When I start feeling inadequate about my gear, effects, and amps, I look to cats like Mike Stern. To hear him playing mind-blowing Jazz/Rock licks on gear that's 'real world' attainable helps to put things back into reasonable perspective. It also reminds me to focus more on HOW WELL am I playing before worrying WHAT GEAR I should be playing. Thanks Mike.
@warshipsatin87642 ай бұрын
you need someone else to remind you of that?
@ThreeChordGuitar6 жыл бұрын
Maybe Bollinger's best interview/rig rundown so far. Great job. And Mike Stern, man, what can one say? Genius. Huge fan. And a great story teller!
@TheElrondo6 жыл бұрын
ThreeChordGuitar For me it's John! Very settle and relaxing Rig Rundowns and very patient, not interrupting the artists.
@stephenowen33836 жыл бұрын
ThreeChordGuitar Yeah you could tell he massively respects this guy.
@YaoEspirito6 жыл бұрын
I had to laugh when I saw 'Rig Rundown - Mike Stern'. Yamaha Tele and chorus pedal, of course! Great Rundown, folks. Thanks as always.
@froter13 жыл бұрын
Yeah , it was real good
@slowdownabit33432 жыл бұрын
Nope definitely. Bollinger even didn’t know about Mike’s injury... And Stern’s rig, well, old school. The real sound is in his fingers. One of the best itw he did was with The Edge during a backstage concert. Search for it just to glance at the Fender and Gibs line !!
@DavidCruz-yn6se6 жыл бұрын
That "Canadian Jazz Guy" who plays a Tele is Ed Bickert. Hands down one of the best jazz guitarists of all time, though not very well known outside of Canada. Jim Hall loved Ed's playing as did Paul Desmond and a lot of other cats. Bickert played with Miles in Toronto on some one off gigs too.
@marknason45726 жыл бұрын
I had the pleasure of meeting Mike (and buying him a cup of coffee) in January when he worked with a bunch of students. He is a such a humble and positive person.
@karlsalocks2 жыл бұрын
Absolutely. I'll always catch him when he is in town because he is a palpably great human being.
@RakelaK676 жыл бұрын
Canadian Tele guy = Ed Bickert ...... brilliant guitarist .... one of the greatest of all-time
@ARawFueledLife6 жыл бұрын
And Lenny Breau
@Earl000016 жыл бұрын
Ted Greene?
@xxczerxx6 жыл бұрын
Meera's Toned Glutes It is insane how unknown Bickert is.
@jahjah676 жыл бұрын
Meera's Toned Glutes I think you are correct.
@chb80376 жыл бұрын
yeah ed bickerts tone on tele is amazing!
@abradfordajb5 жыл бұрын
Mike Stern is such a beautiful person ..... just a huge heart, and shares good tidings with anything he does. His musical presence is, of course, legendary. He's had pain in his life, but rises above it all to give us lovely music. As an aside, I didn't know about that Boss Multi Overtone pedal ...... excellent thing, and that's where he gets that beautiful, lush chorus-on-steroids sound of his. Thank you, Mike, for making our musical lives fuller and rich.
@lpjbird6 жыл бұрын
I have to agree with the others who believe this was one of the BEST interviews Bollinger has done. Mike Stern is amazing and I could listen to him talk all day long, and a master at playing. Great, great, 23 minutes...
@charlesduckettjr.8004 жыл бұрын
I had never heard of Mike Stern until I enrolled with Berklee music school in Sept. 1979. The first week I was there, I heard about him, he was playing regularly in nearby jazz dives. I was mesmerized by his playing and sound immediately first time I heard him live. He was doing things I had never heard (age 20) anyone do, playing vigorous adventurous straightahead jazz with horn quartets, top of the line players, using a solidbody. I had never heard a guitar player use a stereo sound like that. Back then Mike used two Acoustic amps, and spaced them as far apart as he could manage. With an MXR stereo chorus which was always on. Also he had Boss octave pedal & DS-1 distortion pedal, which he used sparingly. His main sound was a rich full totally clean sound that was room-filling yet not "loud". I don't remember him using echo in those days, if he did it was subtle. He used a white strat. Stern was a phenom then. Many of his biggest fans were horn players, keyboard players, drummers. Not just guitarists. When he got the gig with Miles a couple of years later, it was a time of celebration for me & my music friends around Berklee. He deserved it, and did great with it. I have seen Mike play live countless times from 1979-early 2000's with a huge variety of great players. He would always wave & say hello, even though I am sure he forgot my name. I bought a Polytone minibrute from him early 80's. I never knew that he was a junkie until a few years later. I did notice that he drank a lot, but it didn't seem to mess up his playing skills. He is a great success story. He has retained that same sound ever since I first heard him, no matter what equipment he uses. Stern's thing is not gear. It is music shedding. He is a lifelong music student & practicer.
