Rig Rundown: Cory Wong

Hey, what’s happenin’ people?!!! For Cory Wong, who kicks off episodes of his Wong Notes podcast with that question, the answer is he’s currently deep into an international tour-while still recording new episodes, writing music, and producing. But that didn’t stop the prodigious, prolific picker from taking the time during a recent stop at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl to guide us through his rig. By the way, the new season of Wong Notes begins March 9 with a big-deal guest, so stay tuned.
Full Rig Details: bit.ly/CoryWongRR
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[Brought to you by D’Addario XPND Pedalboard: www.daddario.c...]
00:00 - D’Addario XPND Pedalboard
00:15 - Cory Wong Intro
00:37 - Cory Wong's Fender Stratocaster Signature
13:11 - Ernie Ball String Choices
14:48 - Cory's Picking Technique
19:31 - DV Mark Eric Gales signature Raw Dawg heads
24:41 - Cory Wong's Pedalboard
#rigrundown #corywong #guitar

[@premierguitar]

Full Rig Details: bit.ly/CoryWongRR Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGKZbin Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL Merch & Magazines: shop.premierguitar.com

[@Frank_Rizzo]

Any chance you guys are doing an Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats rig rundown while they are in the US right now ??

[@danielchumley4895]

New drinking game idea. Every time Cory says “transient” take a shot.

[@gaggle57]

…and a bong hit every time he says, “nitro.”

[@danielelise7348]

Christ I'm HAMMERED🤤🤤🍶🍸🍻

[@williambaumert7726]

Only partake if you're suicidal or Russian!

[@averyprice9422]

Dead

[@tmmuscics2753]

I died, I’m dead, good job

[@vwharman]

Honestly, his music is so far from anything I usually am drawn to, guitar wise, yet from the first time I heard Cory play, I was hooked. Opened another door of music that I have loved to get into. Dude is so good!

[@rickjason215]

Bores me. I really tried. I just don’t get it.

[@Just_lift_anyone]

Same here vwharman! He got me back into Strats and one of the reasons I got a nice new set of pickups for my 90's Mexican Strat 😁

[@margix1172]

He simply play DISCO the best style EVER

[@KRayxKodessA]

Having seen his Ernie Ball string shoot out video, where he correctly identified each string set... I totally believe him about his body specs, and headstock size spec.

[@Skipray_Blastboat]

100% guitar guru snake oil. What a Fender salesman though!

[@Otis-Isom]

@@Skipray_Blastboat for 99% of guitar players that’s true but for someone like Cory wong playing clean and working with theses instruments for so long he notices. It doesn’t matter for the rest of us mere mortals tho

[@vintagepipesnightmares]

So those guitars with no headstock have absolutely no sustain if a little more headstock adds a little more sustain. It is so so guitarded!!! Don’t believe anything you see. Specially those who sell stuff.

[@ileutur6863]

@@Otis-Isom nobody is denying that Cory is on another level compared to basically everybody here, but guitar players still believe a lot of stuff. Hell, even guitar builders who are intimately familiar with how wood works still believe a lot of stuff that isn't physically possible. I guess it just part of the mentality, no use in disproving it every time

[@Otis-Isom]

@@ileutur6863 I think it’s fair to say that the actual transient is probably imperceptibility different but the way the body resonates and how the note feels to play may be different leading to the effect he discusses. If the note feels different it’s played differently. The extent to which it’s different is debatable and I tend to heir on the side of caution when it comes to marketing and mystique but I could definitely see there being a feel thing for Cory.

[@modelcitizen1977]

He approaches things like an engineer. Redundant settings on pedals to account for errors in pressing the button. A true professional. That Rossie might just end up filling the Super Meatball shaped hole in my heart.

[@shawnmarko7131]

Vertex build video is great too.

[@pascaladesina]

introducing Cory as a podcast host is like calling the Mona Lisa a selfie.

[@TheTapMusic]

I think it's just cause Premier Guitar hosted the podcast; it's be more accurate to call him a 4th position connoisseur

[@ryanriggs9963]

@@TheTapMusicthat is the only correct answer

[@Push_Start_Nova]

Hahaha!

[@DirtyDirkDiggler]

While that looks clever on paper, as an artist I have to point out that that analogy makes no sense.

[@periloustemple8290]

He's so nice and so lovable - and is a completely frightening guitarist! Wow. Great show.

