Comment of the Moment: Neil Young’s ‘Old Black’ Guitar

Neil Young’s ‘Old Black’ Guitar (Click photo to enlarge)

Universally amongst fans, Neil Young's guitar ‘Old Black’ is the stuff of legends.

From the crunchingly brutal Crazy Horse feedback fests to this year's solo electric, the Gibson Les Paul guitar has played witness to the full range of Neil's ragged glory. 

Here is our Comment of the Moment on Neil Young’s ‘Old Black’ Guitar by thatguitarguy:

I've recently read that the black guitar may be a prototype Custom- meaning made in '53, since Customs were first released in 1954. 

I don't know how this theory holds up with the trapeze holes, etc. Part of the reasoning probably has to do with the bound headstock, unusual headstock inlay, etc. 

Now- why I'm here: In 1988, my friend Kenny Aaronson was playing bass with Bob Dylan. I lived in San Francisco and they were doing the Greek Theater over in Berkeley. I went over and spent the day/night with them. Neil was there- he was going to sit in with Bob that night. So, after soundcheck, Neil was sitting with Ol Black in his lap. 

I mentioned a couple of mutual friends, and we got to talking. 

I asked about the guitar, since it's so unusual, and he gave me a mini-tour of the guitar. He's not really a "vintage guy" so we didn't really get into specifics. The thing that struck me most was the obvious thing that you guys don't mention. WHICH IS THE STRIPE DOWN THE BACK OF THE NECK! I think I saw a reference to it in a comment above, including the possibility of some derision. Well, I can take it, if it answers my question. 

I should have asked him, but G.E. Smith came over and started asking questions too. I assumed that the neck was a replacement- it appeared to have a herringbone, or some such, running down the back of the neck. As a 20- year veteran of the vintage guitar world [20 then, 50+ years now] that stripe could only mean a re-neck. Now, in the photo above, I see the stripe running through the body as well. 

Looking back, Neil was holding the guitar in playing position, and I didn't see the back of the body. This guitar has bothered me since that day in '88. Once in a while I go looking for information on information on it, but no one ever references the stripe. I was starting to doubt my recollection. WHAT IS IT AND HOW DID IT GET THERE? 

I was also good friends with Rick Rosas. He was a wonderful guy- very funny, smart, great cook, GREAT bass player. He also played with Waddy's band in LA. And, of course, he played with Neil. Neil had no problem with Rick running his video camera during rehearsals, or whatever they were doing. So I got to watch dozens of hours of their practices, jams, whatever. He would put them on as background whenever we were doing stuff at the house. I came to really like, and respect Neil through all of that exposure. 

So Thank You, Rick RIP 

Please help a vintage brother out, and tell me what you know. And Thank You so much!

Thanks for the comment thatguitarguy! Cool stories on Ol Black. Hope someone can help you out.

So if you're interested in the anatomy of Neil Young’s ‘Old Black’, check out Anatomy of Neil Young’s ‘Old Black’ Guitar.

Guitar Tech Larry Cragg with ‘Old Black’
More photos and articles on Neil Young's guitars.

Also, see "How I Came to Know Neil Young's Old Black Guitar" by Larry Cragg. 

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"How I Came to Know Neil Young's Old Black Guitar" by Larry Cragg

Neil Young's Guitars: Old Black & Old Gold
 (Click photo to enlarge)

An interesting article on Neil Young Archives "How I Came to Know Old Black" by Larry Cragg, Neil's longtime guitar tech.

My name is Larry Cragg. I toured with Neil for 35 years, taking care of his guitars, amps and keyboards. Over the years I got to play banjo, baritone sax, keys, 12 string, pedal steel, broom and percussion, and was a photographer and actor.


It all started in 1972 when I got a phone call from Randy Smith, my partner at Prune Music in Mill Valley, California, where he worked on amps and I worked on guitars. Randy was out on the road with Neil, trying to eliminate ground loops from a wall of tweed amps (lots of them). He called because Neil couldn’t get Old Black in tune, and asked if I had any suggestions. I told him how to straighten the bent tune-o-matic bridge and adjust the intonation. Randy had been going down to Neil’s Ranch near Woodside, California to work on Neil’s amplifiers. He started taking me with him so I could work on the guitars.

Full article and lots of detailed photos on Neil Young Archives..

