Rig Rundown: Brent Mason [2021]

It’s impossible to overstate Brent Mason’s impact on country and, arguably, even rock guitar. Over the course of his more-than-35-year career, Mason has perfected a tone that’s inspired an untold number of players, and there’s even a Tele mod that bears his name. He’s also a highly respected and successful producer and solo artist, a member of the Musicians Hall of Fame, has won the Academy of Country Music’s Guitarist of the Year award 12 times, and there’s a Grammy on his mantle. Mason’s live gear-which he showed us before his recent gig at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley-is simple and cool as hell, but it’s not his guitars or amps that’ve made him a hero. It’s his imagination, virtuosic chops, and pure musicality.
Full Rig Details: bit.ly/BrentMasonRR2021
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Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL
Merch & Magazines: shop.premierguitar.com
[Brought to you by D'Addario XS Strings: www.daddario.com/XSRR]
00:00 - D'Addario XS Strings
00:15 - Brent Mason Intro
02:00 - 1967 Fender Telecaster
08:28 - Fender Brent Mason Signature Telecaster
17:54 - Fender Amps
19:52 - Pedalboard
#rigrundown #brentmason #premierguitar

[@premierguitar]

Full Rig Details: bit.ly/BrentMasonRR2021 Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGKZbin Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL Merch & Magazines: shop.premierguitar.com

[@schlepd911]

I was born in October of 67. The Tele still looks better than me

[@briannacery9939]

What an amazing guitar player!

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

The funniest thing about this to me is that fact that he seems to be almost totally dismissive of his pedals in the sense that he doesn't get into all the corksniffery that most of us mere mortals do. He literally said "I thought that was pretty cool so I just stuck that on there". He has absolutely nothing to prove and doesn't have to have a bunch of "boutique" stuff to sound great. He's a legend. Period.

[@AP-ui7oi]

He doesn’t even know it’s called a silver face. He called it Blue face. Classic He doesn’t give a shit.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I think the key to being a guitar player is just playing the guitar.

[@louissanderson719]

It’s because he knows what he’s doing. The snobs tend to just play in their bedrooms

[@smelltheglove2038]

Please don’t kill the killer whale.

[@Thesongstaysthesame]

Corksniffery. I wrote that one down. If it’s it not in the dictionary it should be.

[@chadowen289]

You would be hard pressed to find a more recorded guitarist and yet he is still down to earth enough to do a rig rundown video. He is truly a guitar player’s guitar player.

[@Jesse_Johnson]

PREACH.

[@robbyblack2699]

Besides Glen Campbell, Jerry Reed and Jimmy Capps.

[@BluesDeville]

Brent is up there, but I'd have to bet that Tommy Tedesco is probably on more records than anyone. He did several thousand sessions with the Wrecking Crew.

[@BluesDeville]

All that amazing tone without a $7500 Klon or a $200k Dumble. Brent is an absolutely phenomenal player.

[@adamimberti6948]

It sounds like you're suggesting the key to sounding good is decent gear and practice or something.... I watch *all* of the KZbin guitar content and it is very clear to me that I currently sound like shit because I don't have a Browne Protein, a Venuram fuzz, a TS10 and a Tone King Imperial. On a side note I currently have a Hudson Broadcast, a Zvex Fuzz Factory, a TS808, a Deluxe Reverb and a kidney listed for sale on Reverb if anyone is interested.

[@lancecluster]

John Bohlinger does a great job on these, he provides enough to keep the artist "going", but then is happy to stand back and let things flow. Most people doing interviews want to be an equal in the conversation. Seems like John's goal is for us to hear the artist. It helps when you have a great artist involved. These are really neat to watch.

[@txtamaman]

Agreed!.. let's the artist go and gives just enough to keep the interview flowing!

[@78tag]

I will watch an artist I don't particular;y like just to here how John approaches the interview. He has always been the top dog in the Premier Guitar episodes. He doesn't do too many of them anymore. I'm disappointed.

[@fieldingmellish6856]

JB is always peacocking too much…

[@Badhands55]

Of course , there’s only one Bret- but John ain’t no slouch either- just my opinion

[@Joe-sg6kq]

Many thanks to Premier Guitar and John Bohlinger for a great interview with an amazing musician, Brent Mason!

[@keltenchyz4299]

Brent Mason is the country guitar player's country guitar player. Really just a regular guy who is an absolute legend and knows how to pay the bills

[@statmagic]

Brent is a living legend.

