In the Studio with... Dweezil Zappa

[@spooge33]

Watched this a number of times, understand about 25 percent. Regardless, met and shook this dudes hand twice over three shows. Love everything he represents and how he represents it. Very intelligent, crazy talented, and dedicated to his Dads music. Love Dweezil. How the hell can you not.

[@nosebone2861]

Love the Dweez,! The world was a better place when frank was in it.

[@Jerryman1980]

I love what Dweezil has been doing with Frank's music. I really want to see ZPZ again, last time I saw ZPZ was December 10, 2010. Keep up the good work Dweezil! I am a fan for life.

[@robertbishop5357]

I had the pleasure and good fortune to see him play at the Culture Room in Ft.lauderdale in 2013. Great concert.

[@atomaalatonal]

this is probably the finest studio around zappa assembled over the years. he always was in search of the tiptop of soundcreating tools. and he was one of the few who even were able to make music out of it. and he was problably the only one who was able to write his own music to it AND playing it in his own guitar playing style AND implement other talented people into his whole thing. dweezil must be proud and damn happy being able to use that stuff. im pretty jealous tbh ;D and btw i see dweezil is constantly honing his playing skills over the years.

[@cantor18]

I have been a fan and student of your fathers music since 1974 and I appreciate your hard work in becoming such a fine musician and guitarist and "mentch". your dad would be so proud of you as we all are.

[@jeffreybiscoe6]

Not sure how many times I've watched this video but finally going to see DZ tour on 4-21-18 in Pennsylvania.

[@imjspaceman]

Man, that was fantastic! Thanks for running through all that gear and sharing all of that info with us, Dweez. After having been to literally 1000's of concerts you are one of the few artists that I will, without a doubt, go to see whenever I'm blessed with the opportunity. You are an excellent musician and I'm so glad that you continue to share your father's music and the gift of your own musical abilities with us as much as you have. Can't wait to see you somewhere else again soon. Rock it!

[@BrainPolice5]

My inner guitar geek and inner Frank Zappa fanboy is melting with shameless glee at this video.

[@jeffreybiscoe6]

1st time I have seen this clip. I really have become a Dweezil fan this last year. I just missed the Philadelphia gig last spring but getting tickets this week for the 4-18 show. Happy you have these important guitars .

[@ODFGERTERS]

What an awesome family.

[@gustavovalverde6226]

Except Ahmet Zappa, not a nice guy

[@KfirOchaion]

What a cool video, thanks!

[@Mister.Unknown]

Holy sh... Kfir! You are a tremendous player man! How did I found you on a comment you left 12 years ago?

[@frankpaws]

I remember going to the studio in 2000. Dweezil wanted to check out the Euphonix R1, and I was just in LA doing some part time work for Euphonix. Dweezil was so cool. I was a huge fan of Let's talk about it. It was one song I remember wanting that Charvel. I wasn't even playing yet but I knew I wanted to. Of course Eddie was the reason and that video I completely remember. Green Guitar with Moon Singing. I actually had the vinyl record. Bobcat "I want a Yacht". Anyway, Dweezil took me into a little side studio to the left of the live room (in the live room) to show me some of the things he was working on. I asked him, since he was working with Peavy, if he could talk to peavy about replacement casters for my 5150 4x12. It was 99, so it wasn't as easy at the time. Never heard back, but there you go. I met Eddie(and Alex) at the Racketball court and Dweezil within 3 months of being in LA. I wish I could be how I am now, so that I didn't have the "fan factor" as much. But I never expected it ever in my life. Anyway, I just put in the Ernie ball Removable casters in my 5010 4x12 about 3 weeks ago. Had to drill out those older holes. Works great, and no I wasn't still waiting for D to call me. Its been "not used" for the greater part of 17 years, because the head is too loud. I hated the plates until I got the Torpedo Reload. Got the 5150 head retubed and tuned up. Serious awesome. I don't even live in an apartment, but 2 rooms away its still too loud. Anyway, really enjoyed the experience. I still remember driving there Dweezil and the house. The 24 track tapes before walking into the studio. I wish there were iPhones back then. I'm still in the valley.

