Ask Pete Anderson a question!!!!

Pete Anderson has won Grammy’s, sold millions of records, re-invigorated genres, ran his own record label, and toured the world playing music – he knows a thing or two.

Back in the day, you’d have to catch Pete at a show, track him down afterwards, and sheepishly pose your question if you wanted any inside info. Well no more!

Thanks to this crazy series of tubes we call the internet, and the Little Dog Records Blog, you can ask Pete a question from the comfort of your own home!

So have it, ask him what gear he used on that old Dwight Yoakam song, or that new Moot Davis track; ask him tricks of the trade regarding production; ask him the best and worst things about playing country music in Norway; ask him anything!

66 Responses to “Ask Pete Anderson a question!!!!”

  1. Bob Wire Says:

    Pete, I’ve admired your style and tone for a long time. I’ve been playing a tele through a ‘67 Bassman, and can’t quite seem to dial in that good ol’s spanky Nashville twang that is your stock in trade. Would you have any advice about amp settings, pickup selection, etc., that could get me closer to The Sound? Thanks.
    ~Bob Wire

  2. chuck Says:

    Dear Pete, is Dwight as unpleasant in real life as the characters he plays in the movies?

  3. andrew n dallas Says:

    hi pete
    can you recommend some simple, practical exercises to improve one’s rhythm? i get really bored working with a metronome, but i’ve also realized that just playing along with CDs can be a bit less than ideal, given all the variation that occurs in songs (maybe i should take guitar lessons from a drummer…?).
    do guitar players need to know rhythmic subdivision to the nth degree? or can we skate by on good looks and charisma?

  4. jim Says:

    What happened between you and Dwight Yoakum ?You made awesome records together for 20 years and then what?Was it personal?None of our business?Just tells us what you can,so we could understand.

  5. Natalie Says:

    Pete:
    Will you ever be the Band for Dwight again. I would say he’s gone downhill on Music since you left. Goes to show you who kept it all together……………………

  6. Bill Jordan Says:

    Hi Pete, Long time no see hope all is well with you and yours.. If you get by Chicago . Drop me a line would like to see and talk. Be well my friend.. Bill Jordan

  7. ted Says:

    Can you do for blues what you’ve done for country?Label wise!

  8. Chris McElrath Says:

    I was wondering what brand and guage of strings you use. I could be wrong, my to my ear you use heavier strings today than you did, say, around 1987 on some of Dwight’s stuff.

  9. Jon Aley Says:

    Hi Pete,

    I’m a longtime fan, and after reading your Premier Guitar interview, I went right out and bought a Vox Tonelab. I’m really happy with it, but I’ve just begun to scratch the surface of what it can do. Since you’ve used it a lot I was wondering if you could give me any general advice - favorite clean & cruchy settings, programming tips, tricks, etc. Thanks Pete!

  10. Broken Trail Says:

    Hi Pete-
    I’ve seen you play live dozens of times and met you a couple times at Moot shows in Tacoma and Seattle, WA. You always bring something new to the stage, and it’s inspiring. What is your live amp/guitar setup these days? Also, what was Dwight’s live setup for his acoustic guitars?

    Hope to see you in Washington state sometime this summer. Thanks for the music.

  11. Kathy Coleman Says:

    Hey, Pete! Long time no see. Hope you and Moot will be back around Phoenix sometime soon. I think the only question I have that I haven’t asked you is what venues do you like playing best, the big places, or a little joint? I’ve seen you play both and frankly, I prefer the little places, but what really juices you more?

  12. Brenda Says:

    Hi Pete, Just want to know if you will answer all the questions?

  13. Pete Anderson Says:

    Bob Wire

    First of all, it’s not a Nashville Twang, it’s the Bakersfield Sound. Generated right here in the burbank delta.

    On a blackface Fender Amp, I would set the volume on 5, the middle on 10, the treble on 5, the bass on 3.

    Through a 12 inch speaker.

    I would always use the lead pickup, and string gauge would be light top, heavy bottom. 9-11-15-28-39-49, D’Addario strings.

    Chuck
    It’s hard to say since I’ve seen hardly any of his performances on film.

