How Did My Stratocaster End Up Playing "Wicked Game" With Chris Isaak? - Ask Zac 179

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The story of how JD Simo played the Ryman with Chris Isaak using my 1955 Stratocaster built by Brad Paisley. How many names can I drop in one sentence? Some clips from the show, a bit about "Wicked Game" and James Calvin Wilsey, and I also go in-depth on the Stratocaster that my old college buddy crafted for me.
Gear used:
2023 Headstrong Lil' King with 12" Eminence GA-SC64 speaker
headstrongamps...
1955 Stratocaster crafted by my old college buddy, B. Paisley, using a mix of old and new parts. Ron Ellis 50/60 middle and neck, Duncan Twang banger in the bridge.
www.ronellispi...
Affiliate link Seymour Duncan Twang Banger
amzn.to/3QG4vze
Strings:
D'Addario NYXL 10-46
Affiliate link
amzn.to/494qQ1y
Pick:
Pick Boy Small Jazz, Tortoise Shell, 1.00mm
Effects:
Amp reverb and Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
#askzac #jdsimo #chrisisaak

[@nicko6710]

which was played through a 1964 Fender Deluxe amp miked with a Shure SM57, is a long, quarter-note, triplet delay that swells up at the end of certain notes. To create it, his mono guitar track was sent to a TC Electronic 2290 for pre-delay, then fed to an Eventide H3000 stereo Rich Chorus program. The effect is that the mono guitar hit swells up into the delay, then spreads out into the stereo chorus to create a kind of pad. (Engineer Mark Needham) rode the effect up at each spot by hand, then automated it and printed onto a track of the MCI.

[@AskZac]

THANKS FOR THE INFO!!!!

[@BigGizmo80]

R.I.P James Wilsey. His playing had alot of depth and emotion.

[@lorikislack1504]

King of slow

[@nicko6710]

No one plays Wicked Game like James Calvin Wilsey no matter what guitar you have. He was one of a kind. So sad.

[@brianwood7237]

Great video just brings to mind a sad story from my past... I actually owned James Calvin Wilsey's 1982 57 reissue Strat for a time in the late nineties. He had fallen on hard times and I heard that some of his gear was being sold off at a local store. (Should've bought the BF Princeton or Deluxe looking back now...) He had played the hell out of it and it was very road worn. Ended up trading it for another guitar that I don't have either anymore to a company from the northwest at a guitar show in San Francisco in about 99. Never should've let it go. His initial 'JCW' are engraved on the bottom of the jack plate. Jimmy Wilsey was a great player and will always be remembered for Wicked Game and his contribution to Chris Isaak's sound RIP 'JCW'✌️ (So,Yes, I always had a suspicion that it was the Wicked Game guitar... set up 10-46, the tremolo bar floated so nice... damn I'm getting pissed off just thinking about not having that guitar anymore) Unfortunately I have no pictures of that guitar or any serial number information I just remembered that when it got worked on the tech said the neck was stamped August 7th 1982 and that there was one pickup replaced he couldn't remember which one with a fender Japan pickup anybody has this guitar let me know

[@davidpepper442]

JD is just one of the best players out there right now and one of my personal favorites. He really seems like a great and genuine person as well. Thanks Zac

[@johnnygeetarmusic]

Jimmy was a dear friend of mine. I’d love to share some stories about him with you sometime. Great episode!

[@adardeau]

Please tell him all about it!! How many people get to open the last Sex Pistols show AND play for Chris Issac

[@brianwood7237]

​@adardeau Wow you've done your research! See my post about owning one of Jimmy's guitars

[@adardeau]

I loved both of those records as kid and never put it together that James Calvin and Jimmy were the same dude. I just found that out like six months ago, my brain exploded.

[@nicko6710]

A very special player. To define a song with a million dollar hook in 2 notes, not many players ever achieve that.

[@468string]

Some years back I got a chance to see (& meet) James C Wilsey at one of Deke Dickerson's Guitar Geek nights. He played an entire set of instrumentals (incl. Wicked Game) plus a lot of originals from his CD "El Dorado". Amazing player & technique. If you can find a copy of "El Dorado" I highly recommend it. RIP JCW ---

[@calsurflance5598]

Amazing Strat! James Wilsey had such unique tone. Very tragic circumstances concerning his death.🙏

[@davidweden1413]

Great story! Back in the late 1970s, I sold my Gibson ES-150 to a friend, Jeff Pevar. Several years later, Jeff toured with Ray Charles, playing my guitar, which he has to this day.