[@chickenbeek]

What kills me is i was a fan since i was like 11 years old, and they seemed so down to earth and open that if i knew where the house actually was in my later teens i probably could have took a bus and rode my bike up to their door and knocked and they probably would have let me in been able to hang out >D

[@RichardHollerMusic]

Dweezil is one of the coolest people I have met after a show. Anyone who bothers to teach and talk to his audience is truly bound for greatness! He's there! Great show if you can get a chance to see them live!

[@countblue]

There is so much I have learned from him by listening to his playing and him talking and explaining. Of course I cant do at all what he does but I do enjoy my own playing much more now. So thanks Mr. Zappa. Chapeau.

[@dannomusic47]

Much love to Dweezil❤️

[@urbancarpet]

What a nice sentiment to a father and how cool it was for me to learn more about a musician whom I've admired since the early days of my life.

[@TheChronicJestersince]

Dweezil, Thanks so much for the tutorial.

[@nijmegen5150]

Your dad would be proud---I love your playing Dweezil. I am just discovering your dad's music. Thanks for the insight to the greatest guitar player of all time, EVH.

[@StephenTatasciore]

A great technical description of the instruments used for one of the best musicians of our era

[@000MidnightSun]

heehee dweezil sounds so much like frank. i saw zpz about a year or so ago and it was hands down one of the best concerts i've ever seen. they are just incredible musicians and i'm glad that they are doing what they do. i talked to dweezil after the show and told him that my dad was into frank zappa, so here i am! and sheila gonzalez was just amazing... definitely my favorite of the evening, although they were all great.

[@Briansmusic-]

At 13:36 the les paul has pearl Ibanez Tuners that I believe came from a Ibanez 2681 Bob Weir model. There is video of Ike Willis playing the Ibanez at some gig in NJ. Black and white footage. I'm guessing Frank snagged the tuners or ordered some of the same but the guitar (Ibanez) never resurfaces anywhere else later on.

[@PetraKann]

Seen Dweezil play live on only one occasion. His father Frank was a creative genius - one of those unique musicians.

[@gweedomurray9923]

I would love to hear samples of all the different guitars and boxes !

[@robertbishop5357]

Dweezil I saw you in 2013 at the Culture Room in Ft.lauderdale. an incredibly wonderful concert.

[@DonLubiano]

What any father on earth would want on a son : a son that would have that kind of respect and dedication on his works demonstrated by this man. Hats off to you, Dweezil Zappa!

[@shred5]

Well I can date the Les Paul by the original knobs. On the cover of Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar, it still had the original knobs and they used those knobs on some '73 and '74 models, and I believe all models from '75-'78. By '79 they had a round, flat top black knob.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Utility Muffin Research Kitchen: Mecca

[@BrainPolice5]

+Frankincensed I heard recently that they will be putting the Laurel Canyon home with the UMRK inside up for sale. The kids have all moved out and the Gail passed away. Let me say this right now: That house is no ordinary house. Don't know what will become of it, but it is my Mecca too. I'd love to just sit in there and feel its energy.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

BrainPolice5 A lot of those homes in that area are very close to the road and don't have much yard. The yards look like a jungle. And the homes are large but usually a lot of small rooms, like dozens nested inside. A friend of mine lives just a mile or so from the Zappa house. Really cool houses, like mazes or a fortress

[@ViveLeQuebecLibreTabarnak]

@@BrainPolice5 From what I've heard, "Lady Gaga" ended up buying the property including the UMRK.

