Homeskoolin’ Volume 81, Tom Bukovac, “Up The Neck”

A brief chat on tone, a rarely seen in nature bent note finger tap, and a look at “putting out fires” on your pedalboard.
Oh...and thanks to all the class members who came to Uncle Larry’s defense yesterday in the VCB when our old joyless buddy Mr. Fizz flat out insulted my dear wife.
Fizzy was promptly “pinned to the wall of mockery” (as your dear classmate Danny pointed out) and subsequently fizzed out somethin’ terrible.
Love to all...happy Saturday lads
Homeskoolin merch available at www.guitarhouse.net
Homeskoolin tip jar is [e-mail]

[@dell982]

I see your switch is in the less paul position, vs the more paul position today. Great vid as always. SO who are you rooting for tomorrow? Gotta be a tough one for ya?

[@501chorusecho]

Man....i am sooo conflicted

[@michaelciriaco6902]

@@501chorusecho he's rooting for the Brownie's!!!!!

[@michaelciriaco6902]

and your team mate is a gem on that last vid!!

[@hollinkings]

Brownsss!

[@WorldsOkayestGuitarDemos]

Go Browns!!

[@manuelgomezdemembrillerape300]

"Ok guys take care, class dismissed" That might have been the best outro in the homescoolin'

[@louisdesilets1963]

Hi Tom, I live in Montreal and let me tell you, I have a bunch of guitar player friends here in Quebec who admire you . Watching a top level musician like you playing alone in his garage, giving lessons and advice is so much fun and interesting. Not only that you are an amazing player, but you are also a very charismatic guy and a great storyteller. Please keep going, you bright up my days with your videos. Thanks a lot for doing this.

[@dbrad66]

Here’s a sentence I’ll never get to say: “I was doing that with this ol’ 59 Les Paul”

[@jacttanna2353]

Saw a picture on Facebook this morning of a gorgeous '59 345 leaning against a tweed 3x10 Bandmaster. That would work for me. Not completely unobtainable. (Trade for my car??)

[@eastsideeddie]

@@jacttanna2353 Your car? More like your house, bro..... LOL

[@JohnCoughlan_JAC]

Hey Tom, I’m continually floored by how deceptively complex your playing is. Sneaking bass notes into an otherwise awesome lead line adds yet another layer of flavor. So f-ing cool. Thanks for all the lessons. You’re giving us all a huge gift.

[@RicG.]

Gordon's already uploaded 5 installments of his daily Christmas series. Good stuff as always from Mr. Mote!

[@mikebingham7189]

I absolutely love this sound and the whipped cream and cherry is a 59 LP and Bassman. Such beautiful grit played in a dirty old tiny bar that is packed to the wall and the “John” is out of service.

[@edpetrik501]

Two fantastic session players..Tom and Tim ( Pierce ) ...One always smiling when he plays guitar..the other..errr..not so much ..Ya gotta love em 👍😎🎸

[@seanb.5899]

Hey Tom, I’ve heard some good rhythm players, and I’ve heard some good lead players, but I’ve never heard anyone who can play both at the same time like you can.

[@501chorusecho]

Thanks mate very kind words

[@michaelciriaco6902]

@@501chorusecho Agreed!!!!! very EVHish

[@RichSad45]

That was soul saving, emergency life preserving guitar. You just whipped off the tone and melody/rhythm that I needed. Simply endless pools of talent from our Little Tommy. You ain't a guitarist, you're a magician! This episode hands down wins the internet.

[@scottshennan800]

That old Les Paul is so badass. Man, i want to play that just for a minute.

[@rrrickm4832]

You’re a constant source of inspiration man. Thanks to you, I’m back at jamming regularly after taking 6 years away from music. You help me prove this old dog can learn new trick. Love what you’re doing brother!

[@wakjob961]

I can hear Dan from 'That Pedal Show' going banannas listening to you talking about your pedal board. He has the solution.

[@Smash_Cut_To]

That's all I was thinking the whole time. "Somebody get that man a G2!"

[@christophermccoy8689]

@@Smash_Cut_To G3 now.

