Robert Cray Tone on a budget...

[Twitch]

I finally bought Robert Cray's newest cd, "Twenty" and love his clean tones. It's crisp and quacky, very bluesy and standard strat-ish. Given a budget of $200 what pickups would you go with to get in the ball park of this tone?

Right now I'm considering some Fenders, Chubtones, SSL-1's, and Van Zandt True Vintages.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Robert Cray Tone on a budget...

I'd go for a set of Duncan SSL-1 pickups. Just under $150 for a calibrated set of three. Great pickups. Classic early 60's Strat tone and 100% capable of nailing Robert Cray's tone. Lew

 

[walkdmc]

Re: Robert Cray Tone on a budget...

he plays a hardtail so you might want to block your trem if youre playing with a trem guitar. cost?=0! its really all in the fingers though

 

[Artie]

Re: Robert Cray Tone on a budget...

You got me to thinking . . . the Robert Cray Strat is one of my favorites because I don't use the trem. But I have none of his music. I need to get some.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Robert Cray Tone on a budget...

All you really need is a nice Strat with high quality vintage style Strat pickups. Doesn't have to be a hard tail...doesn't even have to have a rosewood fingerboard. And a blackface Fender amp like a Super Reverb.

And the chops, talent and soul....that's the real "must have" ingrediant.

 

[Twitch]

Re: Robert Cray Tone on a budget...

And the chops, talent and soul....that's the real "must have" ingrediant.

Any clue where I could pick some of these up? :smack:

Haha seriously though, I'm playing through a Peavey Classic 30 right now, but am going to sell it and try to pick up an old Champ or a Blues Junior.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Robert Cray Tone on a budget...

Any clue where I could pick some of these up? :smack:

Haha seriously though, I'm playing through a Peavey Classic 30 right now, but am going to sell it and try to pick up an old Champ or a Blues Junior.

There's nothing wrong with the Classic 30. It's a nice little amp.

As for the chops, talent and soul...

Reminds me of the joke:

Q: "Excuse me, but can you tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?"

A: "Sure - Practce. practice, practice!" :laugh2:

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Robert Cray Tone on a budget...

You got me to thinking . . . the Robert Cray Strat is one of my favorites because I don't use the trem. But I have none of his music. I need to get some.

Artie, if you're gonna get one cd of his, get "Strong Persuader"....GREAT disc!!!!


Not only does he play a hardtail Strat, but he also uses a Matchless Clubman w/a Matchless 4x10 cab.

Oh & the talent part kind of helps too !!!

 

[Artie]

Re: Robert Cray Tone on a budget...

Artie, if you're gonna get one cd of his, get "Strong Persuader"....GREAT disc!!!!

I'll buy it tomorrow.

Thanks.
Artie

 

[Twitch]

Re: Robert Cray Tone on a budget...

Anyone seen RC play live? (crossroads doesnt count) I heard he really unleashes his blues playing live, compared to his recordings that is.

 

[KenD]

Re: Robert Cray Tone on a budget...

As far as Robert Cray CD's go, you really can't go wrong with "Heavy Picks" either. (as I quickly click on "Bad Influence" in iTunes... ahhhhhhh, that's nice).

 

[Jackson Distortion]

Re: Robert Cray Tone on a budget...

First, chop your fingers off. Seriously. Then hit a Robert Cray show. Reach out to shake his hand, then chop all his off. Run to the nearest exit (or walk so people can take your picture, post it, and you'll be famous, for something twisted, but back to plan A). Seek the best Modern Medical Team and calmly (calmly, far fetched you say) say, "These are my fingers. I saved them." They will stitch 'em on, but...you won't..be able...to play again....I see, well...

Good luck on that tone cure !

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Robert Cray Tone on a budget...

I've seen him live--one of the best concerts I've been to. He was using a pair of Silver face Twins, and he just rocked.

The Antiquity Surfer set should get you pretty close, too,; I would think. But, $$$$.

Bill

 

[Curly]

Re: Robert Cray Tone on a budget...

gotta love Robert Cray .. I saw him live several years ago. He was playing through a '59 Bassman RI, and a Matchless Chieftain.
I love his rhythm playing - if you listen, you'll hear some very creative stuff, especially for blues based playing

I used to put his stuff on and jam to it a lot, partly because it was easy to get into the groove of his songs.

I heard that there was a set of RC signature pups, but I don't know what became of them ... they were likely slightly underwound SSLs

anyway, I'd go SSLs.. the price on the California set is awefully tempting

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Robert Cray Tone on a budget...

I saw him maybe before or after the "Strong Persuader" album....he was playing the Fenders then too.

Great live, especially with the horns:bigthumb:

 

[sstanfield]

Re: Robert Cray Tone on a budget...

I saw him within a week or two of the Crossroads show. He had some kind of Fender between two Matchless amps. He used five different guitars (3 strats, 2 teles) and switched after every song. Amazing show!

Try Some Rainy Morning. It's my favorite out of the ten I have.