I got a new camera for Christmas, so I immediately tried it out and filmed a few clips. Here are two acoustic guitar covers of Boom like that and Song for Sonny Liston. In both cases I did not play the complete song but a 2 minutes and something version (especially Sonny Liston has so many verses that I felt it to be a bit boring when playing it alone).
The guitar is a weird Gibson from 1976, a MK-81. The MK series was Gibson’s attempt to combine the latest physical research results with traditional guitar building. Basically the MK series was a flop and was soon dropped again, but I love this guitar. It sounds nice in all situations.
Boom like that
Boom like that is standard tuning with a capo at the 3rd fret. I don’t play the riff exactly as Knopfler plays it (e.g. he plays a slightly different bass with the thumb). I simply started to play it this way for no particular reason. I also added a ‘c’ note to the second chord (Bb, so I get a Bb9). I heard Knopfler doing this and totally loved it, although he normally does not play it this way I think.
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7 thoughts on “Acoustic guitar cover of Boom like that and Song for Sonny Liston”
Hi Ingo
What acoustic guitar pickup or mic would you use with your MK-81 on stage?
Outstanding blog, btw. Thanks for all the effort. So interesting.
BR
Matt
Helsinki
I use an L.R.Baggs M-1 active, a soundhole pick-up which I can move from one guitar to another
Hmm.. I’m going to have to send you some “beer money” for replying so quickly there, mate.
😉
Do you process the sound in any way – pedals, desk effects? I’m also guessing you go into the mixer and not a dedicated acoustic guitar amp..?
BR
Matt
yes, into the mixer, I plan to make a blog post about it
I owned a 1977 MK-53, used a Don Lace Bronze Sensor to amplify. I rode into Austin Texas in 1999 on a Bicycle, all the way from Hot Springs, Arkansas, with a “Carlos” Flattop Guitar & a bunch of Special-20 Harps. I was playing on “The Drag” (Guadelupe Street) from 11:00 AM then moved to “6th. Street” about 5:00 OM & played until 4:00 AM, 7 Days a week. I found the Gibson at One World Guitars, put it on Law Away ($20.00 Bill Down) and within a month “The Citizens & Tourists of Austin, Texas” BOUGHT me a GIBSON GUITAR! I have a old Photo of me holding it, http://homelessjazzguitar.blogspot.com/2011/01/gibson-mk-53-guitar-1977-model.html
I truely loved that Guitar, & when I showed up at a Folk Festival in Ramona, CA. the Bridge had Separated, I glurd it back (Yellow Elmer’s) and Counter-Sunk 2 Tiny Brass Screws into the Under-Brace to Hold it! The Sound was in no way affected.
I forgot about being here! Well, you don’t get a beer, I live in San Francisco, i smoke Medical Hemp, but your playing is Great, Wunnerfil, as Lawrence Welk used to say. I just turned 67 Years Old on Dec. 12, 2007. I guess by them youll anser.