Classical Gas on a Classical Guitar?

[Cecil6243]

O.K. probably a stupid question or maybe just subjective, but I've learned Classical Gas by Mason Williams on a Martin Sc-13e electric acoustic guitar. Will it sound better on a Classical Guitar?

Will the wider neck make fingerpicking easier or any different?

[Kerbie]

It's a great tune and it'll sound good on any guitar, although I prefer steel. The wider neck is just a personal thing. For most guys, it probably helps. For me, I hate 'em.

Congrats on learning it. Fun tune to play!

[ssstewart]

it will sound 10x better on a classical guitar imo.

i find classical gits easier to fingerpick for sure but the wider neck might mean a little reteaching the fretting hand for positioning's.

[Cecil6243]

Thank you gentlemen! I'm really itching to see what is sounds like on a quality classical guitar. Might have to head on down to Sweetwater in Ft Wayne, IN that is within driving distance!

[Gitfiddlemann]

It’s a great tune that will sound equally good on both steel and nylon when played well.
How about trying it on a 12 stringer if you go to Sweetwater. That works too!

[Su_H.]

Congratulations on finishing that piece. Please do share a recording?

[Cecil6243]

Originally Posted by Su_H.

Congratulations on finishing that piece. Please do share a recording?

Thank you!

Is wish I could share a recording but I don't have any kind of recording equipment at this time. Just got back into playing after a hiatus of 30 years.

Later at some point for sure!

[Su_H.]

Originally Posted by Cecil6243

Thank you!

Is wish I could share a recording but I don't have any kind of recording equipment at this time. Just got back into playing after a hiatus of 30 years.

Later at some point for sure!

No worries. I didn't mean to put you on the spot. I was sincere in my request.

A handful of good guitarists come in here just to show off their stuff and get views. I'm more interested in hearing from community members.

I hope to hear it soon.

[TBman]

Back when I played it I used a steel string, but a classical sounds better to my ears. This thread reminded me to get back at it. Its a cool tune.

[ceciltguitar]

FWIW, the composer of “Classical Gas”, Mason Williams, played and recorded it on a classical guitar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mREi_Bb85Sk

[Bob Womack]

An interesting anecdote about the song: Mason Williams got his start as a TV music and comedy writer and accompanist for the Smothers Brothers. I read in an account from The Wrecking Crew that in 1967, in sessions he was overseeing with the Crew, he began playing this little guitar ditty. No-one thought anything of it. However, a short while later the little ditty reappeared as the hit, "Classical Gas" on his first album, The Mason Williams Phonograph Record.

Bob

[FrankHS]

Originally Posted by Cecil6243

Will it sound better on a Classical Guitar?

Depends on how much a guitar iconoclast you want to be. One could play "Steel Guitar Rag" on a classical guitar and slide. Some of us remember how Classical Gas was all over AM radio in early 70s (?) and only that sound will do the trick. BTW, Mason Williams has a sizeable catalog of compositions, and (Brazilian) Carlos Barbosa-Lima has recorded an album of Mason Williams compositions (apparently taking them all in different directions, even with Classical Gas. Havent heard it all, myself.)

[Gitfiddlemann]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

An interesting anecdote about the song: Mason Williams got his start as a TV music and comedy writer and accompanist for the Smothers Brothers. I read in an account from The Wrecking Crew that in 1967, in sessions he was overseeing with the Crew, he began playing this little guitar ditty. No-one thought anything of it. However, a short while later the little ditty reappeared as the hit, "Classical Gas" on his first album, The Mason Williams Phonograph Record.

Bob

An additional one:
He performed and recorded Classical Gas on a Cordova guitar, hand built by German luthier Oskar Teller, which was gifted to him by Tommy Smothers back in 1965.

[Gtrfinger]

Hope you don't mind me leaving this here. This is a fairly stripped back version of Mason Williams original. I have recorded it on steel as well, but think the sound of nylon works best.

[singlechange]

Gtrfinger, I enjoyed listening to your recording of Classical Gas over this late autumn morning in the Mid-Atlantic region of U.S.A., with a cup of black tea. In the past you admitted you are 95% steel string player and I am surprised by your playing on this video. The guitar is not your girl friend's Ramirez you've used before, so is it your Kremona?
Robert A.