[@hotmilkcrewberlin4475]

There is a reason why most session players don't play switching systems fellas. I use G2 live, and its awsome for pop gigs etc. But in the studio old skool way is still the best, as little programming as possible is the way to go IMHO

[@Tubescreamer81]

Tom’s level of cool is so far beyond us normal folks!!! He has a touch and tone that is so amazing!! He is one of those guys you listen to and he make you want to practice not just give up and sell your gear!! Thank you for all these videos they are so great!!!!

[@dangledstash]

Hope you’re having an excellent weekend uncle Larry. You continue to inspire the hell out of me and I look forward to your videos every week. The class has missed you this past week!

[@davidgiroux5228]

The sweet afternoon musical stylings and a rolling rock.....doesn’t get any better

[@BV_Beve]

what you need Tom on that board is a G3 from the GigRig 🙂 best wishes to you, Sarah & the boys from your friends at That Pedal Show stay safe!

[@shakey71]

Dude wait until Dan and mick bring you a g3. Tap dancing a board will be a thing of the past, just set up patches of all the effects you want for the sections and Robert’s your fathers brother!

[@thommackris920]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@jessejayharris]

same thought

[@jeffhutchins6874]

Hope you never stop doing this for us. Ii really appreciate you.

[@CianRourke]

One of my biggest musical influences is my Uncle John up in Wisconsin. I’m north of Nashville so I don’t get to see him often...but we text...and even talk. I’m happy to say that my Uncle John is now a recent addition to the Homeskool student roster. Our last conversation was a lot about you. He’s now also diving into Gordon’s stuff. Cheers.

[@glennwhitlock1272]

Heey, Tom! Sometimes it's so easy to tense up when trying get that new lick right when jamming along to backing tracks, but after watching you and the way play all relaxed, always reminds me to just chill and not worry about it. Works every time (although I need constant reminding 😄)

[@jrchanning]

Mick Ralphs absolutely smash's it on that solo on Shooting Star from the Bad Company's album 'Straight Shooter' (their first two records are so good)and you nailed the tone of it in this episode, fantastic playing as usual Uncle Larry, I saw Mick Ralphs play when Mott The Hoople reformed for 5 gigs at the Hammersmith Apollo in London, he was terrific and that gig was the best I've seen !!, keep rockin' it mate :)

[@deedsoflegend]

Starting my birthday today playing guitar and listen to the man himself. Thanks you so much brother. There are alot of great guitarists out there but your voice on the instrument is truly inspiring.

[@SevenDeeone]

happy birthday man mines tomorrow..

[@bikesndrums]

Mines 12/5 😃😎🎂

[@petersmulders8413]

That hybrid pickin shit is the bomb. Never seem to get the thumb thing right, hard stuff, you nail it..

[@professorplates5689]

that tone will haunt my dreams in the best way possible

[@SongSounder]

Tom, you've fast become one of my favourite players. Your channel is an incredible resource for all guitarists and your approach and mastery is endlessly inspiring. I hope we jam one day!

[@brownmonkeybananayellow]

For later 0:00 intro jam 3:11 greetings, '58 5F6A 5:23 VCB PSA winter storage 7:55 orchestration and putting out fires 11:06 lesson, “shooting star” 12:51 bass notes

[@marksr12]

Tom and that Paul left me speechless this morning...Thanks!

[@potatoroad91]

This guitar screams your soul out Tom! Fantastic playing - I deeply enjoyed listening to the crying Les Paul under your fingers. Angry and full of pain and love. Keep on rockin dude.

[@michaelclark5020]

Tom I can’t believe how good the tone is on this. I have a fender bass breaker 45 with the 59 tone stack. I can’t afford the real thing but I am glad you have one. This is some of my favorite playing I have heard you do besides the intro on your premiere guitar interview.

[@thomaszonkowski2115]

KILLER sounds Mr. Tommy! DAMN!!! I can't help but think thats how Have A Cigar would've sounded like if Kossoff sat in for Gilmore

[@philroselle1514]

Such righteous tone and playing, Thank you Tom

[@VoyageMonkeyTravel]

Thanks for the classes and the motivation. I enjoyed hearing you and your wife peform.

[@jonreider9263]

It would only let me like this once, but if I could I would like it 200 times

[@davidhebrank9946]

When Tom says,"I was gonna tell you about somethin I was was thinking about when I was on a session" I get happy

[@brownsfan7753]

That guitar and amp sound like Heaven!!! Thanks for the lesson!!

