Here's my attempt at this classic Robert Belfour tune. I've only just figured out how to get anything close to this sound, but I reckon that there are a few key points. Firstly, the guitar needs to be tuned low to get that slightly out of tune twang: I started with a regular open G (DGDGBD), then dropped it a FULL tone to open F (CFCFAC). On some of Belfour's performances his tuning is even lower, down to open E. Secondly, you need to keep that 5th string "pedal bass" drone going through the whole number...I still keep dropping the odd beat when playing it under some of the fancier melody stuff. Thirdly, I anchor the whole tune by fretting the 2nd string at the first fret, then flipping across the strings at the third fret.
I've identified 4 basic phrases, but if you listen to Belfour, he puts in lots of subtle little variations throughout the whole number, and with the repeated phrases, it's a great vehicle for playing around with variations and the dynamics of the whole piece.
My playing is far from solid on this video, and I need to put in a lot more practice, but some of you might find it useful as away into getting this hypnotic "Hill Country" sound.
Don't worry about what guitar and amp you are using, almost anything will do - I think the main thing is that there's bit of slack in the strings to bring out the drone-y tonality and twangy characteristics of this style. Just in case you HAVE to know to know, the guitar is a Teisco Audition, with d"Addario .010 gauge strings, played with both pickups on, through a Roland Microcube on "Brit Combo" setting with, a little bit of reverb...but I'll just as happily play this on my favorite old parlour guitar.
www.chickenbonejohn.com/