American Girl - Tom Petty (Josh Turner Guitar Cover)

"American Girl" by Tom Petty guitar cover from Josh Turner Guitar

I grew up with a CD of Tom Petty's Greatest Hits, and this, the very first track, always just kind of mesmerized me. I loved the way the guitars sounded, and had a good time trying to forensically reverse engineer all the parts. Everything is tuned down a half step from concert pitch to better suit my voice, and everything was recorded "live" - what you see is what you hear. See below for full equipment rundown.

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About Josh Turner Guitar:
Welcome to the official Josh Turner Guitar YouTube channel! Josh Turner Guitar is a multi-instrumentalist (acoustic guitar and electric guitar), singer, songwriter, and producer based in Brooklyn, New York. Joshua Lee Turner is best known for his YouTube channel Josh Turner Guitar, where he posts eclectic cover songs and original music since he started the channel in 2007 at age 15. His guitar covers range from rock, R&B, bluegrass, folk, jazz, classical, pop, indie, blues, etc. Josh now tours internationally in support of his own original music, as well as with long-time collaborator Carson McKee, as the folk duo The Other Favorites. In 2021, The Other Favorites released 'Unamericana,' their second full-length album of original music. Make sure to subscribe and enable all post notifications. For instant updates, check out Josh Turner Guitar’s social media accounts above.

Filming/Editing Equipment:
Shot on a Canon EOS R with an RF 24-70L lens and a Schneider Hollywood Blackmagic 1/4" filter. Edited in Adobe Premiere Pro. Video by Kelly Oden.

Audio Setup and Equipment:
- Guitar is an MIM Telecaster with Fender Vintage Noiseless PU's into a Supro Drive pedal, into a Fender Blues Jr. Mk 1, mic'd with an sE Voodoo VR2 and a Shure Unisphere 565 a foot back, into a pair of Warm Audio WA73-EQs.
-Vocal mic is a Vanguard V13 into an ART Pro MPA II.
- Drums are Gretsch shells (Catalina maple tom and kick, Silver Series walnut snare) and vintage Zildjian cymbals (thanks to Carson for lending me his New Beats). Snare up: Blue Encore 100i; Snare Down: sE8; Kick In: AKG D112; Kick Out: Vanguard V13; Hat: AKG C414 XL-II; Crash: sE8
- Bass is an Ernie Ball Joe Dart Jr. into the DI on a Warm Audio WA73-EQ.
- Piano is a Yamaha P-121 using the built in Grand samples ("Variation 3"), recorded DI into a pair of Warm Audio WA73-EQ's.
Interface is an RME Fireface UFX.
Mixed in Pro Tools.

#TomPetty #Guitar #GuitarCover

[ClementOssir]

Amazing!! I love how "Josh Turner Guitar Cover" has become a seal of quality

[Columbiform]

Complexity from simplicity, this song is truly the sum of its parts. Feels like a masterclass in making a great rock hit.

[econhelp]

This is a tough song to cover because Petty’s vocals are so distinctive and basically off the charts in terms of “awesomeness”. Still, this is a great performance by Josh. Thanks!

[steventanner]

I hate to admit this. I've watched this video three or four or more times (listened to really). Never paid attention to the camera work and editing. Phenomenal just phenomenal. I listen to a lot of music most of the time on play lists while driving and/or working. I definitely need to pay more attention. Well worth the time.

[dianemoscaritolo]

I generally don’t like to hear anyone else sing this song, but this is a great tribute! Nicely done, Josh!

[lady]

How is it one person has SO MUCH talent - love you Josh ❤️

[javelin-music]

Last Night by the Strokes copies this intro kind of funny. Tom Petty made Julian Casablancas admit it. Great Cover!

[zzzaphod]

Love this song, and great performance!

2:56 I wonder what chord Petty was trying to emphasize in the guitar solo--a little too subtle so kind of tricky to figure out!

[wayneasiam]

Love this one. And dang, you're talented.

[redbirdjazzz]

For anyone who wondered how Paul Simon would sound covering Tom Petty. Pretty damn good, I'd say!

[csababekesi-marton]

Great! The energy, the momentum - and the clarity (!) - sounds unmatched.

[johngaffney]

Awesome! You always amaze me. I'm a huge Tom Petty fan. I graduated from UF in Gainesville in 1973. So I was lucky to see Tom and Mudcrutch often at an ABC Liquor Lounge near campus. But their Graham Pond shows on campus were really special because they played on stage on one side while everyone sat around the other side of the small but beautiful pond - a natural amphitheater with great acoustics. Josh, thank you again for your great music!!

[deborahchapman]

I took care of Tom’s mom before she died. I am an RN and I was working at Shands Hospital in Gainesville Florida. Tom and his mother were very close. She was the longest living person with her particular disease. He made sure she got excellent care.
I remember seeing Tom’s dad standing in the hall. I asked him is Tom coming. His dad said no because Tom was in the middle of an album and his manager didn’t want him knowing his mom was sick. 🙄. I was a nurse for a very long time. I think that was one of the saddest things that I had ever heard. 🥺. Tom’s mom was sent home the next day and died soon after. Sooo sad. I hope Tom got to see her before she passed away.
Great job on the song. Glad you guys are starting to tour again. I see Indianapolis is on the list. My health is not the best these days. I hope I can make it.

[yacht]

Please go and record the entire wild flowers album!
Outstanding as always

[briantaulbee]

When I saw you do the Stones cover of Honky Tonk Woman, I was blown away. This Tom Petty cover is simply unreal. Kudos young man!!

[Michaelist_music]

I really appreciate how Josh always challenges himself. Seems like he always goes out of his way to play intricate parts and sing at the same time - it's a dying art!

[hanson]

J.T. is pure talent, love all his covers, this one is exceptional

[murrayscheuerman]

Watching is asmuch fun listening. Just great!

[jimideez]

Great job Josh!...have a great tour...

[adamskaboy]

Wow…totally excellent…nailed it PERFECTLY…EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. Awesome!