Why I Use a Telecaster Guitar - James Burton

In this video James Burton answers the question: "Why a Telecaster guitar?". He has played with Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley, John Denver, Merle Haggard, Gram Parsons, Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris.
James goes into great detail about his preferred guitar as well as the setup and amps that he uses.
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[@shanewalton8888]

My father died last spring and when I went to clean out his apartment, it was filled to the brim with Teles. Glad to see how much joy that guitar brought to him over a half century.

[@stevestringer7351]

Wow. I am so sorry for your loss. What Re you doing with the telecasters?

[@shanewalton8888]

@@stevestringer7351 I play left handed, and I live in Japan while my father was in Canada, so I had no choice but to sell off all but one of the guitars. The one I spared I carried back to Japan and gave to my 13 year old daughter who plays guitar. My father and daughter used to play the guitar back and forth to each other over the phone, so I am sure he would have wanted her to have it.

[@williamkelley75]

No one gets the sound you do on your Tele. I have my share of teles, no guitar can beat the Tele for stage work. You’re my favorite.

[@robinrockstheworld1962]

James was the guy that got me "Tele hooked" in the first place and he still inspires me today. I still play a pink paisley Tele although l do my own thing with it, but James planted the seed in my heart that grew into what l do today. Cherish the fond memories!

[@geraldrustick7966]

So sorry to hear about your dad he didn’t happen to mention that I was a good friend and he wanted me to have one of his teles

[@jerrydoyle4627]

I know James Burton. He came into a car dealership where I sold cars in Shreveport, La. He and I sat in my office a couple of times. We talked about Elvis. Super nice man. I'll never forget that experience.

[@KaninTuzi]

One guitar, no pedals - just tweaking the guitar and amp. Boss

[@ValleyForge-dk6mf]

Less is more.

[@surfrby8876]

Agree with you guys,I’ve gotten away from pedals maybe a little overdrive once in a while just for fun and certain songs

[@jasonthunders78]

Like Angus and Malcolm from AC DC,...just worked off the amps,.

[@fastteddyb]

exactly

[@guitarman6742]

Why distort the beautiful sound of a Telecaster?

[@AlJohnsGuitar]

Only 1 guitar. That is amazing...lol. kinda proves how well Leo Fender and company did in designing that bad boy.

[@thomaspick4123]

Al JOHNS Leo did not like Hendrix burning one of his creations at Monterey. I don’t blame Leo. It was a childish thing to do. Who a person crush a Stradivarius violin?

[@TomCPlus1]

Interesting. Millions of Strats produced (before 1967, and since) . . . and what was burning was lighter fluid, not the guitar. Sure could use a new paint job, but the instrument didn't die. So . . . not a Stradivarius-scale incident.

[@Sonic_Ox]

Hello Thomas, I agree it wasn't a Stradivarius scale incident but being a guitar lover, I also hate to see musicians destroy their instruments. Pete Townsend destroyed some beautiful guitars, amps and other gear. I get it, it's part of their artistic expression and all that... it's just a sad thing for me to see an instrument die lol.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

Yes Sir......I LOVE a good Tele. The old, original Les Paul's actually have a thinner tone, much like a Tele. Many popular guitarists dubbed the old original Les Pauls as "a Tele with just a bit more growl". The newer Les Pauls sound nothing like the old, originals. I actually prefer the Tele over a Strat. Of course that's if I could only choose 1. But we all know they each have their own qualities and draw backs. Tools in a toolbox for special needs.

[@theWARMJET]

@@thomaspick4123 rock and roll

[@GetawaysandGuitars]

The original guitar hero! Back in the day he inspired all the greats. Elvis was the rock vocalist that inspired generations, James and Scotty Moore were the guitar gods before Hendrix, Clapton, Beck and Page ;0)

[@kevdean9967]

Don't forget to mention Cliff Gallup if you're bringing Jeff Beck into the equation. Gallup was huge with the British guys. I think half the material that British invasion bands used came from Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley! They both deserve mention.

[@BrentMFisher]

Don't forget Dickey Betts lead guitar player for Allman Brothers. Do I need to mention Don Felder? Kimie Girl :)

[@drs401960]

I knew James Burton personally, and his family! He is one of the nicest, sweetest men that ever lived! I'm very happy to hear that he was inducted to the Musian's Hall of Fame! He deserves it! He is/was one of the finest guitar players ever!! Kudos James!

