DEMO: The Eastwood Messenger! Iconic Mark Farner Tones!

[@bresnato2319]

Jesus how did you mix this intro?! This was so fire! The vocals were amazing and sounded perfect in the overall mix. Bravo dude great review too!

[@LucasFowler]

Thanks! I have a little bit of an ear and some experience with recording, but the Waves CLA plugins help A LOT.

[@markglew60]

When I heard the guitar and Farner tone I really freaked out that someone was so interested in GFR and Mark Farner old school GF songs, playing and killer tones and bends that made him so famous. With the Messenger, Wah, fuzz tone etc. I saw Mark perform with this rig, effects, and West Amps multiple times in 1969,'70 and '71. The Wah- Wah was special with some kind of thyristor and was stolen once during a concert, by a young man. Terry asked him to please return it so Mark could finish the show, and he could have it at the end of the gig. Mark could easily drive audiences just wild, crazy, and they would riot on cue. Not bad rioting, but friendly rioting if you can believe it, not destroying anything but just grooving to the music. He could jump more than 6' in the air while playing a song and galloping frontwards and backwards at high speed across the stage. It's a real shame that a lot of the film of these concerts was lost, stolen or hidden from the public. It was, and still is unbelievable. A real testament to the Great Mark Farner and Grand Funk Railroad you have made right here. Thank You so much for this, Lucas.

[@DennisAlvarezMusic]

You sound better than who they're using since they screwed Mark over. Seriously, I enjoyed this video a lot! From one Funker to another. Great video Lucas! :-)

[@jshackelford31]

Heard the name Grand Funk Railroad but never listened to them. After hearing you sing and play the chord riff I had to find that song. Well long story short just brought the Grand Funk album from iTunes. Thanks for giving me another amazing band to listen to.

[@mr.richiej]

Lucas this inspired me to learn more about Mark Farner and he is very interesting .I truly had no idea they were that big with 10million albums sold in the first two years that's amazing and he has been through so much sense . It does show how you could get ripped off if your not careful what you sign as well. To have a collection of songs like that and no control is astounding...

[@Mff48]

pretty bad aint it!!

[@nunyabusiness6691]

@@Mff48 Even worse, Mark said he forgave his former bandmates and is willing to tour with them. Its the other guys who refuse to tour with Mark.

[@davidkastin4240]

Nice guitar. Love the Grand Funk riffs. One of my favorite bands

[@CHIG5748]

That’s a strong vocal there brother. Performed with authority like Farner. Kudos. That guitar gave Farner a unique voice. Nice video!

[@ironeddie3911]

Dude I’m very impressed with the Singing! ☝️👍

[@LucasFowler]

Thanks! You might want to check out my previous band then, I sang 95% of that stuff. intertwyned.bandcamp.com/

[@69zenos1]

get a long hair wig and you could be a Mark Farner tribute guy.

[@tomdrouhard3781]

Thanks so much for another great video! I remember back when I heard " hooked on love ", yeah I'm 63 years old. I was like, Yeaaah!!! I still love playing that song to this day.

[@LucasFowler]

One of my favorite tunes! Its all great, but the original 3 piece stuff is my favorite :)

[@tomdrouhard3781]

@@LucasFowler Right On!

[@danielforrestmusic]

This is what I would like to see a little more of. Voice is butter. Good job

[@mahoganyrush300]

I have one of these with mini engraved Gibson humbuckers from a 71 Les Paul. really awesome

[@tamarabradshaw4799]

I’m not a guitar player but I am a GFR and Mark Farner fan. This helped me appreciate Mark’s riffs and playing even more. Your playing and voice are phenomenal as well. Thanks for the video, I really enjoyed your demo and playing!!!🤘Rock On!!!🎸

[@LucasFowler]

Thank you! I have been a GFR fan since I was very young. My first concert was GFR on the Bosnia tour in 1998. I have a really deep love and appreciation for Mark!

[@briananthony1437]

Hi Tamara ! You sure have Great music taste and appreciation for one of the worlds Best singer, songwriter, guitarist and front man Mark Farner ! What a Talent ! I too am a musician and was greatly influenced by Mark Farners style and passion. If you can please listen to a song called Why on our channel revelation77 why youtube and let me know what you think ? I hope you enjoy our all original rock music ! Thanks ! and Peace Always !

[@paulj0557tonehead]

Best guitar demo I've seen in a long time. I wish KZbin would show you up in my feed more. Great vocals too!

