Robin Trower talks Guitars, Amps and Effects 2009

[skrewflanders]

kind of funny to see a guitarist who actually has his signature pedals on his pedalboard

[zenjim007]

Robin is such an awesome player; it was kind of him to share these insights into his sound. However; ultimately his hands and heart filled playing is the foundation of his tone.

[Prestostark]

No mention of what speakers are in those cabs....

[UncleTito72]

"It's got something in it that no other pedal has". ALL guitarists say that about their gear. If I had a dollar for every time I heard a guitarist say that I'll be a millionaire by now.

[FormerlyMrBean667]

@UncleTito72 And then you'd be a musician who talks up his pedals!

[UncleTito72]

@FormerlyMrBean667 And give them names!

[moimoiac]

Thanks for share! tumbs up!

[RoughBoy1056]

You know you've made it when you can get Mike Matthews to build you custom equipment on demand.

[hawg427]

I saw his show back in 1977 with James Dewar. Just fantastic. I was thinking about getting a Vintage/Modern 2266 50 watt head. Has pretty good tone for a newer Marshall.

[johnstangg]

Why is your Tuner at the end of your chain? That's a no-no

[Kozmo260]

@johnstangg Maybe the Buffer in it for the long run to the amp?

[jellyjukebox]

Right up there amongst my favorite guitarists ever, OK I'll go ahead and admit I made a compilation CD with Hendrix alternating with Trower songs and I must say I enjoy Robin's songs more, I know alot has to do with James Dewar's awesome voice, but Robin's playing on those classic songs is SO very SWEET, that newer "Bridge of Signs" with the live tracks is so KiLLeR. I have a FullTone Deja-Vibe and adore it, I even use it with my acoustic guitar.

[v6n4m0d4]

I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ROBIN TROWER PLAY HIS OLD 1975 SET UP THATS WHAT I LIKE. NOT THE NEW SET UP...OLD IS BETTER. JOIN UP WITH CLAPTON AND HIS OLD SET UP.....& ROD STEWART ON VOCALS....STONE COLD BLUES.

[victimsofthefury]

Robin Trower = Class Act

[CarvinTone]

Robin is the tone God. Never gets the credit he deserves for the music catalog he has rendered. Listen to Bridge of Sighs and tell me how much everyone sucks. Trower's tone is beyond what anyone ever got out of a Strat INCLUDIING Jimi !!!

[libsstink100]

ROBIN IS TRUELY A RARE BREED,ONE OF THE ALL TIME BEST IN THE BIZZ,,,WONT BE ANOTHER DUDE LIKE HIM...JIMMIE AND STEVIE ARE THE ONLY ACTS THAT COULD COMPARE.

[Budafinga]

can anyone tell me the name of the song that is playing?

[gregorylee888]

Very much a gentleman ...the only guy I have ever drove 8 hours to see put on a hour and a half show ..I have probably seen him play 20 times or more ..I have never seen him give a bad performance ...very consistent ...and the most soulful guitarist on the planet !!!

[guitarslinger75]

ROBIN HIMSELF IS THE ONE DISLIKE. HE IS SO COOL HE DISLIKED IT SO NOBODY WOULD THINK HES A TOOL!

[CarbonSource]

Completely awesome guitarist. Love the stuff. Still, I can't help but think, whenever someone with an English accent discusses gear: "These all go to eleven".

[RJiminez51]

these old guys know what they`re talking about. i know cuz im an old guy.

[jaymoe67]

This guy is so COOL, He Does'nt even realize, He's S'O KOOL....Well, I was dicken' around on the guater the other day....DUDE!!!

[jaymoe67]

This guy is so COOL, He Does'nt even realize, He's S'O KOOL.

[massimo3601]

grandissimo chitarrista, mi ricorda sia hendrix che anche un chitarrista anche fusion, ma dallo stampo hendrixiano.Uno dei più grandi di sempre e poco conosciuto ai più-ascoltatelo è storia

[jagung5]

very2 humble man...human's guitarist...the greatest.....younger 3 years than jimi hendrix...his skills is older soooo many years than the rest of the guitarist...

[drewandbailey1]

This is the best gear run through video ive ever seen

[hawg427]

Are these in order from Left to Right? Or from Right to Left? I always thought the Wah came before any OD. But if he is running it from the Right pedal first ( Deja-Vibe) First then his tuner is out of place isn't it?

[YouzTube99]

Such a down-to-earth kind of guy for someone who can play in the 'strat'osphere . . .

If you met him on the street, you'd probably take him for just another chap that's getting on, seen a lot in his life. But when he picks up that Strat, look out!

[guitarDouchebaggery]

he really has some great sounds

[MrRokinrob]

dig,hell yeah!!

[23jjb]

Is there a better writer/player on the planet???? I think not!!!