[@kurtstreuber]

I’m 99.9 percent sure that it’s neck and middle pickups combined for Wicked Game. Love playing that tune.

[@thomashubbell1960]

That Paisley guy might have a future in building custom partscasters if his day job doesn't pan out 🙂

[@producerman10030]

Great story. I once lent Ray Flack my Ovation Acoustic when he was in NYC playing a TV hit with Kathy Mattea. I got to see him play it from the sidelines. It was the return of a favor because he lent me his acoustic when I was in Nashville so I could audition for KT Oslin. I was on tour with a broadway show down there.

[@joeldowdy404]

JD is the man!! That is a lot of Tunes to learn in that short amount of time plus dance moves!! Chris Isaak is my favorite singer!! That guy has an amazing range and voice!! I wish my voice could do the octaves he can do.

[@derekclacton]

Great Strat stories, Zac - JD delivered in spades there! Incidentally, couldn’t help but notice JJ Cale ‘Naturally’ on your shelf - great album :)

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

Wow, so cool, happy for JD❤

[@pseudokat]

I know this video wasn't really about Jimmy Wilsey, but anything even tangentially connected with him is ultra cool. I often tell people he is one of the finest players they've heard, but never heard of. It would be awesome if you could make an episode about him, his playing, and career, Zac.

[@chrisholland8226]

Great video Zac. Absolutely LOVE the mug on the shelf in the background 🙂

[@thomastucker5686]

As a heavy rock drummer/guitarist, this video was fantastic. I just love this stuff.

[@jochemjonker3362]

Zac,again great stories,thanks. Especially the gig with Chris Isaac caught my attention. I remember the day(i guess Mai 16,1987)listening to the national Dutch popular music station Hilversum 3,about 13.00.They announced,that Chris Isaac would performat 13.30,at club Willem 1 in Arnhem.I lived 400 meters away from the place so went there entrance,it was a for free.When i entered the place,i saw Chris being intervieuwed,sitting at a table and he looked like James Dean(from the motorcycle movie).What a personality he was,already than. After a quarter of an hour,the band went on stage,a sitting on chairs,in a broken circle position.Chris told the audience (around 50-60 people),it was okay to sit next to band on stage,so diffent people climed up stage and sat naround the band. When he started the concert,you got totally live,in the music he recorded in the studio,in the same sound and vibe,like his record.Amazing concert,still deeply happy,that i was there. After 45 minutes he ended his concert and 10 minutes later,there was.......Sonny Rollins&band. Totally different music,but also a great personality and performer. What an afternoon,to see and enjoy those 2 legends on stage and as a free concert.

[@2dazetake]

Fantastic guitar and story behind it, couldn't be in better hands,thanks for sharing Zak.

[@DennisAlvarezMusic]

First off, what a tasty guitar player J. D. Simo is. This was right up my alley. I play a 2014 Squier Classic Vibe 60's Strat. After replacing the bridge with a Wilkinson bridge with a steel block, I wired the bridge pickup to the middle pickup tone control and installed a Mojotone treble bleed. I tried putting a brass plate on the bridge pickup, that didn't work for me, so I raised it a bit and just use the tone control to roll off the highs a bit (especially when using a lot of gain. There's been a long standing rumor that the pickups on the earlier ones like I have came with Tonerider pickups. Anyway, it sounds and plays so good that I really don't feel the need to upgrade to an American Fender Strat.

[@BobbyBBetlejewski]

love LoVe LOVE the “nod” to John Jorgenson!!!🎶🎸🎉❤️ All four of you (JJ, Zac, Brad P and JD) are ABSOLUTE WONDERFUL MUSICIANS and TRUE GENTLEMEN!❤️🙏🎶

[@AskZac]

THANKS!!!

