Joe Bonamassa shows off his live rig - guitar amps & effects

[GregoryJohnsonJr]

Too much stuff

[Epiphone1978]

The voice is like Kermit the frog... Nice rig by the way!!!

[urheadonastick]

He said great head.

[martyteboe]

Wow...normally I'd ignore the silly Muppets references. But, jeezus. He sounds like a fucking little cloth frog. Good player, though.

[ottawadrummer]

they sound noisy 

[gavnshaz11]

....."Hello, this is Joe Bonamassa, and welcome to the muppet show...'

[telecasterthommy]

@gavnshaz11 hahahahaha

[thelastview]

@gavnshaz11

That's exactly what I thought

[straydogbluesman]

@gavnshaz11 Haha, he sounds like kermit!

[soundmusiclover]

what ev speakers

[theclanmorrison]

How the fuck can you DICKHEADS compare Prince to Joe Bonamassa? Apples and oranges i say! Yeh vladd001,You'd like to bend him would'nt you Mary!

[vladd001]

he sounds like bender!

[vladd001]

he suonds like bender

[rjinterr]

Joe can play a strat thru a super reverb and sound amazing.

[fox3690]

pff those marshall only goes until 10....i like to use the ones that go to 11...

[Dogheadj]

@fox3690 Get a Soldano. They literally go to 11. I used to have one. In fact, I used to have one or two of evrything, but I always came back to Marshall and Fender. That's all I own these days, with the exception of a Peavey Classic 50 that I bought years ago and has maybe an hour's playing time on it.

[rockboy8812]

mys____/Bonnardsbluesband

[incongra]

how refreshing to see an extremely talented artist who has no "attitude". he's a gentleman.

[Uz2Brockstar]

I just came from joes show and watched him crank on this setup. Got to meet him after the show also, a real nice guy. he stood out in the cold and signed for EVERYONE pics, the whole nine yards. What a show, this guy is class act and he can really rip!

[EdVidz]

Seems a truly nice guy. His ability is tremendous.

[claimless]

Is it just me, or does he really not feel like the same guy without his sunglasses?

[codehendrix]

PRINCE WOULD KICK JOES ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[branch1234]

@codehendrix ummm...nothing against prince..but no.

[snowshoetom]

@codehendrix get off the crack son!

[codehendrix]

@snowshoetom watch the video of him doing "while my guitar gently weeps" ... and his solo is retarded.... kills everyones abilities these days.... even Joes.... Joe is trying though... and i like that...

[meatwizard]

@codehendrix Okay, first you make a silly comment about Prince killing everyone's abilities. Then, you say Joe is "trying." What the fuck does that mean? I'm already in a bad mood and then I read some pompous shit like that. He's trying and you like it? I'm glad you approve. Seriously man, you are banned from the internet.

[codehendrix]

@meatwizard it means a person is allowed to change their mind ... and Prince having more FEEL than JOe aint silly its true....... Joe is getting better... i can admit that.... why the fuck do all you guys have the same opinion about shit... think outside the box.... dont be afraid to learn and grow....

[meatwizard]

@codehendrix Who are you to tell "all you guys," many of whom are most likely much more seasoned musicians than yourself, how they need to think? What box do they need to think outside of? Is there one definitive box? Your responses don't make much sense.

My contention is that Joe plays with more feel and taste than Prince and I LOVE Prince's music. But, as a guitarist, he doesn't really compare to Joe in any respect. Feel, taste, tone, note choice, or chops. Silly argument though.

[codehendrix]

@meatwizard Prince is pure feel.... Bonamassa sometimes overdoes it...... Prince never does..... because he puts his whole self into it.... BOnamassa used is mind to much.... its more about the heart and soul.....

[whoisthatguy1000]

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ­ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[tomrogermarkas]

@whoisthatguy1000 Tubeamps with the volum high up will always BZZZZZZZ (but as you know can reduce with noicegate) ;)

[AllenTheAllen]

@tomrogermarkas In theory. Personally, I was always hopeful but never found one that worked right--didn't cut out faint sounds that you did want or... I don't know how to describe it, sorry. They let sound through if the volume exceeds the level you set and it's an electronic thing just testing a voltage and if it exceeds that, it lets it through, right? It would be nice if they could selectively cancel the hiss but the hiss is white noise so it contains all frequencies. 

[avim111]

Is Excellent player But how ams he should Need. play the blues So only Hendrix Neil Young

[kartman74usa]

i dont heard what he said, what marshall amp. model he said? ty...he said tubescreamer 808? ty....

