Tedeschi Trucks Band Rig Rundown with Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi

Article & photos: bit.ly/TedeschiTrucksRR
Win a MXR Echoplex and signature Derek Trucks slides: bit.ly/MXREchoplex
PG’s John Bohlinger caught up Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, and Tim Lefebvre of the Tedeschi Trucks Band before their 3-show residency at the Ryman in Nashville. While this might not be a gear-heavy band, there’s plenty of soul, groove, and vibe.
Derek Trucks is not one to switch guitars. A longtime SG man, his current No. 1 is a prototype of a 2013 Gibson Dickey Betts signature custom shop SG-but with actual vintage PAF pickups. Trucks keeps a similar SG as a backup, but only plays it when he breaks a string, and then he usually switches back as soon as the string has been replaced.
Susan Tedeschi’s No. 1 is a stock 1970 Stratocaster that was a gift from Derek after he inquired about what her dream guitar would be. She keeps it strung up with D’Addario (.011-.049) strings.
Tim brings a pair of basses on the road with Tedeschi Trucks. Here is his custom CallowHill bass nicknamed the “asshole bass” by the late luthier Tim Cloonan. Hidden underneath the pickguard is a sopabar pickup that can be mixed in.
Continue learning about the band's setup: bit.ly/TedeschiTrucksRR

[@STSGuitar16]

So awesome that Derek Trucks, the absolute best guitarist of today, is one of the very few guitarists who actually did their rig rundown in-person instead of having a tech do everything. Mad respect on so many levels.

[@davidlawrence2508]

He is one Bad Axe, and he carries the torch for great music.

[@hchoe741]

Holy shit dude actually knows the gauges of all his strings

[@iceman10129]

The difference between a guitar player, and a guitar player of Dereks caliber.

[@WaRLoKWYATT]

hchoe741 Real guitar players....

[@kylepenn7467]

its because he chose them to have balanced tension in open E tuning

[@RUTJA.]

I have to know 3 differend guitar string gauges...and every guitar has differend tuning..

[@ridgemontnlmoves5074]

aren't u special - Mr. nobody

[@trankgrappa]

Derek & Susan are really wonderful down-to-the-earth people with zero percent star-behaviour - one wants to hug them immediately for this :)

[@orlock20]

The top blues players are like that because it's a "small world" and if the major players aren't working together, the tech crews are. Problem people are stuck playing bars and street corners because nobody wants to work with them.

[@jbolo5378]

Lol, you think these people have never been in front of a camera before???

[@DaigoParry]

Contrast with Yngwie Malmsteen lol! Yngwie is a cartoon character

[@bf2err]

@@orlock20 i think when you said problem ppl you became one of them by default

[@tomasotreasaigh111]

@@bf2err by that logic then so did you.

[@jonathanbrazee3846]

Pretty cool that Derek and Susan took the time to talk with John. Usually just get the techs, cause the "stars are to busy to come out.

[@NealB123]

Derek is the most humble, least egotistical musician in the business.

[@Migueltxum]

I don't know him personnally, but I think the exact same thing.

[@4199ny]

And the greatest guitarist.

[@WaRLoKWYATT]

jerry riccardi Then they are pussies. So there's still no excuse. Everyone gets shitty comments on KZbin. EVERYONE... unless you're one of those disingenuous pieces of shit who pander to the lowest common denominator... but even then...

[@jonathanbrazee3846]

jerry riccardi What are you talking about? There was nothing uninformed about what I said, it was a compliment. As far as polite goes, you sound condescending to me. I'm not sure why you feel qualified to speak on behalf of all the premier guitar artist no shows. I see it as, they are too busy. You see it as, they are just off stage, cowering in a corner, too afraid to come out because they might get negative comments. Do you really think artists won't go on because, a tech from Band of Horses and one from Soundgarden , had a comment battle on KZbin? Guess that makes the Tedeschi Trucks band even more badass.

[@habacabula]

"Hey I'm John Bohlinger and I'll be damned if I wear a loose shirt!!!"

[@midnightmerv3560]

better him than that short pudgy guy with the glasses and weird haircut. that dude has about as much charisma as a brick wall. I'm still sort of annoyed that durring the dweezel zappa rundown, when dweezels pulling out all the stops, giving us viewers the keys to the kingdom, a peak inside Frank's tone and that dude is just standing there nodding his head in silence for 20 minutes

[@nielslundqvist6695]

MidnightMerv k

[@shaunm1983]

He's still the best rig rundown guy tho and an awesome player himself

[@jakesnake66]

omg that's freakin funny....spit my ramen noodles on my keyboard...where can i send the bill? lol!

