Rig Rundown - Daniel Lanois

Article and photos: bit.ly/DanielLa...
Premier Guitar met with famed producer and musician Daniel Lanois before his show at City Winery in Nashville. Lanois, known primarily for making lush-sounding records with cavernous reverb and moody delay, reveals his surprisingly simple guitar rig.
It’s incredibly surprising that Lanois tours with just two instruments: an early ’70s Sho-Bud LDG 10-string pedal steel guitar and a 1953 Gibson Les Paul goldtop. To help with the inherent buzz that comes with single-coil pickups, Lanois replaced the original pickup in the Sho-Bud with a George L E-66 humbucker. Lanois uses a slightly altered version of the standard E9 setup and tweaks the tuning of the top strings for specific songs.
The ’53 Les Paul features a few modifications: a mini-humbucker from an old Gibson Firebird in the bridge, a Bigsby tailpiece, Tune-o-matic bridge, and some Gretsch knobs. Lanois doesn’t prefer a particular brand of string, just as long as they’re heavy. Currently, his gauges go from .011-.056 with a wound 3rd string.
For more info and photos covering Lanois' setup, visit: bit.ly/DanielLa...

[@droliver]

My favorite quote about Lanois was from Ian Thornley of a Big Wreckwho said something like he’d heard some beautiful sounding thing Lanois played and asked about it, and Lanois says “That was an A chord”.

[@keithklassen5320]

To be perfectly fair to both of them, that's like Carrot Top asking Einstein how he calculated the tip.

[@guyfidelity]

Daniel Lanois is a freakin' genius. Everything this guy touches turns to gold.

[@Allistar]

Yea! The was a Les Paul Greentop just before he picked it up

[@simplejones4364]

his playing has the freshness of a kid alone in his bedroom discovering, but with a masters touch and ear.

[@xhowdyx]

good way to put it.

[@marlon1171]

I couldn’t have described it better.....

[@joelfildes5544]

Nailed.

[@mikelarsonmusicman]

Well put

[@faunoram]

i think we cannot thank enough to the great interviewer for letting daniel lanois display freely all his magic !

[@jasondotson]

Magic, it is.

[@tysonrinker5958]

Bohlinger is the man

[@BrettKingman]

The most inspiring Rig Rundown I've seen in 5 years or so. Excellent. Thank you.

[@hamwerd]

Found this link due to your upload, Brett, thanks so much! Daniel is truly a genius & an original, it's refreshing to see someone so talented yet humble that is truly inspiring.

[@hamwerd]

It's part of what we call, creativity, there "Deathrape". Bitch all you want about Delay & other mod factors that artists' use, but they have made successful careers out of it and you have not. More power to them, I say...not that you're not going to have the chance to make your mark someday, especially with the username, "Deathrape"...

[@randalclarke5487]

absolutely agree...! alot of the sounds he demonstrates on the steel is what you hear on the Sling Blade soundtrack. Lanois has inspired me so many times, he is definitely a hero

[@YaoEspirito]

Randal Clarke The last time I heard this guy's name was looking at the credits of "Slingblade", when it came out. The soundtrack was so haunting, evocative and memorable; now I know who's behind it. Wonderful.

[@randalclarke5487]

yeh, the stuff he is playing on the steel here is totally what he's doing on the Sling Blade soundtrack, i recognized it right away. Check out his production work with Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris- he puts his stamp on their songs with his sound, and it takes the artist to a new level

[@Steeve9292]

Can't say I agree with the comments that this could have been drastically shortened, I'd have happily sat through another hour. What a beautiful sound.

[@chuckdriver8269]

Daniel has been an influence on my own approach as a guitar player. Less is more, leave space, create atmosphere and be open to receive the message. Interpret, digest, filter and transmit. This all, of course, is my interpretation of how Daniel seems from the outside looking in. Great RR. 🎸🇺🇸

[@jakefreeze373]

I just saw him live about a month ago. I truly believe that he is one of the greatest musical minds alive today.

[@robertnewman1957]

Daniel is a master at ambience and mood in his playing. He has a very unique approach to the music and the sounds he generates through technique on both guitar and pedal steel. It's all about feeling, sonic landscape, and expression. Wow!

[@nohayguitarra]

This Les Paul is the most amazing guitar in the world . . . Just listening to Daniel explaining his rig is like hearing a concert, even when he talks there is a lot of music inside....

[@duaneanderson1275]

daniel lanois is wonderful. so modest and talented his steel playing is magic.

[@jaderozner8535]

Daniel Lanois one of my major inspirations. Never stop innovating in search of sound....