[@ElPedro212]

Hey Tom, just want to say thanks again for all the amazing videos. I've been working 90 hours a week for the last 2 months (I know, too much), and these are such awesome and inspiring moments of reprieve. Thanks again

[@brandoningersoll5034]

Such a joy to listen to...esp this b-c it is clear he is just totally winging it...& it is amazing in the pocket and clever some of that is. Honestly....I don’t think I share Tom’s taste for this vintage, classic rock genre....but I could listen to him play it 24/7....

[@riverman6655]

How frickin' cool it must be to have licks like that at your fingertips! That was some great rock and roll bro!

[@bigdogaxis]

Whew Lawd! Homeskoolin’ Church is in session. Holy tone Bukman.

[@briano.5746]

Glad you dropped by Tom! A guy down the street from me has a huge Rolling Rock sign in his garage. Every time I see it I think about you. Never fear though , I ain't a thief. So you won't be gettin' it for Christmas HA HA! Love ya Brother! PEACE from Southwest Michigan. 🐉💀👽♒🎶🎵🧠

[@wingdwolf56]

I was so impressed by last night’s video with Sarah that I watched a ton of past videos! And was so cool to hear you singing harmony on “God Only Knows” I’ve done a slow ballad version of that song for years....40 years at least!!!

[@Elsteveador2]

Honestly, Uncle Larry; top, top episode man! I've definitely experienced the inter-band mockery over the pedal dance; it's so vital, they just don't get it. In other news, i find myself agape at your fucking wonderful playing yet again. I'd be in fits of nervous hysterics if i ever actually got to sit and watch you play in person, you got that thing man. I don't wade through the VCB, but am disheartened to think that anyone can go on the insult over your videos when you're so god damn down to earth. Smacks of Jealousy if you ask me! Anyway peace and love from Newcastle, England man. Thanks for the videos.

[@gtr1952]

Love that Paul! Looks just like my '58 that disappeared with my first wife ~35 years ago, along w/about 12 other pre '70 guitars I bought when I was a kid in the '60's - early '70's. They were sold for pennies on the $, broke my heart.. both! LOL. I use cabs and heads mostly. Mojotone built, I have 3- 1X12 and 2- 2X12 with different speakers. I like the lower power heads, 20W Egnater, 18W Hughs & Kettner etc. Also Blues Jr. Combo Fender. An old Boss Blues Driver gives them a little push on the front. 8) Thanks for all the sage advice Uncle Larry! I appreciate you to the max!! 8) --gary

[@palakabrad]

Intro just plain smoked😎 I always learn so much from your playing. Thank you so much for your time keeping it going👍 Awesome

[@kevinsutherland9756]

You da man Uncle Larry... miss the videos when you get busy 🙂

[@ChristopherGrantRoss]

When you started doing that E to G jam at the end my face lit up. Your chops are off the chart and just casually self accompanying... love this channel. In fact, homeskoolin’ is the reason I’m now addicted to youtube and constantly browsing for gear.

[@troyhicks4682]

Awesome outro i cant stop playing it

[@staylor537]

Man, the tone from that ol' Paul is Righteous!! The echo just makes it last so much longer ! Rolling Rock Takes me back to mid 70's.1970's that is, You da man BUK !

[@smf5190]

I think we need a top ten of Uncle Larrys all-time pet peeves.

[@eastsideeddie]

This guitar collection... wow. This Les Paul, the SG, the 335, the PRS, the Duesenberg, the red T-Bird... beautiful to look at and great sounding. Of course most of the great sounding part comes from the hands playing them.... You could put any one of those guitars in my old hands and they'd sound like a toy from Sam's Club.

[@benperry490]

Ok take my money that's the best-sounding guitar amp effect combo and killer licks I've heard in your skool yet!!!

[@christopherguzzi1316]

Love that shit. Reminds me of the soundtrack for the movie Heavy Metal.

[@BrentJJ]

Some nasty pickin' Uncle Larry...thx for layin' it down for us! Keep it comin'.☮🎸💕

[@kennywaynebearhead]

That sweet, sweet resolution at 0:27… are you shittin’ me???? Magnificent.

