Billy Strings Rig Rundown Guitar Gear Tour [2023]

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It’d be hard to argue that anyone has changed their sound as much as Billy Strings has in the last 10 years. If you reference the pre-war traditional collaboration albums he first did with Don Julin (Rock of Ages and Fiddle Tune X), and his solo debut EP Billy Strings, and then witnessed one of his recent high-voltage shows, the songs and sounds are both worlds apart … yet familiarly rooted. He went from opening on the Bluegrass circuit to a crossover festival headliner that’s more Dead than Doc. He’s now filling arenas and amphitheaters as an evening-with performer that often crushes for over three hours by incorporating sideways jams and creative covers. However, each set still includes moments where the four musicians onstage stand around a single mic, just as their bluegrass forefathers did generations ago. So, even as he sends bluegrass into the cosmos, he keeps one foot planted in Appalachia.
Strings shared his thoughts on that juxtaposition during a 2019 PG interview: “Before writing my own music, I used to be boxed in by bluegrass, but enjoying other musical genres made me realize it’s a self-made, transparent box,” he said. “Music should be freeing, with no borders. I want to express myself emotionally with my guitar, however it pours out of me.”
When the Rig Rundown team traveled north to Indianapolis’ TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park, we didn’t know what to expect, but Strings’ full-monty setup did not disappoint. His rig still has delightful dreadnoughts, including some new old friends from Martin, but the many tricks rolled up his sleeve (or in his rack) allows this psychedelic sorcerer to cast spells over audiences all night long. Billy gave an hour to PG’s Perry Bean, where they covered electrifying acoustics, just whose ashes are in his 1945 Martin D-28, and how he continues coloring outside the traditional lines with stompboxes and modelers.
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[Brought to you by D’Addario XS Strings: www.daddario.com/XSRR]
00:00 - D'Addario XS Strings
00:15 - Billy Strings Playing Intro
00:30 - Billy Strings & Perry Bean Intro
00:57 - Experience Playing Doc Watson's Guitar
02:39 - Tonewood Choices
04:14 - "California Sober" with Willie Nelson
05:42 - Playing Trigger
07:02 - Finding Cheap Acoustic Gems
08:23 - Preston Thompson DBA "Frankenstein"
11:05 - Playing Acoustics Through a Kemper & Pedals
17:05 - Guitar Repairs Because of Flying
20:14 - Preston Thompon DBA "The Bride"
22:01 - 1945 Martin D-28 "Jody"
25:34 - Jody Payne's Ashes Inside
27:46 - Martin Custom Shop D-45
29:34 - Picks & Strings
33:45 - 1940 Martin D-28
37:41 - Casio DG-20 Digital Guitar Synth
41:21 - Billy Strings' Pedalboard
© Copyright Gearhead Communications LLC, 2023
#guitar #billystrings #rigrundown #bluegrass #acoustic

[@premierguitar]

Shop the Rig: sweetwater.sjv.io/xkJWY3 Full Rig Details: bit.ly/BillyStrings23RR Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGKZbin Win Guitar Gear: bit.ly/GiveawaysPG Merch & Magazines: shop.premierguitar.com

[@lindamon5101]

I L❤VE YU❤ BILLY STRINGS❤

[@TheBlindGuitarSlinger]

My jaw just hit the floor when he said jody pain. He was my uncle who passed away around 10 years ago who was Willie Nelson‘s rhythm guitar player. RIP.

[@notoriousrjg]

Billy said it himself, Jody’s spirit is on stage with him every night. His ashes in the guitar!!! Wow.

[@TheBlindGuitarSlinger]

IKR that’s crazy! I am trying to get one of Jody’s guitars from my cousin as we speak, but it’s a telecaster. I would love to have an acoustic of his.

[@wshow11]

Your uncle was certainly no slouch! I promise.

[@TheBlindGuitarSlinger]

@@wshow11 oh, I know. Thanks. It’s just weird hearing Billy strings, someone who I strive to play guitar like, talk about him. Freaked me out.

