Rig Rundown - Gary Clark Jr. & Eric Zapata [2019]

Gary Clark Jr.’s longtime tech Dave Holman met with Premier Guitar’s John Bohlinger before their three-night sold-out run at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium for a look at Gary Clark Jr.’s simple, yet stellar, setup. Later, JB met with King Zapata who showed off how he uses his complex rig for layering deep soundscapes.
Article & photos: bit.ly/GaryClarkJrRR2019
Don't Miss an Episode: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL
When Gary Clark Jr. took over the scene with his debut Warner release, Blak and Blu, he did it armed with this 2007 Epiphone Casino packed with the stock P-90s. “Red” stays strung with D’Addario Chromes (.011-.014-.018p-.028-.038-.049).
This ’90s Ibanez Blazer, a gift from Gary Clark Jr.’s mother, is where it all started. The Blazer stays strung with D’Addario Custom Nickel Roundwounds.
American Stage Cables: www.daddario.com/AmericanStageRR

[@premierguitar]

Article & photos: bit.ly/GaryClarkJrRR2019 Don't Miss an Episode: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL

[@JimmyStrain1]

John Bohlinger is such a great interviewer/reviewer, he makes all the videos with talented people feels like very comfortable garage talk, like, you know, pizza and some six-packs with cool dudes who know how to crank up some marshalls. Well, no surprise John himself is also an amazing guitarist.Thanks for this great vid PG and John.

[@seanbean4682]

He's one of those dudes who knows when people are wrong but is never a dick about it. You can see on his face when he's being polite.

[@blakevickrey]

I agree, John has gotten better and better as an interviewer

[@alexstewart839]

@@blakevickrey It's interesting to watch some of these episodes chronologically and watch his hair and interview skills improve.

[@kingnaildriver7232]

John is a cat in all shape and form no doubt.

[@frankieconcepcion7860]

Its also cause most of the time he's as good of a guitar player as they are if not better

[@Chucksguitargeekery]

Adding a 2nd amp to be quieter. That's guitar logic.

[@FYMASMD]

Going from 2 Vibro Kings to 1 with a smaller Fender is less volume. Vibro Kings are LOUD!!! I know I own 2 combos with 3x10's. LOUD!!

[@bertramladner5268]

@@FYMASMD I thought he said the Princeton was for the cut and the vibroking was for the low end. They combined to get what the Vibroking is at loud volumes

[@NickGranville]

Makes sense once you try it. The reason you need less volume with two amps is you can hear yourself better so you wont feel the need to turn up so much. However, cranking up an amp to get overdrive is a whole different thing. Two amps cranked is a loud thing, but hey, it's his gig so can do whatever he likes...

[@northmanlogging2769]

It works, cause you can build tone that balances between the two amps, especially with tube amps, cause each design hits different, so a blend of 2 different amps sounds just as big (or bigger) then a cranked single amp

[@diangara3298]

Makes perfect sense with these types of amps. I do the same for home use. I like the blend of a big amp staying clean for the full body combined with a smaller amp driven a bit more for a bit of texture. It can be essential with these non master volume design amps in low volume conditions.

[@shivering_sky]

The price of Ibanez Blazers on Reverb just went up...

[@eliberdinner4808]

My father-in-law has one in his basement with the original case. I should let him know...

[@troywm1016]

I saw him live a year ago and he didn't play one of those at all. Curious what song he plays that on now...

[@chadimac2243]

...if you can find them. Turns out, they were only made for a year and that pickup config is pretty rare (humbucker /P90/ humbucker).

[@bPcrazydave]

I have that same Ibanez. Bought it early in '97. Serial# starts with a 96. It has a fat compound radius neck like no other. I've bought a bunch of guitars since then, and I always come back to this one.

[@lancewomack1718]

I saw him in Dallas in December and he played almost every song with the Ibanez. He showed up to the bar across from the venue - I couldn’t believe it - and I asked him about it. He said it was sentimental. He was a good dude and signed our concert poster we bought. His concert was the best I ever attended.

