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Saw ZZ Top Last Week

Discussion in 'Bad Dog Cafe' started by Cysquatch, Oct 22, 2019.

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  1. Oct 22, 2019 #1
    Cysquatch

    Cysquatch Tele-Meister

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    Finally got a chance to go see the legend myself and took my parents and wife with me, and those boys are still putting on an absolutely incredible show. Frank has slowed down a little bit and has simplified some of his fill work, but drumming is hard as heck on the body and the songs have no less drive because of it. But, Dusty, and of course, Billy are still in prime condition.

    And most importantly, they're still having a ton of fun together and with the crowd. They were fist bumping and doing weird little handshake things after nearly every song, messing with each other, telling jokes and stories, and screwing with the crowd. This has been my only chance to see them live, so obviously I can't compare to any real experience, but overall it seems these dudes are almost in a second golden age vs most of their contemporaries just trying to, usually poorly, relive their long gone glory days. Anyone else recently see the Lil' Ol' Band From Texas and get the same impression?

    Also, does anybody know much on Billy's touring rig? He played almost the entire show on a single humbucker T-type from Bolin and they had stacks of Magnatones on stage, but there was definitely some kind of controlled fuzz going on and it sounded like possibly a couple of different amps being switched between. I haven't seen much from him regarding his touring set up in recent years, but my google fu might just be weak. But man, his tone was unbelievable. Sound guys were also doing an excellent job, props to them.

    Long story short: go see ZZ Top if they come around your neck of the woods. They are putting on a great show right now!
     
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  2. Oct 22, 2019 #2
    ab2012

    ab2012 Tele-Holic

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    Love them. Billy is one of my favorite players. A lot going on backstage with the Marshall processors so all his guitars sound like the Pearly Gates Les Paul. I’ve even heard stories that the Magnatones are props and the real sounds are from a behind the scenes rig. If all those amps were on it would be incredibly loud.
     
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  3. Oct 22, 2019 #3
    John Nicholas

    John Nicholas Friend of Leo's

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    While you may have already seen this, it seemed like the place to show it. This rig rundown was from 4 years ago... even though it may not be up to date, it's really interesting!

     
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  4. Oct 22, 2019 #4
    brookdalebill

    brookdalebill Tele Axpert Ad Free Member

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    Glad y’all had fun!
     
  5. Oct 22, 2019 #5
    FenderLover

    FenderLover Friend of Leo's

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    I recently saw Billy Live From Daryl's House, maybe not a new episode, but still fun to watch. I'd jump at the chance to see him in a theater setting. Have mercy!
     
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  6. Oct 22, 2019 #6
    Jerry J

    Jerry J Tele-Afflicted

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    I believe that episode is at least four years old. Daryl had many, many great performances on his show through the years, but this one and the Ojays were my favorites....
     
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  7. Oct 22, 2019 #7
    Jerry J

    Jerry J Tele-Afflicted

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    Back to the OP, I saw a 'young' ZZ open for Alice Cooper in '73 at the Cap Center in Landover, MD, the original home for the Caps and Bullets. I hadn't heard of them before but by the next morning I had a copy of Tres Hombres.
     
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  8. Oct 22, 2019 #8
    neilybob100

    neilybob100 Tele-Meister

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    Can't believe this Tele and Bass are covered in a transfer. Would be amazing if it was a real finish.

    Sent from my CLT-L29 using Tapatalk
     
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  9. Oct 22, 2019 #9
    Cysquatch

    Cysquatch Tele-Meister

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    I figured there was at least one Marshall hidden away doing lots of lifting and that most of the Magnatones were props, but seems odd they'd go through the trouble of getting walls of them stacked up and not use a single one for actual sound. By processors, you mean like rackmount pre-amps and such or an actual processor modelling Marshall sounds?
     
  10. Oct 22, 2019 #10
    mexicanyella

    mexicanyella Tele-Afflicted

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    I seem to remember hearing/seeing/reading somewhere that he was still using JMP-1 rackmount preamps tweaked to approximate the Pearly Gates/Marshall tone no matter what guitar he was actually playing. I wonder how reliable JMP-1s are at this point...?
     
  11. Oct 22, 2019 #11
    verb boten

    verb boten Tele-Holic

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    '73 was around the time i was at the pre Indy 500 (the night before) and meet up with my cousin from there. He says a band is playing at this bar..i say who..he says zz something, not worth a s**t. I eventually found out his taste in music sucked. :p
    I finally saw them a couple years ago at a casino, row 6; loved it, they just keep on rockin.
    :cool:
     
  12. Oct 22, 2019 #12
    Whatizitman

    Whatizitman Friend of Leo's

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    The JMP-1s are in the Rig Rundown video, IIRC. I doubt the actual backline wouldn't be much different. Four years is like two days to anyone over 45, IME. They've always been a show, so what's on stage during any particular tour is anyone's guess if any of it is actually being used.
     
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  13. Oct 22, 2019 #13
    Fiesta Red

    Fiesta Red Friend of Leo's

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    I’ve seen them at least a dozen times, starting in 1990 at Randy Quaid’s 2nd Biggest Party in Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas...

    Their worst show was better than some other artists at their absolute best; always entertaining, always LOUD and always a good time.
     
  14. Oct 22, 2019 #14
    Allan Allan

    Allan Allan TDPRI Member

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    All the answers you seek are in the rig rundown
     
  15. Oct 22, 2019 #15
    John Nicholas

    John Nicholas Friend of Leo's

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    Yes that was disappointing to see it was a transfer... they look cool from a distance though!
     
  16. Oct 22, 2019 #16
    Deebs3

    Deebs3 Tele-Meister

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    I only saw them once, almost 20 years ago now but i took a bunch of pics, heres one.
    ZZTop-border1.jpg
     
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  17. Oct 22, 2019 #17
    ab2012

    ab2012 Tele-Holic

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    There is a great YouTube video of them playing Cheap Sunglasses. He is plugged into a Fender Brown Deluxe which is driving two stacks of speaker cabinets. The tone is fabulous. Old Tyme Whistle Test.
     
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  18. Oct 22, 2019 #18
    TheDams

    TheDams Tele-Meister

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    Saw them this summer at the Minnesota State Fair, w/ Cheap Tricks... CT was cool, but ZZTop just stole the show !
    Love the simplicity of the stage... 2 mics, a nice wall of Magnatone amps (Sure, the JMP-1s were without a doubt hidden backstage), 3 guys, and Rock'n'Roll !
     
  19. Oct 22, 2019 #19
    unfamous

    unfamous Tele-Meister

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    old grey whistle test
     
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  20. Oct 22, 2019 #20
    ab2012

    ab2012 Tele-Holic

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    Thank you..I stand corrected.
     
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