[@WaRLoKWYATT]

habacabula John spends too much time on his chest and biceps to ever wear a piece of clothing that doesn't show them off. lol I bet $1000 he looks at himself in the mirror a minimum of 10 times a day.

[@NotoriousJ.J.B.]

Derek, you bastard! You got me here for the guitar, but now, all I can think about is the fact that Duane Allmand was a big enough Lord of the Rings fan that he NAMED HIS DAUGHTER GALADRIEL!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@LarsBauer74]

not only is Derek Trucks an amazing player, he also comes across as a genuinely nice and down to earth guy!

[@stevewalsh5479]

I would never have matched up Susan's speaking voice with her singing voice. Love her!

[@digable_celestial_dwarfs6778]

I've seen him about a dozen times throughout the course of my life... This is literally the first time I've EVER seen him speak.

[@Chucksguitargeekery]

Susan's talking voice is so mellow compared to her powerful singing voice.

[@carlwilliams6977]

I was thinking the same thing. Her speaking voice is pretty high and geeky. Nothing like her ballsy blues voice! I've noticed the same thing with Joe Bonamassa.

[@Peter-iq6rc]

His explanation for why his strings break is incredibly humble....such a cool dude.

[@willsmith4710]

"Let's talk about her modest pedal board!" *cuts to two dudes standing around one pedal* i died

[@longfinger]

I've met the whole band back when Oteil was still with them and I felt like I was with my best friends. They are so genuine and kind. My girl and I ended up drinking in a bar with them all in Portland, ME until the wee hours. Something I will never forget!

[@thehoodoos6187]

SunnySalamander I heard him in an interview say that he likes bourbon.

[@MsMaggie926]

longfinger I am soo jealous!! I absolutely love all of them. Incredible musicians and people too from everything I’ve seen in interviews!

[@JimDorman]

I had a drink with Kofi once - great guy!

[@Jl-en1cd]

Hey what bar in Portland?

[@jefflevesque4944]

Which bar in Portland? 🤔

[@mikeadams4605]

How cool is that the biggest pedal board is on the Bass Player!! Derek and Susan with 2 pedals each!!

[@tomfoolery2082]

I read way back that when derek came home from tour with the allman brothers , no questions ask he went back to work with his dad on the roofing crew . I think i believe that now .

[@blazer6248]

Man, Susan seems so down-to-earth and approachable. Love that. Her and Derek both come off as very approachable and 'normal'.

[@JWCFB]

Mrs. Tedeshci has one of the very best voices I've ever heard.

[@MrBingping]

My buddy has a 65 SG that previously belonged to trucks and I can't for the life of me understand why trucks ever sold it. It's absolutely incredible

[@metalmulisha0143]

I guess he really is a minimalist, and doesn't give reverence to an old guitar just because it's old, he uses what he finds usable and sits in the mix just right. That or he has an even better one, I'm pretty sure he has a real 61 SG/Les Paul and a 57 goldtop

[@alexnelson8]

He had had all his gear stolen at one point. Not saying it’s your buddies, but worth noting.

[@anthonyspare]

@@alexnelson8 Yes, I feel like this has happened a couple of times. I remember when a TON of stuff got stolen from Atlanta.

[@craigsweeting507]

Trucks seems like a super chill guy. I'm here from getting a recommendation when he was little playing Layla, 10 videos later I'm still watching

[@patriel4208]

Wow...this might be one of my fav rig run down episodes. I love a simple rig with a magic sound. What a great bunch of folks they seem to be. Love that Susan uses batteries for her pedals.

[@WaRLoKWYATT]

Pat Riel You are dumb. The whole point of these is to show cool gear, not limited, boring gear that anyone can have. lol

[@Ali-fl5mb]

Wow you're so edgy and cool

[@barscotch]

I don't know, maybe TTB isn't your shot of tequila, but the gear they use is perfect for the sound they play. It's a retro blues/soul-based style, so the simplified gear makes good sense.

[@baybae92]

hahahah looks like someone edited their comment. i wanna know what the original was!!!

