Ask Zac

Zac Childs
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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. 

  1. Oct 15

    1960 Danelectro 3923 Double Neck: History, Design, and the SRV Mod

    In this episode of Ask Zac, we take a deep dive into an unusual vintage instrument: the 1960 Danelectro 3923 Double Neck. From the early history of Danelectro to playing demos, modding options, and the famous Stevie Ray Vaughan connection, here is a full breakdown of this unique guitar/bass hybrid. Chapter Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction & Overview 1:54 – Channel Thanks 2:10 – The History of Danelectro & Nate Daniel 3:35 – The 1956 U2 Model & Innovation 4:16 – Unique Danelectro Specs: Poplar, Masonite & Lipstick Pickups 8:05 – The 6-String & 4-String Basses 9:09 – Introducing the 1959/1960 Danelectro 3923 Double Neck 10:18 – Why a Guitar + Bass Hybrid is So Odd 12:42 – Pop Culture, Props & The Beverly Hillbillies 14:18 – Stevie Ray Vaughan, Steve Soest & The Bass 6 Mod 15:47 – Jimmy Vaughan, The Fabulous T-Birds & "Tuff Enuff" 18:05 – Breakdown of the Mods on This Specific 3923 19:39 – Playing Demo: Guitar Neck (Bridge, Both, Neck Pickups) 22:49 – Playing Demo: Bass Neck (Overdrive & Clean) 26:05 – The Sympathetic Resonance / Natural Reverb Trick 27:10 – Factory Bass 6 Myths & Modular Dano Designs 29:01 – Credits & Final Thoughts 1. Danelectro History & Engineering Innovation Founded by Nate Daniel, Danelectro started by building amplifiers for major department store catalogs like Sears and Montgomery Ward. When Fender and Gibson revolutionized the market with solid-body guitars in the early 1950s, Daniel approached guitar design from an engineer's perspective, launching the iconic U2 model in 1956 for just $60, roughly a third of the cost of a Fender Telecaster at the time. Key construction features included: Necks & Nuts: Poplar necks with Brazilian rosewood fretboards and non-adjustable twin steel rods to prevent warping, topped with a metal nut screwed straight into place. Body Construction: Masonite front and back panels built over a hollowed poplar/pine frame with internal wooden support blocks under the bridges. Lipstick Pickups: Bar magnets wrapped in wire inside metal lipstick tubes, yielding a clean, lower-output tone with less noise. 2. The 1960 Danelectro 3923 Double Neck Introduced around 1959 for $175 (plus $30 for the case), the Model 3923 featured a double-cutaway body equipped with two distinct necks: a 6-string guitar neck and a 4-string bass neck. Unlike most double necks of the era, which usually paired a standard guitar with a 12-string or high-octave neck to replicate Les Paul's multi-track studio effects, a guitar/bass hybrid was a strange practical match for live players. For decades, it was often treated as a novelty or comedy stage prop, appearing on album covers like gospel duo Stan and Dan or featured in 1960s TV shows like The Beverly Hillbillies. 3. The Stevie Ray Vaughan & Steve Soest Connection The instrument's reputation shifted in the 1980s when Stevie Ray Vaughan sought out a vintage Danelectro double neck. SRV recruited legendary California luthier and Danelectro expert Steve Soest to convert the 4-string bass neck into a 6-string bass. The conversion was popular because Danelectro's modular headstocks and bridges easily accommodated two extra tuners and a 6-string saddle setup. Stevie used this modded setup on stage and featured it prominently in magazine shoots, such as the post-humous Guitar Player tribute cover. 4. Special Mods on the Featured Instrument & Playthrough The specific 1960 model demonstrated in this video has been upgraded beyond the original factory specs: Added Pickups: Factory 3923 models came with only one pickup per neck. This unit features an added vintage bridge pickup on both the guitar and bass sides. Upgraded Electronics: Features a dedicated neck-selector switch (Guitar / Both / Bass) plus a secondary pickup selector switch that operates both necks simultaneously. Sympathetic Reverb Effect: When both necks are active at the same time, playing notes on one neck causes the strings on the idle neck to vibrate sympathetically, creating a natural acoustic reverb effect through the amp. Mentioned Links & References Book: Guitars from Neptune: The Illustrated History of Danelectro by Paul Bechtold and Doug Tulloch Video Clip: Stevie Ray Vaughan performing on his modded Danelectro double neck alongside Santana and The Fabulous Thunderbirds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDj2_319CJU&t=735s www.truetone.com To Support the Channel: Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZac https://ask-zac-shop.fourthwall.com Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Support the show

  2. Oct 8

    A Look At The Fender Tone Master '59 Twin-Amp (Joe Bonamassa Edition)

