Twisted Blues, Crook Custom Guitars, Tim Lerch

Guitar Practice

Blues Scale with no 5th

Playing the blues scale, but leaving out the 5th (1-b3-4-b5-b7) results in a distinct sound that can spice up your solos.

Try the following licks over an A7 or A7#9 chord. Then try them with Am7 and Am7b5.

Working this scale and these type of riffs into your blues soloing can provide an interesting twist to your improvising that your listeners won't expect.

Scale Pattern, Example 1:

Example Riff 1:

Scale Pattern, Example 2:

Example Riff 2:

Gear Showcase

Crook Custom Guitars

During his days as a touring sound engineer, Bill Crook worked closely with many guitar players, often hearing about the shortcomings of the vintage style guitars they were playing. He would update their guitars, adding modern features to make them usable in the real world and to improve stage sound and playability.

After hearing the great results when mixing live shows, Crook started building guitars on the side, including those ideas he picked up on the road.

After Brad Paisley had Bill build him a custom paisley t-style guitar that sounded like his beloved vintage ’68 paisley, Crook Custom Guitars became known for..you guessed it..paisleys.

Perfecting the paisley design was the result of lots of failed experiments, but through lots of trial & error, Bill finally came up with a technique that worked.

Crook expected the blue paisley guitar he built for Brad (that debuted in Brad’s 2002 “I’m Gonna Miss Her” video) to be end of his experimentation with paisley finishes, but people from around the world soon started asking for them.

Crook of course offers t-style guitars (along with some other body shapes) in more traditional paint colors as well, finished with various levels of relicing.

Bill Crook works one-on-one with guitarists looking for their ideal electric guitar, customizing them down to the neck size and shape, hardware and electronics, body style, paint scheme, and wood type and weight.

Crook's one-of-a-kind t-style guitars have attracted a legion of fans around the world.

Key Features:

• Comfortable necks
• Custom paint job and finishes
• Uses only the highest quality guitar parts
• Available in 22 frets

Check out Crook Custom Guitars

Guitarist Spotlight

Tim Lerch

Tim Lerch is a highly regarded guitarist, educator, and Emmy award winning composer known for his mastery of jazz, blues, and fingerstyle guitar.

Based in Seattle, Tim is recognized for his soulful tone, intricate chord melodies, and deep understanding of harmonic concepts. Lerch draws inspiration from jazz greats like Wes Montgomery, Ted Greene, and Joe Pass, as well as blues legends such as B.B. King and Robben Ford, seamlessly blending these influences into his own distinctive style.

In addition to solo work, Lerch is a member of the renowned gypsy jazz ensemble Pearl Django, showcasing his versatility and finesse in various genres.

Tim is also a sought-after educator, sharing his knowledge through workshops, masterclasses, books, and online platforms, including his popular instructional videos and lessons on TrueFire.

His teaching emphasizes the art of solo guitar, chordal improvisation, and integrating elements of blues and jazz. Tim also has a new membership website, where he offers courses, lessons, transcriptions, livestreams, and much more.

With a career spanning decades, Tim Lerch continues to inspire guitarists worldwide with his artistry and dedication to the craft.

In addition to all the accolades, Tim is just a flat-out nice and helpful guy. He’s a frequent contributor to various Guitar forums and Facebook groups, and if you reach out to him with questions, he’s typically quick to respond.

Key Gear:

• Fender Telecaster (he has multiple different teles, including one with Lollar Charlie Christian pickups he features often in videos)
• 1933 Gibson L-4
• A late-’60s or 1970 Guild CE-100D formerly owned by Ted Greene
• Comins GCS-1
• Comins GCS-16-1
• Mike Lull signature TLTX Chubby Signature Guitar
• Henriksen Amplifiers
• Quilter Amplifiers

Check out Tim Lerch: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

🎸 Trending

• Fender announced Limited Edition American Performer Timber Stratocaster® and Telecaster®. This unique take on these guitars are available in Sassafras, Sugar Pine, or Spruce bodies. They have a satin finish (on the neck & body), Fender's 'Modern C' neck profile, and jumbo frets. Say 'Sassafras Stratocaster' 10 times fast. 😛
• Gibson released the Les Paul Studio Session guitar. It's an upgraded version of the classic Les Paul Studio, with features including a light-weight mahogany body with a figured maple cap, a nitrocellulose finish, a bound ebony fretboard, and '57 Classic pickups with push/pull volume and tone controls for coil tapping, phase, and Pure Bypass switching. Offered in 4 different colors. MSRP is $1999 USD.
• The Play Guitar Podcast put out an episode with Tips on Mixing Chords and Scales.
• The Chasing Tone Podcast interviewed the legendary Brent Mason. Brent goes through a detailed journey through his career, gave insights into how hard he had to work to get to his big break, and provided some great insights for all guitar players to learn from. Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Currently spinning in the Office

Mdou Moctar: Afrique Victime