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Zac Childs is a music insider and historian. He is the host of the acclaimed Truetone Lounge interview series and contributed to Vintage Guitar Magazine for 15 years via his Ask Zac column, and numerous featured articles, product reviews, and cover stories. On his ASK ZAC channel, Zac takes a look at players and gear and also answers guitar-related questions in ways that were never possible via print.
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Early ’60s Fender Telecasters are legendary, but what really changed between 1959 and 1964? From rosewood “slab boards” and “veneers” to pickguard and hardware tweaks, we break down the details that shaped the classic early-’60s Tele look and sound. We’ll also highlight the famous players who made these Teles iconic, from country twang masters to R&B pioneers, and explore why 1961–1964 Telecasters are relatively rare compared to other Pre-CBS years. Support the show
In this week’s Ask Zac, I’m cooking up a little Tele Gumbo, as today’s show is a mix of guitar talk, gear love, and practical tips: A better way to stretch your strings, one that keeps your tuning stable and won’t damage your nut. Why Tele bridge covers (ashtrays) are actually useful — especially for protecting your strings and saddles when your guitar’s in a gig bag. Book Review: In-Law Country by Geoffrey Himes — a must-read for fans of Emmylou Harris and her circle of musical friends. ...
When you’re young and dreaming about hitting the road, touring sounds like the ultimate adventure, until you actually do it. In this episode, I look back on my first tour experience with the long drives, bad gigs, and all the hard lessons that came with it. It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me things I still carry with me every time I step onstage. NEW MERCH SITE! https://ask-zac-shop.fourthwall.com To Support the Channel: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac https://ask-zac-shop....
In this episode of Ask Zac, I put my 1957 Fender Esquire through a true bridge showdown, comparing the classic 3-saddle setup that defined early Tele tone with a modern 6-saddle bridge known for better intonation, and for beefing-up the sound. We’ll dig into: The history of Fender bridge designs, and why Leo Fender stuck with 3 saddles The tonal differences between the two setups Direct sound samples recorded on the same guitar for an honest comparison My verdict after playing both Guitar: ...
From 1967 through 1981, Fender used the now-infamous F-stamped tuners on many Telecasters, Stratocasters, and the majority of their product line. For some players, they’re a charming piece of CBS-era design; for others, they’re a headache. In this episode, I dig into the full story of why Fender switched from Kluson tuners in 1967, who actually made the F-tuners, how they changed through the 1970s, and what their strengths and weaknesses really are. I also cover how the original version 196...
The Telecaster is known for its twang and simplicity—but add a Bigsby, and it becomes something completely different. In this video, I explore the history of Bigsby-equipped Telecasters, from Paul Bigsby’s development of the B-16 in 1953, to Fender’s first factory-installed B5 models in 1967, and how they’re still used in today’s guitars. Along the way, I’ll share setup tips and tricks to keep your Bigsby Tele in tune, break down how a vibrato changes both tone and feel, and highlight some o...
Not every gig goes the way you want it to. Technical issues, a rough mix, or even just playing for a crowd that couldn’t care less can be frustrating. In this video, I talk about what it’s like to keep a good attitude when things fall apart on stage, and why sometimes you have to force a smile and keep pushing through. I also get into the difference between “filler gigs” where you’re basically background music, and shows where people are actually there to see you play. Filler gigs can someti...
The Fender Vintera II LE Road Worn ’60s Telecaster might be one of the best bang-for-your-buck guitars Fender has released in years. For the first time, Fender has made a maple-cap neck ’60s style Telecaster available at an accessible price point. The maple-cap neck is a big deal in Telecaster history. Legendary players like Cornell Dupree, Brent Mason, Bobby Womack, Brad Paisley, Don Rich, and Buck Owens all made their mark with maple-cap Teles, and now Fender has finally delivered that vin...
When Fender switched the Telecaster from one-piece maple necks to rosewood fingerboards in 1959, the guitar’s sound and feel changed forever. In this video, I take a close look at the history of rosewood-board Telecasters, why Fender made the switch, and what makes them unique. I’ll also share my theory: it’s not just the rosewood itself, but the stiffness of the rosewood plus maple neck construction that really changes the tone compared to an all-maple neck. That extra rigidity shapes the a...
Albert Lee is one of the most inventive B-bender players in history. Today we look at Albert’s gear, his trademark Telecaster tone, and the 4 basic shapes he uses to create many of those flowing, pedal steel–like lines. To bring it to life, I’ll play and break down examples from: 1. C’est La Vie – Emmylou Harris 2. Don’t Cheat in Our Hometown – Ricky Skaggs 3. Pancho & Lefty – Emmylou Harris https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1gIMx3pi0NDsRcpQyLHRVd?si=98903f5149c54997 To Support the Cha...
