Joe Bonamassa sound check: backstage tips

[@a.w.820]

OMG Joe Bonamassa met the legendary Dan Erlewine!!!!

[@JCHaywire]

It's great to watch a master work. No flash or ego, just solid information and inquiry.

[@godforbid95]

aye aye here here

[@RaceForFadio]

And a very well placed ad at the end of the video. It's not an in your face "BUY ME NOW!!" type of ad. It's a "Here if you want it" kind of ad.

[@tierfuehrer2]

I used the shown method to put the strings on the tuners some time ago and I´m really liking it.

[@earlwheeler7168]

I came across this site by accident. I'm so blown away by the prep that goes on backstage with ya'll and Joe. I would give my left and right to spend an hour with the three of you. I probably wouldn't say a word, only listen. I am speechless! WOW!

[@gingataff]

Love seeing Dan talking shop with other techs and luthiers. More please StewMac!

[@xmotivex6852]

Really great vid. Awesome to see behind the scenes of Joe's rig. Dan really is the man. Been in the business forever and obviously still a kid in a candy store when he gets to talk shop. Gotta respect that level of passion for his craft.

[@dale8809]

I would love to see an extended version of this. So freaking interesting and helpful !

[@LEANDROID14]

Been doing the extra ball trick for years, it´s just common sense when you top wrap a TOM. Big up to Mike, I remember when he briefly joined Carcass in the late 90´s

[@bealetm]

I wonder why he didn't do the top wrap on the ES-345

[@serhatgultasli]

I wonder why do people top wrap? What is the difference?

[@ItsRevival]

@@serhatgultasli Some say it makes the strings more "slinky". Honestly, I don't feel much of a difference, if anything, so it's really personal preference

[@kelleywhite5761]

Regarding the tune-o-matic bridge caving in. So I was fortunate to tech for Ace Frehley's band ( Richie Scarlet and Chris Wyse ) when they toured Australia in 2015 and I got a good tip from Ace's tech Rocco Monterosso regarding collapsed tune-o-matic bridges. Flip it over, support either end and tap the centre of the bridge with a fret hammer or small rubber mallet checking constantly until it's straight, sounds simple but it's very effective. Pro tip!

[@JIMJAMSC]

Never used gauges in 30 + yrs until I bought the exact set from Stew Mac as shown. What did I learn? That I do not need them. I have around 50 guitars of all types and I set them by taking them as low as I can till they buzz and then raising till they stop. Perfect. So there is no magic one size fits all number for YOU. Raise or lower till you like it. Now of course if you are a tech setting up a guitar for someone who knows the specs or has a number,yes. Also on a new guitar that you are having issues with they are good to troubleshoot with. Nice tools to have but do not get carried away and fixated on some published number. I am surprised the tech did not stress the most important part of restringing. Stretch them,stretch and then stretch again. Then right before showtime when they have settled in at room temp, stretch again!

[@stratman9449]

cheers....thx...

[@reubenginsburg2012]

I got to meet Joe and his tech at a local guitar shop a couple years back, very cool guys

[@earlwheeler7168]

I came across this site by accident. I'm so blown away by the prep that goes on backstage with ya'll and Joe. I would give my left and right to spend an hour with the three of you. I probably wouldn't say a word, only listen. I am speechless! WOW! At age 68, the only guitar I've left is a true Ibanez "lawsuit" Gibson Hummingbird. I always wanted a Les Paul. Hoping to live long enough to own one.

[@tMatt5M]

This video is so cool! I had no idea Dan built Albet King that famous V!

[@georgedickson1410]

Old school meets new school. Exchanging wisdom and techniques. It’s awesome!!

[@commanderwilliamtriker7449]

Mike Hickey played in Venom on the Calm before the storm album and tour. Awesome guitarist!!!!

[@8STRINGR]

LOVE this restringing method ! I’ve been applying THIS METHOD for a few months, now. I have tried several other methods over several years of playing music but always had a problem with string slippage, resulting in more retuning between songs. I also love the fact that when I go to replace any of my strings they unwrap very easily! No more looking pulling out my needle nose pliers to assist in unraveling what’s caught up on the posts! I play mandolin so I’ll go “1 and a 1/2” gap past the next post (due to the smaller peg head) before I make the first wrap around. I’m applying this new method with my acoustic guitar as well ! Thanks for posting this video and this Awesome Restringing Tip !

[@daleweber2579]

Mike's string winding tips also the over wrap is in your 1st edition Guitar Player's Repair Guide. ANd also in Guitar and Amp Repair Maintenance.