[@jpavlvs]

He looks great at 80. Plays even better.

[@jbfonfrias9133]

I'm 68 & grew up watching & listening to Burton on those memorable Ozzie & Harriet episodes when I was a kid. Obviously, I was (& still am) a huge fan of Ricky Nelson (who inspired me to ask my parents back then for a guitar) & loved all his songs, but as I got older, understood & appreciated what a phenomenal guitarist James was - & is. The way he not only sparkled throughout all the songs, it was his way of sprinkling & bending those beautiful twinkles within his great groove & amazing solos. It all stands up today so many decades later. Long live James Burton. Great interview !

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you...... Best, Joe

[@kennethhiggs3877]

James is my inspiration..he brings his original style to make any piece of music sound just great

[@50gary]

Cool guy, legend. The Telecaster is IMO the true electric guitar.

[@sirbaronvoncount4147]

Agreed. It has no rival

[@Fandao19]

Wade Wilson except for the mighty LES PAUL

[@kevinblackburn3198]

@@Fandao19 great guitar by if I had to live on Mars and could take only one guitar it will be a Telecaster.

[@sugarlife485]

L E G E N D Ive been around a long time Heard em all live...It doesnt get any better then James Burton.

[@seanatteberry3686]

Great interview. I ran I to James Burton at a hotel in Memphis once. What a great guy. Talked for about 20 minutes before he had to leave.

[@seanatteberry3686]

@@ebsenraptzski9522, someone else said they met him. You didn't leave a rude comment to him.

[@jimilee4609]

James Is The Telecaster Master ! Totally Untouchable 👍

[@tonymarinelli7304]

Love the stories about Merle, Glen and Chet Atkins.

[@LAboomR]

It such a groovy thing when you hear about parents that start a musician on their personal journey and it became a successful career for them. As a parent, I can't imagine a more beautiful thing than to help your child achieve what they were truly put on the earth to do.

[@scottstrand1874]

Keith Richards said he bought Rick Nelson records to hear James on guitar.

[@fredfox3851]

It's not the arrow but the Indian that wields it. Thanks for another great interview Joe!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Fred........ Joe

[@TheGuitologist]

One of the big boys.

[@JonRaffety]

There's just something about a tele!

[@anthonyc1883]

Love the reference at 7:40 when James opens the guitar case at the Fender factory in 1969 and sees the paisley Tele for the first time, saying "No, no, not for me, maybe Van Halen." Meanwhile, elsewhere in Southern California, the 14-year -old Edward Van Halen must've said "'Excuse me, someone mention my name?"

[@justinmilam6899]

Such a good humble man! Love him and his family!

[@SolarReturn1966]

Legendary...James Burton...just LEGENDARY!!! I had two people I wished I could meet since I was a little kid... Never in my life could I have imagined that someday I would get to finally meet these two legends... One of them was Scotty Moore and the other was the MASTER of the Telecaster Mr. James Burton!!! It was so surreal!!! Both very humble and down to earth. Two of the greatest person's I have ever met! Thank you for this interview sir! I can see how much admiration you have for James in this interview as well! Best regards!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Solar... yes James is a close friend. Just like you said... a great guy. Period. Scotty too. If you haven’t seen the interview I did with Scotty it was one of my very first(we call Vault Series)interviews that I did a couple of years before the museum opened. I knew Scotty before I met James actually. Both were/are just good guys. Thanks for watching....Joe

[@SolarReturn1966]

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Thank YOU my friend! I appreciate the reply and I sincerely appreciate everything your doing!!! I really enjoy your channel. This here is really priceless!!! I'm looking forward to the day I can come to Nashville and tour your Musicians Hall Of Fame And Museum. Hopefully this Covid thing goes away soon so Life can get back to normal, whatever that was...🤔😀 Take care of yourself my friend, we need you!

