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Ask Zac

Ask Zac

By: Zac Childs
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About this listen

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.

© 2025 Ask Zac
Music
Episodes
  • Albert Lee’s B-Bender Tricks You Can Steal
    Aug 26 2025

    Albert Lee is one of the most inventive B-bender players in history. Today we look at Albert’s gear, his trademark Telecaster tone, and the 4 basic shapes he uses to create many of those flowing, pedal steel–like lines. To bring it to life, I’ll play and break down examples from:

    1. C’est La Vie – Emmylou Harris
    2. Don’t Cheat in Our Hometown – Ricky Skaggs
    3. Pancho & Lefty – Emmylou Harris

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1gIMx3pi0NDsRcpQyLHRVd?si=98903f5149c54997

    To Support the Channel:
    Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac
    Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac
    Venmo @AskZac

    Support the show

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    22 mins
  • 3 Gigs, 2 Sessions, and a Lightning Strike — D'Addario XS Strings Still Going
    Aug 18 2025

    Three outdoor Georgia/Florida gigs with Brad Paisley in August , 90°+ heat, swampy humidity, and sweat everywhere. Normally, that’s when strings go dead and feel sluggish, but my D’Addario XS coated strings didn’t just survive, they crushed it.

    After all three gigs, I used the same guitar and same set of strings for two recording sessions, and they still sounded and felt fresh.

    In this video, I’ll share how the XS strings handled brutal touring conditions, why they feel great even when the air feels like soup, and the wild St. Augustine show where lightning struck nearby, Brad’s rig went down, and we had to keep the show rolling.

    https://truetone.com/

    To Support the Channel:
    Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac
    Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac
    Venmo @AskZac

    Support the show

    Show More Show Less
    13 mins
  • Guitar Nut Width & Why It Matters
    Aug 5 2025

    Ever picked up a guitar and thought, “This just doesn’t feel right?” It might be the nut width, the measurement that directly impacts string spacing and left-hand comfort. In this video, we break down the most common nut widths found in the wild, and look at how the various widths affects chord shapes, lead playing and string separation. We also take a hard look at the 1.625 nut width used on the vast majority of vintage Fender guitars, and why most boutique copies, and even reissues made by Fender now tend to have a wider1.650 nut width.

    If you’ve ever wondered why some necks feel cramped and others feel perfect, this deep dive will help you understand what works best for your hands and playing style.

    To Support the Channel:
    Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AskZac
    Tip jar: https://paypal.me/AskZac
    Venmo @AskZac
    Or check out my store for merch - https://my-store-be0243.creator-spring.com/

    Support the show

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    22 mins
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