Ted Nugent Stranglehold Guitar Solo - Some Byrdman History

[jamespat10]

How much is a Brydland typically? I'm in love with this guitar. This and a Hummingbird are my two dream guitars to have.

[ByrdmanSteve]

@jamespat10 I don't even know anymore. Bout 17 years ago you could get them for 3-5k, last I knew you are looking at 5 -12k. I am not familiar with the Hummingbird guitar, I'l have to check 'em out.

[RyeBai]

@ByrdmanSteve

I dunno much bout guitars…

But I did notice a gold and a platinum record?

What's the song?

[ByrdmanSteve]

@RyeBai Ted Nugent's Scream Dream & Cat Scratch Fever. I tend to collect anything Nugent:)

[therockandrollable]

Ive got a Gibson melody maker! what do you know about it? Is it good?

[ByrdmanSteve]

@therockandrollable @therockandrollable I'm not personally familiar with the guitar. I understand they stared in 1959 to present. A buddy of mine says they are not bad guitars. He would prefer it to collect it rather than a play guitar but My personal opinion is, The guitar is the least of the equation. It's the player first.

[therockandrollable]

how much is a byrdland gibson

[ByrdmanSteve]

@therockandrollable If you can find one, maybe 7k to 20 The Florentine cutaway (pointed) seems to be more rare and may jack the price up.

[LordAzai]

@byrdmansteve hey byrdmanstevec I'm getting an es 137 soon because I couldn't afford the byrdland. It's got the same pickups, body shape and depth, and ebony fingerboard. Although it has a normal scale neck with a 60s profile and a stop at tailpiece and of course cheaper materials. I think that should come close to the byrdland at a fraction of the price, don't you think? I really hope it feeds back like a byrdland :)

[ByrdmanSteve]

@LordAzai That guitar sounds very cool. don't worry too much about the guitar. Any hollow body, or semi hollow body will get you close so long as it has some fairly decent electronics, at least that's my opinion. I'm not a terribly knowledgeable guitar connoisseur, I just play 'em and was fortunate enough to get my hands on a Byrdland. The guitar I spent the past 20 years playing is a Gibson ES135. Let me know if you post a video, would love to hear it. Just have Nuge inside U & ur good! Steve

[Nugent7928]

You have to tame the Byrdland or it will defeat you!!

[ByrdmanSteve]

@Nugent7928 You got that right! Thanks...

[ByrdmanSteve]

@MrXAVIERDB You got that right! It has a mind of it's own! Thanks for the note:)..

Steve

[triplover64]

Sorry about the double post - browser trouble, I guess. More questions, Steve if you don't mind...

What kind of amp/ settings, effects are you using? Got a new Marshall JVM but a little bit of harshness with the Gibsons and they don't like pedals much unlike the Fender guitars and amps I'm used to.

Any advice? How much tone loss do you think if I swap out the 10's on that ES 335 for 9 ga. Pure Nickel?

[triplover64]

Byrdman Steve! Love it. Probably would be my ultimate guitar though I'm just a noodler who plays mostly with my fingers. Got a ES 335 for Christmas. Love it but now got a bug for more. Couldn't afford the $9,000+ price tag on this baby, though. how close could I get with an ES 137??? Could afford one of those babies down the road.

By the way, awesome bends! What gauge strings you using? Recently swapped out the 10's on all my Fenders down to 9's - not so much tonal difference.

[ByrdmanSteve]

@triplover64 Thanks for the kind words! The Byrd is the ultimate guitar as far as I'm concerned. Makes all my other babies feel empty and in need.. I am not familiar with the 137. I have a 135 which is as close to the Byrd, at least visually that I ever got. Has a Florentine Cutaway etc. Is a semi hollow.. They are affordable comparatively speaking. I use 9s as I can't get used to the heavier ones. I know I should go heavier. Ted Does! tty..

[triplover64]

Byrdman Steve! Love it. Probably would be my ultimate guitar though I'm just a noodler who plays mostly with my fingers. Got a ES 335 for Christmas. Love it but now got a bug for more. Couldn't afford the $9,000+ price tag on this baby, though. how close could I get with an ES 137??? Could afford one of those babies down the road.