[@p.4890]

His strumming technique is so clean that it kills all the germs on my guitar

[@cenesq]

His "St. Vincent meets Morello" riffing at 33:14 is something else! What a creative use of fuzz.

[@macdad159]

Cory Wong: The Rhythm Guitar Virtuoso. I love his work. He never disappoints.

[@nathanielvargas3863]

I listened to the first half of Cory’s interview with John Mayer today and it was everything I hoped for. In fact it was so good that then listened to his Carlos Santana interview and his Robben Ford interview.

[@seymourduncan]

LETS GOOOOOOO

[@terrymiller111]

The selector defeat idea is sweet. Smart man. Fourth is my all-time favorite Strat position as well.

[@HZZKN]

Just want to say I really love these videos where the artists get into the details like pick technique and speaker choices etc. ! A very rewarding watch

[@premierguitar]

Glad you like them!

[@ms321892]

Such a damn good player, and totally chill and modest guy. That iconic Strat sound suits his playing perfectly.

[@DannyWoodMusic]

DUDE. I really want a Cory Wong Signature strat now. I mean, I did before, but now I REALLY want one.

[@pappabearlee8938]

Love everything Cory does! Thank you for the rig rundown!

[@meriam4109]

Cory Wong, what a nice guy. Down to earth but an incredible guitar player. It was a pleasure to watch.

[@BoyAditya]

This is definitely one of the best John bohlinger rig rundown

[@MrAwesomeSaucesome]

Yes! Troy Grady's channel is a bloody gift!

[@hitnorcal]

Cory had great explanations. I love that most about rig rundowns. When they explain the how and why.

[@sbeja]

A few nice Spinal Tap moments...like the "small" body thoery. Love Rig Rundown' esp when john interviews. Lots of magic and healthy humor!

[@cosmikrelic4815]

yeah, i hope he was joking but i don't know.

[@mightyV444]

I too once had a 'Highway One' Strat, and it had the *big* headstock; That thing should've had sustain for days, going by Cory's theories, but it had not! 😄 😉

[@boarderking133]

Lol!

[@panasonic3DO]

Seeing this in my recommended this morning made me jump for joy

[@ChrisSkinner1]

I saw this tour. It was fantastic, and Cory’s tone was on point. Shoutout to his entire band though. They are ridiculously good!

[@geoffreycarter3981]

This guy holds nothing back. Full-transparency mode! Love and appreciate it Cory!

[@NA-03]

john bohlinger is an amazing host. i freakin love him

[@miketuttle9319]

Don’t know why Fender doesn’t put some sort of contoured heel on all production strats - every bit is designed for ergonomic comfort, then it has a square heel...its the 21st century Fender! Okay, rant over.

[@garrrrrryyy]

Cory is the real deal , he don’t just play guitar he knows his guitar very well , I guess that’s the way it should be right .

[@J-RomeBaca]

“It’s like you’re getting hugged by a cloud” I love his tone! 😢

[@jipes]

Love when Cory plays wha he is mumbling the notes with his mouth perfect timing

[@BenCDaugherty]

Haha I do it too! I catch myself doing it in videos constantly

[@wartimemodels]

Can’t be a guitar/gear nerd and not love this.

[@boarderking133]

Or not being constantly talking horseshit. I'm a huge! guitar nerd but I call call horseshit on just about all of the tone and sustain crap

[@BobbyBreu]

That was fun to watch. Very informative. If I ever go back to using pedals, I look at a few of those....toys.

[@ralphdamatojr]

He is a Mad Scientist... Incredible... You don't have to ask a single question, because he literally breaks down every makeup of his DNA... I am not as much into his style of music as much as I am into him as a guitarist...method to every aspect to his MADNESS 🎸🤟🔬📝📐

[@boarderking133]

Eh most of it is snake oil

[@DatMetalBoi75]

I've never heard of this dude but he has the best strat tone I've ever heard

[@VixCrush]

You have to check out the Vulfpeck live show from MSG (as John B. would say "Killer!"

[@DatMetalBoi75]

@@VixCrush I will do that. Thanks homie

[@thedukeparty]

@@VixCrush their show from Ancienne Belgique is one of the best recorded shows I’ve ever seen.

