VS: Robben Ford on the Telecaster - "The Ugliest Musical Instrument?" (S3: E18)

In this episode of the Vault Sessions, ‪@RobbenFordofficial‬ talks Mickey Baker, the importance of Paul Butterfield Blues Band, his desire to be jazz player, and the day that he realized he didn’t know any chords. Robben was selected as one of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century" by Musician magazine. He also was a member of the L.A. Express and Yellowjackets, and he has collaborated with Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, George Harrison, Larry Carlton, Rick Springfield, Kiss, and more. He plays one of our 1958 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop "Darkback" and a one-of-a-kind Natural Red Mahogany Fender Telecaster. He also plays his 1960 Telecaster and Epiphone Riviera.
Season 3 is packed with great players so click the subscribe button for updates.
Coming soon: Jimmy Herring, Samantha Fish, Stuart Mathis, Andy Wood (part 2), J.D. Simo, and dozens more. These sessions help keep the music alive by helping the Songbirds Foundation raise money to buy guitars for kids…check out our website to find out more- songbirdsfoundation.org. Thanks to our sponsors- The Riverview Foundation, Schillhahn-Huskey Foundation, GHS Strings, and Todd Sharp Amplifiers. Special thanks to John Dooley for the great video work.
#greatestguitarist #vaultsessions #guitarsforkids

[@mikepeterson443]

He seems so down-to-earth type of person, really genuine and no fluff.

[@MorroccoM13]

He is

[@JHKNVY02]

Amazing player, incredible human and spectacular player. What a terrific video.

[@clausmadsen6754]

Indeed. What a terrific video! What a treat!

[@livergen]

I like how his eyes lit up when he said " I can have it? " , trurly a very easy-going and humble gentleman, I'm so glad he has had a wonderful career and has been able to enjoy a life of making music.

[@Jonathan-L]

I really love Robben's smooth attack on each note ... not like the ice picky sound. He's really gifted in many ways.

[@SDPickups]

Robben was a hero of mine back in the 90's. I'm probably around the same age. Its weird to see our faces age like this, but our spirits are undimished and our souls are ageless. He is the same guy, same voice, same amazing talents. So good to see him here talking about our times and the incredible guitar music we all were exposed to back then. Love you Robben.

[@yrulooknatme]

he sure has a great voice

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

I discovered him in 73 or 74, on the album "The Charles Ford Band". A fellow guitar player whose band I was in turned me onto him. I like him a lot, he's very cool and not egotistical. I still count him as one of my main influences though he's light years beyond my own style.

[@p6x2]

@benicecunt o.k. If you don't look at the man, and just listen to the music, you manage to go beyond the realization that he no longer looks like he did before. I too was very shocked by the way he looks now. I never got that he was a lot older than he appeared before. But his playing has not changed. He is just so smooth and articulate in his music....

[@arthurblackhistoric]

Robben's voice hasn't changed at all from his younger days, still clear and strident.

[@p6x2]

@@arthurblackhistoric That's true too; for a virtuoso guitar player, his voice is just in par with everything else.

[@darylsavoie7472]

I could listen to Robben talk about music and guitars all day.

[@ichbin4122]

Me too. Such a kind soul and a wealth of information

[@wieringawouter5666]

Oh hell yes me to 🤙❤

[@cirimaxg651]

On the other hand, in terms of influence, he forgets the founders of the blues, the black American legends who really founded the blues of today, the King, Muddy, Buddy, etc etc

[@N2tao]

​@cirimaxg651 I don't think he's forgetting or downplaying them, just citing his personal influences. I love Robert Johnson, Bukka White, Lightning Hopkins, etc. But if someone asked me my biggest influences (guitar), I would cite Clapton, Buddy Guy, and Albert King because my style of playing comes from trying emulate them and John Lee Hooker more than the others of any era.

[@vancouvertorontorome]

This is one of the best guitarist & guitar interview I have ever seen.

[@SongbirdsFoundation]

Thanks!! We had a blast.

