John Neff

Darren James · Post by **Darren James** » 17 Sep 2008 1:09 pm

Absolutely my favorite steel player today. I can't get the DBT cds out of my player and his playing is a major reason for that. I saw them a few months ago and he was playing his fantastic sounding Rains. Does anybody know any of his licks? I can't seem to get any of them when listening to the album and trying to figure it out.

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 17 Sep 2008 1:39 pm

I am also a fan of DBT and John Neffs playing.
I havent really sat down and tried to see what he's doing...I just like the band and his playing in it, so I cannot offer any help on his licks or riffs.

I beleive he plays in another band called japancakes that is very interesting as well and more steel-centric.

Maybe message him on myspace and ask what tuning or for a specific lick?

Jonathan Shacklock · Post by **Jonathan Shacklock** » 18 Sep 2008 4:57 am

I really enjoyed seeing Drive By Truckers in London a few weeks ago. Unfortunately John's amp went down in the first number and he had to play his steel through a Vox - which didn't really cut through too well on the louder songs. Great gig though.

I've only got the latest Album. Which one should I get next??

Darren James · Post by **Darren James** » 18 Sep 2008 5:32 am

Jonathan Shacklock wrote: I've only got the latest Album. Which one should I get next??

Thats an interesting question. The first 2 albums, Gangstabilly and Pizza Deliverance, are both kind of lo-fi, but they are also mostly acoustic with a lot of steel. The 3rd album is the double album Southern Rock Opera, and Mr Neff isn't on it. Its very good. Decoration Day comes next. Neff is on a couple of tracks. Its probably their most consistent album. Dirty South came next and it doesn't have any steel that I can remember. Still a good album though. A Blessing and a Curse was next. I believe it has a few tracks with steel. I would say get it last. I would suggest starting at the beginning and going from there or skipping to Decoration Day or SRO.

Which songs are your favorites from BTCD?

Nathan Golub · Post by **Nathan Golub** » 18 Sep 2008 5:47 am

John was also in the Two Dollar Pistols, a country band from Chapel Hill. You can hear him on the live album Step Right Up, doing more country licks. I got to play steel on what was the final Pistols show and spent some time copying his licks on the songs we played from that album. I really dig his work with the DBT too. Good stuff!

Jonathan Shacklock · Post by **Jonathan Shacklock** » 18 Sep 2008 1:35 pm

Darren James wrote:Which songs are your favorites from BTCD?

Tricky. Probably The Righteous Path, I'm Sorry Huston and Self Destructive Zones. It's cool that they've got such a big range of music within the band.

Thanks for your advice Darren, I think I'll start somewhere in the middle and work outwards!

Alex Piazza · Post by **Alex Piazza** » 19 Sep 2008 2:54 pm

I agree. His playing stands out more than anyone to me. Does anybody know what hes running through to get that crazy echo? It sounds like hes playing in a metal box or something?

Darren James · Post by **Darren James** » 22 Sep 2008 9:41 am

He also played with a classic country band called The Star Room Boys, but I haven't gotten either of those albums yet

Jeremy Long · Post by **Jeremy Long** » 22 Sep 2008 11:51 pm

He was also in a band out of Athens, Georgia called the Chasers
www.myspace.com/thechasersband

Whit Wright · Post by **Whit Wright** » 27 Sep 2008 8:44 am

When I saw him he was using a Line 6 Delay pedal for effects and just a little reverb.

Check out the Wydelles. An Athens band he currently plays with from time to time. By far my favorite work he has done. http://www.myspace.com/thewydelles

Dennis Love · Post by **Dennis Love** » 11 Aug 2009 2:05 pm

Check out the Star Room Boys' This World Just Won't Leave You Alone. SOme of my favorite songs and favorite steel playing. One listen will inspire you to sit down and get to work practicing.[/i]

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 7 Mar 2010 7:26 am

bump for a new album and tour by DBT.
go out and see John amnd this incedible band.
no seattle this time

Ransom Beers · Post by **Ransom Beers** » 7 Mar 2010 7:47 am

I would say from the sound clips he's playing a David Hartley set up,as all rains unless you specify have that set up from the factory.Thats on both neck if its a DBL-10 same goes for a S-10 or SD-10.

Darren James · Post by **Darren James** » 8 Mar 2010 11:23 am

I saw them a few weeks ago. I don't believe Mr Neff played any steel on the new songs, but that doesn't mean there won't be some on the album.

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 8 Mar 2010 1:12 pm

dang. oh well, still lookin forward to the album.
cheers

Ryan Dyck · Post by **Ryan Dyck** » 20 Nov 2012 12:28 pm

Great solo by Neff on this DBT tune. wonder if anyone has tabbed it?

John Scanlon · Post by **John Scanlon** » 20 Nov 2012 4:31 pm

He's a member here. Why don't y'all ask him?

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/profile. ... ile&u=1875

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