[@picksalot1]

What a great story and friendship among musicians. That guitar is developing a legacy. Kudos to everyone and the total class act of the Pros. 👍

[@aardvarkusrex]

Zac- I'm a music history geek and your channels are a fantastic (and fascinating) resource. It's neat that you can talk about Brad like the "guy down the block". Kudos from a fellow Texan.

[@AskZac]

The stars at night.....

[@mcfontaine]

Another beautiful story Zac, thanks man.

[@christianhoerold1715]

Great story. To me the lead guitar in Wicked Game always sounded like a Strat in between position. After listening to the original recording again, I think that the combination of the neck and middle pickup was used. Of course, it’s not forbidden to use another sound.

[@1rwjwith]

Chris Isaak is great, always liked him . I lived in San Francisco in the mid 1980’s and saw him play in a very small club with James Wilsey on guitar several times. It was before he was very famous , same band ! Great Strat there!

[@1rwjwith]

Yeah it was NIGHTBREAK in the Haight-Ashbury area great dive bar!

[@missioncontrol6037]

What an inspiring story! Thanks for sharing and good on ya for lending out that precious guitar 😂

[@danstringer7610]

Great story! Thanks for sharing.

[@segproductions6094]

how bout spending time with buddy miller and his noble stories..❤❤❤

[@jfinester]

That’s a very cool Strat! Normally, I don’t care for relicing on new guitars, but it looks cool on that one. And a grounding plate on a Strat bridge pickup is definitely the way to go. I had that done on all three pickups on my Strat- the plates came from Liindy Fralin, and I use the Memphis wiring-three-way switch, first volume control works on the neck and bridge pickups, second volume fades in the middle pickup only, and the bottom knob is a master tone. With two volume controls, it would get a little tricky to roll down the volume on combination settings, but I’ve used a volume pedal since the early ‘70s anyway. Can’t hardly play without one!

[@Keaneo]

That's awesome...JD rocks ❤

[@timscarrow9151]

I remember Chris Whitley and Lyle Lovitt coming out . I was into the grunge scene in Seattle, I moved to Colorado, and ended up playing Garth Brooks and George Strait songs. But Dads Music had tought me most of the important things.

[@jeffsquires6620]

Respect and deep appreciation for yourself, JD and Chris. Thanks for the cool story.

[@gregormcgregor7522]

Such a great video. I love hearing Brad is as nice as he seems. He's a great friend! Special gift, love that strat!

[@YouTubeHandlesAreMoronic]

Everybody; before Thanksgiving, do yourselves a favor and get the original Chris Isaak Christmas CD (New or ebay), the one where he's driving a car on the cover. In my family, this has become as much a part of the season as "A Christmas Story", and Rudolph.

[@garyssimo]

Chris drove a beater with a dented door when he bought a friends beach house in 98. He had four stalkers and was trying to be incognito best he could. He could walk down a short trail to surf his mostly private beach.

[@colinwallace5286]

A “Brad Paisley Built” strat? That guy is full of surprises, and obviously a great friend. You are a lucky man. You need to have him on your channel for an interview.😁

[@guitareveryone]

Great episode. What a cool Strat. And JD’s raunchy solo at the end!

[@chippsterstephens6800]

I wire strats the same way. Interesting guitar Zac!

[@clutchkman]

Very nice lead at the end there!

[@MatthewElDeOrazio]

Great episode and very cool Strat. If the music thing doesn’t work out for him, Brad has a bright future as a custom builder LOL

[@tjnugent62]

Zac, I would love to see a video on your setup tips. The Paisley made Strat sounds really good.

[@Wildman9]

Isn't it cool that your guitar was on stage with one of the great guitar players . Good story for the family and friends to hear . I would be grining from ear to ear . Nice . Thanks for that.👍🎸🎸

[@kentuckyfriedpickin4569]

So very proud of JD! I love Chris, Hershel & the Silvertone band, it’s such a great show. I saw Chris & band in Louisville this week, they absolutely killed it. It’s my 3rd Chris Isaak show, one of the most entertaining shows on the road today. Hershel is a great guitarist! Great seeing you at the recent Mavis Staples show Zac, let’s get together again! Keep doing what you do! Merry Christmas… Greg

[@AskZac]

Greg, It was great seeing you at the Mavis show. You are a good man!