[@larydixon4824]

Oh Yeah ! Joe you have done it again.. This was Great ! All of the information from the world's best players is more important than anything you can Ever find in a book.. There is no greater teacher than a lifetime of experience.. Thanks again my friend.. Lary

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

You’re welcome Lary... thanks again for your support!!!! Joe

[@larydixon4824]

Thanks Joe for your kind reply... It it must be very rewarding to see all these Great comments... Lary

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

When young players see me plug an old Fender straight into a good amp they always ask, "Where are your tone pedals?" I tell 'em, " My hands are my pedals." Burton touches on this about @10:55 and beyond. It's a difficult thing to explain because it is something that only comes from years of experience. You just "do it" so to those who can't yet even grasp the concept it's an imperceptible puzzle. It's old school.

[@AllTheCoolNamesAreTaken84]

Bassmangotdbluz Ok, but how do you switch from a clean to an overdriven or distorted tone without taking your hands off the guitar? That’s the purpose of them to me and they serve his purpose well, but some people do depend on them too much for their sound. If you just play clean all the time, than obviously it’s not necessary for you to use them.

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

@@AllTheCoolNamesAreTaken84How would I? I probably wouldn't. I'd setup the amp for the tune and a 5 way switch on a Fender guitar along with the tone circuit can offer numerous sound combinations. All that aside, I think you missed my point. What I was discussing is more about attack, growl, sustain, pitch control etc. as they pertain to both right and left hand techniques which become almost instinctual in time. I don't mean as simply as finger style, picked, slapped or finger tapped.

[@MrHallyLou]

Selfdefence

[@JMac.]

Ryan Haydon to switch from clean to distortion without taking your hands off the guitar and using pedals... you crank an amp until it distorts... then roll back your guitar volume, that cleans up nicely then when you want to dirty it up you crank up the guitar volume and let it howl.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

@@AllTheCoolNamesAreTaken84 Not trying to be a smart ass, but It's called a volume knob. You set your amp up as hot as ya want it to be, for certain songs, then ya simply back off the volume knob of your guitar to varying degrees for most everything else.......and when you're ready for more bite/growl/sustain, ya simply crank up your volume knob on the guitar. This is how all the greats have been doing it for decades.......and STILL do to this day. As guitarists mature musically, most will come to realize this, and watch how fast they start getting rid of pedals. Hell, it took me years to realize that the quality of tone comes mostly from THE GUITAR.......and less so for the amp. Of course a sweet tube amp helps, but make no mistake, THE GUITAR ITSELF is where it's at, for sheer tonal quality........and no 2 are exactly alike, even if they are identical models from the same year. The tone of the guitar tends to get buried via a bunch of pedals & distortion. Ever see a woman who is naturally drop-dead beautiful, yet she plasters on far too much makeup? You get the idea..........Me: lifelong guitarist/blues harp/singer/stage performer of many years.

[@John-vk4gs]

James Burton is an absolute living legend !!!!!!!!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching John.... vote for us as best music museum in the USA Today poll everyday until February 17th... best.,..... Joe

[@2011littlejohn1]

There is a story about the first Stratocaster in the U.K. being bought by Cliff Richard and used by Hank Marvin the U.K.'s original guitar hero. At the time there were no Fender guitars in the U.K. but they knew that James Burton played a Fender so they sent off for the catalogue. They saw the most expensive model - a red gold plated Stratocaster and thought that that must be the one Burton would play. They sent off for it and became very successful having an authentic U.S. rock sound and thus a generation of British guitar players all wanted a Stratocaster. Then they found out he played a Telecaster. :)

[@anthonyhuffman7306]

All the wonderful things ever said about James are absolutely true.

[@tunesmith7437]

My first electric guitar (back in 1968) was a rose boarded Tele. I have since come to prefer the maple neck model. To me, a Tele is the shortest distance between two points: The electricity that causes the sound in the first place and the electricity of your soul that feeds it.

[@TheOrdonje]

I'll never forget James onstage with Roy Orbison On "Black and White night"..during "Pretty Woman" he's trading licks with Bruce Springsteen and absolutely destroys him! Bruce is a songwriting a rock and roll legend, but that night Bruce brought a knife to a gun fight!.

[@DannyLee-bx1tp]

Springsteen's name does not even belong in a sentence with James Burton when it comes to playing a gutair musicianship and class.