@gerrycoogan65443 жыл бұрын
Great comment.
@jaysteele7146 Жыл бұрын
Yeah everytime I saw him out in Boston (mostly cambridge) it's like he remembered you personally more than a nod or wink he would just light up when he looked at you. Mike Stern emits pure love his music is just a reflection of that.
@johncruz9357 Жыл бұрын
You’ll are lucky!!!! I’ve only had the opportunity to see him live once in my life…. I’m in TX not much fusion down here….
@blastsucarta10684 ай бұрын
Well most people hadn't heard of Mike in 1979
@yebdox6 жыл бұрын
I've met Mike a couple of times, last time after his fall and he had just started playing again, was clearly upset about missing his fast runs. So great to see that he has it worked out. He truly is a humble, genuine and sweet spirit and it's nice to see a comment section that recognizes that, instead of tearing a great talent down for his gear choices. He is one of the greats and deserves mega respect (along with millions of dollars!)
@jazztitch82862 жыл бұрын
15:24 - "You've been playing through Twins like forever." I remember around the early 90s in a gig somewhere in Europe, as valves came back into fashion that Mike was still using the discontinued Yamaha 212 transistor amp he'd toured with for years, and said to me "Why do they stop making the good stuff?"
@augustusbetucius2931 Жыл бұрын
Canadian guy = Ed Bickert. I've known of Mike Stern and his music since the 80s. This is the first time I've actually *heard* him in an interview. What a great, humble and down to earth guy!
@DaveStejna6 жыл бұрын
One of the few artists who's kindness matches his brilliance . What a humble, treasure of a guy and incredible player. I saw him play with EJ on their last tour and it was such a fun show.
@salvationbyjesus4 жыл бұрын
Dave Stejna Same tour same experience 👍🏽
@BabisPlaysGuitar6 жыл бұрын
Every time I hear Mike talk it puts a smile on my face. What a great guy!
@alainrosso5685 жыл бұрын
Yes He is.
@livy19626 жыл бұрын
Ed Bickert was the badass Canadian. The incredible player who looked like his heart rate never crested 40 bpm.
@silverpairaducks6 жыл бұрын
James MacDonald I can get down to 18 before I pass out. I wish miles was still around.
@bentertainment69325 жыл бұрын
James MacDonald glad someone else knew this!
@GlennMichaelThompson5 жыл бұрын
ben tertainment I've been fortunate enough to have attended a couple of club performances of Ed Bickert with his band. Every once in awhile he would play at a club in downtown Montreal. Besides using a Tele he plugged into 2 amps. One was an old Roland Cube. (remember those old orange ones?) The other was Roland's similar Cube model with a silver/gray finish. I believe they were marketed as keyboard amps.
@drmarcfpelletier5 жыл бұрын
You can replicate the airy chorus sound with a Boss CE-3, which like a Jazz Chorus 120, has one clean channel and one detuned channel. The Boss Harmonist does it as well! Don't use the pitch shift but the detune setting on the Harmonist.
@MachineGunManUFMS6 жыл бұрын
Best Miles Davis impression ever HAHAHAHAHHA Love Mike!
@Csar-wj3od6 жыл бұрын
14:30 " How are you going to give up music?" Beautiful line...
@fastjazz5 жыл бұрын
Man, JohnB is the BEST serious guitar-playing interviewer on KZbin - so freaking humble and clearly so deep into both the gear and the players! Makes every player super special. What a treat!
