Jeff Beck 'Esquire' Fender interview | Fender

[@fender]

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[@joelcampbell1491]

Jeff is definitely my favorite Rest in peace Jeff

[@acdcrocksinkc]

I was fortunate enough to see him in Kansas City. MO in 1998. He made my jaw drop. In my humble opinion he is simply the world's greatest guitarist.

[@pobinr]

Apart from allan holdsworth

[@razeshbudhathoki]

@@pobinr Holdsworth is definitely above all the creature !!

[@bbsoni4814]

better thhan hendrix, peter green and freddy king? haha

[@mj.l]

@@bbsoni4814sure

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

Guy was unknown to you up till that moment?

[@Colstonewall]

"Don't touch it!!!" I was just looking at it. . ."Well don't even look at it!"

[@3riverclipper853]

Just listen to the sustain, well if it were plugged in you would hear it

[@ryanteti4063]

SPINAL TAP

[@mj.l]

@@ryanteti4063😞

[@izzuddinzaheid6147]

RIP Jeff.. your legacy lives on

[@haroldgilbert6707]

❤

[@cahg3871]

He does stuff no other guitarists will even attempt.Absolute guitar monster.Wired is my favourite of his work.He kills you one note at a time.As Clapton said-“With Jeff,it’s all in the hands”.

[@jameschant2740]

Jeff Beck is a true transcendental artist of our time.

[@iamanovercomer3253]

Agree

[@redhead5150]

That's is correct.JEFF BECK is alone on top of the guitar world!!!!

[@TimDowdican]

Jeff Beck is the best RIP Jeff 🙏 😢😢😢😢

[@vayabroder729]

Mr. Beck; pure genius just like Jimi and EVH. The three of them broke the sound barrier.

[@rafasounds2010]

I love 2008 youtube. No graphics jumping out of the screen all the time, no explosions, no colorful letters every 5 seconds.

[@devs3720]

rafasounds2010 Jesus you are stupid

[@rafasounds2010]

Wrong. I'm a genius

[@devs3720]

rafasounds2010 You're a moronic shithead over his head.

[@rafasounds2010]

That's your problem.

[@rafasounds2010]

Of course it is your problem. You are so tough. I'm so offended.... Give me some more of that adolescent internet thing, come on. I'm waiting.

[@laurenpeot8051]

I love it at the end when he is talking about the first time he saw a Strat and held it... That's why he never asked for his old Esquire back. Jeff is very practical and down to earth -- and hilarious. Happy 70th Jeff and a very many more! Blessings

[@lynyrddeville]

Considering when it was released, Jeff Beck sounds like someone from outer space on Over Under Sideways Down! Awesome, absolutely awesome!

[@karenreardon5398]

"Over under sideways down" I had this 45 when I was a little kid. It was Jeff's guitar playin that got me on this song. Loved the Yardbirds!!

[@mykhedelic6471]

JEFF EFFING BECK, humble genius.

[@morleymarcella3122]

King of the Strat! 🎸🎼🇨🇦

[@Guitar_Fella]

Jeff Beck. Quite simply...a legend.

[@CaseyVan]

Give it back to Jeff Beck!

[@GamleJas2]

He is the Guitarman. Commited to his music - and his cars. He is not chasing gold but life!

[@JohannesYtterstrom]

I like the fact that one of the most gifted and respected guitarists of all time still talk about Jimi Hendrix many decades after the man's death. Would have loved to see a Jeff Beck / Jimi Hendrix Co. Concert in the 70's (like one of those Concerts Eric Clapton does nowadays with different people). That could been amazing!

[@MyBarkingdog]

The Jeff Beck Group played a week at "The Scene" in NYC in 1968 and after their set, Jimi and Jeff jammed all night. Now that would have been something to see!

[@thedmtfp]

that would be epic!

[@SoWhat.BigDeal.]

When I saw Jeff Beck and Santana touring together in the '90s, the PA system played nothing but Jimi, both before the show and then between acts. Like you, I loved seeing the respect coming from these guys.

[@emosucks31]

There is a bootleg dude

[@Djarra]

They also jammed with Eric in London at what was the furniture college students union, the building became apartments and storage for a shoe shop in the mid 90s but the NME put a plaque up.

