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

@MorroccoM13

15 күн бұрын

He is

The headstock of the Tele is the most beautiful thing.

@darood77

2 жыл бұрын

Agree!

@ss_whole

2 жыл бұрын

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

@joeurbanowski321

2 жыл бұрын

I think it’s the sound..

@winstonli8081

2 жыл бұрын

@@ss_whole same

@ryanllewellyn3472

2 жыл бұрын

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

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.

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

@clausmadsen6754

11 күн бұрын

Indeed. What a terrific video! What a treat!

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

@ichbin4122

3 жыл бұрын

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

@wieringawouter5666

3 жыл бұрын

Oh hell yes me to 🤙❤

@cirimaxg651

Жыл бұрын

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

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

Robben Ford is my default go-to guitar player on KZread. 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.

Gosh, he is so sympathetic! Legend

Micky Baker! Jerry Garcia turned me on to those books when I took several lessons from him at a Palo Alto music store at age 13 in 1963 before he became famous with the Grateful Dead. Still have them!

@UncleTerry

4 жыл бұрын

Micky Baker: That's a great story, The only famous Musician I ever met was in passing, I was working a small Best Western in Moscow, Idaho at the time (Mid Eighties) A short shirtless gentleman with a long beard ask me "Hey man where's the ice machine" I replied "right down here sir on the corner of the hall way" He replied thanks" . As soon as I turn away, I said to myself realizing "Shit that was Dusty from ZZ TOPP".

@PC160

4 жыл бұрын

Dana Morgan's

@1000mg.

4 жыл бұрын

My jazz teacher had the Mickey Baker book. I borrowed it from him and photocopied every page. My teacher told me it was college level material.

@ahiwalter9153

4 жыл бұрын

best decision I ever made for my guitar playing was listening to a gentleman playing a beautiful chord progression in a guitar centre when I asked him where he learned it he said I needed get this book, I immediately went home & found the book & learned everything I could about Mickey Baker

@skinnykarlos710

4 жыл бұрын

@@UncleTerry At least he thanked you. That must be the Texan manners shining through. New Yorkers and others don't even say goodbye when they hang up the phone let alone thank you for your help. It's like they've got an entitlement to it. Fuck that. I wouldn't mind sitting down with Dusty Hill and picking his brains about the early ZZ Top days. Man they're a great band.

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

4 жыл бұрын

he sure has a great voice

@jonathanhandsmusic

4 жыл бұрын

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

4 жыл бұрын

@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

4 жыл бұрын

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

@p6x2

4 жыл бұрын

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

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

@SongbirdsFoundation

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!! We had a blast.

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!

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

@slothvenom6424

4 жыл бұрын

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

4 жыл бұрын

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

@dgdg6143

4 жыл бұрын

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

4 жыл бұрын

@@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

3 жыл бұрын

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

I don’t care who is being interviewed. There is nothing ugly about a tele. It is one of the most perfect and beautiful guitars out there.

@taildragger53

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I'd say there are really ugly guitars with 10 pickups and stuff (like the 1960s cheap Italian & East Europe models) , even the Mosrite or Explorer was a strange shape, but the Telecaster is a well balanced shape & quite comfortable.

@ryantinker8598

Жыл бұрын

1000% agree! Got three of them

@Monti1999

2 ай бұрын

I hate the small head. The fatter Versions are awesome. I own the white Tele Ultra and i am so in love with it.

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

@SongbirdsFoundation

4 жыл бұрын

Us too!

@mma1st105

4 жыл бұрын

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

@christianlacheze3323

4 жыл бұрын

Me too!

@porkbelly0713

4 жыл бұрын

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

@Alemski

4 жыл бұрын

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

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!

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

4 жыл бұрын

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

3 жыл бұрын

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

3 жыл бұрын

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

@dylansnyder216

3 жыл бұрын

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

@ramonmoreno8014

3 жыл бұрын

@@john-zw9rw Get a safe space

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

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.

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..

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

@SongbirdsFoundation

4 жыл бұрын

We agree!

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.

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.

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

4 жыл бұрын

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

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

@truckerkevthepaidtourist

4 жыл бұрын

@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

3 жыл бұрын

@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🎸

The best clean tones ever - right there.

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.

There's 2 or 3 Pages in that first Micky Baker book that have all the Important jJzz Chords/Voicings a player could ever need. Changed my life. : )

A total genius! Nice guy too :)

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

As much as I love, cherish and adore a vintage Les Paul Custom (1959 is my favorite) I do love and appreciate the beauty and simplicity of a Telecaster

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

The man is a humble legend. Thanks.