[@GuitartutorialsIt]

It doesn't matter the guitar ... when your sound is in your head and in your hands, any guitar will speak your language! In this Robben is unique!

[@mauireed564]

Gosh, he is so sympathetic! Legend

[@MrMusicguyma]

Robben is an easy-going, humble guy who happens to be a great musician.

[@slothvenom6424]

He’s a great musician, who happens to be an easy-going and humble guy. This man has paid his dues and has spent 10,000 hours practicing his instrument. He’s a master. You don’t just ‘happen’ to be a great musician. Dangerous misconception.

[@djcharmschool]

He is a class act indeed as well as being a great musician.

[@dgdg6143]

Heard him live in 95 in Buenos Aires as a warming for Robert Cray and let me tell you.. after him nobody wanted to hear Robert.

[@tomgiles1484]

@@dgdg6143 ​ Have you ever heard Robben's playing on the first Yellowjackets album? The solo he did on "Rush Hour" is one of the best I've ever heard.

[@yarygork2334]

@@tomgiles1484 I remembver driving and hearing a yellowjacket lead gfuitar and HAD TO KNOW who that was? Followed Robben ever since!

[@hoosierfatha]

Robben Ford is My all time Favorite Musician, his style, his Timing, and His phrasing is Impeccable. That is Why Miles Davis Talked So Highly of him. A true Legend...Thanks for the post..

[@oudaram1]

Hi Robben, I don't know if you will have time to read this comment, but I'm maybe a few years older than you, and there I was trying to play like Hendrix with a semi-hollow body guitar and a solid state Amp, and later with les Paul and a twin, so we are the same in that respect! Ha! Also I was gigging in Boston when I saw you do a seminar at Berklee around '74, I think, and people were starting to get massively into effects. I loved your reply to the student's question, "What about effects?" Robben, "Well I use a tube Amp, and I like adding a little reverb." Loved it!

[@rodmclean2066]

Robben Ford - such a humble and gentle soul. Love his attitude and playing. The Tele is such a legendary guitar, pure with no where to hide. If you can play it will give you everything you'll ever need be it Ash / Maple or Alder / Rosewood or Mahogany / Rosewood it still sounds every inch a Tele.

[@bluespig1]

Thanks for all the folks who made this happen, love Robben Ford, and his almost apologetic fascination with guitar & music. Such a humble guy, a rare quality these days but so worth aiming for.

[@hearpalhere]

Regardless of which guitar he's playing, the sound he gets is really similar... I think his character really comes through. Thanks for another great video!

[@youngandrew66]

True. He can make a clean les paul sound live and snappy and a tele sound fat.

[@oliverstark434]

Thank you Robben for the wonderful stories and music.

[@logocentric9183]

This is my favorite tele. That tone, that color. It’s perfect.

[@Kdog-hw6ri]

Robben is the player i’ve always wanted to be.

[@SongbirdsFoundation]

Us too!

[@mma1st105]

Me too and I didn't even know it for a long time.

[@christianlacheze3323]

Me too!

[@porkbelly0713]

ha, me to and just for shits and giggles throw in Larry Carlton, Lee Rit, Matt Schofield and Mike Stern

[@Alemski]

yeah and his words about how he learned those harmonic and jazz chords are insane I wish I could get near 1% to it.

[@mcpappysgolden]

Robben, I'll always idolize you man. I grew up worshiping Eddie Van Halen (and still do), but you are my primary guitar hero. You've taught me so much at your clinics. THANK YOU ROBBEN!

[@john-zw9rw]

NEVER IN YOUR ADULT LIFE............IDOLIZE A DUMB ASS MUSICIAN........ coming from a older musician.....

[@kraytkopacki4034]

@@john-zw9rw exactly, you can really be inspired by some players, but you should aim to make your playing your own

[@brez9091]

I saw Mr. Ford, when we were both young men, play in George Harrison's band. I was lucky enough to see them twice, in one day , in 1974. Both an afternoon and evening performance. Don't believe what you hear. It was one of the most amazing concert experiences I've ever had. And I've seen just about everybody. what a cool audience. Judge asked the people to really trailer listen to ravish anchor and his fans and to show him the respect that he deserves. I think a lot of people reluctantly honored that request. But their reluctance very rapidly turned to great enjoyment. Because Ravi and his band were flat "out of this world." RIP R&G

[@charleslegrand6017]

Count me as a new Robben Ford fan. Especially enjoyed hearing him discuss how he taught himself.