    Andrew N Dallas
    I would say in this day and age, good looks and charisma won’t get you very far in your quest to be a real musician. Taking guitar lessons is a good start, especially if you express to your teacher what you are trying to learn. Playing along to an inexpensive drum machine would really help, as well as listening to rhythm guitar on records (that’s what helped me the most)

    Jim
    I can’t remember the year, it’s been a while now, but Dwight called and said he wasn’t going to do a full band tour over that summer, and that he was going to continue to tour as a duo. Then later I found that he’d hired two more pieces and went and did the tour without his band that he’d been using for the last 20 years. Everything else is conjecture.

    Natalie
    I would have to say, that the odds would be extremely high that I won’t be touring with Dwight again, I’ve been very busy with my career for the last few years and it’d be hard to find the time.

    Bill Jordan
    Hey Billy, great to hear from you.

    I have one question for you, what does a trumpet player do in Chicago????

    Move furniture.

    Ted
    Funny you asked, I have a blues record due to be released later this year to be titled “Pete Anderson - Blue Guitar”.

    Chris McElrath
    You’re absolutely right. On my new Reverend Pete Anderson model Rockabilly-Blues-Country guitar, I’m using 10-13-17-30-42-52 Everly strings.

    Jon Aley
    check back on the blog later and we’ll give you a sample setting.

    Broken Trail
    Dwight played a Martin D-28 through a Peavy PA system with a 112 and a horn PA cabinet. He used to use a Buffalo nickel contact pickup with a rubber feedback buster in the soundhole and medium gauge bronze wound strings.

    Since I’m going to releasing a brand new Blues record, and switching things over, I’ll probably be using a POD X3 through a stereo tube power amp, 50 watts a side, with two 112 cabinets, one wet, one dry.

    Kathy Coleman

    Great to hear from you again Kathy and I hope to see you soon. I will be touring in the late summer, but it’ll be off my new blues record, Pete Anderson - Blue Guitar, and I’ll be playing my new Reverend Guitar.

    I’ve played to one person, which was the soundman hired by the club, and upwards of 60,000 people. My favorite venue size, I’d have to say, is about the size of the House of Blues, where 1000 - 1200 people are at the foot of the stage screaming.

  14. drifter06 Says:

    Pete, i’m looking to change pickups in my 1992 amercian standard tele. i currently have a Dimarzio hot rails in the bridge and SRV texas specials in the middle and neck. i’m looking for that tone you get on guitars & cadliiacs , etc.. any suggestions?? what about pedals or amps, i currently play through a Line 6 Flextone III.

  15. KNuckles Says:

    any update / info on cisco two amazing records with him but never see or hear much

  16. Bryan Petersen Says:

    Pete,was just wondering what fret size and neck radius do you prefer..also what board, maple/rosewood/ebony?

  17. gary hammonds Says:

    Hey Pete ,I sent you a picture of your old amp(deluxe reverb love it love it)and one of my 62 tele …..I just wanted to know if you got it and if you miss it in your arsenal ?

  18. Fretts Ferrari Says:

    Hey Pete, sorry I’m late. Can I borrow a pick? And how bout a cord? Can I borrow a cord? What key we in? Got any drink tickets?

  19. Don and Mary Says:

    Hey Pete,

    We were wondering if you were maybe gonna get the “Band” back together again for the Blues Tour, ya know “GUNDOG”?
    Looking forward to seeing ya here in Austin!

  20. Brenda Says:

    Great reading Pete. I am learning to play the acoustic guitar and very much a beginner. I have a beautiful Big Baby Taylor. Right now I am looking for a teacher. Any advice on the qualities a good guitar teacher should have? Thanks for THE MUSIC Pete. By the way any chance of coming to Irvine?

  21. oldschool Says:

    Pete,
    big fan of your playing and producing. Woundering if you had any thoughts about the Backsliders and the album you produced throwin rocks at the moon. Great Great band & record.Where there any tracks left in the can?

  22. Pascal Says:

    Pete, how does a small independent label survive in today’s music biz? Declining sales, free downloads and file sharing, it must be hard….but thanks for trying.

  23. Taurolynn Says:

    Pete, I have an equipment question. I currently use a Fender Strat (loaded with hot noiseless pickups) through a newer Fender Twin Amp (evil twin model). My question for you is, which would give me some tighter bottom end; a good overdrive/ distortion pedal, or a graphic equalizer pedal, like a MXR model ?

  24. JD Myers Says:

    Pete,

    What amp/amps are you using on the albums “Hillbilly Deluxe” and “Buenos Noches”? To me, your tone on those albums is a little thinner than the first album and especially the later Dwight albums.

