June 4th, 2024

Homeskoolin’ Bonus “On The Job....(Analog Version)"

Chapters
00:00 - Setting up session to play bass
03:11 - Recording the song


Notes
Uncle Larry plunkin' on his old '59 P bass in his natural habitat once again...

ya' know come to think of it, I've actually had that old bass longer than 95% of my other instruments, i remember buying that thing back in 2007, right after getting booked on a very lucrative Faith Hill tour haha.

Working at one of my alltime favorite studios all week, Reel Recording in Nolensville TN, a magical place that was conceived, built and operated by the one and only Shannon Forrest.

Mr. Forrest is an absolute genius, current drummer of Toto and formerly of Steely Dan and Mike McDonald.

The boy is an expert on 2” tape machines and cool analog gear in general, and one of the finest recording engineers in the world...the sounds he gets in his place are simply fucking unBELIEVABLE, for lack of a better word.

You may remember we cut the whole Plexi Soul record there years ago.

When you work at Shannon's place you are taken back in time, hearing the sound of real analog tape machines and using giant racks full of the OG hardware versions of all the legendary pieces of outboard gear that all these plug ins that people use nowadays are modeled after.

It's just the coolest shit ever, and not only does Shannon REALLY know how to operate all that vintage gear, the boy knows how to fix all of it too.

A true renaissance man...i would be afraid to find out what his IQ actually is.

I literally cannot find the words to describe how good that old analog tape sounds when you are standing there at that beautiful old SSL console.….it’s still the best sounding shit I have ever heard to this day. The shit that it does to drums and guitars is just magic.

I'm producing a record out there all week for a dear gal from Rochester named Kathy Wilson.
Got a smokin little combo together consisting of Shannon on drums…Jerry McPherson, John Shanks and myself on guitars and basses....and sweet Timmy Lauer on keys.
Lots of fun.

October 9th, 2022

Homeskoolin’ Volume 166, Tom Bukovac, “And Your Bird Is Too Bright”

Chapters
00:00 - Funky playing on the bass
04:06 - Hello, class! / Loop
04:42 - ZZ Top swag / Sessions
05:32 - Lesson: Loop chords and little tablature
06:41 - Overdubbing loop and hitting out of the park
11:00 - Insight thoughts during playing / Motif or theme
11:54 - Steve Hackett and certain tricks / decending 6ths
13:35 - Firebird guitars / Brightness 250k vs 500k pots


Notes
I took a brief hiatus from some heavy gambling to film this little odyssey…this one goes out to Ray Dietrich…who changed the world forever in October of 1962…exactly 60 years ago…wow

Big thanks to all those who watch regularly and steal all my licks and concepts…use them in good health my friends.

Today’s amplification provided by Benson Electronics from Portland Oregon…the model is a very limited run of 3x10 tweed Bandmaster clones they recently made called a “Benmaster”

somewhat inconsequential side note:
from 3:04 to 3:06 is a good illustration of the kind of musical "telepathy" that can only come from one person...(the subconscious break in the rhythm in EXACTLY the same spot on both instruments)...that kinda shit fascinates me.

Paypal tip jar is tombukovac@gmail.com
Venmo tip jar is @Tom-Bukovac-1

November 26th, 2021

Homeskoolin’ Friday Night One Take Freak Out

Chapters
00:00 - Building a loop / Bass
01:10 - Switch to guitar


Notes
I decided to do a one take freak out before going to have some curry at my favorite place on this lovely Friday night…and here it is lads…replete with the occasional “blue note” that goes along with any first take…..hahaaaaa

Oh…and guess what cats??? Plexi Soul CD’s are coming!!!!!!

August 10th, 2021

Homeskoolin’ Bonus Loop Only For You To Practice To

Chapters
00:00 - Track to play along


Notes
Ya know guys, when my solo record comes out very soon, theres gonna be TWO VERSIONS of it….one is the actual record, and the other one is gonna be the same songs but with my solos taken off so you can play along. In honor of that, here is the loop only from tonights broadcast you can jam to. This was two tracks of my red Firebird and one track of me on my 66 P bass.

Homeskoolin merch available at www.guitarhouse.net
Paypal tip jar is tombukovac@gmail.com
Venmo tip jar is @Tom-Bukovac-1

April 25th, 2021

Homeskoolin’ Volume 103, Tom Bukovac, “Herkermer Pushbroom”

Chapters
00:00 - Def Leppard - Bringin On The Heartbreak intro
01:32 - Hello, class! / Genius guitar parts
02:26 - House party / Rolling Stones / Fine music
03:56 - Busy schedule
04:25 - VCB / Play what the song needs
06:50 - Wish some songs were different / Suggestions
07:36 - Major and minor connection - "Not how I approach" lesson
09:15 - Rare gear exception - Speakers / Pickups
11:50 - '51 Fender Precision Bass / 1st year for fretted bass


Notes
A brief chat on the art of making records and a look into the VCB

Homeskoolin merch available at www.guitarhouse.net
Paypal tip jar is tombukovac@gmail.com
Venmo tip jar is @Tom-Bukovac-1