Joe Bonamassa Plays Hendrix's "Band of Gypsys" Rig: For Real & For Less

[@christianscazzieri]

Joe. It doesn't really matter whether you like him or not, musically speaking. He's just a cool guy, deeply in love with guitar and guitar playing. I respect this guy so much for all the work he's been putting into it, non stop, for the last 30 years. A true keeper of the flame. God bless him.

[@starmanoretorno]

11:17. 11:24. 11:29. 11:31

[@joeyhumphrey4536]

Well put Christian. Joe has passion for guitars and playing them like no other. The man is incredible. and loves the blues. God broke the mold when he made humble Joe, will never be another like him!

[@amjrpain919]

I ❤ JoeBo!

[@forddriver8827]

Cannot add anymore to pure logic. Anyone who struggles with Joe B is simply down on themselves and looking for easy targets. Joe, seen you in Sydney, Australia a couple of times and we all hope you return asap.

[@crucified-music]

JOE BONAMASSA IS A DOUCHE BLUES kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5fNpWyMltCIqLs

[@brian_nirvana]

This content is culturally significant. Posting it on KZbin will ensure that future generations will have access to it and appreciate it. Thank you for sharing it.

[@mrsoul4231]

I hope this is the first of many of these types of videos from Joe and Reverb....

[@Reverb]

It won’t be the last

[@TerroristicNightmares]

@@Reverb Reverb should give a way $5.00 for every fine vintage instrument sold on Reverb? lol

[@jcsk8]

Indeed

[@monochromedout]

This might just be my bucket list content series but I can't believe no one has ever gotten Joe and John in a room to talk gear and the blues. I think they are both the same age and come at gear and guitar playing from different sides of the same coin. Unlike Joe, John rarely discusses, demos or interacts with gear/gear content online. 😢

[@zaxmaxlax]

@@Reverb Make this a new series please.

[@PennStacker]

I found a classic 30 in a dumpster a couple years ago. Brought it home. Works just fine. That vintage setup sounds incredible.

[@LisaMcGraw-ib7rj]

Wow...❤️

[@ronfarmhand5179]

Tommy Shannon bassist for Johnny Winter and Stevie Ray Vaughan said he saw both of them playing around with crappy little practice amps and they both sounded awesome. The gear can help but it’s in the fingers. Glad to see Joe doing something like this. Everyone can’t afford the vintage treasures.

[@sgmarshall3]

Can you imagine being a few feet away from either Johnny Winter or SRV? That would be insane!

[@bluesmano5283]

@@sgmarshall3I have.

[@stoneysdead689]

True- but you aren't writing Purple Haze without a wah pedal and at least an amp that will overdrive and a guitar that won't fret out on a bend. Ppl take the "it's in the fingers" thing literally and forget that Hendrix loved effects and wrote many of his biggest hits because of them. If you play guitar, you know what I mean- some effects only sound right when you change the way you play- and that's what inspires you to write certain riffs. Purple Haze sounds like a fuzz riff- I would bet anything he came up with it trying to play to his fuzz pedal. That clean, glassy sound he used so often- also a fuzz pedal- believe it or not, you crank the fuzz, kill the volume on the guitar- and you end up with a beautiful, clean, creamy, tone he used on stuff like Little Wing. The truth is that it takes both- raw talent, and a willingness to explore technology and embrace certain pieces of gear. Like it or not- Hendrix wouldn't have been Hendrix without the gear. In fact, he tried making it without the gear under the name James Marshall Hendrix and it went nowhere- then he went to England, did some acid, found Marshal amps and the Fuzz pedal- and became Jimmi Hendrix.

[@mgj1s479]

I saw Johnny Winter play at the House of Blues in Chicago in the early 2000's. He had the fastest fingers I ever saw in my life.

[@peachmelba1000]

When some people currently wonder why Hendrix still tops the GOAT lists, of course, it has to do with his playing and writing talent, both of which were revolutionary. The real key to understanding his status, though, lies in his sound. There was _nothing_ like it at the time, and I can only imagine that hearing it in concert was probably breathtaking.

[@keiranbradley3238]

Just the fact that Jimi could summon the tones he did from this rig at colossal volume he did and make it sound so beautiful is incredible. He is the Master!. God we miss him.

[@cm88388]

Jimi was undoubtedly a GOAT...but it's not like his rig was working against him in any way as you seem to be implying here, he was using phenomenal gear that as you can see in this very video, sounds amazing even in the hands of someone who isn't Jimi Hendrix. And with a Marshall stack like this one, they actually sound better loud. I think a largely under-appreciated part of Hendrix's genius was his ability to select and combine exactly the right equipment in exactly the right ways (often unprecedented) to craft tones that defined an era and changed the guitar and modern music forever. Not to mention that the people who created that equipment were geniuses in their own fields - there's a reason the original Strats and Marshall stacks and all these pedals are so widely sought after and emulated but rarely matched - they were the cream of the crop from the golden age of analogue audio and quality design and crafting back when that still meant something.

[@keiranbradley3238]

@cm88388 I appreciate what you're trying to say. Remember, when Jimi was using this gear it was brand new off the shelf and hadn't really been fielded in the way Jimi used it. Nobody had done it and the fact that he was the first and best exponent is remarkable. If it wasn't for Jimi the whole pedal industry would be in its infancy!. Peace.

