Steve Farris and Dann Huff's Secret Weapon!

[@TexasJackdaw]

I was a musician in the Christian music biz back in the 80s. Dann was the guitarist/Co-Lead vocalist in the 1st version of the band Whiteheart back then. Had a chance to share the stage with them several times. Dann was always approachable and kind with his time talking gear. This was before he launched Giant with his brother. Dann is now a very successful producer in Nashville - still going strong. I have always loved Dann’s work as well as Steve’s talent. First time watcher of your content - immediately subbed and rang the bell. Cheers from Texas, US 🙏

[@RichardWatson]

This is SO cool, man - love hearing these kinda stories!

[@eddiea3251]

I saw Giant back in the early 90's here in Memphis open for Heart. I was familliar with Dann and his Brother David from the two Whiteheart albums I had back in the mid 80's. I also had an album by Matthew Ward that Dann played on and it was awesome.

[@brainrussell6811]

Farris was a underrated player... his tone/playing on the "Welcome to the Real World" album still blows me away... he can bring it live, as well. And as always, you absolutely nailed his sound and playing. Your passion is always apparent and appreciated.

[@RichardWatson]

Farris is awesome, man! That album has some simply fabulous guitar playing on it. Thank you, Brian!

[@BigHairyGuitars]

What!? 😮😮😮. Fascinating!!!!

[@RichardWatson]

I know, right?! Such an oddball pedal too! Hope you're good, man!

[@BigHairyGuitars]

@@RichardWatson Thanks! Doing great. BTW, the cleans you played in this vid are fantastic. Actually, ALL of the tones. 🙌

[@johanrautenbach]

Can I just say you 2 gentlemen make some of the best Kemper profiles around.

[@Scratch_Monsters_Golf]

Most underrated channel on KZbin. Great stuff as always.

[@RichardWatson]

Ah, means a lot, John - thank you!

[@JaehaPark]

Everyone knows about the HM2 and it's role in creating the Swedish death metal sound but no one could've predicted this use of it! I'm amazed! The blending of real amp and HM2 tones in a mix really brings out the grit.

[@tomatengarage5608]

Sorry, but I didn't know about that... Thanks for that Info.

[@garethmccash5986]

Love Dann Huffs playing. He can shred but he also has feeling while playing fast.....& his tonal palette is amazing. Also your playing is pretty sweet too & that colab track sounds like I need to hear it.

[@RichardWatson]

Yeah man! Dann has got so much soul in his playing and fabulous technique. Ludicrously underrated guitar player except for with those who are in the know.

[@bwm5150]

Great video Richard! I heard about Farris having one but didn't realise Dann did too! Killer!

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks man!

[@XavierRadix]

Wow! That was a total surprise to me, this secret weapon! I'm definitely digging the sounds you're getting out of it. Also, 100% do we need a video on that Valley Arts. What a stunning plank of wood.

[@RichardWatson]

Yeah! It's an oddball, right?! And yes, VA video is definitely on the way!

[@DaveWeberMusic]

I just love your videos about Dann Huff. You do such a great job!

[@RichardWatson]

Ah thanks so much, Dave!

[@DaveWeberMusic]

@@RichardWatson Just curious...do you think that Dann is under-appreciated as a guitarist? It's so rare that anyone talks about him as being among the greats.

[@RichardWatson]

@@DaveWeberMusic I think he's very highly revered amongst professional musicians, also anyone who's hip to the "session cats" as an interest. There's also a lot of guys who are hip to Giant (as an 80's/90's hard rock band) but if you're comparing him to the likes of Dave Gilmour or Slash then, by that bench mark, he's probably pretty damn underrated. In my mind, the likes of Landau, Huff, Luke, Shawn Tubbs, PJJ are literally amongst the top 0.1% of musicians on the planet. And most of the general public wouldn't know any of those names. But we know and love those players and I'm absolutely cool with that. For the most part, not being "famous" hasn't hurt their career's in the slightest. Dann's probably the most well-known producer in Nashville!