[@lancemorgan644]

Robben Ford is my default go-to guitar player on KZbin. I’ve played for 53 years, and have seen hundreds of concerts by the greatest guitarists. Robben Ford has an authenticity, a joy for the instrument that is quite refreshing to me. I learn something every single time I watch and listen to him.

[@lordlomanagh5966]

Robben thanks for your beautiful playing blessed be ol'boy

[@mchristr]

A guitarist's guitarist. It's rare to hear a contemporary musician solo and offer the listener so many surprises. Robben is that kind of player.

[@RobNMelbourne]

I've just found this. Great to hear. I saw Robben playing with Miles Davis at the Lincoln Center in June 1986 and will always remember the concert ... the the best concert I've ever been to to this day. Been a fan of Robben ever since. And, I also prefer the tele over the strat. And also, great to hear Robben is self taught out of books which is encouraging for all of us amateurs.

[@kester30]

A non-stop dispenser of wisdom. And I don't even think he's doing it deliberately.

[@SongbirdsFoundation]

We agree!

[@jbix909]

The moral of this long story is “never buy strings in a music store”, buy them on line. My last set of strings cost me 900 bucks. I will say though that I still have my nice sounding tele, whereas the strings are long gone.

[@rstuartcpa]

I went to a pawn shop for a ring and got an $80 Mexican '94 Tele which had been left out in the rain. New Fender noiseless pickups, rewiring, a Babicz full contact bridge and some custom blue rose artwork on the headstock made it my sleeper. I love it so much it's gone through a couple of refrets...no regrets.

[@john-zw9rw]

Seems like..these days.....everytime Ford opens his Pie Hole...he's Promoting something...I like his music..but I'm sick of all the Promo advertising......... and he's a Grumpy guy now....if you've seen live shows in the last couple years...they are not the same... On stage , play 8 songs, leave just as grumpy as the moment he steps on stage......

[@joeguerra7869]

Where did you buy strings for 900 bucks..I need to avoid that place LOL

[@dylansnyder216]

@@joeguerra7869 lol I think he meant he went in for strings and left with a tele

[@ramonmoreno8014]

@@john-zw9rw Get a safe space

[@toneyrockstv]

I’ll forever appreciate supporting Robben on a couple shows. Seeing him work his mastery on those nights was classroom in itself. Try hitting the stage knowing Robben Ford is following you 💪 .

[@saintguitars4563]

That would however definitely be preferable to hitting the stage following Robben Ford 😁

[@blindtoby8967]

Saint Music If he's following you, play his set....( read that somewhere.)

[@youngandrew66]

Chance'd be a fine thing. Good for you - I'm sure you gave him hell!

[@tomcoryell]

Yup, I checked all of those boxes too. Mickey Baker, emulate Bloomfield, Clapton and Hendrix. Never got as good as Robben though.

[@robertwoodward829]

He,s right. That's why Dylan called on him because he said Mike was the best he had heard at that time.. I love Robben,s sound for many years an d got to see him close to 20 years ago when Gregg Allman used him on lead. I said to myself What" as i didn't know if he could play that particular genre. Shoulda known better as he nailed it! When I Leave Here was the first song I ever heard him an d i was hooked. Right about the telecaster to. He'll, Roy Buchanan played it an d you know the rest of the story..Interview is just too cool!

[@sjbuckleynorthwestweddingg4251]

The best clean tones ever - right there.

[@Kaelan66]

Crazy how warm his tone is with the tele. Awesome player

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

@Ben Hackett yep just like the late great Roy Buchanan and his Telecaster..all done with volume swells and nob twisting no pedal dancing.