[@DM-kv9kj]

@@keiranbradley3238 "If it wasn't for Jimi the whole pedal industry would be in its infancy!" I don't think that's true. The pedal industry might have taken a tiny bit longer to kick off so much but effects were an inevitable outcome of electronic technology. Also a ton of other bands, especially in prog, were equally exploring all the new electronic toys that were being played with - The Beatles, Floyd, Zeppelin etc. Hendrix didn't invent the pedals, he just used them. Hendrix was most influential in his chord and melody styles and bombastic lead/solo play. The effects were more like icing on his cake. Without Hendrix, we may have simply had some different styles and tones from other guitarists like Gilmour etc, but maybe Gilmour, for example, would still have ended up playing around with fuzz stacking for solos like Time, we don't know.

[@keiranbradley3238]

@AD-kv9kj Gilmour was basically apeing Jimi until '73. He's admitted that himself. Jimi was the catalyst for the pedal industry, he didn't invent pedals of course but he was the man who showed the world what could be done with them in the hands of a master.

[@christopherweise438]

@@cm88388 - The controlling of the feedback was a feat in and of it's self. I think that was the main point of the original post.

[@bullcrapitis]

I saw Joe perform three days ago in Macon, Georgia and he was absolutely unreal. He knows what he is talking about.

[@81ghale]

“And it’s going to be loud as fuck.” I instantly gained a little more liking for Joe’s personality after that for some reason 😂

[@WyattBrown377]

He's way cooler in this video than on stage in a suit and sunglasses

[@smith8281]

My favorite unit of measurement, as fuck 😅

[@crucified-music]

JOE BONAMASSA IS A DOUCHE BLUES kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5fNpWyMltCIqLs

[@81ghale]

@@ozzy541 yeah just the way it was a throw away line that he threw in at the last second 😂 I didn’t know he had a sense of humor like that.

[@81ghale]

@@crucified-music ok then. I see him different than the past legends I’ll admit, but that dude is one of the best blues players alive.

[@professorhamamoto]

Propers to Mr. Bonamassa for keeping Hendrix alive for posterity. I saw the Gypsies at the L.A. Forum in 1969 and didn't experience anything like it again until circa 1973 when I went with my Black Studies class to see McCoy Tyner at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach and sat in the front row by his right hand. Also sublime, I bought a USA Peavey Classic 20 when they first came out and then closed the circle after acquiring many years later an "EC" Fender Champ Amp. Hendrix lives.

[@tjdultra6982]

Wow how I wish Reverb gets to borrow Joe B. for this kind of series moving forward! I adore how he really is a steward of these vintage gears and all the stories behind each of them. I think he is the perfect host to demonstrate the "real rig" vs "or less".

[@TheTickingClocks]

Fender, Gibson, Marshall... Joe's a guitarist's guitarist. Love the video! Viva Jimi Hendrix!

[@Bliggick]

One of my favorite moments in the Band of Gypsys album is during Machine Gun when Jimi bends and sustains a high note and uses the Univibe speed pedal to sync the pulsations with the tempo of the song. It's a sound that I have never noticed in any other recording.

[@MorningView4]

I know exactly what “note” you’re talking about. Sounds like an inter-stellar siren.

[@joshuajkoplin]

@@MorningView4I know that note too.

[@lessonswithjames]

Possibly the most important note in electric guitar history.

[@alexmartell2432]

Oh my god yes!!! That bit! Right after multiple rat-ta-tat-a-tat-a-tat-a-tat's when it swings back to the grove and he bends up to hold that high B! Like picturing being in the jungle waiting for the bullets to fly like rain or the napalm to fall. It's like an air raid siren! Beautiful. And using the 'vibe pedal motion too on the solo intro is so poetic and heavenly! So expressive! For his friends dying in a stupid war too. Just a mesmerising talent on the guitar. And it was New Years eve too! Wow to be there! It's the best song loud as hell in headphones in the dark!~ Long may he live in our speakers and inspired in our playing

[@pzicca8175]

It's like a door to another universe.

[@MotorcityBart]

Nailed the Hendrix sound with all of the vintage gear! Great job Reverb and Joe B.

[@doomknocker]

"Just press it on, that's $200 off right there"

[@KillerKev1961]

yeah, LMFAO dude!!!!

[@stutzbearcat5624]

I love Joe - actually did a show with him ... but I saw Hendrix and that doesn't really sound like Hendrix.

[@tel5690]

😅😅....I laughed when Joe said that

[@joeldowdy404]

"Yea man this thing sounds broke, its too buzzy" lol

[@stutzbearcat5624]

@@joeldowdy404 man I actually remember when shit - just buzzed! 🤣

[@Nickster60]

Those of us who grew up listen to Hendrix are getting up there. We couldnt hear the difference even if we wanted to. Great series. I hope you do more of these.

[@jerveman]

what?

[@jcsk8]

As a Peavey Classic 30 owner this video made my day. Thanks.

[@ironvader9935]

That was awesome. I’ve listened to that album a 1000 times but it was truly great to hear you play that vintage setup and to hear those tones so clearly.

[@jamalabdul2009]

I can honestly listen to Joe Bonamassa talk gear all day long!!!

[@BluesRockAcademy]

That’s the only interesting thing he has to offer, because his songwriting sucks and his solos are robotic and predictable.

[@jcsk8]

Me too.

[@sixslinger9951]

@@BluesRockAcademy and where have you sold out show after show? Thought so, dipwad.

[@CountryBoyShane]

I know right! His sense of humor is really great too.

[@jcsk8]

@@BluesRockAcademy Hahaha, dude. You´re deaf or just dumb?

