Rig Rundown - Joe Satriani

www.premierguit... PG's Rebecca Dirks is On Location at the Chicago Theatre, in Chicago, IL, where she catches up with guitarist Joe Satriani before his 'Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards' Winter 2010 tour. In this Rig Rundown segment, Satriani walks us through all the gear and equipment he's using during the tour. Also, he talks about how this rig differs from the one he uses with supergroup Chickenfoot.
For his effects, Satriani uses a Vox Satriani Big Bad Wah Wah, Vox Satriani Ice 9 Overdrive, Vox Satriani Satchurator Distortion, two Vox Satriani Time Machine Delays, a Voodoo Lab Proctavia, a DigiTech Whammy, and a custom true bypass switch built by amp guru Ben Fargen (Fargen Amplification and Sonic Edge Effects).
For his amps, Satch is using three Marshall JVM410 heads that have been converted into working prototypes for a future signature Marshall head that should be released sometime in 2011. The heads are based on a JVM410 format, but each one has been tweaked and altered throughout his current tour.
And for his guitars, Satriani has been using two different Ibanez signature models--the JS1000 and the new JS2400. All of his Ibanez guitars are loaded with DiMarzio pickups.
For more exclusive PG Rig Rundowns, or to view all the guitar-centric news, reviews, videos, and features you can handle, be sure to visit www.premierguit...

[@MrSmitht04]

What I love about Joe. Is that he could be the most arrogant guy on earth. He has every right to be. But he's always so humble and polite. This man is a legend

[@Quickjob519]

Concur with this statement. His talent isn't matched by few, but he's so nice, humble, remembers where he comes from. Always tries to pass his knowledge forward.

[@burnnlearn]

Likewise with Paul Gilbert

[@benjikoorts4053]

And it's always the biggest names that do their own Rig Rundown....and not the guitar tech..... love it...

[@BrodyBaddis]

That says more about you than Joe, no? Just because someone is nerding about their passion, I don’t automatically put them as arrogant. Jjust take each person for what they put out.

[@JamesDavis-mm2mi]

I hear he actually is NOT a very humble guy and hes a princess when things dont go his way

[@fahdchoudry7763]

Its cool that Joe did the interview himself. Most get someone else to do it

[@red.domino]

Man, you're talking about probably the first real instrumental rock guitar hero in history. He didn't need to sing when creating the marvelous Surfing With The Alien... He made his guitar sing for him in an universal language!

[@MiSambra]

​@@red.domino Satch is incredible, but this statement is blasphemous. there would be no Joe without Hendrix, Page, Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads....I can go on...All real guitar heroes in my book.

[@ScottCunningham96]

@@MiSambra in fairness there would be no hendrix, page, van halen, randy rhoads etc without their respective influences. Just because you were influenced by someone else doesnt mean you cant innovate in your own right. Plus none of those guys (as awesome as they all are) are famous for instrumental rock music in the way joe is.

[@kingfisher7960]

Most of them arent in the same city as the show the time these are done.

[@paulsimmons5726]

Great interview, Rebecca is often asking more detailed questions than John and the rest of the guys!

[@therealscarred2112]

I miss Rebecca, and it had nothing to do with her looks or body parts. She had a great balance of interviewing the Artists about the smallest items (“What tubes are you using?”, “Howdoes this set-up differ from your Chickenfoot gigs?”) and *then* letting them talk until the next question or they’ve led to a new topic. The more recent PG Interviewers will talk *over* an Artist, not realizing how rude it is and disruptive it is as an interview. She had all aspects balanced perfectly, and I would hate to find out she left because guys couldn’t stop staring and comments were all about her chest. Boo-urns. 👎🏼

[@nicholastotoro7721]

Ian Perge She was absolutely perfect when it came to feeling out when to let them talk about a piece of gear and when to move on. She also never talked over them while doing that.

[@fanoboss]

I concur. Rebecca and I were friends on facebook and I thought she did a great job interviewing. Her style was laid back and it never felt forced or artificial.

[@namebrandmason]

@jerome sri "I would hate to think she left because guys couldn't stop staring and comments were all about her chest"

[@heartbreakasam]

On top of that, Cute lady

[@1970borntorun]

Right! In other words, don't be an "Eddie Trunk" lol "Hey, I just texted Brian wheat of Tesla last night, you know, A FRIEND..." LOL

[@billyrouse4813]

Anybody ever notice, despite the different paths they took, Joe and Steve Vai have similar senses of humor?