@avg19746 жыл бұрын
Saw Mike playing at Ronnie Scott's in November with the glued plectrum, and he was absolutely smokin'! Best gig I've ever been to. So glad he's able to play after the accident and keep producing such incredible music.
@chrislenox18124 жыл бұрын
I love that he pretty much just uses gear that you can pick up at Guitar Center for very little money, relatively speaking.
@noi5emaker4 жыл бұрын
Yup! No boutique amps, no custom made pedals or custom guitar number 47 that's so new it still has the tagger on it. I always respect musicians who play the same gear, or even just guitar, that they've had for years and years, when they could clearly get an endorsement for a new sig every 6 months if they wanted. Ever feel like magazines and stores are conning us? Maybe, but I do still need ONE more... ;)
@situationing4 жыл бұрын
Hahaha sure, then you can see it’s about spending time with the instrument rather than spending time uploading new gear
@greatgooglymoogly6 жыл бұрын
Glad to see Mike is doing ok ! Broke my heart when I heard what happened to him. Used to see him and Bob Berg and Michael Brecker. So many great shows.
@Happy-Me.6 жыл бұрын
Mike is a great guitarist. I saw him in Birmingham UK in the late 80's. I have his signature guitar. But have had to make modifications on the neck. That 7.5 inch radius is a bitch and to get to the truss rod you have to remove the neck! Lol.
@TheSpoonwood6 жыл бұрын
"Play like Jimi" lol. Great interview.
@jammergreg Жыл бұрын
Mike Stern gave me some advice when I met him in Pasadena in 1996; if you can’t figure out a solo, play arpeggios over the cords! Then a solo becomes easier .
@kylec27613 ай бұрын
Pat Metheny also demonstrated this on "James" in the Rick Beato interview
@JacekDubowski2 ай бұрын
Wspaniały człowiek i muzyk😂
@Marcus-jg4jb6 жыл бұрын
What a cool dude, and wicked player!! Would've loved to hear him just tell stories for an hour!
@Shawn-hs8qk6 жыл бұрын
Mike's really humble and personable. What a great. Love his stories. Miles imitation too.
@noi5emaker6 жыл бұрын
Absolute gold, here. And John does Mr Stern justice. Well done John. A classic.
@waynedent55596 жыл бұрын
What a super good human Mike Stern is! For all of his accomplishments, he remains a beautiful, thankful human being!
@TheThinker396 жыл бұрын
Very enjoyable! Best wishes to Mike after that bad fall!
@rdmkeytohwy5 жыл бұрын
Absolutely loved this interview! Mike Stern is such a cool guy....lots of stories and lots of good tone tips and info. Jon did a great job here, too. You can tell there is a lot of respect and admiration and Mike seemed very appreciative and humble. I will watch this one multiple times. SUPERB video!
@dieterjohnson30186 жыл бұрын
12:14 "Sometimes I'd break a string, but I wasn't even sure if I was aware of it sometimes." lol
@graxjpg4 жыл бұрын
Dieter Johnson the intensity of those shows, I’m not surprised!
@DrRetro114 жыл бұрын
@@graxjpg Stern took a lot of drugs during those years.
@graxjpg4 жыл бұрын
Phoebus-Delatte gee, you don’t say?
@DrRetro114 жыл бұрын
@@graxjpg Yeah I was suprised too!
@jorgesilva64546 жыл бұрын
This should definetly be a 1 hour episode ;)
@dahamus Жыл бұрын
"Fatime, you gotta know when to leave" Ha, excellent. I'd love to see a book of Mile's quotes...
@davidhadley3702 жыл бұрын
Mike and Leni are the nicest folks I've met in awhile. Leni is a world music expert and I was impressed watching her... She's fearless...A great, great couple...
@TheMadLicksBand6 жыл бұрын
Just a really charming man... delight!
@seemeeseeu7 ай бұрын
I saw Mike with Jimmy Cobb, George Coleman and Ron Carter. Miles' alumni in Seattle in 2011. 4 generations of Miles. What a great night and wonderful players. We had the pleasure of meeting the band after the gig and having some drinks and just great conversation with Jimmy Cobb and Mike Stern. Definitely a high point, especially since Jimmy Cobb has passed. Mike has a great touch and great intuition about music. What a Gentleman of the highest order.
