Some More Joe B. Gear and Tone Posts:

(11 replies, posted in Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear)

Honestly, that is one of my 300 children.. I am so honoured that Keith is playing my guitar..  so cool !!!
jb

The Blues Deluxe isnt my favorite amp.  I like the hot Rod version alot better.  Given as it may the best way to get a good sound out of those is to crank it..  Use something like a MXR micro amp and something like PAF style pickups to drive the input.  Turn the whole amp around backwards and mic the back.  You may consider using a EV 12 L or Surrey made greenback celestion.  Anything to dull the high end some.  They are very bright amps and those Fender special designs are a terrible speaker.  Fender ruined those reissue tweed twins with those.   They twist internally when pushed into saturation creating a non musical sound. To listen really closely is to hear a white noise type of sound in around the notes.   Having those speakers made in the PRC doesnt help either.  If you really want to get into it, have a amp tech put a mid boost on it. Something to bring the voicing down more to the human voice quality.  Tough amp to work with sometimes but doable and they do have a good clean sound. Trade it for a hot rod version and your problems are solved honestly...I hate to say it.
Joe Bonamassa

Worst guitar I ever parted with was a 1962 Fender Stratocaster blonde over a ash body.  It sounded bad and needed frets.  I didnt have the heart to refret it.   So I let it go.. I really wish I had it back.  That and my 1968 custom cherry red Les Paul with p-90s..  and the list goes on and on and on and on!!!!!
Joe B

Joe Bonamassa on how to get his tone on a budget...he replies in thread with:

thats way cool Yo!!  Its still a bit pricey..  heres mine

all under 500 dollars. 
marshall  2505 30 watt mini head (tube) same loop as the jubilee
Sovetek Mig 50 ( superlead replacement)
1970 fender bandmaster (with tubecreamer plug in always on)
1970 fender Bassman ( with boss digital reverb always on)

Cabs.. Carvin.. 100 british spec speakers
Joe Bonamassa....

On a side note here is my current home/office  low volume rig.

2008 Van Weelden Twinkleland 100 (the new red one..awesome) with a THD 8 ohm soak,
1961 Gibson RVT 79 stereo and with a Chandler Tuber driver,
1965 Fender Princeton reverb with THD soak
1987 Marshall silver Jubilee 1X12 combo..

You should note that all amps are run at very low volumes so I can watch Law and Order on TNT and play at the same time..
Its fun to mess around with different stuff.. very cool thread!!!


Hey Guys,
        Its acutally really good timing that this thread appeared.  As I type this I am taking a break after signing the first 400 of 1000 Certificates for the Epiphone.  The guitar is cool.  It feels very good and has the same burstbuckers I use in the Custom Shop Models. I am very honored that Gibson/ Epiphone is doing this.  I hope you all like them. 
Joe Bonamassa

Nice stuff...  If I had to spend only 1 thousand dollars I would get a New DSL 2000 1x12 combo to run in combination with your Two Rock or Ceritone... You need a fendery style and a high gain style IMHO.  That should run you about $699.  I would  also invest in a Clearsonic baffle made for a twin or blues breaker combo ($199 ish) and you are done. I would lose some of the pedals... Just get a good (non true bypass) wah, your TS-808, a delay, chorus on the marshall only (Effects Loop)..  Use your reverb on the Two Rock or Ceritone. I like the Boss super chorus myself.  It does wonders to a DSL especially if you turn the tone pot down on the pedal.. If you must have a fuzz, then use a Fuzzface.. or a Colour Sound Tone bender. Not the Fulltone.. Dreadful again IMHO.  All in you should be at $925 with enough left over to buy a good bottle of Caymus or Silver Oak Cab Sav...  Theres your 1000 dollars..
Hope that helped
Joe B


Hey Everybody,
       I remember twenty years ago today to the minute.  It was 2:30 pm est when I boarded my school bus home when I heard on 96.9 WOUR fm that Stevie Ray Vaughn was killed in a Helicopter crash coming from the drivers radio.  I may have been the only one in the bus that knew of Stevie .  It was a very shocking and sad day as you can imagine.  Today is the 20th anniversary of his passing.  Without SRV and a handful of others the guitar would not sound like it does today.  RIP SRV
Joe Bonamassa