If you're into how Neil Young gets his sound, check these links:

Neil Young Interview on Guitar Equipment - Guitar Player Magazine, 3/1992

Interview with Neil Young - Guitar Magazine (France), 4/1992

Neil Young's Amps & Whizzer - Interview with Neil's Guitar Tech Larry Cragg in Guitar Player Magazine, 3/1992

Larry Cragg Interview - Jimmy McDonough's "Shakey" Biography excerpt

Larry Cragg: The Welder - Interview in ToneQuest Report Magazine

Giant MagnaTone dwarfs Larry Cragg, Guitar Tech
New York City - Dec. 16, 2008
Photo by Paul D. 

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Ragged Glory @ 30: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse Returns to Glory | RockandRollGlobe

Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse Returns to Glory
 

It's been 30 year since Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse released the album Ragged Glory in September 1990.

More than a comeback record, 1990’s Ragged Glory set the table for a rock music revolution

From "Neil Young’s Return to Glory" | RockandRollGlobe:

After years spent bubbling beneath the surface, grunge was poised to change the face of popular music, but it arguably needed someone with some mainstream bona fides to help it cross over.

Young was almost 45 at the time of Ragged Glory’s September 1990 release, old enough where on paper it seemed his time had passed for leading any sort of musical youth movement. But he was nonetheless exactly the kind of raunchy, defiant time-tested icon that could soften up mass audiences to this new sonic shift. To that end, Ragged Glory wasn’t just the best record Young had put out in more than a decade.

It arguably served as a catalyst for the impending grunge explosion the following year.

Full article @ "Neil Young’s Return to Glory" | RockandRollGlobe.

Also, see Ragged Glory II - Neil Young and Crazy Horse Found Tapes.

Ragged Glory : Massive Discoveries in the vault! | NYA

Also, see more on Neil Young's Ragged Glory Sound & Equipment - Guitar World, October 2009.

Neil Young's Rig
Neil Young's Ragged Glory Sound & Equipment - Guitar World, October 2009
(Click to enlarge)
More on why Ragged Glory Is The Perfect Summer Album Soundtrack.


"Ragged Glory: A Perfect Summer Soundtrack"
Neil Young's 1990 Album w/ Crazy Horse 

Also, see Neil Young's "Ragged Glory" Sessions: Analog vs. Digital Infographic | Rusted Moon.

  

Analog vs. Digital: infographic for the ragged glory sessions| Rusted Moon
(Click photo to enlarge)

 

Also, check an interview with Neil Young that was conducted at the time of the album's release is now streaming at In The Studio.  

Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse

 

Jack Nitzsche , Neil Young's producer/arranger on the masterpiece "Broken Arrow", has stated that Crazy Horse was the American equivalent of The Rolling Stones. IOHO, Crazy Horse is to Neil Young what The Band was to Bob Dylan. As perfect a complement as tequila and salt.

 

Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse:
"3rd Best Garage Band in the World"
~~Bill Graham

 

In tribute to Crazy Horse, the "3rd Best Garage Band in the World", here's a look back at some highlights:

• EXCLUSIVE: Crazy Horse Drummer Ralph Molina Interview
• Year of the Horse Film Review and Interviews on the making with Crazy Horse, Neil and Director Jim Jarmusch
• Year of the Horse - Interview in France's Les Inrockuptibles, July 1997
• Year of the Horse - Film Review
• Crazy Horse Biography - Reprise Records, 1997
• Frank Sampedro Interview - Torhout Festival, 1996
• Poncho Interview - Halifax Daily News, 11/1/96
• Interview: Crazy Horse and Neil Young Maintain Special Relationship, by Barry Gutman, Music Wire, ~9/96
• Billy Talbot Interview - Rip it Up, ~8/96  
• Crazy Horse Album Reviews- by Robert Christgau
• Years of the Horse

#DontSpookTheHorse 

Induct Neil Young w/  Crazy Horse
Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
#CrazyHorse4HOF 

 #MayTheHorseBeWithYou

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Ragged Glory: A Perfect Summer Soundtrack By Neil Young & Crazy Horse

UPDATED: Originally published July 3, 2010


Ragged Glory: A Perfect Summer Soundtrack
Neil Young's 1990 Album w/ Crazy Horse
So what makes for a perfect soundtrack for a hot Summer?

Well, apparently Neil Young's 1990 release Ragged Glory defines the sound of summer according to a Crawdaddy! article by Andres Jauregui:

For me, there are a few qualifications that an album has to meet in order to be considered a viable summer rock album. Its most definitive characteristic should be a predominance of guitar, preferably electric. Add to that a steadiness that’s predisposed to the open road, rolled down windows or peeled back ragtops, in my imagination, if not in fortunate reality. Picture me and a dog with a bandanna around its neck cruising down a traffic-free PCH or LIE, and you’re halfway there.

Based on its steady beat and Neil’s undeniable guitar work, this album’s potential as a summer soundtrack rode high on the first listen. But there were a few things beyond that foundation that truly established it for me. One was its sense of freedom: Good ‘ol ‘Merican open-aired, big-sky freedom. The other was its scope. Unlike beach read albums that only come out for fun in the sun, Ragged Glory had weight behind it. Its liberation comes with a little baggage, and sage reflection tempers its golden reminiscences. The former made Ragged Glory my stand-up stand-in of last summer; the latter led me to consider it a classic.

We've listened to "Over & Over", over and over ever since Greil Marcus raved on the song's uniqueness.

More on Ragged Glory - Neil Young Albums In Order Reviews by e2f.

Also, see Ragged Glory II - Neil Young and Crazy Horse Found Tapes.

Ragged Glory : Massive Discoveries in the vault! | NYA

Also, see more on Neil Young's Ragged Glory Sound & Equipment - Guitar World, October 2009.

Neil Young's Rig
Neil Young's Ragged Glory Sound & Equipment - Guitar World, October 2009
(Click to enlarge)
Also, see a rather fascinating infographic from our friends over at Rusted Moon on Neil Young's "Ragged Glory" Sessions. Compiled from John Hanlon's Notebook on NYA, the above infographic is definitely for audio engineers. John Hanlon -- Neil Young's long time trusted audio engineer - described the recording sessions for "Ragged Glory", in which the digital 24-track master recorder from Sony plays a central role. Hanlon's details how the 1990 album "Ragged Glory" with Crazy Horse was recorded and produced, how analogue vintage equipment and modern digital technology were combined - and how a strange mix of different sources ended up on the finished album.

Analog vs. Digital: infographic for the ragged glory sessions| Rusted Moon
(Click photo to enlarge)

Also, see why Bill Graham once called Crazy Horse the "3rd Best Garage Band in the World".

Neil Young & Crazy Horse:

"3rd Best Garage Band in the World"

~~Bill Graham

"In A Rusted Out Garage" Concert by Neil Young & Crazy Horse - 1986

Jack Nitzsche , Neil Young's producer/arranger on the masterpiece "Broken Arrow", has stated that Crazy Horse was the American equivalent of The Rolling Stones. IOHO, Crazy Horse is to Neil Young what The Band was to Bob Dylan. As perfect a complement as tequila and salt.

In tribute to Crazy Horse, the "3rd Best Garage Band in the World", here's a look back at some highlights:

• EXCLUSIVE: Crazy Horse Drummer Ralph Molina Interview
• Year of the Horse Film Review and Interviews on the making with Crazy Horse, Neil and Director Jim Jarmusch
• Year of the Horse - Interview in France's Les Inrockuptibles, July 1997
• Year of the Horse - Film Review
• Crazy Horse Biography - Reprise Records, 1997
• Frank Sampedro Interview - Torhout Festival, 1996
• Poncho Interview - Halifax Daily News, 11/1/96
• Interview: Crazy Horse and Neil Young Maintain Special Relationship, by Barry Gutman, Music Wire, ~9/96
• Billy Talbot Interview - Rip it Up, ~8/96  
• Crazy Horse Album Reviews- by Robert Christgau
• Years of the Horse

Induct Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
#CrazyHorse4HOF

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Neil Young's "Ragged Glory" Sessions: Analog vs. Digital Infographic | Rusted Moon

Analog vs. Digital: infographic for the ragged glory sessions| Rusted Moon
(Click photo to enlarge)

A rather fascinating infographic from our friends over at Rusted Moon on Neil Young's "Ragged Glory" Sessions.

Compiled from John Hanlon's Notebook on NYA, the above infographic is definitely for audio engineers. John Hanlon -- Neil Young's long time trusted audio engineer - described the recording sessions for "Ragged Glory", in which the digital 24-track master recorder from Sony plays a central role. Hanlon's details how the 1990 album "Ragged Glory" with Crazy Horse was recorded and produced, how analogue vintage equipment and modern digital technology were combined - and how a strange mix of different sources ended up on the finished album.

Check out Analog vs. Digital: infographic for the ragged glory sessions| Rusted Moon for all the details. (Thanks Ralf!)

Also, see Ragged Glory II - Neil Young and Crazy Horse Found Tapes.