[GekkoClan]

@kartman74usa 1987 Marshall Silver Jubilee 100w. :) And, yes, it's an Ibanez Tube Screamer TS-808.

[localguitarlegend1]

Really love this guy..and so proud of him..he's from utica..im from amsterdam..the future of blues rock...

[GibsonGuitarist666]

Is it straightforward?

[ericclapton00028]

i hate videos with 240p-.-^^

[PIlotrcm]

What does he call that pedal @ 2:20 sounds like "Gas Pedal" ha ha I think it was maybe "Jazz Pedal" anyone know?

[GibsonLesPaul1319]

@PIlotrcm he does say gas pedal:

gaspedal.net

[covalek]

mało kto wie że to żywa legęda jest!

[JoeBonamassaOfficial]

Hey guys, thanks for all your support- you guys are the greatest. Please visit the JoeBonamassaOfficial and subscribe!

[JoeBonamassaOfficial]

hey guys, thanks so much for your support. Please go to the Official Joe Bonamassa YouTube Channel and subscribe!

[kimbill107]

Amazing rig!!! I cant imagine carrying it around!!!

[bille77]

JB looks like an idiot

[joeytruelove]

@bille77 Yes, but as you know those who do can be quite deceptive in that their IQ levels often are off the charts.

[RackOrSack]

pleasee subbb mmeeee

[SmokeBojangles]

Needs something better than great head?MOJo makes great stuff!

A lotta money and a Buncho crap......Simple is better,the rest is trying to be like some one else.

[74LesPaul]

The Jubillee uses a light diode to clip the top and bottom off the signal to get distortion. . same as the JCM 900. .known as the easiest way to clip a signal into distortion. These amps are getting their distortion from a diode instead of a pre-amp tube. . and yet the Jubillee is a highly sought after amp! The 900's were re-issued in the UK (due to their popularity over there). And they both have a nice sound (softened by the tube stages). Stuff I can never understand!

[Eddiemotor]

@74LesPaul

..

IT's not sooo much about the diodes really, the tubes do the majority of the work when you play the amp, the diodes have a certein effect but it's very tiny, and if you have never tried the amp out personaly, you shouldn't judge it before hand. I've played a stock 25/50 model at a guitar shop, i own an crappy ass Line6 amp and the Jubilee killed the Line6 by miles, it's not an Plexi amp but the tone is really amazing, trust me.

You gotta try the amp out to know what i mean :)

[74LesPaul]

@Eddiemotor

Thanks for the input. I have played the Silver Jubilee and owned a couple of JCM 900's which I believe are similiar in terms of diode use. I liked my 900's. And I would be very happy owning a Silver Jubilee. And Joe B says that the Silver Jubilee would be his only amp if had to choose just one. . which says a lot about the amp. Thanks. .

[genxtargetmarket]

Apparently, each amp is pretty straightforward.

[LedZeppelinisgod100]

who gives a shit about how he speaks!?!? he sings beautifully and he plays even better. 

[defleppardfan1972]

Totally!!!! This is Kermit the frog here!!!!!

[awesomejohnnet]

He must take some time to review his interview videos and realize he has a severe problem when speaking. he needs to "practice" not saying "ah" every second and speak more lyrically. İronic that such a great musicians sounds so irritating when he speaks..

[BlackDiamond351]

he looks alot more beefy in this video lol

[chungiemunchin]

He comes across as a very smart guy. Kind of a scientist of the guitar.........definitely get the impression that he's into what it is he is doing and that he definitely knows what it is he does.

[tmoodyband]

Bastard! Yes, I am jealous!!

[moseseseseses]

He uses great equipment, and he has a great sound as a result of such. Such talent as he possesses should have only the best of the best .

[peter1miler]

He is not the greatest guitarist sheesh over the top description.

[adamrobertsooo]

if you don't think he is one of the greatest ever your ears are broken because Jo is not only a prodigy, but also one of the only musicians that keeps the blues alive, i've seen him twice in concert and it was MONEY WELL SPENT no matter what the amount

[frederiktygesen]

the thing in front of his cabinet is doing so its not that loud so he dont blow the fans away from the stage.

[leonard1893]

what are these windows in front of the cabs ?

for kind of natural reverb of echo ?

[Todd6120]

Ive seen Joe In the Nyc area and he plays in mid-sized venues normally and fills them. He has amazing Tone/feel and chops and is a Nice Guy too.

[infinityjet]

this guy is great! he shows people all of his equipment and things unlike other guitarists!