[@mylether]

19:42 "Yeah" "Yeah" "Yeah" "Yeah"

[@blizzbee]

Yeah

[@Chucksguitargeekery]

Esquire wiring: 1st position takes out the tone knob (a tab brighter and hotter), 2nd position brings the tone knob in, and the 3rd position adds a capacitor that rolls off all the high end. I think the intention behind it was to mimic a bass guitar before the electric bass was a thing. My Esquire partscaster has the "eldred mod" which makes the 3rd position more of a cocked wah sound, so it rolls off some high and low end, leaving the mids.

[@TJjjjjjjjjjj]

I rather like the Dark circuit / position 3 on an esquire. It’s amazing Leo was able to come up with all these cool options for someone who never played guitar. I’ve had a couple of enquires and on my current one which has the original “dark circuit” wiring if you balance the switch in between positions 2-3 (similar what people us to do with 3 way strat selectors) you get this really thick sound as the signal splits between the two. I’ve tried this on other enquires and it only works on some, I think it’s because some have a bit more solder than others which keeps the tonepot live

[@AdamRosenberg]

Drinking game: Take a shot every time John or Eric says “Yeah”.

[@livingestudiolivesessions5787]

im playin and im not getting up of this chair, lol

[@ddpphoto]

Respectful homage to the past, yet progressive and evolving. Two talented young men, Gary Clark Jr. and Zapatta, keeping it real.

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

Great description. Your very right. Its what the industry needs right now. They are here at a good time.

[@rockyBalboa-ku4th]

oh boy that 3 p-90 flying v with black binding on body was amazing , really hope he makes it a signature , would love to own one !!!

[@layladystay]

Reverend makes a Ron Asheton signature V if you can deal with the nazi insignia

[@mattdevol3339]

Gary Clark, Jr. shows us, like others that inspire us to play, that you don't need to spend big dollars to be a real guitar god. Last week, I thought Gary was the coolest dude on the planet, that was only until I saw King Zapata playing that cool Hendrix model guitar on NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts. The album This Land deserves a Grammy award for their outstanding style and substance.

[@harryglennashby]

Amazing show!!! I was a fan of Gary Clark Jr. before but after seeing him Live I was still absolutely blown away! They are a group of truly talented musicians and the future of guitar music is still going strong with this generation.

[@shoushane]

Zapata makes great use of effects. I always love his sounds.

[@phildale8451]

This was the best rig rundown ever. The guitar tech was one of the most interesting techs I've ever listened to and Eric Zapata, what can I say, amazing guitarist, great sounds and the definition of cool guitarist.

[@richietownsend6737]

It's so cool to see the beautiful instruments and the cool gear that great musicians use to create their art. And once again, a great interview by John Bohlinger. His enthusiasm and easy presence make me smile and his knowledge (not to mention his own excellent guitar skills) make all his Rig Rundowns very informative and interesting. Thanks, Premier Guitar!

[@stevewelsh8560]

he music world has waited a long time for a Gary Clarke Jr, his aura, voice and playing, something special.

[@jasong546]

I love that Gary uses that type of rig, couple good amps and a few pedals, and just a couple decent guitars. If you have not seen him live and he comes to your town you gotta go see him. His power and his heart will rattle your backbone!

[@jasonscott5639]

Sooo much to love about this. The tech with the Parliaments in his pocket, the insight in to GCJ playing particularly that the G being his soloing string, Bolinger best music interviewer around, that Flying V holy cow!!! I could go on...

[@einoware436]

OMG I have been waiting for Zapata rig rundown forever

[@jw112mail]

check out Vertex's channel for lots of Zapata pedal board stuff

[@jimmyjimmy951]

Saw GCJ and Zap last month in Sydney. What a show! Set up and tone was mind blowing. Zap just kicked the but out of the Enmore Theatre in Newtown. I was lucky enough to catch him after the show and what a nice bloke. Here’s wishing them all the success they deserve. 🙏🏻👍🎸

[@bertramladner5268]

The tech is incredible. Sharing much more knowledge about the gear than most.

[@aobyungcp4330]

Thanks for this rundown Clark and Zap are huge influences

[@Damblan]

Saw him last week and that Flying V sounds the best of them all

[@slowflowlowlow]

same! saw him in melbourne and the V was fire!