Ragged Glory : Massive Discoveries in the vault! | NYA

Also, see more on Neil Young's Ragged Glory Sound & Equipment - Guitar World, October 2009.

Neil Young's Rig
Neil Young's Ragged Glory Sound & Equipment - Guitar World, October 2009
(Click to enlarge)
More on why Ragged Glory Is The Perfect Summer Album Soundtrack.


"Ragged Glory: A Perfect Summer Soundtrack"
Neil Young's 1990 Album w/ Crazy Horse

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Neil Young's Tonebender Pedal During Buffalo Springfield Era

Neil Young in The Buffalo Springfield
via www.tru-fi.com

The unique tone of Neil Young's music has long fascinated musicians trying to replicate his sound.

Now, a maker of musical sound effects has put out a request for information on Neil Young's music equipment during the Buffalo Springfield era. From Tru-Fi Pedals:

Neil Young in older Buffalo Springfield picture with a Tonebender pedal.

Model type Mark I or Mark II that is the mystery - Tru-Fi says it's a Mk II due to the time and also he was in the States. I do not believe it was a Mk II being that Neil was in the Calif, and I do not think many Tonebender Mk I got over here. BUT Neil Young was in the circle of musicians so it is possible someone gave him one on tour at the Fillmore etc.

You have info please share !
Fuzz On - www.tru-fi.com

Surely, someone out there knows the answer to this critical question.

More on Neil Young's Guitars, Sound & Equipment.

Neil Young's Guitars, Sound & Equipment

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Neil Young's Equipment: CONN ST-11 Strobotuners

CONN ST-11 Strobotuners used by Neil Young on stage since the 1978 Rust Never Sleeps tour.

Via Rusted Moon, a cool little 3D video.

Since the "Rust Never Sleeps" tour with Crazy Horse in 1978 stood at almost all tours Neil Youngs these five Tuners, Model ST-11 manufacturer CONN, on stage. The analog strobe tuner indicate the mood by means of an illuminated stroboscope which rotates depending on the pitch in the clockwise or counterclockwise. The mid-1970s-built devices are considered expresses exactly. The video from the Rusted Moon 3D project shows the legendary Tuners in detail.

More on Neil Young's Sound.

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Rehearsals: Neil Young and Promise of the Real's Rebel Content Tour | Instagram

First day of rehearsals with Neil ...!! Setup: 63' Fender Princeton amp / 65' Baldwin Professional solid state combo.. #rebelcontenttour #notesfromtheneiltour

A photo posted by Micah Nelson (@particlekid) on Jul 1, 2015 at 9:06pm PDT

Neil Young and Promise of the Real's Rebel Content tour this summer.

Fresh organic fruit onstage at all times helps keep the pain away #rebelcontenttour @themonsantoyears

A photo posted by Micah Nelson (@particlekid) on Jul 1, 2015 at 11:50pm PDT

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Neil Young's Ragged Glory Sound - Guitar World, October 2009

Neil Young's Rig
(Click to enlarge)

Amongst musicians, many often wonder how Neil Young achieves his unique sound that has been described as like "a jet plane in a thunderstorm".

From Neil Young: Ragged Glory - Guitar World (Guitar World, October 2009) by Richard Bienstock:

At the center of it all is the volatile 1953 Gibson Les Paul goldtop Young calls Old Black. A brutal and battered beast, the guitar is responsible for the legendary gritty tones heard on countless Young classics, including “Cinnamon Girl,” “Down By the River” and “Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black).”

The Les Paul, which features a Bigsby tremolo and a P90 pickup in the neck position, received the black paint job that inspired its nickname prior to being acquired by Young. Since then, it’s undergone several further modifications, including the addition of a “chrome-on-brass” pickguard and back plates, a bridge-position Firebird pickup and a toggle switch, installed between the two volume and two tone knobs, that acts as a bypass. “You flip that,” says Cragg, “and the Firebird goes straight to the amp.”

Cragg installed the Firebird pickup back in 1973. “Originally there was a P90 in there,” he explains. “But in the early Seventies the guitar was lost, and when Neil recovered it a few years later the bridge pickup was gone. He put a Gretsch DeArmond in there for a while, but when I came onboard I replaced that with the Firebird, which has been there ever since. Everyone calls it a mini humbucker, but it’s not. It’s a humbucker, and it’s very microphonic—you can speak into it. It’s really piercing and high and a big part of his sound.”

More on Neil Young's Sound.

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