[@LucaDigioia83]

Amazing Dan...I think you would love the metric system :)

[@KentBuchla]

+Luca Digioia Go Metric!

[@iainfreeman5112]

Luca Digioia this is my only criticism of these videos. I heave no idea what 39/64th of an inch actually is. All the different fractions confuses me as well. Metric should be a must!

[@royalcat10]

39/64th of an inch is a little over half an inch. Or, roughly half the size of the length between the first and second knuckle of your index finger. Imperial is used because of things like that, very easy, rough estimates that everyone can use. Don't think of measurements as "Imperial" or "Metric" think of them as "Measuring units" every unit has it's uses, and every unit can be used when it's found most useful. Metric is not useful in every situation, imperial is not useful in every situation.

[@magnetic0314]

royalcat10 no, metric is useful in literally every situation

[@royalcat10]

Really? So you're telling me you would rather say: "2.54 CM" over saying "1 Inch"? Metric has it's uses, Imperial has it's uses. Neither one is better than the other.

[@johnlannikk2701]

Dan, humble guy. Great tips here, thanks for uploading.

[@sduke39]

how cool seeing Lucy after all these years. and it's even better knowing she is still on the road working with a brilliant artist every day.

[@brettsmeltzer2447]

LOVE THIS METHOD! I use this restringing method on my mandolins, which really comes in handy whenever I break a string during a song in one of our sets. I keep two mandolins on stage so I can just grab up the other to finish out a song or set. I immediately replace the broken one in record time! I use the same distance from one post to the other, and get as close as I can on the last G string post and E string post on my mandolins and I still get the 1 1/2 to 2 wraps of each string and tuning post. ***NOTE !!!!*** I wouldn’t recommend cutting all of the strings at once on a mandolin due to the bridge on most mandolins not being permanently mounted in place, which can make all of the difference with losing intonation of the strings because the bridge moved out of place. Other than that, this is the Best/Fastest method I have seen! Thanks, Mike Hickey !

[@torontolarrivee7965]

Just love your videos. Bonamassa's tech seems like a great guy.

[@rhykko77]

I like all of these Dan Erlewine StewMac videos but this one is outstanding ! thanks

[@JustRockMySoul]

Ha, the Amp settings and string gauges! Awesome little insights that you thought of sharing!

[@maxpind4891]

Dan, I would give just about anything to have been in the same room listening to you and Joe talk about guitars. Definitely a guitar nerd's dream!

[@ThFatty]

Awesome video, and includes great tips. This is the best way to re-string. Comes our perfect, every time!

[@tjnugent62]

Dan, all of your videos are fantastic, but this one allowed us to peek into a world most never see. Thank you!

[@marycoady9856]

The knowledge given with simple grace is aways a joy ❤.

[@Tony-rv7tc]

Great String changing info and I love the extra ball trick...Thank you for this video

[@hootenanny58]

I had that GP number too. I was a young'un in school and had just spent my lawn mowing money on Albert's Live record. Playing that V upside down and backward as he did, I was totally mesmerized ... not so much my classmates when I did my show-and-tell on Albert's life and music. Brought back memories of a happily misspent youth. Thx Dan!

[@quad1000]

Love Dan's videos, entertaining all on their own and he seems like a good dude!

[@ROCKHITS572]

love a pro who not only shows us the correct way but also explains it so we understand brill thanks

[@streamofconsciousness5826]

It's amazing how that "Next tuning peg, and over the top" was a trade secret until the internet. Even top wrapping the Tail piece.

[@OhFishyFish]

I've seen Joe live in Aberdeen (Scotland) few months ago. I'm not a huge fan of blues but this guy radiates so much energy from the stage I just couldn't pass. As my girlfriend describe - it's the best of blues but without any whining. :)

[@MGC-1977]

I was surprised to see Mike Hickey as the roadie - that's the guy from Venom! For a while he worked in a used guitar store near where I grew up. He's intimidating but a cool dude.

[@jbboynton0]

so glad to stumble on this channel

[@lightningrt434]

Awesome tips - like the extra ball-end on the string for wrapping over especially. Measuring in inches really takes me back too - 39/64 ths - brilliant!

[@michaelbedward]

All Dan's videos are interesting, but this one is a gem. The 1972 Flying V was something special.