That little bit you sang and played sounded great!

Excellent interview and content! Thanks Robben.

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

His playing gives me the chills

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

2 жыл бұрын

Same applies to all guitars with volume and tone knobs

@Spartanm333

2 жыл бұрын

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.

What a wealth of knowledge and application coming from this guy!!

big respect for this guy. Robben, love your work and approach.

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

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!

This is fantastic, thank you.

This video is golden! Thanks Robben!

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.

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

Thank you Robben, my playing was just elevated as so many elements came together with this lesson

Great interview!👏👏👏 Robben is one of my favourite guitar players of all time

When i heard Manage a trois with the Yellow Jackets i just loved your tasteful chops then i got a chance to see you at Clearwater Jazz and blues fest. You used possibly that telecaster. Certainly one of the All time Guitar Virtuosos.🎸🤗

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!

One of my absolute favorite guitar players!

Hi Robben! Thanks for this wonderful video. It was great hearing how your interests and playing evolved. I have the good old Mickey Baker books too, but I haven't worked as hard to learn it as you did. I always enjoy your playing, and the little bits you played here are beautiful. I love your control over the dynamics! Best wishes!

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

4 жыл бұрын

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

4 жыл бұрын

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

3 жыл бұрын

Hello When you say to thinline you mean humbuckers?

@ReeWebster

3 жыл бұрын

@@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

3 жыл бұрын

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

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.

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

Master of tone, approach, technique, phrasing and a soulful singer...the whole deal. Thanks for posting and a huge inspiration.

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

@hyperbrightstudios

4 жыл бұрын

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

@auntjenifer7774

4 жыл бұрын

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

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed! 👍

@eocha24

3 жыл бұрын

I need a tremolo arm

@bryantherocker

3 жыл бұрын

NAH YOU NEED A WHAMMY A MIDDLE PICKUP

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

Thanks Robben. Fantastic

Thank you Robben for the wonderful stories and music.

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

@1000mg.

3 жыл бұрын

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

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

I went through the Micky Baker books... Loved them and showed me a whole new world of chords!! Great Video.

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

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

3 жыл бұрын

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

@kraytkopacki4034

2 жыл бұрын

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

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).

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!

I'd seen/heard of him for years but wow, his enthusiasm is powerful and hungry as mine. Great insights.

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

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.

I love this video, watched it 10 times. This one vid will teach you everything folks.

Robben is one of the all time greats. Such wonderful phrasing.

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.

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

Robben thanks for your beautiful playing blessed be ol'boy

one of my favorite guitar players. Silky smooth. I love his articulation on the guitar

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

@Marnigato

4 жыл бұрын

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

@kitano0

4 жыл бұрын

@@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...

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

4 жыл бұрын

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

@blindtoby8967

3 жыл бұрын

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

@youngandrew66

3 жыл бұрын

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

@tomcoryell

3 жыл бұрын

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

@robertwoodward829

3 жыл бұрын

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!

Robben Ford is one of my favorite guitar players. Thanks for the video.

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

Astonishing guitarist. Such knowledge and skill and sensitivity..

the telecaster is like a gorgeous woman....the more you look at it.....the more you fall in love

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).

beautiful man. it comes through in his playing. What a right hand, well both hands. Such control. Total master of his tone....

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

4 жыл бұрын

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

@earlyraybonneville1762

3 жыл бұрын

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!!

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

@mattflickinger8151

4 жыл бұрын

Michael Gorman “complete course in jazz guitar”?

Robben is such a kind man, full of knowledge he likes to share, beautiful tone with every guitar (that Epi is gorgeous).

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

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

man that spring reverb sounds great

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

There’s something about watching and listening these virtuosos that’s just hypnotizing. So much knowledge and experience, it’s almost hard to grasp. Yet, somehow, their mastery over their craft makes it seem as if it’s the easiest thing in the world. Great video.

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

@corneliuscrewe677

4 жыл бұрын

Right?

@blonk333

4 жыл бұрын

Came here to say the same

@fattuh1275

4 жыл бұрын

i agree too

@NickGranville

4 жыл бұрын

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.

@maxmarkowitz8722

4 жыл бұрын

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

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

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

What beautiful, understated playing.

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

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

@davidkenneth3983

Жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

@@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.

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.

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

@SongbirdsFoundation

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!