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Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
10,001 - 25,000 - Monthly Reach
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25,001 - 75,000 - Active Followers
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15,001 - 40,000
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Recent episodes
I Built My Perfect String Sets For My Telecaster & Baritone With D'Addario
Apr 7, 2026
19m 45s
A Look At A 1949 Bigsby Guitar - Rarer Than Rare!
Mar 31, 2026
13m 23s
James Pennebaker Interview
Mar 17, 2026
2h 07m 09s
The Gibson ES-335 - Their Best Design
Mar 10, 2026
24m 25s
Don Rich, Buck Owens & the Telecaster That Vanished
Mar 3, 2026
37m 53s
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/7/26 | I Built My Perfect String Sets For My Telecaster & Baritone With D'Addario✨ | string setsguitar+4 | — | D'Addario NYXL stringsCustom String Shop+2 | — | string setsD'Addario+4 | — | 19m 45s | |
| 3/31/26 | ![]() A Look At A 1949 Bigsby Guitar - Rarer Than Rare! | Before the Telecaster… before the Les Paul & the Strat… there was Bigsby. In this video, we take a deep dive into a 1949 Bigsby electric guitar, one of the earliest solid-body electrics ever made, and a true cornerstone in the evolution of the modern guitar. Built by Paul Bigsby, these instruments weren’t mass-produced, they were individually handcrafted works of art. Bigsby guitars are incredibly rare, as he built around 27 guitars from the mid-1940s through the late 1950s. Each one wa... | 13m 23s | ||||||
| 3/17/26 | ![]() James Pennebaker Interview | Best known for his longtime work with Delbert McClinton, James Pennebaker has been one of the most tasteful and versatile guitarists in Nashville for decades. Starting his professional career at just 19 years old with McClinton, he went on to become a key part of the band on and off for more than forty years. But Pennebaker is far more than just a sideman. He’s a true multi-instrumentalist—equally comfortable on electric guitar, acoustic guitar, pedal steel, fiddle, mandolin, and more. Over ... | 2h 07m 09s | ||||||
| 3/10/26 | ![]() The Gibson ES-335 - Their Best Design | The only Gibson model I’ve ever really connected with is the ES-335. While I’ve always gravitated toward Fender, the 335 is one Gibson that I think absolutely got right. Much like the Fender Telecaster, it’s simply a brilliant piece of guitar design. The magic of the 335 is in how balanced the concept is. The semi-hollow body combined with the center block gives you the warmth and air of a hollowbody while still delivering the sustain, focus, and feedback resistance of a solidbody. The resul... | 24m 25s | ||||||
| 3/3/26 | ![]() Don Rich, Buck Owens & the Telecaster That Vanished | In this episode, Joe Spann and I dive deep into the legacy of Don Rich and one of the most fascinating lost instruments in Fender history, his 1964 Gold Sparkle Fender Custom Telecaster. Joe breaks down exactly how Fender created the Gold Sparkle finish using crushed mirror material, why it was so visually striking under stage lights, and how unusual the process was for the era. We also discuss the many Buck Owens hits Don Rich recorded while using this Telecaster, and how central it was to ... | 37m 53s | ||||||
| 2/17/26 | ![]() The Holy Grail Telecasters At Gruhn Guitars with Joe Spann | We went behind the scenes at Gruhn Guitars in Nashville for a tour of the 'Tele Vault' with legendary vintage archivist and researcher Joe Spann. We aren't just looking at vintage guitars; we’re looking at the DNA of the Fender company. Joe walks us through the history and technical specs of some of the most significant instruments on the planet, including George Fullerton's personal 1949 prototype, a guitar that predates the Broadcaster and Telecaster as we know it. The Lineup: 1949 Fende... | 33m 58s | ||||||
| 2/10/26 | ![]() The Octave 12-String Mando-Guitar - The Tool For Jangle Magic! - | Ever heard a song that has a shimmering, "angelic" jangle that sits perfectly above a mix? Or how Buddy Miller creates those haunting, rootsy textures on songs like Lucinda Williams' "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road," or Daniel Lanois on Emmylou's Wrecking Ball album? The answer isn't a mandolin, it’s the Octave 12-string guitar (often called a mando-guitar). In this video, we’re diving into the world of these high-tuned wonders, exploring the gear, the tuning, and the legendary players who made... | 17m 11s | ||||||
| 2/3/26 | ![]() Why Even "Clean" Tones Need Some Hair & Grit | Think your clean tone should be 100% pure? Think again. In this video, we’re looking at why "perfectly clean" guitars often sound thin in a mix and why adding a little "hair" or grit is the secret to a professional sound. There is a common "studio secret" that pro mixers have used for decades: subtle harmonic distortion makes everything sound better. Whether it’s a vocal, a drum bus, or a "clean" electric guitar, adding a touch of saturation provides the weight and character that a dry signa... | 17m 00s | ||||||