[@UltimateGam3r100]

its probably because Satriani would have spent loads of time around Vai due to him teaching him at a young age

[@tiluriso]

Well, Vai studied under Satch, didn't he, so...

[@tylerdees4850]

Billy Rouse its cuz joe was steves teacher so there pretty similar.

[@jpslaym0936]

Both guys are from Long Island NY as well

[@maninthecrowd5076]

Joe was more of a high school senior persona to Steve, so it figures. As Joe once said Steve didn't really like learn something from him, except for stringing the guitar, maybe Steve later took a little from Joe's playing but totally nothing like a private advanced training, however, the highschool thing is true.

[@rs-xr3ty]

A gentleman and a monster on guitar. My favorite player of all time.

[@geraldpribula4911]

Joe is so humble, and just a really, really good dude. Love that guy!

[@LeeChavezMusic]

Finally! Someone who's interviewing the guitarist or tech who's not an idiot and doesn't know who their talking about! That's not common in PG videos, but other people's videos. Rebecca is really pretty too :)

[@josephmittiga2373]

How much of a gentleman is Joe Satriani compared to ego maniac like Malmsteen?

[@cherylnicholson6069]

I know exactly what you mean but malmsteen seems to have chilled out a lil in his older age lol!!!

[@realscience948]

I find Malm so over the top..that it is entertaining to listen to him talk about himself!

[@red.domino]

That interview (the Malmsteen's one) was really cringey...

[@joshmuz9018]

Both legends in my mind

[@guitarwithjamesoffical]

6:11 “what tubes are in those” if a girl said that to me I’d have to marry her on the spot.

[@fdfsdfsvsfgsg4888]

Don't hold your breath.

[@motivationeveryday1205]

Stfu!

[@notyurrealdad8743]

I love when the player not the tech talk about there gear feels kinda personal

[@KeeperOfPoops]

every video that's a tech i dislike

[@CesarCordova]

Sometimes the tech knows more about a musician's gear.

[@tylergrove7700]

@@KeeperOfPoops unless it’s trace foster

[@oltee8196]

The guitarist that do there own rundown are the best guitarist :)

[@veerchasm1]

Best part of Rebecca? She knows how to be unobtrusive during an interview and knows when to interject detail into her questions. Pay the woman and get her back.

[@dressedtosmellgood]

she asks the right questions but doesn't get showoffy about it.

[@LiberTBo]

If you look closely Rob Chapman walks behind them twice...

[@GunsnRosesfan2012]

Ur kidding me?!

[@ScoutSniper1990]

Satch is about the only guitarist that can actually go through his rig and tell you why and for what he's using certain pedals. amps, guitars .. Most just have the techs do the interview because they're like "uhh yeah we use this little boxy thingy on one song I can't remember which one but it sounds great because I'm awesome".

[@biggoofybastard]

+X3n0typ3 The Tremonti rig rundown was the same, I like it because they show a true understanding of what's going on, and a passion for what they do.

[@patrickmedland7473]

milktheuniverse that’s probably what a rig rundown for spinal tap would go like

[@MrTPF1]

Rebecca did a great interview and asked a lot of great questions that only a guitarist would which was very cool. She must play. Who else would ask, "Why did you go with a rail instead of a humbucker?" or "What speakers do you have in the cabinets?" (He never did say what models either. All he said was the wattage.) I wanted to know if Joe uses V30's like Vai does or GT's. I'm pretty sure you can get the 1960 cabs with several different speakers.

[@marcos061059]

Excellent interview! She asked the perfect questions and of course got the perfect answers.

[@FL-BEACH-MAN]

Joe knows his stuff - best rig rundown ever - very smart guy. thanks PG

[@ahqpx]

shé´s hot damm

[@MetalMarauder]

mojopin70 [See above comment]

[@MetalMarauder]

mojopin70 That makes you a desperate fucking loser. Congrats on not being able to get laid.

[@MetalMarauder]

mojopin70 If your shit is as thick as I am you may have some colon problems

[@MetalMarauder]

mojopin70 Is anal seriously the only thing you can think about?