[@wshow11]

@@TheBlindGuitarSlinger Billy is certainly no slouch either dude! lol. I'm probably almost your Uncle Jody's age. (not far behind). And I'm a huge Billy Strings fan.

[@johnr8820]

These dudes were absolutely hitting the Willie stick before this interview 😂

[@dangerrrnick5005]

Absolutely blasted

[@asleepinthealley]

I hope so.

[@claytonbauder8341]

I think you mean the silly Willy psilocybin 😂 they were gone gone. Them glasses tho 😂

[@DontLetTheOldManIn]

My guess is Billy's operating on Willie power while interviewer is on about 3 Red Bulls. Just seems a tad tweaked compared to Billy....or maybe he's just nervous?

[@thomasbeardslee1491]

Came here for this. Those pauses are...long. And things go off the rails once in a while.

[@patrickhunter5505]

Another example of how thoughtful Billy is. He didn’t have to do this interview, but he knew a lot of us guitar nerds wanted an update. Thanks man.

[@mattflickinger8151]

This is at least his second one of these, if not third already. Obvi the rig has EXPANDED

[@zachd5242]

Yes sir I’m thankful billy cares about talking the nerdy details we are all just trying to expand our knowledge of the sacred strings lol

[@gustavvader2207]

I’m one of them!

[@mwqs1]

I got a contact high just watching this rig rundown.😂 We love you Billy!!❤

[@premierguitar]

ha! Thanks for watching!

[@Wizard_of_Bong]

Hahaha me too, just watching him made me feel a little stoned. What a legend.

[@mr.espeedshop4839]

🤣 so accurate

[@anthonycrook1987]

ain't it so, can't tell no lies when you're in the real. Even when there's the same guitar; amp rig set up, Hendrix will sound like Hendrix. Page, Page. Billy, Billy. or them covering them. can't be any other way.

[@hoshmoggen1746]

I saw the runtime and thought, "how can this be an hour?" Then, when the guy took 10 seconds to come up with the word "rosewood" I thought, "oh, they're stoned."

[@user-jc2fb1jj9f]

i just met Billy on a flight to Nashville, and he sure enough had his guitar in its own seat. lol

[@jimtherevoltor]

😂 love how billy is completely blasted but still plays like a badass, totally respect 🙌

[@matthewpower3062]

i love billy, but it was just as much struggle to watch as it was for him to complete a sentence. But MAN can he work his gear! I never expected such a thorough video and complex setup for a primarily acoustic player! And to play like that while fucked up LOL

[@Jallatt]

Lol. He is extremely California sober. Amazing

[@angelg8445]

why yall assume hes on drugs(even if smokin weed)? he may just be nervous?

[@jimtherevoltor]

@@angelg8445 obviously you’re not a golfer

[@coloradoconcentrates2434]

Flatpickin cabbage

[@chandlerbeaversmandolin]

We need a mandolin rig rundown with Jarrod!!

[@STSGuitar16]

We need a rig rundown for the whole group honestly

[@Andrewjs23]

How can you not love this guy?

[@SyntagmaStation]

There would have to be something seriously wrong with you. A fundamentally corrupt soul.

[@user-qt5eh9wb7g]

The pedals.

[@cm6string]

Bc he tries to play sabbath and zeppelin while dressed like spinal tap

[@RambIinRose]

@@cm6string he doesnt try, he succeeds

[@cm6string]

@@RambIinRose same

[@_dnk]

the second i saw this i dropped everything and watched the whole thing

[@davidzimmerly7354]

Same

[@keylearning5746]

Safe to say Doc would be a big fan of Billy Strings.

[@QuervoJones]

I love how he just randomly goes into a lick. Sometimes as a response to a question. Sometimes while the interviewer is talking. Bro legit talks through that guitar

[@Bob-Whiting]

Blue-grass cat with an amusement park pedal-board. Then he's so humble, he says "I don't know what the hell I'm doin' " Love it man.

[@hillsmith]

Truly gifted human. Shares his gift, and the world is a better place for it. Thank you, Billy.

