Reacting to 80's Gear Rundowns | Vintage Guitar Rigs

Huge hair, huge racks and flashy guitars! Let's check out some 1980's guitar gear rig rundowns!
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#80sGuitar #RackEffects #ShredGuitar

[@JamieStephens5309]

As a touring guitarist in the 80's my rig consisted of a Les Paul into a JCM 800 with a Boss EQ and a DM-2 Delay. The only big racks I was interested in were in the front row:)

[@MisterRorschach90]

Really hope 9 more people like this.

[@jamesbrasfield2944]

There are exactly 69 likes on this top comment As it should be

[@devilmanable]

Mine was same lol.. had the eq which I also kinda used as boost and used chorus pedal I added delay later.

[@mrhyde2250]

A solid rig for sure.

[@michaelsteveharristonquisp6466]

You want a medal?

[@barriem5318]

"The higher the hair, the closer to God" is one of the best descriptions of 80s metal I've ever heard. 👏

[@mikedenkinger9570]

I love how Michael Angelo also immediately runs through his signal chain and brags about being in stereo..... and then immediately goes into a seizure with a whammy bar.

[@BenCoombs]

Hands down one of the most entertaining videos I've seen in months!! Vintage gear, reaction shots and a healthy dose of grease!! Please do a part 2 RJ!!

[@Jaysteenn]

Well said!!

[@markedwards7721]

80's rigs, amazingly, are still unsurpassed.

[@altbouch]

These rigs are hysterical. Your reaction shots are great. I like this format and if you can find more topics like this, you should make more. Props for that Uncle Larry shirt.

[@TraneFrancks]

And Uncle Larry himself at 0:27 doing a rig rundown. 🤓

[@atlantaguitar9689]

Mr. Bouchard - I'm betting you've seen a few insane rigs in your time....Also some of the drum setups from the 70s and 80s could be pretty intense also.

[@ksharpe10]

And State of the Art Back then, Bet the Cult had some Big stuff/Buck of Course, bet you had quite the Drum set then?

[@AngusClarkGTR]

Lukather's is the total LA session archetype. He was like the proving ground that so many others followed. I can't say that it was my favorite thing, but it is THE thing. Brad Gillis' tone on "Speak of the Devil" is insanely good. It has that stereo'd sound to it. The guys as Atomic Guitar Works in Phoenix were still installing the wireless units into his guitars within the last 10 years! They did the same for Joel when he was in Night Ranger. Michael Angelo can't have had as much bread as either of the other guys, hence the pedals. Side Note - remember when Vai came out with the 2-necked heart guitar in a David Lee Roth video? We were all like, Michael Angelo has GOT to be PISSED!!! Love this vid!

[@midlifemotox]

I did the studio set ups for Luke in the 80's and 90's. It was Bob Bradshaws fault... It was ever evolving.. We had issues often... Luke and issues don't mix.

[@BentTom]

2 years later I still love this video. More REH and Hot Licks video reviews please!

[@georgemcmillan9172]

At the height of my rig in the 80s, I had two 18 space racks full of processors, eqs, delays, reverb units, Dunlop rack wah system, and a midi switching system. Eight Peavey Butcher 4x12s, and eight Peavey Butcher heads. I had 10 guitars onstage, a Yamaha DX7 with soundbank, electric acousting on a seperate stand, and a custOM mini B.C.Rich Mockingbird mounted on a mic stand set up for slide. Damn, I really miss the 80s...

[@multishit6664]

Holy halfstacks batman. lol.

[@jessihawkins9116]

what u do with it all

[@lynnhathaway1247]

This is hilarious. Felt like I was watching an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

[@Mdbutler]

Love me some mst3k

[@glennman0922]

The new Crow was way better than O.G. crow IMO

[@waltersmetak]

Having started on guitar in the early 80s, this clip was really a scream! The vintage strat all hacked to bit to fit all this insane amount of stuff - wild! The Bradshaw gigs were insane! Over the top! Really loved the video - great choice! Very fun to watch and to remind us of the 80's excess.