    Thanks,
    JD

  25. Renko Sublime Says:

    How in your life have you managed to stay away from drugs?

  26. Jamie Says:

    Pete,

    How did you develop your remarkable sense of timing? Also, any plans to be at the upcoming Summer NAMM in Nashville?

    Thanks!

  27. Davee Bryan Says:

    Some years back in Guitar Player, you mentioned a tweak to your Black Face Deluxe Reverbs (changing a resistor on volume or tone pot, perhaps?)…Could you share that one with us again?
    Many Thanks!
    Play Hard. Travel Safe. db

  28. Mel Tillis Gets Remastered -- The 9513 Says:

    [...] incredible Pete Anderson is answering any questions you might have over on the Little Dog Records blog. Anderson is “the man behind recordings by such renowned [...]

  29. The Benevolent Dr. Cain, Rsq Says:

    My grandmother is getting really old and she has some really nice furniture in her house. I think I could swap it out for the crap in my house and she wouldn’t even notice. I mean, even if she did I would just tell her she forgot about the ‘garage sale’. What does she need it for? She is really old.

  30. Victor Says:

    Hi Pete-

    Before you release your blues cd will you be playing locally (Viva Cantina, etc.). Anything in Burbank or NoHo? Will there be a surprise preview anywhere?

    Kindly,

    Victor

  31. Canadave Says:

    Hey Pete - too many great artists get shelved by major labels after signing deals that never materialize … who is the greatest singer/songwriter the world has never known?

    Cheers,
    Canadave

  32. Bob Wire Says:

    Thanks for the tips on the Bassman/Tele rig, Pete. I stand corrected on the Bakersfield Sound. No intense offended.

  33. Sarah @ Sisters of Sound Says:

    Hi Pete, Jus’ wanted to say we loved having you in Manhattan, Ks at Auntie Mae’s Parlor and at Sisters Of Sound Music. Our Autograph Pic of you is our most prized possession. We’d love to have you back here…any chance?

  34. JW Says:

    Hey Pete, I want to know if you listened to the Haymaker record we recorded with Tony at your studio. We had a great time recording it and would any feedback, positive or negative. Also, you did some instructional DVDs year ago. Are those available still? What do you think about a Lakers/Pistons final?

  35. John Says:

    Pete,

    You’ve done well, my friend. Congrats and continued success to you. My question is, do you ever miss playing in South Bay dumps with bands like Barbecue Bob and the Spare Ribs? Yes, at least one person on the planet recalls those days. Not many other bands would have allowed a bari sax solo on Third Rate Romance, Low-Rent Rendevous. Music was fun in those days.

    Take care,

    John

  36. info Says:

    Hey everyone,

    Pete will be back later today to answer this next run of questions!

  37. David Fulton Says:

    Hello Pete- Hope everything is well with you. My question relates to your preference in venue size. We saw you a few years back at the Mucky Duck in Houston, a very small venue. It was a great show and I was just curious as to your thoughts about it.

    Thanks and keep up the good work!

    David

  38. Pete Anderson Says:

    Drifter 06
    The pickups that are available over the counter that get closest to replicating what I used are called Seymour Duncan antiquities, they are not hot rails or overdriven in any way.

    If you’re using a flextone III, I’d be working off of the blackface twin program, using the 212 cabinet program with it. and my general amp setting for that are Middle- Full, Bass 3-4, Treble on 5-6, no presence, and a little bit of reverb, and a 16th note analog delay. Good luck, let me know how it works out.

    KNuckles
    Cisco seems to be living in semi-retirement or exile, I’m not quite sure, somewhere in the Tuscon area. I only see him occasionally, and I don’t think he’s done a live performance in two years. I agree they were amazing records. Too bad.

    Bryan Petersen
    Rosewood finger board, dunlop frets high #6105 model, ideal neck radius would be a compound-radius neck that starts rounded and goes flat towards the pickups. The size of the neck would depend on the instrument, for slide I prefer a thick baseball bat neck (the biggest I can find), for regular guitar I like a medium “c”.

    Gary Hammonds
    I miss the days of playing through two deluxes with an echo plex, I loved that sound, but where I’ve evolved soncially I don’t really need to two twins, so I don’t miss that one, although it is a great amp.

