Rig Rundown - Adrian Belew

Article and photos: bit.ly/AdrianBelewRR
Prog-rock wizard Adrian Belew and his tech Andrè Cholmondeley spent time with Premier Guitar during their current tour to discuss Belew’s love for strange noises and how new tones inspire new songs.
Belew uses two signature Parker Fly guitars, both of which are decked out in custom, 12-coat automobile-finish colors, and feature a Sustainiac Stealth Pro pickup in the neck position, a DiMarzio in the bridge, and a piezo pickup.
Although Belew doesn’t use it live, an onboard Line 6 Variax controller can also be activated by a push-pull knob. All of his guitars use D’Addario NYXL strings.
To continue learning about Belew's setup, visit: bit.ly/AdrianBelewRR

[@MisterGuitarItalia]

It never fails, the bigger the Genius, the smaller the Ego. What a cool, brilliant dude.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Zappa dispels that theory

[@Lineageholder]

probrojeffro Zappa was very humble - he never thought he was important. His grave doesn't even have a headstone because he didn't want to be celebrated after this death.

[@MisterGuitarItalia]

probrojeffro You're thinking of Moon-Unit...

[@Oneness100]

I don't know if I would call him a genius. He plays quirky stuff, but I don't know if I would call it genius. I don't like it when players rely too much on technology instead of their playing. There's nothing like a player just playing without a crutch. Adrien has done some interesting stuff for what he does, but he's not amongst my top 10 favorites, but he is interesting at times. I haven't heard anything he's done lately.

[@frankielug62]

Oneness100 Just think about the fact he had been chosen (among many competitors) by Frank Zappa or David Bowie. And that was nearly 40 yrs ago, no technology, just a Strat,a few pedals,an amp. Is that enough to make him a hero?

[@thomasrice4930]

Adrien Belew and Tony Levin- What an amazing string section.

[@davidhockley1082]

I grew up listening to him...Bowie, Talking Heads and then the glorious contribution he made to King Crimson. I have seen him more times than I have seen any other musician and I LOVE HIM.....BRILLIANT and then some

[@Creed_fan_69]

Don’t forget Zappa

[@d3athr0ck3r]

Nine Inch Nails too

[@BaumerRichie]

He's so humble, so real. I love how he dresses like a regular old dad, then he'll melt your face off.

[@00dlb00]

"They sent me one with my own signature already on it. I told them I could have done that myself."

[@bartlettohio]

The man who brought King Crimson back to life...The Guitar As Orchestra indeed !!

[@stankywank6707]

This dude is not joking when he says he sleeps with that guitar. I ran into him in the hallway of our hotel after one of his shows and the only thing he carried in was that guitar.

[@tysonrinker5958]

How would you know. its not like you ever saw the guy in real life.

[@Actiomedey]

@@tysonrinker5958 How do you know? You've never actually met the guy you just assumed that about. Small world dude crazier things have happened than a famous guitarist meeting someone in a hotel.

[@BMIGuitarist]

Another unsung excellent guitarist and vocalist.

[@SandpiperN121PP]

Adrian Belew has always been in my top 5 favorite guitarists of all time. Innovative, inspiring, and unparalleled! Adrian... you simply are the best! :)

[@rickjason215]

Sharon amazing talent. To have him and Fripp in the same band was incredible.

[@svarholtperformance]

Yep åkerfeldt is my favorite too.

[@jabbastwin]

My wife and I arrived early at Shank Hall in Milwaukee and were parked just across from the front doors. We got to hear Adrian and Julie and her brother rehearse during their first Power Trio Tour. At one point the music stopped and the front doors opened and out came the three of them. To our surprise they all held hands and started skipping down the way. Laughing the whole time until they made the corner and out of sight. My wife and I thought that was just the coolest thing to have seen that little moment. Love those guys and have seen Adrien five times now including with King Crimson at the New Orleans House of Blues for the Thrak tour.

[@paulbiemann4068]

I mxed that show. 🙄

[@ForViewingOnly]

I enjoyed the interview with Adrian. He seems like a really down-to-earth, genuine guy.