[@bv5980]

Really enjoyed this video, brings back memories of lusting after rack mounted gear. Please make more of this videos, cheers!

[@zackguitar07]

Love this new format, RJ! Please do more. Michael Angelo's hair stole the show for me, but if I had to pick a favorite piece of gear it has to be the tri-chorus. I had the Keeley Dyno My Roto with a tri-chorus mode on it that instantly put me in the 80s, but now regretting selling it after watching this.

[@DrScrambles]

We need more of these!! This was great. It brings back memories of watching the old 80s dudes rigs in the clubs growing up back in the mid 2000s. Made me want rackmounts and stacks...Now I'm getting ready to sell my 120w head and 4x12 for a 50w and 2x12. How times have changed.

[@rsm9793]

LOL That was a fantastic video! I hope there's more to come! I mean, you should make it a series please! Bring back that phenomenal 80's gear and vibe!

[@mikeivey8471]

Man , I lived that stuff !! This video took me back hard !! Loved it !! Thanks for the time machine moment !! Please do more like this ?!

[@TheAxe4Ever]

I absolutely LOVE Steve Lukather’s playing. He probably my all time favorite guitarist. But that little diddy he did at 8:45 is what we used to call a coke twitch. Kinda like a goosebump shiver. Hey, I’m not knocking him for it. It was the 80’s man! For many of us it was winter all year long. You know....always “snowing”. I remember watching this video when it came out and we used to laugh because all through it you would hear him do his “second wave sniffle”. So happy he (and a lot of us) cleaned ourselves up since.

[@dizzyred1390]

This is by far one of the best vids out there … classic vhs videos w RJ commentary lmao such a brilliant idea …nobody else clda made this that fun !

[@billtice5057]

This video was awesome! I remember every single one of these interviews “back in the day!”

[@marksoden6812]

This is an Epic Episode. Well done! The facial expressions during the whammy bar tantrum were PRICELESS!

[@Taylor-kd6lr]

You have such a great channel RJ. This video made my day.!

[@smokingun397]

I've been away a few weeks and it's great to see that you've now passed 100k subscribers. I've been a fan since you only had about 25k. Congratulations dude, well done

[@chuckbob49]

I have never watched you before but this was masterful! You have such a dry, sarcastic, and incisive sense of humor. Well done, sir!

[@jordanmartinez2432]

Love it!!!! This was the time I started as well, great work man!!!👍

[@ralphhyland8661]

This was the best video yet. I was instantly back just out of High School attempting to learn all I could about guitar, and totally remember watching these instructional videos. There was a really good Eric Johnson one (the 1st of a few) that had crazy cool hair as well as a good gear section. Thanks for doing these, they are great.

[@enzonuestro1721]

RJ's reaction on micheal angelo's dive bomb is the face of my Filipino mom when I told her i dont want to be a nurse and proceeded to say "ar u stooped?"

[@michaelwade9455]

Luke with that Valley Arts guitar and all that grease, not to mention the killer opening jam he played on his Star Licks lesson was so badass! Fun video R.J. nice to relive the golden years, I think my back still hurts from hauling my rig around back in the day!

[@Andersongerman777]

it was so much fun watching this videos. You are the best man.

[@hotrodchassisandcycle2726]

This was awesome! I still have my 2 1989 Westones with reverse headstocks that I airbrushed and played gigs with. Good times. This was awesome to watch. I had the George Lynch video for sure, maybe a couple others too. Remember those cassette tapes that broke down the guitar solos at half speed so you could learn to play them? I had lots of those, mostly Van Halen, and that was how I learned to play Eruption. I think I some for Dokken too. Great memories!

[@chrisday5341]

This is beyond entertaining. The commentary is gold!

[@TraneFrancks]

Wow. What a huge giggle. Marvellous video!

[@Meltedcheese567]

PLEASE MAKE MORE OF THESE

[@ginoames]

This is awesome. My buddies and I were huge fans of the Hot Licks videos back in the day.