    Frets
    Hey Jeff, good to hear from you. can’t wait to see you and martha on behind the music on vh1. Hope you’re doing well, tell Marty I say hi.

    Don and Mary
    You’re going to see more of me than you like, I’m staying at your place!

    It won’t be GUNDOG, it’s going to be called Pete Anderson - Blue Guitar, leave the light on for us!

    Brenda
    A good guitar teacher should have patience and should be willing to teach you what you want to learn.

    I might get out that way late Summer or Fall. Make sure you are part of the mailing list and check this blog regularly for all the info.

    old school
    no tracks left in the can, I should have made the second record with them, but they blew it!

    but they are great guys and I had a lot of fun.

    Pascal
    It’s extremely difficult, I have a recording studio attached to the label which pretty much funds what we do.

    But if you could get yourself and a thousand of your friends to download from our Little Dog Records download store every week we’d be in much better shape.

    Spread the word brother!

    Taurolynn
    I would say neither one. I always use really high quality speakers like electro-voice speakers called EVM12l.

    I never use overdriven pickups, it’ll get you in trouble.

    JD
    I was probably alternating between my pre-cvs blackface deluxe reverb and a pre-cvs blackface twin, both with electrovoice speakers.

    Renko Sublime
    I never had a propensity for them. Growing up in Detriot, it was the type of city where you didn’t want to get caught in public when you didn’t have full control of your facilities, you might lose your underpants.

    Jamie
    I think to some degree that timing may be a natural concept I have, but I was lucky enough to play with some really good drummers who had good time and I concentrated on locking in with their high hat and snare and after years of playing with them, I understood what it was to play in good time.

    I hope to be at the summer NAMM debuting my Reverend guitar Pete Anderson model Rockabilly-Country-Blues guitar!

    Davee Bryan
    Although there is no middle control knob on the outside of the blackface deluxe, there is a preset middle control shorted out on the chassis inside, and what we did was change the value from having a middle control on 4 to having it on 10. I’m thinking of offering this mod on a pre-package for sale in the near future, check in with us.

    Dr Cain
    I would beware the Karmic repercussions of this act. Unless of course, when you were a small child and were dropped off by your mother to stay with your grandmother for the weekend, she duct taped you to your high chair and burned you with cigarettes. In that case I would approve it, otherwise beware.

    It may also work out that your grandmother remembers you as someone else and hits you in the back of the head with a bat, there is always that possibility. Either way, good luck with grandma.

    Victor

    Hello Victor, hope you are well. I am sure that we will be playing around, but probably not Viva Cantina. Keep an eye on the newsletter and you’ll be in the loop. Hope you are well.

    Canadave
    Although he’s gotten a little notoriety recently, one of them very well could have been Malcolm Holcomb.

    Sisters of Sound
    Thank you so much, I hope your business is thriving. It’s certainly not out of the question, although it would be with my new project: Pete Anderson - Blue Guitar.

    Where can I play the blues in Manhattan, KS.?

    John
    Hey buddy, glad you’re still at it.

    I tried to convince them not to let you in the band, but I was overridden.

    I think it was more fun than playing with an Elvis impersonator. Hope you are well, thanks for reaching out.

    David
    Like I answered earlier, I’ve played for 1 person and I’ve played for 50,000. I prefer the House of Blues size venues, but there is definitely something charming about playing something the size of the duck where I can talk to everybody in the room and not use a microphone.

    Thanks.

  39. Jason Says:

    Hey Pete,

    I saw you a few years ago on a tour through Des Moines with Moot Davis. You were nice enough to talk to my guitar mentor and I for a while, I’ve always appreciated what a genuinely nice human being you are, its nice to find out your heroes are that way. My only regret was not having you sign my Tele, I was worried it would rub off. Any chance of pulling through Des Moines or somewhere in Iowa again? With Moot or in support of your solo blues record??? For a blues club we do have Blues On Grand, which is a very well known club that books lots of the “big hitters” of the blues scene.

    Thank you sir,
    Jason

  40. opie rasmus Says:

    i bought a tele autographed by dwight it came out of the alabama cafe in nashville i was wondering if there was any way i could send you pictures and you mite be able to identify this to be his and if u have any history on this guitar. thanks and much appreciated.

