Elvis's Heartbreak Hotel questions

[JackC1]

As I look over the Youtube tutorials, I noticed most people teach it on the electric guitar. So I looked up some history on the song; and, apparently, both electric and acousic guitars were used. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartbreak_Hotel

If I want it to sound as much like the original as possible, should I learn/play this song on the electric or acoustic?

In the original recording which type of guitar was used on the solo?

What were the roles of the electric and acoustic guitars?

When doing string bends, should I learn by ear or by memorizing the amount of movement my hand needs to make?

Thanks.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

When I think of that song I think of stand-up bass.

[JackC1]

Stand-up bass; interesting.

I've been pretty much living under a rock until just a few years ago when it comes to pop music.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Bill Black's bass is now actually owned by a Mr. McCartney.

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by JackC1

As I look over the Youtube tutorials, I noticed most people teach it on the electric guitar. So I looked up some history on the song; and, apparently, both electric and acousic guitars were used. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartbreak_Hotel

If I want it to sound as much like the original as possible, should I learn/play this song on the electric or acoustic?

Which part do you want to play?

Originally Posted by JackC1

In the original recording which type of guitar was used on the solo?

Electric.

Originally Posted by JackC1

What were the roles of the electric and acoustic guitars?

Electric: lead.
Acoustic: rhythm (almost inaudible).

But don't forget the piano and double bass - both more audible (and important to the sound) than the acoustic guitar, and arguably more important than the solo - although the solo is iconic. (There's a piano solo as well as the electric guitar solo.)

Originally Posted by JackC1

When doing string bends, should I learn by ear or by memorizing the amount of movement my hand needs to make?

Ear.
I.e., learn the hand movement, of course, but you judge how to far to bend by listening.
In this case, there's not a lot of bending involved - just a little behind the last verse, and how far you bend is not critical. Listen to the original. No bending in the solo.

If you're playing this on your own - one guitar, no band - you won't sound like the original, but don't worry about it. Nobody will expect you to sound like the original!

[MRich]

Originally Posted by JackC1

As I look over the Youtube tutorials, I noticed most people teach it on the electric guitar. So I looked up some history on the song; and, apparently, both electric and acousic guitars were used. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartbreak_Hotel

If I want it to sound as much like the original as possible, should I learn/play this song on the electric or acoustic?

In the original recording which type of guitar was used on the solo?

What were the roles of the electric and acoustic guitars?

When doing string bends, should I learn by ear or by memorizing the amount of movement my hand needs to make?

Thanks.

This might be helpful. This is more of a live/raw version from his 1968 show.

[JackC1]

Thank You! for the great info, folks.

The stand-up bass, oh, now I get it.
Also, the comeback video was very informative. It showed clearly that the solo was on an electric.

I feel I can now make this music sound pretty good. I love the solo part; finally, something to use my electric guitar for. It is as mentioned, the acoustic guitar kind of disappears.


*

One more question, for the vocals. Is that just reverb? Or something else?

And, if anybody has tips on the guitar settings, I'm all ears.

[mr. beaumont]

Re: bends, ALWAYS use your ears.

On the vocal, it's that classic two tape machine "slapback" echo sound. Very short delay.

[6L6]

The song was recorded in a brick lined alley outside the rear door of the studio. That's how they got that cool natural reverb sound.

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by 6L6

The song was recorded in a brick lined alley outside the rear door of the studio. That's how they got that cool natural reverb sound.

Interesting ye old vintage brick and mortar reverb effect --The IR coming soon .

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Here is a little more stripped down style. I think this would be fun and relatively easy to work up a solo version.

[JonPR]

Here's an interesting solo version: