Bring on the Tenor Guitar Revival!! 🤠

Love when you play the older guitars and talk about their unique qualities. Thank you! :)

@marjorieandrzejewski7996

2 жыл бұрын

Hi there @Sweet Home Virginia 👋 Did you know that Justin Johnson is now on Patreon? I would like to personally invite you to join us on Patreon where we enjoy Justin Johnson's Patreon-only Livestream Concerts and many more perks like song 🎵 requests and so much more. We're helping to keep his roots music 🎶 going and you can too, join our wonderful group and become part of the JJ ARMY. Here's the link and I hope to see you there soon ❤ www.patreon.com/justinjohnsonlive

@Jw-qo8pn

2 жыл бұрын

I love my vintage Harmony's and kays

The sounds from this guy has more clean and bright than my future.

I've never seen another player who can play the mood as well as the tune. I'm knee deep in swamp water when I listen to Justin!

Feelin' the blues in my soul.

I play ukulele (poorly) so I was super excited to see a four string guitar. I'd never heard of a tenor guitar before. Sounds amazing!! I actually love the sound.

@veenoir1991

2 жыл бұрын

Have you heard the uke bass?

@garyconnors1682

2 жыл бұрын

I play the baritone uke, sort of a nylon string tenor guitar. I have wondered about giving a tenor guitar a try, but I have not heard anything to motivate me to explore them. Until now. Tenor guitar recommendations are welcome.

@joeldcanfield_spinhead

2 жыл бұрын

@@garyconnors1682 My Blueridge 60T is glorious. But when you consider that a Harmony Monterey was a piece of junk when it was new and still sounds like this, almost any tenor will sound good. (I only comment on the quality of the Harmony because I have my grandfather's 59 and a quick inspection shows that it was the cheapest thing going-but when I play blues on it, there's not much better.) You can get an Ibanez tenor for under $200 at Amazon. Get something cheap, noodle around, and see if you want to spring for anything better.

@gavinw5469

2 жыл бұрын

@@garyconnors1682 I would recommend one of these old harmony's as opposed to a new tenor guitar under 500. The harmony's and Kay's and stuff like that. Should be easy to find under 500. They got a lot of mojo. I would also suggest an archtop if you like the sound of Justin's. His is a harmony Monterey. It should be easy to find under 300. Check Reverb and stuff like that. Make sure you check out other tunings too. Quite a few. Remember, you are not going to be able to play a tenor guitar easily if you do an open d tuning like Justin. It will be like learning a new instrument. Tenor guitars are cool, but they are not as neat as a normal acoustic, purely because it does not have the same range in terms of notes. The lack of bass makes it an accompaniment instrument. Remember, it was designed for tenor banjo players to have a guitar sound. The tenor banjo was used almost exclusively as a accompaniment instrument as well. Many people will tell you guitar is an extremely hard to learn instrument. If they tried it themselves, then they just lack the drive and dedication to learn a more difficult instrument. Other string instruments maybe easier, but none has the character and diversity of a guitar, except a violin, viola, or cello.There are also many different tunings, and a guitar fills the role of blues better, because low bass notes are fundamental to delta blues styles. I wish you good luck on your musical journey, and remember, I am not persuading you out of buying a tenor guitar, I am just sharing my opinion. Please pursue whatever inspires you and makes you happy!

@usernamemykel

2 жыл бұрын

Vee Noir Don’t know about them, but Largemouth Bass apparently have no vocal chords.

Hey Justin, I just finished reading the back story on that guitar and I am thankful that you decided to pull it out and play it for us cuz it sounds amazing! Then again every guitar you play sounds amazing ❣️❣️JJ❣️❣️

@toddburgess6792

2 жыл бұрын

Even SHOVELS!!! :-)

@robinemery

2 жыл бұрын

Yes even shovels☺️

I see I'm not the only one with a Hendrick's Gin in their workspace. 👀 I kid! Great sound. This is one of my favorite channels to pull inspiration from. Thank you for always treating us to something special, Justin! 💛

@marjorieandrzejewski7996

2 жыл бұрын

Hi there @Electric Blues 👋 Did you know Justin is now on Patreon? I would like to personally invite you to join us on Patreon and become part of the JJ ARMY where we enjoy Justin Johnson's Patreon-only Livestream Concerts and many more perks like song 🎵 requests and Master Classes where he will personally work with you on whatever you need help on in that group. We need to help him keep the roots music going ❤ Here's the link and I hope to see you there soon 🤘 🎸 ☮ www.patreon.com/justinjohnsonlive

that sent me to a real quiet place.. many thanks Justin.

Never heard of a tenor guitar...very cool!! Awesome playing!!

@DavidLaFerney

2 жыл бұрын

A tenor is missing the two bass strings. It makes chord shapes considerably easier to learn and should probably be ever beginners first instrument. A baritone ukulele is tuned and played the exact same way - and makes a perfect travel guitar. You can get a pretty good one for about $100 off of Amazon.

@davebarr9378

2 жыл бұрын

@@DavidLaFerney hey thank you David for the explanation 👍

@zaraanderson3838

2 жыл бұрын

@@DavidLaFerney traditional tuning is 5ths gdae or cgda. like a tenor banjo . looks like this one is tuned in a Open modal of some kind.

@DavidLaFerney

2 жыл бұрын

@@zaraanderson3838 That may very well be true, but the few I’ve ever touched were tuned DGBe - and as a guitar player I could play them with almost no learning curve. A non-musician probably wouldn’t know that you weren’t playing a regular 6 string. I have a baritone uke that I take everywhere - tuned DGBe - as a travel guitar. Every guitar player wants one - most just don’t know it yet.

I could sit and listen to that all day

Thanks for demonstrating this unique looking and sounding guitar. I have heard _of_ tenor guitars but hadn't actually heard one until now. Your description of the "pure, dry, lonesome tone" is spot on

Amazing playing! True, the harmonics and overtones are awesome.

1). I would be very surprised if this guitar actually dated to 1941. Headstock logos were different before 1955 or so, this style probably no older than 1959 and most likely early ‘60s. There is a date stamp inside the body, usually visible through one of the f-holes. Something like F-64 or S-69 as examples. Harmony made guitars up through about 1972. 2). Tenor guitar got a very big boost in the early 1960s, primarily due to The Kingston Trio. But if you really want to study some of its history you need to check out a player named Tiny Grimes. He was playing with Art Tatum back in the 1940s and keeping up with him note for note. Tiny was still performing well into his 90s.

@JIsaacMardis

10 ай бұрын

Yeah the guy with a million subscribers says it’s a 1941, but I’m going to go with the rando hanging out in the comments 🤣

@cgreeneblue

Ай бұрын

@@JIsaacMardis I think the Rando might be right here.

I'm at work, on my lunch break chillin to some Justin Johnson music. Life is good.

Thank you J.J. for show us this fascinating tenor guitar and its sound. It seems to be made expressly to play the blues and take us back to its beginnings.

I mean this as the greatest compliment, just closing my eyes and listening, and I'm out like a light! Soulful playing there!

You are my hero JJ. Magic sound you’re pulling out of that Harmony. Dang.

The sound you get out of that beautiful work of art is nothing less than haunting, like something from an old memory that you just can't quite place, but you know it's sweet and good, and you keep reaching for it, trying to get it all.

Love that awesome sound! Perfect guitar for blues!👍👍

Wonderfull sound from the tenor guitar 's heart directly to our heart. Bravissimo Justin !!!

I've read about some guitarists from way back learning on "4 string guitar" but never knew it was called a tenor. Thanks for sharing! Maybe I'll try this tuning on my baritone ukulele.

Thank you for giving that vintage guitar the JJ Justice it so deserves ,yet another beautiful sounding instrument in your very capable hands again . I can feel the respect you have for that rare piece of musical memories , cheers from NZ friend .

just sounds amazing and looks beautiful

Even more awesome than usual. Amazing.