[@jonasgrundsted1977]

That guitar sounds Amazing! Thanks for the Rock’n’roll riffing and tips of the day. 🎸👍

[@lifelongfan07]

You killed it on that intro! Thank you! Rolling Rock from Latrobe PA!

[@alexbostelle287]

Uncle Larry's the general if he says practice we practice, if he says listen to the singer we listen to the singer if he says pic with the shoulder we pick with the shoulder ....we line up and await his motivational nuggets with a loyalty wrought in the throws of this self scrutinizing pandemic and collateral disturbing times

[@DavidSchneiderIP]

That's the best tone I've heard in a long time. I had a blonde Bandmaster and then a tweed '62 Deluxe back in the day and do sorely miss them.

[@MrUltraworld]

Someone had the nerve to insult Tom's Wife? Wow, just wow.

[@chrislestermusic]

Only a keyboard coward would have the nutless sack to do something like that. Wow.

[@Shamilt3]

@@chrislestermusic or drummer

[@paddyclint]

What happened? How could someone insult Sarah!? Talented as hell and honestly just seems great. That's kinda depressing :(

[@vminator]

Daaaaaang! What an idiot

[@kennycaligula3081]

Man. Only a loser would insult Sarah.

[@davemorgs7635]

Hey Tom,.....Thanks Again ,,,,I learned heaps from this lesson. Those subtle messages are really getting through...

[@dime_life4768]

Sir Tom, You make me smile..If anyone will "flat pick" a piano....it absolutely has to be gordon! Effortless plug lol. You're the man! Ill trade my lame vintage "Budweiser" can for that ... Its still full?

[@spideymarino]

Just had a listen to Shooting Star and I’d forgotten how cool Mick Ralph’s tones were on that. Killer solo and outro solo! Thanks for the reminder.

[@westoned666]

Thanks Tom Putting the guitars back in the cases now instead of right next to the heater!

[@Icelandrobot]

Hey Tom! I found myself watching an old episode of that CMT crossroads show. As I was grooving along to John Mayer and Keith Urban I noticed a session man. After careful frame by frame examination I recognised good old Uncle Larry !

[@josephstreppone9814]

12:28 thru 12:48 heard some strange brew tones going on there. Either pickup, Was a smile for me cause soften the pick attack on the bridge pickup gave that affect that tone that the neck does, just proves what you can do with your pic. With a little more treble in it of course, cuz you're at the bridgepup. Now except for one Delay and one overdrive, I just ventured into pedals and what I find interesting is fast foot stopping reminds me of when you spoke about grabbing chords quickly, I practice grabbing chords quickly for the past few weeks. Get my pedalboard setup I'll have to learn my pedals, I'm practice fast foot stomping. Best to you always Tom! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and all the rest of you Guys and Gals out there!!!

[@southpaw335]

Tom seriously 13:40 the sneaky thumb over on the G while about 1000 frets further up grabs a tasty note with the pinky... thats some next level kind of impressive card trick right there.

[@sjperry54]

Uncle Larry feelin’ the jam this morning!

[@alonzotheballadoftheblueco8609]

Cleveland Stand Up!, Uncle Lawrence is back with the honey burst. Glad to see you still playing that thing. Thought it was gettin GB replaced by the new blackie you bought.

[@bobhill102]

Thanks for the info on Gordon 👍 and behind the scene session view, love it

[@JiminTennessee]

Great tip with making sure to keep humidity at a safe level. Ruined the fretboard on my first guitar forgetting this important tip.

[@mpw621]

great sounding les paul and playing! you and your wife are the greatest ! thanks for the video.

[@GrowerTalks]

That was as cool as anything I’ve heard in a guitar.

[@carljohnson8364]

Waiting on the Uncle Larry,Sarah and Mote trio Christmas video

[@themannamedbones9607]

Man that guitar sounds good, you sound good. Love this channel.

[@alanlangdon6643]

Hey Uncle Larry, I’ve been waiting patiently for you to give us some words of wisdom about the solo on The Cars ‘Just What I Needed’. I think you mentioned your love for it many episodes ago and teased us with the prospect of a full session man run down. I’ll happily take this as an early Christmas present. Cheers!

[@StratMatt70]

Just magic stuff, Tom. That neck pickup is ridiculous!

