Why I Use a Telecaster Guitar - James Burton 

I know James Burton. He came into a car dealership where I sold cars in Shreveport, La. He and I sat in my office a couple of times. We talked about Elvis. Super nice man. I'll never forget that experience.

My father died last spring and when I went to clean out his apartment, it was filled to the brim with Teles. Glad to see how much joy that guitar brought to him over a half century.

He looks great at 80. Plays even better.

Great interview. I ran I to James Burton at a hotel in Memphis once. What a great guy. Talked for about 20 minutes before he had to leave.

James Is The Telecaster Master ! Totally Untouchable 👍

It such a groovy thing when you hear about parents that start a musician on their personal journey and it became a successful career for them. As a parent, I can't imagine a more beautiful thing than to help your child achieve what they were truly put on the earth to do.

I'm 68 & grew up watching & listening to Burton on those memorable Ozzie & Harriet episodes when I was a kid. Obviously, I was (& still am) a huge fan of Ricky Nelson (who inspired me to ask my parents back then for a guitar) & loved all his songs, but as I got older, understood & appreciated what a phenomenal guitarist James was - & is. The way he not only sparkled throughout all the songs, it was his way of sprinkling & bending those beautiful twinkles within his great groove & amazing solos. It all stands up today so many decades later. Long live James Burton. Great interview !

James Burton is an absolute living legend !!!!!!!!

Love the stories about Merle, Glen and Chet Atkins.

The original guitar hero! Back in the day he inspired all the greats. Elvis was the rock vocalist that inspired generations, James and Scotty Moore were the guitar gods before Hendrix, Clapton, Beck and Page ;0)

I had the pleasure and privilege of sharing the stage with this great man on several occasions....singing Ricky Nelson hits with the JB backing...a lovely man and total legend and proud to regard him as a friend.

Such a good humble man! Love him and his family!

Legendary...James Burton...just LEGENDARY!!! I had two people I wished I could meet since I was a little kid... Never in my life could I have imagined that someday I would get to finally meet these two legends... One of them was Scotty Moore and the other was the MASTER of the Telecaster Mr. James Burton!!! It was so surreal!!! Both very humble and down to earth. Two of the greatest person's I have ever met! Thank you for this interview sir! I can see how much admiration you have for James in this interview as well! Best regards!

Cool guy, legend. The Telecaster is IMO the true electric guitar.

My first electric guitar (back in 1968) was a rose boarded Tele. I have since come to prefer the maple neck model. To me, a Tele is the shortest distance between two points: The electricity that causes the sound in the first place and the electricity of your soul that feeds it.

It's not the arrow but the Indian that wields it. Thanks for another great interview Joe!

You can watch old footage when James was with Elvis. He was at the top of his game. Elvis knew what he had with James in the band. An absolute monster player on that Telecaster!!

When young players see me plug an old Fender straight into a good amp they always ask, "Where are your tone pedals?" I tell 'em, " My hands are my pedals." Burton touches on this about @10:55 and beyond. It's a difficult thing to explain because it is something that only comes from years of experience. You just "do it" so to those who can't yet even grasp the concept it's an imperceptible puzzle. It's old school.

Everyone says Hendrix and Blackmore , Clapton and Paige but to me James gave me greater joy with his playing especially with the elvis live recordings - what a legend

All the wonderful things ever said about James are absolutely true.

L E G E N D Ive been around a long time Heard em all live...It doesnt get any better then James Burton.

Love the reference at 7:40 when James opens the guitar case at the Fender factory in 1969 and sees the paisley Tele for the first time, saying "No, no, not for me, maybe Van Halen." Meanwhile, elsewhere in Southern California, the 14-year -old Edward Van Halen must've said "'Excuse me, someone mention my name?"

Only 1 guitar. That is amazing...lol. kinda proves how well Leo Fender and company did in designing that bad boy.