[@LiberTBo]

Metal Marauder.....Looks like you're Gay for Satriani ? Joe has a lot of homosexual followers like you but, Rebecca Dirks could be the salve to re-interest you in women again...

[@AceOfHeart2012]

That's what I like about Joe. He's so generous. Always an education listening to him.

[@maxpill2500]

This presenter needs to do all the Rig rundowns !

[@akefilipsson4118]

She doesn't work for premier guitar anymore. At least I don't think so.

[@endezeichengrimm]

She had a baby and retired. Too bad eh?

[@fxexpert4541]

Remind me of the dude who interviewed Alexi Laiho..dude telling Laiho what his gears is instead of Laiho doing it..Rebecca is cool.

[@rickyguitarman3839]

my hero and the reason i went to music school :)

[@ericbarth5648]

With Homer Simpson's donut O-face : "R - e - b - e - c - c -a -- D- i - r - k- s" aaagh

[@retroislandboy9708]

i cant lie....Rebecca Dirks is absolutely beautiful !!!!

[@thebenj74]

Rebecca=AWESOME Satch... a little too "brainy" -in a good way. But. I love his music AND he was KIRK HAMMETT'S guitar teacher! I rather like Eric Johnson or Steve Vai's Rig Rundown because they admit the sad fact for all of us...tone is in the FINGERS!

[@ZYGTropicals]

+Riku Falck and many others! lol!

[@ScoutSniper1990]

You are aware Steve Vai came to Joe's doorstep without even knowing to put the strings on his guitar? I can agree when it comes to EJ - But Vai uses just as much if not more effects.

[@AzHarris]

Seeing the topics aimed toward the girl in these videos are just horrible. Its as if these people have never seen a woman before. Just pure disrespectful to the point that I'm embarrassed for her.

[@clappedoutmotor]

***** Kids.

[@chippchipp1]

That's why they gave her the job... To lure the viewers in

[@BGRRecords]

chippchipp1 And this attitude ^ ladies and gents, is the problem.

[@chippchipp1]

You are incredibly naive, will

[@burnsZY85]

***** Because most of them are virgins and think breasts feel like bags of sand.

[@js6729]

actually,I'm not a high school kid,and I know she does her home work,she does a great job on these rig run downs,and I happen to be a friend of hers.If you don't think shes attractive that's your opinion,but don't start telling other people what there opinion should be and assuming that Finding a woman to be"hot" makes them a stupid kid

[@christianboutot]

So good to hear a musician who has one passion...music

[@roman14032]

at some point id like a tour of rebeccas rack

[@SirPhilMcCrackinVonBeggington]

This is the guy.

[@elnaremamedova177]

Dffhh

[@ricardoalvarez8403]

roman14032 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@rawg277201]

+roman14032 I'd tweak her knob, check her tubes and insert a heavy duty Monster cable into her input and her Line Out.

[@rawg277201]

***** 4th actually.

[@COBHC8890]

Always been a fan of his signature guitars!! Very clean looking!!!

[@mouloudo]

never tried these amps, but if MArshall finally dropped that compression shit to go back to dynamic amps, I'm saying they're going in the right direction

[@matthewhart6857]

the bald and the beautiful

[@veerchasm1]

I miss Rebecca, the most organic interviewer who never intrudes on the artist speaking. Doesn’t fill deadspace with wasted words. Knows the gear and guides the interviews with grace. Doesn’t fake excitement or act like a “fan boy”

[@davedropd1]

If rebecca did these interviews dolled up in a bikini, no one could recall one thing these players said.... :)

[@Rustkill2010]

someone needs to fire the camera man, he has no idea what he is doing!! why would u take the camera off of Rebecca

[@tyleigh4309]

shes cute but average shes not all that

[@Dagger_323]

+Ty Leigh She's hot AF what are you talking about

[@MadeMyBONES]

Rebbeca is one HOT chick, she knows her shit and a good interviewer ... 😎👌🌅

[@audiosoma]

She's just too good to be true, can't take my eyes off of her. She'd be like heaven to touch, I want to hold her so much… XD

[@HurricaneTBag]

@Phrygian12 In fairness most 22 fret guitars I've played haven't had super super hot pickups, whereas the 24 fret guitars I've played have super hot pick ups like EMGs, Evos, Liquifires, Super Distortions, Pearly Gates, D-Activators, etc.

