Rick Holmstrom, Broadcaster Blend Wiring, & My Birthday Trip to New Orleans - Ask Zac 162

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For my 50th birthday, my wonderful wife, Amy, took me on a surprise trip to New Orleans to go to Jazz Fest and see Mavis Staples.
Through a twist of fate, Mavis played 2 nights later in Nashville, and I was able to have breakfast with Rick. At my studio, he showed off the modified Broadcaster/Nocaster blend wiring he was using in his 56-mongrel Tele, and I asked if I could film it. He obliged and also talked a bit about the joy of working with Mavis, and the fun of working in a 3-piece rhythm section with two vocalists.
Wiring info
www.askzac.com...
Gear used:
2023 Headstrong Lil' King with 12" Eminence GA-SC64 speaker
headstrongamps...
www.ronellispi...
#askzac #rickholmstrom #mavisstaples

[@strongsidedft8429]

Best Episode ever! I Love Rick! He's a major influence on the Pop Staples train. And Mavis. Oh my God! She led me to Rick. Great Job letting Rick do his thing!!!!!

[@chadjohnson26]

I just saw Mavis Staples, with Rick, last night at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Incredible! Thanks, Zac!

[@jeremyversusjazz]

Ricks solo instrumental trio record is killin…purest tone out there-the bass and drums sound fantastic on the record too.

[@johngeddes7894]

If you want to manage your arthritis, here is one possible aspect for your consideration: Some vegetables have high concentrations of oxalic acid. It’s their way to deal with fauna that would otherwise use them as food. Grasses, dark green leafy veggies like raw kale and spinach are no bueno for arthritics, and tobacco also no bueno; just for starters. Arthritis’ inflation really accelerates when oxalates enter the picture. Eliminating sugar is also a great call, and once you go without it for some time, you may even lose your craving for it. Managing one’s own health is rewarding, but rarely discussed.

[@dancher7640]

So glad to see RICK here! Been a fan since his fantastic 2002 album Hydraulic Groove.

[@conrad-music3922]

Thank you so much! Rick doesn't just swing, this man is elastic. Fantastic player. And of course Mavis is such an inspiration.

[@christophervincent8420]

I found the diagram for the Broadcaster blend know on the "Trogly" KZbin video "is the broadcaster worth the buy" 2020 70th anniversary Fender Broadcaster. It also has a separate "wiring" transistor to add.

[@Andy_Fallon]

I saw Rick play with Mavis last night in London. His musical direction was incredible. So much music from one guitar. Mavis was amazing too.

[@steveburchfield5576]

I think as far as Mavis Staples is concerned JOY is an acronym , which stands for JESUS first, OTHERS second, YOURSELF last. GREAT SHOW GUYS!!!!

[@jumpskirt]

Wonderful interview. Rick has blown my socks off every time I've seen him play with Mavis. It's a treat to hear his thoughts and get into some shop talk. Thank you!

[@bhhNC]

The love, respect, and gratitude shines thru!

[@ozbluesman]

Thanks Zac and thanks Rick. Big fan since the early days of William Clarke and Piazza. Great solo records BTW. Love the Mavis experiences.

[@davidgarza1301]

I met Rick after one of Mavis shows as a young picker eager to talk guitar with him and I couldn’t have encountered a nicer person so gracious with his time.

[@guymansfield-smith1135]

My wife and I saw Mavis, Rick and band in Stroud, England last year. Absolutely stunning. Great to overhear other guitarists on the night say what a lesson in minimalism Rick is. I hope they were giving him a compliment.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

⚜️❤️ And I’m so glad you got to go to New Orleans for your birthday. That is so rad. My absolute favorite American city.

[@rickfraser5456]

Someone else may have said this already, but that is exactly the same wiring scheme as the 2020 Custom Shop Broadcasters including the smaller resistor in the front position so it is usable and not mud. Love it in mine!

[@michaeldavis4969]

I've been a fan of Rick's since the 1990's. Great to hear his insights. Now I gotta find an old Tele neck.

[@henninghesse9910]

Great wiring and super cool playing of Rick. Thanx for showing both!