Hi all,
     This may or may not be the place to post this.. Jim M will move it if needed.  I had the opportunity to watch ZZ Top closely last night.   I did notice one glaring thing.  I have been playing "Just Got Paid" in standard tuning all these years.  BFG played it in open e.  It made more sense being that it is a slide song.   His tone was massive.  Especially with the Les Paul.. Call me bias.  but they were great and I really dug opening the show.  Shortest show in almost 3 years for me. 
Joe B

Haaa... My amp exactly..  the Mark 2 b. is great for a warm Steve Lukather tone.  Thats why I wanted one.  Its the "Break Down Dead Ahead" Boz Scaggs tone.  The Mesa's are buzzy sometimes and act crazy.. I have 8 of them at the moment.. various models.. Mark 2, 1 2b, 3 2b with a 15 EV-15L are some of the notables.  They are all good but have issues in some way.. Too bright past 4 , too clean then full on shred.. ect.  Welcome to the world of the unknown.. They are cheap and cool.. With a 335 you can get the Two Tickets to Paridise tone.  How cool!!!!
Joe B

Plugging the Tube driver into a amp will not achieve the violin tone..  I have three tube drivers and they are all different.  Try the Genz Benz one.. that is actually the best in my opinion.  Also using a 12AT7 in them helps..  To get the violin tone.. you need a real plexi Marshall set at 5 or 6..  a fender Spring, a delay or echplex and the tube driver. 
Hope that helps..
Joe B

some of the early 90's Les Paul Classic series guitars had outrageous tops.  They were actually in some ways better than the R-9's .  I think those could be had relatively reasonable.  Some of the standard USA models these days look great.  Play good too.  They have the authentic 50's neck.  More 58 than 59 but who cares.. If you are gonna do the Peter Green/ Gary Moore thing my advice is to try to do it yourself with the pickups in the guitar first before buying a pre outta phase set.  I think the guitar acts more natural.  On mine.  Dave did the modification buy reversing the magnet.  The volume pots act the same and retain the original charm of the guitar.   Best Peter Green tone...  Bass pickup volume 5  Lead Pick up volume 3 to 4..  Thats the tone I use on the intro to Sloe Gin These days.
Good Luck Searching.. Thats part of the fun...
Joe B

The reason I am doing the Epiphone is because I have been meeting many kids ranging in age from 13 to 21 who dont have 3500 to 4k to spend on a guitar.. They keep telling me they want a JB model.. So we approached Gibson with this and they wanted to do it as well.  Again I am trying to reach out to the next generation of players.  I think it is a important cause to keep good music in their heads.. 
Best
JB

The set up I used for that was my girlfriend Sandi's Blues Deluxe and her  Boss blues driver.  All I do is dump the top end and turn up the level LOL.  The guitar is the Prototype of the Sunburst "Wildwood guitars" run of JB's.  Its ace.. I think it looks great.  Still has the black back and is in a VOS finish.  The Epiphone JB's are in Gold and are unaged..  Same as the Custom model..  The first run Epi's will have Seymor Duncan Antiquities due to the burst buckers slated for them being slight underwater at the moment..  I think they will sound great as well. 
Best
Joe B

I think I can answer this ... The frequent guitar changes (during concert) are really for three reasons.. Some are tuned different. Some sound different.. and some look really cool.. The Musicman Double neck  the Flying V.    Plus I think it adds to the show... especially for us guitar geeks out there..
Joe B.

Best Les Paul tones....  Billy Gibbons... everything. Jeff Beck Blow by Blow, Truth, Eric Clapton Beano, Fresh Cream, Paul Kossoff ect.

Best 335 tone of all time.. get ready to argue with me... is a tie.. Three ways..  Crossroads ( cream live at winterland) Alvin Lee  and Ten Years After ( I'm going home live at woodstock) and ding ding ding...  " Eddie Money"  Two tickets to Paradise.  Solo by Jimmy Lyon.  Its straight 335 and Mesa Boogie Mark 2 b..   