[@PETRAMOTION]

And still humble enough to say he’s taking a lesson from someone else

[@crocodilegrundee4514]

Yes a very humble man, that’s what makes him so good. He still takes lessons from other people and organizations. He realizes there’s ALWAYS something still to learn.

[@LicksoftheLegend]

This is amazing! Is this possible the most stoned rig rundown of all time?

[@PorkPioneer]

I was looking for someone else who noticed this lmao. I started laughing to myself 4 minutes in when I realized billy obviously offered to smoke this guy up before the interview, made him smoke way too much because the guy didn't wanna say no to weed from billy, and then he got carried away and ended up smoking way too much himself. And this is what happened next.

[@LicksoftheLegend]

@@PorkPioneerman that’s so funny that’s exactly what happened!

[@rylieriley]

Billy is so dang cool 😎. I love the way he's so laid-back and talkative 😂. This is a fun rig rundown.

[@michaelwas8549]

This guy is a great interviewer. Doesn't talk over the guests. Good stuff. Billy is awesome

[@stepitupandgo67]

Wow this was probably the best rig rundown ever!!!

[@jessefillmore]

40:28 Billy is stoned to the bone and in the groove, YEAH !! That's why they call it dope ! LOL Perry is uncomfortable , just wanting Billy to stop so he can get through the rundown LOL

[@lindamon5101]

Jealous much?

[@anewlevel622]

I've watched a lot of these and this was by far the best one. What a life he has created for himself BMFS🎸

[@christopheryack580]

I'm new to playing guitar...and new to Billy Strings....he is amazing. Not sure what I enjoy more...hearing him talk or hearing him play

[@calvin99991]

Dude is just an average guy like the rest of us, but was blessed with out of this world skills. How can you not love this guy?

[@lindamon5101]

Blessed with Dad who loved hum& gave him this gift

[@trevormekelburg3773]

First episode someone was sprinkled back in their guitar for sure.

[@phillipasby9202]

Super fun exploration of how Billy gets his live sounds ... he is, like Greensky etc..., pushing the boundaries in a very creative way!

[@hoshmoggen1746]

"Exploration" is a kind way to put it. "Meandering and tangential journey" is what I'd go with.

[@sshatrow84]

Probably the best rig rundown. I really appreciate how candid he is about everything and just really showing us how each guitar sounds, how his overall setup with various amps and DIs make up his stage sound, and how he uses each effect. I really appreciate Billy taking us along for the ride and opening up the hood for us.

[@mojorayjones]

Billy is very generous with his presentation about his rig.

[@scott83074]

Still accepting lessons. That's why he'll always be successful

[@mikemostella506]

He is simply amazing. Playing seems as natural as breathing.

[@Twinsdad6]

I don't know how much more personable Billy could be. Down to earth and sincere. Does an hour interview and you just like him more and more.

[@lindamon5101]

Love❤

[@Thekarlskorner]

What a wonderful compliment from a super talented young man showing his deep respect for the giants of country guitar. Thank you for this thoughtful video.

[@andorrasrevenge1683]

Perry always steps up and gets these folks talking about their gear and i really appreciate that!

[@suziki97]

Thank you, Billy! Always find myself smiling and shaking my head when you play. Love you billy!

[@TheBlackHarrington]

His strings always sound brand new

[@CleanHead]

Well when you got a guy who's job is to put new strings on it everyday....

[@1HYB]

HELL YEAH! Can't wait to see Billy this fall. I love listening to him talk about his rig. Thanks Premier Guitar!

[@SyntagmaStation]

What a sweet, endearing young man. So talented yet so humble. Gives me hope.

[@chickenpattyg]

Perry is amazing at interviewing and connected through heart. Billy is a spooky talent

[@codynass6095]

asks all the right questions and truly has passion for what they are both talking about. great interview

[@jakenunnally2639]

Awesome, Billy! Love that you took the time to do this, I can't even imagine what your own experimental jam sessions are like with a pedalboard like that!

[@charlesstafford3457]

One of the best episodes ever!!! Thanks Billy not what I exspkected… gonna watch it again!!!

[@K2nugent]

We’ve all been waiting for this treat! Thanks Billy and the rig rundown team you guys are the best!!