@ericcarpenter32636 жыл бұрын
Amazing Mr. Bollinger, simply your best interview. The legend that is Mike Stern. This may be the best Rig Rundown ever. Thanks!!!
@jstample Жыл бұрын
I wasn’t familiar with Mike Stern until today (I’m just getting into guitar). I saw a comment about an old Yamaha amp he used to use and someone mentioned his name so I looked him up. What an awesome dude with some really cool stories.
@fretlessblunder6 жыл бұрын
What a fantastic interview. Love how Stern is not reeeeally sure about how his rig is put together. At one point he seems to think that the size of the pedalboard is a limiting factor in how many effects he can run. That's what happens when the equipment is just a means to a musical end and not an end in itself. Bravo, Mike!
@Eliguitar16 жыл бұрын
man, had not heard that he hurt his hand that badly. Serious badass keeping on task.
@crimsun71866 жыл бұрын
Eli Friedmann Much like Les Paul, which fractured his right elbow in a car accident and had to tell the doctor to fix his arm permanently in a specific position so he could still play guitar.
@lalimacefolle6 жыл бұрын
This is a very cool interview. I visited New York last week and Mike wasn’t playing at the 55... Wish I had seen him there.... This kinda makes up for it !!
@JazzGuitarScrapbook6 жыл бұрын
lalimacefolle try to get back and check him out. One of the best nights of my life, 1am at the 55 with the missus and about two jazz obsessives after all the normal people went to bed, listening to Mike...
@personanongrata13084 жыл бұрын
Wow didn't know Mike was friends with Danny Gatton. Mike's a cool, cool guy, a legend no less.
@amundmlan3623 жыл бұрын
"I don't know the year. Something 50's something" honestly same
@Nicklowend6 жыл бұрын
Canadian cat with telecaster... Ed Bickert 🙌
@Jplent15 жыл бұрын
"I was doing a gig with Chick Corea in NY.'" Mike drops some heavy names...not to mention Miles.
@dadude76 жыл бұрын
What a nice guy. In 40 years none of the guitarists of the day will as humble as this. He’s just such a down to earth dude. Awesome.
@DennisAlvarezMusic6 жыл бұрын
It's amazing that he is carrying on with the injuries. Mike Stern you're an inspiration.
@projecktion73 жыл бұрын
includes a nice shout out for my old friend, drummer Ray LeVier. I spent many happy mondays at the 55 Bar watching Mike tear it up! Nicest guy you’ll ever meet. So refreshing to hear a guitar player who really does not care about gear beyond that it works for him. But ask him what to play over an altered chord and he’ll have plenty to say!
@moshezarviv12526 жыл бұрын
mike stern's smile hit the spot !! 20:54 "and then whatever input or something...." great guy !! seems that miles lessons got learned , not to be that much interested in gear but in music .
@mariussolbakken50434 жыл бұрын
Bolinger is an Incredible interviewer. Such a sympathetic guy, and really knowledgeable! And of course Mike is a living icon.
@MrUltraworld6 жыл бұрын
The greats don't need a lot of gear. The sound is truly in their hands. What a humble guy.
@jimraimondi4103 жыл бұрын
Stern and Robben Ford tell the best Miles stories
@GS-uy4xo Жыл бұрын
Just reading all the comments about Mike’s demeanor and personality, we can’t emulate his playing but he actually inspires a positive outlook and that’s something to strive for. Side note: Mike came to a friends house to record on a project and all he wanted was the Yamaha unit and a simple amp - he didn’t know how to connect it- “that’s not my thing” he said. Then he played his ass off!
@UptempoMusicLessons5 жыл бұрын
Ed Bickert is the Canadian jazz guy Mike is talking about.
@aleksandarmadjovski33836 жыл бұрын
Make one with Kurt Rosenwinkel, please!
@pb126616 жыл бұрын
this is great. nice job John and thanks for posting. Both cool guys.
@sandrosadhukhan3 жыл бұрын
Robben, Mike, Herbie all have these amazing and funny stories about Miles Davis, he was one unique character!
@WiserInTime6 жыл бұрын
Somehow, someway Mike Stern is related to Malcolm Young.
