Kieth Richards Amplifier

[LunaticFringe]

I really dig the Stones, mainly the gritty stuff. What is a good amp to get for kieth's sound on albums like Let It Bleed, Beggar's Banquet and Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out? I'm looking for his dirty sound from songs like Stray Cat Blues and Midnight Rambler. I really like the versions of those songs that are on Get Yer Ya YA's out, they sound alot rawer. I know he was into Fenders but I cant find any specific information on the internet.

 

[jerryjg]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

Tweed/Blackface Fender reissue or clone.

 

[LunaticFringe]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

Is that what they are called, 'tweed', or is that a term given to a range of amps? I'm actually new to the idea of Fender amps, don't know much about them.

 

[marvar]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

He used Boogies for awhile, but now live, he's back to Fender Twins.
You can go to his website and the area called: "Ask Keith"- if you can get thru all the dribble, you can find a few things that may be helpful. Also remember that he generally strums his guitar up near the neck.

 

[LunaticFringe]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

I'm just interested in what he used in the 60's.

 

[LunaticFringe]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

Sticky Fingers is a good example too. I like the grit on B!tch and Can't You Hear Me Knocking.

 

[marvar]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

From most of the research I've done, he used mainly twins, sometimes thru boogie cabs, sometimes not- but mostly always a twin around nearby- it's hard to tell for sure, he has also mentioned Vox, and Marshall, and boogie.
Also remember he uses lots of open tunings, and mostly stock pickups.
I doubt he could even remember what he used on most of his recordings! But there ain't no doubt when he plays whatever, it's gonna sound like Keef! I don't think anyone else sounds like him. (I guess you can tell he is one of my major influences!)

 

[LunaticFringe]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

Yeah he definately has his own thing going on. I think he uses a twin for cleans with another amp for the dirt but I don't know what that other amp is.

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

Dont forget fulltone's Tap Tube Echo too, and wait for the guy who inveted fire to stop buy, he will give the answer I am sure ...

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

I was always under the impression that it was Ampeg's and Twins.

I think he used Twins in the studio and Ampegs on the road.....might be reverse on that.

One of the great quotes from him was something to the effect of cranking the amp up loud enough so that you're afraid to be in the same room as it.

 

[LunaticFringe]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

Well, cranking a twin isn't an option for me unfortunately . I guess a better question is, what combo could I go out and buy that would get me in the ballpark? Something with early breakup.

 

[marvar]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

I have an old 20 watt class A amp and Fender 57 Squire with a Duncan lil' '59 bridge installed in the neck (set up with 5 strings, open G tuning, of course!) that gets pretty close.
Whatever you choose- it will certainly have to be tube.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

Get a tweed deluxe, either fender's CS reissue, a clone like Victoria, or a kit.

-Now this isn't Keith's 60s live rig, but if you want to sound like Keef at usable/lowish volumes, there is no better amp.

I have a Victoria Double Deluxe, which is part of Ronnie's current live rig. It's unspeakably Stonesy sounding at medium volume levels.

 

[FAC]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

Get a tweed deluxe, either fender's CS reissue, a clone like Victoria, or a kit.

-Now this isn't Keith's 60s live rig, but if you want to sound like Keef at usable/lowish volumes, there is no better amp.

I have a Victoria Double Deluxe, which is part of Ronnie's current live rig. It's unspeakably Stonesy sounding at medium volume levels.

+1 on the small Fender Tweed family...I have the Victoria Deluxe (model 20112)...same as the double deluxe but half the power (hence "double deluxe"). Not much clean headroom, but, as previously stated, ultra-stonesy...put your tele in open G tuning (DGDGBD) and there you go!

 

[Gunny47]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

I can get those tones with my Tweed Twin. Of course, theyre a little loud, but I usually have a tube screamer in front so I can get those nasty tones through that (or sheer volume). LIke mentioned before, higher volume fenders

 

[Stratman]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

I really dig the Stones, mainly the gritty stuff. What is a good amp to get for kieth's sound on albums like Let It Bleed, Beggar's Banquet and Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out? I'm looking for his dirty sound from songs like Stray Cat Blues and Midnight Rambler. I really like the versions of those songs that are on Get Yer Ya YA's out, they sound alot rawer. I know he was into Fenders but I cant find any specific information on the internet.

Ampeg VT 22 when Let It Blend was issued

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

Get Yer YaYas Out was made with Ampeg V4/VT22 amps. If you want the combo, get a VT22, which is just a 2x12 version of the V4.

PS...try a tele with the low E string removed, and tune to open A :scratchch

Oh yeah, one more thing you gotta do to play like Keef...:alcoholic:

 

[jeremy]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

if you cant find an ampeg like he used, try the tweed deluxe that was mentioned earlier in this thread. youll get the sound you are looking for

 

[LunaticFringe]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

Great. So I'm lookin' for an Ampeg or a tweed deluxe. Is that the Deluxe Reverb?

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Kieth Richards Amplifier

Keef has (and does) use any and everything...

Lots of old tweed Fenders and lots of old (and VERY LOUD) Ampeg amps during the 70's

I'll tell ya this...this rig will get me REAL close