[@DaveWeberMusic]

@@RichardWatson I appreciate this. I'd say that Steve L is way better known that Dann but I suppose that's far. In addition to being a prolific session player, Steve L. was/is in a very successful original band. I'd agree that the other guys you mentioned are also not well known by the public. Thank you.

[@RichardWatson]

@@DaveWeberMusic Totally! Luke is definitely better known because of Toto!

[@57Techboy]

Very interesting and informative video. I'm always looking for different colours for guitar tones. I love the sounds of the '80s guitar rigs; they have such wonderful textures. Thank you for your insight. Cheers, Perry

[@TheGuitaristFrom1984]

After watching your video, I immediately ordered an original HM-2 to achieve this tone!

[@AngelLeppard]

I love Dann Huff, I have an obsession with his work 😂. Didn’t knew he used a Boss HM-2, but in the Instructional Video he said he was playing with a Boss pedal. Eric Clapton and Gilmour used one too.

[@StanleyCullerEsq.]

Rich, you've gotten so fantastically natural on camera! And your playing, as it's always been, continues to be fiery and interesting.

[@RichardWatson]

Ah that's very kind of you, man! I'm working on it! And thank you for the nice comment about my playing!

[@davidsummerville351]

Saw Dan Huff twice live. He was incredible, no exaggeration.

[@RichardWatson]

I'm seriously jealous, man! That's awesome!

[@chrislestermusic]

Great singer. Can’t wait to hear the song. Your tone and playing are smoking as usual and we have so many favorite guitar players in common.

[@RichardWatson]

He's awesome, man! Amazing writer too. Thanks so much, Chris! And yeah man, similar taste in guitars too!

[@TheLexluthier]

I bought one 40 years ago, got it home and plugged it into my Princeton and thought it was horrible, LOL! I traded it away decades ago. Since then, I found a ton of players used them, like David Gilmour, Steve Hackett, Shawn Lane, etc... I found another old one cheap a few years ago, got it home and plugged it in, and still thought it was horrible. LOL! After listening to things some of these guys used it for, I can sure hear it. I guess it's not a sound I particularly care for, but just in case I need that sound, I'm hanging onto the pedal. Maybe it will come in handy someday.

[@RichardWatson]

Yeah, I see them as more of a "colour" for specific recording applications rather than a main OD or distortion box. They work really well in a track that also has real amps (or more conventional overdrive pedals) present, since there is "synthetic" thing about the Heavy Metal pedal that provides some contrast!

[@deanrobertnoble138]

As a young player in 1988, i bought an original made in Japan pedal. I hated it too and just stuck it in a cupboard for 33 years. I then found out the Swedish metal guys were loving them. I sold it on ebay for silly money, at least compared to the few quid i paid in the 80s. Would have kept it had i ever liked it. Still have my original Marshall Guv’nor from the same period; loved that though and still do.

[@jayboy6895]

O hell yes. There she is. What a beauty 🤘 👌 😎

[@lukather1]

Brilliant !! ❤ Valley Arts and a Tyler !!! Great combo !!

[@MusicTherapyLaz]

I've got a Boss HM pedal... was a gift from a friend who knows I'm into 80s metal tones! Thanks for sharing this... very cool, man! Subbed!😎🤘🎸🐦

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks so much!

[@GazMoz78]

Oh aye, casual "I got a Valley Arts" bomb drop there 🤣 great playing

[@RichardWatson]

This cracked me up, man!

[@jamesmillington2001]

Great playing as usual and that Valley Arts fiddle is especially ossum. David Gilmour is another HM2 user. It was used all over the "Momentary Lapse of Reason" album, in particular, the intro of "On the Turning Away"

[@RichardWatson]

No way! I did not know that - thanks James!

[@jaycareaga9929]

Danns secret was the series/parallel switches on his Tyler guitars. The bridge pickup in parallel was a big part of his sound.

[@ArthurVere]

Fantastic tune Rich. Always sounding fantastic whatever you're playing.

[@RichardWatson]

Thank you, brother! Your recent videos are looking and sounding great!

[@Phoebedumplings]

Love The Valley Arts !❤

[@colinrobertson4569]

Very cool. This is similar to the jhs bad monkey video. Any pedal sounds great in the right situation and in the right hands.