[@wrh195330161]

First let me assure you that I have been a fan of Frank and his music since the later '60s and although I couldn't always make every concert I did see him go through some great phases of music with some of the best musicians that ever took up an instrument. As for Dweezil, I am so impressed and happy to see what he is doing with the ZPZ performances. It's always a joy to go to these concerts, they are always performed to the highest degree and they feel so good too, a room usually full of people who love Franks music, very satisfying for the soul. That being said I will continue to my original comment. I'm a bassist and i'm 66 years old. For many years I have played through Acoustic bass amps, not the new ones. I still have a few bass amps around, they all date between the late '60s to the mid '70s. Now how many people noticed the Acoustic amp at the beginning of the video? It's right there under the Fuchs amp head. Over the years I've noticed Acoustic amps in a lot of Franks videos, or videos that relate to Franks studios. It just blows my mind that an Amplifier company that always seemed to be on the brink of closure, or was always being sold and resold would show up in the possession of Frank Zappa. It makes me smile.

[@TJPactronix]

Esto es una labor de amor de un hijo hacia su padre... Que chingon!, Te felicito Dweezil. Y que siga la musica.

[@kilterkaos1]

It’s so cool you are taking time out of your life to analyze your father’s music. What a Legacy!

[@arjunkaul]

Beautiful studio!

[@tweevers2]

I want to hold and play just one chord on the Bay Snakes guitar....OOooooOooo

[@oceanchild1000]

I bet Frank is so proud of Dweezil!! Thats awesome to carry on his fathers legacy! Good man!!

[@calebtuckrt4619]

That's the actual guitar jimi set on fire?!?!?!?!? Son of a frank that's fucking cool

[@TheSpineSplitter1990]

Awesome, he's using the GSP1101, I have one myself and they are great for live use and recording direct to a pc.

[@chicolopez8722]

excellent!!

[@Chilinoploppy]

i like that he knows what his gear does. not like those guys thst have their tecs doing the fear talk.

[@abradfordajb]

You wouldn't expect anything else from a Zappa offspring, would you?

[@rapaladude]

Just because they have their tech guys doing the talking doesn't mean the guitarist doesn't know what's going on.

[@carltaylor465]

AeonKage

[@smackythefrog23]

Frank had JUST as much going on. youd be surprised how many effects go into getting that truly pristine clean sound that sounds like a pure guitar.

[@Deathshuck]

I discovered Frank Zappa through Zappa plays Zappa, so I wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for Dweezil.

[@Timmenerst]

Dude, one man, so many stuff! I have trouble setting up my one multieffect box XD. Go Dweezil, respect to you and yr dad!

[@mrfunone]

Articulate and knowledgeable with a touch of humility...way to go!

[@thousandwoods]

Hey Dweezil, Thank's for the tour! I enjoyed it much. Steve in Tulsa Ok.

[@fasteddie4145]

I've been playing for 40 years.....Zappa is as tough as anything......It's cool that Dweezil has taken on this project....

[@unusualmusician]

Dweezil's music is fantastic. He's one apple that didn't fall very far from the tree. Viva Zappa!

[@harrisquicksilver6595]

When u play watermelon in easter hay it is the best tribute to frank and i think the best tribute ever to anyone. U are a fantastic and phenominal musician.

[@Kohntarkosz]

More recently, Dweezil had the Hendrix Strat restored to it's 1977 state, with the mirror pickguard and souped up electronics. I think he even had the transducer under the fingerboard installed on the new neck he had put on, like Frank had in 77.

[@ArtDonna84]

Really enjoyed this one to see some of Dweezil's gear and alittle bit about each one.

[@EthnHayabusa]

Dweezil is great. He is one of the rare guitarists that gets better and better.

[@devilmaycry2812]

Amazing equipment Dweezil.

[@GeorgTheGuitar]

what a generous father frank he was , giving the strat to dweezil

[@Rechbert]

Respect man !! I loved U in stockholm ZPZ and I ´d love to see U here again with some new tunes ,,, U are truly a great guy for doing ur dad´s music and bringing it to us in the best of ways ...and watching the this promo just makes my day :)love it !! say hi to your sis n bros and I hope to see U soon in stockholm :)

[@QtommyQ]

I've been following Dweezil as a performer since 1986. I can honestly say that I get more impressed with him every day. I am really eager to see what he does after ZPZ (whenever that may be).