If you listen to those songs you can hear the difference in the tones.. Of course taking BB and Freddie off the table as supreme masters of the 355 guitar..
Joe B

Baffle... Why?  because with an attenuator you lose your clean headroom.  With the amp full out but shielded you will be able to get a wider variety for sounds from whatever your guitar is.  My recommendation would be a clearsonic fender twin size baffle.  You will be way happy with that and have a few extra sheckles in your pocket..
Joe B

The Guitar is a Late 72-early 73 Gibson 355.. I signed up for ebay under the name Joe Bonamassa I bought it from a guys who was listed as Mr Shades... It was the most traumatic guitar buying experience of my life.. Pay Pal this and that... I got a really special guitar from it though.. but Im done with EBAY... Too much nonsense for this cash and carry guitar buyer..
Joe Bonamassa

I honestly feel for Phil cause I know the feeling. This shows the levels of Fender's nonsense....  They copied my guitar and now Phil's.  They do it to guys in certain stages of their careers when they feel " What are they gonna do?"  Again there is a reason for all my anti Fender stuff around here.  As you can see. 
Sorry Phil.. and btw..Gibson's play better.
Joe B.

Congrats Adam!!  I am really honored you chose my song for your audition.  Keep me posted as your progress continues. 
That is really one of the coolest stories I have ever heard.  Made my day actually.
Joe B

In my experience....    You cant save a dead strat.  Pickups will do little to improve the tone of a neck and body that is not working.  I did this 15 years ago and it cost me a fortune.  Its better to search out another guitar that just works start to finish..
Best
Joe Bonamassa

(27 replies, posted in Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear)

1200... is a good deal.   the 2x 12 have never been my favorite but its a Jubilee.  They all have a unique sound to them.  I would buy it considering at the last guitar show I found one for 2500 with the tag that said as used by Slash, Black Crows and Yours truly.  When I asked him if that was the best price he said that " Joe Bonamassa was gonna buy it if I didnt"  Eishhhh!!!!!!  So buy it and enjoy in it my opinion. 
Joe B

I dont Look at it as a head count...  Who writes what and how many.. I dont release albums prematurely nor do I use time as a excuse.  I am very proud of "Black Rock".  I believe it is as good if not better than anything I have ever done.   Robert Plant suggested that I do "Steal Your Heart Away"  , Mr King suggested either "Buzz Me" or "Nightlife".  Each of these songs are made and done in my own way.. I do not have a ego about who writes the songs. I make records that sound good to me..  I also strive for a record that entertains people and makes a statement.   Lots of artist make complete cover albums.  Jeff Beck and friends wrote 4 songs on Beck -o -La and 4 songs on Truth.   You want a all original album buy a Pussycat Dolls record.. Historically cover songs creep up on these types of records..  Starting with BB, and ending with Derek Trucks and yours truly.. my advice.... just listen..
Joe B

Boss DD -3 .........
Its cheap and good
JB

(15 replies, posted in General Topics)

1. BB King - Blues is King
2 John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers- Beano
3-Jeff Beck -Truth
4 Led Zep- 1
5. Freddie King- Are Ready for Freddie?
6  BB King- Live at the Regal
7 Cream - Fresh Cream
8 Rory Gallagher- Irish tour 74
9 Free- Tons of Sobs
10. John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers featuring Peter Green - The Hard Road ( So Many Roads worth price of admission. )
11. Ronnie Earl - Soul Searching ( masterpiece of east coast blues)
thats just the blues. 
Joe B

Matt, you are a cool dude..  no worries on the signing thru dinner.. again.. You and the fellow gaggle put me were I am.. Its my pleasure to take time out during dinner to sign and have a chat.. Its the way Mom and Dad brought me up.. Cool guitar.. very light and I have to say better playing than 001..  Enjoy it.. play it and beat into the ground..  Thats what I want them to be.. players guitars and not collectables..  I will sign it again if it wears off..
best..
JB

I use Boss REV-5 pedal reverbs.. They are great and oh so silent and reliable.  In europe its all boss in the rack.. chorus and rev pedals. In the US its a bit more posh.. TC chorus and 2290 replace the boss units.
Joe B