I met and talked with James Burton at NAMM in Los Angeles. I give him one of my cd's. He smiled when he looked at the back...and there was a Tele with the American flag as the pick guard.

I met James years ago in Shreveport. I bought a small PA system and a ton of music gear from him like cables and microphones and even a primitive drum machine. He gave me a great deal and threw in an old mic stand that Elvis had used on stage (according to him). The chrome on the mic stand was rusted from the sweat on Elvis` hand. I used that stand for over 20 years. One night the base broke and someone threw it away without asking me.

James’s Tele on Black and White Night, was SO awesome. Him and Bruce, trading licks, Still gets all over me. 😊

Oh Yeah ! Joe you have done it again.. This was Great ! All of the information from the world's best players is more important than anything you can Ever find in a book.. There is no greater teacher than a lifetime of experience.. Thanks again my friend.. Lary

Great interview. One of the highlights is how Elvis and Merle Haggard were interested in his guitars.

And on the 7th day - he didn’t rest - no! he grabbed his guitar and started to play... thank you James that you gave me the chance working with you and and the TCB’s feat. Ronnie Tutt, Jerry Scheff and Glen D. Hardin back in 2009 in Nashville

What's not to love about this guy? He is such a humble ,down to earth GOD fearing man that has been blessed with amazing talent. I have heard many stories from family in the Shreveport area that attest just how generous this man is with not just his money but with his time. and how wonderful and kindhearted his wife is also. James Burton is Truly the Master of the Telecaster. Great Interview.

Humble guy....for a guitar god. Thanks Joe for these intimate conversations

I play a tele exclusively. James Burton was my earliest tele picker influence. Immeasurably grateful.

One of the big boys.

Great job Joe. Guitar players want to talk about guitar. I like the questions about settings and amp choices. Great series

Legend. Just a legend.

Telecasters are the most versatile of all the guitars. You can do anything with them, country, blues, rock, soul,metal. Love them.

Great questions, Joe! I always wondered about those. You ask great questions because you’re a musician and a fan. Right on!

James You Are The Man!!

Tele will cut through anythin , fell in love with teles when i got my fIrst one at 15 , still my faves today at 58. Long live the Telecaster ❤

There is a story about the first Stratocaster in the U.K. being bought by Cliff Richard and used by Hank Marvin the U.K.'s original guitar hero. At the time there were no Fender guitars in the U.K. but they knew that James Burton played a Fender so they sent off for the catalogue. They saw the most expensive model - a red gold plated Stratocaster and thought that that must be the one Burton would play. They sent off for it and became very successful having an authentic U.S. rock sound and thus a generation of British guitar players all wanted a Stratocaster. Then they found out he played a Telecaster. :)

American standard Telecaster was my first guitar and is still my favorite. Man I wish I could make it sound like JB. Thanks for the interview and video. It's great to hear these legends tell their stories.

this man is a legend. a true innovator not unlike edison. cheers to this video!

First of all he is A REAL Christian who practces what he preaches.Second,in my opinion hes on of the three best guitarist EVER ! Very humble and nice man.Rock on brother!

James Burton This is my favorite guitar player of all time his resume speaks for itself. And there is no guitar more iconic than the pink Paisley tele. I know if Elvis was still alive You would have him on your show, Wondering if you had one question to ask Elvis What would it be? Because you have the best of the best guests all the time.👍⚡TCB⚡

He could get so many tones out of that one guitar because it was his one and only, and he knew how to use it. Beware of the man who has only one gun. He will surely know how to use it!🎸 Great interview Thanks Joe!👍

Beautiful just beautiful Mr Burton

One guitar, no pedals - just tweaking the guitar and amp. Boss

I met Jim in Hawaii a few years back. Still have the signature guitar pick.

Great interview, Joe.

I love you James !!! Get well !

Gran guitarrista James Burton. Admiro su trabajo🎸

Thanks for the great interview Joe! I am blessed to have met James Burton in Vancouver, Canada, at the Yale's Dr. John show in about 2003. What a down to earth, genuine guy. I have had the opportunity to meet lots of great performers, but meeting James is truly a highlight of my life. Hope to cross paths again one day!