[@seanhagemeister9945]

A custom Dickey Betts SG. So boring everyone owns one. (rolls eyes)

[@mikemichel]

Derek is a young master and an old soul. He's so inspiring

[@wecandobetter9821]

As a long Time fan of the Allman Brothers Band I remember the first time seeing him on stage with them. At first I thought he was Greggs son giving his physical appearance then was told he was nephew of Butch Trucks. As we all know this man is without doubt one of the best guitarist out there and on slide nobody better. If you haven’t seen TTB live then go treat yourself to a great evening

[@ClarenceHW]

Great rundown, nice to see simplicity celebrated. Great talent doesn't need a lot of help.

[@colecloonan1370]

i just stumbled across this video i’ve never seen it before. Tim Cloonan is my uncle, he died before i was old enough to appreciate his art. I wish i could have met him now to really understand his greatness. he did some amazing things. we have the first guitar he made hanging in my grandmothers house. i remember him letting me use the machine that cut the guitars in his philly apartment when i was little. i wish he was still around, he was such a cool guy.

[@4199ny]

I have been going to shows since '87 and Trucks is objectively the best guitarist I have ever witnessed. He is next level.

[@jayjohnson5016]

trucks > SRV ?

[@gradystein657]

@@jayjohnson5016 yes

[@unknownkingdom]

@@jayjohnson5016 tough competition but I'd have to sya yes

[@J__C__]

Man I love Derek. He seems so humble. And he can SLAY that slide guitar! ❤️❤️

[@stevespayde7469]

So nice to see humility and talent....and actually hearing from the players,and not just the techs.

[@matguerra333]

The most humble badass out there. He actually does his own rig rundown which says it all.

[@amm5534]

Susan is such a sweetheart and Derek is just a calm but monstrous guitar player. A match made in heaven!!!

[@daviddawson1718]

Well, the South, same thing to us

[@keseysvenisonchili]

the fact that he doesn't use monitors considering the size of the rooms they're playing nowadays blows my mind. & rip kofi.

[@bf2err]

Yeah that's why he stresses the importance of everyone having their own space in the mix. If he had monitors he would probably get a distorted perception of what that space would be I imagine

[@samvargas2868]

These guys are so chill. They seem like really nice people.

[@shredderhector9261]

John is without a doubt the best interviewer in these Rig Rundowns. Great questions and always keeps it flowing

[@fdfsdfsvsfgsg4888]

Chris is the best but thanks for not creeping on Rebecca like the other losers.

[@andrewpappas9311]

He’s definitely one of the best, yeah, he always asks great questions and just seems like a super cool guy

[@akxeman]

Love it! "those are thick strings, and you finger pick, so how the hell do you break strings?" Derek: "when you have a rythm section like that behind you, you feel like you're being chased down". Amazing guitarist.

[@wreckoningday]

John Bollinger is the best RR host hands down by far inexplicably

[@diamondog99]

you obviously dont know of Rebecca dirks...ha ha

[@fives.]

I love Johnny B endlessly but PB and Kies do the same damn thing just as well, no hands involved

[@sillysausage4549]

John's a nice guy... but Rebecca was my last teenage crush. I was 40 at the time.

[@Andrea_Manconi]

The lightest SG body, and it doesn't dare neckdiving *certified superpower*

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

Derek and Susan are truly decent people and genuine human beings. So rare these days. . .

[@G5Hohn]

Derek isn't just a heck of a player, he's easily one of the most likeable and humble dudes you'll ever meet.

[@VonBluesman]

Great Rundown. I saw them live at New Orleans Jazz Fest and they stole the show, a full band with world class musicians and a class act.

[@Piltribus]

Miles said that it was enough to make the right notes, Dereck makes those that directly touch the heart

[@guitarnoises4862]

John does such a good job. I love his enthusiasm.

[@AndyCharlesMusic]

Saw these guys in London, without a doubt one of the best live bands I have ever seen, truly hypnotic musicianship

[@5150show]

One of the greatest living guitar players alive today

[@thealaskapicker8628]

It's great to see Derek Trucks smile and laugh. Usually when I've seen him on stage, especially when he played with the Allman Brothers, he just stood there like an emotionless robot (albeit perhaps the greatest guitar playing robot of all time). I noted he seemed much happier and more animated when playing music with his wife

[@tomault3063]

I can't speak for any other times, but I just saw them in Clearwater and, apart from walking over to face the keyboardist when he had lead vocals or solos, he scarcely changed his position, posture or expression. Every thought or emotion he expressed was through his fingers.