[@happihockey8601]

Means a lot more coming from him, he's actually played all the vintage stuff, actually put in the time studying Hendrix technique (decades of time) and can do a real gear comparison, versus someone who has only heard recordings, he's also very honest about all of it, repeatedly says it's technique and actually learning how Hendrix played, you're never gonna be there but you can get close enough for rock'n'roll, and not go broke in the process either. More of this kind of comparison from Mr. B please.

[@pgk7285]

Great video! A variation on this idea would be to sub in the budget-friendly items in one at a time, to see where the differences are most significant. The original Hendrix rig sounded absolutely glorious.

[@mkf628]

Joe could do a Hendrix tribute tour and it'd sell out, epic player.

[@rowbags3017]

Stunning playing (of course!)! The clearest difference for me was the wah-wah - the old Vox instantly had "the sound", whereas the modern Dunlop just didn't. I'd want to tweak the pot inside.

[@simonvanderheijden432]

I tweaked the pot of my dunlop wha.. Didn't sound any better and now I can't get it to sound right.. Hahaha!

[@jakobymaster]

Yeah the original wah is incredible..

[@JoeGuitar]

I have the Vox V-846 he is playing... trash can inductor... Made in Italy for Thomas Organ. I paid $70 for it back in 1987. When I bought it I literally laid out 3 different wahs...plugged em all in and A/B'd them all... and the Vox won. The other 2 were a 1970 Crybaby.. the model that came after the Vox V-846. It had a TDK inductor. And a mid / late 1970's Crybaby. The Vox had a more shallow Q in the notch filter. So instead of a 16db per octave slope like the 1970 Crybaby had, it was maybe 8db / octave. So it sounded a little "sweeter" .. had a more vocal quality... especially when playing thru a really clean amp. But if I was playing thru a distorted amp (Marshall superlead) ... then the Crybaby with TDK inductor sounded better. The TDK's deeper, more pronounced notch, really cut thru the mix and gave the guitar a more bombastic rip your face off tone. So they each had their place tonally. I have since bought the TDK version too. So which do I use the most ??? Nether LOLS.... I use a Snarling Dogs Super Bawl Whine-O Wah... ya' know the red colored one. It can get BOTH of those wahs tones as well as my favorite wah sound... the mid 70's Morley Power Wah sound ! I have 3 of those big chrome 1970's ones too.... So the Snarling Dogs Super Bawl Whine-O Wah replaces 3 wahs.. I keep the vintage ones tucked away safely...

[@sid35gb]

Probably not tweaked the sweep on the pot inside the wah that would certainly fix that because the electronics are identical there’s nothing special about the old wah apart from the rust 😂

[@brushstroke3733]

​@@JoeGuitarGreat explanation and review! I liked the Vox on this demo, but your thoughts give us much perspective.

[@davidmorganmusicshed8946]

He's a very funny dude, whilst also being a complete bad ass in all ways. In his hands the Squier/cheaper rig sounds like complete authentic gold. IT'S THE PLAYER!!!

[@foghornleghorn2975]

Woohoo! Peavey Classic 30....that's a great amp.

[@KillerKev1961]

absolutely! Classic.

[@annunacky4463]

Got one decades ago. Still rocks well. House kept.

[@blackdogleg]

Yep, I have a 20 with a greenback. Love the thing!

[@connor9023]

Just bought that bad boy used!

[@captainkirk70]

@@blackdogleg Yeah, I like Fender style amps with GBs or CBs. Keef uses Celestions in his tweed Twins.

[@fredve3984]

I love Joe...down to earth, funny guy. Doesn't take himself too seriously as far as I can tell. Saw him in Sugar Land, Tx a couple yrs ago. And of course, he put on a great great show!

[@shanealan2995]

This should be a series. Thank you for this type of video.

[@borgonianevolution]

Man I remember listening to you back in the day on CMF in Rochester when I was at work. You have come a LONG way brother. From kid to legend. What a journey that had to be.

[@GerryBlue]

"Loud as fuck" that's the rock n' roll attitude

[@SeanApplePie]

level must be must be at 11

[@Mark70609]

I love the bit where he says he was surprised his parents didn’t disown him. Got to love his parents having such faith in him.

[@RDC_2424]

Joe. This is so special. When I was learning and playing as a teen and early twenties I couldn’t afford the top gear and what I would have done to have seen this video where you show number one thing in playing and then you can get there with the budget gear. Amazing. Now I can afford the top gear but wish I was 18 again watching this video. Please keep doing this stuff. Go to shops with a budget and road test this stuff. Show people what lower priced gear can do. It’s so inspiring and whilst I love you demoing the vintage stuff this was so refreshing 👏

[@sid35gb]

Great to see the vintage stuff go head to head with the more attainable modern kit. And joes playing is always good to watch and learn new things.👍

[@fabriziopolonia4156]

thanks Joe for proving once again that the sound comes from the hands and not from the equipment.

[@JeffMcLeod]

Volume was a big component of the Hendrix live dynamic. Take that away and you have something quite different. Great fun video!

[@eldiablo3794]

Volume and Feedback lol. Hendrix was like the master of feedback. He made loud noisy single coiled pickups apart of his tone. Even when Hendrix performed Wild Thing live at the 1967 Monterey pop festival, before he went into the song he was just standing there manipulating the feedback creating iconic noises with the volume turned way up.. if you heard him doing just that, you'd know it was Hendrix. He was and is like the only guitarist you can identify just by hearing his feedback.