[@kevin6385]

I'm amazed you're playing and singing this. I'm impressed Farner one of my favorites. I would love to get a Messenger guitar. He paid $200 for it in installments

[@northfunker]

Great job Marcus! Incredible singing. One thing that that makes it hard to cover GFR is the vocals, no one sings like Mark Farner. I had my Messenger for more than ten years. Good job on all the GFR covers, you are the only one I have seen that plays that chord correctly in the verse part of Are You Ready.

[@Karl9263]

Great Sounding Messenger. You really have the Mark Farner Riffs Down. Really enjoyed the video and your playing!

[@funkfan1751]

Cool! I finally figured out what you are playing for the Are You Ready Verses. E - C#/A pull-off G note on E-string and E. Makes a whole bunch of sense now!

[@mr.richiej]

Digging the vocal chops dude .

[@LucasFowler]

Thanks!

[@louprancik2917]

@@LucasFowler Been listening to a lot of grand funk lately and this popped up in my feed...goddamn brother, you sing your ass off! Much respect!

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

When I dropped the needle on Live Album back in the '70's my ears popped!!! I love that raw growly tone on Farner's guitar! For whatever reason I'm just now finding out that tons xams from the Messenger!! Outstanding!

[@mattwalker5129]

I used to take No Doz and practice until 3am in my bedroom, with the sound going into my headphones so it wouldn't awaken my parents. 1970... I was 14. I loved Farner.

[@sinsagoodmansbrother]

Awesome! Got This Thing On The Move vocals are killing it!

[@georgewhittaker929]

Awesome .... my favorite band

[@randydavis941]

From one GFR geek to another, you Rock!! Love the Funk

[@LucasFowler]

Woo GFR for life!

[@schreds8882]

Holy cow! You've been holding out on us. Sing more; I love your voice.

[@jeremyledingham1496]

First Rock album I listened to as a kid an instantly wanted to start playing guitar and here I am 22 years old and I still love Grand Funk. Great video man I really enjoyed it!

[@MrRockinguitar]

Incredible job Lucas !!!!!!! l

[@wheezyjefferson9136]

Great vocals! Love that guitar too, my favorite color.

[@kidguzzi_chrisgalardi]

I can't watch this video enough times. Fantastic! Thanks for throwing some Winter and My Soul into the mix. One of my favorite GFR buried treasures!

[@vernontweed9669]

WOW ! Lucas, Great vocals & mad guitar skills !! ROCK ON !!

[@chiefkirk]

Awesome job brother. Grand Funk is my all time favorite group. Met Mark once. He's an incredibly nice guy. I covered several of his tunes with my band.

[@briananthony1437]

Hi Chiefkirk ! Right on ! One my my all time favorite bands also ! Especially Mark Farner for his singing playing and great songwriting ! What songs did you play by them? I also am a musician creating all original music with my wife Karin. I hope you can take a few moments and listen to our music on revelation77 why you tube See if you can hear and see the influences ? Hope you enjoy some new music, there is also a great song on our channel called Does it Really Matter you can find it revelation77 does it really matter youtube Feel free to let me know what you think, you opinion would mean alot to me coming from someone who has Great taste in music ! Thanks so much ! Peace Always ! Brian

[@charleshaman1782]

nice guitar ... sweet demo!

[@toddflowers8052]

Mark Farner, click thumbs up ! Dude that was awesome ! Please do more GFRR stuff !

[@Burgerqueen_5223]

Sweet production man.

[@LucasFowler]

I appreciate it. This one took a little extra work for sure :P

[@vernontweed9669]

WOW !! You have a GREAT VOICE, Excellent guitar and bass playing skills. Your voice blew me away. ROCK ON !! Vernon Tweed - Delaware

[@LucasFowler]

Thank you, that makes me feel good :)

[@acebailey60]

Winter and My Soul is an obscure song. I love it. What is the price on those guitars?

[@jeffgraham9089]

Great Vocals and playing!!

[@58MrMike]

Interesting to hear all those old tones that i grew up with. Well done!

[@glenrappold5393]

Awesome vocals, brother- nailed it!

[@Whitevaliantwarrior]

🗣Excellent vocals & riffs 🔊🎵.

[@dennisholiday1868]

He should have done High On A Horse. When I first heard that song I was hooked on to Grand Funk Railroad.

[@LucasFowler]

That's a great track too. I'm sort of partial to "Anybody's Answer"

[@RickLaForce]

Great singing on this. You've got a real Kelly Hanson circa Hurricane thing going on. Very cool.

[@Casey_J96]

Great job on the intro! That’s a cool guitar and the fuzz tone sounded awesome!

[@LucasFowler]

Thanks dude :)

[@JLSGuitars]

You are a great singer and rocker!!!

[@leonardsmith2170]

Wow, dude. This is the first time that I've heard you play, and I have goosebumps. I was alive when this album came out and you have captured the GF sound. Great job. I'm subscribing.