[@sirbaronvoncount4147]

Great job Joe. Guitar players want to talk about guitar. I like the questions about settings and amp choices. Great series

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Wade.... Best, Joe

[@LIGHTintheHALLS]

Great questions, Joe! I always wondered about those. You ask great questions because you’re a musician and a fan. Right on!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Stirk.....thank you.... actually I tell people I thought I was a musician until I moved to Nashville:) Thanks was the kind words and supporting our channel.... Best, Joe

[@ericheine2414]

I use a Telecaster because it is like a framing hammer. The guitar is very stable. The action can be almost buttery. The tone stands up above the mid-range. It's lighter than a Les Paul. The body has angles on it that lock into your own body. The Stratocasters is very slippery. A slippery guitar makes it harder to control bends. I got my first Telecaster for my 17th birthday, 1976. still have it. It was my 17th electric guitar. I cut my teeth on it. More importantly I was bitten by a Telecaster at a very young age. That'll leave a mark on you. "Iron American Dream" on KZbin I wrote lyrics for Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt. I was a big fan of Waylon Jennings. Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt are not nice people. They are not trustworthy. They take your lyrics smile and shake your hand, all well looking you straight in the eye, the promise to pay depending on how good they are, then they welch on their agreements. Put their names on the songs and claim to have written the lyrics themselves. I do like Waylon Jennings though. He was a great man and a great songwriter. Waylon Jennings was an honest man. Thank you Mr. Jennings.

[@guitarman6742]

I met and talked with James Burton at NAMM in Los Angeles. I give him one of my cd's. He smiled when he looked at the back...and there was a Tele with the American flag as the pick guard.

[@JackKincaid..]

You can watch old footage when James was with Elvis. He was at the top of his game. Elvis knew what he had with James in the band. An absolute monster player on that Telecaster!!

[@kennethcurtis1856]

Can one imagine JB and Glen Campbell in the TCB band? Had Elvis gotten his way, it would have happened, but Campbell had other plans.

[@davehollamon1985]

James You Are The Man!!

[@donwoodswirral]

I had the pleasure and privilege of sharing the stage with this great man on several occasions....singing Ricky Nelson hits with the JB backing...a lovely man and total legend and proud to regard him as a friend.

[@2000konnie]

Great interview. One of the highlights is how Elvis and Merle Haggard were interested in his guitars.

[@Rushscored4]

Tele will cut through anythin , fell in love with teles when i got my fIrst one at 15 , still my faves today at 58. Long live the Telecaster ❤

[@roywalker677]

First of all he is A REAL Christian who practces what he preaches.Second,in my opinion hes on of the three best guitarist EVER ! Very humble and nice man.Rock on brother!

[@tonymarinelli7304]

There is no doubt, the telecaster guitar is Leo fenders masterpiece. The Tele is my go to and desert island guitar. James Burton wouldn’t have had any influence on me wanting to play a Tele LOL yeah right watching the Aloha from Hawaii concert when I was a little kid did it for me. James Burton, Eddie Van Halen, Neil Schon and Steve Lukather are my biggest influences and guitar

[@anoldmannameddave7455]

James’s Tele on Black and White Night, was SO awesome. Him and Bruce, trading licks, Still gets all over me. 😊

[@davehopping7212]

James was very kind to Bruce in that segment!

[@seankearney5469]

Wow that was so great!!!!!!

[@jysmtl]

James was great, as always. Bruce is good, but next to James he really couldn’t keep up.

[@kennethcurtis1856]

@@davehopping7212 JB made Bruce look like a school kid playing guitar on the sandlot. He is so smooth.

[@davehopping7212]

@@kennethcurtis1856 You're SO right!

[@63mckenzie]

Telecasters are the most versatile of all the guitars. You can do anything with them, country, blues, rock, soul,metal. Love them.

[@ramboweed5169]

Humble guy....for a guitar god. Thanks Joe for these intimate conversations

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you Rambo.... Joe

[@fasteddie8782]

Who CAN PLAY LIKE HIM....NOFUCKINBODY

[@yamakawa511]

There's only one JB.

[@Roarwhy0710]

Sadly Seymour Duncan refers to JB as jeff beck

[@pilartena4648]

Gran guitarrista James Burton. Admiro su trabajo🎸

[@Sonic_Ox]

American standard Telecaster was my first guitar and is still my favorite. Man I wish I could make it sound like JB. Thanks for the interview and video. It's great to hear these legends tell their stories.

