How I Ended Up Playing on Brad Paisley’s Snow Globe Town (and the Tonight Show!)
This year has been one for the books. In this video, I’m sharing the unbelievable story of how I ended up performing on Brad Paisley’s new Christmas album, Snow Globe Town, and the fun we had in the studio bringing those tracks to life.I also dive into what it was like hitting the road with Brad on his November–December 2025 Canadian tour, from the gear I brought, to backstage routines, to the moments that made this run unforgettable.And to top it all off… The Tonight Show. I break down how that opportunity came together, what the day-of looked like behind the scenes, and the surreal feeling of stepping onto that stage under the bright lights.NEW MERCH SITE!https://ask-zac-shop.fourthwall.comSupport the show
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Early ’60s Telecasters: What Changed & Who Made Them Famous
Early ’60s Fender Telecasters are legendary, but what really changed between 1959 and 1964? From rosewood “slab boards” and “veneers” to pickguard and hardware tweaks, we break down the details that shaped the classic early-’60s Tele look and sound.We’ll also highlight the famous players who made these Teles iconic, from country twang masters to R&B pioneers, and explore why 1961–1964 Telecasters are relatively rare compared to other Pre-CBS years.Support the show
In this week’s Ask Zac, I’m cooking up a little Tele Gumbo, as today’s show is a mix of guitar talk, gear love, and practical tips:A better way to stretch your strings, one that keeps your tuning stable and won’t damage your nut.Why Tele bridge covers (ashtrays) are actually useful — especially for protecting your strings and saddles when your guitar’s in a gig bag.Book Review: In-Law Country by Geoffrey Himes — a must-read for fans of Emmylou Harris and her circle of musical friends.Gig-Ready Gear: Why I love Headstrong Amps and Danocaster Guitars — no mods, no tweaks, just plug in and play.It’s a hearty serving of tips, tone, and talk — grab a coffee and dig in!#AskZac #TeleGumbo #Telecaster #GuitarTips #HeadstrongAmps #Danocaster #GuitarTalkwww.truetone.comNEW MERCH SITE!https://ask-zac-shop.fourthwall.comTo Support the Channel:Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZachttps://ask-zac-shop.fourthwall.comTip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZacVenmo @AskZacSupport the show
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The Tour From Hell: My First Time on the Road
When you’re young and dreaming about hitting the road, touring sounds like the ultimate adventure, until you actually do it.In this episode, I look back on my first tour experience with the long drives, bad gigs, and all the hard lessons that came with it. It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me things I still carry with me every time I step onstage.NEW MERCH SITE!https://ask-zac-shop.fourthwall.comTo Support the Channel:Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZachttps://ask-zac-shop.fourthwall.comTip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZacVenmo @AskZacSupport the show
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Telecaster Bridge Shootout! 3-Saddle vs 6-Saddle on My 1957 Esquire
In this episode of Ask Zac, I put my 1957 Fender Esquire through a true bridge showdown, comparing the classic 3-saddle setup that defined early Tele tone with a modern 6-saddle bridge known for better intonation, and for beefing-up the sound.We’ll dig into:The history of Fender bridge designs, and why Leo Fender stuck with 3 saddlesThe tonal differences between the two setupsDirect sound samples recorded on the same guitar for an honest comparisonMy verdict after playing bothGuitar: 1957 Fender EsquireSupport the show
Zac Childs is a music insider and historian. He is the host of the acclaimed Truetone Lounge interview series and contributed to Vintage Guitar Magazine for 15 years via his Ask Zac column, and numerous featured articles, product reviews, and cover stories. On his ASK ZAC channel, Zac takes a look at players and gear and also answers guitar-related questions in ways that were never possible via print.
New Zealand