Rig Rundown - Alice Cooper

Article and photos: bit.ly/AliceCooperRR
Premier Guitar hung with Tommy Henriksen, Ryan Roxie and Nita Strauss of the Alice Cooper band during the Nashville stop on their 2014 tour with Mötley Crüe. This team of elite ax wielders stay true to the classic rock tone that Cooper’s band helped establish in the late ’60s while incorporating modern shred.
Ryan Roxie's recipe for tone has always included a Les Paul & Marshall. His current #1 guitar is his completely stock 2014 Gibson Les Paul, nicknamed “Peace”, with Gibson’s proprietary self-tuning system.
When a cleaner tone is needed, Roxie reaches for a 2012 Gibson ES-335. Since Roxie doesn’t use channel switching or drive pedals, he moves to the neck pickup-which is roughly half the volume than his bridge pickup.
The trio of Gibsons is rounded out with a 2007 Flying V-relic'd by Rock N' Roll Relics-loaded with three Gibson humbuckers. All of Roxie’s guitars are strung with Gibson Brite Wires .010-.046.
To continue learning about the gear behind Alice Cooper's band, visit: bit.ly/AliceCooperRR

[@guitarslinger48]

These three players are some of the most natural and seemingly down to earth people I have ever seen on this program.

[@dirkbonesteel]

Looks like Alice has one of the nicest most friendly bands around.

[@iainwhite3476]

Nita knows way more than the other 2 guys about her axes and rig. She’s got the chops and the knowledge she rocks 🤘

[@RockyH.]

She's gorgeous!

[@rukhsah]

Yeah..it blows my mind..she plays excellent guitar but also gorgeous

[@gregoryzischke1843]

And she's Hot!

[@brianfuller7691]

Ryan, Tommy and Nita are three of the best working today🎸

[@loganocchionero6621]

I love how they’re all really different players, especially the guys from Nita, but they all compliment each other so well.

[@richietownsend6737]

I love how respectful these guitarists are of their band predecessors. Very cool stuff.

[@gary_beniford]

tommy is like "I like guitars with 3 pickups" so you use all 3? " nah just the bridge". then he goes "I hate pedals. I just like to go right into the amp". so you don't use pedals "nah this is my huge pedal board".

[@jonnyhafer7376]

awesome, you are so correct

[@Guireles2007]

Also "I like using the volume knob", and boom, a huge volume pedal on the board!

[@brandonbryson3317]

Lmao yeah it’s pretty hilarious

[@loganocchionero6621]

I thought that was hilarious

[@tpowelll6506]

What a guy though

[@kr46]

I respect how professional Nita is, in all the rig rundowns I have seen and that's lots She speaks to camera and involves the viewer unlike so many that just look at the interviewer. she is a branding dream. nice work as always John.

[@vwharman]

She is such a pro. Great player, but she just comes across as a total professional. Really like how she approaches her rig, and how positive she is.

[@paniccleo]

Tommy: Likes having three pickups; only uses bridge. Doesn't like effects and rides the volume knob gain; has large pedal board that includes a gain boost.

[@ViolentVegan]

Haha! That could have been a scene in spinal tap

[@hajatantelyarison4611]

Deet Cologon""888"

[@Jtdubbzz]

“Mine goes to 11” lol surprised me too! He even had a light!

[@rigorhead01]

Lol!

[@mickeyl01]

Don't piss him off.....he probably knows the right people....." Nice keebod ya have ere....be a real shame if somethin were to habben wid it"

[@reggiehobbs8800]

JOHN BOLLINGER IS SUCH A NICE GUY. HE PLAYS BETTER THAN MOST OF THE PEOPLE HE INTERVIEWS, BUT HE IS ALWAYS SO HUMBLE.

[@reggiehobbs8800]

Right. I hope to see A.C on tour next time out. What a great band.

[@reggiehobbs8800]

***** TOMMY, YOU ARE AWESOME. HAPPY 2016.

[@bassfishingwiththeantichri2921]

Hey, your cap lock is on.

[@marknorris3769]

i like how Ryan is explaining things at a basic level, obviously great guy, great spokesman for gibson

[@justincase2271]

The entire Alice Cooper band is the nicest bunch of people you can only imagine. Always friendly, there is no ego-crap going on, they love what they do and they are grateful they can doing it. And that includes Alice himself. I love this band and they always put on a great, great live show. They never diasappoint. Thanks Alice, Chuck, Tommy, Glen, Nita, and Ryan. You really really rule.

[@revolutionday1]

3 of the most different and distinct personalities I've ever seen, and they're all great people!!

[@higler.]

Nita knows her stuff!

[@minneapolis7967]

Nita: "I like to feel the wood . . . that's what she said." haha, she's funny.