[@robnamowicz8073]

Trucks listens to the room he's playing. Super talent.

[@briandarabaca]

Derek really has a cool, grounded attitude. My respect to this humble guy!

[@rixe11]

One of the best guitarist of this generations, what a nice person too

[@davidharrismusician]

The best rig rundown ever. That bass player...such a wild band, I love it! Also, I am of the unpopular opinion that John does a great job on these RR's!

[@richardclegg5853]

The crew seems to mirror Derek & Susan, super cool and relaxed, has to be a dream job for all of em, no pretention, its just about the experience of making music

[@MaxPaws]

Bass Space! That was the best part! And I love that the bass player uses more pedals than the two guitarists combined!

[@misterree1443]

Absolutely ridiculously brilliant beautiful musician.

[@ksgtrpkr]

Good humble dude, Master slide and guitar player, really good people!

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

I hate superlatives since you usually get into You Tube fight. But this band puts out some great music. How do they do it? I have no idea. But, you seem to know how they do it and you did an interview of their equipment, they treated you like a decent human being that really knew what he was talking about. And I realized that this was the perfect interview of the perfect band. They are genuine people, but great musicians, that are able to communicate that musical ability with our primal sense of what music is. The next time I see them play, I will know that they are playing instruments that have been well thought out and can convey what they want to say with the least complications and yet the most feeling.

[@joeurbanowski321]

Love hearing anything Derek Trucks has to say.. musically.. and the stories and insights..👍🏼

[@aussie_philosopher8079]

It's refreshing to know that someone else prefers to tweak their amp ad they go. This is my preferred method with amazing results.

[@AshRavens]

all of them seem like genuine, great people!! I have never felt that from a whole crew. Wow.

[@Groove1993]

man i want that miles davis t-shirt!

[@papasmamas1]

Thanks for upload this kind of things Premiere guitar staff.

[@Funkyflannel96]

Getting a slide from derek himself is a real treasured gift i'd say

[@jpatrickgreen]

I hate to admit I'm a guitarist and I don't know a ton about Derek Trucks so I pulled this up for research. See the Miles Davis T-Shirt and a nice analog wristwatch and I'm like whatever this guy does, I'm into it.

[@chasmenear7130]

What a great guy... with a great wife (who is a great girl), and a great damn band! I remember the first time I saw this band (actually the studio vid for 'Anyhow'), and busting out in tears- because of how actually wonderful the music was! Speaking as a string guy, I would love to play in this band! Good vibes, only good vibes!

[@marccooper76]

Derek is so cool and chill. Being a guitar player myself I have always been more inspired by him than just about any other guitarist this day in age. Truly a musical genius. So down to earth. Thx for the vid!

[@kevinsage1047]

@2:55 best advice for ANYONE in a band situation. How to not step on your bandmates 101. Brilliant

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

+Kevin Sage Oh so true, but you'll need help from a good sound tech, which many (most?) of us don't have access to, or simply cannot afford.

[@LittleDrummerChannel]

I agree completely, great statement. Finding your place and supporting your band...musicianship..., such an important aspect that is often unknowingly overlooked. When you experience it, its beautiful. Happy day friend.

[@ax_el_alvarez]

Tiny little details like that make Derek's superb playing "shine" even more. To know where you are in a band is ALWAYS going to favor the music, which is the most important thing, more than your tone or skills or chops, music stands above all, and Derek knows it :)

[@leahnewyork]

"A lot of it is about finding your sonic space, and not occupying it _just because_". Hear, hear Derek!

[@JMFR2008]

Great, great player. It was funny to see him hold on to the SG during the interview to prevent it from neck diving.

[@Diax1324]

I would do anything to have a 60s super reverb on 9 as my main amp, with an Alessandro custom made mega-reverb AZZ as my casual once-in-a-while boost amp. Holy shiit.

[@christophergutierrez8966]

Gosh when susan was talking about that scratch on the back of that guitar... my heart dropped

[@NoCoverCharge]

I saw Derek play when he was 9 yrs old in Fernandina beach fla...he was amazing

[@jeffdawson2786]

The most unique player.