[@TheBrightSounds]

Such a smart and funny segment.... I love this breakdown

[@kospandx]

Really cool! I remember enjoying the rigs in the Jeff Watson and Steve Lynch videos in particular.

[@MusicTherapyLaz]

Oh please... do more of these RJ... awesome stuff!😎🤘🎸🐦

[@BrettPapa]

Bro no George Lynch!?! Great vid!

[@RJRonquillo]

Part 2!

[@axelvanvik8225]

@@RJRonquillo Would be cool if you would include Brian May's Star Licks tape.

[@springbloom5940]

George Lynch is a toolbag. He had a fit, berated, publicly humiliated and generally abused his stage crew, threw down his guitar and walked out of a show, because he was having a technical difficulty with his rig. He still owes me $23.

[@johnmarshall3903]

@@springbloom5940 when did this happen??

[@springbloom5940]

@@johnmarshall3903 Probably around '94?

[@merlozeppelin]

You left poor Carlos Cavazo alone in the background

[@nilsx3020]

Hilarious indeed. But Luke is still the man. Such a character and generational player and all around cool dude.

[@thedude4594]

Lol. I don’t know who you are talking about??? He’s the biggest jerk in rock but totally awesome guitarist.

[@ledjon]

Super cool man. More like this for sure.

[@nickpagoulatos9575]

I usually think reaction videos are lame but this one was pretty funny and well done. Keep the funny coming!

[@SteveZinn]

"The higher the hair, the closer to God". Thank you for the greatest reaction videos on KZbin. Freaking awesome.

[@MetallicAssault]

I think it's from the 90s but the Dann Huff one is a great video. There's so much gear and so much useful information there.

[@jamz312]

I love your guitar playing and now that I have seen your show, I give you the 2 thumbs up!!

[@petesorensenguitar]

Good vid. I've been using a recreated version of Luke's Bradshaw rig on my Axe-Fx III running through my two Yamaha HS8's. Sounds incredible.

[@gioelevio1626]

Awesome video😂💕!!! I'm lucky enough to own one of those fireburst Valley Arts guitars and yes it’s glorious!

[@guitarman45.]

Those big rigs were real fun to play with every unit back then was amazing and we were always looking for more

[@okoman5]

the world needs more of this!

[@antonix_81]

Oh man these are the reaction videos i like to see! Please do more 😁🤟

[@marksguitars5617]

cool! I remember this video, Brad Gillis had some ingenious stuff as well as being an amazing player, I have one of those old Floyd Rose bridges that I had on a Charvel partscaster. Boy I can remember the Big Rack days. There was a system called the "Datacaster" back in the day, it was a switch that replaced one of the guitar tone knobs and connected to a stereo jack, that would enable the player to run 2 wireless systems, one for the guitar signal and the other from the switch to a midi rack switcher (or can be run hardwired) to control effects! Luke had amazing stuff! heavy duty 80s! Check out what Peter Frampton has been running also major rack attack. Thanks for sharing RJ.

[@zerozeroisland]

One video you should DEFINITELY check out is the Adrian Belew "Electronic Guitar" one. He has a monster rig, and spends a good portion of the video demonstrating each effect in depth. There's even a neat stop motion clip at the beginning of him setting it all up. Lord, that Rane Splitter/Mixer took me back. I'd forgotten all about that thing. When i was doing a lot of sessions in the late 80s, we ALL went that 'parallel effects' route with the Rane. I had the 36 space rack, and 2 2-12" cabs in stereo. The usual suspects in the rack. Dan Pearce preamp, Boogie power amp, PCM 42, PCM 70, TC 2290. Yikes. Fun to look at nowadays, but i don't miss moving that stuff around ;)

[@erdismaxhelaku]

Bring back the 80s! No more Helix and Kempers

[@judaspriestchild]

Nothing is more 80s than a shitload of effects going through solid-state.

[@littlebrownhash]

Love the idea of effects switching with buttons on the guitar. I’ve always wanted to try a Livid guitar wing.

[@davehill9951]

I got a wicked Jackson 1 unit rack pre amp from the 80's. got 2 pre amp tubes and a button on the front that says SHRED! Couldnt ask for anything more in life!

