Capturing The White Buffalo: The Recording of an American Songwriter
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Jake Smith is The White Buffalo
Hailing from the West Coast, The White Buffalo, a.k.a. Jake Smith, is far more suited to the Great Plains of the Midwest than the urban terrain of his current haunt of Los Angeles. Heralded as one of NPR's Artists to Watch, The White Buffalo has released a string of critically acclaimed albums — telling powerful, character-driven stories that succeed as both a body of work and individual tunes.
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“Smith is a hell of a storyteller; he's a populist who doesn't require a large platform to create deeply etched archetypal characters.”
— Thom Jurek, Music Editor, AllMusic
The White Buffalo hits the studio again, and Ernie Ball takes you there.
The White Buffalo's first full-length album, Hogtied Like a Rodeo, debuted in 2002, followed by The White Buffalo EP, produced by Eels' Koool G Murder, which Smith describes as being about relationships, love, loss, and booze — with a little murder mixed in.
When a bootleg tape of Smith's music made it into the hands of pro surfer Chris Malloy, one of his songs, “Wrong,” was featured in his popular surf movie, Shelter. This eventually led to further film and television placements.
In 2010, a second EP, Prepare for Black and Blue, was recorded in six days by producer Jimmy Messer and released through Chad Stokes' Ruffshod imprint via Nettwerk Records.
The White Buffalo makes music for ‘Sons of Anarchy’
Over the course of the show's run, “Sons of Anarchy” used The White Buffalo's tracks in close to 10 episodes, including a specially recorded version of “House of the Rising Sun” in the season-four finale.
“It's pretty unique the way, for almost every episode, they shoot a montage scene at the end where the music and lyrics are a part of it,” Smith says. “They really use the storylines of the songs to help guide the story, which I think is super unique and cool.”
“Playing guitar as I do, like a caveman, I'm very hard on my strings. Ernie Ball strings give me the confidence to know I'll have six strings through the encore. Their strength, warmth, and clear attack are the perfect marriage of tone and reliability.”
— The White Buffalo
Ernie Ball acoustic guitar strings offer musicians the power to handpick the sound of their music. Acoustic guitar strings influence the overall sound and tonality because there are no pickups or amplifiers to shape the tone — just the string and the guitar.
Experience Ernie Ball Acoustic Strings
Earthwood Acoustic Strings
Made from 80% copper, 20% zinc wire wrapped around hex-shaped, tin-plated hi-carbon steel core wire. One of the most popular acoustic guitar strings — as used by the Eagles, Elvis Costello, and Joe Bonamassa.
Ernie Ball 80/20 Bronze acoustic strings provide a crisp, bright sound with pleasing overtones.
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Extra Light SKU: P02006
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Light SKU: P02004
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Medium Light SKU: P02003
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Medium SKU: P02002
- Extra Light Gauges
- .010, .014, .020, .028, .040, .050
- Light Gauges
- .011, .015, .022, .030, .042, .052
- Medium Light Gauges
- .012, .016, .024, .032, .044, .054
- Medium Gauges
- .013, .017, .026, .034, .046, .056
Aluminum Bronze Acoustic Strings
Aluminum Bronze acoustic strings feature more projection and clarity than traditional bronze strings, while also providing improved corrosion resistance.
Aluminum Bronze strings are made with Ernie Ball maraging steel hex cores and aluminum bronze wrap wire, providing more pronounced lows coupled with crisp, brilliant highs.
Made from a blend of copper and aluminum specifically tailored for acoustic guitar strings.
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Extra Light SKU: P02570
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Light SKU: P02568
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Medium Light SKU: P02566
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Medium SKU: P02564
- Extra Light Gauges
- .010, .014, .020, .028, .040, .050
- Light Gauges
- .011, .015, .022, .030, .042, .052
- Medium Light Gauges
- .012, .016, .024, .032, .044, .054
- Medium Gauges
- .013, .017, .026, .034, .046, .056
Everlast Acoustic Strings
Everlast Coated Acoustic Strings use groundbreaking nanotechnology that repels unwanted moisture and oils that negatively impact your tone.
Our proprietary treatment is applied to both the inner hex core and outer wrap wire to provide ultimate protection without compromising tone or feel.
Phosphor Bronze strings produce warm, rich bass tones with clear, bright trebles.
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Extra Light SKU: P02550
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Light SKU: P02548
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Medium Light SKU: P02546
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Medium SKU: P02544
- Extra Light Gauges
- .010, .014, .020, .028, .040, .050
- Light Gauges
- .011, .015, .022, .030, .042, .052
- Medium Light Gauges
- .012, .016, .024, .032, .044, .054
- Medium Gauges
- .013, .017, .026, .034, .046, .056