[@tomjones239]

I met James years ago in Shreveport. I bought a small PA system and a ton of music gear from him like cables and microphones and even a primitive drum machine. He gave me a great deal and threw in an old mic stand that Elvis had used on stage (according to him). The chrome on the mic stand was rusted from the sweat on Elvis` hand. I used that stand for over 20 years. One night the base broke and someone threw it away without asking me.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Great story... thanks for sharing... Joe

[@tomjones239]

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Thank you Joe for all these great interviews! This is one of my favorite channels.

[@lisag18]

Oh, my, gosh. Threw it away?! I'd cry

[@jerrydoyle4627]

I worked at a car dealership selling cars in Shreveport, La. You got to agree, super nice man. We sat in my office and talked about Elvis. I will never forget the experience !

[@wesleyplass2324]

And on the 7th day - he didn’t rest - no! he grabbed his guitar and started to play... thank you James that you gave me the chance working with you and and the TCB’s feat. Ronnie Tutt, Jerry Scheff and Glen D. Hardin back in 2009 in Nashville

[@howabouthetruth2157]

Mr. Burton is absolutely correct, and I know from decades of playing & performing myself: A satin neck is indeed, the fastest neck you can get. Even though it seems as if the "glassy smooth" finish on necks with poly, would be better, the fact of the matter is, during a performance, that glassy finish actually gets gummed up and will "grab" the palm of your hand. Ya find yourself having to constantly wipe & clean the neck off DURING your gig. A satin neck stays incredibly smooth & consistent as can be....... throughout hours of playing. It just doesn't gum up, and NO NEED to apply anything such as powder, sprays, or wax.....EVER. Of course you clean it periodically, but that's simply "general maintenance". He's also right about how sweat actually causes the satin neck to become even faster, even though it's smooth & fast to begin with. When I discovered this first-hand decades ago, I started choosing only guitars......including acoustics, with satin necks. Never went back.......other than nice guitars I already owned that had glossy finished necks. Had to keep them for the sweet tone they produced, but I did come to realize that the glossy finish all around is inferior to satin, pure & simple.

[@JohnnyRebKy]

The telecaster does it ALL. It can thump Johnny cash, cry Hank Williams, scream AC/DC, and rock Hendricks 👍🏻😎.

[@tjyoung8069]

Great interview, Joe.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks TJ..... Joe

[@MrConan89]

Since closing out my band days I mostly play an acoustic Taylor. When fronting my band I didn't play much lead stuff. I tried a Les Paul a few times but I was exhausted with the weight of it at the end of a three hour gig. The problem for me with the Stratocaster was that the volume knob was always too close to my right hand. Thus the telecaster,

[@TheVINMAN531]

It's strange that he said that his first guitar was a tele when if you see old videos of him playing with Rick,he's playing a Jaguar.

[@iancunningham5576]

I play a tele exclusively. James Burton was my earliest tele picker influence. Immeasurably grateful.

[@mandojoe1391]

this man is a legend. a true innovator not unlike edison. cheers to this video!

[@user-dr8ug3gs3c]

What's not to love about this guy? He is such a humble ,down to earth GOD fearing man that has been blessed with amazing talent. I have heard many stories from family in the Shreveport area that attest just how generous this man is with not just his money but with his time. and how wonderful and kindhearted his wife is also. James Burton is Truly the Master of the Telecaster. Great Interview.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Joel.... Joe

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Legend. Just a legend.

[@seankearney5469]

Great interview, didn't james burton blaze the path on light gauge strings???

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Yes Sean... he did. Use to use banjo strings. Thanks for watching and your comments!!!! Joe

[@keithgrimes9622]

When Fender first came out with their light gauge "Rock and Roll" string sets, which I think was in 1963, their gauges were, as I recall, very similar to the light string sets James put together by mixing gauges, before Fender offered a standardized set of that type. I think he was having to use a banjo string for the high E before!

[@braderrick]

Not sure why he chose his signature tele to be more like a strat than a tele though.

[@deboisblanc]

I saw the paisley guitar or replica at The Hard Rock that used to be in La Jolla about 20 years ago. Aloha From Hawaii, iconic.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

James still has his original. Thanks.... Joe

[@vasiliosagio3127]

Everyone says Hendrix and Blackmore , Clapton and Paige but to me James gave me greater joy with his playing especially with the elvis live recordings - what a legend

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Agio......Joe

[@flintdavis2]

I met Jim in Hawaii a few years back. Still have the signature guitar pick.