[@jscurley]

His tech Andre played in my home town a few months ago and he is literally one of the nicest, down to earth dudes you'll ever meet

[@stevemora7845]

FuzzyLoops wish I could meet him

[@michaeljones9316]

Without a doubt. Very cool dude who I've talked to at many a Project Object show. Very nice guy...and so is Ike Willis by the way.

[@jeffreybiscoe6]

A interviewer who doesn't try to talk over the person it's about +: has guitar knowledge , brilliant.

[@wajobu]

I had the pleasure of seeing Adrian play in 1982 with King Crimson--right in front of him, and incredibly innovative and humble gent--a real pleasure to watch him.

[@GorgeousRoddyChrome]

FINALLY!!!! Adrian Belew!

[@mintlp]

Genius man who makes beautiful music! Thanks for posting!

[@pschroeter1]

Wow, I just saw Andre on the stage the past summer working for Steve Howe and YES. You don't forget those dreadlocks.

[@permalot]

This is probably the most engaging tech I've ever seen on a Rig Rundown.

[@groovyhippie1165]

Great video! It's cool to see Adrian in his 60's still getting excited talking about his gear set up. True gear heads never die! :)

[@taradead]

Love Adrian's enthusiasm.

[@duderclown2402]

As always with Adrian. Brilliant!

[@MrJackrockerman]

Adrian guitar sound always clear and articulate.. what a legend❤🙏

[@MrUltraworld]

I first saw him on his own in 1980. He had racks of studio gear and Electro Harmonix stomp boxes all over the place. He wrangled the most amazing sounds out of that gear with a pretty stock Strat. It's nice to see that the technology is finally catching up with him.

[@eamonwright7488]

Was it the green Strat with the neon hypercolored pickups?

[@brennaaaahhhhhhhhhhh]

What a treasure, such a wonderful man who made wonderful music!

[@antiv]

Such a masterful musician and awesome guy!

[@Snakefinger1000]

Saw Belew Play "Heroes" with Martha Wainwright on an Australian musical quiz show and they were both excellent. Her brother Rufus is also very talented. Back to Adrian the guy seems to be always so happy always smiling.

[@zurdyo]

Am I the only one uncomfortable with how close the interviewer is standing to Adrian...? 😂

[@fendertremolo9793]

He's A) trying to see the guitar. B) Has to stand close, so he's in frame. You have no idea how show business works. C) only weirdos get "uncomfortable" by normal things.

[@sega62s]

too much imagination my friend 😉

[@charmicarmicat2981]

Cut him some slack man he’s fan boying 😂

[@beckblowbyblow]

At the 9:45 mark it starts to get awkward.

[@leofender909]

@@beckblowbyblow for real. Look at the guitars they're holding are almost about to hit each other.

[@chanang453]

I saw him with Bowie in Sydney late 70's.....didnt know who he was then .He looked like a skinny hari Krishna... .he only used his beat up Strat , playing strings behind the nut, twisting the tuning pegs and created all these sounds just with his guitar.The rest of the band were monster players as well but this guy left a lasting impression...one of the best I've ever seen......

[@quantiquefilms]

I really like all these interviewers from Premier Guitar. I've been watching a lot of their videos and they're just doing great with all those great musicians.

[@KeeperOfPoops]

Adrian is giving it all what we'd love to hear, lovely guy he is! (it's only talk!) same goes for Andre, nice guitar tech he is

[@aoxomoxoanyc]

so good to hear a knowledgable interviewer who's way up on the tech spefifics of the instrument he's discussing. great stuff.

[@karlboman]

Love it! Adrian seems like a great guy and I can attest that the rig sounds great too :)

[@teerexness]

Fantastic guitar player, singer and songwriter. I'd love to get one of his signature Parkers with the Variax system.

[@U_ever]

Andre is one of the kindest humans you will ever meet and a very talented guitarist in his own right . He fronted the Zappa cover band Project Object and teched for Al Di Meola before joining the ABPT. Give him some love when you see him next !

[@peterbrusch1493]

Great guitarist. He was always a sound genius, from the first day, I heard him. Genius!