[@michaelreis8266]

I'm pretty sure Daniel Lanois has forgotten more about Music than I will ever learn. There is such breath and feeling in his touch which makes his Music undeniably compelling.

[@mewsbuzzindradio]

here's to my Hamilton homeboy Daniel Lanois. That was about the best Rig Rundown I ever saw, a truly gifted artist, taking the time to actually play the rig for us. Wow very inspiring, like to see morre like this one in the future.

[@gregbarnes6836]

mews buzz agreed. He talks through not just his gear but his playing style as much as anything else. Awesome

[@caseyrobertson3840]

That's the first rig rundown I didn't skip through a segment even once. Very enjoyable.

[@Caveira138]

He's basically got an Old Black copy, dig his style, and dig his playing!

[@MrMarumari]

His noodling and sound reminds me of Neil's playing on the Dead Man soundtrack.

[@DaviTrombela84]

Every single thing in this interview is great! This Les Paul, this P90... the fact he has no drive pedal... his slide technique, the magical finger picking!!! Very well done interview, thanks a lot guys!

[@AnodyneHipsterInfluencer]

I come back and watch this every year.

[@1VperOctave]

I thought the Adrian Belew rundown was great, but this topped it. I loved the fact that he did the whole interview, no techs walking through the gear, and the playing was incredibly inspiring. Thanks PG and John for a great interview.

[@FelixIsMyName]

Just shows how much tone comes from the player. I really love players who are really self sufficient and know things inside and out.

[@ia5662]

It's amazing what this guy can create as far as textures and melodic signatures. It was so obvious as soon as he started playing that he does the pedal steel parts on "The Ground Beneath Her Feet" for U2. I love that song so much and his playing is a HUGE part of how great that song sounds and feels. I think Daniel Lanois is a musical treasure and his playing and studio style is so complimentary to many, many artists. Mad respect for this guy, so cool to hear him play solo like this. Also, gotta love how he evokes so much Neil Young out of that Goldtop with the Bigsby with deep, percussive playing and shrill highs from the bridge pickup.

[@recordman555]

Great insight into why Daniel is such a fantastic Producer.

[@marc0d0n]

This guy's tone is pure magic. My God.

[@blackwoodhymnal]

I met Daniel a few years back and he was a very engaging and gracious man ; I was staying at the same hotel in S.F as he and his band.; rode the elevator w/ Brian Blade and he was so incredibly sweet. I've seen Lanois play live 5 times and it's always a treat. "Wrecking Ball" is my fav of all his production/collaborations and my fav album of his gtr playing. Less is more for sure!

[@robertfapswell3719]

Mine too...♥♥♥ it's so powerful ; I've seen it make grown assed hardened men (like myself) and women weep like school children! ♡♡♡

[@dbob3405]

Met Lanois once before a Black Dub gig. I have always been reluctant to meet an artist whose work I really love as sometimes the personality doesn’t match the art. Not the case with Lanois-he was incredibly nice and just as intelligent and articulate as you would expect. I feel lucky to have lived in a World where I get to enjoy his creations.

[@marcustriton6978]

Daniel Lanois is the real deal, one of a very few left.

[@Bigsbeee]

so true

[@YaoEspirito]

He sure comes across that way. I wonder if he's worked with Tom Waits; seems they'd appreciate each other.

[@jaderozner8535]

I hope he never retires. I respect the hard-core ones who do what they love forever.

[@WhiteWolf--]

The magic combination of the SDD3K and the AC30, for sure The Edge turned him into that signal path back during the Unforgettable Fire sessions. Awesome that he still uses it

[@cherrypickerguitars]

Daniel is one of a kind. I've had the pleasure of meeting him several times and have had the opportunity to work with his brother, Bob and Tom Wilson during their "Shack" recordings. Lanois is the greatest musical technician to come out of Canada (sorry, Jack Richardson, you're still my second favourite!) This was THE BEST rig rundown so far!

[@kassvoyson7625]

Wow. My favorite yet. Just a warm delay and a whole lot of genius.

[@phydauex]

He's an alchemist. Loved his sound since the Eno records in the 80's.

[@jeffp1370]

Acadie, one of my favorite album, so beautiful!

[@drmarcfpelletier]

In the quest for tone, Daniel has reached the summit of the greatest peaks.

[@globalnomad1221]

there is no substitute for the man who loves his art

[@fffantasticboom]

Very well-prepared and knowledgeable interviewer!

[@BradyMosher]

Sure is. Glad to see this.

[@rhllnm]

I loved his Acadie album.

[@skystudios2474]

As others have said, super inspiring. Such beautiful, tactile, organic sounding music.

