Billy Sheehan - Thank You Billy Gibbons

Billy Sheehan relates the story of how he discovered hammer-ons at a ZZ Top show.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Billy Sheehan
• Yamaha
• DiMarzio
• ZZ Top
• Billy Gibbons
• hammer ons
• technique
• clinic
• how to
• attitude bass
• rock
• Mr. Big
• Paul Gilbert
• David Lee Roth

[shwalton75]

Larry...

First of all I want to say that your fine company makes amazing products. Everything from your pickups to accessories are of the highest quality and as a result of your obvious passion and commitment to what you do.

My question is this...I just purchased a new Yamaha LTD II and I’m wondering if there is a ideal distance I should maintain in adjusting my p/u height? I would like to get the height adjusted as close to the string as I can to maximize my technique. Thanks!!!

[LarryDiMarzio]

@shwalton75

There can't be an ideal distance, because every player has a different touch. You need to have at least 1/8" between the bottom of the 1st and 4th strings and the surface of the pickup with the strings at the highest fret, but beyond that it's a matter of taste.

[shwalton75]

@LarryDiMarzio Thanks, Larry!!! My question was less in relation to “taste” and more a question of magnetic interference. The question was spawned by my asking my tech to really get the p-bass pickup close to the string, and he warned against my doing that due to the magnetic influence that would be exerted on the strings.

[LarryDiMarzio]

@shwalton75 Magnetic interference (string pull) is more of a problem for guitars because of the light gauges of the strings. It is a big problem with standard Strats if the neck and middle pickup are too high. I haven't seen the same problem with basses but lets check. I would suggest moving the pickup closer and listen for false overtones when you play from the middle of the fingerboard toward the highest notes. This will also be effected by your pickup and the gauges of your strings.

Larry

[armskoteic]

Dimarzio's makes the best pickups. period.

[LarryDiMarzio]

Hi,

Thanks for the kind words, we try our best.

Regards,

Larry DiMarzio

[mmaier2112]

I love this video. Billy is such a fun and silly guy in a great way. I've met him at least 6 times and he's always very friendly and fun to speak with.

[alembicbassguy]

Billy Sheehan is a great human being - Dimarzio make fantastic pickups. Thumbs up all round!

[Musicartsandcoffee]

Billy Sheehan really loves Billy Gibbons, he really does. I love him too, he's a great guy!

[och70]

This is why I admire & respect Billy so much, a phenomenally talented musician, but also a very down-to-earth, funny & self-deprecating guy. Rock on Billy...!!

[tbcass]

Gibbons was also one of the first Rock guitarists to use false harmonics and several guitarists and bassists have acknowledged they got the idea from him.

[chrook]

@efzt

EVH got the tapping idea from Billy Gibbons too

[markstacechris]

Harvey Mandel was tapping in the 60's. Know how I found out about him? An article by Billy Gibbons!!!