Jeff's Fender Ultra Strat....The first Fender Stratocaster appeared in 1954, and dozens of variations of that model have appeared since. The Strat Ultra is no longer being manufactured, but when it was being produced in the early 1990's (Jeff bought his on November 1, 1991), it was designed the be the ultimate expression of this classic rock guitar. Accordingly, it was fitted with a number of unusual premium features not found on lesser Stratocaster models. Among these are Fender Lace Sensor pickups: a Blue model in the neck position, a Gold model as the middle pick-up, and dual Red Lace Sensors in the bridge position. Each of these pickups has a different tonal character. A dual Sensor switch allows either or both Red pickups to be selected, while a special Master TBX tone controls alter the frequency response of the pickups, filtering high frequencies in one direction, and adding presence and brightness in the other. The guitars neck features a ebony fingerboard with a Wilkinson roller nut to reduce string breakage when using the Deluxe American Standard tremolo. Locking Schaller tuners positively lock the string to the tuning post. Among the many guitarists who are known for their association with the Stratocaster include Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Robert Cray, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Mark Knopfler of Dire Straights, Buddy Holly, Hank Marvin of the Shadows, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, Paul Rodgers of Free and Bad Company, and Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys.
Jeff's Gibson ES335 Guitar...developed in 1958 to combine the best features of both traditional hollow-body and solid body electric guitars, the ES-335 (the "ES" stands for "Electric Spanish") features a solid maple block in the center of the body to reduce feedback. Fitted with two humbucking pickups, the ES-335 can be heard on rock, blues, and jazz recordings. The ES-335 was used by Pete Townsend of The Who during tours in 1976; George Harrison used a ES-345 (a ES-335 variant) with the Beatles in 1965, while Eric Clapton used a ES-335 with the Yardbirds, Cream and Blind Faith. Alvin Lee of Ten Years After, Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, and many others also use the ES-335.
John plays precision style basses. Precision basses were one of the most common types of basses played in the classic rock era. They can be heard on most of the classic rock albums providing the low end tone that drove those songs. One of his basses is a Fender Precision bass, Highway One series, that has 70's styling and a Badass Bass bridge. The other is a Carvin B-4 made in their custom shop. John had the bass built with a mahogany body for deep wood tones, and the electronics set up to his specs. Both basses are stringed with flat wound strings. These basses provide the classic rock tone that we have listened to for years.
Patrick plays rhythm guitar on a Taylor 510ce L9 short-scale 6-string acoustic guitar. It's a dreadnought-shaped guitar with a Venetian cutaway. The back, sides, and neck made of tropical American mahogany, the top made of Engelmann spruce, and the headstock overlay and binding of Indian rosewood. The fretboard and bridge are made of ebony, with abalone snowflakes for the fretboard inlays. The guitar has built-in pickup electronics, Taylor's Expression System. This "short scale" Taylor is a little different than most Taylors due to the 5/8th-inch shorter neck length, which reduces string tension and fret spacing, making this a very playable guitar.
Here's Rob, rocking on his Slingerland set with Engine14 at the Hard Rock Café in Washington, D.C.Rob's Slingerland has served him well for many years. He usesa 22” medium ride cymbalwhich is a superb all-around ride and provides a great mid-range pitch. Rob recently purchased a Pearl P2000C Eliminator Chain Drive Bass Drum Pedal. The chain drive pedal features the interchangeable cam system and comes with 4 uniquely shaped and color-coded cams. The Black Cam is Pearl's original linear-feel cam. The White Cam is also linear, but larger in diameter for a lighter feel and increased power. The Blue is offset and starts with a light feel at the beginning of the stroke but accelerates with speed and power upon impact. The Red is radically offset and provides great response for sensitive footwork and extreme power upon impact. All cams attach and detach easily with the push of a button.
Jeff's newest acquisition, a JM1000 by RainSong. Borrowed from the Rainsong website: "How do you describe RainSong's JM? Three words: loud, loud, and loud. And if that's not enough, it's also loud. This is the largest body RainSong builds. The sheer size, combined with the attributes of Projection Tuned Layering™ make the JM one of the loudest acoustic guitars on the planet. This guitar is loud. We had to say it again. But the JM is not just about power. The narrow waist and some layering refinements specific to the Jumbo soundboard give the JM some real fingerstyle grace. The guitar is strong, but impeccably balanced, with bass, mids and trebles distinct, clear and, dare we say it again, loud." No body braces, no soundboard braces, no truss rod....this thing is ready to launch into space and survive re-entry into the atmosphere! It does come with electronics (RainSong Element On-Board System by L.R. Baggs) so we hope to hear it at a E14 gig soon. :-)