[@NickBernzz]

Been waiting for this for so long! Thanks so much, everyone! Definitely answered a few questions i had!

[@hessex1899]

To be fair $700 in 1969 is just under $6000 today. :) It really puts Phil Lesh's $30,000 in 1973 bass into perspective.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

15 000 of Phil's price tag came from the cost of all the extra knobs and another 10 for all the sheep used to make the strap.

[@hessex1899]

@@buckodonnghaile4309 Those Jupiter filters were imported from literally Jupiter, also. You know some machinist from Detroit routed out the body and the analog control boards were all lost. Rick Turner, may he rest in peace, posted an absolutely vitriolic comment about it in a forum. It really stuck in his craw. He later, just before passing, restored the body of the bass and managed to locate the original pickups. I believe that Gruhn got it after that.

[@travis9368]

Imagine going into a guitar camp and Billy Strings sits down next to you as a fellow student. I'd put my guitar down right then and there and just sit back and watch.

[@guitardoctordon]

I was there! He never made you feel that way. What a humble dude. And nobody new he was coming. Total surprise!

[@travis9368]

@@guitardoctordon that's awesome! I bet that was a really cool experience. I'm jealous

[@Hello-pl2qe]

Down to earth and humble. Coolest interview I've seen on rig rundown.

[@chickenlickin3820]

Wonderful Billy!

[@davestagner]

Billy is such an utterly pure musician.

[@AndrewRembel]

That was a great episode. Really awesome demo of the gear. To be able to play that well while he's off with the pixies shows he's got music in his soul.

[@premierguitar]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@zachd5242]

Billy is literally the best love this guy! keep picking them strings and smoking them greens 🥬

[@collinplummer8724]

Billy is literally like this in every interview ive ever seen him in. Stop all the hating 🫠

[@MrHeliosoul]

This was captivating. Thanks for the update!

[@cyruss2946]

Impressive set up. Thanks for sharing your tone ideas. Thumbs up

[@TheMujiFuji]

Thanks Billy! Very interesting setup and some excellent guitar stories!

[@mwdollar]

The pride of Michigan!! My absolute fav! OMG that 40 D28... When Billy busts out the DG-20 I bet the band was starting to sweat, especially with that ending drum fill lol. Thank you for posting this.

[@samisrael3165]

Host does a great job with this, kudos. Thanks Billy!

[@martinrowland2774]

That was freaking incredible. Got to see him play that weird synth-guitar thing at Floydfest a few years ago. What a great time. That show blew my mind.

[@GratefulGrove]

Billy, you are so awesome. Thank you!

[@shawnporter3563]

Mickeys ashes in the old Martin was a moment for sure! ty~ @ 26:00

[@obligatoviolinandguitarsho1669]

Jody…..

[@__AFA]

Love a good acoustic rig, thanks for taking the time, Billy.

[@tpaine1968]

The best rig rundown ever …Thank you Billy for doing this….

[@Bluesman78]

Saw Billy live at an outdoor venue in Maine this week. What an amazing performance it was pouring like crazy and everyone was vibing.

[@sunportred7921]

I was there in Portland both nights and I was completely transported. 2 of the best shows I’ve ever been to in my life man Billy is so fuckin good. One of the best guitar players I’ve ever witnessed

[@TheHamburgler123]

I just saw him at his festival (Renewal) in Buena Vista, CO last weekend.. Such an epic weekend. The venue was absolutely unreal as well. The snow capped peaks of the Rockies in the background, incredible sunsets and Billy & the boys just melting faces. Almost too good, man.

[@goldenbuffalo15]

Thank you to Premier Guitar and Billy for doing another rig rundown. I love geeking out on all the gear and seeing those 40s Martins.

[@dontdoit6986]

the waitlist for Thompson guitars just went from 12 months to 24 months because of this dude. Lol

[@emmadoodoo2]

One of the best Rig Rundowns EVER!

