SOLD! Vintage Supertone Guitar / bottleneck slide blues hawaiian slack key

[kswilson89]

Keni, do you use plastic or metal fingerpicks? If they're plastic, how do you shape them to your fingers?

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@kswilson89 Thank you for your interest and question. I use both metal and plastic. Mainly plastic when performing or recording because they fit tighter, make less noise, and the longer blades dig deeper into the strings. The metal is more comfortable for long practice sessions. If the plastic picks are too tight, you can size them by placing a wooden match stick between the opening and placing the pick in boiling water for 5 seconds. Then into cold water. Enjoy your practice.

[kswilson89]

@KeniLeeBurgess Thanks Keni, big help!

[gisjh]

May I ask what a reasonable price is for a guitar like this?

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@gisjh Well, it is all about condition (playability, neck angle, cracks, etc) and if it is still all original. This guitar on ebay might go for $400 more or less depending upon interest. Repairing guitars is very expensive. Buying without have the opportunity to examine and play it is very risky. I usually expect the worst. Buying from a respectable dealer usually costs more, but you get some protection. Are you in the market to buy a guitar? Enjoy.

[Darkshadows90]

as a whole it's a nice guitar, but I don't think the scenery on it matches the tune played on it, lol Warm tropics vs blues tunes.....

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@Darkshadows90 Thank you for your comment. I see your point, but actually it is believed Hawaiian music may have been a major influence in the development of the bottleneck slide playing style in Mississippi. There was a Hawaiian craze in the 1920s and musicians toured on the traveling riverboats. Considering Slack Key uses open tunings and lap style uses a slide, this my be true. Even western / cowboy music uses the term Hawaiian guitar when referring to steel guitar. Enjoy.

[toddallenhooper]

man, you shoulda; kept that guitar!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@toddallenhooper Thank you for your comment. Although I don't technically consider myself a guitar dealer, I try to buy guitars at a reasonable price to restore them. I usually sell them at a small profit to afford more expensive instruments. I have been fortunate to be able to play a wide variety of nice guitars over the years. If I keep them all, I would never get around to playing them. I never have regrets. it makes me happy to sell a guitar to someone who will enjoy it. Take care.

[Xar0mir]

Nice sound, interesting looking guitar, i especially like the mother of toiletseat headstock. Don't see such bold stuff to often. <3 *like it*

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@Xar0mir Thank you for your interest and comment. Yes, the guitars of the 1920 and 1930s had a different size, shape and eye appeal than today's guitars. You can still find them available on ebay, but a good guitar builder is required to repair the damages caused by time and abuse. Enjoy.

[Xar0mir]

@KeniLeeBurgess

I actually have a little parlor, should also be from the 1920's but from germany.

I'm (ab)using it to learn the fine craft of guitar repair. Loads of work indeed.

If you are interested look at "poor-guitarist.blogspot" just scroll down on that page. Sorry for writing so much.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@Xar0mir Please feel free to write. Yes, repairing vintage guitars "correctly" is a lot of work. Basically, take them apart and put them back together. But personally, I love seeing and hearing an old guitar brought back from the dead. It is well worth the effort. Hopefully you will post a video playing it when you are done. Enjoy.

[jamescaptainfarrell]

Awesome what tuning is that Keni? Gmin or Dmin? tuned low I assume?

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@jamescaptainfarrell Close but no cigar LOL. I am in Open C minor. Open C (CGCGCe) with the e (major third) tuned down a half step to e flat. You did not watch the whole video did you? LOL Enjoy my friend.

[jamescaptainfarrell]

HEHE, guilty Kenny. I did see the comment on the tuning on the second page. Never messed around in this tuning much. Pretty neat.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Pretty interesting with all those ones and fives in a row. I believe Leo Kottke played a lot in open C. Enjoy.

[jamescaptainfarrell]

don't know what ones and fives are, I have your two cd's but I need to dig them out again. I'm not too smart with music theory

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Boy oh Boy! Sit down when you have an hour without your fiddle and watch CD 1 like a TV show. You need this stuff. Trust your old friend Keni Lee. These are the tones numbered in the major scale. In the key of C, C is the one. G is the five. If you add the third (E) you get a major chord. If you add a minor third (E flat) you get a minor chord. This is what the Blues is all about.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Music theory is your friend. At first you might not think so, but it is like knowing the alphabet and learning to read and write. You don't need the written language to speak...I guess? Don't be afraid young Skywalker. Enjoy.