[@olddogmusic1]

What a genuinely gracious and creative man. Really enjoyed that, well done, great interview Premier Guitar!

[@stevedellay]

Thank you so much for this interview and run down, and for turning me on to Daniel as an artist. Just love it ! Also want to say what a great interviewer John Bollinger is....Always sensitive, intuitive and personable. He knows gear and he knows people. Keep up the excellent work !!!

[@ronl514]

A true sound-scaping artist simplsistically complex uniqueness... The Best!!

[@DanielLinfield]

Gaston did a great job with the interview. He's totally knowledgable.

[@KrazyRobot]

lol

[@seanhornibrook]

so really this man's rig is his hands... could have shortened vid a lot. (lol) astounding player. You sir have made yourself into one of my new favorite musicians in the span of two videos.

[@ThomasRBowen-gq3jr]

A perfect example of taking gear you have and making it work for you instead of trying to buy it that way. Also a great example of real artistry and knowledge. The best part of this rundown wasn't the gear itself but what he did to it and what he does with it to get what he wants. Great run down indeed.

[@stepitupandgo67]

me too...incredible...

[@arn999]

The effortless melodies and atmosphere he gets out of that horizontal setup at the beginning sound insanely good.

[@prodevus]

Its a lap steel

[@RedAndtheBlackRocker]

I'm only halfway through this and am already agape at the tone he's getting, so freakin' beautiful and expressive, amazing.

[@joevannucci1392]

I've watched this interview at least half a dozen times. Inspiring and gorgeous tone.

[@music_works]

Same

[@creativeconcerts4511]

I am not a huge Les Paul fan but that '53 gold-top is cray-mazing! And Mr. Lanois' sound is incredible! Love it!

[@TariqAnwarMusic]

I have watched this more than a dozen times and I find it a constant source of inspiration. Soul mining indeed.

[@JulesLeyheGuitarPlayer]

You could stop after that intro and this video's just amazing already.... wow

[@bassplayersayer]

Very Cool. I like the swells with the volume pedal. I dig it! The old school amps are super warm.

[@DaleyWard]

Stunning. Simple yet filled with deep emotion. So inspiring.

[@semilog643]

One measure of how great Lanois is: read these comments and reflect on the fact that you're reading them on KZbin. Daniel is a magnet for good people.

[@thisNewFoundLand]

...such superb and valuable insight into the creative dimension of Daniel's sound construction. Thanks so much! As the most excellent host said, "That was so inspiring." It truly was. Daniel Lanois is obviously kind and generous with his time and energy -- i feel he is aware that his mini sound symposium provides valuable artistic nourishment to those seeking to follow him and his brilliant music. Beautiful and giving artist. One easily sees why he is at the pinnacle with producers of the modern era.

[@orsonozu755]

Terrific interview. I learned some things i could apply myself. Thank you.

[@Linksimpson]

Best rig run down yet! Love the insight into his sound. Great stuff.

[@benoitfecteau495]

5 years later, still best rig rundown

[@denigauthiergplus]

Interviewer is a fanboy. I love it. I would be too...

[@denigauthiergplus]

Totally agree. :)

[@faunoram]

this rig rundown is one of the best gigs ever !! its like a complete concert !

[@stepitupandgo67]

I think he's one of the greatest of all time....the best tones of all....

[@michaelmadcat]

Several years ago I saw Daniel Lanois playing NPR Tiny Desk... it blew my mind and I wondered what the hell he was doing with that electronic rig. I've seen so many great Tiny Desk performances but I always go back to that one... it's my favorite. I'm so glad to have found this video! Now I finally understand a little bit of the magic. Thank you!

[@THUNDERWORX]

Wow.... what great sounds!!!!!

[@pg123ab]

Daniel Lanois music is so interesting and I believe he has reached the highest level.. Hard for me to explain but It sounds like the Canadian forest, the steel towns, the bayous, the deserts. It’s a landscape that triggers emotions and it’s a genre per se. To make a comparison when I listen to some jazz records I see the hustle and bustle of NYC, the streets the lights of a town that never sleeps. 🙏

[@pabloramirezduron6851]

Unique... amazing artist. The best rig rubdown by far. Why? Because he keeps going to the playing, main part of his rig are his nails and hands... his sensibility. It's very interesting that he quotes U2 and the Edge 2 times, as an influence in his rig, and the kind of delay for triplets. Humble and kind.

[@LorSTApunk07]

I must've missed this one. Just recently saw Sling Blade for the first time and loved his soundtrack.

[@s2stuges]

Daniel is from another planet, a incredibly talented guy... plus uber humble and cool....