[@jipes]

Such a wonderful moment Zac ! Discover Rick Holstrom by luck picking his record "Hydraulic groove" in a pawnshop and immediately loved it. As for Mavis her album with Ry Cooder (which is one of my hero) really strikes me and prompted me to go back to the Staples Singers time. Almost broke in tears when Rick mentionned Pop Staples saying to Mavis that she didn't need to quit music to be a nurse beacuse she's alrady healing them which is absolutely true. Wish Mavis to perform for years and years with the warmth help of Rick and his band

[@Jam-m7m]

I love Don Mare, he lives a few miles from me. Don is so nice he worked on my old Esquire and 52 Reissue he is the best ❤ he does a “what I call a tornado winding” and it is fantastic. And Zac this is perfection

[@AskZac]

Don makes great stuff!

[@mattrogers1946]

He makes the best pickups!

[@vayabroder729]

Jazzfest can be such a nightmare in terms of logistics (traffic and lodging can be such a nightmare) but glad you made it; for my 50th a few years ago I got Brass Passes for it. Great interview!! Thank you!!

[@stratmagic6893]

You're already healing people. What a great line and sentiment. Outstanding video.

[@RedMercuryBluesBand]

The tele info was cool, and I've been a fan of Ricks for a long time - but the insight into Mavis was priceless - gonna go watch some vids of her with Rick!

[@robgerety]

What a wonderful man. Thanks for this.

[@percyplumlight1854]

Thanks Zac. So Super Cool.

[@Rogerbyrd]

Wonderful!

[@andrewmosher5317]

I was at Mavis's JazzFest show and was absolutely transported. She's what the world needs more of! But I didn't know who her guitar player was till I saw this video. I remember Rick from his days with Rod Piazza and always wondered what became of him. Now I know. Thanks, and keep on coming to Louisiana. These kinds of stories happen every day down here. (For example, I met Lazy Lester's widow in a club in Lafayette the other night. Where else does that happen?)

[@AskZac]

nowhere but New Orleans!

[@kurtdrumheller8048]

Love this ! Living in LA, I have been so fortunate to see Rick live many times and also with Mavis several times. He has been “true to the call” and followed his Tele muse ! Thanks so much for this deep dive . 🤓🎸

[@peterburi2727]

Zac, you hang with a bunch of really nice warm people.

[@iannicholls7476]

Fabulous! Another 5star episode Zac. I had the good fortune to see Mavis in London over 20 years ago. She had the whole place on it’s feet. What a voice! I also saw Steve Miller a couple of years ago. You’re right, Zac, he is great.

[@george-st-george]

thanks so much!!! such a cool positive vibe...it really picks me up!!!!! thanks!!!

[@veronicaphillips8310]

I recently replaced the switch in my Tele with a Freeway switch, which frankly, dramatically reduced the need for the tone knob. After listening to Rick explain the results of his modifications, updating the wiring for the ability to blend the pickups is next.

[@MrichardK]

I was the guy heckling you from the passenger seat of an Uber in New Orleans. Had I known it was your birthday, I would’ve sung to you. Happy 50th. You don’t look a day over 49.

[@AskZac]

Thanks! My wife thought you guys were hilarious! I was a confused old man.

[@matthewf1979]

I know the feeling Zac. I don’t have anything extra in my crotch either 😂.

[@Colinjohnmusic]

Great segment as always. Rick is such a tasty player and it’s lovely that he connected with Mavis and carrying on in the Pops tradition. Old wood is good wood; you’re probably family with Rick Kelly’s builds utilizing reclaimed wood from rehabbed buildings in Manhattan. He calls them Bowery Pine, The Bones of Old New York. I have one of his Esquire type instruments with a massive neck and it sounds ridiculously good. And happy belated birthday. I’m glad you had a swell time. Thanks as ever.

[@patrickniedermeyer2112]

Holy spit! That was by far your best episode. Truly, and I hate to use it too, but "A-MAZING"! Thanks, Rick and Zac.

[@christophervincent8420]

I love that blend. Super cool and really has a lot of tones in it.

[@hoagyguitarmichael]

Always great to see Rick.

[@AskZac]

Thanks, Michael. I hope all is well in France.

[@stevesuv]

Rick I remember so well the weekends when you would come into Carruthers with one cute daughter in your arms , and the older one running around like a cute little maniac. I was a sander back then, but I worked up to to rewiring your your green Stratatone. The good old days being at Johns shop. We all love Jeff Ross.