[lastdaysguitar]

Thanks for posting: I've got to check out that Fulltone stuff, Trower's guitar for decades IMHO has been THE best tone in rock.

[snatchsour]

Good to see the Chief from Get Smart with his shoe wah!

[peteyboy54]

Glad to have happened on this - Have had the pleasure of seeing Robin Trower three times so far- incredible person and player I've listened to for over 35 years.

Always forward in your musical journey Robin...

[ranman1959]

@theScytheofGod Yep, you sounded like a dick. Just because he used a wah, distortion and a strat everyone compares him to Hendrix; I never really heard it. To my ears Trower plays with a lot more soul and funk than Hendrix. His ability to play rhythm and lead at the same time is unmatched.

[theScytheofGod]

Ok, here's me sounding like a dick, but; this man sounds like just another Hendrix wannabe, Like SRV, they took the personal style of a dead man ( like many people do to Bruce Lee) and never took it any farther. I can see he's a talented guitarist, but so what?

[v6n4m0d4]

I would Like To Know Why He Know Longer Uses The Ibanez Tube Screamer Ts 108 of the 1970,s That is the sound he used most of the times. ?

[Zed1967]

It's nice to see a rock star with his ego in the right place. He has nothing to prove, the amazing music he plays speaks for itself.

Robin Trower live is how I was introduced to this man when I was in my early teens.

[mudylafeet]

R.T. living legend God of tone

[LM741C]

Frampton and Trower have totally different styles. But in any case, both of them kick ass.

[1jimif]

Thanks for posting this! I love Robin, seems like it wasn't that long ago when I bought my 1st Robin Trower record, I was a young kid, and bought it for the cool picture on the front, Robin with a full stack or two, in an office that looked like it was just blown apart from the volume (album name?). Turned out to be a great album, when I was a kid, I bought a lot of records, because of the album cover. Man how time flys by. I love to see older guys that still rock hard, I know i do :-)

[waveformgeek]

@1jimif That, sir was a Pat Travers album released in 1977.

I've still got my copy. An easy mistake to make since

these guys are mining the same vein of blues. Check amazon.com.

[waveformgeek]

@1jimif That, sir was a Pat Travers album released in 1977.

I've still got my copy. An easy mistake to make since

these guys are mining the same vein of blues. Check amazon.com.

[1jimif]

@waveformgeek...........Lol oops.......................you are so right about that! Thanks for pointing it out, I would have kept on thinking it was a Robin Trower record too. I do love these YouTube videos of Robin. Bridge of Sighs is what I remember listening to as a teen. Great Music! Thanks again.......Pat Travers Doh!!

[fernandosantucci]

Ulysses Guimarães não morreu !!!

[richardbeaton1]

very Hendrix sounding with the wah there , gotta love it ....... soo much !

[merrilltim]

check out his new cd with Jack Bruce 7 moons very nice.

[thomasbekhuis]

great video, 'I've got a 5 way switch...' This guy comes from a time when there were still 3 way switches

[mightyluv]

Robin Trower is a seriously cool dude. He would be a cool neighbor, yeah?

"Hey Rob, c'mon over for a beer, man; bring yer Strat."

"Sure thing, man. You grillin'?" How cool is that? ;0)

[sludgefingers]

Surprised he rarely uses the bridge pickup - you learn something every day.

[hammerhead7734]

I been jammin to Trower for over 40 years. He's very good. I'm lucky that I got to know of his music when we were jammin to real rock n roll. (before make up, spandex, and girly- hair-do days) Check out Alvin Lee, Stevie Ray Vaughan, George Thorogood if ya like this kind of guitar playing. I practice this kind of music everyday. Rock that wah pedal!

[fatadam16]

@hammerhead7734

how about jack white from the white stripes and johnny winter?

[hammerhead7734]

@fatadam16 Yes, don't forget those 2.

[funkster007]

If anybody deserves the best gear, it's Trower. He's earned it. Talk about a living legend.

[michaelhollo]

Robin's the one true british guitarist that hasn't sold out or faded away. He should be right up there with Clapton, Beck, Page etc.

[poea1019]

@michaelhollo trower rips clapton a new ass hole in my book.

[hammerhead7734]

@poea1019 Clapton puts me to sleep.

[fenderstratguy]

@michaelhollo He's above them both, in my book. I don't consider it a slight at all to the other two players. They're sensational guitarists. But Robin Trower plays from the heart and you can tell it every time.

[lastdaysguitar]

@michaelhollo IMHO Trower's even better than those guys - while a great musician, Claptons lost his edge and sounds derivative, Page is creative yet perennially sloppy, and Beck is just phoning it in these days.

Robin remains a truly revolutionary and relevent player, unfortunately Robin took a major hit with Jimmy Dewar's untimely demise (God rest his soul) stole the combination of perfect guitar with the perfect voice.