[@mrscientificterms]

Not sure how I missed this, brilliant. I am friends with his tech, Andre, who in his own right is an amazing musician. I work with guitars/gear as well, and have had many a convo w/Andre about this rig and others he works with, to check out this rig in this format is a treat. Plus, I own many guitars, but my go to gigging guitars since '96 has been a trio of USA Parkers, they just stick to me. Stable, awesome, transparent work horses. This was really fun to watch. Inspiring.

[@CARETAKER89able]

Made the Downward Spiral so Brilliant, with his playing on it.

[@veerchasm1]

Wow, such an innovative guitarist that continues to push new technology

[@laureanoalfaro9351]

What an off the charts talent, he can do almost anything in music at the max level

[@mastertapes1420]

A Genius with additional ***** . Thanks for making GREAT Music with GREAT Musicians

[@mechantics]

I discovered him when watching some live talking heads shows; phenomenal musician who also seems to be a very down-to-earth fella

[@yetivanmarshall9880]

Adrian with Talking Heads - 1980 Remain in ligjt tour. He brought out the best in them that year.

[@adamicus]

I really want to spend a day chilling with AB just find his approach fascinating

[@larkstonguesinaspic4814]

Incredible guitarist, one of the best. Very underrated, even in king crimson he was a bit under the shadow of Fripp.

[@BeforeTheDarkAge]

Great to see a rundown of his rig. He gets so many sounds but the rig is not as complex as one would think. I would love to see him if he comes to this area particularly if he plays Crimson and early solo work stuff like Big Electric Cat.

[@juliocezarpereira7830]

Fantastic player and a nice guy

[@jazztom86]

THANK YOU FOR SPELLING PIEZO ALMOST PERFECTLY! I hate it when people say pie-zo

[@theWARMJET]

Saw him playing with Bowie here in Portugal with a red Strat. Mindblowing

[@valerieannshort7109]

I just love Adrian!!

[@leehawkins616]

Adrian Belew is a new guitarist to me. I find a lot of new guitarists through Rig Rundown. It's cool to see that somebody of Adrian's vintage has embraced new technology. It always amazes me that us guitarists are so stuffy about new gear. I know we all love our gear, but it has to be the right gear, right? You have to prefer a tube amp, the only phaser is the Phase 90, etc... There are so many new possibilities with new technology. My only regret is I'm not a good enough, or patient enough, player to make full use of it.

[@thefool2007]

This man is so talented and intelligent. Love the humble spirit. He’s a young man inside and that’s what it’s all about. The joy of discovery and creativity.

[@WalterSobchak1000]

One of the greatest ever to pick up a guitar

[@michaeljones9316]

Very cool to see Andre C, Adrian's guitar tech, and leader of the amazing FZ tribute band Project Object. Hey Andre!!

[@mrscientificterms]

agree, Andre is a brilliant, generous, talented and lovely person.

[@skipacuff5104]

Watch Adrian and his colleagues in King Crimson explode the minds of a live late night television studio audience in L.A. with this incredible performance of “Elephant Talk”. Adrian’s skills were simply amazing. And-watch for it-Robert Fripp smiles twice during the performance 😱

[@volkySt]

What a nice and humble man

[@Simonewhitesim-1music]

Very Cool! thank you also saw my friend in the back Tobias!!

[@xxandrewwilsonxxable]

Adrian is amazing!

[@transformationgeneration]

Very nice little hang. Cool guy.

[@DuhBlueDream]

This man is an alien. I love this man.

[@kayceega404]

What's amazing about Adrian is he can make processed guitar sound...musical! I can get whackjob sounds on my gear too but you don't see me making instant classics out of them.

[@theArchive1O]

This interviewer is the best!

[@MultiRockmeister]

Oh damn his tech was so cool

[@dannybarichello1575]

What a great creative guitarist. His resume is very impressive. Frank Zappa, David Bowie, King Crimson, Talking Heads to name a few. I've seen him with King Crimson a few times and I saw his power trio a few years ago. Great show. He looks like he enjoys himself so much when he performs.

[@Bradgilliswhammyman]

I saw the parker fly many years ago a couple years after they were invented. Neat guitars.