Thank you for making us discover this old guitar and the music is beautiful. Thanks Justin 🎶👍🤙😀😀

The tone is..... sublime. Beautiful....☮️❤️✨🎶🐉

Wow this is different I've not seen a guitar like this before, you make it sound AMAZING, great song choice to show off its attributes ❤ 🤘 🎸

@Diosprometheus

10 ай бұрын

The Tenors are not popular any more. Gibson and Martin made them for four-string tenor banjo players who wanted to switch to guitars but did not want to learn the turnings. Gibson built the tenor lute TL-4 in 1924. This was actually a guitar with a lute-like shape. It had a banjo neck and four strings. At one time almost all the major guitar makers made a version of the tenor guitar. Tenor guitars are normally tuned in fifths, C3−G3−D4−A4, or the so-called "Chicago tuning", D3−G3−B3−E4, the same as the top four strings of a standard guitar, or the "baritone ukulele. That tuning makes it easier for guitar players to learn the instrument. It is also the same tuning use by the Baritone Ukes. The Delmore Brother Rabon, played the tenor guitar. Rabon favored the Martin 0-18T tenor guitar. Mandolinist Ira Louvin of the Louvin brothers played Rabon/s tenor on their tribute album to the Delmores. Jazz legend Tiny Grimes may be the most famous of the Tenor players. Tiny used the "Chicago Tuning" on his guitar. Publisher Hal Leonard puts out a Tenor Guitar method book.

Love those tenor guitars!!!! You really bring out the souls of the old guitars Justin Johnson. Thank you for the good vibes!!!!🤘😎🍻

Very Cool and smooth!

That's an amazing ax! Nice work and thanks for sharing those sweet tones.

This is music to my ears! That guitar sounds amazing! 🤘🎸

Mesmerizing. Great info. Thanks Justin 🎶🎶🎶

Love everything you play Justin.

Wow! That is really a cool sound. Very old school blues, absolutely love it..took me way down in the Delta! Hope this one will make it to the next Bootleg! Beautiful as...🎶🔥

Sounds stunning, great job as usual Justin 🤘🏼😈🤘🏼

Outstanding as always

You'll always able to find back your soul when listen to Justin's playing. Cheers...🍻

Fantastic is the word

I know it's mostly the fine playing and partly the resonance in the room, but my word, what a lovely guitar. Thank you for sharing.

Love watching you play on the 4 string guitars. Most tenors play mainly a strumming style but with you being extremely talented at picking you make the tenor sound way different in a very unique and cool way 👍👍👍

More please, that was awesome!

Gosh, lonesome is exactly the word for the tone of that lovely little instrument. Thanks mate.

I want to see Ted Woodford working on one of these while narrating with Justin behind him playing...beautiful!

Man you keep on inspireing with your soulfull skills!

Just coming by for another listen.

That is pure sweetness coming out of that old harmony great way to start the Labor Day weekend up here in Big sky country after a long brutal intense work week putting down some cold ones listening to Mr Johnson 👌🍺🎸

Glad to see someone giving the old tenor guitars some attention!

Very mesmerizing thing those ghostly overtones.

Wonderful sound from that ol‘Monterey archtop! Wouldn’t mind to hear more from it! 👍🏽

Acoustic is your total sound. Love when you share your gift. Iv learned so much watching your timing and you change overs i dont know if it g ,f or any chord but im know shapes and sound. Im getting there by feel ill get flow soon. Thanks for sharing your craft with simple folk like me...

So good!

Very nice!

Thank you for your virtuosity 🙏

Love that! I have a ‘51 Martin tenor I can’t stop playing. Tenors have great mojo and the tunings are plentiful. 👊🏼💥🎶

4 strings & skill. Awesome ! Blues On....💙

Never heard of a Tenor guitar before JJ but that one sure sounds great in your capable hands! 👏👏👍👍🎸🎸

You’re such a tasteful player!! Man, the tone from that guitar is edible.

Excellent guitar playing Justin thank you very much and wish you a nice evening Greetings Elisabeth.

Amazing, you can play anything . It's a beautiful gift . Never getting boring , I can listening day and night . Wanna thank you for your Mug, I buy it a while ago . Wish you a good musical weekend from the Netherlands. Play safe Uhh stay safe 😁

That sound just blew me away. Incredibly sad and beautiful.