[@tokaicarl]

WHAT a great interview and what a great bloke(still)- cant believe how good jeff looks still and he's gotta be 60 or over now- amazing, thanks a million for putting this on here

[@iamanovercomer3253]

75 now ❗🎸🎵🎶

[@carolinelabe3542]

Vegetarian lifestyle

[@britvox95z]

Beck used a Tone Bender fuzz box with the Yardbirds. He definitely used it on Heart Full of Soul and may well have used it on Over Under Sideways Down.

[@christophertodd1980]

Definitely sounds like a Tonebender on Over Under Sideways Down

[@surfinwax58]

He's always been an exceptionally good storyteller! A raconteur!

[@DiedrichKnickerbocker1783]

Not a big fan of Jeff Beck, but how uses the tremolo on a strat is incredible. One of the most expressive guitarist I have seen and heard.

[@MegaSmitty51]

At 4:40 he mimes playing a guitar...left-handed. Probably played both ways. RIP Jeff Beck🎼

[@nigel900]

I have all the Arbors records, and have been a big fan of the Arbors for many years… 👍🏻

[@MickCorgi]

This is how the 3 way switch works on Esquire- Bridge: bypasses the tone-i.e. the tone knob doesn't work. Middle: connects to the capacitor and the variable resistance-i.e. the tone knob works Neck: connects to the capacitor but bypasses the variable resistance-i.e. the treble is fully cut, tone knob doesn't work.

[@sLevnZelevn]

I swear, Seymour Duncan is like a wizard. He's basically the Merlin of the guitar world; dilly dallying in this and that / making things sound awesome. His pickups are exquisite too.

[@brookdalebill]

All this talk about guitars is making me very happy. Thanks for posting!

[@bonesc7201]

Quite simply the best guitarist of my generation...!

[@alabastersmidge4692]

Greatest guitarist ever!!!

[@hesch-tag]

Alabaster Smidge after Jimi.

[@lifegoeson2422]

Hessel van der Wal Bwahahahaha

[@hesch-tag]

Joey Nash looks really educated.

[@lifegoeson2422]

Hessel van der Wal As Marty Friedman once said. I'd rather chew broken fucking glass then listen to Hendrix

[@hesch-tag]

Joey Nash bon appetit.

[@jpb1231000]

Most Underrated Guitarist EVER!!!

[@Factory_Muff]

RIP Jeff ❤😢

[@jeffbeck6501]

"No other guitar does what a strat can do. I think we all agree on that." Jeff Beck. (at the end).

[@greyarea1004]

Jeff Beck he’s damn riht

[@sporkfindus4777]

He's definitely right. The Stratocaster is magical, but I have no idea why. I have a £550 Mexican Strat workhorse that I bought new about 6 years ago and it squeezes expression out of me. I'm not a guitar collector, but I bought a second hand Les Paul gold top last week for £745 and, as beautiful as it is, it does nothing for me. I don't necessarily regret my purchase, but I perhaps should've saved my money, as I already have the guitar that I want and need.

[@jeffbeck6501]

@@sporkfindus4777 The LP will be good to play for a while, and then you can sell it when you need the cash. ....but I agree with you. A Les Paul does nothing for me either. HAHAHA I want to play like a wild man, wild and free, while in lock down. Only a Strat will let me roam free on the range. A Les Paul feels like I am stuck in a suit and tie and a desk job. It also feels like it is going to break apart in my hands. Whereas a strat can take everything I can throw at it. And I can throw some stuff at it. I am left handed but play right handed so I can really control those bends like I am in command, and not the Strat. I love my Strat. I have 2 China strats that I play where I live, but in my collection I have old vintage stuff, and I prefer the vintage obviously, but I can get some sounds out of the China strats that I can't quite get out of the vintage, but also, with China strats, I am going direct through a Behingher VAmp3 and it sounds great to me. To me it sounds way better than all my expensive gear in the states. Plus it is way more convenient and way more practical. So yeah, enjoy that LP as a get away, and remember, you can always sell it for more than you paid for it probably, and always have that money sitting there as reserve money.

[@jamesortiz5388]

Jeff introduced himself to me and gave me free tickets to his concerts.

