Todd Rundgren Rig Rundown Guitar Gear Tour with Guitarist Jesse Gress

Article & photos: bit.ly/ToddRundgrenRR
During a stripped-down tour stop at Nashville’s City Winery, guitarist-producer Todd Rundgren spent nearly 40 minutes chatting gear and how he stays forward-thinking in music. In addition, bandmates guitarist Jesse Gress and bassist Kasim Sulton walk through and demo their traditional setups.
For this tour, Todd Rundgren left behind the big stage show and truckloads of gear and opted for a string of streamlined, intimate performances spanning his entire career. To make the show happen, he toured with just two guitars-his longtime No. 1 is this MIJ ’80s Fernandes P-Project “super strat.” As he tells in the video, the industry was much different in the late 1980s. He toured Japan just before the ’90s started, and he was gifted with a pile of Fernandes guitars. He took some of them back to the States and sat on them for years. He eventually got curious and started a tone shootout between all the freebies. This seafoam green model emerged victorious and was bestowed the obvious name, “Foamy.” He never really used tone knob or switches, so he had those disconnected and now it has a single volume control and a 5-way toggle. He uses D’Addario NYXL .010-.046 strings and always tunes to E.
Guitarist Jesse Gress has been Todd Rundgren’s main 6-string sideman for years. And Jesse’s go-to has been around his neck even longer. Here is his psychedelic Strat that technically contains mostly Fender parts, but as Jesse describes in the video, it was put together and stylized to his preferences by friend and San Francisco shop owner, Gary Brawer. The neck is actually one from a Jeff Beck Signature Strat and the pickups are Lace Sensors. (He eventually swapped out the roller nut for this upgraded model that has ball bearings for maintaining his secret “D note” that he gets by picking the 3rd string behind the nut.) Brawer added a pull switch that allows him to engage the neck pickup to unlock all the tonal possibilities inside the guitar. Both his guitars use Ernie Ball Regular Slinky .010s.
Continue reading: bit.ly/ToddRundgrenRR

[@patrickthometz6365]

Kasim Sulton might be the greatest musician nobody knows. He is a phenomenal bassist, a great vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and keyboard player. Also good songwriter. His work with Utopia is incredible

[@Will-A.]

Kasim Sulton is one of the main reasons I go back and listen to Utopia's 'Ra' & 'POV' albums regularly - great vocalist 👍

[@jchis9852]

Kaz is also one of the most down to earth guys in the business.

[@telsutton]

@@jchis9852 I was just about to add to Patrick's comment... talked to him in Manchester and he he was an ego-free zone. Probably why Todd has kept him close.

[@susankeller164]

He and Bowie shared that..

[@carljacobson7156]

The real Music Professionals and Musicians KNOW who Kasim Sulton is. He's worked with almost everyone!

[@justinherbert9146]

I saw Todd play foamy at Radio City Music Hall June 19, 1992 with the Ringo All Star band - i was seated in the second row center and Ringo's wife sat directly in front of me -- it was a great great show and was voted the 2nd best New York City concert of the year behind U2 - Todd played and sang an amazing version of Black Maria that night and he really wailed on foamy -- time flies, those were good times, good times!

[@liamgallagherrr]

Man he stayed there and chatted for a half hour so mellow and willing to talk, no weird cool guy shit at all

[@marknorris3769]

hard to believe todd was born in 48 as he has such young and fresh ideas , for somebody supposedly beyond his sell by date he is incredibly fresh and vibrant , we should all be so healthy at seventy

[@bleikrsound6127]

A wizard, a true star.

[@johnjames1813]

Excellent!!!!

[@joerobinson2538]

RIP Jesse Gress--what a fantastic player he was!

[@skinnykarlos710]

I love it when well known players take the time to do the rig rundown rather than leaving it to their guitar tech. Impresses me no end.

[@zenpaganwarrior]

Todd gets my vote for coolest dude on the planet (and most avant-garde, innovative musician). We love ya, Todd! Thanks to Premier Guitar for this revealing interview on TR's rig rundown!

[@terrycurtis9740]

I got the something anything album when I was 16 and have been listening to it the past week he's one of the very best

[@davidnilles3117]

Todd is such a great guitarist. One of my faves. 👍

[@MrRoach-yo3mz]

Todd isn't known for his outgoing personality, especially as he's gotten older and more grumpy..... So I consider this a treat for us Rundgren fans, I worked many of his shows and got know/hear his genius...... the grump is a true musical genius in so many forms and levels .... Can't wait for him to call me out for my Grump jab, love ya Grumpy ......... A great band here

[@Lucypetuniaggm]

Mr. Roach, I’m jealous! 🤩

[@TONY_FEZ]

I have worked with Todd - he is a gentleman.