[@steveburchfield5576]

Zac sorry about your hand pain. Im starting my sixtieth year as a serious dedicated Guitar player, and am starting to experience right thumb pain. I met a right arm amputee preacher when I was in rehab many years ago. He loved to play the Guitar for his audience to share his strength. How on Earth can a one armed man play Guitar? He had a double necked Carvin solid body with each string neck set tuned to different chords and two capos. He would bar with left hand first finger and would strum with the remaining three fingers. Nobody was gonna steal that mans Guitar Joy!!!

[@jaybe813]

STELLAR EPISODE! An instant fave of mine! Loved that explanation of the wiring for the Tele, and Rick is an amazing player. One of the highlights of the Jazz Fest!

[@richardelson3261]

Thank you so much Zac for inviting Rick on to your channel. In small ways but telling to me we have a lot in common not just a name and the love of the telecaster but also wanting to keep the rig in the band simple straightforward and organic so that it is easily adaptable to whatever it is you are doing. Somewhat accidentally I acquired telecaster with a broadcaster blend type wiring that took me a little while to adapt to as a straightforward modern wiring player where in you blend in the neck pick up to the bridge via the positional town control. Sweet spot for me years with the neck pick up blended in just slightly by about 20% with the bridge and the neck pick up ears out of any tune stack. It’s a fabulous combination of raw Bridge pick up with just a touch of Rich neck tone. Anyway more power to Rick‘s solo album is a joy.

[@TeleStrat335]

I agree that subs under the stage cloud the sound and it's done way too often.

[@UBOOFTB]

Absolutely Fantastic, Thank You Both So Much!

[@Strumbum01]

Saw this and had to put the white guard back on my blonde Tele. Also rewired it today per your diagram a few vids ago (tone control bridge only, neck wired direct). Really liking it. Thanks for sharing, Zac!

[@nicko6710]

Rick is so good

[@ronsmoore1]

I very much enjoyed meeting Rick! Now I've got to get his records. Thanks, Zac, for sharing.

[@jeffdixon847]

I really love the three albums Mavis did with Jeff Tweedy. The first is still the best because Jeff used Mavis’ touring band, including Rick (Tweedy plays a bit of guitar too). Love his tone and playing.

[@jack4423]

Excellence interview!!

[@admarhermans1]

Great playing! Love this man’s groove and fluidity!

[@picksalot1]

Nice to hear Rick's appreciation of Clarence Gatemouth Brown, and the influence he had on him. Gatemouth is definitely one of my favorite guitarists, and interesting picking style. Thanks

[@stringspicksandfiddlestick6388]

I remember during Katrina Gatemouth perished and Fats Domino was rescued from the top of his roof.

[@hphillipsmusic]

thank you for this Zac, you always get the best of the best. So happy this happened and you pressed record.

[@stringspicksandfiddlestick6388]

I was just watching Mavis Staples at Orchestra Hall on PBS. Public television brings out the good stuff during the pledge drive. Rick was playing a Black Guard Tele. Before they were sold to MJT I went to USA Custom guitars to buy a basswood Telemaster body for a USACG 2005 neck I got at a pawnshop. They had some 100 year old wood they were going to cut into bodies for a customer. USACG used to make bodies for Bill Crook.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Dude. Rick’s Tele sounds killer! 😮🎉

[@insulartomb]

Brilliant episode! I wonder if it'd be possible to do the wiring so the front position is the neck pickup, middle position is blend and the back is the bridge pickup with a capacitor? Might be more useful than having the neck pickup darkened up.

[@geoffcline9593]

Fantastic episode Zac!! Rick is a true monster gentleman and brilliant musician. Hearing him talk about Mavis...the love and deep respect is palpable. VERY special. (and cool gear stuff too, of course).

[@halhawkins7641]

Excellent!

[@tfunk1829]

Very cool wiring.

[@jniggel]

Excellent episode. Thank you!

[@douglasaxtell]

I’d guess that Leo’s early maple was rack dried for years and newer maple is kiln dried. My experience is rack or natural dried wood is more stable and harder. It’s rougher on cutting tools for sure. Also old growth lumber is much tighter grain and straighter. The trees had to grow taller to get above the canopy and grew more slowly due to competition from neighboring trees.

[@jeffreypaulross9767]

I used to work for Leo Fender back when he had G&L in the early 80’s. He told me that the wood that he had at his disposal in the late 40’s and early 50’s, had been cut dried and stored for fifty to eighty years before he ever got ahold of it.