Three outdoor Georgia/Florida gigs with Brad Paisley in August , 90°+ heat, swampy humidity, and sweat everywhere. Normally, that’s when strings go dead and feel sluggish, but my D’Addario XS coated strings didn’t just survive, they crushed it. After all three gigs, I used the same guitar and same set of strings for two recording sessions, and they still sounded and felt fresh. In this video, I’ll share how the XS strings handled brutal touring conditions, why they feel great even when the ...
Ever picked up a guitar and thought, “This just doesn’t feel right?” It might be the nut width, the measurement that directly impacts string spacing and left-hand comfort. In this video, we break down the most common nut widths found in the wild, and look at how the various widths affects chord shapes, lead playing and string separation. We also take a hard look at the 1.625 nut width used on the vast majority of vintage Fender guitars, and why most boutique copies, and even reissues made by ...
In this video, I share how Eric Clapton’s Just One Night album completely shifted my musical direction, and how the real surprise was Albert Lee. Clapton’s fiery playing grabbed my attention, but it was Albert’s Telecaster tone, precision, and country-infused style that opened the door to a whole new world of music for me. In the episode, I forget the names of 1985 tour members Shawn Murphy and Tim Renwick. Support the show
Alnico 2 and Alnico 5 are the two most common magnet types used in Telecaster pickups, but how much do they really change the tone? In this video, I compare them in the exact same Telecaster, using pickups with identical windings, wire, and build—only the magnet type is different. We’ll listen to tapped and full output, and both clean and dirty tones, of these Seymour Duncan 53 Tapped Custom Shop Pickups. The clips were recorded in a professional recording studio using a Bruno version of a De...
Ricky Skaggs is mostly known for his mandolin and bluegrass chops, but on “I’m Tired,” he rips a Telecaster solo that deserves a spot in the Tele Hall of Fame. In this video, we break down the legendary Tele/B-Bender solo from his 1987 tune “I’m Tired,” a Ray Price/Mell Tillis shuffle, that blends Bluegrass, Honky Tonk, and hardcore twang. I breakdown the solo, and show you why it works so well, the phrasing, the pedal steel illusions, and how Skaggs used the B-bender as an essential part of ...
Reggie Young may be one of the most recorded guitarists in history—but did you know he played a 1957 Stratocaster on Merle Haggard’s Back to the Barrooms album? In this video, we dig into Reggie's tasteful, understated Strat work that helped shape the tone and feel of one of Haggard’s most emotional and booze-soaked records. We'll talk about: The tone Reggie got from his Strat How his playing elevated tracks like “Makeup & Faded Blue Jeans” “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink,” ...
I didn’t think I’d be adding a chorus pedal back to my board… until a recent session totally changed my mind. In this video, I talk about the TC Electronic Stereo Chorus Flanger — a pedal that quietly shaped the Nashville sound in the '80s and '90s. It was originally built in Denmark back in 1976 as a studio-friendly chorus with super low noise and a clean, transparent sound. Turns out, that clarity is exactly what made it a favorite for tons of session players — and even guys like Eric John...
The #1 Question I Get: “What Pickups Should I Put in My Telecaster?” In this video, I break down the key questions you should ask yourself before buying pickups — whether you're upgrading or starting from scratch. This guide will help you make smarter choices and communicate more effectively with pickup winders. I also cover: The differences between flat pole ’50s-style and staggered pole ’60s-style pickups Recommendations at various price points How much saddles and the tone control really ...
My favorite acoustic guitar—a 1981 Martin HD-28—just received a full upgrade while also bringing it a little closer to the timeless tone and vintage character of a true 1940s Martin. In this video, I walk you through the complete restoration and customization process, including: • Fresh frets for smoother playability, improved tone, and better intonation. .085X.050 Fretwire • Waverly open-back tuners for a vintage-correct look, lighter weight, and improved break angle at the nut • Remov...
Meet Nashville Guitar Great: Matthew Lee If you’ve strolled down Broadway in Nashville, chances are you have heard the unmistakable sound of Matthew Lee—an exceptional guitarist whose chops are as sharp as his tone. Matthew shares the story of how music first grabbed hold of him, what led him to Music City, and the major influences that shaped his sound. He also gives us a look at some of his favorite gear, including his go-to axes from Lucky Dog and Crook Custom Guitars. Want to dive deepe...
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