  41. Martin Davies Says:

    Hi Pete.This is a big question i know. Do you have any tips for home “country rock” recording hobbyists like myself for getting the bass guitar to sit in nicely with the mix?! I always have trouble and can never find the right level or simple EQ to make it sit away from the vocals or heavier vamped rhythm guitar comfortably! Thanks for any advice,Martin. PS loved reading the questions.

  42. Erik Swanson Says:

    Hi Pete. Thanks for all the great music! Specifically, thanks for keeping roots music alive. I’ve been trying to catch you & Moot whenever you come to the Dallas area–even the time at Poor David’s Pub when we were about the only people there. Sorry that Dallas can be so unsupportive of live music. Anyway, I’m wondering if you’ll continue to tour with Moot once he’s back from New Zealand. I guess he’s moved to Nashville and his site mentions rehearsing a new band, so I was just wondering. Even if you won’t be touring with him, I’ll definitely go to his shows. I started off as a Pete fan, and now I’m both a Pete fan AND a Moot fan. take care.
    E

  43. Brenda Says:

    Thanks for answering my question, PETE. I look forward to seeing/hearing you when you come around this way. Brenda

  44. Frank Oz Says:

    Pete,
    I have caught you with Dwight three times since 1996. The last time was at Westbury Music Fair, Long Island NY in Sept. of 2000. I had met you after the show, not that I would expect you to remember. We talk Pro Tools very briefly. Anyway I have seen Dwight with his new band which was very stripped down, yet it they had the raw sound of the Austin City Limits CD. They put on a great performance and Eddie Perez is a good picker but you not being in the line up was missed. Love what you are doing with Moot Davis, will you be coming to the New York area with him or solo?

  45. Ken In Indy Says:

    Hi Pete,
    Thanks so much for doing this. I would love to see you in Indiana (Maybe the Slippery Noodle in Indianapolis? Good blues place) I have two questions. The first one is about Dwight…do you miss the musicianship between you two the most, or the friendship?
    Secondly, do you think there are any originals left in Country music today, or do you share my opinion that most of it is cookie cutter stuff, with everyone trying to sound the same?

    One last thing…I met you after a show in 2000 or 2001 in Indy. I had on an Elvis shirt. Do you remember me? haha I just wanted to thank you for being so great that night even though I was nervous about meeting you. I just admire you so much.

  46. Kent Says:

    Pete,
    Love your guitar playing and your production work (Dwight, Backsliders, Cisco, Tommy Conwell, etc.). Question: in producing a band, how much input you do have in determining the sound and the arrangements of the songs during the recording process? From the sounds of many of your production credits, it seems to me it’s “a less is more” type of style - which I like. So many great bands that were great live, were completely over-produced when it came to album releases (esp. in the ’80s).

    Also, what’s the process you go through to determine if you acutally want to work with an artist/band? Does the artist ususally approach you, or is it the label, etc.?? Do you actually have to like their music/songs??

    Thanks, Pete!

  47. Dale B. Says:

    Hey Pete,

    Two things. First, when are you gonna tour again in the Pacific Northwest and are you and Moot both coming? Hope so, we all would like to see you perform again.

    Second, do you have any plans of a volume two instructional DVD? If not, you should. Your concept of what to instruct really helps out aspiring musicians like me. Some day, when I grow up, I’m gonna play guitar almost as good as you… (yeah, right!) but I’m gonna try!! ;o)

    Later man, and keep up the great music!

  48. Doug Says:

    Hi Pete. I love that your music & gtr work sounds like masterpieces of art, whereas many others today sound like commercialism. From past comments you have made, I know your basic pickups and guitars, and string gauge. I also use the Anitiquitys and love the sustain of the Alnico II magnets that is a big part of their mojo, and I realize a lot of your tone is coming from them combined with your hand technique. I play Teles and two HR Deluxe Amps (modded for better bass EQ) and sometimes I use a POD XT, I would love to know what basic amp or POD settings you used on several songs on the later Dwight Stuff, where you get that cool, rich sustaining, yet still fairly clean tone, to be more specific, that would be several songs on the ‘Tomorrows Sounds Today’ album. If it was the POD Line you used, was it the Lux or Twin model or both? I have taken note of your EQ recommendations, but what ‘DRIVE’ setting do you typically use on that model or models? What about the amp model or OD pedal for the set-up for your barre chord rythm tone on ‘Things Change’? It sounds hotter.
    Thanks.