[@m0j0b0ne]

Amazing; the Korg SDD3000 adds so much character, no wonder it's on all the time. Glad I was able to score a pedal version. I can't wait to start exploring some of these sounds in my own stuff.

[@audioandybaker]

If you've not listened to the soundtrack for the game 'Red Dead Redemption 2' then go listen. It's a whole album of this perfection.

[@ChicagoBulls1984]

Agreed, it's amazing

[@mark89v]

"The Maker" man.

[@ekjade]

Its genius in its simplicity, Daniel is a true sound connoisseur.

[@ronlee2611]

Daniel Lanois is the genius a mystery this music stuns me. Absolutely brilliant.

[@Mickcotton]

Crazy Genius. Unreal. The Best Ever. ❤️

[@BeauHannamGuitars]

Nice interview- thanks

[@wajobu]

This is great. A lesser known album of Daniel's is 'Here Is What Is'--just go buy it, you'll thank me.

[@davidsummerville351]

Creative and inspiring. Thank you. Beautiful music.

[@frankjurgensen9550]

Saw him twice in Hamburg. Sensationell both Times! With trixie whitley and brian blade, still get goosebumps remembering it

[@looksdirty]

He did a free show at Amoeba Music in Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago and afterwards we spoke for a few minutes about photography and music and he couldn't have been more interested and down to earth and genuine. Super inspiring guy.

[@scottyhughes9179]

an absolutley fantastic rundown, one of my most favourite.... thanks John and Daniel for this.... very inspiring.

[@544cachito]

wow, truly a unique creative unreal musician!! He is the definition of what a true artist is.

[@lylecrilly]

honestly even though he doesn't have much of a rig this is the best rig run down I've seen. Thanks

[@alexstewart839]

It's fun watching Bohlinger's Glow Up that happened during his late 40s/early 50s. He looks so much younger now with natural hair and a reasonable cut.

[@scot-combs]

I realize this is old but what a great rundown. Dan is a unique talent and, therefore, precious

[@canaan_perry]

The sound for this video is heavily clipped. Still very interesting to see this guy's very unorthodox style.

[@fridaymiles]

I agree-really detracts. I think they're recording all the audio on the video camera which can only handle so much gain. They need to get it together.

[@contecrayononpaper]

Thanks for the ride.

[@morrisman]

this was one of the craziest things i've ever seen on here, when he pulled out the sampler, i almost died

[@keschgelb]

One of my heroes! Fantastic.

[@gingerleyham]

This was amazing to watch!

[@jamieholmes6087]

His use of dynamics is astounding.

[@therobleon]

Daniel Lanois is a sonic genius. Amazing! Very cool RR!

[@peakperformancebikes]

Huge fan here!!! I saw him live one time opening for Scott Weiland, and people could have cared less. I was right in front!!! I can not tell you how many people I bought for the Beauty of Wynona for through the years.

[@johnson0nline]

Incredible... Thank you PG.

[@nobells4388]

This was amazing; beautiful on every level.

[@IamKrisJones]

Pure genius and so generous.

[@enkiea8322]

Incredible ear, incredible artist.

[@ColaDose52]

I think I've watched this about 4 times now, John. This last, however, was the first time I've known that you, like Daniel, are also a pedal-steeler. Your stance sometimes reminded me of myself the first time looking over the shoulder of a surgeon suturing a long cut wound in the finger of a small boy-- thinking, "Remember to breathe, dude, otherwise you black out!"

[@sunrisesunsets5989]

Really enjoyed this one guys. Made me think I should play a little differently to get inspired. That raindrop style is out of this world. Big love.

[@BrockBarr]

Wow I was sooo excited to see this, my dream Rig Rundown has come true!!! Premier Guitar, what a perfect time to do a Rig Rundown with Monsieur Lanois - The Flesh and Machine album is a new direction with the studio gear being bought to the stage. Awesome stuff.

[@landonjackson3064]

Magic hands . What a gift

[@BlackMarketYoga]

Excellent.! His Les Paul seems a lot like Neil Young's. Thanks guys

[@jeradatherton]

🙌🏼 Greatest of all-time.

[@StewartBrand85]

Wow that was incredible!

[@dusted04]

great to actually here the tones !

[@regortex3364]

Big Lanois fan here. This is a pretty stripped down rig for him, cool to see him play and demonstrate his techniques.Lanois seems really genuine and not driven by ego but purely artistry, refreshing in a field full of pompous jackasses so full of themselves.John Billinger is an excellent interviewer, being a musician himself I'm sure is part of the reason his rig rundowns are so good.