[@thearabianmage]

Some people just don’t give a damn about fancy amps, guitars, and gear - they just focus on the playing. And the world’s better for it.

[@ileutur6863]

But gear is half the fun of even being q musician

[@tonylarsonstudio]

One of the best Rig Rundown's yet!

[@BenLubin]

man, i can't take my eyes off of john bolinger's chiselled pectorals. Inspirational!

[@RickMcCargar]

Love this band, and the very humble Derek and Susan. All the egos in this business, but these two amazing musicians could have them and don't. So refreshing! Thanks for the rig rundown John!

[@miguelabreumacedo]

Derek is one of the only guys I've seen who looks younger with a beard!

[@davidbentley145]

Derek...love your dedication totally in service to the sound...much appreciated brother...

[@Casey_J96]

Derek is in my opinion one of the coolest men alive. His tone is phenomenal and his playing is on a level of it's own.

[@MrCrapheadist]

I've seen Derek multiple times, with the ABB and the Tedeschi Trucks band. This guy brings it every night. Just inspiring.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

It's crazy how much deeper her singing voice is from her speaking voice.

[@spigmu2274]

What a wonderful video! Always loved Trucks and Lefebvre interviews, never heard a Tedeschi one before. Their humility and genuineness is second only to how mesmerizing they are as a band. Props to their success!!

[@bradleyhohner8775]

What an incredible artist and a sweet soul. Make those strings sing and shine.

[@johntucket9221]

Your best interview ever, great job. Your respect for him really shows and it is awesome.

[@monmixer]

Very true about the voltage. I have been doing this work since I was 18 years old. I have done many power taps. I noticed at night in most cities the voltage changes in the evening after you already did sound check. It will jump from say 119 to 122 volts at soundcheck in the 3 or 4 in the evening around 7 or 8 PM it jumps to 126 when businesses are closed , lights and machines shut down that they use at work the voltage goes up. It starts creeping up right after rush hour. Big change, 4 volts is a lot with a tube amp. It also makes sense to play like you do at practice and let the engineer do his job. a loud guitarist that is controlling his own dynamics is a dream..

[@InspiretoVictory]

If only I could give this a million thumbs up! Tedeschi Trucks has been my favorite band for quite a while now. I absolutely love them. I got to see them last year in Charlotte and it was beyond magical. Their stage presence and overall feeling was like everything in the world was great at that particular moment. I can't say enough good about them. They're just such wonderful people. Thanks, Premier Guitar, for getting this rig run down.

[@dennisjohndreher7258]

Love there commitment to the blues. Not enough of that today

[@Erice1967]

The bass swells were great! Never heard anyone do that.

[@Theweeze100]

How wonderful to hear a couple of great guitarist just talk shop. I know the rest of us mere mortals really appreciate hearing how someone with that level of talent goes about handling and setting up their gear. A thousand thanks for posting this.

[@maartendijkstra9829]

Saw him life on a festival and he definitely stole the show!

[@bayougtr]

That music store in Porter sq. had some nice gear. When ever I bought a amp or guitar, we would always go a few doors over to Toad and celebrate!

[@h.l.westlake2587]

from the finger to the earlobes....love it simple is the way.

[@mchristr]

Such a humble, mellow guy and without equal as a slide player.

[@snakelakeestates8666]

A man that understands the entire spectrum of music YES

[@jorgetenamusic]

Super musicians, super nice people. Absolutelly amazing band and live show!!

[@pamelataylor3198]

"It's a good night when you're breaking strings," Derek says! YEEEHAW!! GO DEREK!

[@OrkyGoblin]

Holy shit yes ! Been waiting for this forever ! Thanks PG !

[@andrewday4406]

Little Miles just hangin' in the necklace

[@BellTunnel]

Derek seems like a genuinely nice guy. Authentic and down to earth.

[@zummo61]

One of the most fun episodes!

[@SNikolaM]

God, these people are...great. In many ways. Thanks for the rundown!

[@brianbarrett5987]

Another great interview John!!!! Thanks.

[@grbguitar11]

Awesome. Thankyou. One of my favorite Episodes ever. And that is a hard choice. Nice work everyone involved. Cheers

[@00Zoltan00]

I'm going to see them next week, I'm so thrilled :)

[@martinheath5947]

So much love for this band, so much love IN this band! These things are by no means unrelated!