I know there is a thread somewhere here I tried a search but all the different parameters I used I couldn't find it (Big Joe Williams guitar, Big Joe Williams 9-string guitar, 9-string guitar, etc.). If someone could guide me to it- it would be much appreciated.
Didn't he play a 12-string minus the three octave bass courses with a piece of wire wrapped around the neck to get that unique buzz sound?
According to Mike Bloomfield, who travelled with him for a bit and wrote adiary of his experiences, it was uniquely strung and tuned and he said that he couldn't figure out and Williams was guarded and disinclined to share to protect his unique sound. I read the guitar is still in the Chicago shop where he lived.
That is interesting what Michael Bloomfield said, Harriet. I suspect that he chose to respect Joe's desire to have his tuning kept secret, because especially if he was spending a lot of time around Joe, Michael Bloomfield was a musician who could have figured out Joe's tuning pretty easily. That's pretty nice of Michael Bloomfield to stay mum about it. All best, Johnm
Thanks for the info I found many images of Big Joe's guitars. I wonder if he carried a roll of tape in his guitar cases? This photo from the SF Chronicle (Big Joe and Chris Strachwitz) was why I thought he used a 12-string.
Seattle Folk has a great session of him on youtube if anyone is interested.
One of the things I like that they caught, besides the incredible closeups,if you watch the whole thing -its in two parts- he seems to be getting progressively overheated, then a little irritated at the whole business, then he plays something that amuses himself and loops back into being in a good mood - kind of added to the drama of the performance for me.
It's such a visual work of art IMHO as well as being a musical instrument. I like that the one at the record mart is behind glass and in the state it's in, sort of says to me lived with Joe and died with him, no other players. A piece of Big Joe. Thanks for posting.