Conrad performs Waterfall in a new recording with extra-high levels of splashy reverb. Tom recorded bass guitar. We’ve heard a lot of enthusiasm about this recording and its unusual aspects. The intensity of splashy reverb is high yet the notes are mellow and clear. The vibrato whammies and string bends are unusually intense but fit perfectly. Finally, the guitar is a Steinberger USA, virtually never used for twangy music but Conrad modified it.

You may wonder about the absence of a headstock on the guitar. Virtues include a straight path for the strings and shorter string length; these help keep the guitar in tune. The guitar is more compact and its case is smaller and lighter, both simplifying transportation. Finally, replacing a set of strings is faster, taking about 5 minutes instead of 25 for a strat guitar.