[@EVEROSFP1]

This guy is a hell of a player... plus he has a raw sense of humour!

[@seymourduncan]

Brent let's the guitar do the talkin'! Great rundown!

[@dr2675]

I don't think I have laughed as much while watching a Rig Rundown than I have while watching this one. What a charming, funny, personable guy!

[@Kasper911band]

I don’t even like country music, but I Love this guy! Just so musical! 👍🏽

[@jimmynorris]

One of the best of all time. Period. Slick chops, killer rhythm, and great songwriting skills make him a true triple threat. No wonder he got on so many songs. I just love how he slips from jazz to country so effortlessly.

[@foxyjazzbopper]

What I love about this chap.. is that he is so humble and down to earth.. what a player.. what a gent👌👌👌

[@noahmichael2213]

I'm a guitar player, but I don't know every guitar player out there. I didn't know how Brent Mason was but now I do and I love him. These are the best rig rundowns for me...seeing a guitarist I've never heard of and being blown away and loving it

[@robertrichter7702]

Brent Mason has been Nashville’s A list studio guitarist for probably close to 40 years or more and has played on pretty much everyone’s albums from Alan Jackson , George strait , Brooks and Dunn to Shania Twain .. people holler about how good slash is and I always say you obviously have never heard Brent Mason .. Brent Mason is the Greatest!

[@NinjaWarrior88]

He’s an absolute legend. I’m glad he’s getting more reach and recognition in his later years.

[@davidbrowning6762]

The rundown introduced me to Jason Isbell. I’m eternally grateful for that!

[@davidbrowning6762]

Brent is one of my favorite guitar players.

[@michaelgallagher3640]

There are so many guys out there that we don't know but know all their stuff.

[@BladeHudson]

The "Steve Lukather" of Nashville in a sense🔥

[@jimmoulton9878]

@fastguitar hard to beat Brent!

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

What an absolutely great dead analogy

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

@fastguitar Steve is way better than you are giving him credit for,but Brent is a once in a generation level player so I get it.

[@fingertipsagain]

Taking nothing away from "Steve Lukather, but he's a lot better than Steve. Brent Mason is in a league of his own so to speak.

[@paulscire5763]

I couldn't agree more with this statement. Brent is to Nashville and country music what Steve is to LA and pop/rock music. I can't think of anyone who's been more recorded more than those two guys.

[@Chilinoploopy]

Love these awkward interviews! Brent just cuts him off and plays over his questions 🤣

[@RockDrillSuite]

Yeah, like really rude. Dude just cuts him off and disregards that the other person was trying to say something. People like this don’t even know they’re like this or maybe they just don’t really care. I only made through a couple minutes, it was annoying me.

[@deepzepp4176]

Loads of people like this unfortunately in music. He’s just had people kissing up to him, and probably rarely gets told to shut up

[@mattsmusicacademy5189]

@@deepzepp4176 not really. Brent is a super guy. He actually gets really nervous when he does any of this stuff and that's why he's cutting him off. I've talked to his wife Julie about this. He also gets very nervous when playing live about a cord going bad; or messing something up. He's a very genuine dude man...just little bit of a "nerd" and gets very nervous. He does NOT have an ego.

[@Billywagner22]

@@deepzepp4176 Brent's a nice guy and you're talking out your ass

[@deepzepp4176]

@@Billywagner22 Well I’m going from what I’m hearing and seeing. He comes across as arrogant. Matts Music Academy makes some points which maybe fair, above. But you seem oblivious to the fact that he comes across badly in this. Are you a moron?

[@wimvandijk6275]

Great rig rundown! Brent is among the best for sure and a really great guy. Had the privilege of meeting him in the flesh and had two lessons with him and each time it was a blast. Loved the little bit of Jerry Reed picking.

[@musicmatty67]

This was one of the most informative interviews I’ve ever seen. After watching this, I’ve come to appreciate his sound and playing much much more.

[@JeffDaytonMusic]

Love Brent, his playing and his sound. I've been lucky enough to play on a number of sessions with him too.. what a great cat to have on any project.

[@robertschultz7612]

What separates the men from the boys is being fluent with the jazz lines & playing over changes …… & to play clean - thanks Brent for the inspiration- & John always excellent!

[@CorbCorbin]

He’s just playing around in this. I know many who can play “like” he does, but they can’t come up with those lines specific for the song. I think it’s partly what you’re talking about, with how he knows what and when to pull from whether the jazz, as well as other styles, for the piece of music. I agree about playing clean. I’m not a country player, but I’ve learned some Mason solos after hearing them. I always joke that he has so many epic solos, just wasted on bad country songs.