[@bobramirez588]

Hendrix was about dynamics it wasn’t all volume by any means, although his high volume antics caught most of the attention.

[@mikem668]

Maybe. I saw Hendrix when I was 16 at the Spectrum in Philly. Not his best night. I wasn't sitting on the floor or the boondocks. Maybe halfway between. Hendrix wasn't that loud to my 16 year old ears. I'd also seen Cream in the same place the year before, 5th row from the revolving stage. Louder, but not crazy loud. Later I saw a number of bands in the Electric Factory, which held maybe 300, most sitting on benches. Louder, but not ear numbing. Unfortunately, I missed the Who doing Tommy for 300 people. That had to be loud. These were all primitive sound systems AFAIK. Even the Wall of Sound was a few years away. The inverse square law, where you're sitting, the size of the venue and its acoustics all matter. Psychologically loud does sounds better, which I learned buying stereo speakers. Up to a point. And as a living room player, I can only imagine the thrill of standing in front of an amp where you can feel the air move. But better? Little Wing sounds amazing to me at almost any volume.

[@codyscott1530]

Joe’s really playing great lately and putting out some awesome content. Those fast pentatonic runs with the octavia on are so cool!

[@hyper-sloth]

My guitarist swore by his Peavey Classic 30. It rocked! I bet the price is gonna skyrocket now. So buy!

[@evertschut]

I already own one, or at least the Delta Blues variant (with 15 inch speaker). Great amp, though quite loud: you need to attenuate it in a smaller room.

[@yayayaokoksure]

Haha ya that market just got ruined today. It's tough to beat a good sounding 90's American tube amp for $300.

[@nicholasmichael68]

Poor man's Vox is what I call those.

[@tommilitello198]

Hasn’t changed,the way they were mass produced I doubt they’ll ever go up

[@69ssrscamaro4]

One thing I like about Joe is his knowledge of music and musical instruments along with his straightforward honesty.

[@michaelsicowitz362]

The Marshall at my house in 69 used to blast a close local soul station, like it was a radio. As I recall the old octavia didn't track well. You had to play slower and past the 11 fret. What a great time. I only saw him once, May 1st, 1970 Milw auditorium.

[@jonholland6067]

But you saw him!

[@michaelsicowitz362]

Yup, and all seats $5. Those days almost always it was $5 general admission. Great times @@jonholland6067

[@adamziolkowski2549]

My dad was there!

[@michaelsicowitz362]

That's great, same year Led Zep was back for their 2nd gig, also a great time. Ask your dad about Midwest Rock Festival - amazing @@adamziolkowski2549

[@2GoldensTosa]

F**king brilliant video. Never will I diss Joe again. Just goes to show that a great player can make any rig sound brilliant. Kudos, Joe!

[@stevenwitt1812]

Love it! Joe, I love your cover of the intro from Jimi's Hey Baby/New Rising Sun from the Different Shade of Blue album. Seeing you perform that live was amazing. Thanks for sharing some Jimi with us!

[@bruceman9581]

Keep doing videos like this with Joe! It's great to see him playing outside of his perfectly practiced shows. 😁

[@custum18]

Like Joe said $1500 in the hands of a great player will always sound 90% as good as the real thing.

[@sprintcarsandguitars959]

in 94 i played an american strat 500.00 into a crate g15 125.00? and a vox wah 100.00 in the garage cranked with a drummer and sounded killer. being it was a 15 watt combo i had it cranked and the volume was perfect with feedback like ted nugent. all i had to do was walk a little closer to the amp for endless feed back. with that setup i had voodoo child all day,i didn't copy anyone. i just bought the stuff because stores where near and it was very affordable.

[@lfader]

​@sprintcarsandguitars959 Some of the best jamming ever was just my drummer waiting for our bass player to get off work going into a Heath Kit (buddy and his dad built) w a Les Paul Standard + a Bosstone (Jordan) fuzz Wicked AF gain sustain forever ⚡⚡

[@sprintcarsandguitars959]

@@lfaderwhat was great about playing n buying my gear back then,was no tone wood hype. no this no that like you see now days. it was all about just getting together and playing music. i did everything on my own,no internet videos etc. just albums growing up,that was all i needed. heck i used to record setting a montgomery wards boom box with dual mics built in back by the garage door.

[@lfader]

@@sprintcarsandguitars959 for reals Don't get me started Love the internet KZbin music bootleg access all that But back then you were compelled and had to seek out It wasn't like going online and shopping for shoes and hats You were in the trenches You had to go to the stores for everything You had to get there I had to get into Hollywood buy look@ gear had to drive all over So Cal jamming in garages playing parties that was such a absolute monumental 👑 KING of the World Rush I didn't have spit for money I had gas money Taco Bell money and couchsurfing most the time before I got a good job college but the music drive has continued throughout my life and it's ruined now with specs overkill back then you could get a '60s neck without all the numbers that's just the way they were cutting them and you were picking it up okay it's too fat I like that one It's skinny more comfortable everything's overkill today and it ruins makes difficult the whole experience. PICS AND STRINGS AMPS I had no scratch working different jobs gas stations etc to get money to fund but jamming was paramount ... I've run into Joe numerous times at Norm's rare guitars Tarzana He's like a little kid He gets down on the ground looking the back of little combo Princeton tyoe amps Nice nice guy and organic nothing pretentious which is everybody else that's signed labeled or a huge act musician in Norms It's a real weird vibe i have to bail Joe's legit and he can play like no tomorrow obviously ... I can't listen too much to him because I want to quit 🤣🙏 🤸🤸🤸 Add I won't even go into the pre lockdown spike on Gibson Les Paul's I was looking for a certain Custom and how that guitar and all their guitars have Street doubled off craigslist reverbs always pricey and it's just annoying AF Craigslist all day now has CS Les Paul's Not even a year old but there were 12 to 15K straight up R9 RO That's a double triple spike from a few years ago 👎 That's what you live for hanging out with your musician buddies getting together and jamming You're 100% right compelled!!! Loved it miss it