[@chadhyde50]

@Ben Hackett even as a Strat guy it blows my mind when someone says Tele's are ear piercingly bright. I'm like, dial it back a little and you'll have one of the most beautiful sounds on earth🎸

[@paulrhodesquinn]

@@chadhyde50The neck pickup can sound so mellow! I love the sound of the Tele.

[@mikesolomon481]

The Telecaster's simplicity, is its beauty,. Amazing the wide range of tones to be had form what seems at 1st glance, a "simple" guitar. I LOVE Robben Ford's' clean tone with just a touch of reverb.That Epiphone is gorgeous too.

[@0megalul309]

Same applies to all guitars with volume and tone knobs

[@Spartanm333]

He uses a little delay as well. Epiphone is an old one, P90s are nice and clean with more body than a single coil but they have noise at volume and feedback if you step close to a valve amp - so not so great live.

[@rebeccastone3301]

Robben, I’ve been following you since I first saw you with George Harrison’s Dark Horse Tour at Madison Square Garden. You have never failed to inspire me. Your playing, your singing, your choice of songs, your choice of notes … Thank You!

[@brentonkelly3780]

The man is a humble legend. Thanks.

[@RobertWhitfield]

Robben is so cool, jet smooth and musical! This video has inspired me to try to find a good book of jazz chords to combine with my quest to be a good blues player. Those two styles seem to work very well together.

[@johnnyfrisco5354]

Robert Whitfield The Mickey Baker is excellent... lots of ‘jazz’ chords and progressions... helps you understand how to put them together

[@earlyraybonneville1762]

Mickey Baker Jazz Books are phenomenal ..there are many which include chord substitutions, books 1-4, I believe, soloing and comping. It was an epiphany to hear that Roben approached his playing like the blues even after learning Jazz substitution chords and scales beyond typical pentatonic. I do the same...great affirmation!!

[@cirimaxg651]

Robben is an immense guitarist always in melodic research and dazzling resonances ..... He constantly explores, never satisfies himself and is in permanent creation exploring the neck of the instrument as if he discovered it the first time .... I am in awe of such a musical genius, an authentic and profound artist, all in humility.

[@domk79]

A single video/interview and I can still learn billions of guitar skills... What a player, what a musician

[@davidcatalano3781]

I'm an amateur blues player and my best friend was Ron Thompson of Ron Thompson and the resistors. I remember seeing the Robben Ford Blues Band and always loved you Brothers harmonica playing the whole family is really talented. Many blessings and thanks for a great video

[@kevdean9967]

I saw Ron Thompson at the Yale in Vancouver, I guess it was '88 or '89. The same night Ron was playing at the Yale and Jeff Healey was playing at the Orphium just down the street. When Jeff finished his show he came to the Yale. They sound up closing the doors and Ron and Jeff Jammed about a half hour after closing time. Fantastic night!!!

[@ReeWebster]

Felt the same about Teles, for 20+ years, then I got a thinline and it totally changed my mind even toward the solid bodies.

[@CrazyHenkie777]

Yeah I agree. Always thought I didnt need one since my Strat forfilled al my needs. That was untill I tried one from a friend of mine.

[@guitarsncarsnart]

I too always felt that the Tele was oddly ugly. I always thought the headstock was out of proportion and it made the guitar look like a mistake..... I have always had a Strat and always thought they were the prettiest guitars ever. Now I think the tele is beautiful in it's simplicity..

[@dimitrisaivaliotis5616]

Hello When you say to thinline you mean humbuckers?

[@ReeWebster]

@@dimitrisaivaliotis5616, wasn't the sound for me, it was the overall aesthetics of the 62-72 Thinline that encouraged me to try a tele. Wouldn't have minded if was an SS config, just happened to be the model I like was HH stock.

[@dimitrisaivaliotis5616]

@@ReeWebster I suppose the aesthetic appeal can't stay a long without.. the sound!!

[@Philtration]

Nice to see someone pay homage to the great Mike Bloomfield's playing and also Epiphone's glorious past.

[@MrTommySullivan]

It has to feel great when someone just gives you a guitar because you play so beautifully.