[@kylemoran4343]

Such a cool guitar. Nice vocals too. With this guitar, you don't have to load it full of foam, and tape the sound-holes up like Mark did. Even though he did paint it kind a Frankensteinish, it looked Rock'n Roll... And they could tear it up back then !

[@funkfan1751]

Luv this stuff!! GFR has been my fav band since '69 and I too bought a Messenger from Eastwood. Seems like a really great guitar. I don't suppose you have time to work in some GFR lessons for me? No really I am serious. Let me know! I will pay too!

[@glenkepic3208]

First off, Kick ASS intro ! Hell, whole demo rules !! Me, GFR fan since '71. saw a Messenger once, fabled Starving Musician, circa '99. $600. I stared at it then gave it a strum. Never plugged it in....knocked out to just see it ! Eastwood got a great review in Guitar Shop years ago.

[@rockerz57]

Got This Thing On The Move...man you killed it! Great job.

[@TheHacksawhixx]

I just bought one of these. My jaw hit the floor when I found one in lefty.. Your playing is great. You should be doing instructional videos for Grand Funk songs, especially Upsetter.

[@LucasFowler]

Thank you :) I'm working on the teaching thing, teaching guitar is a different skill than playing guitar and I'm still new to that :P

[@arthurbrody6047]

@@LucasFowler I would love for you to do instructional videos! You really impressed me on how well you recreated Mark Farner's sound, He inspired me to start playing back in 71 but as much as I tried to emulate Farner's style, I could never capture it. I just started playing again on my Telecaster Deluxe and if you posted some songs, the Grand Funk universe will love you for it! Great job Lucas!

[@webman1956]

It`s cool to see Marks music live on although he still plays a mean guitar in his 70`s as I just saw him in Tyler Texas. Nice video!

[@DonThorvund]

Great job and great work on the vocals as well!

[@brucelittle3958]

Nice demo! Thanks!

[@gerryloughran1676]

great intro ...they do really cool guitars, was going to buy 'Classic AC' as take on the Malcolm Young !

[@jakdrpr2106]

Wow this brings some memories on. Always wondered about that guitar since back in the day it was a subject of controversy.

[@Finnegan6674]

Mark stuffed his Messenger with foam and taped over the F holes to stop the squeal. and I think he also had the volume control bypassed so it was always wide open. But the Eastwood sounds real good.

[@PorchBass]

Great to hear you sing! Good work

[@Trial212]

Excellent review!! I just picked up a Micro Frets Spacetone. Mark spent some time playing one of those. Part of the reason I bought it, but mainly because it's an excellent guitar!!

[@shaunw9270]

Ace demo of an unusual guitar and great playing (and singing). Funny I never got into GFR and it's years since I listened to anything of theirs . Might have to go back and have another listen 😉👍

[@dcabinet]

Vocals ROCKED!

[@DanTaylorSr]

Very nice. I own the axe and am very happy with it.

[@simonverkerk8392]

Crazy Good voice Dude!!!

[@timmyv694]

Killer vocals dude! ! I’ve never heard you sing before . I’m in shock 😳

[@LucasFowler]

Hey if you dig that you might like this: intertwyned.bandcamp.com/ Two whole albums worth of me singing(albeit heavier stuff than this)

[@poodlenme]

Dang Lucas! You can sing!

[@LucasFowler]

Thanks!

[@rharan1]

Sounding good!

[@scottroberts3801]

Killer intro ! Cool guitar. I really dig that green. I would've liked you to show a little of how the neck joint is though. I'm always interested in how different style guitars like that one are constructed, otherwise great demo and video.

[@georgelackey622]

Killer job man!

[@LucasFowler]

Thanks!

[@briananthony1437]

Hi Lucas ! Thanks for the great video , I can tell you are real passionate about Mark Farners gifted songwriting and singing and guitar style ! You did a wonderful rendition of the songs ( Great vocals too! Can you do a video on the Micro frets Signature Guitar ( Mark played one quite often ) I bought a used one and it is a fantastic guitar , I think you would love it. ! You can see me play it on revelation77 why you tube and also on a song called Dominoes are Falling. Hope you enjoy the original songs and the Great Guitar ! Thanks and Peace Always !

[@backlom]

Yeah! Exercise those pipes! Great singing great song. Great review!

[@joecader]

Getcha a Keeley fuzz head. That's what Mark says he uses. IT's a fuzz, it's a distortion, it's magic!

[@SonyaSwann-xm9xd]

Beautiful you Sir are an awesome superbly talented Dude .✝️🧂🧂🪖🇺🇸

[@mysterj1]

Wow...I admit I'm the Mel Schacher version of GFR fan (been playing bass since I heard the Live Album)...you really nail the tone and feel! Are You Ready AND Sin's A Good Man's Brother...wow! You are LEGIT!