[@thespydersband5703]

You'd have to include Eric Johnson in that "best Strat tone" category. Watch this live video of Cory (and his exuberance when he plays) and also pay attention to the bass player: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4LQY5SJrq5gfJo

[@thespydersband5703]

And, of course, the Fearless Flyers with Cory, Mark Lettieri, Joe Dart, and Nate Smith. I'm attending a guitar workshop in June and Mark is one of the guest artists. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWPCq4ufnMiCqKM

[@mightyV444]

I had to think of blimmen Pat Finnerty and his silly 'Home Store Rundown' Bohlinger impersonations throughout this whole video! 🙈 😆

[@vince3804]

oh man - that 4th selector thing was soooooooo good

[@DrRJE80]

@37mins -- Cory sounding like "Down Together" by the Refreshments.... Great rundown!

[@jameshalbert181]

I love that 4th position trick. It's my 1 go-to too. I might steal this

[@RichardGarcia93]

The man himself! Gennady Golovkin! He’s an incredible boxer and even better guitar player!

[@TheFrozenDesert]

@37:06 That's the Refreshments 'Down Together' whether intentional or not. Sounding fantastic.

[@nickp440]

Cory could literally sell me pocket lint

[@nickp440]

think he sold me that beetronics pedal. that was badass

[@0biWanJacobi]

Now we know why Fearless Flyers have a song called Vespa ... the Vezzpa Pedal!!

[@Handyandy747]

The man knows of what he speaks

[@johnpandolfino8663]

Great idea......a panic button.....🤟👍👌👏😎☃️🎸 Love his playing.....truly unique style very Wong

[@jessemayra]

I learned a new word today…TRANSIENTS…Corey Wong sees things as an engineer…a perfect example of a gear nerd… fabulous tones!!…amazing guitarist!!

[@logicsoundinc]

I ran monitors for Steve Kimock years ago and he said the same thing about running two amps and two different cabs. I totally agree; two does just sound better than one.

[@periloustemple8290]

We live a beautiful world when someone cas say, "IT's like St. Vincent meets Moralo."

[@ko4kin]

one of the best rig rundowns

[@arnolddealiii4259]

I wish I could play like Cory! Such a great funky guy! I always learn something new from him.

[@troopjunior]

Check out the Fourth Position Academy course 🙂

[@benjaminkoskinen5835]

Cory 2022: "Maybe Strymon could make a smaller version so I could fit The Dude on here" Strymon 2023: "Hold my beer" -> Releases The Cloudburst containing basically what Cory was asking for a year in advance.

[@ricardorodriguez5549]

As a fellow lover of The Big Clean tone, and as someone who also loves a JC-120, I found that the only OD’s it “liked” was a Butler Drive or a similar “tube in a box” deal.

[@simoneh4732]

I've been looking for a good Volume/Wah pedal and thanks to Cory and this vid I've found one!

[@frisco339]

watching your videos and just looking at how enthusiastic the interviewer is about everything makes me smile throughout the whole thing ! thank you

[@DavidOakesMusic]

OMG thats the best use of a Fuzz pedal i've ever heard.

[@ebensf]

Awesome video, thanks for featuring Cory!

[@buddylobos5277]

He's a great interview. Lot's of personality with the knowledge to make it all interesting. Good one John.

[@ZiwaHD]

I second TROY GRADY ; ...he has studied the science of picking and how to get efficient speed

[@dan-3268]

It feels so great watching this video. Cause right before it I watched a video with a dude who had microcosm, meris, chase audio and a couple of other expensive pedals on his pedalboard.

[@benrollans4144]

I feel as though Cory is a Bass player who plays guitar. Great musician and person. Always enjoy his music

[@dinguslopper]

Lol You might be aware of this but he’s said in a lot of interviews that he started on bass and then switched to guitar

[@EtoDemerzelSpaceBurial]

He is a great bassist also

[@BenCDaugherty]

Very solid bassist. Not too fancy but he holds it down like a boss

[@ROKZLEON]

I like Cory's approach to QC. Very cool! 👍🏻

[@davidLPST]

Great interview, really enjoyed it. Interesting Cory and Fender going for the same line as PRS and John Mayer “I can go into a shop and get a guitar and it’s the same as any of mine and I’d be happy to gig it” type of quality claim. I love my Fender EJ strat but it’s too obvious to be now using the same message as PRS.

[@jaimomo65]

Fourth position panic!!! XD He's a genius!

