I got me a JH guitar pick! I was at a show in SLCand had a seat beyond the pit. I had just returned from the bar with a fresh drink and sat down. Then plop! His pick landed right in my drink! It is a prized possession of mine! Another cool RHH story… in college I had a math professor who was into country music. RHH was the closest band that had any country influence of the bands I was listening to. I told my professor what a great guitar player JH was and how awesome Jimbo was on stand up bass. I burned some albums for my professor at his request. 2 months pass and RHH rolls onto town. I’m at the show and I see my professor going berserk dancing in the pit. It was an awesome spectacle. Needless to say I got an A in his course that semester!
Let me tell you the real story. I saw the Rev. at Bumbershoot in Seattle. I saw him after the show and told him he should get a Gretsch sig. model. He told me nah, they don't want to give me any money. About 2 years later I was surfing and I saw the Rev. sig model and so I got one. It was stolen but the best Gretsch I've ever owned.
If you have a Bigsby (I have one on my custom Tele), attach the string to the pin and wrap it around the bar, then use a capo somewhere on the neck to hold it in place. Then you can feed the string into the machine head and tighten it up. Once it's tight enough, remove the capo.
That trestle bracing comment he made was interesting. There are cheaper Brian Setzer models that have it. Ok maybe they don't have all the inlays and all that, but if you are giving the Rev one signature model, shit why not make it like he wants it? As it is the Rev signature model is over 3 grand, what difference does it make if trestle bracing adds 300$ when you are already over 3 grand?!? Nothing against Brian Setzer, but Jim Heath is a true rock and roll innovator and guitar virtuoso right up there with the greats. They should have built it as he wanted it and sold it for what it was worth.
Totally agree. The internal bracing started changing back in the Chet Atkins days, when the top and bottom plates were thinned from 5mm down to 3mm so extra support was needed. The pickups are connected top and bottom. The Rev deserves the best they can make, he is a real Gretsch man.
We might not be an overwhelming majority, but we aren’t insignificant: those of us who prefer single-sound-post-bracing with parallel tone bars !! Or no top extra top to back connection at all !! Maybe the newer ML bracing is great, but we don’t know !! There are electric guitars, yes: but they are big-bodied, f-hole havin’ electric guitars ! I want the top to vibrate, that’s such an integral component of that “great Gretsch sound !!
@@scottmcclements7566 do you mean if you have a “top-vibrating” guitar, or single sound-post bracing, or a guitar like the the Eddie Cochran model (which I’ve heard via rumour is totally empty inside) ? Your statement is most certainly true: I like hollowbodies with small amps, & I usually play small settings anyways. If I were going aggressive & loud, I’d likely bring or use a solid-body for such a gig. And there is nooooooo shortage in solidbodies at any price-point. Thing is, Gretsch is the brand I love for it’s unique sound (the tone & break-up-- and it starts to break-up only with hard right-hand attack… and the overtones, the sweet sweet overtones… well-showcased by Matthew Ashman of Box Wow Wow…) anyways, Gretsch keeps putting out new product with center-blocks and I’m like: “nooooooooooo, other companies already do that just fine: I need my Gretsches to sound Gretsch-y !!”
The man could make a dime store plastic kids guitar sound like a million dollars. One of the most underrated guitarists of all time. I wonder if he has tried one of the Reverend Flatroc guitars? It actually sounds a lot like his Gretsch. Even if he just used it just to mess with. And no I am not affiliated with Reverend guitars. I just think it would be cool.
I wanted this guitar for years and years and finally worked up the courage to sell my kidney on the black market to get it. Now that I have it, that guitar will be buried with me lol.
He should have brought one to give you, now that he's a Gretsch salesman and this is basically an 8.5 minute love letter to the brand. You ought to make it a requirement that everyone who comes to talk about their whip on your show bring you one for the 1100 springs collection. Keep, auction for charity, give away 6120RHH's to loyal fans (HINT!!!!!) y'know...?
The rev is such a cool guy always love seeing him live
Great guy, he could play nursery rhymes and make them sound awesome. Grounded human being and a true artist.
I still got the guitar pick Jim gave me 11 years ago at a concert in Boston. I only use it when I'm playing a Gretsch.
You clearly have your priorities right sir!
He always use to play up at the Lake on my birthday. My all time favorite band.
I got me a JH guitar pick! I was at a show in SLCand had a seat beyond the pit. I had just returned from the bar with a fresh drink and sat down. Then plop! His pick landed right in my drink! It is a prized possession of mine!
Another cool RHH story… in college I had a math professor who was into country music. RHH was the closest band that had any country influence of the bands I was listening to. I told my professor what a great guitar player JH was and how awesome Jimbo was on stand up bass. I burned some albums for my professor at his request. 2 months pass and RHH rolls onto town. I’m at the show and I see my professor going berserk dancing in the pit. It was an awesome spectacle. Needless to say I got an A in his course that semester!
House of Blues?
@@allengavel807 Yep and Miss Derringer was the opener.
Saw the Reverand and Nashville Pussy in Victoria B.C.
Probably the best show I've ever seen. Great crowd. Amazing music.
Love ya Jim!
Using a capo to hold the strings makes it easy to change strings on a Bigsby.
Having locking tuners makes that even easier
Great interview with one of my all time favorites
Great interview with a legend!
Let me tell you the real story. I saw the Rev. at Bumbershoot in Seattle. I saw him after the show and told him he should get a Gretsch sig. model. He told me nah, they don't want to give me any money.