[@RichardWatson]

I hadn't actually checked out the JHS video until you mentioned it! Hilarious! Josh is so dead pan; cracks me up!

[@slapitman]

You Sir are a real oxymoron. You love late 80's early 90's session pros particularly in the AOR and session genre but you look like a member from the Cure! Love your passion as I share the same but you look so different from what one would expect.

[@RichardWatson]

Ha! Thanks, man! I take that as a compliment! I'm massively into bands like Nine Inch Nails, STP and Smashing Pumpkins so that's probably where that comes from!

[@slapitman]

@@RichardWatson As do I mate. I love Dann Huff, Steve Farris and Lukather aswell. Another player who is a session machine that gets forgotten is Kee Marcello - amazing player. Very similar in his ability yo be fit in and just provide whats needed. Please do a video on him - he deserves more wide spread awareness.

[@krisrichardsguitar]

Such a killer video as always buddy!

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks brother! Loved the track you put out recently!

[@sherbuel]

great playing /sound richard !!

[@RichardWatson]

Thank you, Stephane - same to you, my friend- killer playing!

[@jamujesperandersen8699]

Steve Lukather also used it on the Farenheit album - I believe. Eric Clapton heard Lukather using this pedal on a session and wanted one too.

[@RichardWatson]

Ah, no way! That's so cool!

[@piermarzano5748]

Hi Richard that's a good shot... Never guessed HM2. Would you kindly suggest some settings both on stomp and amp? In your opinion better into a clean or edge of breakup or distorted (OD style)? Thank you for your time in taking this excellent video and thank you for your answer. Peace. Pier 😊

[@RichardWatson]

Hey Pier! Thanks man! When I used the HM2, it was only ever into either a clean or slightly pushed amp. I also found the useable range with the HM2 is fairly narrow. From memory, each control kinda sounds best within the 11-1 o'clock range. From there, just tweak to accommodate your individual guitar!

[@tomatengarage5608]

Congrats to your Valley Arts Custom Pro! I bet, Michael Caswell would be proud of you (Rest in peace, dear Michael...!). Can't wait to see your (old) new guitar in action. Which Serial# is yours? Back to this Video: it's amazing how good the Boss Pedal sounds in context/in the Mix. That means, everyone should experiment a lot to finally found something that will work out so damned good!!! And, as Andy Timmons always mentions: it's all just personal preference. What will work for you, doesn't work necessarily for anybody else.... Hm,I guess, life would be to boring if it was that easy 🙂. Anyway, great Video, Rich. Thumbs up. Best Greetings from Germany. Michael

[@RichardWatson]

Hey Michael, great to hear from you, man! Mine is 1491; it used to be owned by a session guitarist called Pablo Padilla (who was actually friends with Mike and used to live near Mike's place in Spain). And yes, totally agree. This pedal sounds pretty weird in isolation but the fact that it sounds nothing like an amp is actually great from an overdubbing perspective! Hope you're well, Michael. Best, Rich

[@alandruano7206]

Cool!! Thanks, didn’t know about the pedal And thanks for being sincere 😹

[@RichardWatson]

Yeah it's a fun little sleeper! Fairly narrow application but great as a "colour".

[@marcusviniciusferreira5578]

Hi man! Great playing! Whose song is it in the beginning of the vídeo and In the mix part?

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks man! A Canadian artist called Matthew Alexa. I've done a whole record for him- I'll let you know when it comes out!

[@tg4878]

Wonderful stuff here! Do you do session work Richard?

[@RichardWatson]

Yeah man! Since I was around 18 years old, in one form or another. Mostly live work but, now more than ever, a lot of remote studio work!

[@tg4878]

@@RichardWatson To show you what I do, I can send you a finished track to see if it is to your liking! If you like what I do, how can I contact you? Peace and good health!

[@mikevigano1]

Excellent 👍👌

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks so much!

[@anthonylove821]

What kind of guitar model is that? I love that fiery red color so beautiful What does it go for price wise? Thank u😊

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks man! That's my Valley Arts Custom Pro. They vary a fair bit price-wise... I'd say between 4-6k on average but they can go up to over 12k for a famous user model (such as the one which is on Reverb currently).