[@zone47]

Awesome do0d! YOu nailed a lot of that tone and playing!

[@blitzfishes]

Wow that cover was amazing

[@drewbaisden3475]

Saw GF in the early 70's and Mark with his Messenger. I remember thinking what is that guitar, back then it was hard to find out stuff. He got some of the grittiest sounds out of that thing. GF were so big back then.

[@easyriderm13]

Alright man! Power to the People! Hahah! I’m a guitar player, and a solid Grand Funk Railroad freak, but I tell you, I’d pick up the bass behind you! Great playing

[@saxonsteve]

Really digging All The GFR Songs! Ever consider starting your channel teaching GFR songs! You would be AWESOME!!!

[@DavidS19551]

Thought I was hereing Marc for a moment ..good job

[@UriahRoxx]

Awesome! Killer vocals too!

[@Mff48]

omg this is great!!!this guitar sound is sooo iconic! from one funk fan to another....has mark seen this i wonder??? have thought about giving those guys that masquerade as Gfr a few tips??? youre awesome!!!!!

[@LucasFowler]

I *think* maybe he saw it. I did get to interview him on the channel which was a highlight of my life!

[@Mff48]

@@LucasFowler oh i hope he did,must have felt great seeing you playin those riffs and that gorgeous shiny messenger!!! Think he knew they were going to start re making it,wasnt that when he discovered Don had taken his baby from the HOF museum??

[@briananthony1437]

Great songs and very professional video production ! It sure would be nice to find an original with tha aluminum neck ! Do you remember Mark also played a Chrome Veleno guitar, made in St. Petersburg Florida ( A cool looking guitar all chrome with a aluminum neck and red ruby in the headstock.I believe it had Gibson humbucking pick ups. See what you think, you will find it's history very interesting ! Keep On !

[@DragonofLimerick]

pretty awesome singing and playing dude

[@aleixlozzano]

GIVE THIS MAN A BEER, DAMN HE CAN SING!!!

[@lavendarguitar5517]

Damn kid, you can sing.... WOW!!!!

[@Krispy1011]

Man that was good - WOW

[@Anti_potaxies3000]

Great!!!!!! Congrats

[@northfunker]

I mean Lucas! Like the Farner tshirt on the wall.

[@LucasFowler]

Mark autographed it for me in 2005, its a cherished piece of memorabilia!

[@johneasler9967]

Great, thanks

[@anthonylaporta1986]

awesome

[@saddle8bag]

You have 8 silly/fun vids and then just bring one out of left field that just blows me away. Great job singing! I didn't see that coming.

[@mattstandardthree3660]

Great stuff Lucas , I have been a great fan of the original Grand funk for many years, how about doing some of Marks tones from his amp stuff and a few lessons on their early stuff once again great stuff Cheers from bonnie Scotland

[@davidzornes6863]

GREAT !!!!!!!

[@ffieditor]

that why Mark stuff the body with foam and tape over the holes to keep the vib down. Mark had his peddle setup to control every thing he want. Actual west has start build new one, mark talk about this in interview not to long ago. I can't tell you how long it been since I have heard a GOOD cover of Mark's work!

[@RedBaronBandChannel]

Cool, we love GFR!!!

[@saxonsteve]

Great Video and Playing! Can you give a run down of what kind of amp you're running though and are what kind of effects are using! I am a huge fan of GFR!!!

[@shilohstore6086]

Lucast a spell with your guitar!

[@LucasFowler]

I see whatcha did there :)

[@that_thing_I_do]

You're good kid!

[@jaelge]

Fawk, dude, you've got a hell of a nice vocal range.

[@LucasFowler]

Thanks, I appreciate the compliment :)

[@YooTooobJeff]

That fuzz 9:05 is right in there

[@Burgerqueen_5223]

Note squad.

[@rolandgonzales5260]

If you want a closer Messenger tone, I'd suggest putting some DeArmond style pick-ups on it. Check out Guy Lee here on YT. He installed FrankenTone lil Chester DeArmond style pups on his and it sounds much closer to Farner's single coil tone. Those mini humbuckers just don't quite cut it compared to a real Messenger. I realize it's a tribute guitar, but since I have a real Musicraft Messenger, it is hard to emulate from a copy or tribute type guitar. Thanks for the demo.

[@LucasFowler]

Also the wooden neck and more traditional bridge, I don't think it will ever "clang" like the real deal. But I have thought about the DeArmond type thing, if I could find something that would fit without having to do too much to the guitar.