Jimmy's input in song crafting is also greatly missed.

Rock on Robin.

[YouzTube99]

@lastdaysguitar: I'd agree with your assessment but for one bit -- why do you think that about Beck?

He continues to change up his band and each new combination pushes him to adapt and improve his playing. Even his contemporaries (Clapton included) say he keeps getting better.

[lastdaysguitar]

@YouzTube99 I agree Becks band is very good - but HIS style and effort has become almost a self parody.

While still able to have moments of brilliance on good nights, much of what Jeff is doing (not his band: they are smokin') is a shadow of the intensity he used to bring. I own one of Jeff's old (Plush 450 W) amps, and have been a fan since the 70's, just my opinion, but I'm standing by it - Beck was great & occasionally shines, Trower consitantly brings more soul & chops to the table.

[lastdaysguitar]

@YouzTube99 PS: unless Clapton has said something to reiterate recently, his comment of Beck "getting better all the time" is over 20+ years old. Even if it is a recent comment, it doesn't intrinsically make it a correct statement. Clapton is a good judge of players, but Beck is also his personal friend.

[shelly1fan]

@michaelhollo I agree he should be up there with the other three (aside from the fact that the major distinguishing factor is that he wasn't in the Yardbirds) but disagree that he is the ONE true british guitarist. Beck has continually pushed the envelope, refusing to be pigeon holed into a style or genre. Listen to Beck over the last 10 years or any period for that matter. Unlike Clapton's ONE solo, Beck is a musical cornucopia.

[gmdinformation]

@michaelhollo I think you mean that Clapton and Page should be up there with Robin. Beck is of course in a whole different ballpark.

[Passion4Blue]

I totally agree with you on every point you made Joemusicman64. Although many other guitarists may have gained more fame, none touch me on the level that Trower does. His music is timeless and James Dewar was one of the best rock singers I've ever heard. So much soul in that voice. Robin in my book is the very best. The emotion that pours out of his instrument is from deep down in his soul.

[sonicbrewz]

The most I think Trower has ever talked about his gear and showed settings. One of the best tones ever!

[TheGuitarMartin]

All of them is Fulltone but the tuner is from Boss.... ha cool!

[TheGuitarMartin]

He forgot the tuner!!!

[CivilizedJerk]

He's 65 and still rockin!!!

[AZmaxblues]

Nice - Thanks

[ebertre]

CONCERT ROBIN TROWER co-billing POINT BLANK

9th Oct. 2010

BOBINO, PARIS 14, FRANCE

info: veryshow.fr

[gtalover139]

lol 69 likes

[bigsherm7]

I had heard years ago that he would be the heir-apparent to Hendrix . . . I guess that was before Satriani, Vai, . . . not to take away from him . . .it's just that you don't hear about him in the states as much as you do some of the others . . . but he's obviously a bluesmaster in the tradition of Clapton and Hendrix . . .

[wisesatyr72]

This guy is way better than Peter Frampton..I think

[44eelz]

so changing the bridge effects the sound too?

[jackerx5]

I was going to buy his signature stratocaster but it over $3,000.00, my regular strat was only $99 dollars brand new

[paweena2009]

It made me so happy to see something recent from him. I was just wondering what he was up to. I have to find out if he's still touring!

[chrissycroken]

he has the same birthday as me and we share the same love of strats haha

[timtipton5071256]

I could listen to him just talk about guitars all friggin' day.....

[440John]

Robin Trower--one of the TOP 5 best-ever rock guitarists!

[mad4mtl]

Legendary!

[ham60]

Thanks for posting this fascinating one of the greats

his playing was and always will be inspirational

[celticduke]

Hello, R.T. is from Essex, in case you could'nt tell!

[joecool3535]

R.T is from UK.?

[Stratomacaster]

One of the nicest guys you could ever meet. Very polite, friendly, and as humble as they come.

I bought the signature series Strat last year. It's an amazing piece of art. It's too bad when I play it, it sounds like "me", and not Robin.

[asparrow]

Trower is king of the axemen

[Frank4268]

One of the all-time BEST guitars players...especially to play a Fender Stratocaster. And also, a true gentleman.

[DougCameraMan]

Great video here. Thanks for posting it. Bridge of Sighs is still one of my favorite albums.

[orlandoCF1]

I know Robin plays mostly new strats, and they all sound great to me. Pure Fender tone. I was suprised to see he uses so many overdrive units and still get that Fender sound though.

[milkycooler]

one spot on the wah!

[JerryHellyeah]

Never understood the comparisons to Hendrix. Of course anyone who uses a wah on a strat will get that, but I've always believed Trower had a MUCH more unique sound.

[x7stringinJSCx]

Robin is my favorite old bluesy guitar player. he is just a jolly old man who loves what he does.