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

This rig sounded 60% as good 😂

[@MrKabong]

Thanx Joe!!! Side line my girlfriend showed me a video of you tearing up some blues tune on fb and I said, "Oh that's Joe Bonamassa.. 1 of the only people I'm following on that soc media site. I hope to see you in concert next time you are performing around L.A. Long Live the sound, playing, and music of James Marshall Hendrix and you did a great job on this youtube segment! Cheers!

[@chrishadley6055]

Man that first bit of playing gave me chills

[@dmanstarr]

Yeah, that was the most Hendrixey sounding playing that wasn’t Hendrix I think I’ve heard. SRV could mimic all that well, but he always sounded like SRV (not a bad thing obviously).

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

My dad signed on with Hendrix in 1969 in Maui as a keyboard player. I saw Hendrix at the 1970 Maui show at the age of 7 and went to his house afterwards. I remember it today because this kid tricked me into drinking wine at the concert.

[@Malama_Ki]

Yes! JB just made himself relatable to the common man. This should definitely be a series. Good job 👏🏼

[@phil4986]

One of the most entertaining and decent musicians alive. Mr. Bonamassa is simply superb. Definitely an underrated ocean of talent in one person. I hope he never changes anything he does.

[@horizontalblanking]

The vintage hiss has so much more warm and authentic vibe compared to the modern hiss. LOL!

[@azbobs]

Joe has been a favorite since watching him at I think 12yrs on Johnny Carson knew he was the next Eric Clapton, Booker white, Brownie McGhee, Lighting Hopkins, Son House, Big Joe Williams, John Lee Hooker and so many more that gave us the different flavors of the blues that have influenced all of us that love the blues. Joe has become my favorite bluesman and would love seeing him in concert with Eric Clapton other than the crossroads show which was great seeing Joe and Randolph tear it up. I perform local and what a life it must be to stand and perform among thousands of people! Would have to be a moment never forgotten for a fellow musician. Hell I get that way when I perform for 15-100 people. Blues on Joe you’re an awesome young man who puts a lot of us older guys to shame. Thank you again brother for the free concert this past Sunday in New York!! Helps us poorer folks enjoy your concerts as well. Blues on brother. Cheers

[@littlechicago7482]

Joe puts the biggest smile on my face when he does these sort of things! I saw Hendrix at Maple Leaf Gardens in '69 and he was loud as f^&k!

[@jimiplayscobo5877]

I seen him the day before in Detroit :-) Peace

[@Trailrunner1978]

Amazing. How much better was he when hearing live, compared to audio? How was the tone, etc?

[@littlechicago7482]

@@Trailrunner1978 That was long before modern PA's, so tone wasn't the provider's biggest concern opposed to volume. Joe here does hit Jimi's tone for sure, but a lot of it is in his hands as well.

[@steveogee7458]

I was in the now defunct World Records in Bakersfield CA some years back searching for some new music. They had a superb hifi rig with EV playback monitors. The guy running the counter put on a fresh disc. After a minute I asked him, wow, who is That!? It was Joe's "Had to cry today" I bought it and have never looked back. You're a humble class act. I appreciate you. Nice to hear Jimi's rig come back in style. Please do more demos like this. I dig the green shag BTW, regards, Steveo Gee.

[@gashead2]

Even on iPad speakers you can hear the difference between the gear but obviously who can afford the authentic rig and who the hell can play like Jimi or Joe to make either rig sound that good! Loved this demo Joe, love to see more classic rigs compared against cheaper modern versions.

[@rocinblues]

Excellent thanks Joe and Reverb !! The essence of Jimi, but the punch in the by Joe (3:50), and so good !!

[@DaBigE67]

Sometimes there are moments. When this began to play, I was suddenly transported to 1977 as a 10 year old. I had just spent $20 to buy five albums from the stoner next door so he could buy himself more grass. I dropped the needle down on an album I'd never heard of by a person I'd never. So my introduction to this man and his bands began with the album Smash Hits by Jimi Hendrix. 🤘😁🥃Cheers.

[@josephfloyd4217]

$20 for five albums in 1977 money? That’s either a great deal or a ripoff!

[@DaBigE67]

They were used, from his own records.

[@MRJIMIHNDRX]

Excellent. I started it with that record too. Jimi was still alive. I still think that is the best collection of those first 3 albums. Then there was BOG. I bought it the day it came out. I was 14 yrs old. Wow. That blew my head off. Then, he died 😥😥😥

[@TransDrummer1312]

I'm 24, been listening to Bonamassa, Hendrix, Satriani, SRV my entire life. Hearing those opening riffs, it was like a religious experience. Bonamassa's one of the rare guitarists that managed to capture the emotional aspect of Hendrix's playing. His volume dynamics, the whole picture. Hearing someone who arguably has the closest technique to Hendrix alive play Hendrix's equipment through modern recording tech is mind blowing. I was making breakfast while watching this video and I had to stop and close my eyes and listen.