[@Shaun.Stephens]

Cool story and nice guitar. Thanks for sharing Zac.

[@tomk1tl39]

Chris Isaak played 'Uncle Bob' in the movie " That Thing You Do - (directors cut) " . . . excellent movie . . .

[@iannicholls7476]

A Great story Zac. Thanks for sharing it. My band has started playing Wicked Game- getting that first dive on the trem just right is a worry for me every time!

[@trentflynn6568]

I love all of your videos. Keep up the great work 👍🏼

[@AllenGarberGuitarFun]

JD did so great on that show…a lot of songs to learn in such a short time. Mind you each song wasn’t exactly Zappa’s “The Black Page”, but still it’s a heck of a thing that he pulled off so well!

[@brucehines2179]

Good morning,love your strat.

[@ThatHuskyisCrazy]

I used to live near North Bend Washington where the filmed Twin Peaks.

[@gregmize01]

man you guys are such pros! I can't imagine the pressure JD must've been under!

[@stephenschramm1233]

“… in a gig bag…” : o

[@genebrenner855]

The SD Twangbanger pickup is what some Telecaster players use to emulate some of the twang of a Tele pickup. I've had it already. Unique.

[@maggieo]

Brad builds one beauty of a Strat and you & JD play the hell out of it! Thanks, Zac!

[@AskZac]

Wow, thanks!

[@applehead252]

I do not understand the relic thing however I do not own one . All my dings unfortunately are from myself from the 90s. I still polish them when changing strings.

[@admarhermans1]

It’s a stunning Strat!

[@jameshanmer4418]

Just a word about Chris Issak’s main guitar man - Hershel Yatovitz, A phenomenal musician … check out his instrumental album

[@victorbeebe8372]

Aloha and Mahalo Zak! Nice Strat! So they Seymour's pickup flattens the sound?

[@chuckfarley7642]

I was wondering why you were suddenly so interested in Strats :-) Cool stories both how the guitar was built and how JD used it. I am always impressed at the consummate professionalism and hard work that the session guys on KZbin show.

[@clintstewart6627]

Sweet Ax Zac 🧁😎 Great Episode as always 👍👌

[@TheFeelButton]

Chris Isaak can really put on a show! Great story Zac! Cheers!!

[@bartnettle]

Congrats on your Strat and well done Brad ! Looks authentic!

[@bartboop]

Excellent story Zac! I have been a CI fan since 1985!

[@j.justinzimmerman9836]

Finally! Been wondering when we’d get the low down on your beautiful guitar. Your story(s) …all better than expected! Thanks Zac. JJZ…(°¿.°`)

[@steventsunami9506]

I find the steel bottom plates on single coils mellow out highs and seem to allow the bass and mids to shine a little brighter, to my ears anyway.

[@StickyVinny]

Another great episode, Zac! Do you know if JD kept the trem floating for his Chris Isaak gig?

[@AskZac]

float!!!

[@louisdombrowski4198]

Cool story, do you have the 3 position or 5 position switch in that strat Zac?

[@AskZac]

5

[@AdamWellsMusic]

Tbh, it doesn’t surprise me that your guitar was used. You have a nice collection. Cool letting your friend borrow it.

[@5150jbblues]

J.D. Simo is so good!!

[@MrTimcoronel]

it's totally outside your usual stuff, but My Bloody Valentine's Loveless from 1991 is a wiggle-stick classic, mainly Jazzmaster and Jaguar

[@timscarrow9151]

Kevin Shields is the Shoegaze master. His New Fender blender is pretty wild.

[@garyssimo]

sounds like a horror movie...loveless bloody valentines and the wiggle stick.

[@vayabroder729]

Chris Isaak is killer. He’s like a modern version of Elvis. And like me and many others have said before, Brad did an exquisite job with that guitar. I have a personal friend that does that kind of work amazingly well. The necks on those reliced guitars feel amazing.

[@danstringer7610]

Thanks!

[@AskZac]

Thank you so much!!!!

[@admarhermans1]

When I was a kid, we had B.A. and his bunch called The A-Team. Now there’s a few humanoïds like J.D. Simo! I guess he loves it when a plan comes together..., 😄. Well done! 🖖

[@TotallyTuberous]

I'm not a huge Strat fan, but that's an awesome one. Nice story, Zach!