    Why would a legendary tone snob with Dumbles and real '59 Tweed Twins put his name on a digital amp? On today's episode of Ask Zac, we take a deep dive into the new Fender Joe Bonamassa Tone Master '59 High-Powered Tweed Twin, and what happened when I took it out on the road. Fender sent over one of these digital tweed powerhouses to review. As someone who uses digital and solid-state gear on stage (including recent televised Grand Ole Opry performances), I share my honest thoughts on why this amp exists, who it’s actually for, and whether modeling has earned a permanent spot in a vintage purist’s rig. We walk through the amp's features, tone flexibility, studio usability, and real-world gig results, including: Why Joe Bonamassa Went Digital: The real-world realities of touring, component drift, finicky 12AX7 tubes, and why consistency reigns supreme on the road. Tonal Features: Exploring the Normal vs. Bright inputs, the padded #2 inputs, mid-range grit, built-in digital reverb, and the rear-panel power selector (from under 1 watt to 85 watts). Modern Upgrades: The switchable FX loop (ideal for big solo boosts and delays), direct XLR output with IR cab simulations, and custom Celestion Joe Bonamassa Neodymium "blackback-style" speakers. Road-Test Results: How the amp performed on stage during big shows, lightweight transport benefits, dialing in the Vintage vs. Tight switch, selecting IR presets, and how it paired with my Danelectro doubleneck and baritone Telecaster. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Intro & Welcome to Ask Zac 0:51 - The Fender Joe Bonamassa Tone Master '59 High Powered Tweed Twin 1:53 - Patreon Thanks & Why I'm Doing This Video 2:44 - Why Fender Sent Me This Amp & My Experience with Tone Masters at the Opry 3:11 - Why Would Joe Bonamassa Do a Digital Amp? (The Consistency Factor) 5:33 - XLR Direct Out & Modern Gigging Maintenance Realities 7:08 - Power Attenuator / Output Selector Switch Features 8:01 - Tone & Input Demos (Normal vs. Bright, Padded Inputs) 10:07 - Onboard Digital Reverb & FX Loop Walkthrough 11:40 - Cosmetic Build & Leo Fender’s Favorite Circuit 12:39 - Celestion JB Neodymium Speakers & Mid-Range Push 14:28 - Why Keith Richards & Big Tweed Fans Love High-Power Twins 15:09 - First Impressions & Studio Verdict 16:47 - Road Test Addendum: Taking the Amp Out on the Road 17:40 - Direct XLR Experience & In-Ear Monitor Tweaks (Bass & Tight Switch) 18:52 - Selecting IR Preset #2 19:18 - Stage Photos & Guitars Used (Dan Electro Doubleneck & Baritone Tele) www.truetone.com To Support the Channel: Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZac https://ask-zac-shop.fourthwall.com Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac If you enjoyed the video, please give it a Like, subscribe to the channel, and drop a comment below—would you gig a digital Tweed Twin? #AskZac #Fender #JoeBonamassa #ToneMaster #TweedTwin #GuitarAmps #GuitarGearReview Support the show

  3. Sep 29

    When and Why To Use A Guitar Wireless

    On today’s episode of Ask Zac, we dive into the world of guitar wireless systems, specifically when and why you should consider ditching your instrument cable. From small casino stages to massive stages with thrusts, we look at how going wireless impacts your stage presence, overall safety, tone, and performance workflow. I also share a few embarrassing lessons I’ve learned the hard way (including a dropout mid-solo on a giant stage) so you can avoid making the same mistakes! Key Topics Covered: Why Go Wireless? The freedom of stage movement, safety from electrical shocks, and eliminating trip hazards/cable management. When to Make the Switch: Why cables work fine on tiny stages, but wireless becomes essential as stage size and performance expectations grow. The "Soundcheck Hack": How wireless lets you step out front into the audience area to hear what your rig actually sounds like through the PA. Tone & Pickup Buffering: Does wireless ruin your tone? We break down capacitance, signal buffering, and do an A/B audio comparison between a cable and a wireless unit. Pedalboard vs. Rack Units: Choosing the right tool for the job, when a pedalboard unit works vs. when you need a professional rackmount setup with external antennas. Video Chapters: 0:00 - Intro: Talking to My Younger Self 1:25 - Do You Need Wireless on Small Stages? 3:00 - Stage Size & Showmanship Expectations 4:25 - Real-World Story: Cabling vs. Stage Movement 6:00 - Entertaining the Audience & Stage Freedom 7:20 - Big Stages, Thrusts, and Cable Nightmares 8:30 - Does Wireless Ruin Your Tone? 11:08 - Stage Safety & Shock Prevention 11:39 - Gear Review: Shure GLXD+ Pedalboard Wireless 14:08 - Bodypack Placement & Guitar Switching Tips 15:57 - Soundcheck Hack: Hearing Yourself Out Front 16:37 - A/B Sound Test: Wireless vs. D'Addario Cable 18:23 - Pickup Buffering & Capacitance Explained 19:15 - What to Avoid: Cheap Units & Big Stage Dropouts 20:50 - Final Thoughts on Showmanship & Wrapping Up Gear Featured in This Episode: Shure GLXD+ Digital Wireless Pedalboard System D'Addario Instrument Cables If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with a fellow gear head. Thanks for watching! Support the show