[@katiedepietro6070]

@@TONY_FEZ omg so Blessed🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏⭐⭐⭐🐧☃️

[@TONY_FEZ]

@@katiedepietro6070 yes very blessed. He was super nice.

[@katiedepietro6070]

@@TONY_FEZ You r So Blessed.He Seems So Humble*Down that o Earth*N Authentic*Do u still keep in Touch With Him n His Family?Wishing You Happy Holidays🎄☃️🐧⭐⭐⭐🙏

[@margix1172]

His record NEARLY HUMAN is a true MASTERPIECE!

[@rickfletcher4907]

I saw the Nearly Human tour at Bogarts in Cincinnati. Great show. It was the first time I'd seen Todd since the Deface The Music tour in 1980.

[@stewsim]

This is wonderful! Three of the world’s greatest musicians!!! RIP Jesse…

[@andrewpappas9311]

Congrats on Todd for getting into the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, I’m honestly surprised that it’s taken him so long but he’s definitely deserving of it

[@funwithFred]

He says he won't show up. I'm glad he's finally inducted. He said he wouldn't show up when he did the commencement at Berklee......but I hope he does. I will be seeing him in Oct in Philly and he's part of the soundtrack of my life.

[@jamesquitadamo1917]

@@funwithFred Check out his appearance on Darryl's House (although it was actually filmed at Todd's house)

[@pilljr.3331]

I’m sure he doesn’t give 2 shits for the music museum (aka R&RHOF)…and who could blame him…it’s a political-commercial joke ….

[@toteeicke7325]

Early 70's loved his music. Nice interview. Good to see he's still kicking.

[@OWR0406]

Greatness since over 50‘s years when Todd was in the Nazz. A true genius....

[@frankxuereb5422]

loved the Jesse segment, what a cool dude

[@GuitarDoog]

Great rundown, especially the Jesse Gress segment. It's extra nice when the gear is demonstrated during the program as well as being discussed. Thank you!

[@sandyturner1911]

Been a Todd fan since 1972..Todd is Godd.

[@Bix12]

Ha! Me too, Sandy - 1972! A Toddhead am I!

[@chrismorgan7494]

Love that...Godd. lol. I'm always surprised how his speaking voice sounds so opposite of his singing voice.

[@pb12661]

Back in the Day, Jesse Gress, Dave Whitehill, Wolf Marshall, and Andy Aledort were pioneers of guitar transcribing in the mid 80's. I remember waiting every month for guitar world, guitar for the practicing musician, Guitar player magazine to come out so i could try to learn licks from the latest and greatest songs that I had no clue how to play. Things were SSSSOOO much different then. There were few resources for learning guitar back then. You younger guys are spoiled!! :)

[@furryz666]

Pat testify brother! I still have my guitar player magazine black vinyl floppy records I remember turning my record player down to 16 rpm it was approximately one octave that’s how I first learned eruption of course I learned it wrong but in those days it blew a lot of kids minds

[@chrismorgan7494]

I'm hearing ya. The days of raising the needle or rewinding the tape are over. I'm really digging the ease of resources now. Still getting great guitar lessons right off my phone even after all these years.

[@jamescroy9464]

The best "bass" rig rundown ever. I love that dude

[@777Yoni]

Good questioning. Kudos to the interviewer. Thank you much.

[@guyfawkes9951]

"This amp has been knocked around, kicked. It fell off a bridge once..." Now THAT is a story I want to hear!

[@damham5689]

Back in the 1980s watched Todd on a solo tour at the Granary in Collinsville Il. He came out to play his first song with a 12 string Ovation. After about 30 seconds he took it off and threw it off stage. He then ask if anyone wanted to purchase a slightly used Ovation. He then went on to apologize for the outburst and said that he pays people good money to make sure his guitars are in tune. Todds always been one of my hero guitarist, composer and artist. In fact, even my daughter came to love him too and her favorite album, and the one she first learned all the bass parts to is RA.

[@patrickthometz6365]

He did not get rid of the Ovation youwill be pleased to know. It is an OvationPacemaker black. I once saw him kick a mic stand i to the pit in front of the stage because the mic kept dropping lol

[@patrickthometz6365]

Found a P Project exactly the same model as this one two months ago. Mins is all black. What a dream axe to play. Better than any Strat I have ever playesd.

[@KowankoMusic]

Aahh he referenced 12 Rods!! I love this Rig Rundown, what a coup getting Todd to sit down for this wonderful interview.