[@lfader]

​@@MRJIMIHNDRX BOG yes trying to hangout w older kids at their house hearing that and Alvin Lee Woodstock Goin' Home i was in shock 😳

[@TheChadPad]

Jimi was master of the guitar, not only because of his mastery of guitar, but because he mastered effects, the latest technology of the time. True master

[@followthebeat66]

I love how the hiss is present.

[@GuitarJawn]

what hiss 🤣

[@jonbonner5734]

60 cycle hum is terrible. But I've always considered it a "tax" for playing crystalline single coil pickups.

[@SGobuck]

It would show up in recordings too... That was just part of getting what he wanted out of what he had.

[@StephSancia]

Haven't watched you for years Joe due to illness but this is the most raw free flowing NON clinical jam I've seen you play. I went from Jimi Hendrix Deep Purple Whitesnake JOE BONAMASSA Sean Mann (KZbin) and here I am. Funny how one never sees their OWN age but you've put on an extra year or so but in reality I'm DECREPIT but my heart and soul are STILL in 1973 ! Bought my first Jimi vinyl 16 weeks after he passed but then bought ALL of his vinyls in London, Gibraltar and Singapore. Good to see you bashing out the vibes again Joe, a true inspiration flying the 60s 70s MUSIC BUZZ. Stay FAB

[@spudwashington3880]

Hendrix thrived with this gear really cool video, shows how great he was , you gotta be special to control that wild rig musically as he did, might add the modern gear is much easier to deal with

[@richardfinney3179]

Dam that sounds great through that cheap rigg wow Joe I'm 70 and you gave me tears it was so beautiful like I was feeling Jimi again he was from down the street from me in Seattle I'm still here playing drums n singing I play a little guitar now to Ive followed you since you played on stage when you were a small kid ode love to play with you man

[@US3Rofficial]

this is the best hendrix playing I've seen. its very faithful to vibe of the OG recordings

[@jimmyhaynes8298]

I like it, however check out Randy Hansen, he has been shadowing Hendrix for years. Oh, and let's not forget Gary Moore (Blues for Jimi) . Gary is amazing in that concert.

[@cuda426hemi]

@@jimmyhaynes8298 Hansen was more like a fanboy Jimi; if you want a very good Hendrix rip it was in the 80s (not counting the great FIRST rip of Hendrix Robin Trower in '70s) the '80s Jon Butcher's Axis and the Capitol LP - blows Hansen's fanboy away. imo honorable mention goes to Frank Marino King Bee (Live) is typical of him again taking Hansen to school but basically any Mahogany Rush Live kills Randy. ☮

[@AlexanderRobertsTheLastAlex]

If you're looking for a modern Hendrix-type player, check out Eric Gales.

[@crucified-music]

JOE BONAMASSA IS A DOUCHE BLUES kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5fNpWyMltCIqLs

[@sebastiannai4381]

Look up Millstap, best hidden gem on KZbin for Hendrix tones and feel!

[@CaryFlyBand]

Just wanna say Thanks Joe!! I've been playing since DinosauresRuledtheEarth (Good name for something), and you have given your time and honest mentoring to us all. Really means a lot to us old Road Dawgs!! Keep posting cool stuff for those of us that can't stand beginner/intermediate tutorials!! love ya bro~~~

[@incubism]

Best I have heard Joe sound. Please do this forever.

[@HektorBandimar]

You say you are by no means Jimi Hendrix, but you do a darn fine impression, well done Joe.

[@-plexico-]

Hilarious $200 discount tip on the FF!

[@ToddTheJoker]

This was awesome Mr. Bonamassa because A) you have made a lot of players feel great about their gear, if they see this that is and B) you are right when you say it isn't about the gear, it is what drives it, meaning the player and their talent and love/passion! Some great sounds! Thank you

[@MythosPedals]

I love how much of Joe's humor comes through in this video. Killer guys!

[@benarmstrong5198]

I LOVE the Utica shoutout. He grew up 20 miles from me. He always mentions our area in interviews.

[@charliejohnson1785]

Just bought tickets to see joe at the Ryman in August all the way from Nova Scotia can’t wait

[@digthemusicman483]

Fellow Nova Scotian here too!

[@justinramsey5458]

Got my tickets to the same show!

[@MG-jw6uy]

Im 68 and when i see and hear Joe I feel 30 yrs. younger. lol I enjoy the hell out of him.

[@Funkybassuk]

Joe’s Jimi impression is pretty tasty - but a bit Jimi by way of Eric Johnson in places. Thoroughly enjoyed this.

[@frankbodenschatz173]

Thanks for playing for us, Joe!

[@jonoftheford]

Love everything about this.

[@kbroomall]

Thanks Joe and Reverb for this presentation - so cool!

[@larrys009]

Totally cool video and Joe's always fun to watch and listen to. 🎶

[@updem]

Awesomeness!. I got rid of a 70's silverface 100w fender twin years ago that i used to tote from my upstairs apartment to gigs....have had a classic 30 for several years now and ive been very happy with it.

[@jmarvosa6x3]

Wow i could watch/listen to Joe review gear all day! But i would be kicked out my house.

[@geoffwidmier3714]

I watch more of his music gear and theory videos than his music videos. It isn’t even close.

[@iamtherogermayer]

Thank you Joe for the honesty in clarifying what is a minefield for true music lovers.

[@ItsMrMcFly]

People only hate on Joe because he’s Uber talented and so loaded he can afford an entire collection of grail level gear. This guy is as passionate as it comes, actually uses all of his gear and gives us mere mortals the ability to hear and see these pieces of history vs sitting in some hedge fund billionaires collection room collecting dust.