[@stingaling]

What a dude. RIP

[@danielstoddart]

It's true that the Stratocaster can do what no other guitar can do. No doubt about it. But having played one for the first time recently, there's a sense that the Esquire can also do what no other guitar can do.

[@btbb3726]

Jeff Beck always seems to be so cool and good natured. 👍🏻

[@VanguardShags]

While I understand what Beck means regarding the Strat, he really did sound his best with a Telecaster/Esquire. I own a variety of guitars, and after you've been around one long enough, you'll realize that there is something very hard to put your finger on in terms of the Tele thing...it's a deceptively simple design with no pretense, yet at the same time, it's sort of at the root of all electric guitars, and capable of almost anything (it jangles, chimes, twangs, fools people into thinking they are hearing a vintage Les Paul solo, and can do a top-notch jazz tone). While my Strat is more complex in design with its 5-way switch, in contrast, it is five of the same sounds, while the Tele is 3 radically different sounds.

[@richardtoy1600]

+d'Etroit Ultramann A Tele keeps you honest.

[@mooniejohnson]

+d'Etroit Ultramann A tele only puts out what you put into it and you have to fight the bastards sometimes, but damned if it isn't the most inspiring thing.

[@j_freed]

I have one Tele after years of Strats + one good Gibson - the thing still scares me with what comes out of it, almost unbidden. But that bassy 3rd position is the one I can least deal with even having the well-made Lollar pickups.

[@rhainellis531]

In the strats defence, the 5 pickup positions are very different, and the Tele certainly can't reproduce the middle/neck position sound of a good strat

[@The-Contractor]

Yeah, I'm sure you are on par with Beck and so your opinion will go where it belongs, down the shitter.

[@LizardKing0851]

The Beck interview when he gets to the part about realizing he just traded away all that history and all of his heart just killed me..., Seymour ..., trade it back brother.

[@SVATTIMO]

I agree with that, love you Jeff!!!!

[@johnnymossville]

I read somewhere that Jeff Beck gave Jimmy Page a Tele that he used for the guitar solo in Stairway to Heaven. It seems Jeff has been around a lot of famous teles.

[@Sam-hm8wj]

John B Jimmy used a tele throughout his time with the yardbirds and into led Zeppelin using it on the first album and parts of the second as well as on the stairway solo

[@noname.___]

@Yeah Whatever lots of people actually smh

[@johnhulsker9123]

What is this fascination with particular guitars? They are very basic instruments, it's the hands doing all of the work,

[@mj.l]

@@johnhulsker9123not a guitar player huh?

[@markmarsh27]

Finally saw Beck in Toronto back on August 1st. .... He was ALWAYS at the very top of my Bucket List. --- but I have NO IDEA what's "No. One" on the list now.

[@jmichaelm0]

I don't know why so many people are concerned about Beck trading his guitar - Jeff doesn't seem unhappy about it. Look at it this way: Beck used his guitar to make great music. Duncan used that same guitar to help make better pickups for all the rest of us. In a way Seymour Duncan helped all of us simple guitar players channel a tiny bit of Jeff Beck.

[@davidwatkins204]

Jeff plays like a concert violinist

[@danielstoddart]

People forget that when Beck traded the Esquire to Seymour Duncan, there was *no* vintage market for guitars. It simply didn't exist yet in 1974. Guitarists didn't favor a guitar just because it was a little banged up. In 1974 what we now call vintage Fenders were less than 20 years old.

[@jimjim506]

I'm sure someone will correct me or have a go at me for saying it, but Jeff Beck always comes across as a really nice guy in interviews :)

[@nyg1954]

He really seems to have mellowed over the years.

[@ziggylayneable]

Saw him with my dad in the 90s. I have never before or since seeing anybody who was even remotely as good as him

[@DeadBlackDistortion]

WHAT IS THAT SONG at the BEGINNING?? I LOVE IT!

[@noname.___]

Over under sideways down by the yardbirds

[@pippipster6767]

Could listen to him for hours ...

[@BitterBosh]

That has got to be the coolest looking Tele I've ever seen!

