Redd Volkaert Plays A "Nacho-Caster" Telecaster | Let's Hear It

Today's guest is the incredible Redd Volkaert and his two Nacho-Caster guitars. These are detailed and accurate replicas of the very first Fender Telecasters from the early 1950's and are made by Nacho Banos in Valencia, Spain. Nacho also wrote the definitive book on the early Telecasters, "The Blackguard"
Redd Volkaert has played with an incredible list of country stars, including Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Bill Monroe, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Ray Price and many, many more.
Redd''s website: www.reddvolkaert.com/
Redd's Instagram: / reddvolkaert
Nacho Guitars: www.nachoguitars.com/
The Blackguard book: www.guitarhq.com/loo.html
This is Episode 53 of Let's Hear It! Host Gary Waldman chats with musicians, instrument builders, music store owners, songwriters and more who have an instrument they love.
Follow Gary Waldman on Instagram: morebarnmusic
Let's Hear It! theme song written and performed by Jon Graboff
Graphics by Abbey Ley: abbeyleydesign
Video Editing and Logistics: Matt Sandoski

[@Docsjeff]

Redd is a Super Nice man,& always quick witted and funny. He was kind enough to allow myself and my best friend to sit in with his band for a couple of songs back in 2000. First time I heard him was in 97’ at a small club called “Barbara’s” in Printers Alley in Nville.I was walking down the alley and someone had opened the door to the club and I heard someone just SMOKIN on a Tele.Went in and it was Redd. He blew me away.I didn’t want him to stop playing.Monster Monster guitar player and a fine person as well.

[@hirampriggott1689]

I saw Redd twice in my lifetime. The first time I saw him, he was backing Merle Haggard in a triple bill with Willie Nelson and Ray Price in Columbia, Maryland. The second time was a show with his band at the Continental Club in Austin, Texas.

[@captncoffee2056]

Same

[@pwea1anda294]

@@captncoffee2056 same

[@richardgullison9980]

used to see Redd when he played the bar circuit here in Alberta in the late 70`s. He was already a legend!

[@jackk22369]

Saw Redd with Robbie Fulks and Linda Gail Lewis. It’s like they all knew and appreciated the privilege of sharing a stage, it was such a joy to see.

[@LetsHearIt]

Sounds awesome!

[@ledaswan5990]

Redd with Robbie was an incredible show

[@bobhewitt5047]

Redd is the greatest guy to hang with - as well as being an incredibly talented guitar player. I flew him out to Los Angeles so as we could film with him for our Telecaster movie - and we spent a couple of great days together up at Seymour Duncan’s facility near Santa Barbara. When it comes to Telecasters ... Redd’s the best.

[@jmartoftheu.p.291]

Telecaster movie?...is it out?

[@bobhewitt5047]

@@jmartoftheu.p.291 On dvd via Hal Leonard Corporation of Milwaukee ... ‘Leo Fender’s Telecaster - The Original Twang’.

[@frozendivots1564]

It’s great to see more exposure for Redd. Wonderful player!

[@alexpazman6440]

So genuine , a real musician

[@greatvanzini]

This was great to see Redd & his Nacho's. Thank you so much.

[@saltyassassin]

Redd gives hope to all us pickers with short, fat fingers!

[@isaacpulliam7767]

Him and Johnny Hiland!

[@jameskrys5286]

@@isaacpulliam7767 And the late Danny Gatton.

[@knowmusicman157]

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Les Dudek has fat fingers.

[@mikegreen2417]

Grateful for this, thanks.

[@LanceJean02]

Incredible interview. Thanks much!

[@ludvanlazarz]

Absolutely legendary playing here! Love it! 🎉

[@captncoffee2056]

The squish of the black guard is lovely

[@saltydog4787]

Was fortunate to see Redd playing in Adelaide South Australia a few years ago. Loved every single moment of it .... Many thanks Redd for enriching an old(er) muso's life in a couple of hours. I won't forget.