[@pb12661]

yeah, he's, basically, a jazz player.

[@roverer109]

Great job John! Thanks for bringing this hang out with the legend himself.

[@MorGuitarz]

What a gorgeous tone...both his original and indeed, his signature as well. So warm and has a thickness, yet still with bite. Awesome RRD once again Premier Guitar...I'm a long time subscriber and as much as I love your digital coverage like this....I EQUALLY LOVE my hardcopy magazines. I still read it cover to cover for decades now

[@QuinnParsley]

“And what’s that thumb pick?” “Oh, it’s a blue one.”

[@GTRalso]

Love how John can’t help but smile when Brent starts playing!!! Has that effect on me too!!

[@jakethesnake-84]

When he flubbed that jazz lick around 9:45, stopped and redid it I thought “he is human”. Brent is awesome! I keep trying to steal his mojo off those 90s hits. John the man as well! Great rundown!

[@Whodidthis12345]

Wow, I missed rig rundowns. Glad to have you back at it John

[@tenbroeck1958]

Brent Mason is the Segovia of Country guitar, in that he really pulled together many styles, and blended them, making a new style to be studied and respected, like one does with jazz, Flamenco, etc.

[@davidsummerville351]

I can't begin to describe how good this guy's tone is. Guitar, amp and pedalboard perfectly in sync. Awesome player as well. Thanks for this episode!

[@Heavenreck]

Honestly the best rig rundown this year. Brent the legend.

[@nessawolfe4208]

This is by far the best guitar related KZbin out there. I love this channel so much. John seems like such a cool cat and hope to meet him one day. I'm in knoxville so Nashville isn't too far.!!

[@anthonysilva5312]

Great rig rundown as usual. Brent looks like he’s having a blast and so are you. Love this dudes playing. He’s killer. Kind of got the Ed van Halen vibe country style.🇨🇦

[@johnpandolfino8663]

Great interview......nice to hear Brent speak about his gear .... wonderful musical talent ...... thanks John

[@CorbCorbin]

“Please don’t kill, the killer whale…”

[@PaulSter]

Brent! And yet another monster player, with monster tone, and a darned good guy! Great job John and thanks to Brent!

[@chasewilliams3381]

Brent is my absolute favourite ever. I had a lesson with him last year and he is honestly such a great guy

[@sooparticular]

he teaches?

[@Bootscoot33]

@@sooparticular yes he does you can book with him on his website and he is just as insightful in a lesson as he is here

[@sooparticular]

@@Bootscoot33 thanks

[@humanbeing2420]

Were you as good as him after the lesson?

[@markhunt3265]

Ran into him at Shiloh Music in Mount Juliet a few weeks ago. He was buying a replacement for the Boss EQ pedal. We talked about how he uses it, gave me a couple of tips. Absolutely a nice cat.This definitely had me try using a thumb pick again, still looking for the perfect (for me) one.

[@jeffrey.a.hanson]

He was on some local talk show when he was first starting out to promote a gig…pulled out the thumb pick and holy sh*t

[@adajay9257]

Try the black mountain pick

[@DylanAyalaGtr]

What were his tips on using it? I’d have assumed he was using it to tame the high end on the tele bridge pickup.

[@samwheeler-brown7458]

Black mountain is the best I have as it feels like a real pick in your fingers. But thumb picks are weird and Brent Mason is an alien with one…

[@STP_Fantasma]

Try the Fred Kelly picks

[@leftypick4854]

I can't see them frets without my reading glasses too ,nor without them like this guy could. GREAT player. Thanks for uploading this.

[@benjohnson4810]

He seems to be at his best more recently. Such brilliance. His new guitar looks beautiful, but the old one definitely has the soul. He can play both to perfection.

[@Ratchman_5000]

I could watch Brent demo pedals all day, every day! Excellent episode! 👏 👏

[@mdmusic2130]

Excellent and funny rig rundown!!!!Love the Wampler Ego compressor and the Hot Wire overdrive distortion pedals!!!

[@IwoIwanov]

This is killer. Mason is such a complete player. Great Rundown. Thanks to PG.

[@doctorskull8197]

Always enjoy these videos even if I’m not familiar with the subject of the video. Keep up the great job!

[@jipes]

John Bollinger is the perfect dude for Rig Rundown it ain't better than him

[@richietownsend6737]

@@derfsanderson Sounds like you need a hug. Come on, bring it in.