  4. Sep 17

    My 5 Favorite Delay Pedals (Plus an Honorable Mention)

    Delay is hands down my favorite guitar effect. It’s the ultimate tool for adding space, fattening up your tone, and creating depth, whether you're playing fast country chicken pickin' or holding out ambient chords. In this episode, I share the delay pedals I’ve relied on for years (including one I've been playing since 1991), complete with my favorite settings, live rig applications, and sound demos. Note: This video is 100% unsponsored. Every pedal featured was purchased with my own money from pawn shops, Reverb, or local gear stores. Pedals Featured in This Episode: Universal Audio UAFX Del-Verb – The ultimate solution for a killer Deluxe Memory Man style delay combined with a top-tier spring reverb. Boss DM-3 Analog Delay – My most-used delay of all time. Quiet, warm, and the absolute king of always-on slapback. Boss DD-2 Digital Delay – The legendary 1980s long-chip digital classic used by John Jorgenson and Brad Paisley for punchy, mix-cutting repeats. Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay – A touch-sensitive digital delay with a dynamic, "ducking" quality that gets out of the way of your pick attack. Line 6 Echo Park – The ultimate compact workhorse with tap tempo, versatile voicings, and rock-solid reliability. Honorable Mention: Strymon El Capistan (V2) – The modern industry standard for multi-head tape echo emulation, complete with a favorite switch for fly dates. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & Why Delay is My Favorite Effect 1:28 - Full Disclosure (Unsponsored Content) 1:51 - Support the Channel 2:13 - 1. Universal Audio UAFX Del-Verb 7:54 - 2. Boss DM-3 Analog Delay 12:22 - 3. Boss DD-2 Digital Delay 18:15 - 4. Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay 22:34 - 5. Line 6 Echo Park 25:48 - 6. Honorable Mention: Strymon El Capistan 28:21 - Final Thoughts & Outro www.truetone.com To Support the Channel: Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZac https://ask-zac-shop.fourthwall.com Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac Support the show

  5. Sep 8

    Richard Bennett's Genius on Steve Earle's “Guitar Town”

    On this episode of Ask Zac, we take a deep dive into Steve Earle’s landmark 1986 album Guitar Town and, in particular, the incredible guitar work of Richard Bennett. Bennett’s playing on the title track is a masterclass in taste, melody, and knowing exactly what a song needs. We’ll break down the licks, turnarounds, tic-tac parts, and that fantastic solo, and look at how Richard created so much musical impact with what might seem like a very unusual instrument: a vintage Danelectro six-string bass. I’ll also talk about Richard Bennett’s background, his work with artists including Neil Diamond and Billy Joel, his move from Los Angeles to Nashville, and his growing role in the making of Guitar Town. There’s a great story behind how Richard ended up playing the “guitar solo” on the song, and why the instrument he chose helped create such a distinctive sound. Along the way, I’ll put my own Jerry Jones Longhorn six-string bass through its paces and explain some of the things that make the original Danelectro six-string bass so unique. Richard is one of my favorite guitar players, and I had the pleasure of interviewing him for Vintage Guitar back in 2005. I’ll also point you toward some of the sources I used, including David McGee’s Fearless Heart and my original Richard Bennett interview. So grab your guitar, or just listen closely, and let’s dig into one of the great examples of Nashville guitar playing. And if you haven’t listened to Guitar Town lately, go give the whole record another spin. It’s a classic. My 2005 interview with Richard https://www.askzac.com/post/richard-bennett-interview Steve Earle with Richard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xp4OGarKJo Steve, Richard, and Mike McAdam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yGhm8CviuE www.truetone.com To Support the Channel: Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZac https://ask-zac-shop.fourthwall.com Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac #SteveEarle #GuitarTown #RichardBennett #CountryGuitar #NashvilleGuitar #Danelectro #AskZac #GuitarSolo Support the show