By the way, awesome bends! What gauge strings you using? Recently swapped out the 10's on all my Fenders down to 9's - not so much tonal difference.

[ByrdmanSteve]

@sydfloydpink Yes.. my first truly obnoxious comment. I was wondering how long it would take. I always say, you can't become a success at anything without offending some... Thanks, now I know I'm on the right track:)

ByrdmanSteve

[sydfloydpink]

sounds like a bag of cats thrown in a blender oh and you suck !!

[57Thumper]

Love it! Unless you've played one....the only way to get that true TED sound on Stranglehold is with the Bird on the "Rythm" pick up.

[ByrdmanSteve]

@57Thumper Thanks.. You got it! I used to think nothing could separate me from my PRS but after playing the Byrd... all else feels thin and gutless! You play a Byrd?

[jimiray1]

I've heard a lot about you, Steve. I have a couple of friends who are brothers that are friends of yours. Greg and Steve,Greg worked for Florida Power and Light. who both live in Arkansas now but knew you in Naples Florida. I used to jam a lot with Steve but we drifted away from playing for a long time. We recently got back together and talked about the old days and the possibility of reviving those old jam sessions. Greg recently started playing again too. Peace !

[ByrdmanSteve]

@jimiray1 Thanks for writing. I assume you are referring to Greg Hagood but I don't know of a brother Steve... Greg was just down to visit me last mo. Are you in Arkansas? I'm itching to play but other than Youtube, don't know what the heck to do.. Don't have any time anyway but I feel like I'm wasting what I worked so hard to be able to do. I gotta a run but we'll talk later...

Steve

[jimiray1]

@ByrdmanSteve Yep ... it's Greg Hagood I'm referring to. His brother lived with him there several years back and hung out with Greg while (I think ?) Greg was running sound etc ... in the clubs down there. And yes I'm in Arkansas but originally from the Chicago area. I actually learned the Cat Scratch riff from Greg. Greg's son had Cat Scratch Fever for real several years ago ... true story lol !! Anyway ... Steve told me to look you up here. Ignore the haters man you sound just fine !!

[ByrdmanSteve]

@jimiray1 I can't believe I don't know about Greg's Brother. I know Greg pretty well. He used to run sound for us here in Naples. Thanks for the encouragement. I must say that hateful comment yesterday is really the first of it's kind. I took it as a compliment. You know you can't be truly successful at anything without pissing someone off. Talk to you later.. Steve

[jimiray1]

@ByrdmanSteve Ted would probably laugh at the "cat in a blender" comment and take it as a compliment too.

[ByrdmanSteve]

@jimiray1 I appreciate the support! I suppose if you obsess on Ted long enough maybe it starts to rub off:)

[RyuzakInStereo]

dude you go. Thats amazing how you traded guitars with Ted, but I find it to be just more amazing that you actually own A gibson byrdland!! I hope I can get ahold of one someday!

[ByrdmanSteve]

@RyuzakInStereo Thanks for dropping me a note! Both are amazing you are right about that. The Byrds are out there it's just the bucks they go for are crazy. I was on a list with Elderly instruments for nearly 2 years. You might try that and one day you get the email, like I did with a link to the Byrdland of your dreams, and you then have to stress out and figure out how your gonna swing it. Talk to you later.. Thanks again..

Steve

[punkadelicfuzz]

man i want that guitar and the cool ted nugent pinball machine

[MISSCHIPOUNETTE]

THE NEW TED NUGENT WITHOUT HAIRS..... GREAT JOB MAN

[ByrdmanSteve]

@MISSCHIPOUNETTE You have made my night! Great chic of words:)

[MISSCHIPOUNETTE]

@ByrdmanSteve

Lucky guy!!!! the TED NUGENT guitar, given by himself, OOOOO my god!!!!

You play realy good, lets get rock!!!!!