[@bentyreman5769]

this makes me want a gibson SG

[@shred5]

I went with a '81 LP Custom myself -- got the same color because of Frank.

[@cal_blac]

This vid just makes me happy. Love that he’s using some Eric Johnson stuff as well.

[@kevykev38]

LOve this Frank Dweezil studio live tour..If that makes any sense..lol Love the Hendrix guitar.

[@homerfj1100]

Now now children. He´s an excellent example of a learned human, well balanced, mature self-effacing, succinct and without an atom of verbosity.

[@Lowebrau]

Saw Zappa Plays Zappa in Saskatoon last summer, Awesome! I was wondering how much of his rig used to be Franks

[@znotty]

He`s dad must have been a very loving father for him to show such respect..

[@RayJozwiak]

Saw Z plays Z a couple of year ago. FANTASTIC!!! Loved Frank. Love YOU. -r

[@SeanStrickland]

From what I understand, he is using 2 Fractal Audio Axe-fx Ultra now for his rig. I'll catching him for the Denver gig. He is a very nice,down to earth person w/ a great ear for detail and serious chops from what I know of him. It will be great to see him.

[@ianmustang18]

Dweezil gave me a thumbs up at Bonnaroo when he was riding on the back of a golf cart!!! Made my life

[@franktrl]

Great to see Frank's guitars near the end of this clip. I would love to see the blonde strat shaped ax that Frank played on his last rock tour - Broadway the Hardway. That was an awesome sounding instrument!

[@MrWolverinewarrior]

Some of these Rigs by some of these players - is just over the top intricate and complex beyond belief. I would think that a great tube amp with a few great pedals, would be MUCH simpler, and get pretty much a great sound. Ted Nugent once said that he went out to 5150 studios and played through Eddie's rig, and he said ...."it still sounded like me!" Point being the players fingers and technique is who you are. A great sound just accentuates who you already are.

[@JohnJohnson-op4gq]

well he is just trying to stay true to the kinds of sounds Frank got in the studio

[@shred5]

+GreatVideos some things like installing coil splits and phase shifters.. why the hell not? It's a new tone and all you need is a switch, solder and some wires and you can get a different sound. Also you should realize that he is showing off a lot of Frank's guitars here, and Frank would play pretty much each of those guitars as his main guitar for several years.

[@Thecurbstomper]

that is probably the most insane compilation of stuff in one cube. It needs to be reproduced.

[@FirebirdAlex]

He has a nice voice, I could listen to him talk all day.

[@paulfuller8985]

Dweezil Zappa is a really nice kid . Plays good guitar as well .

[@jammyhungdrix3144]

Love your work Dweezil .. make sure you play that bitsa Stratocaster .. it will love it.

[@llibja]

I could listen to Dweezil talk about this stuff all day, and I'm not even a guitar nerd!

[@AsatorTOX]

I'm going to see him tomorrow with dream theater. I can't wait

[@gusbarros]

Really great to explain why this guys have a great sound!!!

[@Zwikster]

woah man, I cannot believe that is the famous guitar that Jimi lit on fire! I dont think I can think of a more famous guitar. Must be priceless! And that huge switchmaster guitar is soooo cooool! yeahhhhhh!!

[@aliengtr]

i am sure living up to Frank zappa as your dad is a lot of pressure when you play guitar and want your own style,etc...and I think its great that he handles it well and keeps his dad's music alive as well.in a way he seems to have found himself in doing so as well. cool and his setup is sweet.

[@jimihendrix1575]

Dweezil was married to a pop star whose name I forget, and they had a local TV show in Los Angeles a while back. They were very entertaining. Better times, for both of us, I guess.

[@implumkrazy]

I love franks music. my friend told me that the zappa family at odds (war) does any one know any thing about it ???????

[@NelsLindahl]

Hey Guitar World do you have a version higher than 480P? This is great. More pixels would make it even better ;)

[@gloriouspeanut]

Man I would LOVE to get in that studio and tinker around with the broken stuff.