I'll never forget James onstage with Roy Orbison On "Black and White night"..during "Pretty Woman" he's trading licks with Bruce Springsteen and absolutely destroys him! Bruce is a songwriting a rock and roll legend, but that night Bruce brought a knife to a gun fight!.

JB's one of the reasons I just had to get a '52 reissue Tele ! There is a brilliant compilation CD "James Burton - The Early Years 1956 - 1969" , which came out on ACE records in 2011; what I thought was weird , was the photo on the cover ,he's playing what appears to be a Gretsch ! Awesome interview Joe 👍

There's just something about a tele!

Mr. Burton is absolutely correct, and I know from decades of playing & performing myself: A satin neck is indeed, the fastest neck you can get. Even though it seems as if the "glassy smooth" finish on necks with poly, would be better, the fact of the matter is, during a performance, that glassy finish actually gets gummed up and will "grab" the palm of your hand. Ya find yourself having to constantly wipe & clean the neck off DURING your gig. A satin neck stays incredibly smooth & consistent as can be....... throughout hours of playing. It just doesn't gum up, and NO NEED to apply anything such as powder, sprays, or wax.....EVER. Of course you clean it periodically, but that's simply "general maintenance". He's also right about how sweat actually causes the satin neck to become even faster, even though it's smooth & fast to begin with. When I discovered this first-hand decades ago, I started choosing only guitars......including acoustics, with satin necks. Never went back.......other than nice guitars I already owned that had glossy finished necks. Had to keep them for the sweet tone they produced, but I did come to realize that the glossy finish all around is inferior to satin, pure & simple.

I have played the James Burton signature Tele. It is a wonderful guitar. That satin neck is so comfortable. I remember red from the Ricky Nelson show. I did not know it was his original white Tele painted. Not much mention of one pickup Esquire guitars. They were wonderful. They had a unique tone circuit. I prefer a mellow sound on a Tele. James mention of amps- the 50’s amps with that suitcase luggage covering had a more brown, biting, dirty sound, then the black face 1964 models. James uses quite light gauge strings.

Great interview, I particularly loved his work with Ricky Nelson man he wrote the book. Real nice interview thanks.

Joe, wow How do you get these legends. Again so humble but a legends. 1 guitar, and the stories from those that made the music. Rick Nelson, Elvis and Glen Cambell's guitar. Just majic Joe. Thanks again

I have to admit some of these people I dont know about including Mr. Burton but of course I am familiar with his work. Just another reason why I love this channel so thanks for doing that!

Yes, that out of phase setting was fantastic

Congratulations James on your career your the best I have Seven guitars and play them all thank for the inspiration s hope to play like you .

Great great James Burton.James is ICONE.Thank yuo for sharing.

I got my Telecaster thanks to James Burton. I was about to buy a second hand JB signature, but my father said it was an ugly guitar... pfff and it was at a very reasonnable price. Now, I play my 2016 American Elite Telecaster for a few years, I'm very happy with it. But I hope I will be able to own a reissue of an oldie one, just to get that particular sound, bright and twangy. Thank you for the interview and thank you James Burton for the music revolution you made with all these great artists. TCB

Keith Richards said he bought Rick Nelson records to hear James on guitar.

Wow!...... Great interview. James Burton always had his own style with his Tele! One of the greatest pickers of whom could improvise on the spot! Thanks for sharing this.

yep.. gotta '52.. been playing it for over 40 years.. love it.. I get ya, James..

Had the pleasure of meeting James Burton a few years ago and told him I now need to get a pink tele. And he replied: You do that! All you ever need.

I saw the paisley guitar or replica at The Hard Rock that used to be in La Jolla about 20 years ago. Aloha From Hawaii, iconic.

the one and only mr james burton hes double awesome legendary performer there no one could take is place

Great interview of a great player, Oh the stories he has

We miss you Joe. Thank you for these videos.