[@matthewcurtiss7557]

Dude plays cleaner than guitar pro

[@davidjmckinney]

PG video bingo: 1) Guitarist describes sound with a tactile term ("wooly"). 2) enormous value placed on guitar color/finish ("nitro"). 3) Nerd reflective listening ("TOTALLY!"). 4) The thing that we're all crazy about the sound was an accident ("My hand was just hitting the strings"). 5) Pedal town takes up half the video time ("")

[@Iamjeffrobertson]

Man. Corey is the Tom Morello of the Funk and RnB world, soooo killer

[@GuitarExpress]

Great interview! Lots of new guitar theories to share at parties

[@GraniteSoundtrack]

Dang Corey has great tone. His overdrives were impressive.

[@christianboddum8783]

4th position panic button has been in my mind for decades, especially for recording situations ;-)

[@flybynight1929]

The dude is a talker, that's for sure.

[@joesmith8398]

Gotta love that Highway 1 Strat. They used to sell for around $500 or $600 brand new, but now they remake a "custom" version of it and it sells for $2,000. Ridiculous.

[@thebaneofyourexistence.3377]

Wonderful comment.

[@jimmydriveway]

Finally, some playing on these. Thank God.

[@sferguson1130]

Delrin is a plastic. It’s used in tons of things, but I know of it, because I had Delrin motor mount bushings, in one of my old mk2 VW’s

[@itseb4i]

Man… if only every rig rundown was this deep

[@aurora3655]

very cool! thnkq! much love 😊✌️

[@jloiben12]

11:00 If a player isn’t willing/comfortable with playing their factory, off-the-shelf, signature guitar, is it even a signature guitar or is it literally just marketing?

[@chaz32]

Passionate player, not my jam but you've gotta respect his authentic enthusiasm.

[@mightyV444]

Well said! 😀👍 Talented and lovely guy, and I'm happy for him and his mates in his various bands being so successful, but man, this funky kind of style with that '4 position' tone is exactly what I *don't* like! 😄

[@johnmossey]

Interesting expression/volume/wah pedal choice. Watch the prices skyrocket on Amazon. As of 3/4/2022 they're $120 buying from USA

[@JFLABBERVILLE]

Cory Wong! He's kinda good at guitar ;-) Love your Rig Rundowns and Cory Wong, you're a God!

[@justinpaquette224]

I've been waiting for this!!!

[@freakyrawen]

Cory Wong is an amazing guitar player, but also such a cool and nice guy!

[@hadi141]

Really cool guy just started getting into Cory extremely talented another great tug rundown Thx John & Premier

[@muutron5253]

Great interview. Thanks JB.

[@panka1636]

Best guitarist right now

[@lilhoss1]

Hey Cory, if you want a very compelling verb in a smaller format for a "carry-on" format pedalboard, try the MXR m300. It's wonderful and very versatile.

[@rowanschenck4756]

For more room on your pedalboard, substitute Jet Pedal's Revelation for the Big Sky. In my opinion it's warmer.

[@TJjjjjjjjjjj]

Next Cory Wong show I go too I’m buying his guitar !

[@villegas24]

Saw him in Berlin. One of the concerts of my life

[@ddean8395]

This man is I'm sure one of the most precisely rhythmic guitarists alive.

[@showingYOUtheworld]

It will be interesting to see something about the other instruments from your band as well 👍 You are all amazing guys ❗ BIG fan of your music !!!

[@SomeKindOfMadman]

Super cool Strat, I dig the specs, I’d love to own one

[@matthewmp111]

A really good gear interview subject this kid! His signature guitar looks like a winner as well.

[@CarstenGoeke]

Hell of a player. Thanks for sharing. But.... why we do see comments from 7 days ago, if it was uploaded yesterday? Parallel universe ? ✌🏼

[@VlrGuitarWorld]

Amazing.

[@MrPeter924]

Awesome great lnterview great show guitar 🎸 so sound great audio.

[@haldasinger6440]

that push pull trick is genius

[@GillistheIllist]

Cory is a G. Along with every member of the Wongnotes, for that matter.

[@thetomster7625]

when you look at Corys Pick technique, you see his freakishly long fingers... so I never could reach that downward through the string thing that he does, with my small stumps^^

[@kodykindhart5644]

Dumbles have fast transients because the rectification is done solidstate not tube 🤣

[@petermcconaghie7745]

Cory Wong - yes, yes, yes!!!!!!

[@RyanMcQuen]

I love the Ernie Ball Paradigms!