[@charliebe28]

Back in 1978 I talked to the sound technician for the band Kansas, whose last name was (something like) "Moar". He was ALSO the sound guy for Frank Zappa; and he told me about how Frank,"...had a special rack, with EVERY CONCEIVABLE effects processor" then being made,"which had a special switching mechanism that could route the signal through any of it, any way one could want to." Nearly 35 years later, it occurs to me, THIS RIG IS IT ! Frank is probably the "Father of the Modern Effects Rack".

[@hansxiaomeng4741]

There was also a video from this same session of him playing the sg with all the switches and going through all the settings. It was really cool , guitar world world to dig that thing up and upload it. Pretty sure that happened and I didn't hallucinate it

[@mozartfx1]

Very interesting. Love the Hendrix guitar. Can't help but like Dweezil. THX GW.

[@BORNTORUNANDALIVEMAN]

many lolz to the ad and dweezil"s guitar in the beginning is a hagstrom viking II I am going to buy a red one which is the best one I also have a gibson SG

[@JazzyJonas]

Dweezil is a genius. I don't even play guitar, but this is fascinating. Also, Zappa Plays Zappa is one of the best live bands of all time.

[@jakebland1990]

yeah but i would imagine FZ used about a hundred in his recording, not all can be taken on tour so it would be handy for stage use. but ultimately i agree with you.

[@TheGargoyleLives]

I read a FZ interview from 1978 and he said the Switchmaster had QUAD output and a POWER SUPPLY for the wiring in it.

[@smackythefrog23]

If im not mistaken, the SG that dweezil is holding and playing was franks number 1 axe for many years.

[@rwl6935]

It’s great to see a son carry on his dads dream

[@perromanchado]

Dweezil has become a fantastic musician. Respect!

[@MarkArandjus]

D: That Jimi strat is a an absolute relic!

[@elpablosky6300]

9:48 Yngwie said the same , because if you have light strings become easy for vibrato

[@MrUltraworld]

Your not kidding. All of his studio records where recorded live with a truck he salvaged from Brian Wilson. It had 100 tracks of analog. All of the stage mics went there & where returned to the monitor mixers. An amazing set up considering the times. The guy was pure genius.

[@randybastaird5749]

paid 28 bucks in victoria and saw the greatest show in a basement bar. got an autograph. don't expect dweezil will be back. crush all boxes on barking pumpkin records. I wish i could get that t-shirt back.

[@SRV24243]

how does dweezil not shed a tear going through all of his dads shit. it must have been hard to lose a genious of a father

[@superagnitio]

Great guy, great tour, great knowledge and his voice reminds me of Frank :)

[@lofi73]

Wow...Interesting stuff.Especially the part with Frank´s guitars.

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

Found under the stairs.... Hey Dad, I like this.... Fix it up... OK..... Wow, it works great..... Keep it kiddo, you earned it. To be Franks son is to be the LUCKIEST SUMBITCH IN THE UNIVERSE.... Love ya Dweez....

[@barekallmeg]

If there is one person who deserves the hendrix guitar than it's dweezil! It cool that hi plays his dad's songs and got the same guitar's as him. ; )

[@acledfloyd]

Since this video the hendrix strat has been modded again. You can see the interview over at Normans Rare guitar's youtube site. It is so cool

[@GlennMichaelThompson]

Dweezil brought Hagstrom guitars to my attention again... the Viking is a really nice semi-hollow at a reasonable price. I've already picked up a Hagstrom Swede and an HL-550 at extremely good prices. I guess I'm a little biased(or sentimental) since Hagstroms were my first truly playable electric guitars back in the 70's! I also remember Frank using Carvin pickups in some of his guitars, as well as some Carvin amps. So much gear so little time... and funding! lol :0)

[@jeffdawson2786]

UMRK, come to life for us old fans.

[@Z0751]

Man, he's got some awesome gear. I would be happy to have a few of those gadgets.

[@GoDrex]

no it's not the one from Monterrey - listen again it's from the Miami pop festival.