[@midi510]

One of my favorite guitarists and I got to see him in my home town (7,000 people). I was about 15 feet from the stage.

[@jackgriffith9229]

Mr.Ford sounds fantastic! Thank You 🙏🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@nyxaquar3474]

One of my guitar heroes. A gentleman through and through.

[@1000mg.]

I've seen him twice, both times in Petaluma, California.

[@johnnybsteelriff]

The tele is the most beautiful guitar to look at...absolutely no frills, built for purpose, and it delivers every time....

[@PanamaJack666]

Love those tele sounds at the start! Robben is the reason I bought my 63' CS Tele. Can't quite afford an original!

[@BJJandBS]

Anyone else just wish he would have kept playing on that LP? Man that tone was sweet.

[@intuneorange]

Obviously a very nice guy Mickey Baker book . A good place to start

[@FrettieFingers]

I went to his high school in 1972 a couple years behind him....and he was already a star,

[@crissvalentine1264]

The headstock of the Tele is the most beautiful thing.

[@darood77]

Agree!

[@ss_whole]

I wouldn't call it beautiful but I love the simple shape of it.

[@joeurbanowski321]

I think it’s the sound..

[@winstonli8081]

@@ss_whole same

[@ryanllewellyn3472]

For me the perfect headstock is a 1961 Fender Stratocaster. 😍

[@eddiesaenz9291]

Mr. Ford a wealth of knowledge, Lots of Gold nuggets here! THANK YOU Mr. Ford 🙂👍

[@seanthomasmusic]

His playing gives me the chills

[@eds.8458]

Great player & cool soul. Nice seeing veteran musicians who literally would play for nothing but love of sound & keep it together (& truth, many greats played for little reward, w no bitterness).

[@Deliquescentinsight]

God bless that Mickey Baker chord book, it has helped so many players, me included, good on ya Mickey wherever you may be.

[@mattflickinger8151]

Michael Gorman “complete course in jazz guitar”?

[@anthonyskellern5970]

A giant of contemporary music. Stunning player and a terrific singer - and such a humble guy!

[@andrewsandoz8005]

For me, one of the stand out moments is the live solo Robben plays with the Yellowjackets at Montreux.

[@Nappi1996]

Robben´s tone and playing is just the best... what a time to be alive to see all those great players sharing their stories on the internet!

[@kitano0]

"East/West" by P. Butterfield Blues band is an awesome record...Elvin Bishop and Bloomfield just tearing it up...

[@Marnigato]

I bought this record 50 years ago. It is still among my favourites.

[@kitano0]

@@Marnigato I just discovered them earlier this year, after watching a documentary on Paul Butterfield. I mean, I had always heard of them, but didn't get around to listen to them...but what a find. Thank god for Spotify...

[@simonebramati6937]

I love this man!!! Thank you for your gift Robben

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

What a cool guy...He tears into Lovin Cup, is even a bit camera shy, and nail it beautifully. This is the guy that played on Miles Of Aisles as part of The LA Express. Enough said.

[@Mahdcat]

My God. The sweetest sounds he got out of that Tele. Unbelievable.

[@ruiseartalcorn]

A total genius! Nice guy too :)

[@alward5678]

Such a Blessing to us all with all the great music and your sweet spirit, Robben. Thank you.

[@buddylobos5277]

I also had the Mickey Baker book #1 and studied it for several years with a great teacher. (Somebody I'm sure you know him.) He loved Eddie Lang & Fats Waller. I tried to integrate it into our song list Didnot work. I do still use it when I sit in with jazz guys. They love it, especially horn players. My original songs are based heavily on the Mickey Baker exercises. What I was shooting for was that Jeff Beck "Blow by Blow' feel. Love Robben have several of his CD's. He's one of the few that my Emy Lou Harris/Lucinda Williams/Chrissie Hynde/Bonnie Raitt loving wife will listen to. Thank you this was good.

