Re: Most embarassing question
Rudy has always used a V. He also used stock Gibson pickups. Most of his V's back then were 60/70s models, but he has at least one real deal Korina 58, and prolly more. Back in the late 80s he had a collection of around 40 Vs. God only knows what he has now :laugh2:
Jabs on Hurricane and BCN, it's most likely one of his late 70s Explorers (stock pups), however he did use a Les Paul in a studio (No One Like You is a Paula). His black and candy red Strats were old butchered early 60s models that he put a DiMarzio SuperD in, as well as Floyd Roses.
The only time he used the Strat back then is when he needed the bar. If you don''t hear any bar work on the first 4 albums with him, it's the Explorer or a Les Paul (On LoveDrive he also used a Firebird routed for buckers) He used a crybaby as a midrange filter/boost like Michael Schenker at times, and a Tubescreamer.
Amps were typical of the day, Plexis, NMV 1987s, JMPs and they toured with 800s in the early to late 80s. Rudy's were stock, Mathias mentioned having some tweaks (but no extra gain stage) done to his main studio amp around the time of of the LAFS tour. They both used 50 watters.
Around Savage Amusement (the next album), they started using Riveras and Mathias had the Explorer built for him by the Gibson custom shop (2/3 size body, Floyd Rose), and these became the production Explorer 90.
My God, I'm such a dorky fanboy. It scares me I know/remember all this :laugh2: