Speedy West's "Crash Bar" technique

[Tom Bradshaw]

Would any member happened to have learned how to execute "Speedy West's Crash Bar" lick? I think I know, but really need confirmation that I am describing it correctly in a paper I'm writing. Let me know at tommybradshaw@gmail.com. ...Tom

[J D Sauser]

Would any member happened to have learned how to execute "Speedy West's Crash Bar" lick? I think I know, but really need confirmation that I am describing it correctly in a paper I'm writing. Let me know at tommybradshaw@gmail.com. ...Tom

Although I got directions from Speedy himself, I can't say I ever got it down that well. And I tried, tried hard:

It's a mix of "Boohwhah" tone control (Speedy had an oversized wheel on the right of the guitar he could control with the palm of his right hand) and pushing the volume to the max in "booh"-mode, as cutting all highs reduces the overall drive.
Keep in mind, they used 8, 10 and 20W amps and tickled the max volume bearable out of them.
These amps, unlike today's settings (especially since "Nashville E9th") were DRIVEN and with 8" speaker did not have much of today's so called "bottom".
Anyways, and all that while picking up the bar, strings ringing and smashing it down.
I spoke to Speedy twice, the same day in I believe in 1999 at the Dallas SG Jamboree and asked him.
The staccato bar "power dribble" up the neck was done by tensing his arm's muscles to the point of inducing a tremor. He said it quickly became painful. It tried and it does hurt. I never got it down to how Speedy and a few of his contemporaries did it.

But again.... one can't use a Nashville 400 or similar. Requires a small driven amp, the correct tone control and room in the volume pedal to push while the highs are all cut, that "Boow" must come out LOUD or it's DOA. So on this one, equipment will be essential.

Speedy told me that one concert (part of a dance band) his rig did not have room ON the small stage. So he got set up right in front of the stage on the dance floor. As he proceeded to take off on one of his memorable solos, he overheard a girl screaming to her dance partner right next to Speedy: "lets move away, this thing's gonna blow up!". Speedy still was VERY proud of the effect he had on the audience!

What are you cokin'' up now, Brad?... J-D.