[@RastaSaiyaman]

I don't get it, in several interviews Jeff said that he got the Tele-Gib from Seymour Duncan and was so impressed with it that he shipped his Esquire, a sunburst Strat and his Oxblood Les Paul to him and told him "Take your pick and fix the other two up." And now he tells how Duncan proposed a trade.

[@Head318Hunter]

Mandela Effect

[@richardrejmer8721]

Jeff Beck didn't just pull new tricks out of his bag. . He invented a WHOLE NEW BAG and then pulled tricks out of the new bag!

[@sammelchi]

I got to see this at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. So badass

[@härjaren]

Yeah! Bring on the music mr. Beck!

[@dantean]

Jeff--the greatest living blues rock guitarist--offers what I think is a backhanded compliment to Jimi Hendrix, implying his act was just a showier version of all the stuff Jeff was already doing, yet I don't find enough musical evidence to really support this--and I've been buying Yardbirds releases both studio and live, official and bootleg for close to 40 years so I'm not new to Jeff's playing. I think he never got over Jimi's devastating effect on the music scene & status as guitar God #1.

[@carolinelabe3542]

In one interview, Beck compares the differences between post-war UK and US cultures to mirror the difference in his and Hendrix guitar styles. Beck infers growing up in the English class system minimized his confidence while Hendrix displayed uninhibited US no social restrictions exuberance.

[@nic0c]

nice touch with that fender relic hotel room...

[@christoguichard4311]

The subtitles are hilarious! 😂

[@TheHonkcat]

Ultimate guitar genius, no arguments

[@czgibson]

'Over, Under, Sideways, Down' by the Yardbirds.

[@znotty]

i`ve got 4th row seats next month in Sydney,still time for you to get here.

[@Candlepinman]

Pos. 1 (closest to the bridge) Pickup wired to the volume control then straight to the jack. Middle Pos. Same as 1 but with the tone control also in the circut. Pos. 3 (closest to the neck) Pickup wired with a pre-set bassy sound like the sound of the tone control all the way down.

[@bhagiti]

At 2:05 you can see - with the pickguard removed - the difference in color. It's fairly blonde being protected underneath the 'guard.

[@iamanovercomer3253]

Agree , Fender 🇺🇸 strat 🎸 & Jeff Beck 👍

[@elrojo89]

The best guitarrist of all the time...was a genius!!

[@NintendoSinceBirth1]

im a fan or the worn guitars, their really comfortable and sound great

[@williampayne7678]

Brilliant Guitarist

[@ChrsGuit]

Hey Look, it's Seymour Duncan fiddling with the camera... He actually owns this guitar. It's what his Vintage Telecaster bridge pickups are baded on... I'm kinda confused as to why an Esquire has a control plate with a switch unless it's a phase switch or something... Any gearheads have any insight? I'll do some research to see what's up...

[@necklix]

Well, their doesn't seem to be any artist here, shame. If you have ever played guitar, and felt the weight around your neck after awhile, it's uncomfortable. strats are a very light guitar, this beauty is hollow, and weightlessm and is a remarkable work of art and a wonderful tribute to the genius Jeff Beck, who has helped Fender sell a multitude of merchendise. Not to mention are completely blown away by his talent,! Those cars, and guitars are hand made. yes, ARTISTS

[@xdeathtoll]

no gear can make you play better or sound better then just make you sound different, sounding better or worse is completely subjective.

[@twoslices]

I went for dinner with Jeff once and the whole topic of conversation was Hot Rods and cars! We didnt even mention guitars once!!

[@keiferreefer1]

Yeah the telecaster has some mystery to it,,but everyone talks about the strat. I've had a couple strats, one was a great funk guitar, along w a Halifax Les Paul, and the other strat had a decent tremolo arm, have a little fun w that. I always liked a Gibson Les Paul, had one like Becks on the cover of blow by blow, come to think of it that's probably why I bought it. I almost had a black Telecaster w a whammy bar, but it got sold from underneath me, really wanted that one. Jeff did as much for the strat as Jimi, but both w different styles. Amazing how they were all around one another, could probably play one another's solos , but did their own thing and prevailed. Jeff broke it w blow by blow, wired, still classics today, those guitar sounds and Jan hammer, doesn't get much better.