[@RealWolfmanDan]

Awesome interview, great well thought out questions, we'll done by the Interviewer, and awesome to get this peek behind the scenes and here Joe talk about his gear. Fascinating!

[@MarcosBanus]

What a nice guy, so humble! Don't even listen to him that much, but I admire those artists that inspired a whole generation with their music and kept themselves humble.

[@WoodieLarsen]

I'm definately going to be buying a JVM410JS head if and when they come out.. i love my JVM already, can't imagine what joe's done! excited!

[@SuperWannabeGuitar]

you know i love this video to of my favourte people which is Rebecca (which was themain reason i came here, and Joe (one of the best remaining guitarist who can still put on a kickass rock show)

[@1992YR]

When Joe used/endorsed Peavey's they were the same ones you could buy off the self. You notice in this video the Marshall's are modified. Peavey JSX amps are the BEST!

[@FloridaManMatty]

These are modded 410 VH heads that were subsequently mace available to the public as the Satriani signature amp. What he plays now are off the shelf heads. JSX are very good, though. Not my faves, but very good amps for the price.

[@billyrouse4813]

Joe says in this video though that these are prototypes for his signature JVM that came out later.

[@kylestonehouse7124]

So basically...the whole point of modifying your guitar was to get it to sound like a strat....so why not play a strat?

[@jonnybeck6723]

Maybe Rebecca could do a "guest" interview? She was so cute here she just glowed... PG how could you let her get away?

[@sheevthewireless110]

They should really start producing the white colour option again. It fits the body style the best.

[@spider62able]

To all you arguing about the tone change in pickup position on a 24 fret guitar, it does make a difference! Making the neck pickup warmer or smaller are both a way to compromise for the pickup being moved to make room for the "extra" frets!

[@zundap100]

Joe is always decent and humble. Just keep on going and thanks for the music.

[@phenixreturns]

it's a great guitar but i wonder how the js 2450 sounds vs the 1200

[@JimDewdGuitars]

Rebecca is beautiful I'm honestly not even paying attention to joe

[@cornball2448]

Pitiful

[@dzre2087]

STOP USING REBECCA DIRKS! I can't focus on anything but her amazing NOSE.... and amazing eyes.... and amazing lower lip... (and yeah, her arms, breasts, waist, etc).... ARGH!!

[@ZYGTropicals]

I find myself dazed at her nice perky titties! She wore that tight shirt just so we can all see them!!! Thank you Rebecca Dirks! 8-)

[@Lost-xl6im]

Needs more knobs on the amps

[@ZYGTropicals]

That go to 11 right?

[@wseeback]

How can you NOT end up staring with your jaw open at Rebecca Dirk while you're doing an rig rundown for her.

[@Ron_Padgett]

Because he's a man, not a kid, he's been laid before.

[@ayoungethan]

Self esteem and basic human decency.

[@user-he1pp9gh1l]

Wow! Voldemort is really into guitar.

[@user-he1pp9gh1l]

+incorrect sir Pedal Board Smedal Board. Dirks is the Instrument.

[@lifegoeson2422]

You Tube ha ha ha... your so funny NOT!

[@isaacwilliams9919]

I don’t really listen to Satriani my self but I have a lot of respect for his playing

[@GeradHopkinsOfficial]

What happened to Rebecca ?

[@miaoupha2370]

Rebecca is amazing to interview and Joe always seems so truly intelligent.

[@HawxGaming]

I don't like his music but he's a great player and seems like a genuine guy. Nice gear too...

[@HawxGaming]

+Zoro Zornes I do play... I don't quite understand your comment.

[@michaelhawthrone2184]

+Hawx He is implying that you don't know shit, but he is feigning politeness. Basically, if you do not like someone that, in this case, he finds to be awesome, then you must not know much. Can't have a differing opinion, just a wrong one if it does not mesh with his. Arrogance is the takeaway from this..