[@gfunkmusic6836]

Redd is an awesome player.

[@crowhaven200]

Love you Redd. Love to hear you talk and play. A real human being. I am sure Nacho is proud to have his logo next to whatever logo you put it by. Sense of humor needs to happen.

[@davidchappell8407]

Thank you both !!

[@joeriffanucci]

Glad I stumbled on this. Great video and showcase for Redd and Nacho. Thanks so much!

[@kenster865]

Hey if you ever get the chance, ask Redd how many Tele's (from various makers including Fender) he owns. I don't think I've ever seen him play the same one twice! I'd guess he must have several hundred!! Whatever the real number is, it has to be formidable. He must have a huge room to store them all in! Thx for doing this. It's always great to listen to Redd. 👍 😀

[@stevemyers2092]

Thank you Redd for your contribution to the music scene...hello from Victoria and Vancouver - Hope all is well.

[@StanBobbyJacobs]

Redd you are an amazing guitarist , a pleasure hearing you play.

[@dannywoody5497]

Thanks so much Redd. Wonderful interview love the guitars in your playing definitely is worldworld-class

[@j.d.thompson3505]

I seen him live with Merle. And Merle would say 'Hold it.. Play that part again Redd, that was just vulgar!' A lot of tasty licks that night.

[@rickbullock4331]

I had never heard of this guy until I ran across this video. Amazing guitar guy for sure. Beautiful looking and sounding Nachocasters too.

[@txtele]

What a great guy and a great guitar player a true legend. Speaking of Merle haggard's he always had really good guitar players that were kind of ahead-of-the-curve it seems.

[@ejtonefan]

yea, like Clint Strong

[@snuffy166]

I just learned about Redd and am a rock n roll guy but he is fantastic as a player and also listening to him tell stories, I just love it!!!!

[@oxycocus]

Holy smokes! Great video. One of my very favorites.

[@jimmuncy5636]

This is a great entertainer, a real comedian, probably from decades of being around other entertainers drinking and clowning around. His ripostes are funny, too. He's never caught off guard.

[@tim2269]

Loved his sundays at The Continental Club

[@teleclasster]

We passed by around 3:00 then circled back and went inside to a rowdy packed club, with Redd and band tearing it up. He noticed me eyeballing his pedalboard and amp, lol

[@bastardsonofretkillr]

Hey Bale

[@paulbatlan6584]

Where did he move in Virginia. Hope he plays a regular gig in DC when the pandemic is over.

[@teleclasster]

He lives around Floyd Va area.

[@phrankus2009]

SO very glad to have stood, right in front of Redd, at his old, Sunday "practice gig" [2pm at the Continental Club, with the Hay Balers]

[@boblee6477]

I could spend the day talking with Redd & learning from him. Such a neat guy.

[@nancystencil8149]

When Redd came to Nashville, it was my honor to be working at the Broken Spoke hosting a Talent Show every Thursday and a Songwriter's Night every Sunday. Redd would sit in and "jam" with band and soon he would "sub" with the band and soon he was identified as a Great player and doors seem to open up for Redd. His talents are simply amazing and a "nice guy" as well. It was my pleasure to meet him and follow his career. Dale Burie, The Broken Spoke Saloon and Songwriters' Cafe from the 90's.

[@lapidarydave]

I had the pleasure of meeting redd in a Taos New Mexico :) he was a great player and a very kind gentleman

[@Baci302]

I remember how blown away I was the first time I heard Redd play. What a great talent. The Master of the Telecaster.

