I'm interested in hearing more about your mixed feelings about him.
Not much to talk about. I really dig his playing. Actually I learned some country , years back on JamPlay, from him. It took me a lot of work… he is fast. But the only one that really made me take it seriously. Sounded great !
No problem. I've been following Brent every since the mid 1990s. Start my Tele journey in the early 80s being a huge Albert Lee fan (still am). After going through Strats and other guitars, it was Brent that made me come back to the Telecaster. I have talked to him a few times (trying not to be a fanboy). My wife actually knows his wife and they chat occasionally. He actually did have an opportunity to be an artist like Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, etc. Listening to him convey it, he didn't really want the road life. A Nashville studio guy can usually make it home to be with family every night. Check out these videos; great insight into his life and career.
). I’m very glad it exists though, and Brent got honoured with his own model, he truly deserves it.
I think the OP means he's not a "full-blown recording artist" like Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Steve Wariner, Vince Gill, etc. I mentioned that in my original post. He does do much more road playing and clinics than he used to back in the session grinding days; but he's not on a touring schedule and he doesn't really have a recording deal where he's doing his own albums unless he really wants to. He's done two of his own. That's that I think the OP is talking about.
Talking to me ?
I think maybe the same thing that happened with the Johnny Hiland model. If they don't sell them, they quit making them. I don't think the Brent Mason PRS model was a big seller, although it was a fantastic guitar from my perspective.
No offense at all. It seemed to me that you answered your own question. No worries.
Not being a “full blown artist”? He’s played on more records than practically anyone, has been ‘the’ guitar sound of Nashville since he got there, and has probably heavily influenced every country guitarist that came after him. In his arena he’s HUGE, the king of the castle. He does work for himself, and I’m sure his bank balance and lifestyle are commensurate to his extraordinary success in a town and industry that are notoriously tough to crack (although his finances are none of our business).
Blending that middle pickup with the bridge is a huge part of his really well conceived sound.
Joe Glaser was instrumental (forgive the pun) in creating that wiring layout, and it’s all part of the story of what we now know as Nashville tele wiring. He also created the bender that is in Brent’s guitar (often acknowledged as the neatest and best design of its kind). The mods came out of necessity as a busy first call session guy (versatile sounds, noiseless pickups, etc). A lot of folks make these mods to their teles because they’re so effective, and the Fender signature guitar enables you to buy it off the shelf.
Brent’s playing is incredibly diverse, he’s a master at so much more than chicken picking, and that guitar has helped him paint a really wide sonic palette across all manner of songs.
My only ‘problem’ with the sig guitar is the same as the SRV one or even the Ibanez Jem, it’s SO identifiable with the artist that everyone playing it looks a bit like a wannabe. I’d love one, just not in primer grey so I wouldn’t look like a Brent Mason super fan (which I am!
