Richard Thompson: Dealing with Backline Amps

Richard Thompson talks about getting his sound out of a variety of backline amps-good and bad-on the road (assisted by Henry Kaiser).

[@dougoconnor1516]

Richard Thompson can play through clock radio and blow your mind.

[@olddogmusic1]

I loved this. A candid Richard Thompson and Henry Kaiser talking thru amps. What's not to like about that? Good fun.

[@jublaim]

Nice to see Richard as he is now. All of our heroes are getting old... but they are still are our heroes. And while this video gives me lots of backstage amps, I listen to Richards chops and chords. Amazing! And Kaiser, he's amazing in his own.

[@nathansmith6365]

I started listening to Richard about 5 years ago...my uncle turned me onto his music...I listen to him everyday

[@vootee1]

Richard and Henry showing some great improvisation moments there! Cheers!

[@MarkdeManbey]

I'm pretty sure Richard could play through anything and firstly make it sound good, and secondly make it sound like RT.

[@joehiggs100]

''One knob too many to think about''. A lesson to us all.

[@nathanritzo2228]

Richard Thompson is an absolute guitar god.

[@Renhjarta]

Lots of venues here in Sweden nowdays seems to carry Deluxe Reverb's, Blues Juniors as well as Vox AC15's, which is just fine with me.

[@randerson2842]

Great video

[@MoondogUSA]

For some reason I don't think anyone would ever encounter any of these amps in a backline scenario

[@eddiegalon3714]

good advice from RT in that tone starts with the guitar. true so true.

[@TheRealJeffers]

Fingers first, then guitar.

[@twirlyboggs]

dam never heard of this cat, he has some magic - kind of player that really makes some music reach VERY cool material here too~ like how he is asked and elaborates on some real life scenarios - Great!

[@Mechanicthing]

Look up his stuff, he is a real master - well worth it!

[@goodun6081]

How is it that you have never heard of Richard Thompson? He's only been playing professionally for 50 years or so, written some amazing sings, ....but its' true that music companies and their flacks and PR people SUCK and would rather peddle crap from Britney Spears or Miley Cyrus or whoever than promote real musuc and real musicians

[@regularnimnule9715]

This is great :)

[@tomeisenmenger7048]

Henry should've pulled out a pawn shop Crate and let him have at it. I think a bunch of us would benefit from Richard's expertise and tweaking tone and, after two minutes, would marvel at his arm strength as he chucks the amp out of an open window, LOL!!!

[@robburgess4556]

Sorry, I can't watch this. Using the on camera mic with with automatic leveling means the voices come and go whenever Richard plays the guitar. Surely GP can afford an audio tech!

[@methodinsane]

+Rob Burgess I agree but I watched anyways. And that A string - ugh, so out of tune. I love RT though.

[@torontolarrivee7965]

Fair point but it’s cool to see the process of working through the dials - I’m always lost and love the concept

[@banacek60chord43]

Banacek60 Chord 1 second ago If only there'd been subtitles, I might have learned something.

[@quatokistouffer9846]

Hey its Henery !!! awesome

[@rca88]

* RT likes Fender-style amps, likes Princeton but not Twin, Celestion speakers are best * set vol below distortion level, adjust tone controls to find good clean amp tone * treble 6, bass 4, mid 5, vibrato intensity/speed 4/4 like Pop Staples. * 8 or 9 high E string, very light touch on the electric guitar * HK likes Fender Twin, vol 1.5, distortion from pedals

[@goodun2974]

That Universal amplifier apparently uses the famous Magnatone, varistor-based vibrato circuit. I'd bet on it.

[@waynechurchill7212]

👍👍

[@BabylandStudio]

Love everything but the Kings hat. :-p

[@wmperry2790]

pop staples=damn right

[@fairportfan2]

Eek. Richard's a year younger than i am (more or less) and if he's aged that much since i saw him last, what must i look like?

[@zizzinpuss]

+Mike Weber you look great man, don't worry about it

[@SevanStick]

That orange one sounded good. The rest was a little dull.

[@banacek60chord43]

If only there'd been subtitles, I might have learned something.

[@quovadis5429]

I'd love to hear Richard break in my 2020 limited edition, Berlin-built Trumprimzpootnzholemittunginbum Loyalist 45. Having no luck coaxing out any unique tone, save for a muffled-but-dripping-wet, "...nyumnyumnyummmmmmohvlad..." Help.

[@JCHaywire]

Not a realistic sampling of amps; no doubt this is from Henry's sumptuous stable. I love HK and his music, as well as RT's amazing oeuvre, but this video isn't up to appropriate standards considering these two greats are the talent. Gentlemen, please. A bit more preparation on the technical side. Excellent idea for a series, however.

[@banacek60chord43]

Agree; very poor article. To sum up . .twiddle all the knobs until you get the sound you like!

[@xDooksx]

So many amps

[@philmus1]

"But these go to eleven"

[@russputin6294]

You've got your amp turned up to 10 and your guitar at 10; Where do you go from there? Why hasn't anyone ever thought of an amplifier that goes up to 11? It would be one louder! ;0)

[@richardjohnson7379]

Russell Morris alright spinal tap

[@russputin6294]

Good call Richard! The sustain.... listen to it. You don't hear anything? You would though if it were playing.......

[@richardjohnson7379]

Russell Morris don’t even point!

[@banacek60chord43]

Spinal Tap. Google it.

[@ROCKSTARCRANE]

The guitarist's worst nightmare....showing up to a gig and seeing.......AAAARRRRRGGHH! For me, it's the dreaded Evil Twin, the backline staple of the industry. Most of them sound like absolute shit, unless you get one with JBL's. And you better bring your pedals because getting a dirty sound from a twin will render everyone within half a mile either deaf or sterile.

[@2007Tarkus]

I used to play in a band as the drummer with 2 guitarists who used Blackline backline amps and for 90% of the time where did they put the amps ? yep in front of the drums