[@dantean]

Absolutely, completely, 1000% true, imo.

[@youtoobaccount11]

That guitar kicks ass!

[@strandwolf]

Join the Jeff Beck Appreciation Society on Yahoo Groups for info. Touring "down under" in 2009!

[@samgarofalo2461]

Rock In Peace 💪

[@hyjyljyj]

I especially like the part right around 2:33 when the actual bloody INTERVIEW commences

[@funkyjones]

Listen to the part when he talks about the Blow by Blow sessions.

[@supertuches9976]

the song at the beginning ?

[@aussiecoastie72]

A lot of fans have made home-made replicas of Jeff’s fender Esquire .

[@jaywalker8309]

very fine talking jeff

[@Beatlesfangoogle]

esquires are awesome!

[@closer2thewall]

@marshallkiller you mean over under sideways down by the yardbirds??

[@twoslices]

He said the only time he tours is to finance his next car creation! tongue in cheek probably! I said to him 'dont you worry about your fingers while doing all that welding and machine work' He just shrugged with a grin.

[@DuskyRope]

anybody know how long jeff beck had that guitar? did he get it reliced or something, becuase it's got more wear than i've ever seen...

[@BluesMan88]

@JoyDivison92 i was lucky enough to play one of those guitars (Jeff beck tribute esquire, a collector friend of mine got it and called me up) i gotta say that this thing just reminded me about how much better, in my opinion anyway, the esquire is. this guitar, despite all the dings and wear marks, plays phenomenally. but the price tag is outrageous. cant argue with anyone on that.

[@pat976]

@Abelle92 this particular model is a recreation of Jeff Beck's famous Esquire, someone had sanded the body down to mimic a Strat's contour before Jeff Back acquired it. Now you know the whole story... and don't worry, you're not one of those who look like they know something about playin... ;-)

[@chubbymosher700]

what is that song at the begining? its awesome.

[@EvilUnderTone]

Over under sideways down by the Yardbirds

[@haroldgilbert6707]

😢😢😢❤❤❤ from Texas rip

[@aldito7586]

Makes perfect sense. Jeff has for a very long time been involved with Seymour Duncan.

[@kathmandoo]

@Abelle92 The Esquire only had one pick up at the bridge whist the Telecaster had 2 stes of pickups.

[@USFREEDOMU]

In 2005-6 in seen one of Jeff Becks either it 59. Telecaster Framed glass case Hanging on wall in Scottsdale Az.with Documention.price @ $42,000.00. The owner of store was the lead guitarist for Blackfoot. If only that Lottery Ticket was magic ticket.. guess we can Dream can't we.

[@rsaathoff]

Did Beck do the contouring on that Esquire?

[@PopExpo]

yardbirds with jeff beck= f*cking rad.

[@TorpAirport]

He could make them sound good, but that the quality of a guitar has something to do with the sound produced is unquestionable.

[@shaunw9270]

In response to Dogcatchersband in much older comments below ... Yeah I have a 2011 AVRI '52 Tele and if I want that 60's JB Heart Full Of Soul tone I use a Williams Vintage Tone MkI Fuzz box . Are relic Custom Shop guitars over priced? Yeah probably , but if I could afford one I would have one !

[@surfercrow]

@dustin11 The story is not all presented well here. Jeff bought the 50's Esquire in '65 from Scott Walker for £75. 10 years later, Seymour Duncan wanted it so he built a custom Tele w humbuckers, brought that to Jeff as a gift (used on Cause We've Ended As Lovers) & essentially swapped it for the Esquire. (Jeff's too generous!) That's the original at beginning w Seymour taking measurements. (apparently now in R&R HOF) Looks like a replica next to Jeff for interview, probably one Fender gave him

[@mikedegroff7766]

Is the neck shifted in the pocket or is the low E side just worn to hell?

[@nyg1954]

Jeff played a Tele at the Secret Policeman's Other Ball in '81 and never sounded better.

[@pabloperez4063]

agree! never!!!

[@marshallkiller]

does anyone know the name of the first song?

[@MrGiorgioud]

Well, this just leave one question.....is he going to do Stonehenge tonight?

[@FreddieandBrenda]

awesome!!!!!!!!!!!