[@timothycormier3494]

Wow. I never thought about the truss rod affection the tone like that. Thanks dan for the free piece of information

[@Trials-and-Tribulations]

Mike Hickey is a great guitar player some of his solo's he did when he was in the band called Carcass, had some good blues riffs in them.

[@oroman007]

He only played live with Carcass. He was originally their guitar tech but also filled in for Mike Ammott live.

[@Balauie]

Thanks Dan, great job and thanks to Joe and company for letting us in. Had to be cool to see one of your babies.

[@billbeeler9662]

Bj bj b bj y2k bj uhh bj b bhai uhh yhhvhy hhy y yyyy uvyu uhh yv uhh uhh

[@randyrich2039]

I opened for Albert once, a long time ago. I got the chance to play a few licks on that ax (unplugged, checkin' it out), I just wanted to see how Albert's ax felt. I didn't know until now that Dan built it. Very cool.

[@robotsongs]

EXCELLENT video, Dan! I really enjoyed this one. Informative, interesting, it shows us something that not many get to see. Keep up the good work!

[@thegee-tahguy4877]

This particular tying method Mike Hickey is doing is called the "pinching method". It's great for performers who break strings often. There are two other acceptable string tying methods for standard tuning posts; the locking or lock method and the S-tie method. The locking method is the most common and works in tandem with "tug and tune up only" tuning methods on fixed bridge guitars. Tugging the string only makes the lock tighter. The pinching method tie also benefits from tugging.

[@smokey9397]

so awesome Dan,always so awesome!

[@roberthancock2563]

Great video! I use the same stringing method! Improved my tuning stability by 95%!!

[@Booze4Blues]

A tip for Mike and Dan, regarding top wrapping, that I stumbled upon is , the use of Pyramid Strings. The ball-ends have a secondary cotton binding that eliminates sharp edges . . I’ve been using their pure nickel, and no stoptail issues whatsoever 👌🏻

[@micheloderso]

Very interesting contribution for me. Again i learned something.

[@cgavin1]

Cool to see Mikes method. On standard tuners I've always just put the string through at a right angle and wound it on the post. No over under round the bout or anything. Never had any issues..

[@bdc-muzik]

That’s pretty awesome that Joe has the guitar he made all those decades ago.

[@rodolfolarrea8493]

great great video ... JB is friendly as always ... great guitar player and hard working musician

[@taterlysaladman9377]

But always under attack in a world that worships punk, grunge, and other forms of primitive rock.

[@emiliano9321]

Thank you so much for showing the Lucy Guitar so up close. Albert is GOD of blues guitar.

[@RandyFricke]

Dan's the man! He's probably forgotten more about guitars than most people remember.

[@Bundyman1]

Dan is a hero to all who share a love of this instrument. One thing confuses me, however.... Dan says he went back to the venue because he forgot his very important string gauge tool. How difficult would it be for him to simply acquire another one from StewMac?😉🙂👍

[@dougmorisoli6482]

You got it backwards. He forgot it when he went to the show. The show was in Dayton. Dan says “On my way to Dayton, I forgot…”

[@BrianOboylemusic]

I love Joe Bonamassa I gotta seen him live! He is so much a part of guitar history

[@jonwills9160]

Love watching and listening to your channel. So informative. So interesting.

[@tone4388]

I love your videos so much, and thank you for all of the info and explanations about the gear, so cool.

[@bpastorb]

4:53 That ball end trick is genius. I thought I just didn't know how to string a wrap-around.

[@FrankJmClarke]

You could probably glue the ball end in to the bridge, or a bit of steel tubing.

[@carl-ok9gn]

Wow. this is a great video, thanks. I saw Joe Walsh string like this in his lesson dvd from years ago.

[@Ibaneddie76]

Awesome video, Dan is the best at what he does no competition.

[@LightningJackFlash]

I pretty much always changed strings holding 'em like he does, I learned it myself. Simply for ease of doing it.

[@bbnatedogg]

Joe has his action pretty high for my tastes if .08 and .09 is the lowest he has it. I play pretty much the same gauge of strings and tune down to E flat. I can almost always get the action to approx. 0.0625 on the low E and between 0.046 and 0.05 on the high E with only a minimal amount of buzz on the low E if I really whack it ala SRV. But all that matters is what you like.

[@AgimLubonja]

Sure Joe can play as no one but you are a magician Dan!

[@get2thechopper18]

Used the measurements to set up my. Es-335 ! Thanks guys!!!