[@richietownsend6737]

I enjoy Bollinger’s enthusiasm, sense of humor, and knowledge of guitars and gear, not to mention he’s a great guitarist himself.

[@dah4x4]

@@derfsanderson I get a similar vibe. But I haven’t met him personally.

[@Sylvain1964]

Totally agree. It’s like you want to have him as a friend….

[@stringtheoryguitars4952]

Terrible interviewer. He wants it to be about him. But hey if it doesn't bother you then great.

[@johnsilverman7070]

Not only a fantastic musician… but a comedian to boot!

[@Mistertbones]

Brent Mason is a legend, and also a super nice guy.

[@ryancummings8436]

Brent just seems like a really cool guy to talk to. Very talented and so down to earth.

[@jacksonrussellband]

Not only is Brent an amazing musician but he's quite a comedian! 😂😂😂 Great rig rundown. Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@jackiewilburn3063]

I'd love to meet Brent. What a hell of a player and down to earth and friendly!

[@musicforyou2010]

Thank you Brent and John....so so nice and interesting!!! greetings from Germany.

[@timbowen6553]

Damn Brent really makes that telecaster rock… Love his playing

[@baber5867]

crazy how many tasty chords this dude has ready to sneak in all over the place. inspiring stuff

[@guitareveryone]

Great interview. Brent’s the best. As for the blue thumb picks….they are just called Herco Blue…Now I did it too… there goes all the Herco Blue picks! Lol The Brent Mason Stories Collection Telecaster is great. I own one. Great guitars.

[@JohnSpo]

A very nice addition to Brent's Tales from the Office IG videos. Great work guys!

[@jaythomas8861]

Had a band mate who played a Hot Wired pedal. Fantastic sounding from everything from light breaking to heavy Marshall tones with note clarity. Lots of punch never muddy

[@noi5emaker]

John's smiling like he's in school! It must be such an honour to be there (for Brent AND John ;-) )

[@sebastiannai4381]

Brent is hilarious! Every interview is a hoot!

[@Bootscoot33]

I think the fact that Brent actually USES the fender copy speaks volumes to their build quality, care, and attention to detail they put into the instrument.

[@jeffrey.a.hanson]

Finally got to play his signature and mess with the bender. So glad they paid respect to him with his own sig.

[@maekong2010]

That was a fun interview. I like how Brent loosened up as the interview went on. He clearly warmed up to you. Love his Telecaster. Regret terribly losing my mid-70's Twin. So it goes.

[@grantandrews4826]

I sure hope that was a Vonnegut reference.

[@maekong2010]

@@grantandrews4826 Of course.

[@Billywagner22]

What an epic Rig Rundown!

[@davidmahoherrezuelo]

I got the Fender signature...simply I LOVE!

[@tgmgullion]

Absolutely the best most at ease rig rundown I've ever seen. Only the Robin Trower gets close.

[@sollyharr]

Great show man...pleasurably pleasing 37 minutes of my life 👍

[@JimWalkerMusic]

Just made it home with my new Brent Mason sig series axe... slapped it on the bench and whoaaa... Joe Glaser is a Genius. The optional String bender is so easy to switch from B to G. Just move the double saddle over one slot, move the D saddle to the B. Wow. Freekin' SMART!

[@TuckerRichmond]

love everything about this guy

[@dropper45]

Find someone who looks at you like John looks at Brent lol Jokes aside, Brent is a monster player and this was a fantastic watch. Thanks guys

[@GuiitarBilly]

Great rundown. Brent is so the man. 90s-2000s country wouldn’t be nearly the same (or as good) if he hadn’t been there with all that great playing and esp those solos. He’s live rig sounds studio-quality good, using fairly normal pedals. But Brent’s into the details that count- great guitar and amps, clean wiring. And you get the feeling he’d sound great playing his guitar into anything

[@iansnyder274]

Brent is sooo funny. What a great sense of humor!!!

[@mattyzito8316]

That was great.

[@ileutur6863]

These Nashville legends are the best guitarists I've ever heard, too bad I could never get myself to enjoy the albums they're on

[@terrycuster4213]

I agree, they are all great players. But with all these chicken picking styles can you really tell one from the other? I guess most of them don' t have THAT unique tone you will recognize by listen after a couple of seconds.

[@tomrwills]

@@terrycuster4213 Brad Paisley stands out with tone. Otherwise most of the session players sound very similar - although all good. But I can always tell a new Paisley song before he sings just by the guitar.