@hahmmo5 жыл бұрын
Mick jagger too
@ronedee4 жыл бұрын
And; David Johansen, and Captain Beefheart
@steveb.48094 жыл бұрын
Believe both are (were) Capricorns....along with J McLaughlin....and Sco AND. Al Foster....(one of Miles closest buds)
@ronedee4 жыл бұрын
@@steveb.4809 ...Jaco liked Cappy's too!
@dezertfox31304 жыл бұрын
WiserInTime always a shit head saying someone looks like someone
@EnricoFarnedi4 жыл бұрын
Great storyteller, indeed, Mr Stern! I happened to meet and know Ray, the drummer Mike talks about at 14'00". We were both playing at this festival here in Italy, he was amazing, god bless the glue!
@johnwhitla9191 Жыл бұрын
Just Saw Mike and band in Melbourne last night. What a fantastic concert and this morning really enjoyed watching this interview again. What a great concert, I am still buzzing and this interview is such a great conversation .
@eastriverg35952 жыл бұрын
"Oh yeah, by a One-Spot." "Yeah, one of those things. Whatever the hell they're called." I love Mike stern.
@DavidOakesMusic4 жыл бұрын
" His hands stopped *here* " * camera cuts away so you dont know where where his hands stopped *
@michaelmcinnis9116 жыл бұрын
The pickups Danny Gatton (and maybe Roy Buchanan?) were using were early Joe Barden's - and they were silent pickups (double rail humbuckers).
@bassdroppointsource6 жыл бұрын
The earliest Bardens were single coil.
@v2vroth6 жыл бұрын
Yep that was them...Joe Barden JBE pickups are still out there and they cook!
@richie_b-12345 жыл бұрын
Actually, the pickup in the bridge of the Tele that got ripped off was by Bill Lawrence. Danny was turned on to them by Roy Buchanan, and Bill made quite a few pickups for Roy. It was hum cancelling, but not like a Hot Rails.
@randerson28426 жыл бұрын
Love Mike Stern. Really nice guy which comes across in this interview well. Great interview!
@jtm2763 Жыл бұрын
Wow!! Great interview & Stories! What a character! Great guy!
@noworries124 жыл бұрын
That interviewer is nerve wracking...always talks when Mike tells something or interrupts him in the middle of a sentence...loud and rude guy
@pmacfto6 жыл бұрын
Great chat but as a rig rundown - not that exciting - Fender twins and 6 Boss pedals. The stories were definitely more interesting than the "rig" :D But hey, it highlights the fact you don't need a shedload of gear to sound amazing
@mongoharry77653 жыл бұрын
Check this shit out. Greatest guitar player in the world, and most of us can afford the same rig....Matter of fact, if anyone saw him way back, it was a fuzz box, black Yamaha 2x12 100w, some other 100w amp, and a delay.
@anthonysilva53126 жыл бұрын
Great interview. Stern recently did a clinic and show in Toronto . Saw them both. He is super personable and a great player. Not just that, but he has an incredible story of perseverance. He had an accident and suffered significant right hand nerve damage. He remains positive and relevant . Inspirational.
@axelytreberg54275 жыл бұрын
John is just like a little kid meeting his greatest hero, so happy and curious. Mike is so cool and conversational as well, this is just great!
@johncarusone56356 жыл бұрын
I just love this guy. Down to earth, humble, and a great guitarist. Thanks Mike!
@Rulon-bo1ig Жыл бұрын
Love the whole minimalistic one guitar approach, humble guy. I discovered him through pat methenys music. I wish yamaha would make a stock version of that Pac tele, a cheaper non signature model would be cool. That natural ash body is beatiful but even an elder version would be fire.
@donkkong5551 Жыл бұрын
Mike is a wonderful human being, I attended a jazz camp in the summer of 2022 and he was one of the instructors there his energy is so welcoming and he answers everyone's questions and spends a lot of one on one time with the students. Zero Ego and I didn't feel intimidated by him. Thanks, Mike!
@graxjpg Жыл бұрын
Jazz summer camp?? I wanna go!
@Nicko30able6 жыл бұрын
Nice work John, really enjoyed this.