One of the early guitar Gods! Another great interview Joe.

I love James Burton!!!! FANTASTIC!!! 👏👏👏👏

Much respect!

Class, pure class.

I started playing Tele's in 1972. Then I started to notice it sounded like all the guitars on all the hits from James Brown to Booker T and the MG's to Blues, R&B and Pop hits. Then I kept hearing people say: You always sound just like the record. I guess that way because the Tele or strat was what everyone was using. Except the Fat Box Jazz players. And even then the Tele has a nice Jazz tone on the neck pick-up. But I too would always have a middle strat pickup added to the center & go 5 way switch with an on/off toggle switch for the lead neck pickup to get the neck and bridge pickup Tele sound. Which makes for 7 tones. This made it a Tele Ultracaster. Everything on a strat and Tele in one guitar.

Great interview, Joe. I like your style: you ask friendly yet probing questions. Worked perfect for a pro like James Burton. Thank you. - Tim

There is no doubt, the telecaster guitar is Leo fenders masterpiece. The Tele is my go to and desert island guitar. James Burton wouldn’t have had any influence on me wanting to play a Tele LOL yeah right watching the Aloha from Hawaii concert when I was a little kid did it for me. James Burton, Eddie Van Halen, Neil Schon and Steve Lukather are my biggest influences and guitar

Love love love James Burton!!!💕

If that's the guitar he wants ....go git it for him! Great parenting!! Thank you for producing an American Legend!

Tone,touch and taste...☺

It seems to me that up until Hendrix came around in late 66' with the Strat that the go to "Rock & roll lead guitar" was the Telecaster or in Jeff Beck's case was his Yardbirds Franken-Esq/Tele but I digress. Now the Tele instead of being the premier Rock lead guitar is now the quintessential Country guitar IMHO 🎸

One guitar is all you need if you know what your doing and you’re really bonded to it. Especially if you know your amp

There is one well known video, available on YT, of Ricky Nelson and his band doing "Hello Mary Lou"; in this James plays a Fender Jazzmaster.

Thanks Joe. Great and interesting interview - including your comments and observations.

Thank you sir for being you I look forward meeting you in HIS kingdom Peace

Don't know much about the electric guitar but I know who this guy is and most of the songs he's played on and the people he associated with one of a kind

I think that a couple pictures of the guitars they were discussing would have been nice to see...His signature model & the Pink Paisley....

Love James - best player ever

Since closing out my band days I mostly play an acoustic Taylor. When fronting my band I didn't play much lead stuff. I tried a Les Paul a few times but I was exhausted with the weight of it at the end of a three hour gig. The problem for me with the Stratocaster was that the volume knob was always too close to my right hand. Thus the telecaster,

A better queston for me wld be why wld u not play a tele ? We like what we like . Love the channel .

finally we get the to find out he painted the blond one a few times ,so all those sunburst clips like "its late" are the original Tele

i play the red flame and its awesome

Don't forget Don Rich, when you mention Buck Owens.

Play it James!

This is such a cool interview!

Great video!

James Burton in my book is the best of the best . I know there are shredders out there and wonderful guitar players. But to me he is the best.

Great information in this video. As a couple others have said,,there is no education,,,anywhere close to being out on the road like James has done since 16 years of age to learn many little does and donts in your craft. Never have played an instrument until 5 years ago am trying to learn Banjo,,,:). James mentions about getting his first guitar at local music shop in Shreveport. On my motorcycle trips i always look for music shops tooling through various towns,and they are almost non-existent anymore,other than maybe university towns. Joe, have you ever thought of sending a crew to look Ray Butts old music store in Cairo IL? Reason asking went through cairo on a motorcycle trip 4 years ago,and looked for that music store just for kicks and did find location. That is one of the most depressed small downtowns i think ever been through recently. Thanks again.