[@bluesboytony]

I took the opportunity to attend 2 of his 4 day dojo workshops.On the last day the students ,2 at a time get up to play a song with Robben and his band. I never played with any one or with a band ,or in front of people, before that first night . Luckily for me the other guitarist wasn’t so prepared for his solo so it made me sound better .i guess ,.But after my solo Robben gave me a positive nod which blew me away .I got applause from my fellow classmates. At 60 years of age it was an experience I’ll never forget and I can’t express how grateful I was to be able to play with a great musician and great human being .

[@brian91145]

The older I get the more I want to sounds and play like Mr. Ford

[@litemetal]

I understand your approach, my grandmother played piano and she could hear any tune and play it by ear. I aspire to be like her 🎉

[@Cajundaddydave]

Hey Robben I remember that 65 Super Reverb! I served as roadie and helped get it out to your car after our Master Class in Ojai years ago. Always appreciate your grooves man!

[@davidkeith1499]

Hey Robben - David Keith here. Nice seeing you! Great sounds still coming out of your hands! I'm in Texas. Long strange trip. Those first two Butterfield albums were favorites of mine too!

[@thomasherbert9970]

I love Robben's singing voice...a guitarist as soulful, articulate, tasteful, and all out incredible, and then that voice...so cool!

[@freddymclain]

Really good. The more i hear him, the more i realize how musical he is.

[@nb1861]

Independently of the guitar, Robben Ford always sounds like himself.

[@alexwr]

You can say that about literally every single guitarist...

[@shawnmcvey7789]

@@alexwr Any guitarist with their own style/touch/sound. If you only follow the lit path, you know exactly where you end up. It's when you venture in the darkness on your own that you find yourself.

[@seurinfrancois2232]

clapton sound like clapton santana like santana hendrix like hwndrix fruciante like fruciante what ur point lol

[@Edgarbrawlstars-y3l]

Robben being Robben. Amazing how he sounds great with an amp and a very tasteful reverb. Delightful to see...

[@davidsummerville351]

That little bit you sang and played sounded great!

[@jorbv8]

I started learning the Blues 40 years ago, tons of cover bands, studio sessions, gigs in many different genre I have come back to the Blues and rediscovering the Genius of Robben Ford, a Master musician

[@MusicwithPaolo]

Even Robben Ford has troubles playing stuff sometimes??! Mind blowing

[@Dave-nm3xc]

I always thought the Telecaster was ugly too, and then I played one, and loved it.

[@curtahnlund3758]

I just love Robban Ford! Also for giving credd to Bloomfield....

[@MessyTimes]

How great is it to support a program which provides #guitarsforkids! Genius!

[@edhubble]

Astonishing guitarist. Such knowledge and skill and sensitivity..

[@TheBlueThird]

Both of my Uncle's played Telecasters for over 30 years. Nothing is better for blues.

[@jooooo9572]

I love the "yeah" and "right" in the background :))

[@Rebellovw]

Great inspiration - I keep hearing - you must 'transcribe songs' etc - when I just want to learn chords, scales etc and here Robben says that is what he did.

[@Atlanticmoonsnail]

Lovin' Cup is an awesome song. Paul Butterfield Blues Band was one of the first groups I saw at the Fillmore. And, yes, Mike Bloomfield (RIP) was our guitar hero. Their version of Work Song (Adderley) & East West blew me away... In March of 1968 at Winterland the Electric Flag (Mike Bloomfield) opened for Cream's Wheels of Fire tour and I was there for Clapton vs Bloomfield (as I saw it at the time).

[@michaelsteven1090]

When an instrument sounds that good, it can’t be ugly..

[@stevelacombe5291]

The Tele is everything you need and nothing you don’t need.

[@hyperbrightstudios]

@William Harvey I dunno, I can think of a lot of things that Tele's don't do which I need.

[@AuntAlnico4]

I get what I need from a telecaster or Les Paul jr. For that matter a Les Paul special tv yellow is great too !

[@neilross1746]

Agreed! 👍

[@eocha24]

I need a tremolo arm

[@bryantherocker]

NAH YOU NEED A WHAMMY A MIDDLE PICKUP

[@tedoakley5600]

@Robben Ford has always been one of my biggest influences. Such a humble and well respected musician.