[@deheckler]

If you missed a Todd Show in mid 70's too bad. He put on The Ultimate three hours of intense rock n roll as good as anybody in That Era n I saw em All haha

[@spazmonkey3815]

Todd Rundgren May 1978 The Bottom Line, NYC best show I've ever seen.

[@budnap47]

I was born in 98, didn't really get the chance

[@jfo3000]

The RA tour was spectacular.

[@999therocker]

@@jfo3000 I had a ticket to see RA in Port Huron, MI but it was cancelled because only 500 tickets sold. Still bums me..

[@stevenmgyori3826]

Thanks brother! Great to give some love to Todd! Thanks for sharing brother's!

[@markcraven3842]

Musical genius.....

[@veronicalake2751]

Thank You Guys For Loving To Play & Having Fun Doing It.! 🎶 🎵 🎶 🎵 Watching & Hearing you Really getting into your instrument is such an art.! That’s what’s so enjoyable Watching your band how everything just perfectly flows.! 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 Keep Playing & Having Fun We Love To See & Grab On To All The Loving Notes you have Fun flowing Them out.! Your Band Is So Loved. God Blessed You To Be A Rock & Not To Roll.! 💕✝️🇺🇸😊👍🏼

[@Prayforthosewhopersecuteyou]

I never saw Todd play a Gibson Les Paul in the years I have been listening to him .

[@mickdestiny6542]

That was a great run down. Three completely different setups and all great guys..

[@KB4QAA]

I'm not a guitar guy, but found this very informative! Thanks.

[@pb12661]

I wore my cassette of "Adventures in Utopia" by Utopia out when I was 15. those were the days. I went to my first concert that year too...John Cougar opened for The Kinks. Not a bad first concert.

[@tapiomakelainen]

Nice to see my Great Favorite talking. He is a Genius in the same rare class than Steely Dan. Fan 1972- active

[@ChefClary60]

Just caught Todd show last Tuesday. Freaking amazing. Got to meet Kaz and Prairie Prince the drummer after the show. Great night!

[@TallshrewFishing]

Wow ! Been hoping for this one but never thought it would ever be. Nice one !

[@thebreathalyzer]

Great video, so good to hear from Kasim and Jesse too!

[@LuisMorales-jo4fw]

I'm becoming addicted to this. Cool stuff.

[@craigmorris4730]

Highly underrated guitarist

[@surfgod509]

Certainly a wealth of knowledge and experience! Todd is so kind to share his thoughts and insights on instruments and equipment, major producer and performer, writer....to name afew of his qualities the interview could have gone on for days 😀 thank you for interview...

[@raysills6666]

👏👍👍👊🤙

[@leeaycock8602]

Grew up w/his early 70's hits, but my sister brought home Back To The Bars double live album('78 or '79?), and it totally opened my mind to his AOR stuff and work w/Utopia. "I Saw The Light" is my jam still.

[@dx7guy]

Journeyman & Innovation, listening to Todds trick are really important meaningful to me THANK YOU

[@jamescarter4175]

Great interviews! Thanks!

[@sugah72404]

Great show! Yes, I was there with Foamy and Butter! 😊 Loads of fun. Finally met several fans from various Todd Facebook pages and old friends, too. Loved that! The man keeps getting better and better. The band was stellar as always. Sadly, someone stole my Todd signed bottle of wine! Grrr Here's hoping they enjoyed it as much as I would have, and at least shared a glass with another life-long Todd fan. @#LoveIsTheAnswer

[@cvtataryn]

Todd's the Man!

[@JohnMasino]

Awesome interviews... so glad you did these.

[@premierguitar]

Direct through PA.

[@dbunce10]

Thanks. Good interview

[@kelvynification]

Good interview, great questions.

[@horseygurl143]

Todd . . . Hello, it's me!!! Love, love, love!!!

[@babayaga1767]

fire had to be mid to late 80s i saw todd with the tubes in 84 and the had the motorcycle drumkit

[@jth23271]

Soooooo awesome!

[@lash3630]

I met you in Chicago after the park west.the guy with the 72 cream coup DeVille.still got the fin in a frame.thanks for the tunes.everytime I listen to emperor of the highway,I laugh.

[@susankeller164]

WHAT A NICE MAN!

[@jeffdawson2786]

Two legends of the art form.

[@ampersandmcvinegar5681]

Todd is a certified B.A. ✊

[@DavidGCroft]

Excellent interview.

[@frankgreen178]

Love the rundown. Even tho it's not very technical. Jesse plays some great Hendrix deep cut riffs in his. Great tone with a simple set up.