[ByrdmanSteve]

@MISSCHIPOUNETTE I still feel the same way:)

[DavidSzyszko]

Sounded right on ! Great job!

[ByrdmanSteve]

@DavidSzyszko Thank you for the kind words!!

Steve

[305catsquid]

what kind of tail is that hanging from your guitar?

[ByrdmanSteve]

@305catsquid I was told it is a Fox tail although it is white. Believe it or not, I bought that tail when I was a kid at Disney world. Before I ever heard of Ted but it does the job!

Steve

[danelectro59]

@ByrdmanSteve You commented that you forgot to ask Ted about that walkdown on Stranglehold. It took me a while to figure out, but its actually an easy walkdown. Its a series of triplet notes with a slide down between the 2nd and 3rd notes. Here's how it goes (all on the E and B strings): E17 B15 \ B13 E15 B13 \ B12 E13 B12 \ B10 E12 B10 \ B8 E10 B8 \ B7 E8 B7 \ B5 E7 B5 \ B3 E5 B3 \ B1 B1 B1 B1 B3 / B5 E3 E5

[ByrdmanSteve]

@danelectro59 Thanks for taking the time to write that our for me. It sounds good to me. Wasn't sure on the (3) B1s at the end but some improv doesn't sound bad there either.

Steve

[mickeymbz]

hey steve....did you have a tough time with fitting the gretsch strap onto the switch tip???...my byrd wont take it....bought some gretsch strap knobs,,,and they fit fine on my les pauls,...but it only goes halfway down on the byrd switch screw.........wondering if you have any ideas..thanks

[ByrdmanSteve]

@mickeymbz I did not have any trouble. I don't want to suggest forcing it but I have never seen a different size toggle on a Gibson (but that doesn't mean much, cuz I haven't seen that many:)

Is it possible your toggle was changed out and is not original? WD40 can be like magic, I would try cleaning it with WD and see what happens. Let me know:)

Steve

[mickeymbz]

@ByrdmanSteve hey steve..dont think the toggle was switched out...this thing is all original,....better be..for what it costs...its in super superb condition..but i got it on..the problem was the gunkl built up around it..and the wd40 worked like u said..thanks man.....cant believe the tone these things have....u cannot get these tones with just any guitar....tried to do the cheap thing last summer and bough t abrand new gretsch...wasnt even close...keep posting some new videos!!

[ByrdmanSteve]

@mickeymbz Sorry I have been busy and haven't had a chance to write back. Glad to hear you got the toggle on. You are so right about the tones. I have grown less fond of all my other favorite guitars since I got my Byrd. They all sound like they are missing something. Talk to you soon.. Keep in touch..

Steve

[mickeymbz]

steve...serious...you have the most authentic sounding nugent sound i have EVER heard!!! damn...you hit hit the licks and signature sound perfectly!!!! just picked up a 64 byrdland today..i'll send u pics....forward me your email mickeymbz@comcast.net

[ByrdmanSteve]

@mickeymbz Thank you for the awesome comment that make years of hard work worth while! I must say, the authentic sound I believe has more to do with the Byrdland than anything else. I suck when it comes to amp settings:) I would love to see your Byrd!!

Steve

[mickeymbz]

so jealous ur guitar dude!!! great playing too

[ByrdmanSteve]

@mickeymbz Thank loads! Non of it came easy I can tell you that:) Thanks..

Steve

[yellowdog11]

Nice video Steve keep up the good work.



[ByrdmanSteve]

@yellowdog11 Not so bad yourself there. Thanks...

[tybo09]

Is it just me or is Stranglehold the single most epic song in the history of rock and roll?

[ByrdmanSteve]

@tybo09 Well stated! Not many things are impossible but choosing a favorite Ted song is, naming Stranglehold as the most epic song in the history of rock-n-roll is right on the money. In my circle of friends we have already come to the very same conclusion! Thanks!!

[gregdewald]

steve, love your nuge story. guitar center had teds number two hangin on the wall in flint mich for eight grand. i was getting ready to buy it and noticed a major crack along the butt of the guitar. major bummer and deal breaker. i guess thats why they had it. lol thanks for the inspiration.