[@rayfabris2512]

yes non of this was given to Joe he's earned it

[@mattdelany6799]

Gear is irrelevant. It’s your fingers. I have more money than this dork at 45, and I can play more instruments.

[@samclemmons5373]

The dude sells out respectably sized venues on the reg and has a merch empire. Respect. He is the patron saint of guitar nerds.

[@mattdelany6799]

@@samclemmons5373 Tory Slusher.

[@Doomchild2XL]

I never knew how fun he was to listen, too. Would love more stuff like this.

[@johanwithag2432]

That original setup is so recognizable the Hendrix sound, I was really surprised. The newer set came close, but I would recognize the sound of the original set blindfolded. How is that possible? With the available technology of today it should not be to difficult to recreate this exact sound.

[@thelessonroom949]

The wah is a very different circuit, same with the univibe and the fuzzes

[@carlhungus2521]

Joe's ''this is gonna be loud as fuck'' and then later when he was swinging the strat around like a light saber ..made me a fan

[@GuitarJawn]

Imagine the first time someone rolled their volume down on a cranked amp and found that beautiful clean sound...........

[@alexandermclaughlin3978]

I bet it was on a Strat. That damn volume knob placement 😂

[@RobbieTayVaughan]

@@alexandermclaughlin3978 hahahahahha true

[@theoriginaldirtbikejoe7636]

Hey Joe, you're getting old. LOL Me too. 64 and living in Belize. I used to live near you in Albany NY. Still rocking. You're the best.

[@nicknewman7848]

The difference in quality is clear but it's a worthy exercise. Great set-up for $1500. Considering the other one is $75,000 or something it's great that people can get close to achieving that sound. Now lets see how close you can get with a $3000/3500 budget with a more expensive Strat and a Marshall amp. I think you could make a big difference if you double the budget and with a great player like Joe I think many people would struggle to hear a $70,000 difference.

[@DevonThornton]

I agree. There's a seriously noticable difference, but like Joe said, you're 85% of the way there with the cheap rig. I'd say with your idea of doubling/tripling the budget, you're hitting the law of diminishing returns. You might get 10% closer with 100-200% more money invested. You'd be 1000% better off building your own original rig either way

[@nicknewman7848]

@@DevonThornton I disagree with Joe that he was 85% there. My ears said about 65%. I think with a $1800 Strat and second hand Marshall for $800 you could get to 90% or close to that and therefore show that for under $3,500 dollars you could get really close to that elite sound. That for me is a bargain. I'd love to see them do that as a demonstration so they could prove my theory right of course 😁

[@TheAmpson11]

​@@nicknewman7848Listened to both set-ups numerous times for comparison and the description that popped to mind was the classic rig is the HD version and the budget is the standard def version. The vintage is much warmer and "creamier"...and quieter 😂. Budget rig is NOISY. Cool vid though, and tasty playing from Joe.

[@nicknewman7848]

@@TheAmpson11 Yeah.. he's fantastic. He starts to do my head in after about 40 minutes in a live show though. Just too much playing.. I get solo fatigue. The vintage is 'fuller', 'deeper', 'warmer' and indeed 'creamier'😂

[@rogierasselt4972]

band of gypsies fillmore east recordings are something I have been coming back to my whole life, those recordings are for me the best Hendrix did...soulfull funky bluesy..love it..

[@oliverdean4600]

I'm a big Hendrix fan. When I see clips of Hendrix play live I always think to myself "he plays a lot slower than you'd think for a virtuoso". Joe plays Hendrix at ten notes per second

[@Mr.H0LLYW00D]

He did say he's no Hendrix😂

[@neoaureus]

Trying to play along with Hendrix ia like living at 2.5x speed

[@davep5647]

Hendrix often sucked live but then you have "machine gun" on band of gypsies.

[@oliverdean4600]

@@davep5647, I love all the live clips I've seen. I thought he was amazing at Woodstock 69

[@darwinsaye]

Guitar virtuosity wasn’t measured by speed until Van Halen showed up. In 1969, probably no one was as fast a player as Alvin Lee, but he wasn’t nearly as acclaimed as other guys like Hendrix, Clapton, etc., who played slower.

[@edgaraquino2324]

He certainly captured H's sound....keep in mind that H was like quicksilver, constantly playing, inventing & improvising...so what B has captured here is just a rich portion of a huge tapestry that was constantly evolving & changing...

[@kjisnot]

Joe is an interesting personality. He looks like he would be just as comfortable in Royal Albert Hall as he does jamming in some guys garage.

[@Zarphag]

Guy just wants to jam

[@KaiserBlade]

Clapton joined him on stage at the RAH he looked pretty comfortable.

[@jcsfx77]

Tremendous content from Joe. What a man. What a player. Love it 👍

[@GCKelloch]

Speaking of coil cables, that's a critical piece of the chain that is missing. Hendrix used a very long high capacitance coil cable on stage that gave his pickups a strong 1.5~2kHz peak, particularly on the bridge pickup that only had the 250k Volume pot load. Another element that may have existed in the BOG era was that his live Marshall's were fitted with Tung Sol 6550 power tubes and biased to only 30% because EL34's were prone to burning out when maxed at the standard Plexi plate V used back then. It gave the amps a bit brighter sound and a "broken" distortion quality due to the excess crossover distortion. FI, it may have been the case in any performance after his 1970 Cali Forum appearances, where the 6550's were first fitted.