[@douglasaxtell]

@@jeffreypaulross9767 very cool. Well I have a March 1982 S-500 (first production) and it’s excellent.

[@jeffreypaulross9767]

@@dumpyd Wow, thanks for the tip!

[@michaelgranka7904]

Some people pay extra for the pat down Lol Another great episode Zac . I hit 66 years young this year. Happy Birthday.

[@gregweirick986]

Like others have said, Rick Holmstrom redirected, reenergized, and added a layer of musicality that I didn't know I was missing. It literally changed my approach to guitar playing. I have tickets to see them at the Bentonville Freshgrass festival in a couple of weeks...I absolutely can't wait.

[@ianspare-f4m]

Great. Lovely guy, wonderful performer, and obviously so right with Mavis. Thank you.

[@AskZac]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@telecasterbear]

Thanks for spreading joy. Sugar reduction is a helper, i recently found Moringa. Over the counter capsules for small money for reducing inflamation on my destroyed left knee.

[@howardskinner4916]

There is something about old necks. I don't have anything that old, but my '68 Maple cap really came alive when I got it a Warmoth solid one-piece Swamp ash body. The original body was Poplar and was a five piece. It just didn't sound right.

[@Nowandthen-zen]

Good one Zac , thanks Rick

[@frankmatthewgonzales4314]

GREAT show, Zac!

[@chrisnash8411]

Sorry , to hear about your arthritis issue. I take a 1/4 teaspoon of ground Turmeric before bed in some juice. It doesn't taste great ,but It has helped me with any joint issues. It's cheap and effective ... in my experience. I'm quite a bit older than you and play upwards of 4 hours a day most days. The only time I feel pain is if I put the guitar down for a while... then pick it up again. Hope whatever you do works ... and Happy Belated Birthday !

[@stopostopo]

Rick is awesome, he has so much swing and rhythm

[@thomaspervanje]

Thanks for creating and posting this informative and inspiring video!

[@tomwillaert3363]

Best episode ever! I hear he use the milkman and/or the trem on the vox but did Rick told you by any chance what his favourite (non-amp) tremolo pedal is?

[@kawliga1894]

Kaw Liga here….Superb episode. Go ZacMan!

[@toreilly100]

Loved this..thx Zac!!

[@davemassie3726]

Zac and Rick you made my month! I saw and met Rick in Cincinnati a couple years ago! Totally floored me! Righteous tone and playing! I loved the way he danced to the groove while playing! You felt what he was playing and talk about listening to your bandmates! The music was always breathing. Always supported the SONG with lovely dynamics and feel. A must see guitarist! Thank you Rick!

[@tomburkhardt811]

Really good show! Rick was so down to earth to listen to, just like you! Loved his picking style and tone. Hey Zac, why did you switch to Sundays instead of Tuesdays for your new releases? Maybe you said something about it already, but I missed it. apparently apparently

[@AskZac]

I saw that most of my subs were on YT on Sunday.

[@tomburkhardt811]

@@AskZac subs? I don't understand.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

@@tomburkhardt811 subscribers

[@clintledford1392]

Thanks!

[@AskZac]

THANKS Clint!!!!!

[@iansnyder274]

Zac..my two unsolicited cents on Arthritis: i had it really bad in my left hand...it turns out my body was too acidic, so i cut out the acidic foods: dairy,sugar, coffee..( you can look it up which foods are alkaline vs acidic...FLORA swedish bitters really helped me!

[@johnfunk7568]

Thanks Zack!

[@walterjebe8703]

Wow! Great interview! Loved it.

[@mattrogers1946]

I remembered when LA Holmes joined Rod Piazza's band. He was playing Harmony guitars and had a Tele as a backup Rick is an amazing player! Super nice guy too.

[@jimnewearthblues1672]

🔊Top notch 🎸

[@matthewcasey892]

I could be mistaken, but I believe 70th Anniversary Custom Shop Broadcaster has the same wiring.

[@PeterSchuett]

As far as I know, it unfortunately only comes with normal wiring and just an option for the broadcaster wiring. For that, it does not even contain the full electronics, but only one resistor and a wiring diagram that is supposed to help to re-solder the whole wiring to broadcaster.