My suggestion would be is to get two amps.. Combos.. Like a DSL 1x12 and like a Bluesbreaker or one of the handwired 18watt combos. This way you get the natural overdrive articulation thing and a more front end preamp from the DSL. That will certainly cover your bases and be plenty loud for medium size venues.  I do suggest making or buying a baffle of some sort.  Clearsonic in Ohio will sort you out.  I get my shields from Jim M  who is the Dumble of Baffle builders  LOL..
hope that helps.
Joe B

I am actually not a fan of p-90 pickups.  I find them to be somewhat of a gray area for me.  Too bright for the thick human voice tone, too dark to twang honestly.  I have a few guitars with them but never reach for them honestly.. I have a old goldtop that is good.. But honestly they are the best pair of p-90's I have heard.  I payed all my mowing lawn money for that one 12 years ago.  I dig Gibson Mini Humbuckers in the Firebirds and of course the Paf thing. 
Joe B

(34 replies, posted in Other Artists)

Checked out the vids.. Matt is a good player.. He reminds me of two of my favorites.. Robben Ford and Chris Cain.   His guitars are cool as well.. One of them was worth more than my car at one point..  Not so much anymore.  Thanks to Bernie Madoff.  Guitars shouldnt be treated like shares of Berkshire Hathaway anyway.  They should be played.. Qudos Matt..
Joe B

(33 replies, posted in Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear)

I actually really like the class 5..  I have one of the first three ever built and use it a lot at home/ dressing room / ect///////.  It sounds straight away like a mini bluesbreaker combo. It has the same voicing and darkness to it.  I was really impressed.  Is it THOR the giant uber rig from a planet far away? no.. Its 5 watts. Now if you link 8 of em up like I did at Ronnie Scotts.. Yeah you ll get there.   It is a good 5 watts with lots of headroom. You guys know me by now I would never say it if I didnt think it was good.  $400 is a good price for it too..  its built in the UK. Anyway my two cents..
Joe B

Hey Everybody,
          I feel I need to come clean and announce that I have taken delivery of my very beautifully done Rory Gallagher Stratocaster made in March of last year.. It is fantastic and a beautiful tribute to a wonderful guitarist.. I bought it because I am playing the Cork Opera House this year in Cork Ireland.  Dave and I have some special plans for this guitar..It will not be stock in a months time... But Fender did a wonderful job with this one.. Gotta give credit were credit is due.. Its a great strat.. highly recommended for fans of Rory.. 
Something they can learn from I guess.. LOL
Joe B.

Pre-amp tubes are again subject to taste.. Like you your amps have good days and bad days.  Power plays a big factor in that.  Anyway.. Old GE are great for 12ax7s and 7025, 12 AT7s I like RCA.  I use a AT 7 in my chandler tube driver.  Makes is less gainy as it should. Peter Van Weelden has the best knowledge of tubes I have ever run across.  He also owns the best collection of tubes.. For blue collar street preamp tubes.. I d use JJ honestly.. Thats whats in the Jubilees and dumbly things I own.. Be sure to not get too involved in the nanoisms of tube and concentrate more on achieving the tone from your playing and attack.. Thats the real key IMHO
Joe B

Hey Guys,
         I usually prefer JJ tubes for everything.. EL-34s and 6L6's .  Two Rock was always nice enough to throw New Old Stock GE 5881's into my amps that I bought.. Only problem with going there is the expense and the durability.. My stuff moves hundreds of miles a day.  Its played hard, put away still warm and travels.  So the JJ's work for me.  Mesa tubes run too hot but are good, Svetlana and new Mullard and Sovtek are good to the chrismas tree and not the amps, Groove Tubes are ok, depending on the rating. My favorite of all time is a tie, Old Tesla's from the czech republic and Siemens from Germany.  Again its all season to taste here.  But a bad tube will ruin your amps tone. 
Joe B
PS, when running new tubes, break them in. They will all start out a bit sterile, but a week in its magic, two weeks in they are perfect , three weeks in you start to lose midrange and by week four its over.. time to start again..

I guess its more round and spread out for the said reasons..  again its taste and not fact.. I once responded to a fan who tried to get into a discussion about the differences on batteries in pedals like Eric Johnson can discern.. I said to him its a taste thing and shouldn't we be out talking to the cute girls in the lobby? big_smilecool This is kind of the same thing.. Ported vs not .. not much of a difference.  Its taste.. a good amp gets past that either way.. 
Joe B