[@TroyNaumu808]

great people and great musicians

[@peterschaefer1665]

Nita's guitar skills have come such along way in 8 years!! Incredible player!

[@Quikfingers]

That was a great rig rundown. 3 unique perspectives, but everyone very enthusiastic and open. One of my favorites so far. Nothing worse than when someone is flat or doesnt know anything about their rig. A+

[@aryotaheri7421]

The second dude is the most gangster sounding guitar player on Earth!!! He sounds like a member of Corleone family who's into rock. I wonder if Alice used to have a horse...

[@sam_uelson]

aryo borzin Taheri I'm thinkin more oscar the grouch

[@jair333]

He sounds like Teddy Atlas the boxing commentator for ESPN.

[@arjunkaul]

+aryo borzin Taheri Pretty sure Alice made him an offer he couldn't refuse...

[@narvul]

+aryo borzin Taheri Like how he mentions Steve Hunter and the late Dick Wagner.

[@bartdwmusic1212]

+aryo borzin Taheri he reminds me of sylvester stallone actually

[@tel5690]

Love Nita solo in the end...awesome. .Ryan, tommy,Nita....all were freaking cool..good gear..

[@tMatt5M]

This will go down as a classic rig rundown. Nice job, PG!

[@johnperiard9594]

Ive watched many of these rig videos. This is one of the best for guitarists/techs. Thank you!

[@21stCENTURYBOY12]

I love the combo of three different kinds of rock guitar players in the band , awesome 😃

[@seagullpoet]

Alice hires the best. What great friendly guitarists !

[@philf4086]

Thanks PG, fun interview with this cool lineup!

[@michelle22lima]

Really good! I love the old school sound!! These 3 guitarists are amazing!

[@SpellBook-yp8xf]

I seen this tour and my lord the guitar playing waa incredible...Nita blew me away

[@brianfuller7691]

Credit to Alice Cooper who has always sought the best musicians for the band. He is still a master showman but he has always said it starts with the music.

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

Al three of these guitarist has there own thing and sound, and when they all can find a place and work together...magic! Tommy is just so Jersey. What he said about Mick Mars was so spot on. Nice to see Mick get some love that he so deserves.

[@ChrisShredGuitar]

I´ve seen them live ! they rock like hell ! I´ve never thought they will do such a fuckn amazing show ! love them

[@ThomasRBowen-gq3jr]

This was an awesome rundown. I've never been disappointed at an Alice show and now you see why. Everyone is professional and knows their stuff. I love seeing the difference in all the bands live rigs. It's neat seeing how people use this stuff. Concerts are very expensive these days and I really appreciate professional bands like this who recognize this and take it seriously. It seems like indie bands with all the weird boutique effects like to goof around and get weird regardless of the audience. It's a personal preference so I mean no offense by it, it's a big world and there's room for everyone, but it's expensive to go out these days and I like to see bands like this who take their craft seriously. Great run down and she makes want to find one of those really thin ibanez guitars. Lighter is better!

[@TateRichardsonGuitar]

The best rig rundown you guys have done in a while

[@2DclanSnipingTeam]

Three of the coolest people ever on Rig Rundown!

[@lanthaniated1]

These guys are the real deal, awesome gig in Oz last Saturday which made me look his up. Thanks for posting

[@JonathanLindsay]

I love JB he's so good with these guys and their ego. This interview made me happy! This is a very good GRD. Thank you PG!

[@richardbinder9662]

Alice has always had great guitarists who are also really cool. Looks like that tradition carries on.

[@kingofdragontown9680]

Well Alice can only perform as well as his band, so he needs a solid band to be the best Alice he can be.

[@Caveira138]

Nita was the most knowledgable out of the whole bunch in my opinion.

[@themaggot8]

Nita read my mind with the "feel the wood" haha!

[@IggyMontpellierPro]

Juan José Fonseca Godoy Grande Papa!

[@EthanAndViolaVlogs]

Juan José Fonseca Godoy same. I was smiling.

[@ernieflanaganstingraybassm1463]

Great interviews John such pro's play for Alice !!!

[@MystehMonz]

Love me some Roxie! He's such a great, personable guy.

[@mikenaykki2173]

Great interviews excellent musicians in Alice Copper Band!! 👍👍🎸🎸🎸🎸😎

[@tomsnaith5237]

Really love tommys guitars

[@stevepalmer1847]

How refreshing to see a player who has some really really great guitars but hasn't felt the need to tear out all their bits and replace them with other people's pick ups, knobs bridges nuts tuners frets and even necks. Why buy a Gibson if you don't want it to sound like a Gibson? Also his amp set up is so simple.

[@62SG]

The argument is that Gibson doesn't really sound like Gibson anymore, or at least as good as they used to.

[@JeremyLeech]

Simple. Your guitar. Your choice. I switch the pickups out because I like the sound of them better.