[gazzaboy2531977]

man he makes it sound so easy . How the fuck do you learn all this stuff ? Must be good to have a tech setting every thing up for you . !

[GibsonLesPaul1319]

@gazzaboy2531977 i love setting up my own things, amps, pedals and guitars

[ScorchinBeats]

Epic Guitar Rig. Hook up a Vintage Les Paul and it screams for Slash tone. But plug in a Telecaster and you get some awesome cleaner stuff.

[yschepers12]

He seems verry down to earth , seems like a nice guy .

[MeaningXOfXFear]

probably not

[yschepers12]

its not just the gear its the fingers too.

Joe bonamassa can get a joe bonamassa sound with any amp but if you can get that sound with that amp depends on a whole lot of factors

[clapdrix72]

That depends on how you play mostly. Nobody really gets Bonamassa tone even if they were playing his rig. But a Marshall DLS alone will sound a little earthier-more classic rockish. His sound, in part, comes from the fact he's got so many different amps going at once

[rhcpmd]

didnt know he uses Two Rock

[weirdotis]

Not anymore.. now he usually uses his Carol Ann JB100 or a Bogner XTC

[musicnotes01]

could u tell me how to stack two marshall heads?

[funtwo1963]

What do you meen? like to marshalls, in one speaker?

[aektzis91]

put one on top of the other :P

nah i dunno, he probly has custom cabs that can facilitate two heads each

[copilottheband]

He uses a Radial Tonebone head switcher, I think.

[copilottheband]

Radial Tonebone head switcher of some sort.

[maggadew]

why does he cover his ts808 knobs? to keep them from moving or so that noone can see his settings?

[GNRjungle87]

To keep them from moving, he does that with a couple of his pedals.

[aektzis91]

lol hes taped up the knobs on all his pedals to stop them from moving

[RickyboyH]

probably to keep them from moving as you said. It's easy to mis-place your foot when you're up there, playing, giving it all to the audience, and its not exactly daylight either :)

[JoshClouds]

I seen him live in the UK... possibly the best performance of guitar playing in my life... was just incredible. If anyone gets a chance to see him then do it! It's worth it :P

[joeardanillo]

I totally agree, seeing him on stage is just amazing!

[lilnetty2]

so much for the twinkle land,now its a Carol-Ann.

[DelSpaarky]

I think the Carol Ann replaced the Two Rock, the Twinkleland is still there.

[TheFlanB]

Yes that's right, I saw him at Nice Jazz Festival recently and he had the Van Weelden and the Carol Ann, and his cabs were covered with the same grillcloth as the VW. His sound was fantastic

[GTR8275]

Reverb is the Boss RV-5 (in the rack).

Go to GP's 4/09 cover article for all the dtails on his rig.

[rockjam67]

it´s the dd3 delay in the send return folks

[Dr9000]

PLEASE HELP! DOes anyone know for sure which boss reverb pedal Joe uses: if you check the other video of joe demonstating his rig with his guitar you hear a big rush of reverb when he stops playing! I need that sound! HELP!

[phlizmo]

thats the post compression on the audio track.... i am almost certain..

[blackhawk1788]

geeezzzuuuus its kermit the frog... no kidding

[rohan87]

i reckon this guy's a living legend... but does anyone else think he sounded a bit like Kermit the frog when the video first starts? :-P

[jorikjet]

hahahaa! i heard it too!

[pinkfloydman123]

@rohan87 Ha Kermit made me lol thanks

[RUSS9992006]

@rohan87 Yeah - he does! It's funny when you hear these greats talking and they sound nothing like you think! You'd meet this bloke in a coffee shop and would think nothing of him. That old never judge a book saying kicks in once again! Go Joe!

[HmongGuitarPlayer]

@rohan87 yes same here.lol

[drumsteve11]

@rohan87 lol loads of americans sound like Kermit.. they did it on purpose

[superfunnyman123]

Im Bailey Evans young gun winner of fort wayne indiana, I was able to use that amp set up! It was the greatest thing i think I have pluged my guitar in to, not to menchin the 15000 watts of PA speakers

and the 2000 people cheering me on!

Thanks joe

[fenderstratman4567]

And partly bc tone is in the fingers to an extent :b

[fenderstratman4567]

Exactly, also you will find that speakers and amps will, in a way, adapt to you to an extent. For example my Fender HR deluxe sounds a good deal different than my friends Fender HR deluxe bc i have broken mine in with mostly blues and blues rock whereas he plays nothing but punk rock, dont ask why he has an HR deluxe for that, but it works for him. I mean, its very similiar, but we even tested with identical settings and bc the speakers are worn differently, they sound a bit different,

[mattchurchill]

Nice vid man, thanks for posting.

