Keith Richards Micawber question
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Powdered Toast Man
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Re: Keith Richards Micawber question
Ugh another of these threads. I've been studying and dissecting Keith's tone and playing for the better part of 20 years. I also play in a Stones tribute. There's no evidence whatsoever that Keith has any sort of blended wiring scheme going on in Micawber. The only reason this has become a popular internet rumor is because people need to find ways to justify why every live shot of Keith has the pickup selector switch on the bridge pickup only. Now, if you have an early 50's Broadcaster style pickup and you simply roll the tone control knob back a bit then you will discover there's the Keith tone right there. Now, in the studio that's anyone's guess. Fact is that in the early days of his open-G tuning he was playing all kinds of guitars in 5-string mode. If you watch "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Rolling Stones" I'm pretty sure he's even playing a Strat in open G on Brown Sugar.
NOT TO MENTION that Keith has rotated through probably a dozen or more Telecasters in open G in the last 30 years. Yes, he plays Micawber on certain songs, but there's also Malcolm, Sunny, George, and a number of others. Half of them don't have a humbucker in the neck and that pickup switch is always on the bridge and his tone still sounds exactly the same as when he's got Micawber on.
I've got the Rolling Stones Gear book and it's got detailed photos and explanation on Micawber. Bridge pickup is an early 50's Fender lap steel pickup (which is why you only see two screws holding it in). Neck is a Gibson PAF.
Ugh another of these threads. I've been studying and dissecting Keith's tone and playing for the better part of 20 years. I also play in a Stones tribute. There's no evidence whatsoever that Keith has any sort of blended wiring scheme going on in Micawber. The only reason this has become a popular internet rumor is because people need to find ways to justify why every live shot of Keith has the pickup selector switch on the bridge pickup only. Now, if you have an early 50's Broadcaster style pickup and you simply roll the tone control knob back a bit then you will discover there's the Keith tone right there. Now, in the studio that's anyone's guess. Fact is that in the early days of his open-G tuning he was playing all kinds of guitars in 5-string mode. If you watch "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Rolling Stones" I'm pretty sure he's even playing a Strat in open G on Brown Sugar.
NOT TO MENTION that Keith has rotated through probably a dozen or more Telecasters in open G in the last 30 years. Yes, he plays Micawber on certain songs, but there's also Malcolm, Sunny, George, and a number of others. Half of them don't have a humbucker in the neck and that pickup switch is always on the bridge and his tone still sounds exactly the same as when he's got Micawber on.
I've got the Rolling Stones Gear book and it's got detailed photos and explanation on Micawber. Bridge pickup is an early 50's Fender lap steel pickup (which is why you only see two screws holding it in). Neck is a Gibson PAF.
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Powdered Toast Man
New member
Re: Keith Richards Micawber question
I had Don Mare do up one of his 0038 "Keefer" 10K winds and it's fantastic. Nails that Keith bridge tone.
I had Don Mare do up one of his 0038 "Keefer" 10K winds and it's fantastic. Nails that Keith bridge tone.
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Keith Richards Micawber question
Did you have it wound as a three mounting screw Tele pickup or two screw Lap Steel pickup?
Did you have it wound as a three mounting screw Tele pickup or two screw Lap Steel pickup?
Powdered Toast Man
New member
Re: Keith Richards Micawber question
I got the three screw option. Although maybe it's the lack of third screw that's the secret to his tone... lol
Here's what it sounds like:
I got the three screw option. Although maybe it's the lack of third screw that's the secret to his tone... lol
Here's what it sounds like:
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