I saw Willie Nelson on Tuesday, and I must say, he really rocked the house. I have to ask, does anyone know what he uses to get his distorted/lead tone out of his old Martin acoustic. It sounded amazing. Not at all like an acoustic sound. Plus, Bob Dylan played last and they started out with two Strats, and Bob was on a Les Paul (three guitarists total). Great show at the Bull Durham ballpark in Durham, NC.

Sounds like a great gig, Willie is one artist I'd really like to see live. I'm affraid I can't help with the original question though, sorry SK

I recall an article on that guitar in one of the mags awhile back and no mention of any mods in it. I've seen Nelson on a couple of TV specials and he seems to have a nack for messing up and covering his tracks. Dylan does better in the studio than on stage, I find. He leaves me with the feeling that he believes doesn't have to deliver. If you review the MSG video of Eric Clapton and Friends, Dylan does 'Crossroads' with Eric and muffs the lyrics. Seemed like he came on either cold, unprepared or both.

Think nothing of my blah, blah opinions though. If it was a kickass gig for you, all the better.

Doc

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It's possible that he used an overdrive and a regular amp instead of a clean acoustic set up. I've done it that way and it sound really cool. The thing is it's hard to kill all of the feedback. So alot of muting and the need for feedback fighter is highly needed. Check out Monte Montgomery. He is a master of the distorted acoustic guitar.

Willie Nelson's guitar is a classical guitar with nylon strings. It is a Martin (N-20, I believe). Martin is not known for nylon stringed instruments and I doubt many are played by professional classical guitar players. Willie is a far cry from anything close to a "normal" nylon string player.

Willie uses a flat pick with a acoustic pickup made by Baldwin. I have no idea if the pickup is still made or if it is a piezo, or what. I believe a lot of his tone has to do with his pick attack on the nylon strings. He may play directly into the mixing board.

How ever he gets to the final result, I think he ends up with one of the most destinctive instrumental sounds of any guitarist.

+1

I think his soundman knows the secret.

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He was playing a Baldwin guitar, with pickup, into a Baldwin amp. The Baldwin was severely damaged, so he left it with a luthier in Nashville. It turns out that the guitar couldn't be repaired, so he had the pickup put into "whatever was in the shop," the Martin.

I don't know if he still uses that Baldwin amp, but it's possible.