[@anjy2l332]

Zapata is my new favorite player. Great interview.

[@jch5150]

John always does a great job on the PG rundowns. And he's from Montana...extra points!!

[@dmac-333]

Awesome. Got to see Gary at the Byron Bluesfest a few weeks back and couldn't work out what the S Type was he played for most of the show. Great story behind it.

[@jw112mail]

13:02 is a '68 silver face reissue not a '65 blue face

[@Steeve9292]

I know touring is a bitch and time is of the essence, but it always makes it that bit more special for the artist to do their own gear - good man King Zapata! Top work as always PG.

[@TheHirschEffekt]

But it's also interesting listening to those tech guys. Just think the Meshuggah or U2/The Edge Episode. It's different but also special to my mind.

[@ErGoyoTV]

Correct about Zapata, cool guy. His explanation of his use of fuzzes/vibe/delay/reverb is priceless, says a lot about his confidence. He also showed up in Vertex video about this pedalboard, not talking much though.

[@paulstanley3019]

Love Zapatta’s style. His slide solos are legendary (If trouble was money). “Been to the war man” 🤟🏾

[@nicklevesque576]

Eric Zapata is too cool for this world

[@user-dc5rg9mn1p]

So freakin cool! This is the kind of stuff that makes me want to play!!! Well done fellas!

[@prozaccowboy]

Zapata is a traveler of both time and space

[@musicaantigua869]

Gracias y saludos cordiales desde Mallorca para vosotros premier guitarre

[@philipharrauer9103]

So great!! Gary Clark and Zapata!!!💥👌

[@jipes]

Zapata playing the lick of Fabulous thunderbirds One's too many such a blast, then later on playing Riff of I get Loaded great

[@chrismichelsmusic]

that ibanez is EXACTLY my childhood guitar i got for christmas in 97 or 98. it was my 3rd guitar i sold it in Ann Arbor in 2012

[@toronzocannonthechicagoblu7179]

He’s playing my CANNON pedal by Function FX. That feels good.

[@cjsaunders06]

That's so sick man great sound

[@svincentr]

Congratulations!

[@nate2629]

I’ve been dying to get one but the exchange rate in CAD is killing me😵‍💫

[@markmcnamara4322]

great shirt john! and great rundown.

[@Nicko30able]

Zap has got some awesome gear....impressed.

[@brandonthompson8413]

Gibson Custom Shop has been making 3 P90 SGs for some time definitely have played a few, Sam Ash store in Atlanta, GA has had a few over the past 15 years.

[@WorldsOkayestGuitarDemos]

Super Cool. Some great tones from these guys

[@davidharding200]

I was a single-minded Fender fan boy for so many years. If it wasn’t Fender I didn’t want to know about it. It was ridiculous. Now I embrace all kinds of guitars and brands. It’s great to see GC JR using stock Epiphones (Chinese no less) and even an 80s Ibanez.

[@williamolsen20]

I have a clusterfuzz, and it is a great versatile fuzz. You can get a lot of different fuzz sounds, and it can put out an almost natural distortion type sound as well.

[@stevieblue6133]

Cool to see Zapata is rocking Don Mare pickups. I really love the vintage tone I get from my Don Mares pickups. I didn't really get the buzz about this band until I saw them live. What an amazing live band.

[@EBrassfield]

That's cool to hear. I'm a friend of Don and hadn't heard of anybody playing his pickups before!

[@LaTigerGenesis]

Is Zapata just Mike Judge in a lavender poncho?

[@APlagueOfButterflies]

I can here because I saw another video with that lefty guitar and as a lefty player I was intrigued. Very cool that you're emulating Paul McCartney!

[@gabrieltribuzy4885]

Please do one for DEAD & COMPANY Both Bob and johns

[@edouglaspratt]

Thank you, Premier! This is one of the richest Rig Rundowns I've come across. John always does a great job explaining specifics, but this time his skill is matched by Dave Holman's knowledge and skill. Between the two experts, there's synergy, so what I learned about strings, pups, amps, and about Gary's personal story exceeds expectations. I know there'll be a Gary Clark biography as he matures and I can't wait to read that. -Doug Pratt, Atlanta, Georgia, USA,

[@Benji2N]

Zap is my guitar hero

[@OniDasAlagoas]

Zapata is a great artist.