[@nachyomoney3598]

I got to attend a clinic he did at the Kansas City folk alliance some years back. It was magical. I knew blues pretty well at the time but struggled trying to solo in country. I had taken my MIM 72 reissue thinline tele with me and after the clinic some old boy from Texas that also attended the clinic came up and said he really liked my guitar. We got to talking about picking and I played him some Albert King style licks and some Kansas City jazzy blues licks and he was impressed. I told him blues comes natural to me but I don't know how to get my solos to sound country. He said hell you know all the minor pentatonic positions just play the major pentatonic and I didn't know what he was on about. He showed me how to slide down and make my pinky the root in position one. Instantly it clicked and I started playing that country twang I had been searching for years to try and get. Its been some years now and I'm still trying to learn more chicken pickin its become an addiction. If it wasn't for that clinic watching this man and getting to talk with that random stranger from Texas, I would have never even started.

[@Mrpsblobsoflowendmung]

Wow such a wonderful man , one of my favourite along with Pete Anderson and Nels Cline

[@stratpac]

Great player and seems a genuine nice guy. I'm in awe of his Tele torturing technique! Brilliant!

[@williampaisley1983]

One of the best,love this guy..

[@ecarteringram]

Met Redd at my cousins wedding in Santa Barbara. Very nice man. Band flew in from Austin.

[@Kobayashhi]

Glorious tones !

[@phrankus2009]

Redd .. I am 64 years old and I really do hope that, both, you and I, will still be around, in ten years, so that you can still play and I can keep listening.

[@frogbastard]

Saw Redd with Cindy Cashdollar at the Ottawa Bluesfest a number of years ago and was amazed at just how versatile a guitar player he was .Kind of heard a bit of Mark Knopfler in him.Maybe it was just me, but boy was he entertaining.The secret to a great player is to make the audience feel relaxed and included in the mix. Thanks Redd(from a fellow Canuk)

[@LetsHearIt]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jameswilde3414]

sounds absolutely beautiful I must get one

[@isaacpulliam7767]

Thanks!!! I love Redd!

[@tonelok]

That little finger rake thing at :19-20 is the coolest thing I've heard all day.

[@josephhagins4631]

We miss you in Austin, Tx Red!!

[@VStrom2019]

Nacho is one of these guys who is good at everything he does.

[@swampmanwayneblueswayne9802]

Good to see you

[@blacklabelnic]

wow just great stuff!, funny I just found out about nacho-casters last week listening to redd and Gregg koch on Gregg's podcast. great channel, keep it up

[@LetsHearIt]

Thanks!

[@teiltje]

Great guy, I memorized watching this video I was sitting with my brother in accordion classes. I was playing everything by heart, I was not interested in reading notes like Redd. Also reading manuals (Ikea etc.) is not my thing, I just take off with common sense. That's how I became making a living as bicycle mechanic. Thanx for posting this interesting nacho caster.

[@robertwilliams1770]

His pickin brougt tears to my eyes Bravo

[@anthonyclegg1511]

Wonderful guitar playing. 💓🎸.

[@asleepinthealley]

I feel so humbled when I watch him.

[@msoiseth3419]

I got to shake Redd's big right hand one time. A lot of talent in those two chubby hands, a real master and a humble man to boot!

[@spasticnapjerk]

I had the same thought when I shook his hand once. How can giant fingers like that fit on a tiny fretboard??

[@jimdixon3470]

6:26 - Use the KZbin "half speed" setting to play this 50% slower and appreciate some hip chord-based licks.

[@arlo12345678910]

What a heck of nice guy that Redd. Thanks for the vid.

[@-suphur]

Redd is a treasure, thanks for the interview, quite interesting. New sub. :)

[@aaronlalli3730]

Love red, saw him with merle in 99 here in mcalester.

[@2007KB]

Love your sense of humour Redd! Kb

[@rudemooddudehamburg]

Love your new series! So interesting! Days ago my girl had to wait almost 3hrs for me cause I couldnt stop watching your videos xD

[@LetsHearIt]

So glad you enjoy them!

[@wh3atus]

Legend.

[@ziggylayneable]

Oh I'd love to hear him playing with Jorma......he's definitely got a Hot Tuna vibe going on at the beginning of this video."Nacho-Caster..... It's my caster!"

