrible, come on Gruhn...

[@donnyhall2535]

I'm sure they did. If you listen close you can hear the panties drop.

[@joesbanjointerests9281]

The musicians should have charged so much more money lol.

[@donnyhall2535]

Come on guys, give Greg a break. He's a guitar nerd like us. Not a sound guy. And to everyone that has asked if it was recorded in the ladies room. Yes, yes it was. Listen closely and you can hear the panties drop.

[@333daveh5]

Terrible audio - turned off after 2 mins.....!

[@revelry1969]

This video would have been much better if Greg was gone. Hope he works on guitars better than he does videos

[@connorflynn7162]

Horrible sound quality.

[@marvinstorm9153]

Whilst it's a great sound in Toms hands .... I know areissue would have done it too. Theres the rub friends. The price on these is silly and keeps them out of players' hands. I resent it.

[@geoarthur6593]

Can't set up a mic to record simple conversation ?? Not hired lad ... Sound ?? Yeah right 🙄

[@joey0359]

That tone is a f**kin' nuisance....

[@Zoetropeification]

The sound kind of sucks on this. Sound is kind of your business guys.

[@larosa823]

Ingrate

[@Zoetropeification]

​@larosa823 I am always grateful to hear Uncle Larry. He took his time to be interviewed. At the least someone at Gruhn should have taken the time to properly mic this so it would sound somewhat pleasant. It sounds like they are sitting in an empty trash dumpster.

[@mojogaucho]

What a disappointment. Shit sound. Am I allowed to say shit sound?