[@markinthemix6055]

Thanks 😊 to the bass player and the other guitarist this turned out AOK.

[@ISAZEKE]

Jesse is a monster!

[@hadleymanmusic]

Utopia! The Icon!

[@MerkinMuffly]

He got the frets filed down shortly after this video.

[@carldybowski4338]

Excellent read

[@katiedepietro6070]

Timeless*Priceless*Icon*Multitalented*Diamond*💎⭐🥇💪

[@kinkfloydd]

the fan based guitars built for Todd are by Perry Morelli of Belfair, WA. He is a super nice person and runs a Todd R fan club or facebook page.

[@graphicallydeb9897]

Belfair and Todd R seem a great pairing.. both are an acquired taste for me.

[@tokingreens]

I'm Perry's cousin and got to watch the guitar build process. We talked a lot about how it should go and it turned out to be a beautiful guitar. Too heavy but beautiful. I was standing next to Perry when Todd told him 'just not too heavy' as his back couldn't take what it use to. Anyway, I played it quite a bit before it was given to Todd while adjusting pickups and the action. He also built Todd an acoustic guitar and Jesse a beautiful purple heart wood electric Ankh guitar...

[@tokingreens]

@@graphicallydeb9897 lol same for me Belfair-wise.

[@kinkfloydd]

@@tokingreens Perry had a hot dog stand for a few months in belfair and I got acquainted with him and his wife and altho I do not agree with his politics, I do agree with his humanity and desire to make the world a better place and he knows how to make a hot dog!

[@tokingreens]

He got caught up in politics during that election cycle and has since mellowed back out a lot...He donated a lot of money to the Spirit of Harmony non profit and later in an interview with Todd about the fan guitar 'Fanny' he built for him Todd couldn't remember his name and Perry took it personally after the guitars he built for him and us running Toddfan website for so long. Todd has been his hero since 'We Got To Get You A Woman' and brought all of us, me, his brother, his son and friends to loving Todd since the beginnings of the 1970's. Thanks - he has always wanted a better world for everyone as did Todd.

[@Pan3405]

I saw Todd 2 years ago at the airport in Fort Lauderdale.. But how to approach this man who's music is in my blood since 1972 when I heard him on the radio with a lot of disturbance and very soft.. It was a life changer!

[@slooky14]

Great to see Todd and not one tattoo

[@deanguando9950]

Good interview

[@aliensporebomb]

Great rundown - lot sof cool things here and there. And then at 1:06:28 Mahavishnu excerpt - nice! Very nice.

[@camiloleao3249]

Todd is the best, the unanimity. Todd is God. The Great Arquitect of Musical Universe.

[@rooster1737]

good interview

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Somebody get this guy a stool!!

[@zankyalbo2208]

somebody buy a pair of trousers too ....

[@pcmechanic40]

I’m glad somebody said that. Todd has to keep looking over his shoulder and dude is just hovering there. Sit. Down. Preferably across from him. And put your hands down.

[@craigmorris4730]

"CARAVAN "EXCELLENT TONE

[@Oilid]

It's hard to come just after the witty and funny JoBo!!

[@chazzer4759]

Typ[ically Gemini/Geminian his looks have changed each decade he morphs into another chameleon all good especially in his 30s ...music is second to none!! Utopia great work

[@notebender4]

Saw Jesse a couple times with Tony Levin's group at the VanDyke in Schenectady...A very intimate place...I was within arm's length of his playing...He's just an amazingly talented guy...As is Tony Levin of course...Highly suggest you check those guys out if you have yet to

[@benbruhns192]

When did Tony levin play in Schenectady? I live in Clifton Park

[@notebender4]

@@benbruhns192 Years ago around pre and post 9/11 I can't remember the exact dates but it was at the Van Dyke if that's still there...

[@jkris2361]

Kasim Sulton also hosts a great radio show that I listen to .....WDST Woodstock NY

[@dingushussey4100]

What a great dude, i like this even if he isn't talking about his gear haha, it's nice to listen to a guy who is still inspired after so long.

[@brianbullis6253]

Great interviews. Sorry to hear about Jesse's health problems.

[@jayfoster]

Todd is fucking great. Thank you

[@puffysnowball2261]

I miss Jesse 😢

[@lgrim68]

I would like to point out that "Foamy" has a Kahler bridge. I did not hear that mentioned, and I think it is noteworthy. I quite like Kahlers. In my opinion, they are underrated.

[@umpygoodness2369]

HOW do they not discuss that???! They're so rare these days. (I prefer them to the Floyds.)