[@ChadVanHalen5150]

Met Ryan and Nita in Denver between sets... Those are some real cool people, especially Nita who we had a pretty great Star Wars talk And she's a babe, but that's a given

[@mottosierra1372]

Lol star wars

[@JoshyyJay]

Let’s get to the laser tittys!

[@brucelk19]

I really like these segments

[@FishnMusician]

August 28 Charlotte NC..... Can't wait!

[@eggybaby84]

love these videos.

[@ml414skidoo]

Saw Alice in 2013 and the three guitars were like a carnival.. tripping over each other. Just saw them 2 weeks ago with Motley Crue and it was perfect with all three guitars in sync. These three work really well together. They all switched up guitars throughout the show with one classic axe after the other.

[@GypsyRock]

ml414skidoo at first I thought you meant Alice In Chains. I like them better than cooper but still love cooper

[@bifftop_johnny]

Man these three seem like some of some of the nicest guys (and girl) ever. I would love to spend a day with Tommy, Ryan and Nita. Luckily, Nita is doing a guitar clinic in Toronto. Can't wait to meet her!!

[@guitarslinger48]

So cool! He uses tons of T.C Electronic pedals! I love their pedals. I have that tuner and the flashback.

[@MrBluesman1]

Great stuff, I would love to play in the Alice Cooper band with these guys, just looks like great fun and great company along the way 😀

[@greatvanzini]

Great damn rundown. John as usual did a great job.

[@alfredferrarini6781]

always a great band with alice

[@am2boni]

Nita is a class act!!! Totally cool and a kick ass player! God bless her!

[@EventHorizonPrdctns]

Been waitin for this video for like 2 weeks. You can't handle the HURRICANE!

[@krazykat64]

Love Tommy's #1 SG.

[@terryduffield5860]

This is what you get when your band leader (Alice Cooper) is stone sober, grounded and a complete professional. Alice wants no druggie ego bullshit around him just pros. You get good highly talented people surrounding the troop leader. Great people and leaders attract great troops.

[@TheRaidermarkie101]

Down to earth girl!! Your too cool Nita

[@chrisdee5032]

Nice to see a guitar player know so much about his own rig, Ryan I mean. As for Tremolo pedals, if anyone ever gets the chance to play a Bluebird Tremolo, you will be blown away. No longer made I don't think but a great pedal.

[@echodigger]

I never knew Nita Strauss is such a gearhead, wow! I've seen a lot of rig rundowns and most of these musicians only what the play through, if it is printed in big bold lettering.

[@botanicus2921]

Been waiting for this rundown for 3 years! Ryan rules!

[@colinjwilliams6149]

This guy is brilliant. Proper pro. ❤️

[@Choctaw3213]

My favorite Rig Rundown

[@gottaseeit46]

This was a fun one to watch. It did kind of feel like I was listening to characters from the first couple of versions of Guitar Hero after a while. Hahah.

[@D.Guitar]

Nita really Rocks. .i'm SO happy she got this gig, ,i truely think Alice's Show benefits from HER support!

[@escommentss]

That tobacco sunburst 335 is my dream guitar! I have a red one that I love but I really love the finish on Roxy's!

[@stevetheshark3107]

Premier Guitar is there anyway you could do a series of throwback rig rundowns? For example: You could have a tech take us through Jimi Hendrix's, Jimi Page's setup, amps, efffects, etc. Just an idea, love the videos, thanks

[@georgeprice7922]

Steve The Shark You do know that they can just ASK Jimmy Page,as he's still alive.

[@fanoboss]

I concur Steve The Shark

[@mickdestiny6542]

I've thought the same thing Steve but literally take someone like Eddie Van Halen back in time with a setup with the gear he used on those first tours. Eric Johnson has a run down for the Ah Via Musicom tour where he grabbed all the old gear out of the closet to get the sounds off that album..

[@gto1607]

@@georgeprice7922 lol

[@gto1607]

@@mickdestiny6542 everybody goes oldskool sooner or later.

[@lmfs4032]

Met Ryan, Beasto Blanca (Chuck), and Nita tonight in Chattanooga,TN. Alice got in the bus and wouldn’t come out LOL! They all spent about 45 minutes talking to everyone and signing. Nita was out there for about an hour.

[@saulsimmons4248]

Amazing

[@KRayxKodessA]

The first guitarist: "Why use effects, when you can just play a big room", er whatever he said… Then it's, "look at my 3 delays and 2 different trem pedals…"

[@johnboforsyth5970]

they are all so incoherent

[@rafaelbarerez7066]

i love Nita, awesome guitar player and so cute.

[@littlegoobie]

glad she's got this opportunity and she seems to be enjoying it. I've checked out a few of her photos and posts since she joined alice cooper that showed private moments and events. What really stood out for me is that every photo shows major sausage fest plus nita. LOL.