[@blackbelt4139]

Here's a tip: If you don't listen with headphones on, do yourself a favor and put some beats on. It's unbelievable how great it sounds.

[@dreamwrvr9257]

Yessssss!!!! Amazing treat for your ears!

[@sctt72]

That was some fucking awesome guitar playing really inspiring..

[@troyalcorn9459]

Love the Saturday afternoon videos

[@henchmusic5878]

Those old Rolling Rocks cans bring back memories from the "glass lined tanks of old Latrobe." With those old tabs that pulled all the way off, it was much easier to hook those puppies down. "33"

[@justinguitarcia]

A 50 dollar room humidifier is literally the greatest gear purchase I have made. Saved me so many headaches. Can't recommend it highly enough, such a simple thing to keep everything good. This is coming from a north east guy where the temp fluctuations and winters are brutal

[@akinfar]

E and G - rock and roll over! Thanks Tom - umph

[@robertfletcher4047]

Hey Tom, Give us your thoughts on a post-covid day in Nashville. I figure we will start with breakfast at Farmland. Then, guitar shop 1: Lunch: Guitar shop 2: Guitar shop 3: Dinner: So, where do we go? As always, thanks for all you do and happy holidays. -rob in KC.

[@perfectfan2006]

wow really got the joe walsh eagles tone spot on ... thought i was gonna hear get over it at any second

[@jseptoski]

Excellent episode! It reminds me I need to stop putting off just practicing switching effects and probably also volume/tone manipulation on the guitar. The little technical stuff I can halfway do but not all well as I'd like to.

[@joehennessy6809]

Judging by the fine ride in the background your session work must be quite lucrative.

[@jordandangelo180]

All I noticed was that sweet Cornish pedal, the Music Man ( cab ? ) and that ridiculously cool Marshall amp.

[@thoroliversenmusic]

For some reason the thing you play from around 2:00 out in the video gave me an association to that cool riff that Denny Laine and Henry McCullough did on Band on the Run's "Let me roll it". I tried to figure out that harmony that is in that riff, but I struggle a bit. Can you help out on that? :-) Let me roll it is really a cool gem. Pretty simple chord progression but has that little something. Cool choices of sounds and tones in keys and guitars. And that honest bass line that stands out all alone. Thanks for your videos with all the cool rock 'n' roll wisdom you bring to the world.

[@juliotiusanen4259]

Wow. Tom, you are a BADASS!

[@TonyClarkGuitar]

Hey Tom. I recently decided to hang my guitars on wall hangers in my home office. I arranged them so there is no direct contact from the single air vent. I also have a whole house humidifier that keeps the humidity around 45%. I live in Louisville, KY. I also have a couple of separate hygrometers where I can monitor the humidity. I keep my acoustics in the case with either damp-it or sound hole humidifiers. Just wanted your $0.02 on whether or not this is still a terrible idea and you will not hurt my feelings if you tell me this is a bad idea regardless. Always love your videos and your advice. Thanks!

[@toddbeeman5933]

The perfect Saturday always includes a lesson from Uncle Larry! Do you have any experience playing a Baritone acoustic? That's what I've been jamming on today.. I absolutely love this guitar! Sending peace & love from Missouri -Todd

[@erickwalsh9258]

This is much needed!!! Thanks!!!

[@telecasteroil]

Wow ,happy Saturday, great tone Cheers 🍻

[@stevenstabile4379]

I'm definitely learn some cool stuff from you!! I'm also starting to drink more beer when I watch!! It's the closest thing to hanging out and playin' guitars!!

[@guitareveryone]

I humidify my guitars every winter with a room humidifier. I run the humidifier to run to about 40% which I feel is about good enough for most instruments. If I didn’t humidify my humidity would drop to around 28% which is a no no for guitars. I’m also one who believes in storing my guitars in their cases.

[@leestewart8]

Every video should include something from a top 5 list of Uncle Larry.

[@TybudX]

Mike Love - Permanent Holiday live is a masterclass in playing your pedalboard.

[@garyeggleton1142]

Tom never showed us the Bassman....unless I was off gettin a beer when he did :)

[@davemassie3726]

Love it! Thanks TB

[@mgbasinski]

Yesss, that is the good stuff... what sounds!