[@terrydavis5915]

Newer one sounds better hands down. Best Tele player I've heard.

[@rioriggs3568]

Amazing player!!

[@J.A.Hansen]

Phantastic🔝

[@choughguitars168]

Great playing , VERY GOOD STORY TELLER!!! love Redd’s passion, a good bloke to sit down and have a cuppa with ld reckon

[@leftchicago]

If you haven't already, watch his interview with Zac Childs. Loaded with cool stories.

[@choughguitars168]

@@leftchicago thanks for that , looked it up and on many levels it was a great interview , Redd passed on so many points of wisdom , again thanks learnt heaps in a short period of time

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

Beautiful playing! Pure Chet!

[@danl6213]

I never heard of Nacho-casters until today. And i just happened to stumble across this channel, so glad I did. Thank you!

[@LetsHearIt]

We are glad you did too!

[@smokepeddler]

Thanks. Wonderful stuff. Although both guitars had some significant fret buzz.

[@MrDtrevino1]

Love it Redd

[@AskZac]

Just subbed!!! Great content, and happy to have found you!

[@LetsHearIt]

Thanks for the follow!

[@mitchmatthews6713]

Redd is the man!

[@coolhandluke2310]

Love you Redd…from the tele forum.👍

[@ernieflanaganstingraybassm1463]

I was playing downtown and Red kept an eye on my upright, and yes i'am a big fan of this legend and had a drink with him and we became friends

[@gustafson907]

Very interesting way to set up the vibro-king, I dig it.

[@stevenculver6416]

What a beast of a player. Redd doesn't give himself enough credit for his mastery

[@JD-hh9io]

That was cool!

[@PeterDad60]

Nacho web site is confusing as I could never find a price. They invite you to join a club and I guess once a member you can find the price and make the purchase. Oh well, I'm not much of a joiner. Thanks anyway. Enjoyed Redd's playing and talking today. - Peter age 70

[@chrishollier9661]

Red,you are a master.ty!!!

[@pearsedunne9938]

Redd is a great example of original style picking from the early years of guitar playing. But remember this….. Let’s not forget that Leo Fender, George Fullerton and crew got it right the first time. Nacho or no Nachos, it’s all in the guitarist’s mind of exact preference. I have a three telecasters, but they’re not Leo’s era. I had to modify it get the exact tone through trials and errors. But finally I got it. I have a telecaster that once belonged to Kenny Vaughn. And yeah, man. It’s a great great guitar. Love the video, and keep’em flowing……👍🇮🇪

[@mikemarshall4653]

I bought a Nacho Bass it really is a great sounding and playing instrument

[@t.carvin8767]

I really dig stuff like that last song... those chord changes get me

[@j_freed]

KZbin sent me from Ministry Live at Wacken to this.

[@DK-mc1yr]

"Come get me,,," Red is THE Tele master!

[@timmcmaster6435]

Go Redd go !

[@edwardajaj]

Yeah ! Redd :D

[@trappemann]

Wow! Wow! Wow!

[@OSM5800]

great!

[@2skyland]

That's what I say when people ask me if they can play my guitar: "No, because it's-a Nacho Telecaster,". Unrelated, I'd like to see more of that wood-burning stove behind the amp.

[@markh7523]

Mmmm that 50's sound yum!

[@RedRose4711]

My favourite Tele picker!

[@davidvanberkel5599]

Nice playing 👍

[@perudolux]

Great guitars

[@RnRanimal]

I could listen to Redd all day

[@NewBookz]

Kenny Vaughn would like one of those...

[@leegollin4417]

Redd is the BEST!!!!

[@phillippasteur3904]

Great playing! You are a true artist.

[@yonitznkc]

I’m dreamin’ of Danny Gatton.

[@telecasterbear]

Redd!

[@toddwilliamson8557]

The Tele's are great, that Blackguard sounds Jazzy, but I want to know more about THAT AMP!

[@mooseymoose]

Fender Concert. Looks early 60s.