[@ValleyForge-dk6mf]

Don't forget Don Rich, when you mention Buck Owens.

[@gregorystojkov2632]

Totally agree...one of the best.

[@colico14]

Much respect!

[@dalelayton282]

The ending song sound like George Harrison.

[@paulspears715]

I thought so also

[@axeist92126]

Teles play FAST. I've had my American Series since 2001. I put a Bigsby B5 and Vibramate adapter in 2013. Can owe it to JB, Keef, Waylon, Muddy Waters. Blooz, rock, country, funk (in the middle position). Mine has had Vintage Noiseless so they're a bit hot. Plus can do surf music too.

[@axeist92126]

I usually spend an hour or two playing guitars in the music store before I buy, Mine took me 5 MINUTES and I was hooked! I gigged with it for 15 years.

[@kallebriede]

Oh my god...lol...😅😅😅 what can this potatoe tell me😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@stevehornshaw4478]

Joe, wow How do you get these legends. Again so humble but a legends. 1 guitar, and the stories from those that made the music. Rick Nelson, Elvis and Glen Cambell's guitar. Just majic Joe. Thanks again

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Steven.... I’ve loved the music of the mid fifties , Sixties.... Seventies etc..and was lucky enough to know many of the people who created the music that was such a huge part of my life. As you noticed... most of the greatest were also the most humble! Thanks for your kind words and supporting our channel ..,...Best...... Joe

[@SIRONEDRAGON]

Joe.. interesting James mentioned Billy BYRD but not Hank GarLAND .. the two players that birth the Gibson BYRDLAND

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Over looked. Just slipped his mind I’m sure but you are totally right:) Thanks for watching and your comments!!! Best....... Joe

[@SIRONEDRAGON]

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum many thanks Joe !!!!

[@kerryadams3429]

finally we get the to find out he painted the blond one a few times ,so all those sunburst clips like "its late" are the original Tele

[@tomfoolery2082]

A better queston for me wld be why wld u not play a tele ? We like what we like . Love the channel .

[@nealschenk2438]

Buddy Emmons said the tone & sound is mostly from the fingers.

[@doccyclopz]

It seems to me that up until Hendrix came around in late 66' with the Strat that the go to "Rock & roll lead guitar" was the Telecaster or in Jeff Beck's case was his Yardbirds Franken-Esq/Tele but I digress. Now the Tele instead of being the premier Rock lead guitar is now the quintessential Country guitar IMHO 🎸

[@KittraKittra]

Thing about Joe, he’s a guitar guy.

[@StephenOshea]

i play the red flame and its awesome

[@markkennedy5712]

He stopped by a club we were playing at in Bakersfield many years ago. Asked if he could play my Tele. Never sounded better. Asked him to sign it and he said because he was under contract with Fender, he couldn't. Great player, but come on. I was disappointed to say the least.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Mark.... thanks for watching and your comments.... I understand what you mean about not getting your guitar signed. What might have happened was there was a time before people became aware that a signed guitar didn’t mean personally owned guitar. Some people were selling autographed guitars as being owned by the player who signed it. Some guitars in certain restaurants are just autographed guitars with no history at all. James told me himself that there is a pink paisley tele in a big restaurant that is displayed as if it was the one or at least one of his which it is not. The general public doesn’t know the difference which is a real pet peeve of mine too. I hate going to a museum which has replica artifacts written in very small print or just leaves it to the visitor to ask or assume what they’re looking at is the real deal. Hope this may help you understand what happened. Thanks.... Joe

[@markkennedy5712]

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Thanks for the reply. Fact still remains that he played my guitar at our gig. He's a great guitar player for sure but I would have settled for his initials on the pickguard.

[@kennethcurtis1856]

@@markkennedy5712 he played your guitar, but you're hung up because he didn't sign it? That would be like Babe Ruth hitting a homerun with my bat I loaned him, but going on social media bashing him for not signing the bat.

[@crlguitar1]

I think that a couple pictures of the guitars they were discussing would have been nice to see...His signature model & the Pink Paisley....