[jamescaptainfarrell]

hehe, this one is a bitch Kenny. It's not the notes or the alt bass it's figuring out the vibe of the tune that's tough. Your stuff is always a challenge. I wish you had tabs of all this stuff you play. Your the only guy that really challenges me.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. I wish I had the time to tab everything out. I would have a book to sell. LOL You know the band U2 said they sucked as a cover band, so they started writing their own stuff. It worked out pretty well for them. In general it is difficult to play other performers music. In a way I am slowly developing my own style and approach. It is easy for me because it has developed over time. That is why it is best to be inspired by others and create your own renditions. Just be yourself. Enjoy.

[jamescaptainfarrell]

I hear you man, I try to get a little here, a little there and make my own stuff. That's sort of why on one hand I'd like to learn theory, on the other hand I don't because I got my own sound and that's that way I like it. When I started I did not want to sound like anybody else. It's just when I'm bored nothing inspires me as much as a lot of your stuff, blues wise. I think I got this tune, just have to give it a rest and let the brain cells assimilate overnight :) Thanks boss.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

My pleasure. Learn some theory. It will not change your style, it will give you tools to understand your style better. Enjoy.

[coopermano9]

no problem Keni, the video should arrive this week, many thanks Carl.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@coopermano9 Thank you Carl for your purchase. As you will see, the lessons will help you understand how to apply musical theory and use scales to figure out songs like this one very easily. Enjoy.

[coopermano9]

Hi Keni, would you be able to tab this for me. cheers Carl.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@coopermano9 Hello Carl. Old Keni Lee got more irons in the fire than he has fingers and toes. LOL Sorry, but right now I just don't have the time. Please considering studying my lessons. You will be able to figure this out and play it in no time. Thank you for your question. Enjoy.

[coopermano9]

Hi Kenny, just a bit of advice please, never played slide before but i'd like to give it a go. is it better to start on an older guitar?

my only parlour guitar is a new washburn r320, regards carl.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@coopermano9 Thank you for your question. You can play slide on any steel string acoustic guitar. It simply comes down to the tone. It does not matter if the guitar is old or new. Older guitars were built differently than the ones today. They used a form of internal bracing called ladder bracing. This construction made the guitars vibrate really well. Unfortunately it is a weak construction causing the neck to lift over time. Many older guitars need the neck reset.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@coopermano9 This guitar is in real nice shape considering it is so old. It is more of a romantic thing, to be playing the exact type of guitar that the early Blues masters played. I would compare it to restoring vintage cars. A real labor of love. Enjoy.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@coopermano9 BTW Yes, your new washburn r320 would work well for slide. It is all about the tuning and string gauge to get the correct tension for the strings. See this video:

How to Play Bottleneck Blues Slide Guitar CD 1 Open D Tuning Lesson 1 Introduction

[1958wvpicker]

Keni

don't know what song this is your playing

but it make my hair stand up on the back

of my neck

Excelent

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. This is an original arrangement. The minor tuning gives it a creepy sound. Enjoy.

[HondaSuperSport1100]

great guitar that sounds amazing....

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Please check out the auction. Enjoy.

[2009framat]

You know a lot about old guitar - nice video*****

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. I started getting interested in vintage guitars back in 1984. I guess I picked a few things up over the years. LOL Enjoy.

[davensonya]

are you in a minor tuning?

[davensonya]

ok, just finished watching the whole video! thanks keni!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

LOL I guess you got it.

CGCGCEflat

Enjoy.

[ExmoorMist]

Hi Kenni, i got the cd,s yesterday, lovin them, an inspiration!

want the rest soon.

v.fast shipping too

thanks

Rob. UK

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your endorsement. Glad you are enjoying the lessons. Please feel free to write if any questions arise as you are working through the lessons. Enjoy.

[RascalKyng]

Wow, that puppy rings forever...

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@RascalKyng Thank you for your comment. Yes, she is a great little guitar with a lot of sustain. Tuned low I use medium strings. If I want to tune up to Open E or A, I would use light strings. The string tension needs to be correct to ring the box. Too much (bad for the instrument) or too little (not enough vibrations) is no good. Enjoy.

[ShalomYal]

you could sell a shoe box with rubber bands stretched across it with your fine playing

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@ShalomYal LOL Thank you very much. If you build me one...I would certainly give it a try. Enjoy.

[mrairyo]

Is it already sold ? I can't find it on ebay.

By the way, I do enjoy your work and your tutorials.

Regards

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Yes, it is still available. I posted it today Monday 01/18/10. The auction will run for 7 days or until it sells. I will send you a link to the auction, but you should be able to find it on ebay by searching: Keni Lee. Thank you for your comment and interest.

[hiissacdahms]

i like how you are going to donate 100$ of the sale to hati

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your encouragement. Currently, here in the US we are facing tough economical times, but this is pale in comparison to the environmental devastation being faced by the people of Haiti. If we all just gave a little...it would be a lot.