[@JDWH]

2:48 it’s nice to know that even the greats are sometimes stumped by something they’ve played 1000 times

[@VanjaSpirin]

He is the coolest guy in my personal pantheon of guitar gods. I play for 45 years and share this pure, childlike, love for music.

[@Grant_Ferstat]

That 1960 tele sounds incredible. I've always been chasing the blackguard sound but that guitar is a killer.

[@davidkenneth3983]

Pickguard makes no diff. You can take any 10 guitars of the same time era year make and no 2 will sound the same i guarantee you no 2 people have the same print etc said enough no model either 2 in a row .its just a fact in the old days you walked in there would be 5 precbs strats youd playvthem all buy the superior sounding one same now some suck some magick. Very rare magick not model guitar.pre cbs 200 450bucks a lot of hype quality control 20% on.a lota expensive stuff well call it aging after 20 yrs molecular structure change magnets weaken bugs worked out by playing them out fix fix fix until nothing left bugs gone nice played in instrument .buy a new one play it in if its good (to your liking) when purchased itll get better .end hope you guys get it . Girl s included with guys .have a great day .

[@Grant_Ferstat]

@@davidkenneth3983 I'm not talking the actual pickguard! I'm talking about the ERA of early Fender Broadcaster/Telecaster/Nocaster known as early Blackguard guitars! And Yes, individual guitars of each era vary for sure with some being killer and some dogs, but, you definitely can group guitars in general categories based on time period. I worked in guitar stores for a long long time, including stores dealing in vintage guitars, I am not wothout direct experience. I have played dozens of CBS and pre-CBS strats and teles. The sound of an early blackguard pickup say in a Broadcaster or Nocaster sound is as a generalisation, very different to that made say in 55 or the early 60's, Similarly an Rosewood board, Alder bodied guitar sounds different to an Ash/Maple combination. Both great sounds but different. Both before and after ageing of timbers and de-gaussing of magnets.

[@hereigoagain5050]

Super interview! I just became a Robben Ford fan. Thanks for posting.

[@SongbirdsFoundation]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@andrewdenine1685]

It's great watching anyone play when you see that point that there diving into what there playing

[@jamesianp]

Yes. He starts playing that Bloomfield line and says " I don't know why I'm having trouble playing that". Then he dials in, and at 2:54 he turns it up a few notches. He does the same thing later in the video. Becomes a "Stone Cold Killer" - as Tom Bukovac would say.

[@chuckwagon7354]

I was late to the party with Robben Ford and binge watched anything on KZbin I could find. It's amazing to think there was a time when he couldn't play guitar. Then the following week, this!

[@chingasofarkaso]

Robben is one of those players where you want to focus on his picking hand as much as you do his fretting hand.

[@tegknox2694]

I don't want to live in a world without Robbin Ford.

[@Cshanghai]

That's a very *gold* looking "burst".

[@corneliuscrewe677]

Right?

[@blonk333]

Came here to say the same

[@fattuh1275]

i agree too

[@NickGranville]

Ha, yep not a burst at all! It originally had p90’s and Robben had them changed for humbuckers. Some people think that sorta thing is wrong but he said it’s the only way he’ll get to a ‘59 with buckers.

[@maxmarkowitz]

Nick Granville is there any other videos of the goldtop? I can’t seem to find anything about that guitar anywhere.

[@enorbet2]

Bloomfield and Micky Baker's "Jazz and Hot Guitar" two of the strongest roots on the Tree which is apparently part of why I've long loved Robben's playing even back on the first Charles Ford LP. Love this video..

[@Doty6String]

man that spring reverb sounds great

[@jimheckert5383]

Thanks Robben. Fantastic

[@mikeslavin4256]

A true monster musician and an all-round good guy. All I can add as a fan of both Robben and the late Mike Bloomfield is that Robben is playing today what Mike would have loved to play if he were still with us.

[@theblister678]

One of my absolute favorite guitar players!