  49. Ross Says:

    Hey Pete!

    Well, after 22 years of listening to your guitar playing and producing records I gotta say you’re still one of my top influences. Thanks for being you and making a difference in the music business, I really respect your work.

    I am still devastated that you and Dwight parted company, I don’t think anyone saw that coming. I hope you guys can at least talk and have respect for one another. You made some of the best music in the last 20 years and thank you for that!

    Your tone tips have certainly helped me find that sweet spot that makes playing live all that much better. My Larrivee PA model still sounds and looks amazing and I really dig the new music coming from LDR especially Moot Davis. He’s the best breath of fresh air to come along in country music for years.

    My question(s) is what advice would you have for an outlaw/roots country band just starting to work on their first original album/cd/download? What impresses you? What do you like to hear in an artist/band?

    I hope you make it to eastern Canada someday, maybe for one of the blues festivals we have. Harvest Jazz & Blues, Dutch Mason, Halifax.

    Thanx & take care,
    Ross

  50. Briana Says:

    Hey Pete,

    It’s Briana. Just wanted to stop by and say hello & how I’ve missed the old days when we use to talk. Hope all is going well for you. Hope to see you again soon. =)

    Always,
    Briana from Bakersfield.

  51. Keith Says:

    Pete, you are an amazing musician and producer. I can’t wait to hear the Blues cd. Does doing all blues on the tour mean you won’t be bringing out that cool sounding DM-2?

  52. Fay Says:

    Hi Pete,
    I have a comment and a question.

    My comment is that I hope you know you are missed by a WHOLE lot of people who really love to hear you play live. Last time I saw you perform was at the Sportsmen’s in Buffalo a few summers ago. You rocked, par usual ; )) I can hardly wait to buy your new blues album and wear it out.

    My question is this: I know you’re all as busy as you want to be, but have you ever thought of playing live again with Skip, Scott, Jim E and Taras? Contrary to popular belief, for a whole lot us is it really was all about the music, not all about Mr. Poopypants. We’d love to see you all together again!

    Hope everything is going your way!

    Fay xo

  53. Fay Says:

    Oh! Just saw a typo, can you please fix for me? That shoudl have read Mr. Yoakam spelled Y-O-A-K-A-M, not P-O-O-P-Y-P-A-N-T-S. My bad ; ))

  54. stronghold crusader Says:

    Great tips, i found all information i was looking for, i will use some of them.

  55. Pete Anderson Says:

    Jason
    It’s more than likely that I’ll be at a club/festival sometime ni the next year. And if you wanted me to sign a pickguard, you can send it out with a self addressed stamped envelope and I’d be happy to sign it with you.

    it’s be highly unlikely that it was truly his and there would be no way that I could verify it. Dwight’s not really known for playing a tele.

    Martin
    always play the lowest possible notes, use your thumb, and turn the tone knob down, that’s what I do.

    and don’t be afraid to play simple.

    Eric
    Moot’s latest plans are to relocate back to Los Angeles sometime in May and I’m sure that he’ll be touring through Texas in the Summer.

    My plans are to devote my future to my own blues band, and blues record - Blue Guitar. If you see us anywhere, please say hi.

    Frank
    More likely I’d be going there with my blues band to promote my upcoming record, Blue Guitar

    Ken
    I’m too busy to miss anything about my work with Dwight. I live in the present. I’m very excited about my new project which is a blues oriented cd called Pete Anderson - Blue Guitar.

    and I wholeheartedly agree with the cookie cutter image of current country music (except for Moot Davis).

    Kent</em
    Yes I believe in the Less is More approach. Most of the time I have influence on every aspect of the recording process, but I try to allow the artist/band as much input as they’re willing to give depending on whether it is focused the song/record better and not just on their ego.

    I definitely have to like the material in this day and age. It use to come from all directions, but now 99% of the time it comes from the artist/band wanting to work with me.

    Dale
    I’m sure I’ll be in the Northwest, which will be with my new project, Pete Anderson: Blue Guitar.

    and I’m sure Moot will be up there as well, but I won’t be in the band.

    I’d love to produce another instructional dvd, but I may week a consensus from fans about what they’d like to learn.

