Tab Benoit, a Thinline, and a couple of Fender Amps...

maxsmith · July 6th, 2005, 10:02 AM

What a sound!

I have seen Tab play twice, once at a blues fest and once at a club where my band opened for him.

At the fest in Eureka Springs, Tab followed a female guitarist/singer who was a good player, esp slide, but whose sound was awash (and obscured) in reverb, delay, stereo "fattening" and other effects.

Tab comes on with a guitar, a cord, a couple of Fender tube amps with the reverb on "0", and a great voice and KILLED!

He had the same setup in a club setting - once again he played with no reverb and straight-to-the-amp clean to dirty (not fuzzy) tones - dynamics and tone all controlled with his hands and the knobs on the Thinline. Thankfully the soundman was good and didn't "improve" Tab's sound by adding anything - he just made it louder. The presence and clarity of the guitar in the room was so refreshing, esp. after hearing so many other "blues" players with their fancy Strats and PRS's, modeling amps, 5 different vintage and boutique overdrives, and tons of delays, reverbs, etc.

Man, he made me really want to get back to the guitar and the amp and dig everything I could out of it - inspirational!

If you have a chance to see Tab Benoit - take it.

Bob Mc · July 6th, 2005, 11:05 AM

I've told this before, but in a previous life as a bartender, I sold my '76 thinline to make the trip to New Orleans Jazzfest. Heck I couldn't get a 'good' sound anyway, who could?
Walked onto the fairgrounds and up to the stage where Tab was playing, and found out that those thinlines can sound fantastic!

Treeface · July 6th, 2005, 11:50 AM

Tab's one of the main reasons I scored a thinline RI. Too bad mine's a '69.

Kingtone · July 6th, 2005, 12:55 PM

Tab is one amazing cat, tone for days and an incredible voice. I've been listening to him for the last five or so years. His last few Cds have the best live sound I've ever heard, he sure has his recording technique down.
I saw him at a local blues fest a few years back and after his set he went to the back to sign some Cds. I waited for the crowd to clear and I told him how much I liked his music and that a few of his songs had gotten me through a rough spot I was going through. Tab got up from the table he was sitting at came around to where I was standing and gave me a hug and said "thanks brother" told me to take care and keep on beliving. I'll never forget that....

moparmutt · July 6th, 2005, 03:21 PM

That guy is really great. Seen him a few times in FL. and he is very inspiring. I like the stuff he did with Jimmy Thackery as well. Nice contrast, Tab very pure and Jimmy with the delay. I talked to him after a show and he was super nice and genuine. Just a really great guy and fantastic musician.

Dave Yeats · July 6th, 2005, 03:30 PM

Can you guys recommend some recordings? My dad bought "Nice and Warm" when it came out, but that was some years ago...

maxsmith · July 6th, 2005, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Yeats

Can you guys recommend some recordings? My dad bought "Nice and Warm" when it came out, but that was some years ago...

"Standing at the Bank" and "The Sea Saint Sessions" come to mind...

"Nice and Warm" is both, and fat and raw, too :-)

Kingtone · July 6th, 2005, 06:10 PM

Check out Tabs' CD "Wetlands" on Telarc. Its a studio recording but sounds like the band is in your livingroom. His tone is amazing, pure Tele TONE! If you get it let me know how you like it.....

maxsmith · July 6th, 2005, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingtone

Check out Tabs' CD "Wetlands" on Telarc. Its a studio recording but sounds like the band is in your livingroom. His tone is amazing, pure Tele TONE! If you get it let me know how you like it.....

Oh yeah that is a good one too!

JimmieT · July 6th, 2005, 10:43 PM

Tab is defenitely one of my favorite tele pickers. Stumbled on his first cd years ago and have them all. His latest "Fever for the Bayou" is a great as the rest.
I've been fortunate enough to see him the last 3 yrs at a small club in Tacoma, WA. Blows me away.
I had to feed my demons and buy a 72 Thinline RI. Don't know how to make it sound any better than any of my other teles but it shore is purty.

TeleTubby · July 8th, 2005, 02:38 AM

Tab's one of my favorites, too. He hardly gets mentioned for his singing, yet I think he does that pretty well, also. His playing ability is what drew me in initially, but add in the tunes and the voice, it's all good, IMHO. I just wish I could get the tones he gets, and do it without any pedal help- it's an amazing thing he does!

Guess we must be lucky up here in WA because I saw him last fall in Bellingham and I know he was out in Port Angeles some weeks ago- certainly worth the effort, any chance I can get.

TeleFunker · July 8th, 2005, 08:04 AM

The Sea Saint Sessions (Telarc, 2003) recorded 'Live' at Big Easy Recording Studios. Man, this album has the coolest vibe of any I've ever heard. Went like a rocket straight to my soul. Caught me quite by surprise, actually.

I've got to catch myself when descibing this CD as I have a habit of going a bit over the top. :D

It is the CD I recommend to friends most frequently. By far.

Can't wait to catch a show~

HTH, TF

glubac · July 9th, 2005, 12:28 PM

Tab Benoit!!!!

I' love the way he sing and play. Pure Bayou. I'm glad to read that other people likes his music too. He can sound in a traditional way and brand new way at same time, like Poppa Chuby and John mooney. Excellent

upplehoy · July 9th, 2005, 01:13 PM

Had the opportunity to see Tab a couple a years ago.
Been a fan since. Along with Jimmie Vaughan
he's one of my favourites.Pure to the bone. I've read
Tab used his '66 tele a lot on 'nice and warm' instead
of the thinline...Don't matter what he picks, he
always sounds right.