About 2 years later I was surfing and I saw the Rev. sig model and so I got one. It was stolen but the best Gretsch I've ever owned.
Like his choice in guitars! He has a real cool fresh way of playing
First time I saw the Rev at was upstairs at Blythe Spirits in Houston. I guess mid 80’s. Rocked the house! Been a fan ever since.
I bought one and it is an awesome stunning lookong and sounding guitar
Very Cool interview
If you have a Bigsby (I have one on my custom Tele), attach the string to the pin and wrap it around the bar, then use a capo somewhere on the neck to hold it in place. Then you can feed the string into the machine head and tighten it up. Once it's tight enough, remove the capo.
thanks. cool.
Thanks!I recently got a 5420T,I must get some locking tuners too.Cant beat the Reverend,one of the good guys.
Yeps. Only way to go!
I think Jim could had talked for awhile longer about his beloved guitar!
Ahhh... he likes the trestle bracing. His signature production guitar has the tone post.
Cmon jim! Just sayin nameless guitar tech?give Jonathan some love man!
My favorite guitar is my Gretsch Country (Gentleman) Classic. My 2nd favorite is my Gretsch 5422-12 string.
Jim also has a very reverential voice. Great interview!
That trestle bracing comment he made was interesting. There are cheaper Brian Setzer models that have it. Ok maybe they don't have all the inlays and all that, but if you are giving the Rev one signature model, shit why not make it like he wants it? As it is the Rev signature model is over 3 grand, what difference does it make if trestle bracing adds 300$ when you are already over 3 grand?!? Nothing against Brian Setzer, but Jim Heath is a true rock and roll innovator and guitar virtuoso right up there with the greats. They should have built it as he wanted it and sold it for what it was worth.
Totally agree. The internal bracing started changing back in the Chet Atkins days, when the top and bottom plates were thinned from 5mm down to 3mm so extra support was needed. The pickups are connected top and bottom. The Rev deserves the best they can make, he is a real Gretsch man.
The recipe for a great jazzy Gretsch rockabilly guitar really got muddied up in this video for me.
We might not be an overwhelming majority, but we aren’t insignificant: those of us who prefer single-sound-post-bracing with parallel tone bars !! Or no top extra top to back connection at all !! Maybe the newer ML bracing is great, but we don’t know !! There are electric guitars, yes: but they are big-bodied, f-hole havin’ electric guitars ! I want the top to vibrate, that’s such an integral component of that “great Gretsch sound !!
@@miahconnell23 Just don't turn up the amp too loud! Its like having an e-bow.
@@scottmcclements7566 do you mean if you have a “top-vibrating” guitar, or single sound-post bracing, or a guitar like the the Eddie Cochran model (which I’ve heard via rumour is totally empty inside) ? Your statement is most certainly true: I like hollowbodies with small amps, & I usually play small settings anyways. If I were going aggressive & loud, I’d likely bring or use a solid-body for such a gig. And there is nooooooo shortage in solidbodies at any price-point. Thing is, Gretsch is the brand I love for it’s unique sound (the tone & break-up-- and it starts to break-up only with hard right-hand attack… and the overtones, the sweet sweet overtones… well-showcased by Matthew Ashman of Box Wow Wow…) anyways, Gretsch keeps putting out new product with center-blocks and I’m like: “nooooooooooo, other companies already do that just fine: I need my Gretsches to sound Gretsch-y !!”
Nice guitar! Should have played it!
The man could make a dime store plastic kids guitar sound like a million dollars. One of the most underrated guitarists of all time. I wonder if he has tried one of the Reverend Flatroc guitars? It actually sounds a lot like his Gretsch. Even if he just used it just to mess with. And no I am not affiliated with Reverend guitars. I just think it would be cool.
I don't know why but these days Jim Heath, to me looks like James Hetfield's long lost Brother
?
He looks like Dexters boss, captain Matthews
Actually Jim and James had a rap duo noone talks about in the late eighties called "Super Furious Crazy Cracker".
Wish I had a copy.
He really does look like a reverend!
Kinda looked like he was sad with the outcome but you make good guitars and myself have always dreamt of owning a white falcon
He is pretty much playing a stock RHH model, so he is probably satisfied with it.
@@pb12661 or they are paying him or both
Does it come with the burlap sack?
hero.
Having to say "ahh whatever" on your signature guitar would be pretty rough. Jeez.
Does the burlap blanket come with the 6120, or is that an extra option? 😂
It should.
The Billy Duffy Falcon actually comes with a tea towel or two, soooo I don’t so a burlap sack would be out line-
What kind of pickups are on that guitar let's talk about the pickups
TV Jones classics my man
ya, like pickups are maybe 50% of the difference between the Gretsch country/rockabilly and Gibson jazz/blues sound.
Hasn't that 6120RHH been discontinued?
Doesn't seem like it according to the Internet
Just bought one from Thomann in Germany....yep, they're still being produced....GREAT guitar with TV Jones Classics.
I wanted this guitar for years and years and finally worked up the courage to sell my kidney on the black market to get it. Now that I have it, that guitar will be buried with me lol.
To: thumbs down people
Fr: Space Cadet
May the gods bless you with the fleas of a thousand camels.
He should have brought one to give you, now that he's a Gretsch salesman and this is basically an 8.5 minute love letter to the brand. You ought to make it a requirement that everyone who comes to talk about their whip on your show bring you one for the 1100 springs collection. Keep, auction for charity, give away 6120RHH's to loyal fans (HINT!!!!!) y'know...?
It's very plain to see that this chap is a very decent, unpretentious sort.