@kchappelle5 жыл бұрын
Bobby Malach on sax...doesn't get any better. :"
@rezakhan82906 жыл бұрын
Such a wonderful human being. Stay blessed Mike.
@Seaker243 жыл бұрын
I have seen Mike at 55Bar in NYC often over the years where he gigs often. He even recognizes me, a fan, and we would casually chat even if seen on the street. He is a class act, very humble, very cool, always smiling, and extremely talented. Mike’s a treasure.
@williamwalsh62823 жыл бұрын
He’s the best... I was lucky enough to see him many times when he was in Boston I think in the late 70s early 80s and he was smokin back then.
@MarvinSheats Жыл бұрын
Mike Stern is one of the best and an awesome inspiration.
@peterfreer6 жыл бұрын
Regarding the tele in jazz, and the Canadian "bad-ass: Stern is most likely referring to Ed Bickert. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5i9g6WghKZof5om43s
@slimerandtheslob10 ай бұрын
Mike Stern always plays his ass off! Legend 🙏
@prs22gt106 жыл бұрын
Great relaxed interview, I agree with others....this is among John's best. And what a lovely cat Mike seems to be. Now I need to find more of his playing! Thanks John and Premier Guitar!
@revisionist38248 ай бұрын
An icon, as well a human icon. Fine, fine stuff of music. Just music, like his legendary guitar.
@inagadadaveda2 жыл бұрын
The Canadian jazz great who played the Telecaster Mike Sterned mentioned was the late and Great Ed Bickert. Look him up .
@co7013 Жыл бұрын
What a great guy and inspirational player. Also.. I know my left had is going to get worse over the coming years. So I hope I can adjust to that and keep playing as long as possible.
@kor21122 жыл бұрын
I got to run sound for him about a year after this video, super nice guy and I was amazed on how great he sounded on minimal gear. At the time he just finished a new Album with Eric Johnson which is great! We are in Austin and he wanted to get EJ to come out to the show but lost his number. Fortunately my old good friend Dustin works for EJ and we got him his number! I think EJ was touring at the time and couldn't make it, but he come to shows at our venue a lot.
@cerimccoy6 жыл бұрын
Mike Stern, You are so inspirational. Much love from Brisbane, Australia!
@bradleyberdahl61486 жыл бұрын
Holy shit!!! Long time fan....ONE OF THE BEST OUT OF THEM ALL!!! Great interview!!!!
@robinjames296 жыл бұрын
what a absolute lovely man who i have had the pleasure meet a few times so nice to see a simple rig but you know its him
@DjangoTortoise6 жыл бұрын
Love Mike's playing and sound!
@zzkeokizz4 жыл бұрын
This guy is so humble, it’s like talking to your neighbor. It’s great to see.
@DonaldSturgeAnthonyMcKenzieII6 жыл бұрын
I love Mike. He's such a wonderful human being. So much joy in everything he does
@arnyarny776 жыл бұрын
i didn't notice before his hand was damaged so bad well mike hope you heal more and more, you have a great positive attitude
@shirleymental41893 жыл бұрын
I love it when they get a lot out of a simple rig. I remember seeing a rig rundown of Alex lifeson (who I think is great btw) who had about a dozen amp heads in his backline. One of them was for ONE note in ONE song! If you are big enough to afford it then why not I suppose. Still think it's OTT though.
@SlikkTim7 ай бұрын
7:14 "Dassit !!" Mike's Miles impersonation is so spot on ahaha
@jonathanstewart52696 жыл бұрын
The badass in Canada was Ed Bickert, RIP
@saunds596 жыл бұрын
Great interview. What a cool dude, I could have listened for hours
@brianorion5056 жыл бұрын
Wow great interview with John. What a overcoming spirit Mike Stern has! When he tells about his fall and breaking his arm I wanted to just hug him. Keep going Michael Stern. God bless you, thanks John
@thesilverjedi93236 жыл бұрын
Mike is a really cool dude. I would love to have a beer or 2 with him and listen to his stories.
@riniones6 жыл бұрын
one of the best episodes of RR! I love to hear such a great player talking about "that cat", the "souped up tele", things that are "a drag"... I mean... not even mentioning of all the great stories or super inspiring playing...what a treat... thanks so much for the interview!