[@TheRealHucasys]

+Zoro Zornes Welcome to the Internet... ;)

[@mattchisholm6129]

Hawx im with you. Guys like him and vai undeniably amazing guitarists but their music just does nothing for me. Enjoy watching live clips or stuff like this seeing their gear but i cant sit down and listen to their records. Dunnl quite how to say it but they are so technically good that its boring to me. I dont really like perfection in music. Hendrix for example amazing guitarist but not the cleanest which i like. Sounds much more warm and human. He isnt sloppy by any means but if you play you know what im saying. Far less concerned with hitting every note perfectly clean than just emoting with the guitar.

[@TrevDawgRS]

I think seeing him live would change many peoples ideas. I never put on his music just to listen to it ever. But he's still one of my main inspirations just because of his ability and I like learning his riffs. When you see him live there's parts when hes playing that the guitar sounds like someone singing. Its quite beautiful. His control of the sound coming out of a guitar is unlike anyone I've seen. But yeah his actual albums don't do that much for me.

[@andrewpappas9311]

I saw him last year here in Toronto when he was doing his _From Surfing to Shockwave_ tour and it was one of my favourite shows ever (And I've seen Van Halen and AC/DC). This guy is one of my favourite guitarists and I absolutely love his work, and every time I hear stuff like _Surfing With the Alien_ or _Satch Boogie_ I'm still blown away

[@insaneinthebrain1978]

great joe didnt send his tec for this one...this guy is the real deal!!!

[@lowcodemagic]

He happens to be one of the best guitarists too. Crazy stuff

[@treloskitharistas]

Imagine a "Rig Rundown - Pat Metheny"... Over 3 hours of brainboilling,ending with a headache and an empty wiskey bottle for Rebecca, and a day crying over their Boss Distortion for thousands of viewers XDDD

[@PedroAsfora]

I love how he brings my attention to something by telling me not to pay attention to it.

[@svfutbol20]

Satch is awesome, but he spends all his time with his skinny JS model Ibanez guitars, which I agree are honestly great instruments. I just wonder if he ever picks up a heavy, thick Gibson LP Traditional and thinks, "Holy shit, this thing is so fat!"

[@svfutbol20]

***** I agree. I used to have a Basswood Ibanez RG that didn't resonate hardly at all. It didn't really matter because the pickups were so hot, but I just got my first "real" Les Paul, an Epiphone 1960 Tribute Plus with Gibson '57 Classics and a real maple cap, and the whole instrument vibrates forever when I pluck a string. It feels and sounds amazing. I think I'm an Epi/Gibson fan for life now.

[@antihero1678]

svfutbol20 Yeah. Gibsons have this robustness to them, the vibrations and string tension is so perfect. That gorgeous but clear quack sound and all. I have a LP Standard 2002. After lifting several other LP's in the store I've since realized how heavy mine is! Last time I checked it was 10 pounds!

[@cominroitover80]

svfutbol20 Ibanez RGs are like those crotch rocket bikes, they are fun as hell to play, look badass and feel great, but I'd never take one into the studio. I will say Ibanez RGs are very well built and reliable. If I had all my gear stolen the first thing I'd buy is an RG, but right now I always reach for my EC-1000, which just sounds way fatter and better. The mahogany body and the set neck go a long way in adding sustain and resonance.

[@ZYGTropicals]

He does and has used other brands of guitars in studio. He only uses his sig guitars live!

[@taterlysaladman9377]

The latest Guitar Player mag Feb. 2018 asks him this question. He says, when young he played Teles and Les Pauls and they dug into the underside of his forearm, and things like that. The Strat was a bit more lenient but the vibrato arm didn't work right for him. He was building his own guitars with boogie bodies and ESP necks, Ibanez sent him a 540R. It didn't look like a 50's guitar and it made a whole different sound. So what eventually became the JS guitar was about my being comfortable and finally get a neck profile that I liked.

[@ValterGT]

Joe Satriani has a wonderful personality and u can see that, how how happy and down to earth person he is. god bless him.

[@screenpuller]

Rebecca is cute & all, but I really like that she asks some seriously good questions. The fact that she knows about this stuff makes her even more appealing to me. :)

[@metalfiend124]

She knows her stuff.

[@uuncebret]

Great gears..but cute becca stole my focus.. 😘

[@godtoHrD]

not many people wanna buy an orange guitar?? fuckin sign me up, bud!

[@seanmcdonald4436]

What happened to Rebecca Dirks ?