[AndreAmeli]

the other part of the signal go to tha blue pedal tha he talks about 2:07, this is a 3 way signal change and speaker cabinet change, which button on that pedal send the signal to one specific amp and automatic change the cabinet to that same amp, so, one foot is for the category 5, other one is for the dumble clone, and the third pedal is for the last amp.

do you understand? hehe

[JKryanX]

my set up is so simple, guitar petals preamp and then amp. no matter what size venue i play, i always keep it the same. idk, im just simple like that.

[Bookstop1337]

How can you have two heads? I know this seems like a silly question, but can someone explain to me how you can be plugged into two different amps without your guitar sounding funny.

[emblazed]

Amp selector pedal and most of them have phase switches to fix any phase problems multi amps may have. Check it out. I used to use a Marshall and a Fender, definitely fun because you get the grit/breakup and the chime together.

[AndreAmeli]

he use two amps in stereo

[Bookstop1337]

So he plugs directly into the marshall and category five.. then connects to the other ones beside the heads, then to the speakers? I'm a bit confused as to how he actually does it.

[AndreAmeli]

this is gonna be difficult because i dont speak english, but i try, he must (i don't know exactely this)be using one Y cable, so the signal came out of dd3 delay and is split, one part of the signal go direct to silver jubilee, and the silver jubilee is connect to one sepeaker cabinet.

[fenderstratman4567]

he runs directly into the jubilee, and then uses probalby a 3 way selector switch outta the preamp and effects chain to select either the cat 5, van wheelde, or two rock, the jubilee is always on as its the pre amp, maybe not, but he is undoubtedly using some sort of 3 way selector switch to chose the amp which ispaired with the jubilee

[carswell98]

he has the best amp setup in music

dear god.

[ctsurg]

Eric Johnson has the best amp set up.

[baseballnolie34]

John Petrucci has the best amp set up.

[fenderstratman4567]

for his style and his ears yes, every musician that is a tone nut has the best amp setup for their own sound, no ONE amp setup is THE BEST

[karl198]

Your very right. Tone is a very personal thing really, no one tone will suit everybody, so people should always listen to different amps regardless of critics just to see if they find a sound that their own ears like.

[ironlungs33]

Sorry, that would be Steve Kimock.  Bonamassa does know his shit tho.

[TeoGibson]

few money XDXDXD

[Hereistone]

And here's a "Gas Pedal".....BOOM!!! Noisy switch? I guess that's the trade off of having "True Bypass".

[rickerw]

All it needs is a 1 meg resistor from the input cap to ground and that pop is history.

[Hereistone]

Yeah, that would work, but it's another trade off. Depending what's in front/behind of the pedal, adding 1Meg could cause hiss.

[GNRjungle87]

his rig is AMAZINGGGGG lol

[andrewt248]

There is a LOT of money stacked up behind him when he jams!

[wammbarro]

the nicest man in music. bar none.

[newking70]

haha, it's kermit the frog....

[harpni2002]

I thought exactly the same thing when it started!

[malamutelocomotive]

I loooove his fuckin rig!

[paulynnex]

is there any wise guy who can tell what pedal he use to make sustaining harmonics? Is the one before the tube screamer...

[bigtophalloween]

Honestly, IMO, there's no pedal in the world that can make harmonics sustain by itself.  It's really more about running a kick ass amp (in this case four amps)full bore. Power amp volume is where all of that magic happens. Maybe turning your TS volume all the way up will be a good start.

[nick87audionut]

It is mostly the Silver Jubilee doing that. Go watch videos of John Frusciante live, he uses two of those amps (the 2550, which is the 50w version) and they give off massive sustaine. Other than that the sustain comes from your fingers, mostly via vibrato.

[imgooley]

Wow, he really really really cut down on his pedal board. I remember a video where he had about 26 pedals or summat...

[CarterFilmLtd]

"but Eric Johnson didn't like it so he gave it to me...thank you Eric Johnson" hahaha

[dav24642]

LOLL his voice looks like peter griffin'S

[Jorrit1992]

lol

[RomainPietersen]

uhm..uhm..uhm..uhm  nice rig uhm.. uhm

[guitarz333]

i dunno...i kinda liked his rig better when he was using budda amps.

[wammbarro]

best sounding rig in the world today!

[MadsBah]

Bwahaha... 'I like them, because you can't kill 'em.' I love you Joe.