  6. Sep 1

    My Favorite Seymour Duncan Pickups

    In honor of Seymour Duncan’s 50th anniversary, I’m taking a look at some of my favorite Seymour Duncan pickups, and the guitars I use them in. I’ll start with a little Seymour Duncan history, including the famous story about Seymour, Robbie Robertson, and the pickup that helped set him on the path toward building his own pickups. I’ll also talk about my own history with Seymour Duncan, from buying my first Alnico II Pro Tele bridge pickup to eventually getting involved with the Lost Paisley pickup set for Fender. Then it’s time for the guitars. I pulled out a bunch of my favorite instruments and talk about why I chose the particular Seymour Duncan pickups in each one, including Antiquity humbuckers, Antiquity Tele pickups, the ’53 Tapped Tele set, Hot Strat Stack pickups, Lipstick Tube Strat pickups, the Twang Banger, Vintage Stack Tele pickups, and more. Along the way, I’ll demonstrate how I use these pickups for everything from classic Tele tones and Nashville/Bakersfield sounds to higher-output Strat sounds, slide, recording, and live work, including some of the guitars I take on the road with Brad Paisley. It’s a tip of the hat to Seymour Duncan, a look at some great pickups. Congratulations to Seymour Duncan on 50 years! www.truetone.com To Support the Channel: Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZac https://ask-zac-shop.fourthwall.com Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac #SeymourDuncan #AskZac #GuitarPickups #Telecaster #Stratocaster Support the show

  7. Aug 18

    Why My Baritone Tele Got a B-Bender

    Eight months ago, I built a baritone Telecaster with some friends. Since then, it has traveled with me all over the United States and Europe on tours, stages, airplanes, and 18-wheelers. Through all these gigs, I’ve learned a lot about what makes a baritone work in a band setting, and what doesn’t. In this episode of Ask Zac, I’m taking a deeper look at the evolution of this guitar and the biggest change I’ve made to it: installing a Glaser bender. The guitar is tuned B-to-B, and I’ve found that the lower register makes it a fantastic complement to other instruments. I’ll discuss what I discovered while playing and soloing onstage, including how the lower range encouraged me to play more melodically and simply rather than trying to compete with the fastest players. I’ll also share the practical lessons I’ve learned along the way, such as cutting low end, using more dirt, and experimenting with different string sets before settling on a lighter D’Addario set. I’ll explain why my attempt to use an unwound third string failed and how that ultimately led me to add the bender. Additionally, we’ll take a close look at the Glaser bender itself to hear what happens when you put one on a B-to-B baritone. It delivers a bigger, throatier sound than a conventional Telecaster bender, bringing both unique advantages and drawbacks that open up interesting musical possibilities. Finally, I’ll talk about the Music City Bridge saddles, the Ron Ellis Tele pickups that have been in the guitar for the last seven months, and a few other experiments. Think of this as a sequel to my original baritone Telecaster video, updated with everything I've learned from eight months of real-world use on the road. www.truetone.com To Support the Channel: Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZac https://ask-zac-shop.fourthwall.com Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac #AskZac #BaritoneGuitar #Telecaster #GlaserBender #BBender #FenderTelecaster #BaritoneTelecaster #GuitarGear Support the show

  8. Aug 10

    Remembering Jerry Jones: The Guitar Builder Who Changed Nashville

    In this episode of Ask Zac, I’m paying tribute to the late, great Jerry Jones, one of Nashville’s most respected guitar repairmen, builders, and innovators. Before becoming known for his incredible line of instruments, Jerry was the guitar guru for many of Nashville’s top players, including Chet Atkins, Reggie Young, and Sam Bush. He eventually began building his own instruments, creating unique hybrids and, most famously, a whole range of beautifully made guitars inspired by the classic Danelectro designs. We’ll look at Jerry’s incredible Bass 6, baritone, 12-string, sitar, double-neck, and other specialty instruments, and the musicians and records that helped make these unusual guitars essential studio tools.  I’ll also talk about Jerry’s work for Merle Haggard, his friendship with Danelectro founder Nat Daniel, the return of the Danelectro name in the 1990s, and the lawsuit that ultimately had a major impact on Jerry’s guitar business. And, of course, I’ll show you one of my favorite Jerry Jones instruments: Brad Paisley’s Bass 6, a guitar Brad bought in the mid-'90s that has appeared on every Brad Paisley record and continues to be an important part of his musical arsenal. Jerry Jones made instruments that were innovative, incredibly useful, and built to survive the road. His guitars became the go-to “niche” instruments for countless players, and his influence can still be heard today. This is a tribute to Jerry Jones, his remarkable instruments, and the lasting mark he left on the world of guitars. www.truetone.com To Support the Channel: Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZac https://ask-zac-shop.fourthwall.com Tip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZac Venmo @AskZac #AskZac #JerryJones #Danelectro #Bass6 #BaritoneGuitar #GuitarHistory #NashvilleGuitars #BradPaisley Support the show

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

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. 

Information

  • Creator
    Zac Childs
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    283
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ask Zac
  • Show Website
    Ask Zac

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