[@lindamon5101]

Billy Strings the best in the world we l❤ve y❤u

[@andyk9623]

I finally got to see Billy play in Chicago and he was just so amazing. I love his creativity and uniqueness in the jam band scene. It’s also nice to see a truly talented musician who is so humble become such a star.

[@JohnGauge790]

Man his tone and technique is so nice. You can tell his journey to where he is was deliberate and paced over years. Great interview

[@1TruckerGreg]

Really loved watching this you rock Billy!

[@daweed1095]

I freaking love Billy.

[@Rob-fd6si]

This was everything and more that i jad hoped it would be. Hanging on stage with Billy and him opening up his chest of toys. Great presentation

[@LuckyInCards]

A very generous interview from a truly phenomenal talent. The 1940 Martin sounds so authentic.

[@LesPaulVOS]

Thank You Billy for sharing. Fun watch.

[@TheRealKingVitaman]

Billy innately knows the fretboard - and his pedal tones - as well as any virtuoso on the planet does. Wow!

[@SonicRave1]

Man, I work at TCU Amphitheater and worked both nights of BS. That’s totally cool!

[@stevebean1543]

Great to see a rig rundown done in my hometown! I didn't get to see Billy there, but I did see the Tedeschi Trucks Band at that venue recently. Great place to see a show.

[@feralforestfairy]

Oh my laughed so hard at 33:21 Stoked for this rig rundown! Thank you Billy!💙🤠

[@josepharmento8199]

I was at both Indy shows! The whole band was absolutley amazing!

[@ybblue2732]

Wow, just started watching more Billy Strings and this is released an hour ago. What Da!

[@Swampfox42]

Hell yea, thanks for sharing your setup Billy!

[@alexstewart839]

Gotta respect that he wears the appropriate safety eyewear when he handles that DG-20.

[@MrAll300]

cool guy dude...his gear and his style is simply awesome. A man from future!

[@diamonddiamond8853]

Billy Thank You 🙏 for Talking about your 🎸 CHILDREN 🎸 , and Letting US IN YOUR HOME 🏡 , Sudofspeak. This was so informative , just Hearing the Way you Don't Let some 🎸 👀 Guitars Out of your Site 👀.The way you Hold , Care for those Kid's , Travel, etc.🎸. ...After seeing this , I have More Love for You & Your Nurchering Way's 😊 🌈 KEEP ON PICKING BILLY 👋. You are A Astonishing Artist 🎨 ✨️ 🖌 ...

[@Jack-iy6ic]

Awesome video! I need more of Billy talking metal!

[@user-cl9lq7gz7s]

Kool Stuff Billy!! Some great guitars for sure.

[@ShadeHope1969]

Freakin Love this Guy. That was awesome,He loves music and not afraid to explore sound at all. Billy is a Bad ass. A cool modest super talented BadAss, It is what it is, Lol. I love the nerdy shit ,It`s why I watch it,I sit at home and experiment everyday,It`s awesome to see all this and how he uses it, I love it.

[@giannibiancocircus]

Love this💙

[@myco.mantra7008]

Thank you for this. Billy your the mf man! See u again really soon.

[@bajorekjon]

For someone who is that talented to be that humble is very rare and refreshing.

[@stepitupandgo67]

Back in the day I brought my guitar AND amp on the plane, and they stored them for me in the pilot's area...those days are gone forever...

[@Mark-Zhark]

Billy is an American Treasure.

[@KevinEllisGuitars]

Love Billy!

[@skinwalker9083]

awesome

[@lima621]

Spreading Jody`s Ashes into the Guitar.......How absolutely cool and fitting. He literally lives on in his Music! and...every good Guitar has a Soul...spot on!

[@wrenchhead6840]

This was the greatest rig rundown ever…. Billy rippin on the casio guitar was awesome…. This guy knows his gear really well…

[@DJBuglip]

Man, I love this guy.

[@MrSkibumchris]

Get those bad ass looks!! Love it

[@scruffystrat]

what a great kid he is and phenomenal player!! love him❤️🌻

[@henryspencer6653]

Love ya Billy!

[@fodiddlediddle5015]

thanks Billy!

[@shearfury147]

love this... the casio! oh...im dead. great