[@fredrikjohnsson8509]

Cool color on the guitar i like it😎

[@mkivy]

I liked a low stage volume too. I preferred the arena sound and the echo and reverb if gave. Nothing like ur voice hitting the back of the arena ...loved it.

[@AkiraSpectrum]

Great vid! Nita rules.

[@14lamnc1]

When I heard that Ryan Roxie travels with all Gibsons and Marshall amps, I kept on watching.

[@bigjohnnygee123]

John is absolutely shredded!

[@SYLFan2008]

Agree with Nita on the finish on the back of the neck. My fingers always stick to the backs of Gibson/Epiphone or ESP necks (some ESP's do have matte finish though) because of the gloss finish. Never played an Ibanez yet with that problem.

[@FarhatGuitarOfficial]

Incredible Channel!!!!!

[@SpellBook-yp8xf]

Tommy thank you for speaking good about Mick Mars.

[@Seenya59]

Tommy paying tribute to GB - Outstanding!

[@DiedrichKnickerbocker1783]

Never thought about using a Tone Zone in a SG. Will have to try it.

[@mrmustangman]

this was awesome.!!!!!!!!

[@lueymeteora1410]

Show us the Explorer & Firebird!

[@Krufs]

Didn't know Ben Stiller played with Alice Cooper x) Also big ups to Nita!

[@carlmiller6156]

Alice has always been and always will be the best I have ever seen I still want to see the one when he builds the robot out of boxes then the robot starts walking and Alice Cooper chops the robot up. How did the robot move if nobody is in the boxes. The best I have ever seen

[@bsdraven]

While I do miss Rebecca, I honestly believe John gets some of the best interviews out of people. I wish Alice would come a little closer to home, I've wanted to go to an Alice Cooper show since I was a kid.

[@62SG]

Where do you live? Hard to imagine a place Alice doesn't hit.

[@PatatoKeftes]

36:10 turns out you CAN do this with a Floyd Rose cause the bar is screwed on the bridge and will not fall off...

[@alexvaldez83]

Whether they know what they're talking about, I respect them for coming out and talking about their gear. Instead of wheeling out the guitar tech.

[@paulread4886]

Hey Rig Rundown Here's a great useful question for you to ask these great touring guitar players..... "Out of all this gear you use, if you were a musician only earning $50 a night and playing to 20- 50 people max ( and face it , thats most of us , if you are lucky). What would you use , considering you also have to personally carry, and set up all the gear yourself ? " Now THAT'S what i would find useful : ) Thank you.

[@therealseabrookogre172]

26:58 actually yes. phil collen from def leppard

[@D.Guitar]

I did sand the finish off the back of my Ibanez RGT 42FM. And the transition area (i let it blend over 3/8" ) is, ,well, lets just say that the finish is/ Was 1/16" thick, ,which is sortta noticeable, ,but NO problem playing across the blended graduated area, ,but a bare neck (gunstock "tru-oil" +Lemon oil),, REALLY feels RIGHT! ,,THANX Nita!

[@actuallylilli8643]

Rock on guys❤👽

[@adventuressurvivalinthailand]

First guys Hero is Ace Frehely! Awesome , I love hearing shit like that

[@ArisAlamanos]

Bass on 10 on the JCM800? What the hell?

[@MichaelD8393]

I got that exact same white 3 pickup V!

[@richardjones4080]

love the quilted finish of Nita's Ibanez

[@shawnshipstad739]

I LIKE THE IDEA OF NO PEDAL POWER. I HAVE TRIED IT AND YOUR EFFECTS A MUCH MORE QUIET AND ACCURATE SIGNAL.

[@everhard1000]

love Nita

[@billysharp8272]

Nita Strauss is the sexiest woman on the planet

[@oz_medias]

Extreme understatement

[@greekfreak1980]

@ 27:00 That was some serious whammy abuse and she does that on every gig?I hope she has lots of spare trem bars. xD No seriously,she's a great player,she knows her stuff and seems like a cool chick,with a sense of humor. :-)

[@drouleau]

I went to the Motley Crue/Cooper show on Oct 25th in CT, and she can definitely play.

[@greekfreak1980]

Dana Rouleau I've seen some videos with her and the Iron Maidens,she and the other girl were playing the twin-guitar harmonies perfect,she kicks ass!Oh and I found out,she's a big Star Wars-geek,which makes her in my eyes even more cool. :-)

[@mythic6199]

That kinda reminded me of Herman Lee from Dragonforce :P

[@flashy5150]

***** Darth Vader,Boba Fett and the Tie Fighters are the best!! Cheers!!

[@greekfreak1980]

flashy5150 She actually has a guitar with a sticker of the logo of the Rebels from Star Wars,she kicks ass in my book!