July 6th, 2005, 10:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
maxsmith Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 166	Tab Benoit, a Thinline, and a couple of Fender Amps... What a sound! I have seen Tab play twice, once at a blues fest and once at a club where my band opened for him. At the fest in Eureka Springs, Tab followed a female guitarist/singer who was a good player, esp slide, but whose sound was awash (and obscured) in reverb, delay, stereo "fattening" and other effects. Tab comes on with a guitar, a cord, a couple of Fender tube amps with the reverb on "0", and a great voice and KILLED! He had the same setup in a club setting - once again he played with no reverb and straight-to-the-amp clean to dirty (not fuzzy) tones - dynamics and tone all controlled with his hands and the knobs on the Thinline. Thankfully the soundman was good and didn't "improve" Tab's sound by adding anything - he just made it louder. The presence and clarity of the guitar in the room was so refreshing, esp. after hearing so many other "blues" players with their fancy Strats and PRS's, modeling amps, 5 different vintage and boutique overdrives, and tons of delays, reverbs, etc. Man, he made me really want to get back to the guitar and the amp and dig everything I could out of it - inspirational! If you have a chance to see Tab Benoit - take it. __________________ Who loves not women, wine and song, Remains a fool his whole life long. -- Martin Luther

July 6th, 2005, 11:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bob Mc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mo'town NJ Posts: 1,548	Big fan here I've told this before, but in a previous life as a bartender, I sold my '76 thinline to make the trip to New Orleans Jazzfest. Heck I couldn't get a 'good' sound anyway, who could? Walked onto the fairgrounds and up to the stage where Tab was playing, and found out that those thinlines can sound fantastic! __________________ All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out. Mark Twain

July 6th, 2005, 11:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
Treeface NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: In the swamp. . . Posts: 7	Tab's one of the main reasons I scored a thinline RI. Too bad mine's a '69. __________________ Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the War Room!

July 6th, 2005, 12:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kingtone Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Camillus, NY Age: 49 Posts: 538 5 Photos	Tab! Tab is one amazing cat, tone for days and an incredible voice. I've been listening to him for the last five or so years. His last few Cds have the best live sound I've ever heard, he sure has his recording technique down. I saw him at a local blues fest a few years back and after his set he went to the back to sign some Cds. I waited for the crowd to clear and I told him how much I liked his music and that a few of his songs had gotten me through a rough spot I was going through. Tab got up from the table he was sitting at came around to where I was standing and gave me a hug and said "thanks brother" told me to take care and keep on beliving. I'll never forget that....

July 6th, 2005, 03:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
moparmutt Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: honolulu Posts: 523	tab like the drink That guy is really great. Seen him a few times in FL. and he is very inspiring. I like the stuff he did with Jimmy Thackery as well. Nice contrast, Tab very pure and Jimmy with the delay. I talked to him after a show and he was super nice and genuine. Just a really great guy and fantastic musician.

July 6th, 2005, 03:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dave Yeats Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Austin, Texas, USA Age: 33 Posts: 757 50 Photos	Can you guys recommend some recordings? My dad bought "Nice and Warm" when it came out, but that was some years ago...

July 6th, 2005, 06:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
Kingtone Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Camillus, NY Age: 49 Posts: 538 5 Photos	Dave Check out Tabs' CD "Wetlands" on Telarc. Its a studio recording but sounds like the band is in your livingroom. His tone is amazing, pure Tele TONE! If you get it let me know how you like it.....

July 6th, 2005, 10:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
JimmieT TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Federal Way, WA Posts: 51	Tab is defenitely one of my favorite tele pickers. Stumbled on his first cd years ago and have them all. His latest "Fever for the Bayou" is a great as the rest. I've been fortunate enough to see him the last 3 yrs at a small club in Tacoma, WA. Blows me away. I had to feed my demons and buy a 72 Thinline RI. Don't know how to make it sound any better than any of my other teles but it shore is purty.

July 8th, 2005, 02:38 AM	#11 (permalink)
TeleTubby Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lynden, WA Posts: 451	Tab's one of my favorites, too. He hardly gets mentioned for his singing, yet I think he does that pretty well, also. His playing ability is what drew me in initially, but add in the tunes and the voice, it's all good, IMHO. I just wish I could get the tones he gets, and do it without any pedal help- it's an amazing thing he does! Guess we must be lucky up here in WA because I saw him last fall in Bellingham and I know he was out in Port Angeles some weeks ago- certainly worth the effort, any chance I can get. __________________ "Bless my cotton socks, I'm in the news..." Saint Julian, circa 1980.

July 8th, 2005, 08:04 AM	#12 (permalink)
TeleFunker NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Blooming Grove, NY Posts: 4	Tab... The Sea Saint Sessions (Telarc, 2003) recorded 'Live' at Big Easy Recording Studios. Man, this album has the coolest vibe of any I've ever heard. Went like a rocket straight to my soul. Caught me quite by surprise, actually. I've got to catch myself when descibing this CD as I have a habit of going a bit over the top. :D It is the CD I recommend to friends most frequently. By far. Can't wait to catch a show~ HTH, TF

July 9th, 2005, 12:28 PM	#13 (permalink)
glubac NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Argentina Posts: 9	Tab Benoit!!!! I' love the way he sing and play. Pure Bayou. I'm glad to read that other people likes his music too. He can sound in a traditional way and brand new way at same time, like Poppa Chuby and John mooney. Excellent

July 9th, 2005, 01:13 PM	#14 (permalink)
upplehoy Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: brugge belgium Posts: 117 5 Photos	Had the opportunity to see Tab a couple a years ago. Been a fan since. Along with Jimmie Vaughan he's one of my favourites.Pure to the bone. I've read Tab used his '66 tele a lot on 'nice and warm' instead of the thinline...Don't matter what he picks, he always sounds right. __________________ I was tryin' to figure out which is worse,ignorance or apathy...Then I realized I don't known and I don't care...