[@anthonylove821]

@@RichardWatson thanks for the reply. Oh, that’s all. Lol😂 Way out of my budget. But beautiful guitar. ❤❤❤❤

[@grantcodron9737]

The tones in the first 30s of this film! Exactly what I've been looking for for like 25 years! Thank you! What's the name of the song by the way?

[@RichardWatson]

This is an unreleased track by a friend of mine called Matthew Alexa. I've done a whole record for him in this style, I'll let you know when it's released! Thanks for the kind words!

[@grantcodron9737]

Thank YOU for the lovely tones

[@warwickgb]

Hi Richard, I loved your plying at the start of the video. I remember Steve Farris and always thought he was a quality guitarist. I know your channel lo9ks at L.A session guitarists, but your sound reminded me of the late Alan Murphy from the 80’s. I wondered if you rated his playing at all?

[@RichardWatson]

Hey man! Thanks so much! I discovered Alan really late (literally the last year or so) but I quickly became a big fan! He's somewhere between Farris and Holdsworth. The plan is to put together a "Session Heroes" episode on Alan in the future! Thanks for the kind words!

[@warwickgb]

@@RichardWatson Hey Richard, that sounds great, I will look forward to seeing that! Apart from his work with Go West, one of my favourite tracks is Warning Sign by Nick Heywood ( but don’t tell anyone I told you) if you haven’t heard it, check it out. Warwick

[@JKHmusic]

Hi Rich i am a massive Dann fan and love his work esp. Giant. Also Steve Farris is so underrated and I love Mr Mister. When will the Matthew Alexa track be released? It sounds terrific!

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks so much, man! Always stoked to meet another Huff/Farris fan! I'm not sure what Matthew's plans are for release yet but I can tell you the album is KILLER! He is a truly superb songwriter and musician. I'll definitely post about it when the record comes out!

[@peterjepps1229]

For a minute I thought you had gone to the dark side and were going to do the swedish bees in a can 😂. Boss hm pedal was the pedal for a couple of years. before then in the UK only could get boss od if really lucky, sd 1, DS1 or a Ratt . An sd1 before a Marshall or MIAB is standard eighties rock and hard to beat.

[@RichardWatson]

Haha! Yeah, I'd picked up on the whole "Swedish Chainsaw" thing! It's a bit go an oddball, for sure but there's some cool sounds in there!

[@christianboddum8783]

Wasn't Eddie VH using one on Beat it? I've read that somewhere in the past. FWIW P.s. Don't overlook the Digital Metalizer, if you ignore the chorus and delays it is a very unique overdrive that sits perfectly between overdrive and distortion!!

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks Christian! I shall check it out!

[@matsnermark5603]

While I think the pedal was a fun listen, I'm really interested in knowing what compressor you used for the clean tone at 4:31. Care to share your secret?

[@RichardWatson]

Hey Mats, I use the Mini Eco Comp by Wampler - great compressor!

[@matsnermark5603]

@@RichardWatson Thank you!

[@gtrchum]

I had no idea either. I remember him using a boss metal zone I believe it was once so it doesn’t surprise me that he would use this pedal but I would have never guessed!!! Great video. Is that pic of Dann’s gear or Steve Ferris?

[@RichardWatson]

Hey Shawn! Thanks man! The photo is Jerry McPherson's rig from that period. He was kind enough to share that photo of his Amy Grant era rig; Jerry is who told me that Dann was using the same pedal back then!

[@scottyecora]

Steve Lukather signature Valley Arts guitar! You are a bit of a fan, aren't you?

[@RichardWatson]

AbsoluteIy, man! I love that whole era of session players! The VA is a cool piece of that history!

[@scottyecora]

@@RichardWatson I play an EBMM Luke II, but I would not mind playing a Valley Arts. It's collector stuff, now!

[@yurylebedev1871]

David Gilmour also used this pedal

[@RichardWatson]

No way! Super cool to know!

[@lastrolo1517]

I bought it when it first came out and couldn’t get on with it at all so it was traded! Ho hum! 🤣

[@pathackett3958]

Is it better with EMG's vs passive pickups?