[@EricMerrow]

"I play 4 100 watt marshall stacks" ....just yes!!!!! Loved the video man!

[@redrum22]

This video is perfect in so many ways

[@nitrogennick123]

This was so great, you should make a series of videos like this! Maybe find some from the 70s 80s and 90s!

[@renanterezan9922]

I like the buttons and switches in guitar idea.

[@wattonburger]

Love it! Total flashback for me as well. Now you have to cover Rockman by Tom Scholz!

[@michaelweiss1531]

In the 80th i used to play a Vintage Stratocaster through a Silverface Twin Reverb with a Rat, now i bought a Rocktron VooDu Valve, a Transistor Poweramp and a Hamer Special FM, greetings from Germany

[@uriahroseii1026]

Seen MAB right before Covid and he can still play extremely well. I used to run some rack stuff back then (Fender Super 60, Digitech 256XL, ect...) then went back to combos. My first Rivera M60 4x10 was mindblowing, but that was early 90s. Now I'm back to small Fender Princeton Reverbs and a couple pedals like back in the 70s. Full circle I guess...

[@paulbarks1473]

Hey man, first time I've seen your channel, cool vid 😎 👌

[@stevebubar6129]

I wish I saw this video earlier. Especially being a 80s guy myself. R.J. Sir… U are very entertaining! So fun to watch this video

[@boggeshzahim3713]

This was a very nice video to watch

[@avibortnick]

Loving your quips.

[@jeremychp]

That was great. Miss those days. Definitely need some Lynch in the next one

[@anthonysilva5312]

LUKE!!!! You’re still god! Loved your jam with Larry C (my personal 80’s fave) Thx RJ! Love this content

[@andriealinsangao613]

Dude, gotta love that "That's What She Said" joke!

[@JJ-nq3ll]

It was all about the hair! Everything else would follow 🎸

[@willnewsome6222]

Great video!! I literally just saw an interview yesterday talking about Neil Schon having had 3 of the first Floyd Rose bridges made, giving one to EVH, one to Brad Gillis, and keeping one for himself (saying they were the best for tuning stability, especially when playing with a keyboardist).

[@Meltedcheese567]

Literally?

[@svincentr]

Funny overdubs, good shit.🤘🏽🎸🔊🔊🎛🎙🎚🎼

[@harleyhexxe9806]

My favorite rack gear are the racks I built myself, and still use to this day. A LOT of ADA gear with some Eventide, and Lexicon racks for their trademark effects, mixed with Rane SM-26 Line Level Mixers. I can go on, but this stuff will be showing up soon in videos

[@ltxr9973]

I remeber that old advertisement/documentary video from VHS some shop (I think in California) did in the 80's. They were building these huge custom racks, based around Mesa/Boogie gear. They had all bells and whistles, some of them were as big as Gilmore's rig, some of them even had rackmount CRT monitors in them. Totally over the top but also totally awesome. I wish I was able to track that video down.

[@drippinglass]

Kool vid! Thanks! 😎

[@bradmodd7856]

brad gillis doing that Zappa neck flick when he says something he is really proud of ..love it (4:22)

[@EricMarinko]

I didn't think I was going to like this topic but this video turned out to be one of my favorites.

[@Havanacuba1985]

Having been a teen in the 80s I live for this stuff . It’s 1990 but I just bought a Boss SE50 half rack size stereo effects unit

[@nedward5871]

Adrian Belew's gear rundown - I remember renting it! He goes through the effects, but also how he got his early 80s sounds...

[@TheFeelButton]

Getting greased up to slide back into the 80s for a $10,000 reverb rig! Fun stuff RJ!!

[@zombiemosher1139]

Ha! Ha! This was gold. I love rack shit & grew up lusting over it all in the magazines. I use a mix of some old school units & modern stomp boxes.

[@mconra]

I recall Paul Gilbert making a cheesy pun on “presence” during the first Intense Rock vid. Hilarious. Also- I still have the old school Mesa Boogie metal grill cabinet like Luke! Except I have the 4x12. Killer sound but too big for my living room and looking to sell actually.