[@yagoravell7944]

That tele is weird, but so is Zapata! Love his style 😎

[@kylecoffey6010]

That Ibanez guitar that comes in at about 3:23 is an Ibanez Blazer 1025 reissue from 1996/97 they were limited quantities. They did a run of these 1025 featured here & a cheaper model... the 825. It's not from the '80s as stated in the video. This is a reissue. I have to say an exceedingly exceptional guitar. Has a multi radius neck & is pretty thick with quite a bit of 'shoulder' on it. It's rather un-ibanez like in that it's like more like a well worn '50s strat with some modern touches. The wiring is cool/unusual too. The middle position is both humbuckers not the middle pick up & it does have coil tapping via the tone knob (push/pull). It's an alder body, hard rock maple neck with rosewood finger board. Locking Sperzel tuners & Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo. Lots of bang for the buck if you can find them!

[@DMacmalone]

I know a guy.

[@StayMusic]

Nice keyboard stands!!! :) Aewsome video!

[@benallmark9671]

No wireless nonsense lol. That was priceless , that and that shut the choir up.

[@emidiojorge]

I believe the esquire's 3 way switch is: 1- volume and tone pots working, 2- just the volume and the third position is bridge pickup straight to the output.

[@anderswesterling6761]

On my Esq: 1: tone & volume pots working but with a cap on the tone (wah-in-half-position kind of sound) 2: volume & tone as usual 3: volume working, tone bypassed.

[@macdad159]

That V is sick!

[@fiddlefolk]

That damn Supro friggin nails that muddy waters tone.

[@chrisenting9224]

WOW, he's one of the few that actually owns a Sonus Halo Vibe! I'm still on the waiting list.

[@ragingchimera8021]

That V... awesome!

[@benthekoolest]

You guys have got to do a rig rundown on Chris Stapleton!

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

+1

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

Rig rundown on the Jompson brothers would awsome as well.

[@wildcolonialman]

Fabulous.

[@brunozapaterparreno8760]

Bollinger always guets excited when he sees a reversed strat bridge pickup!

[@MontyCantsin5]

Slide tone at 24:42 is great. Just the way it should be.

[@clicheguevara5282]

Zapata's wardrobe always makes me laugh. Lol He wishes he was Stevie SO BAD. It's adorable.

[@chriskozub8012]

Rips off Doyle a lot too

[@yjmsrv]

@@chriskozub8012 Two cat's worth ripping off though- Truth is Zap manages to get his own thing going on between it all. Let's face it- both Stevie (with the kimono's) and Doyle ripped off Hendrix all day and no one is bitching about it now. I think Zap wants to be more Hendrix then SRV if anything... personally- I think his style is cool AF- better then John Mayer's "casual weekend at the mall" stage presence!

[@taylorlittlejohn2653]

“Yep, ‘65 Blueface Reissue”

[@Tommyalpaca]

Taylor Littlejohn ugh I know, I’m furious

[@Photognick521]

Wish Gary did the interview himself.

[@vintagelife6879]

he is to hollywood right now

[@acelondon3451]

Vintage Life too*

[@MrKiammi]

Way cool to see funktion fx pedals on Gary Clark Jr s pedal board killer pedals, i would love to try the cannon fuzz, i have the clusterfuzz favorite fuzz pedal highly recommended

[@sigogglin]

I saw Stryper at the Worcester Centrum 1989ish.

[@MisterTee]

I think I’m going to go to my grandmothers and steal one of her tablecloths and fashion a garment.

[@mattmanley7118]

Love GC JR his new album is nominated for four Grammys I'm glad that he's kind of broken out of the blues box as I understand it a lot of people wanted him to keep playing just blues traditional blues rather because he is African American and from Texas and he has openly said that he can do much more musically which we are now seeing in his new album I wish he would still play as many epiphone's as he used to but nowadays he's seen onstage a lot with the Gibson flying v and particularly that Casino. Which I had never heard of until Gary Clark Jr they seem like really nice guitars it's nice to know that he doesn't have $1,000 guitar $2,000 guitar on stage with him every night and can just rock something that most people can actually afford when it calls for it.