[@RichardWatson]

Works great with both! These old EMGs are not particularly high output at all, they just sound very "hi fi".

[@stjepanherceg7365]

What's the name of the intro song? Is it one of your original compositions?

[@RichardWatson]

That track is one of many songs I've worked on with my friend and musical collaborator Matthew Alexa! Eventually there will be an album released!

[@stjepanherceg7365]

@@RichardWatson I could've sworn it was a banger from the 80s :D Sounds really good, can't wait to buy your album! BTW: I see you're selling Kemper Profiles, any chance you'll do Neural Amp Captures, which are more accurate than Kemper or Tonex captures? Would love to buy those and you always dial in such amazing tones!

[@RichardWatson]

Thanks man! @@stjepanherceg7365 As it happens, yes- early in the New Year I'll be making individual amp packs and give folks the option of Kemper, Neural or Tonex!

[@stjepanherceg7365]

@@RichardWatson Wow, awesome! Can't wait to buy them! Thanks for all your amazing work and please announce the packs officially so we know when they drop! I'll already wish you a happy new year and much success, love and health in it!

[@RichardWatson]

I will do, for sure man! Thanks so much!@@stjepanherceg7365

[@jaysmesa]

Are you mixing in immersive audio such as Atmos?

[@RichardWatson]

Hey Jay, honestly I have literally the worst room, acoustically-speaking! I've been thinking of picking up some of the Slate headphones to give myself a fighting chance!

[@gimlet73]

I've got 3 HM2s and love them. Total 80s Gilmour tones are possible, and absolutely nails Mr Mister tones. Loves running a Boss Compressor into it. Make sure you use a 12v power source - you'll get much usable tones from it IMHO

[@RichardWatson]

I'll have to try that- thanks!

[@MrJalfguitar]

Kemper player ????

[@RichardWatson]

Both!

[@gregorywall7586]

I never understood why anyone would want to collect gear to get close to a certain artists sound? You wont sound anything like them, or at least, as close as you think you would. So you now have Mark Knopflers tone.... So now what?

[@RichardWatson]

Yeah, a totally valid point. I think, naturally, many players are also big into the gear side of things and, although it's a mistake to believe that a piece of gear will make you sound like that player (practice is much more important), it's nonetheless interesting to experiment with different tools. With so much gear out there, looking towards your favourite players is never a bad place to start and, sometimes, a piece of gear will actually contribute something very specific to the sound (think try stereo chorus)!

[@dver4624]

I only stumbled onto your channel recently. It's outstanding. You are an awesome player and presenter, and your gear is very drool-worthy. I'm thinking of modifying one of my Fenders to turn it into a cheapo Dann Huff Tyler rip-off with the fancy switching. Have you had much experience with active single coil pickups? If so, what are your thoughts?

[@RichardWatson]

Hey man! Sorry for the unforgivably slow response. My VA Strat has old EMGs in it. They are very hi-fi sounding and clean. Dann actually tended to favour old Seymour Duncan Hot Stacks which, rather than being active, are stacked passive pickups (to eliminate noise). The active part of his guitar is the Tyler mid boost (made by Demeter), the mini switches are series/parallel. Sooner or later, I'll get something from Tyler with the Huff electronics. My friend Gerry has one with this configuration and it sounds amazing!

[@dver4624]

@@RichardWatson thank you for such an insightful response. I am experimenting with series/parallel switching with humbuckers at the moment and am finding I prefer the parallel setting to a split/tapped coil for most things. Lovely and chimey. Hope you don't mind me asking, but how long did it take you to develop your technique? I've been playing for yonks but am struggling with getting my rhythm and lead playing tight enough to want to record stuff. There is enough bad guitar playing on KZbin - I don't feel there would be any worth in adding to it!

[@JKHmusic]

Hi Rich i am a massive Dann fan and love his work esp. Giant. Also Steve Farris is so underrated and I love Mr Mister. When will the Matthew Alexa track be released? It sounds terrific!

[@RichardWatson]

I sure hope so, man! Matthew is an amazing songwriter and I'm super proud of our collaboration.