There’s no instrument in the history of country music that has a more distinctive look or sound than Waylon Jennings’s leather-wrapped Fender Telecaster. Captain Paul McNamee scouted up this magnificent thing:
Waylon wasn’t flashy in his guitar playing — in fact, it looked almost casual. But his picking and that phaser tone are as instantly recognizable as his voice.
I’m off to buy a lottery ticket…
Paul McNamee says
The banjo key tuner! I had no idea such things were done.
JimC says
I’ve seen him roll that thing down and back up in the middle of a song. Fun “effect.”
Fred Weaver says
Many might not realize that Waylon had at least two leather wrapped Telecasters, identical except one had a white pick guard and the other had a black one. I know this for a fact because I saw them both at the same time, on stage at a show in Bedford, PA many years ago. Maybe two different tunings?
Paul McNamee says
They mention in the video this reissue custom is based on two different guitars (sounds much like the two you mention.) He might have a had a few other spares. Could have been different tuning, might just have been on standby in case a string broke or other issue.
Mike says
Jim, Just discovered the site while looking into T.F Belue. I’ve been on a bit of a Bison binge lately fascinated by the history. As soon as I saw images of him with the vintage D-18 and Es-5 I knew I had to read the Long Hunt.
All that to tell you, I’ve played one of Waylon’s original Telecasters. The owner being a vintage guitar dealer near Oakland, CA that I’ve done work for in the past. It was a spectacular guitar and a moment I’ll not forget.
I’m not a guitar player non-pedal steel in the Western Swing style is my bag. Old steels and amps, amps are my weakness, are my tools. Sure, a lot of it is in the hands but it doesn’t hurt to have the stuff those guys used!
JimC says
Holy smokes! What a tremendous privilege.
Ted is a cool cat. It’s been a pleasure corresponding with him in this odd little nice of history.
Mike says
IIRC he had 3. The one I played, a 53, was sold at auction in Nashville pretty cheap considering, then sold to the dealer I know. He’s a big fan and probably still has it. Last time I saw Waylon live was with the same guy. Reggie Young and Robby Turner were in the band.
Never did get to meet him but I’ve met Ralph Mooney a couple times. If you haven’t seen it check you tube for the Waylon episodes of “Tales from the Tourbus”
JimC says
Yes, that stuff is a hoot — Billy Joe Shaver’s story….
Monk says
Interesting comments Mike, am I reading you correctly in surmising that you
are a lap-steel player then ?
That’s certainly in my bag, fascinated as I am in that intersection of Rockabilly,
Swing and (Redneck) Jazz.
Leo Fender certainly took a lot of inspiration for the Telecaster from steel guitars,
he was a great fan of Bob Wills and took in a lot of live music. (Bakersfield !)
If you haven’t yet, pick up The Birth of Loud, brings it all home ! best guitah book
ever !
Mike says
Yeah, non pedal steel. My main guitar’s a Bigsby triple 8. Paul Bigsby’s work is my thing.
I keep the 2 Fender non pedal styles, pretty much THE sound of post war Western Swing steel is Fender steels and amps. IMO Amps are Fender’s greatest contribution. My very fav steel tone is Gene Crownover’s, Will’s steel player from the late 50’s into the early 60’s. He used a D8 Stringmaster into a tweed or white Twin.
LA back then was a great place to be for WS lovers. Leo was a huge fan of of Bob and the Playboys. It’s funny in an interview in the 70’s, by Robb Lawrence, IIRC, Leo was asked if he met Clapton, Beck etc. and he said “No, but I met Bob Wills”!
I’ve had the great privilege of meeting and knowing several former Playboys, and members of Billy Jack Will’s band. I knew Cindy Walker as well and cherished her friendship. My main cat and another great friend was Tom Morrell, if you’re not hip to his band, the TimeWarp~TopHands, give ’em a listen.
Ya know, I have that book somewhere. I skimmed the part about Bigsby but that’s about it so far.
Monk says
Thanks Mike, great stuff ! more for me to explore, can’t get enough !
Benny Bence says
Waylon Jennings is considered one of the greatest guitarists out there along with Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Angus Young, Pete Townsend, and Eric Clapton. He is also considered one of many country music artists to pioneer the subgenre of “Outlaw Country”. Both he and Willie Nelson were the godfathers of “Outlaw” Country” and they even formed The Highwaymen along with Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. All four of them appeared in the 1986 remake of “Stagecoach” and Waylon Jennings is even featured on a live performance of “I’m A Ramblin’ Man” with Montgomery Gentry off their album, “You Do Your Thing”. That live performance was done right around early 2002 long before Waylon died of diabetic ketoacidosis on Valentine’s Day of that same year at the age of 64. He is gone but not forgotten and I’m so glad that they were able to save his Telecaster in the same way they saved Willie Nelson’s guitar, Trigger. If there’s ever a country music legend that deserves their own film besides Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, and Loretta Lynn, it would have to be Waylon Jennings. Bottom line. I truly admire him and have always been a fan of his music. May he forever live on as the heart of country music. And may he be remembered for years to come.
tom taylor says
waylong has quite a bit of history here in sunny arizona. jd’s and other places. and he is buried in mesa, my hometown, a suburb of phoenix sprawl…….
JimC says
I’d like to get there one day.
Betty says
Over twenty years ago I grieved, we will never hear any more new Waylon. Just think if we had no recordings or videos to bring him back. Just think if we were among the poor fools who never heard him live.
I still remember the place and time of the first Waylon I heard. Picturing that five-piece band lookin’ at the back side of he. The first I ever heard of what I called that rocking horse beat.
No ordinary dude, for sure. He made it look so easy.
JimC says
Yes indeed.