[@JohnLumapaskeith]

For the Esquire there Eric, Position one, all the way to the back or leftest most position if you're facing the guitar, That cuts out the tone control entirely, Giving you a more trebly sound, Or more spank I should say. Middle position is where the tone control kicks in, it works normal like any other guitar with a tone knob. and lastly furthest to the right that cuts out all the top end, gives it a very mellow bass like tone, It kind off simulates the neck pickup. Hope this helps.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

That Supro pickup is a SINGLE COIL, even though it appears to be a hum bucker - those pickups are famous, especially for slide.....!

[@seanbean4682]

I feel like John Bolinger is related to Timothy Olyphant...

[@edpetrik501]

Help me out please....What wood is used to make a four pound Flying V ??? 😎🎸

[@gwb19]

You know you're job is sick when you're always going to hella lands. Amp Land, Pedalboard Land...

[@aaronparker1614]

Man, Zapata might just be the coolest cat around..

[@vintagelife6879]

its that the staves in the background?

[@willjones1657]

Zap showed up to the party with 15’’ speakers. That rig is awesome. Boutiquey, big, and badass. How do I get one of those King Fuzz?

[@marius8818]

Just one question? Can you also in upcoming shows maybe state how amps ae being miced? :)

[@keithchilds9005]

I really enjoyed this video and Gary Clark as a artist as well as Zapata. I want to learn guitar can anybody recommend where I can start to learn, being that I can’t afford lessons.

[@DerekBallesty]

Guy in the poncho is Johnny Depp's new character right?

[@matteocot9673]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@matteocot9673]

I had the opportunity to talk to him in Paris. I said to him "one day I will play with you in stage". He said: "I look forward too" with is face like "really bro? I don't give a shit". Classic 😂. Had a big laugh after that. But he is an amazing dude and player

[@TerryLivelyInk]

He's known as King Zapata here in Texas.. check the KZbin video Zapata live at Hole in the Wall . BTW, Gary Clark is drumming in that Hole in the Wall video.

[@zelicanth1927]

God i want that flying v, really hope they do another sig.

[@MJ_Convey]

I wouldn’t have recognized the music in the background if I hadn’t played guitar for a local production of Shrek the Musical.

[@TheSDC81]

🔥🔥🔥

[@thedobrthedobr]

Eric 'It moves air' Zapata

[@MrShadowofthewind]

That flying V is very hot !

[@gilguajardo7808]

John’s comment about the Tube Rotosphere... “yeah, cool weird tone.” I mean... it’s a Leslie pedal, so pretty well-known tone 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@greglarry11]

Is Zapata saying the cabinet has Peavy or EV speakers?

[@YC-757]

에릭자파타 최애 기타가 전부 '물론' 이라니.. 뿌듯함이. ㅎ

[@Tylerjamesalford]

FTFY 68'Silverface drip edge reissue princeton

[@malcolmadams2105]

Yeah Buddy."

[@javito810]

Zap use a two 15" EV speakers in his cab? Nice gear

[@brentstewart59]

How Bolinger keeps a straight face is beyond me... that dude is wearing Grandma's curtains lol

[@js312raf]

It is the Supro pickup.

[@isenritchie1820]

Yep, it's also a single coil, crazily enough, even though it's in a humbucker-style cover. Supro has always made 'em in that style, they still do. It's pretty weird.

[@antdawg9758]

Zap is all chill like Hendrix

[@jarrettgulakowski5025]

New drinking game: take a shot every time John says "that's great"

[@aintnothinbutdablues]

I've got my Princeton 68 ri settings exactly as those at 10:55

[@Ben59910]

Weren't you in the mandalorian season 2 premiere?

[@mrfacephone]

I can see the red SG Pat Smear gave him sitting in the case back there, too bad it didn't get pulled.

[@blakevickrey]

I did not expect a Stryper reference

[@doughoward9627]

That looks like the original Supro pickup. It's a single coil even though it looks like a humbucker. I have similar guitar, but a 1961 Duo Tone with two pickups. It's a smaller scale guitar.