The guitar is a beast. I’m having one built to the same specs. I think the bout is standard size, but the nut and bridge are quite a bit wider. It felt weird to play it but I think I’m going to like it. Mine should be ready in mid-October.
Discuss the Guitar lesson: Guitar Rhythm with Tony Wray
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Thanks for this “mountain” of rhythm lesson to climb and introducing me to Tony Wray. Thanks Ben…your lessons are incredible!
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Maybe I’m just easy to please, but that low E string bend Tony did in the middle of the song was so cool! I could feel myself going “Come on! Reach that G note! YOU CAN DO IT!!”
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What pick is Tony using?
That was awesome BB, I play guitar but mostly banjo and a good rhythm guitar player is worth his weight in gold
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Oh Yeah!!! Get down!!! Happy dance for you!
I found a “good enough” back and side set for your build:
I think Richie would love to get his hands on that…
There are some nice sets from “The Tree” going for under half that, but this one with the big “X” pattern within the pattern seemed pretty sweet.
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Lots of good nuggets in this lesson. I like it.
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He uses whatever pick he wants, haha! He normally uses BlueChip but he couldn’t find his on this day and used a $.79 Fender medium…the guy can make anything sound good.
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Killer stuff here. Thanks BB for this lesson. Tony is soo down to earth and wise. Great Rhythm players are soo KEY to the modality of a song they are often taken for granted… HOT pickers often leave lacking in the rhythm and taste dept. New tools for the tool box…
I too was blown away by the sound of his guitar! His playing is way over my head, however at its foundation there is some stuff anyone can use. For example I use the same basic rhythm pattern he does, (The one that sounds like a train that Ben teaches) but when you add the single note stuff on the up beat of 3 it really sounds cool! 
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Thanks to Tony and Ben. Great discussion and demonstration. I’m picking up something really useful in each of these master classes. I’m afraid that eventually I will sound like I know what I’m doing…
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Simply amazing!
I don’t think Ben is a candidate for tattoos but then I thought maybe some nice camo tattoos like RealTree or whatever would be appropriate for him. Then he could save on buying camo clothing… Just have to hunt where its warm. Most of the bowhunting for elk is done in September anyway. Another great lesson by the way. Nice to listen to good people and great music.
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There’s “No Wrong Wray” he says. Indeed, that strumming technique is “The Right Wray”, if you ask me.
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Neapolitan-Ometer
This is the wray!
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Hey! Love this lesson so much.
What a powerful guitar style, so obsessed and inspired.
I need to know how does Tony (similarly to Dan Tyminski) mute inbetween the chord changes to create that definition and how does one start to develop the downbeat drive and groove and control in the left hand over the emphasis on the beats.
Many thanks in advance.
Lily
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I believe the muted strum comes from just dropping the left hand fingers over the strings - and you’ll gain the groove you’re looking for by practicing slowly with a metronome, also playing along to recorded bluegrass. I agree that Tony’s one of the best!!
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Wow, Tony called it four years ago. He said “Now that I know where you live, you (Ben) are gonna be moving aren’t you” at the end of the last video. Hahaha, you both have too much fun.
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Yes he does and he’ll often do it with his pinky, depending on the chord shape.