[@gregmock6808]

Hadn't heard anyone mention Little Charlie Batey in a long time....I used to see the Night Cats all the time and played the same clubs as them...great guitar player. Remember he had a Charlie Christian Gibson and a sunburst Strat...great memory for me.

[@poeboyjackson]

I saw Mavis Staples open for Tom Petty in 2003 at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. What a fantastic show! Was Rick playing with her at that time?

[@adambrunner9462]

So glad you had a special 50th! Today is my 50th! (may 9). I am on my to Kansas City to see the one and only Tenacious D to celebrate as I pen this. I also got a custom shop tele! Life is good when you get old I guess.😂 Cheers!!

[@AskZac]

Happy Birthday!

[@deanbanks3392]

Eating Pineapple apparently helps with Arthritis inflammation. That was one of the most interesting and informative interviews I have ever witnessed--ever. I absolutely loved Rick's insight into what goes on before-during-after a performance. It was powerful. Thank you for posting and sharing.

[@frankd4875]

Great interview Zac! FYI, and just to give you the correct pronunciation, the famous French Quarter restaurant is pronounced "Gal-uh-twaz", rather than "Gal-uh-torys". It's a French name, thus the French pronunciation. No biggie, just wanted you to know. It really is one of the best and longest existing fine dining establishments in N. O. Glad you had a great 50th birthday celebration there at Jazz Fest. Cheers from Lafayette, LA.

[@keiranbradley3238]

I totally believe that the neck IS the guitar. If you find yourself a great neck, it's just a matter of putting a body/pups around it. The neck is the soul of the instrument.

[@SMAWA9]

Love this!❤

[@BenPrevo]

Spot on with the subs ! 10 minute check on the kick and 2 minutes on the vox -- backwards.. I see it all the time.... Btw Zac -- My aunt had terrible joint problems years ago -- she went full on macrobiotic for a year -- steamed veg brown rice tofu etc - no dairy no meat etc -- it 'cured' her - best of luck from dublin.

[@BufordT-ji6zg]

You look like you had a great birthday. Sounds like a great wife you got there.

[@AskZac]

The best!!!

[@Slimjimb]

Nice!

[@bradrehn1007]

Oh yeah, she's a NURSE, alright!! Sumptuous pickin' Compadre'!!

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Interesting that his body is a 2006. My Nocaster reissue is a 2006 that's pretty damn light and it's a really good one. My buddy Greg V found it years ago and insisted I buy it.

[@AskZac]

Sounds like a good one!!!

[@Grant_Ferstat]

@@AskZac I'd actually been through a bunch of CS teles and this was the one that stuck. Ron's pickups of course. 50B in the bridge for more than a decade. Mid Tall, then Tall and finally the "Killa" in the neck position.

[@Rigel7WasAlreadyUsed]

Totally unrelated and not wanting to take anything away from Rick, but that plate on your top shelf is trippy because it's hard to tell if it's a plate or a ball. It's like how sometimes even though you know Crow on MST3K is facing the movie it can also look like he's looking at the camera.

[@AskZac]

It's a bowl we use for chips when company comes!

[@mitchgordon3512]

Did Rick happen to mention the value of the capacitor he uses on the forward neck pickup position? It sounds just right. I am using a .015uf which still sounds too dark for me.

[@AskZac]

www.askzac.com/post/rick-holmstrom-mavis-staples-my-birthday-trip-to-new-orleans-ask-zac-162

[@jamesonpace726]

Mavis rules! Yayyyyyy

[@vaughnblanding7480]

Saw Mavis with her family back in her Gospel days with the Swans ! before she went pop.

[@brianbard3410]

Jam togather.Stax L.P. with : Pop Staples Steve copper & Albert King. Stacy has all Albert kings L .Ps - prior to the Tomato recordings.

[@brianbard3410]

For tremolo style down low delta - Memphis styles.

[@ajsrhodes]

I do have a question about his wiring. Will this work with a reverse wound neck pickup? The sound he’s getting is what I’ve been chasing. I’m betting the neck pickup isn’t reverse wound. Also, what is the value of the resistor he used?

[@AskZac]

Yes, it will work. See the link in the description

[@tomcatexpatiso1219]

Don't know if you do, but holding a cell phone for long periods in your left fretting hand for long periods can make the hand pretty inflamed with sore joints. At least it does me.