[@terrycuster4213]

@@tomrwills That' s true he really is outstanding. Cheers.

[@gitarmats]

Guitar legend! So much experience in this one man!

[@humanbeing2420]

Insanely great guitarist. I've been playing for 40 years and for some reason never heard of him until today. Next to Ron Thal and Steve Vai I don't think I've heard a better guitarist.

[@BrianKlobyGuitar]

Great rundown.. PG's getting back to real-deal in the content department... :)

[@GunterDierickx]

John Bohlinger looks like a nice guy to have a beer with in a local pub and chat about music all night..

[@johnsmothermon6856]

Me: I’m loading in a twin and super for your sound man. Venue owner: never come back.

[@notomatoesbbq]

Brent is hilarious, this is a great rundown.

[@smelltheglove2038]

Please don’t kill the killer whale.

[@steveberry3664]

I wish they would not throw a commercial in without warning it upsets the flow of the video always admired Brent Mason's guitar playing

[@davidjessee7701]

Brent Mason is a Nashville God!!!! I didn't even know they made a BM signature telecaster let alone B bender....mind blown

[@jerzyprokopczak6998]

Absolutely awesome 👋👋👋

[@thelongvirtuesignal8551]

Finally a great player with technique and feel and who knows how to use gear pragmatically.

[@beech1120]

You can see his small town upbringing in his personality. We lived about 5 miles apart. Used to hang out with his brother Randy, who is also a fantastic musician,all the time.

[@climbtibet]

Brent is a monster; love watchin him play ! 💪🎸 🤟

[@grantwills9876]

That was a great rig rundown, i would love to go for a beer with john and Brent. Super informative, funny and personable. Brent is an out of this world player.. wheres my thumbpick ?? My Wife: Its in the bottom of the washing machine..best leave it there..

[@hearpalhere]

Wow man, sick player! It seems like he is completely at home in any kind of style really. Awesome to see someone else who doesn't go crazy about changing his strings all the time either. Thank you Premier Guitar for getting me new listening homework all the time from these super fun rig rundowns. I sadly don't know any of Brent's music. That will be remedied soon.

[@78tag]

You almost can't play a country song of the last few decades that hasn't been influenced by him. He has done a million country sessions.

[@hearpalhere]

@@78tag Thanks, yes, I'm seeing that his influence and reach is massive!

[@humanbeing2420]

I think he doesn't go crazy about changing strings because he uses coated strings that last longer than non-coated strings (and are thus more expensive).

[@gregmize01]

An Icon!

[@babagadoush1]

Needed this one!

[@ccfmafia3301]

When you run the same amp as Brent mason on the same channel, that's a pretty good feeling

[@jasontele]

One of my favorite players.

[@ChetPun]

He is so awesome.... Sooo smooooth.. The tones...Muuaahh 🎸

[@sinnertrain7405]

Spooky killer cool amazing chops! As a guitarist, I am humbled. :-)

[@MyName-nx1jj]

I've been talkin this guy up for the last 20 years. Shockingly few people know about this mere mortal who's talent easily surpasses 90% of the "Gods".

[@dannykenward9544]

I remember when I hit Nashville city limits and moved in, he was smoking it !! Early 90’s !!

[@bexserver]

Cool rundown, and damn can he play! Nice.

[@nixternal]

Yo, that intro medley just proved, tone is 110% in your fingers. I heard 3 different genres & songs without flipping a switch or turning a knob. Brent is a beast! Holy smokes that intro.

[@modestoney1577]

110% in your super glued plastic fingernails

[@johnkonstantine9115]

yeh in da fingers....LOL...thats why a Mesa Mark Five with Les Paul sounds just like a fender champ with a Tele.

[@LovelyTuber0418]

@@johnkonstantine9115 nice...so tired of the comment that its in the fingers. That's why they spend so much on amps, pickups, pedals...

[@Abbieabma]

That tone is incredible

[@Jonathan-L]

I like it when Brent makes it sound like a piano.

[@johnnyfreeman1018]

This dude is the best country guitar player.....he is #1.....modern rock country Brent is the man.....

[@fross1203]

He’s got serious Jazz chops too, killer.

[@mickbrenton]

I couldn't imagine the glory days of Brooks & Dunn without Brent's guitar!

[@rtk90083]

Or literally every Alan Jackson hit!! Dude is a absolute monster, he is a genius as far as I'm concerned

[@garretmckinley952]

So cool!

[@robertlottmann]

Brent left a signiture sound in country music...