[@paddyclint]

The first that's what she said floored me. Also digging the Buk Easter eggs! I was surprised we didn't get a "susmaryosep" in there :)

[@Jaysteenn]

Thanks for the cool video!

[@martone6852]

Loved it R.J definitely do more of these if you find more source material. Also how cool would it be to have delay and drive contols at your fingertips (guitar fetish actually sells some stuff like this). For me the clincher would be getting 9vdc to the guitar via a normal guitar lead instead of an onboard battery?

[@copykon]

Steve Clark's Gibson Les Paul XR-1, and the JCM 800 100WT - I've read that the JCM was modded, but I can't verify it. What a beautiful tone.

[@supersonicnomad8437]

I started learning when I was 14 in 1983. I discovered early on that I played by ear. I didn't get the VHS vids because I was to busy figuring out tunes on my record player. Pulling the needle back over and over... \m/

[@RobinsonRDavid]

OMG R.J., your camera takes are killing me. So f-ing funny. More of that please! ROFL!!!

[@gravyblue]

When the steve lukather starlicks video came out, I, aged about 15 or 16, went and bought an emg 85. I still have it, it sounds nothing like a modern 85, and it absolutely rages.

[@carvinblack]

I still have a promotional sustaniac pack with a flexi demo record from 1989. This was before they had the drop in pickup. It was cumbersome and had a fat cable you had to run down the back of the guitar, down the neck and to the headstock.

[@deanbibb3680]

Trevor Rabin’s Star Licks video came out in the early 1990’s but contained the most in depth breakdown of a Bradshaw rig I had seen up to that point in time and also the first mention of Digidesign and Pro Tools I ever heard.

[@kevinjamison123]

Oh man! Memories. Luke’s will always be my favorite.

[@The_Bass_Stunters]

Bro! That is slick how he has all the switches built in the body of the guitar!

[@Reverendtiger]

More of these please!

[@deanhostetter5040]

Awesome freaking shirt! Got one myself. Tom is amazing. So cool you are into him.

[@deanhostetter5040]

Also reach out to Little Tommy and do an interview. Would be killer. I appreciate your videos. You do a great job. Corona therapy

[@runabout76]

I love and use rack gear and pedals. It can be complex and modular/portable. Very overlooked these days.

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

I keep telling myself to pull out my old ‘80s rack, but I also keep forgetting to do it.😂 Most of what’s in it are stereo, studio effects that can also be used onstage, but it does have two guitar-specific effects: an old Rockman in its somewhat rare rack mount. The other is a Digitech GSP-5 that I bought to use in the band I was in while stationed in Korea. The latter truly has all the “sounds of the 80s” guitar tones, but that Rockman just has that “Boston tone” that Tom Scholtz created. It’s not only unmistakable, it’s unavoidable when you plug into one. SO much fun!!

[@Havanacuba1985]

I love valley arts especially that Luke one . Also love the James Tyler

[@user-ox5kh3fy8g]

Wow, you are so above all of this, you are the coolest

[@Chord_The_Seeker]

I bought my first electric guitar rig in 1991. It was all rack stuff, but it was actually pretty compact and simple. I had an ADA Microtube 100 power amp, a Rocktron mAXE preamp and an ART DR-X multieffects processor. I had two ADA vertical half stacks with 50 watt Celestions in them (2X12 in each one) and I ran the whole thing in stereo. That was my bedroom practice rig, lol. About 10 years later I added an ADA MP-1 that I bought used. The first time I went to a guy’s house to jam I brought the whole rig with me. The 4 rack units were in a road case, and it weighed about 85 pounds all together. As the drummer and bassist helped me to haul everything down to the basement they looked at me like I probably needed a drug test, lol.

[@baileywatts1304]

I saw one in the 90s where Billy Gibbons said he goes on tour with a pretty minimalist rig, but at every stop he checks out the local pawn shops and guitar stores and by the end of the tour he's got all kinds of new pedals and guitars