[jmestrella2000]

The fact so many people can state "we spoke after the show, etc." is a clear testament that great talent+humility=longevity and true greatness. Since there is no overblown rock stardom to live up to, all that you see is what you get, a true giant of music.

[bagrat22]

When I heard Bridge of Sighs I was hooked. High school buds broke my chops because I called him the white Hendrix

[born2cruise57]

saw him in Dallas in june, had great sound and still jams like he did in1975. Got to meet him after the show, really nice guy.

[lpvcrcd]

I always felt he sounds like Hendrix more than anyone I have heard . His style -his tone- his runs- and the extended notes always have reminded me of Hendrix When I first heard his "Bridge of Sighs" LP I thought Of Jimi

[v6n4m0d4]

I wounder if he ever tried playing a Malmsteen Strat??? or a Clapton Strat???And why not play a Vintage Marshall??? like a 1959 or Hendrix model? I have so many questions to ask him.

[crosscatch]

I can't imagine RT playing a Malmsteen Strat since tapping isn't part of his schtick. For me, the Clapton modern Strat has too much mid-range. Maybe that's what sounds right -to him - after too much exposure to Marshalls on 11.

[teleevangelist]

I wonder if the middle pickup is reverse wound, reverse polarity, so it will be humbucking with the other two?

[StefanPriceUK]

I got in early and spoke to the tech as he was setting up Robin's gear. Robin used a Cornell Plexi, deja vibe 2, a white Clyde DELUXE wah, a grey fat boost, a not in prpduction yet Robin trower over drive, boss tuner. The tech came over with the overdrive, it was hand painted. I took photos of the settings on everything.

I spoke to Robin later and told him there was a Bridge of sighs patch on the line 6 pod xt live, he asked me if it sounded authentic.

[builditwithlegos]

What did you say?

[uofm97]

I never expected him to have such a thin speaking voice. He just seemed to me that he'd have a slightly deeper voice.

[detroitchuckie]

I went to his concert in Royal Oak, Michigan, and he had nothing but trouble with his stuff. It was very annoying. Always having his sound man crawling around behind the amps.

[scowell]

Notice at 1:08, when they cut from his guitar to one that looks like it, that the stagger is missing from the bridge pickup... not the same axe! Still, he's the man... gotta love Trower, big main influence of mine.

[nvidiavistaturion]

Hay I won this guitar from fender..

It sound great...

Phil in pflugerville tx

[yes9310]

Did you really win it Phil?

[1Delta]

just want to bookmark the effects chain. this video is priceless. thanx for posting this interview.

pick-up position and pedal order is really a treat.

Looks like I still need to get an OCD!

1:45

[LvisE]

I wonder who he would have built an amp for him if Marsall didn't push him on the VM?

[StefanPriceUK]

He uses what he feels like, he never stops changing his gear. In the last few years he has used JCM 900, the Cornell plexi, now Vintage modern, pedals change all the time. He has used lots of amps.

[redstrat8]

damn he stole my guitar

[LeathanL]

Always loved Trowers's playing and tone, and the impromtu vibe of his recordings. Somehow he always manages to sound passionate and intense.

[joemusicman64]

Man how cool is that...one of my favorite guitarists is also a very humble and genuinely good person. He has my all time favorite sound of any guitaist. Rock on Robin. Thanks for all the great tones.

[enforcer4444]

@joemusicman64 You know I think if you met him in public somewhere he would actually sit and take the time to talk to you.One of the few great musicians to not be tainted by muti-platinum success.If you approached him right...I believe he would be a true gentleman indeed.

[ThisIsRuthie]

That was cool. Thanks.

[plasticaholic]

This show was great but he left out lady love.....

[lexist7]

nice guy. long live trower!

[railcar123]

Great info...he a good person too...that means a lot.

[bingefeller]

Interesting he says it's a flat neck but yet the radius is stated as being 7.25"....

[sneha1965]

Yes it is. I guess people used to think the world was flat too.

[carlfia]

got the Trower Strat in Midnight Burst. amazing ax

[hafstrat]

Hi. Trower rocks. Whats the neck like on the Trower strat - thin or thick? thnx

[carlfia]

Not thin, not like an American Atandard either. Reminds me of a '69- early 70's style neck shape and size.

[yes9310]

This is unquestionably the most informative interview ever done of Robin and his effects chain and setting which has traditionally been a closely guarded secret it's always seemed at least on his settings. Great job Harmony and thanks a lot Robin! Long live RT!

[highwayonestrat]

vintage modern heads sweet!

[oxfuzz]

He`s the man. I`ve met and talked gear with him... solid gentleman.

[Snahnacul009]

Yes he always was one of the big guys, but imo immensly underrated!

Looking forward to the new live-dvd with Jack Bruce...

[tayfunb]

such a superb sound he can get... he' one of the greatest that i've ever heard. listen to his works with jack bruce.