[@lgrim68]

I tend to think Kahler is not out to get rich, but he is just into guitars. If the Kahler systems had been aggressively marketed, I would expect they would be more popular than Floyd Rose. I think Kahlers outperform Floyds. The upside is that you can find deals on used Kahlers, because they are underrated. Maybe I should just keep my mouth shut, so I can have them all to myself. I suppose it really only matters when you want to dive-bomb a lot at gigs. If you are noodling at home, a traditional Strat bridge/block or Floyd Rose is plenty good. But when the pressure is on, and you want to go crazy, a Kahler is great to have. So yeah, they really should mention the Kahler, but I am not surprised they didn’t. If you have owned one, you may recognize it. I did not notice it for a few minutes.

[@GearGasms]

I noticed that too!

[@DetVen]

Good call! I have a Kahler 2700 trem from the 80s Epiphone Strat (yes, Epiphone) and it's superior to any FR out there.

[@georgebarry3153]

I NOTICED IT,FOR SURE.

[@tromeo731]

Love Todd! I didn't know Chris Elliott was playing guitar in his band?!

[@thefilmandmusic]

This guy is genius

[@bogatibokorakos]

Never clicked a youtube link faster :) Amazing intrview and Todd is GOD!

[@noneofyourconcern3276]

This is what I come here for! How lucky are you ?

[@davemcclelland3164]

Anyone here familiar with Steve Hillage - L ? Funny how Todd never talks about it. I think it's brilliant.

[@Jyuicycuhhh]

started this at 1230am promising myself i wouldn't watch the whole thing

[@jamesdemestihas9904]

i remember the ice guitar show!

[@michaelpotts1753]

I never thought I'd see Jason Statham interviewing Todd Rundgren!

[@BOOMER-DAD]

I love Todd. I got hit by a pick he threw on zen archer it has “Manny’s” on it ❤️

[@imannonymous7707]

Everything I thought I knew is wrong lol So I gotta hit like

[@amandalively1]

Talented guy.

[@rebelcat420]

Rundgren...amazing guitarist and songwriter, but a bit of attitude to go with it. And who would have thought that a Bat Out of Hell was done on a Fender Mustang? Kasim, extremely underrated as a bassist. Knows his place, works for the best of the band, and seems extremely humble and laid back.

[@aeropilot4419]

Kasim Sulton’s Utopia at Daryl’s Place on KZbin is very much with watching 👍🏼✨

[@jonesisdying]

Excellent interview, but maybe a few still inserts of the guitars discussed in the first half would be useful for those younger/less knowledgeable fans out there? I'm a massive Todd fan but even I found myself googling images of 'The Fool', the black Mustang and the Ankh guitars while watching. But still, great interview!

[@premierguitar]

A lot of those images are copyrighted and not available for our usage without HUGE payments. Viewers already complain about sending people to PG.com to help with some ad clicks, can only imagine if we started charging for these! Thanks for your feedback and even bigger thanks for being a fan and supporting Rig Rundowns and PG!

[@JerryLeeHowell2]

I sure hope you get the significance of The Fool. That thing has seen some fingers.

[@marknorris3769]

interesting , however i don't think anybody has ever complained about going to pg.com , absolutely sure all true fans fully support your right to profit and prosperity , anderton's built a media empire to front a retail business , you are a media empire not fronting a retail business , so build one , so. build. one.

[@umpygoodness2369]

that's INSANE. (ex: fair use) i wish you'd tell us more about THOSE bureaucratic machinations, cuz more sunlight might change things. I must say this is the WORST RR I've watched (out of hundreds!) --- love Todd but does he have ANY sense of humor??! Yikes. And talking about special guitars without photos is impossibly rude and annoying, sigh.

[@davidvawter4859]

Anyone who can't draw The Ankh from memory has no basis for calling themselves a "massive Todd fan."

[@stevemora7845]

I saw Utopia in 1980 and I was so impressed I had to have an electric guitar. Vai Satriani and Petrucci are definitely riding his coattails.

[@jfo3000]

The first Utopia album...fusion genius! His unison solos with the synths were otherworldly. Fan ever since.

[@joeyriche9541]

I also would like to Add that tbe LINE6 Spider IV 75 WATT Amp is incredible..I have Both the Marshall MG 100FX and LINE6 i wont part with them..

[@rednoise0]

It's funny, Jesse talking about the "secret D". I have a Strat with a similar neck, from an '80s Strat Plus, with a roller nut. I also have a "secret D" above the nut... but mine is on the B string. The G string also has it, but it's a bit flat compared to the other.

[@darrell6800]

kasim from staten island is no secret to people with taste

[@LastTree]

That bass is hanging up at the Rock n Roll cafe in NYC