[@trustmetrusty3169]

Is there any other modern artist so scrutinized and dissected like Jimi? Great info to pass on thx for sharing. ✌️☮️

[@rajah155]

I was in close contact with Tony Frank at Marshall in Long Island from late ‘68 thru ‘72 and during that period, Marshall Super Lead heads started to have different cathode bypass caps and resistors on the first preamp 12AX7 tube on channel 1, jacking the treble response up substantially over the simple 250pf cap across the channel one volume pot of the older heads. This change was in response to JH wanting more treble out of the amps (probably due to those lousy coil cables). One other factor with 6550 power tubes, the feedback circuit values were altered, lowering the effect of the Presence control compared to the earlier versions. Later on, the 6550s were found to not have as desirable quality of a smooth clipping, so a change was made back to the EL-34s, albeit at much lower plate voltages than were set in the early EL-34 heads. I modded a lot of 6550 heads back to EL-34s in the mid to late 70s.

[@dextershumba7262]

Watching this is humbling, it makes you realise Hendrix was indeed special.

[@MyWordPressGuy]

Incontrovertible proof...the sound's in the hands...nice!

[@benjaminwoodrowmusic6070]

Wtf does that even mean.

[@Robertthewren]

It means you can play through Hendrix's exact rig and not even sound close to hendrix​@@benjaminwoodrowmusic6070

[@riniones]

@@benjaminwoodrowmusic6070 it means that if you know how to do it then the gear doesn't matter that much- It's the touch that matters

[@benjaminwoodrowmusic6070]

@@riniones this whole tone in the hands thing really needs to die. He's got good technique is what you mean, it's the technique...he isn't making the sound of fuzz with his hands is he

[@benjaminwoodrowmusic6070]

Incontrovertible proof...a good guitarist can play any gear and still be good, because he's a good guitarist

[@dancampbell9090]

I'm from the time when this was all standard gear, and played a Marshall 100 SuperBass dimed, how I can still hear is a miracle, don't miss any of that gear tbh, now just rock up at a gig with a Katana twin and a couple of guitars in one trip from the car, good video Joe

[@allanmills6540]

I've got a 1992 superbass! Too loud. Gonna need to sell it 😢

[@dancampbell9090]

@@allanmills6540 just can't play gigs at those volumes any more, thing is a sonic weapon, was fun though, I only ever gigged it, can't believe, nearly 40 years since I had that, it will still be going, guaranteed.

[@allanmills6540]

@@dancampbell9090 A beautiful amp, but like you said, only to be gigged with. I'm trying ti record it! Bought a JTM45 (bluesbreaker combo). Almost controllable level

[@dancampbell9090]

@@allanmills6540 I did some analogue recording at Visconti Studios in London last year, 24 track tape, took me back 30 years, everything digital and amp Sims these days, our KB player doing a degree in Music production and he needed to be able to use analogue gear, they would basically have stuck your amp in an empty room and cranked it, with a feed through to an isolation booth and you would wear cans, tape expensive, so do in one take!

[@BOBBRADLEYCHANNEL]

That old vox wah .. oh yeah!

[@AnodyneHipsterInfluencer]

Hell yeah. That was the one thing that I was like "yeah but that new Dunlop just ain't touching that ol' Vox." Such a clear, vocal and present sweep.

[@martinarnsdale8662]

They sound better on the bridge pickup. The way Hendrix actually played. I don’t know where this erroneous idea came about that Hendrix used the neck pickup when in every video (as I’ve watched and listened to for 30+ years) you can hear AND SEE he’s playing on the bridge pickup…. This just sounds muddy and too round… Great chops though!

[@derekhudson4681]

As a 16 year old I snuck into the Marquee Club in Wardour Street, London where Hendrix was the supporting act, The Yardbirds with Jeff Beck (the greatest guitarist of all time IMO) being top of the bill. I'll never forget the mind blowing sound Jimi had going in what was a very small venue. It literally had the fixtures shaking off the wall. I'd never heard anything like it before then nor since. This is such a great educational video for which I thank you and Reverb for pulling together. I'd buy all that gear tomorrow and I can't even play the guitar!

[@chriscapaudio]

JoBo needs his own show!

[@simonvanderheijden432]

Testify!

[@rouedelafortune]

Thanks a lot Joe! You are so simple and so simpathetic...and the tips and information are so useful! But the secret still are in our hands...in this case, in your hands and your particular touch. Thank you very much again!

[@thegingerpowerranger]

Shredding on Jimis strat whilst wearing a gibson hat.

[@pietergoussard289]

The tone on that Squire rig is absolutely unbelievable

[@pomod]

Anyone who's about to drop $4000 on vintage "fuzzface" ( or even $170) should be reminded that they only have about 12 parts totaling about $40.

[@ORCMusic-de1sh]

THATS DOPE. now put it together and be consistent.

[@chipsterb4946]

@@ORCMusic-de1shyou can get a kit for less than $100

[@misterknightowlandco]

@@ORCMusic-de1shwell, if you’re just making it for yourself there’s really no need for consistency. If you get it right once it’s a win 😂😂😂 secondly, they weren’t consistent to begin with.

[@jasonbeatty9269]

We know.

[@Cantstandtherock]

And I dont like the way they sound. Sounds like something is wrong with it. I get it, its a vintage thing and Im vintage so I get it!

[@OutOnTheTiles]

Awesome! Sounds great. “Band Of Gypsy” album is a live masterpiece. Love it! ✌️