Seth Lee Jones is an Oklahoma guitar powerhouse. Not solely does he construct his personal solidbodies and acoustics, however he’s a formidable performer. His newest, Tulsa Customized, melds blues-rock, funk, and gumbo right into a punchy sound that’s made for FM radio and dimly lit bars coast to coast. As well as, he has developed revolutionary slide strategies and approaches to guitar building. Let’s hear from the Okie builder/participant on his newest strikes.

The monitor “110” has significantly fats tone. On this day of DI recording, it feels like a tube amp and good miking approach.
“110” was recorded with some nice classic mics. I’m not a lot of a studio buff relating to mics, however I used a ’68 Tremendous Reverb and a ’61 Live performance, each 4x10s with Warehouse orange-frame audio system. We re-amped the guitar monitor by means of a ’93 Fender Tonemaster head and 4×12 cab. So it’s truly three amps on that monitor. We did that on a number of songs and it makes for large tone.

“Fowl of Paradise” is a good slide show. Describe your bottleneck method, combining slide with that multi-lever Hipshot bridge.
The slide method is one thing I’ve been engaged on because the early 2000s. I’d performed lap metal since I used to be a young person, so making the transition to taking part in it on a guitar was not that far of a stretch. The music has parts of pedal-steel and what people name “bottleneck,” however for me that’s simply the results of years of messing with the Hipshot and string gauges till it caught.

Various songs have that swampy groove we affiliate with the “Tulsa sound.”
That’s fairly diversified today, relying on the age and style of the gamers. I’ve obtained an incredible rhythm part in drummer Matt Teegarden and bassist Bo Hallford, and so they play for lots of parents apart from me. Because the groove setters in any group, they’ll swamp something, given the chance. However in addition they play in jazz outfits and serve meals, too (laughs). They will actually do something.

Which pedals did you utilize on the file?
I used a Keeley DDR, Seafoam refrain, Mini Compressor, and Halo delay. Additionally a Hudson Electronics Broadcast preamp, Hilton low-profile quantity pedal, and a Morley Lead Wah. I’ve additionally obtained a ReVibe harmonic tremolo and spring reverb, made by Bob Peck. I at all times depart the trem on, only a contact. It provides a little bit of house and heat that strikes very subtly.

What makes one among your SLJ builds completely different from the standard Fender-type solidbody?
First, I’m doing all of it by hand. No shade to CNC makers in any respect; that’s simply how I’ve accomplished issues the final 18 years, being within the 400-square-foot house the place I do restoration and restore. I make the truss rod, dots, guards, our bodies, necks – as a lot of it as potential is finished in that little constructing.

Secondly, as a participant, I construct my choice of really feel into every guitar. I take advantage of distinctive woods, generally salvaged from previous buildings, barns, or furnishings. I supply walnut and actually lay my arms on each side of the method. I’m additionally fairly choosy about {hardware} and pickups. I take advantage of merchandise I imagine in as a result of I’ve examined them taking part in stay quite than an internet evaluation or one thing of that nature.

How lengthy does it take to construct one?
I cut up my time between taking part in and dealing within the store. That stability is tough, however I’m navigating it fairly nicely. The primary problem for constructing is paint. The fashionable finishes aren’t that a lot bother, however the nitro end is usually a ache. I don’t have a sprig sales space and in Oklahoma the climate could be tough. It takes between 18 to twenty-eight hours, however with backlog I typically find yourself 4 to 6 months on an electrical construct, a bit longer on an acoustic.

Do you could have a unifying philosophy that serves you as a participant and builder?
There are quite a lot of methods you may have a look at one single job, and I’ve paid consideration in all places I’ve labored as a builder. I’ve accomplished the identical as a participant. I’ve taken classes from a lot of gamers, I nonetheless surf Youtube to choose up sport each as a participant and a maker. Should you by no means cease studying, you by no means cease rising.

This text initially appeared in VG’s July 2024 situation. All copyrights are by the creator and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.