    Doug
    Classically using a Pod I’ll use a blackface sound and I’ve been leaning more and more towards a twin rather than a deluxe. I start by cranking the middle and putting the treble on 5 and putting the bass on 3 or 3 and a half depending on where I play on the instrument and what I want. Obviously a cleaner sound for rhythm would have a little less bass. and then for single line soloing r fills I would bring the bass up and bring the drive up but just below the point of distortion.

    on Baby Things Change, I would say that it’s kind of classically not a sound I would use, it just suited the song and I don’t really remember but it probably was a tonemaster fairly over driven, I never use stomp box pedals or compressors of any kind, it’s always guitar straight into the amp.

    Ross
    Pay homage to the forefathers of that music, don’t be afraid to be simple or corny. Thanks for the accolades and help spread the word!

    Make sure if you see me in the neighborhood you say hello.

    Briana
    Thanks Briana, I’m sure I’ll see you soon on the road with my new blues band.

    Keith
    I probably will be using something very similar to that in my rig, but I’m not quite sure yet what it’s going to be.

    I’ll keep you posted

    Fay
    I appreciate the sentiment, I’ve always enjoyed meeting the people after the shows and I could certainly tell the ones who loved the music for what it was, which I’m still really proud of.

    but we’ve all gone our separate ways and I don’t foresee any reunion.

    but I hope to come to Buffalo with my new bluesband and I hope to see you there!

  56. Ken In Indy Says:

    Hi again Pete,
    I just wanted to thank you for answering my question. I am definitely looking forward to the new cd as well! I can understand living in the present too.

  57. Fay Says:

    Great news that you’ll be back on the road. Any plans for coming to Toronto? If not, I’ll bring you a large can of Tim Horton’s coffee across the border on our way to Buffalo ; ))

  58. Pascal Says:

    Pete, I know you’re a Muddy Waters fan. Have you read the bio “Can’t be Satisfied” by Robert Gordon (not the rockabilly Robert Gordon but a bona fide author) ?? Being a roots guy you’ll also appreciate his book about Stax records “It came from Memphis”. Both are great and will fill those idle hours on the bus.

  59. johns Says:

    Pete,

    One more question, if you don’t mind. Can you tell us about your new Reverend guitar?

    Thanks,

    JS

  60. Brenda Says:

    Hi Pete , since we are on the subject of reading, have you ever read “Workin’ Man Blues’ by Gerald Haslam? This is a terrific and extremely well researched book about country music in California. By the way you are on page 263. ( Thanks to Pascal for his recommendations.) I found a guitar teacher and begin in a week’s time.

  61. Pascal Says:

    Thank you Brenda, I just requested “Workin’ Man Blues” from the university library where I work. You soon realize that those guys in Chicago lead short, hard lives filled with guns, booze, gambling, women, and lots of fatherless kids. Muddy’s first daughter died a junkie’s death. Little Walter got into an argument during a crap shoot and was hit on the head with a hammer, went home, complained about a headache, went to bed, and as he’d say, “woke up dead”.

  62. Brenda Says:

    Hope you enjoy the book, Pascal. I look forward to reading the books you suggested. Pete ,are you going to be at the 2009 Namm? If so, which days and WHERE will you be? By the way I think I saw you this year at the Rosie Flores set? Did I?

  63. Brad Williams Says:

    Hey Pete, This Brad from The Salty Dogs here in Little Rock.
    I hope everything is going good for you these days. Can’t wait to her some of the new album. Hope you swing through LR if you get a chance.

    1 question: I was always a fan of Brantley Kearns. What was the reason for him leaving the band back in the late 80’s?

    Thanks a bunch and take care,
    Brad

  64. Linda Says:

    Hi Pete,
    My question is about submissions. I notice that you handle mostly male artists. The song I would like to submit is for a female singer. The song got rave reviews from the last people I sent it to and was given to a known artist, who unfortunately passed on it. Since you handle mostly male artsits, would I be wasting my time submitting it to Little Dog?
    I’d also like to see You, Clapton, Paisley and Santana on stage together - talk about a rockin’ guitar jam!!!!
    Thanks for the great music!

  65. Pascal Says:

    Hello Brad,
    FWIW Dwight said that Brantley had some person problems when he and I were talking about the band one time in the early 90s.
    Pascal

  66. Daniel Craig Says:

    Hi there, I was looking around for a while searching for guitar lessons blues and I happened upon this site and your post regarding Ask Pete Anderson a question!!!!, I will definitely this to my guitar lessons blues bookmarks!

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