.......beautiful JJ, put me in my happy place

Sweet, Justin I have a 110 year old 6 string Harmony archtop and it's a loud guitar I love it, no doubt you could play it better than I got bless you brother...

Fan-damn-tastic playing! This reminds me that I have an Eastwood Warren Ellis tenor tucked away somewhere. Time to go spelunking for sounds!

Totally cool, indeed. Thanks.

Super fine playing JJ. The best!! My first guitar was a acoustic 6 string Harmony (1968-1969). I still have it. (probably a beginner guitar)

Love this instrument.

Well played👍

So great!

I also never heard of tenor guitars... Learned something new today!

no matter what i am doing when you post a new video i stop i settle in relaxes enjoy and start anew thanks Greg in JC. MO.

Thank you for the history lesson Master. You and your videos are a constant inspiration. Just built my first 4-string. Trying to get used to it. I’m digging the 5th on top of the other three stings. Yes, I build three string CBGs. Never knew how to play a guitar until I built one. Maybe one day I’ll work my way up to a six-string. But for now this is where I am.

Take me and put a anchor on my ankle! This bit of beauty had my floating like a feather in the thermal up draft absolutely beautiful 😉 I can’t thank you enough Dr Johnson simply stunningly beautiful 😘👍. Stay safe and healthy like always 😘👍✌️

Always awesome... 😎🥃

Superb

My grandfather and uncles always play this 'style' of guitars and those 'old' tunes Wished I could have played like they did, it wasn't unusual around our place in Texas, sitting on the back porch just a rock's throw to the bayou and hearing music waft through. Watching Justin play & listening reminds of those days. and I still can't play LOL

Thank-you, sounds good

Superbe guitare vintage..... Bravo Justin.

Sounds great!

Such a lonely mournful sound from a old girl that looks like she was loved and well taken care of. Skol from the great white north brother. You keep picking and I’ll keep listening.

One of My great uncles has a 4 string acoustic guitar that is a National from 1949, it sounds amazing when he plays that thing. He got it Cheap used in the mid 1950's since nobody in the Twin Cities of Minnesota wanted a 4 string guitar that just sat on the store shelf forever. He did get the pickguard redone with some okay plastic one as the early plastic pickguard split due to the plastic shrinking over the years.

Awesome sounds. I am trying to do this on an old mandolin with just 4 strings.

This is so chilled, it's got icicles on it!

Thank You

Beautiful guitar. I keep my tenor guitar is Chicago tuning, but I am very happy to see the fret markers where they belong on this old Harmony.

Great sounds Man thanks for sharing. I have an old archtop Harmony 4 string didn't know what is was, after seeing this I think she's gonna get a set of new strings n a little TLC.

Awesome! I just bought one of these today (with an attachable De Armond pickup) on the strength of this performance! Saw it for sale so I watched a few videos trying to decide and the first two sounded terrible - then I listened to this and was blown away

Ah, yes.... a fine year, wonderful color. You can taste it in the air!

I inherited my father's father's 59 Monterey tenor (made the same year as me.) I play my various tenors more than all my other instruments; it's so intuitive it makes me want to experiment.

Wish I could play like you. I think you’re my favourite blues guitarist online. You have good taste and style.

wow so good Love it 😀

I’ve been thinking about getting a tenor guitar. This makes me really want one now! Awesome playing Justin.

@tangobayus

2 жыл бұрын

Try your 6 string in open D. It's been my exclusive tuning for several years.

Wow, a four-string, LOVE IT!

I loved your description as " lonely tone" that's exactly how it sounds

Very nice💗💗

Man that’s a sweet sound

Magnifique 😍

Je ne suis ni guitariste, ni musicien, mais quand je vois Justin détacher sa main gauche de son instrument , c'est particulier. C'est comme s'il libérait sa guitare et qu'il la laissait vivre… tout en l'écoutant lui-même. C'est un geste-signature que j'aime beaucoup! (I'm not a guitarist or a musician, but when I see Justin detach his left hand from his instrument, it's special. It's as if he released his guitar and let it live... while listening to it itself. It's a signature gesture that I really like!)

THANKYOU.

Beautiful Justin 🤩