[@bobbarcus8310]

He such a cool dude always been a fan

[@gerryk3114]

I've Got 2 Parker Guitars: Nitefly & Fly Classic (1999) !!! Love them Both !! The MOST STABLE NECKS EVER !

[@joshevans3452]

Modulus would like to have a word... ;)

[@jsilence418]

Belew always seemed a very knowledgeable guy , love that Parker !!

[@jamesbondcanfuckoff]

I met him at the guitar center in Boston in the 90's he was super nice and even let me hold his guitar.

[@BiancaOnYoutube]

What a great player.

[@AlobytesOgniddove]

Adrian is AMAZING! ^^

[@1augustots]

Belew é muito gente boa.No Brasil em São Paulo no Cariocas club compromentou todos na saida.

[@jmgmarcus808]

This guy played with 4 of the most important acts of all time. Astonishing.

[@UsTheMusicTVOfficial]

Damn, that was such an INTESNE RIG RUN DOWN. Very informative! 😎🤘100%

[@KowankoMusic]

Belew is always inspiring. And nice shout out to M@ Picone and Atomic, who are also always inspiring!

[@shaterproofblosm]

Man I just had to keep listening to the one at 15.17 like wow, it reminds me of OTT and Shpongle like crazy.

[@cmath8577]

Saw Adrian on the Twang Bar King tour at the Golden Bear in CA. Same as it ever was

[@love4boost]

Love my Fly Deluxe. Glad mine is just the normal settings because I already don’t use all of them. It just does so much. I got other guitars for that stuff so I leave it in the same settings all the time.

[@SleepFan771]

What a guy...and player!

[@duppykitoon]

That is just sick.

[@AndrewjWilson]

He is in love 😊

[@Reyna_pnw]

I LIKE IT!!!

[@MarkWolfePA]

andre... project object greatness... I def nerded out on that.. my guitar is in the shop for a new bridge and I am hoping i can grab the parker fly piezo bridge, seeing them for only $99

[@ak2112]

Adrian is the best and Andre is super rad too... remember seeing Andre with Project Object. He's a great player.

[@wxb200]

DAMN! I actually met Adrian Belew at that show! I was star-struck and it probably seemed like I was having a mini stroke...

[@javiersanchezaudiovisual]

he is the best!!!

[@evankeal]

I am nearly certain his custom #1 can create the largest number of tone types of any electric. It would take me a year to figure out on the fly, all the switch, pickup, variax, midi combination possibilities. Its solid, light and technically advanced on top of that.

[@Cablespelaonica]

I enjoyed this

[@valerieannshort7109]

TheTRUTH, so well said!

[@bobthebomb1596]

When the guitarist and tech are even bigger tech nerds than the audience :)

[@stonerdemon]

When I watch Belew playing Frame by Frame, something so complicated but he plays it so relaxed and with that smile on his face... I don't know, it's an evil feeling hahaha, like the devil playing flawlessly and laughing at all us.

[@Vojife]

"Prog-rock wizard" Haha, that's strangely accurate.

[@Spectralhyena]

The crimson double trio has yet to be topped as a live act. It even rivals straight king crimson.

[@skipbass2771]

what color is that green one you said it was car paint

[@soundscapes4619]

New effects are great fun.

[@wlliamson53]

10:57 What kind of pedal is that? or what kind of effect?

[@Pandamasque]

Leaf-spring tremolo. Now I've seen it all.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

Look at the Red Special by Brian May, that has a coil spring vibrato coming from a bike stand.

[@LoveStarOcean]

It also doubles as a Piezo Pickup, so now you truly have seen it XD

[@mickdestiny6542]

Valve springs from the head of an motocycle engine..

[@mikedegroff7766]

Isn't that Parker (or the 1st version that was released, the gold-y orange one) like $5-8,000?

[@johnmckenna6203]

That's a killer guitar. I saw him playing a Strat with Turkuaz a couple weeks ago. But perhaps that was because they were doing throwback Talking Heads stuff.

[@guitarguru186]

What is the sound Adrian plays just after 15:30, & the song?! I've been trying to figure it out for YEARS haha

[@whathappenedtoandrae5676]

"You can do it, it´s very easy to do." : Adrian Belew