[@1dabirdman68]

That tech has got the 2nd best job in the world next to JB of course....I'd hate to have to insure all that primo vintage gear thats really just a touring museum of aural exitement! Neat that Dan got to check out one of his babies from 1972 & it still is blowing minds to this day....Awesome video mr. Erlewine! 8)

[@patrickdann9487]

good tip on stringing a Les Paul style guitar. Saw another good Mike Hickey tip on stringing a Strat. WooHoo, win win

[@EricduToit]

4:46 I do this with all guitars now - works very well on acoustics to reduce the wear on the bridge plate.

[@mikemartin6554]

thanks Dan for an awesome video! A dream come true for you,I'm sure!

[@Snowy0123]

great info. not letting your strings file the nut slots while changing strings is something I never did but will start ,especially with a bone nut. .thanks

[@tweedguitar9103]

Great video Stewmac, very worthwhile. thankyou.

[@sakitakungtyan]

Joe and Mike just met THE master.

[@jteguitarworks4269]

I really like Joe cause he has respect for those who came before him, his work ethic is outstanding and his talent is unmatched. As for his road crew they need to develop some respect for those who came before them, eg. Dan Erlewine one of, if not thee, finest luthier alive. (They seem to be a bunch of vintage snobs and they probably don't know who Dan is....) Anyway, some really useful info. on the video. Thanks Dan, your number one in my book.

[@TheDemonDeuce]

For those looking for the string winding method, it starts at 3:23.

[@charlieisamonster]

Great video. Thanks for up loading it. Very interesting.

[@blowera1]

Loving the videos on this channel. Just wishing there were more as I've just about watched them all now lol :)

[@WindOfTheWisp_Janine]

Great video - thanks so much for posting this! Yes, agree with others...interesting to see someone mention why it is not a good idea to loosen the truss rod any more than absolutely necessary. You hear all the time that you should never adjust the truss rod solely for the purpose of adjusting the action - everyone should know that is a big no-no - but you rarely hear anyone go into detail as to why. It is my understanding that he neck should (ideally) be kept as straight as possible - increasing the relief (bow in the neck) too much raises the action (affecting playability) & messes with the intonation - the truss rod should be loosened (to increase bow/relief) only enough to prevent buzzing. I also agree with others, though, that this is the first time I have ever heard anyone say that it causes you to lose tone, jams the sound, & gives the guitar a "rubbery" sound! I'm wondering if this is more noticeable on electrics that acoustics - I play (& set up) mostly acoustics. To complicate things, though, I have also heard that, even if there is no buzzing, too little relief can affect tone! I guess it depends on the guitar & one just has to experiment - guitar adjustment is science & art with a zillion variables! (I've been setting up guitars for many eons, but I still learn something new almost every day!)

[@dmedicFF]

My apologies for the late reply.....I have great respect for Dan Erlewine but I disagree with him here. I think the neck adjustment makes or breaks your setup, and- I think the gauge of string you use is a big factor in how you set your truss rod. I play mostly Les Pauls, with top wrapped 9-42 strings. With that size of string, and the neck with minimal bow, my guitar sounds like crap, and the playability is affected. The 9 gauge strings on a guitar with a 24 3/4 scale, just do not pull the neck forward enough to require tightening the rod. Loosen the truss rod- and it all falls in place for me. I dont even measure it with feeler gauges etc....I just know where I want it to be. On some of my guitars theres not even any tension in the neck and the truss rod nut is even loose.....some guitar techs would gasp at that....but they have been that way for many many years and they are just fine. Tone is so subjective- my necks have a curve like a hockey stick in comparison to others, but theres no rubbery tone there. Billy Gibbons plays with strings as small as 7 gauge, with alot of relief, and is there something wrong with his tone?

[@onpsxmember]

Billy Gibbons with all his gear is not exactly a good example to make your point. A loose screw of the trussrod could bring in sounds of it's own when you play certain frequencies and it starts to vibrate. If you setup a lot of Les Pauls, measure the scale length and write it down. They are often not the specific scale length that they're supposed to have. It's not all just numbers but if you got what you like by your experience, check with a gauge and have the numbers that often work. That way, you controlled your work on consistancy and you can share the numbers to give others an idea what kind of setup you like and how it might feel if they use it as a starting point to change to their personal preference.