[@AskZac]

Hey, thanks!

[@drscott47]

very cool story Zac! the SDD-3000 is a Korg unit by the way 🤫

[@AskZac]

There is a Roland SDD-3000 also

[@mjvicc1952]

OK, here’s a potential “Ask Zac” episode or just another question. Tele’s are now offered in various neck radiuses, from the vintage 7.25” or 9.5” and even 12”. Also frets in medium/ jumbo, narrow/ tall and whatever else. What do a you personally prefer? The multitude of Tele Masters you know what are their preferences? Lastly “Why?”. Keep ‘em comin’ ! ❤️

[@AskZac]

I like 7.25-9.5. I like 6105 frets. It’s all what you get used to.

[@godbyone]

Loved. The Chris isaak tv show. So funny. So funny when they had. The guitar he was bidding for that belong to Elvis s guitar player. Laughing because. I remembered. Seeing Danny gatton. Lived near me. He busted. Out. The guitar. They were talking about. He was so happy to get it

[@garyssimo]

Hey Zac I just got back from LutherBurbank Center in Santa Rosa Cawhere Chris is on in 2minutes. Brought my wonderful pictures of Chrises beach side home and also the previous owners of the home Chris bought in 1998 near Half Moon Bay ca. The security girl took the pictures with my polite request to sign my 56 Strat to him to sign next to Dick Dale and Craig Chaquico. NO GO! its the wrong brand as Chris is sponsered by Gibson. I should have said in my best Arnold S voice...Ill be baaak with my Les Paul and if he still wont sign it... I will key his tour buses!! oh well still got my baby and 4 cats! I dont think he sold out this venue tonight sadly.

[@tbone2451]

Stratocaster, greatest guitar on earth.

[@infoscholar5221]

Because you are the last of the best, brother.

[@philsmyth1428]

Can you do a ask Zach vid about Waylon Jennings that would be amazing

[@m.charron]

Not many can say they have a guitar built by Brad Paisley! I have to say though, I have a hard time imagining myself playing one of Wilsey's tunes without a silver sparkle paint job. 😆

[@josecubanosantiago4724]

Saw em last week

[@jltrem]

JD is playing next to me in Kent day after tomorrow. I'll leave it up to you Zac...should I go?

[@AskZac]

Yes!!!!

[@mtndon329]

You are a lucky guy with that Strat! What does it weigh?

[@AskZac]

7.4 pounds

[@fancykarlmarx]

If I had a nickel for every time someone’s Stratocaster ended up on stage with Chris Isaak.

[@fronts3165]

Otis brought me here.

[@AskZac]

Thanks, Otis!

[@jeffmazzei8520]

Zak if you change to locking Tuners your trem will stay in tune , There is no magic powers in Vintage Guitars ? Suhr, Tom Anderson and Grosh etc make so much better guitars and fit and finish is so much better.

[@dwightburns6699]

every guitar is different, not necessarily better, it's more the player, cheers 😊

[@ewm335]

No magic powers, sure. And of course modern boutique guitars are going to benefit from advancements in technology. But not everyone wants a guitar that feels and sounds like a new guitar. And locking tuners are great but not essential to keeping a trem in tune. I think Zac nailed it in a previous video: It’s about reducing friction with a well-cut and lubricated nut and by ensuring the bridge comes back to a neutral point (and floating does seem to help with this).

[@roberttakatsu3926]

Ok i like your videos but the alien spore that makes the medical community quake on display is a real turn off.

[@AskZac]

What are you talking about?

[@garyssimo]

I think hes having a premonition of a flashback....or needs to adjust his THC to CBD ratios? maybe needs a Wim Hoff ice bath

[@joshgray3581]

Well you need to send your guitar to SRV tech get in touch with John Mayer SRV always said 5 springs bridge always in contact with body for the tremolo look it up Rena Martinez

[@ewm335]

I mean, really SRV’s solution was to go nuts on the whammy only at the end of a song/set then swap for another guitar. Also, pretty sure at least a couple of his guitars were set up for floating, for playing “Lenny” for example?

[@ManchurianCounterweight]

What a great story about J.D! Love your show, Zac.