| 1/20/26 | ![]() 50s Guild Aristocrat - A Vintage Sleeper - (It's Not A Tele Vol 1) | The 1950s Guild Aristocrat is one of those vintage guitars that somehow slipped through the cracks, and that’s exactly why it remains such a sleeper today. Built during Guild’s early New York era, the Aristocrat was a serious professional instrument: a small, yet fully hollow body, carved spruce top, and the legendary Franz single-coil pickups that deliver clarity, punch, and a voice all their own. This was Guild's attempt at an improved Les Paul, that was lighter, and just enough wider to s... | 12m 36s | ||||||
| 1/13/26 | ![]() Why I Needed a Baritone Telecaster Guitar | Baritone electric guitars live in that perfect middle ground between standard guitar and bass, and once you understand what they do best, it’s hard to live without one. In this video, I’m diving into baritone guitars, why a typical 27” scale baritone is very different from a Bass VI (usually 29–30” scale), and how each one functions in a band context. While they can look similar at first glance, they play, feel, and sit in a mix very differently. I also talk about classic effects choices fo... | 30m 49s | ||||||
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| 1/7/26 | ![]() Inside the 1962 Fender 6G3 "Brown" Deluxe Amp | The 1962 Brown Deluxe (6G3) sits in one of the most fascinating, and misunderstood, eras of Fender amplification. It’s often lumped in with other brownface amps, or treated as a short stop between tweed and blackface. But the truth is: the Brown Deluxe is its own animal. In this video, we take a deep dive into what really sets the ’62 Brown Deluxe apart, sonically, electrically, and historically. Brown Deluxe vs Tweed Deluxe (5E3) Why the Brown Deluxe is tighter, punchier, and more controll... | 27m 18s | ||||||
| 12/23/25 | ![]() Why The Telecaster Bridge Is the Heart & Soul of the Tele | If you want to understand why a Telecaster sounds and feels like a Telecaster, you have to start with the bridge. The Tele bridge isn’t just a place where the strings anchor, it’s the heart of the instrument, and the single biggest reason a Tele responds the way it does. Leo Fender’s original design brilliantly combines the bridge, tailpiece, and pickup mounting system into one integrated unit, creating a level of coupling, attack, and clarity that no other electric guitar quite matches. In... | 15m 58s | ||||||
| 12/9/25 | ![]() Lou Toomey Interview (Brooks & Dunn, Keith Whitley, Faith Hill) | Today we sit down with Lou Toomey, one of the most successful and enduring road guitarists in Country Music. In this conversation, Lou walks us through his unbelievable first pro gig as Keith Whitley’s lead guitarist during the height of Whitley’s all-too-brief but iconic career. From there, we follow his journey through the ’90s as he hit the road with Faith Hill, and into his remarkable three-decade run with Brooks & Dunn, all legendary Country touring acts. We dig into how he landed ... | 1h 29m 37s | ||||||
| 11/25/25 | ![]() How I Ended Up Playing on Brad Paisley’s Snow Globe Town (and the Tonight Show!) | This year has been one for the books. In this video, I’m sharing the unbelievable story of how I ended up performing on Brad Paisley’s new Christmas album, Snow Globe Town, and the fun we had in the studio bringing those tracks to life. I also dive into what it was like hitting the road with Brad on his November–December 2025 Canadian tour, from the gear I brought, to backstage routines, to the moments that made this run unforgettable. And to top it all off… The Tonight Show. I break down h... | 17m 07s | ||||||
| 11/18/25 | ![]() Early ’60s Telecasters: What Changed & Who Made Them Famous | 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 | 19m 37s | ||||||
| 11/11/25 | ![]() Tele Gumbo: String Stretching, Bridge Covers, Book Review & Gig-Ready Gear | 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. ... | 14m 34s | ||||||
| 11/4/25 | ![]() The Tour From Hell: My First Time on the Road | 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.... | 33m 35s | ||||||
| 10/21/25 | ![]() Telecaster Bridge Shootout! 3-Saddle vs 6-Saddle on My 1957 Esquire | 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: ... | 19m 10s | ||||||
| 10/14/25 | ![]() Those Infamous Fender F-Tuners (1967 – 1981) | 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... | 21m 27s | ||||||
| 10/7/25 | ![]() Everything You Wanted To Know About Bigsby-Equipped Fender Telecasters | 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... | 34m 47s | ||||||
| 9/26/25 | ![]() The Truth About Tough Gigs & The Difference Between "Shows" & "Gigs" | 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... | 21m 04s | ||||||
| 9/26/25 | ![]() Fender’s Best Bang-for-Buck Telecaster Yet | 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... | 13m 51s | ||||||
| 9/9/25 | ![]() Rosewood Fretboard Telecasters: Tone, Feel & History | 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... | 20m 22s | ||||||
| 8/26/25 | ![]() Albert Lee’s B-Bender Tricks You Can Steal | 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... | 21m 44s | ||||||
| 8/18/25 | ![]() 3 Gigs, 2 Sessions, and a Lightning Strike — D'Addario XS Strings Still Going | 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 ... | 13m 22s | ||||||
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Chart Positions
3 placements across 2 markets.
Chart Positions
3 placements across 2 markets.