[@mmarshall7701]

They were specifically referring to “old Gibsons” - meaning in particular 50’s and very early 60’s examples and in fact even earlier if talking about Gibson acoustics - which are well known to have had very ‘straight necks’ which they mention. These old Gibsons were obviously made in a completely different era when availability of very high quality materials was not limited in the way it is today, and when craftsmanship of the highest order was still more the norm than the exception in the instrument making industry. Fender played his part in changing this with his bolt on necks and mass production factories, although of course even Fenders started out with a much higher quality factor/ethic than they eventually became... It really was a ‘different world’ 60 years ago kids!

[@leftyfusion88]

I need to learn this string changing thing he does. Wow! I do way too much work!

[@davidletterboyz]

A straightforward tip. Good video!

[@MrJoeyBoombotz]

What an awesome video.

[@kylebrown1975]

Dan is my favorite I love his videos

[@samohtdivad]

great interview..dan

[@aeugmk2]

Thanks for this awesome video, very informative, more please!

[@stevestarr6395]

To me the greatest way of putting the strings on with no slip!

[@boatingforbeginners7949]

WoW !! Fab stuff guys , thanks for sharing

[@sheptoneguitarpickups]

That had to of been a great time and show

[@lukefisher7176]

Very interesting guests!

[@LoungeOfSound]

Informative, practical, and smart!

[@mikejones-vd3fg]

lol good tip about the string cutting, ive actually did that, cutting a string i just put on while snipping off the excess

[@davedextermusic7129]

Huh. All this time, when I read that Joe liked a high action, I thought it was stupid-high. Turns out it's just high relative to what you COULD achieve with such fine guitars and, not that it's in any way a measure of my ability, mine are either the same or higher. I switched to heavier strings and higher actions partially thanks to Joe's example making anything less feel like cheating (don't shout - it's only my opinion), and turns out I've overcompensated. Should probably stress that I also did it because it felt and sounded better to me, not just as a blind emulation of Joe. Thanks Stew, this was a treasure trove of info.

[@alexmontalvo6854]

Thanks for sharing Dan. Every time I watch your videos I learn something new. Good tip on the wrap around strings!. Joe's action is so high, maybe that's where the tone and resonance comes from.

[@silverdragon0000120]

Dan you’re awesome dude! I would definitely buy you a pint.

[@andrewdenine1685]

Thus is the gold stuff the real numbers thank you so much.

[@heyjarrod]

I don’t know, sounds kind of fishy to me! Dan built that guitar in ‘72? What a prodigy, he couldn’t have been more than 10 years old back then. 😝🤘🏻 Love these videos Dan, and Stew Mac!!! 🇺🇸🎸

[@TheDogPa]

Cool to see Garth got a good job!

[@derrickvaughn6411]

Wow!I haven’t seen Mike Hickey since he was playing with Carcass.

[@JeffBarberDigideus]

Is that the Mike Hickey who played in Carcass? so cool!

[@justinoneil6971]

Dan, you are the man!

[@daveshepherd7582]

Guitar tech....wow what a cool job that must be, where do i apply?

[@kadenbohm775]

Dave Shepherd I'm wondering the same

[@brickbreaker8148]

Think so? Talk about pressure...if something isn't right while he's on stage, you're fired.

[@taterlysaladman9377]

Ha! Life with a rock star! Can it get any better? Right. You get to work 24/7 constantly being given gofer jobs or helping move and haul heavy shit. Most of these guys are tough to work for yet if you say anything negative fired. A guitar gets damaged or stolen, fired. Wander off for 15 minutes in Amsterdam when they suddenly need you, fired. And you have to be the electronics expert too you have the entire signal chain to keep going, anything fails you have zero time to fix it, usually in the dark with lousy access to the wiring. And after being moved thousands of miles every day by a bunch of tough guys, all the electronic stuff is getting sketchy. But you can work on that while everyone else is getting drunk.

[@glennwilson19]

you just do it!

[@rumbleish]

so you ignorants are thinking that all he does is putting strings on the guitars? hell no ,I am not a guitar tech nor will I ever want to, Its one of the hardest things. They are basically mobile luthiers, majority of them comes from being luthier, they are able to fix issues in matter of seconds, they wire all the gear with sound guys , they set up amps, they check all the guitars to be perfect condition. I am not mentioning they are always on the road and they are the first ones that arrive to venues and last ones to leave . they are basically backbones of the gigs.

[@Tremonti78]

Very cool Dan. Thanks for sharing! And yes...I'm jealous!

[@Case_]

"Hey Dan, why don't you come to see Joe Bonamassa? We'll get you the VIP treatment and let you in for the soundcheck even!" "Oh, that's great! Let me just get my rulers and my magnifying glasses!" 😂