[@jeffreybonaventure6981]

Where in the world does one find such a beautiful lady that's that knowledgeable about guitar stuff???? PS I know this video is a couple of years old but still!!!!!!

[@karlhouseknecht]

And a nice Spinal Tap reference thrown in to boot. How much more black could this guitar be?

[@MrHaydnHarry]

Love how he clearly says what he uses each one for, all this stuff can get so confusing when you first start out

[@A_Final_Hit]

I've been playing for over 30 years, and it's still confusing to me. 🤣

[@turolretar]

I just plug headphones straight into my guitar, it sounds great

[@pfarina]

He uses the same cables I do; that comforts my wallet.

[@mack7235]

He reminds me of Mick Mars except he's more talkative

[@TheGuitarTheory]

I love how when he said "Wet" reverb pedal it got like quiet for a second haha

[@mikehays8404]

there are many great guitar players out there but Satriani will play what a song needs,he will let the music breath and enjoy it as a hole ,not just set out to show off,hats off to you

[@ME16510]

Who else paused at 4:29 ?

[@Zeewanzeewan]

damn son ! rebecca is hot

[@21callum21]

Why cant all girls be like her ! :(

[@phenixreturns]

he has a sustaniac from fernandes??

[@KoMar551]

Omg this rebecca chick is so fine

[@foot2]

Why is the video washed out, like it's shot through a fog? They don't allow contrast on stage, I guess.

[@MrColeycole22]

planet waves cables suck!! get some demarzios or george l's dude!!!

[@asmallfarmhomestead3657]

coley22 telling joe satriani the cables he's using suck lol yeah.....ok

[@taylorlangley900]

Satriani is such a nice and humble guy. I like how he personally takes his time to give a tour rather than his tech like most of the other famous guitar players.

[@akdomun]

Very good technical interview! I like how she pokes him to go deeper into the details!

[@markchip1]

I do like these rundowns but they would be SO much more useful and informative if you could get the artist to demonstrate the different settings whilst talking through the process and effects. Just a thought....

[@chasrar]

@KillingLies1 yeah voldemort with millions of horcruxes all over the world ;)

[@TimSauers]

They need to clone rebecca and use her for every interview ever.

[@saadsnake6]

this girl really knows alot about guitar

[@StephenAnthonyMusic]

All this shit is very nice but at the end of the day it wouldn't matter if he played with a $500 guitar and a cheap practice amp. I think it's a lot more important to Joe than it is to the audience. As a classical player I've learned that the guitarist has to do with 100% of the sound. The equipment is like clothes on the same person. Still 100% the same person. On a different note: Joe you're a fine player but please shave those nappy arms and stop wearing gay clothes.

[@bobbyhosweden]

Funny that the greatest guitar players out there like Satriani, Vai, Malmsteen etc do their own appearances on Rig Rundown while so many others have to big of an ego and let their techs do the interviews..

[@leungkong]

I come to watch Rebecca asking questions. Thank you Joe.

[@TheAxe4Ever]

Yeah, I think Rebecca Dirks is hot as hell too. Plus, she seems real knowledgable about equipment and all things guitar. Two awesome qualities I always look for in a babe. Hot and into guitars and amps. But I just realized something about this awesome babe that freaked me out a little bit. SHE LOOKS JUST LIKE CASEY FREAKIN' ANTHONY!!!

[@Phrygian12]

@HurricaneTBag It loses it's warmth because it's in a different position, but that can be solved by making the neck pup warmer. Perfect pitch has nothing to do with that subject. Also Guthrie, doesn't have perfect pitch. Though his relative pitch is very good, I dunno about Satriani, I doubt he has it as well.

[@mendebil]

Wood's got warmth on an electrical guitar. My friend you need to start checking out the facts. It's about a metal string vibrating between two metal objects (fret - bridge) and the vibration is picked up by a fucking electromagnet. There is no wood element in electric guitar sounds!!!!

[@johnathandk42134]

@DmitryNikon thats because paganini was around before electricity so there wasnt even such a thing as effects, and btw joe satriani uses effects and he's one of the best musicians in the world today... your comment is one of the most ignorant things ive read in a while

[@Mickcotton]

❤️Rebbeca ❤️Miss Her

[@MetaphysicalMusician]

Down to Earth and you can tell the guys a genius