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

String Fan, my Dad, Joe, passed September 28th- I know he would have responded, as he also liked to have photo references for the viewers, and probably did that more in later interviews. I don’t think you can edit once it’s posted on YT- but you should come see James guitars at the museum sometime. Best, Britt

[@roymarksberry4152]

He has played with a lot of famous people and hes famous herself

[@thomasprice1760]

Tone,touch and taste...☺

[@ValleyForge-dk6mf]

Jimmie Page played a Tele. Keith Richards, Roy Buchanan. Danny Gatton, Don Rich, Eric Clapton with Blind Faith. Scotty Anderson.

[@promerops]

There is one well known video, available on YT, of Ricky Nelson and his band doing "Hello Mary Lou"; in this James plays a Fender Jazzmaster.

[@gregleroy1]

👍🏼

[@whimpypatrol5503]

Why tele? bought my '53 in '70 for 125 bucks because I couldn't afford a lp. Swapped out the neck PU for a humbucker because I didn't know it would wreck the value. But turned it into a trainwreck blues screamer when played thru a fender and then some.

[@everly-shadystudios9900]

James Burton This is my favorite guitar player of all time his resume speaks for itself. And there is no guitar more iconic than the pink Paisley tele. I know if Elvis was still alive You would have him on your show, Wondering if you had one question to ask Elvis What would it be? Because you have the best of the best guests all the time.👍⚡TCB⚡

[@CooManTunes]

James had great parents!

[@annaelvis3138]

Great great James Burton.James is ICONE.Thank yuo for sharing.

[@jamescarter8699]

I started playing Tele's in 1972. Then I started to notice it sounded like all the guitars on all the hits from James Brown to Booker T and the MG's to Blues, R&B and Pop hits. Then I kept hearing people say: You always sound just like the record. I guess that way because the Tele or strat was what everyone was using. Except the Fat Box Jazz players. And even then the Tele has a nice Jazz tone on the neck pick-up. But I too would always have a middle strat pickup added to the center & go 5 way switch with an on/off toggle switch for the lead neck pickup to get the neck and bridge pickup Tele sound. Which makes for 7 tones. This made it a Tele Ultracaster. Everything on a strat and Tele in one guitar.

[@Alan62651]

Rocker-Bluesman Roy Buchanan also played a Telecaster exclusively...

[@1Ascanius]

Thank you sir for being you I look forward meeting you in HIS kingdom Peace

[@chroniclesofbap6170]

If you'll pardon the potty-mouth - The Telecaster is the ultimate in No-Bullshit design.

[@JFK1180]

The master

[@professor_prte4104]

I got my Telecaster thanks to James Burton. I was about to buy a second hand JB signature, but my father said it was an ugly guitar... pfff and it was at a very reasonnable price. Now, I play my 2016 American Elite Telecaster for a few years, I'm very happy with it. But I hope I will be able to own a reissue of an oldie one, just to get that particular sound, bright and twangy. Thank you for the interview and thank you James Burton for the music revolution you made with all these great artists. TCB

[@tmo7734]

Great interview, Joe. I like your style: you ask friendly yet probing questions. Worked perfect for a pro like James Burton. Thank you. - Tim

[@mrsimpson2022]

James Burton rig rundown = guitar,cord,amp, and balls....it was enough

[@andresilva8444]

Had the pleasure of meeting James Burton a few years ago and told him I now need to get a pink tele. And he replied: You do that! All you ever need.

[@doug941]

If that's the guitar he wants ....go git it for him! Great parenting!! Thank you for producing an American Legend!

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

"I even played it with Elvis" who get's to quote that? Just awesome

[@baneverything5580]

We miss you Joe. Thank you for these videos.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

baneverything, thank you for your kind words and continuing to support the channel… it would mean so much to my dad, Joe, and does to me too. Hope you can visit the museum sometime. All the best, Britt

[@atxplankspanker]

Still trying to find a picture of Burton playing the paisley guitar in 1969 at the International hotel. There are lots of pictures in the 70's.

[@thomasprice1760]

Tele Titan. 😁

[@calsurflance5598]

He could get so many tones out of that one guitar because it was his one and only, and he knew how to use it. Beware of the man who has only one gun. He will surely know how to use it!🎸 Great interview Thanks Joe!👍

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks again Cal……Joe