[ByrdmanSteve]

@gregdewald You are the inspiration!:) That is a major bummer. 8K is actually cheap now a days even if Ted didn't own it. Thanks for commenting. Talk to you later!

[Guitar1hero23]

dude your awesome, i havent heard better ted nugent tone. what amp do u use, and what r ur settings

[ByrdmanSteve]

Thanks Man! Your comments mean a whole lot to me. I have played through a whole heap of guitar rigs over the years but believe it or not that is a straight Crate, solid state I think, half stack. I am just plugged in. period. The rest of that sound is that Byrdland. Keep in touch!

BM Steve

[Guitar1hero23]

@ByrdmanSteve hey BMS what model is that guitar that ted gave u, the tan one over there

[ByrdmanSteve]

I think your talking about the Gibson, Howard Roberts Fusion. It's not much bigger than a Les Paul and is a Semi Hollowbody. Ted made some alterations on it but it does scream. I am putting together another video and you will hear a tad of it most likely.

BMS

[Guitar1hero23]

@ByrdmanSteve where can i get one that color

[ByrdmanSteve]

You mean a Natural finish? I don't know where you can get one period. I don't know if the Howard Roberts Fusion is still being produced. Elderly Instruments might be a good start. That is where I got my Byrdland.

[paguaplayer]

Not only was your playing spectacular but your tone was absolutly spot on. Only the Nuge himself can play that tone. Good Job.

[ByrdmanSteve]

Your words of encouragement make many years of hard work worth it. Thank You!

[camronsayyah]

hey, its me again...i hope you liked the video response i made myself. anyway i just wanted to say that i know the stranglehold solo note-for-note and i could post a video to show you that tricky walk down! best of luck,

camron

[ByrdmanSteve]

Camron,

Thanks for the video! Awesome work! You picked my favorite Craveman Song! I am working on a web site to tell my Ted Story, show off some of my licks and spew some of my political beliefs. I will be looking to pile up some media. I would love to post you video there. The site is just for fun, no money will be made. I will need some contributors who love ted. I have a few ways to play the walk down but don't think either are correct! I am always open to instruction. Take care BMS

[ByrdmanSteve]

Very cool Byrdlander. Didn't think it possible I was the only guy with a Byrd/Ted story. Mine is a 68. I drooled over the idea of ordering one from Gibson but somehow it never happened. I wanted an Epiphone Byrd but to my knowledge, they never released it with the Florentine Cutaway. I hear they stopped making them altogether.

4 days with Nuge is a long story. I love telling it. I am trying to get the whole story together to post in the near future. Keep in touch!

[Byrdlander]

Great story, nice guitar, great playing. Carryon.

[ByrdmanSteve]

Thank you for the kind remarks. Love your user name, is it guitar related? Nice acoustic playing too!

[Byrdlander]

Thanks ByrdmanSteve! Yes, of course it is Byrdland guitar related. I have a 98 Custom shop florentine, looks like yours, it is rather unique in that it came from the factory with a bigsby and a varitone switch. Bigsby is gone, and I have Nuge-ized it with the appropriate hardware. I also have an Epiphone Byrd that is signed by Ted w/Craveman drawing on upper bout. Four days with Ted? Gotta hear more about that! Yowza!

[rockshotyt]

awesome baby !

[ByrdmanSteve]

Thanks Guy!!! Helps keep me going...

[yellowdog11]

Oh byrdman your so dreamy.

Nice job buddy keep up the good work.

[ByrdmanSteve]

Thanks for the encouragement!

[fourty5mag]

I like your attitude!!! And guitars!!!! Nice tone and playin!!!!!

[ByrdmanSteve]

Better late than never!!  Truly appreciate the kind words. Kinda makes thousands of hours of playing and gettin' old worth while!. Talk to you later...

Byrdman Steve...

[ByrdmanSteve]

Thanks Much!! Seems like a dream looking back.

[scapegoat1969]

Awesome bro, wish i was with ya to meet him