Rig Rundown - Kenny Greenberg

Article and photos: bit.ly/KennyGreenbergRR
PG’s John Bohlinger hung with session ace Kenny Greenberg at Blackbird Studios in Nashville between takes on the latest Kenny Chesney album. Greenberg showed us his considerable arsenal that helps him cover any tone, sound, or effect that a hit record may need.
This 1952 Gibson goldtop Les Paul features a wraparound bridge and its original pickups. Greenberg really enjoys using this as his rhythm guitar in the studio.
Greenberg has owned this ’62 Fender Strat for about 30 years. The previous owner had routed out the body for a Kahler whammy bar and then did some questionable repairs in order to get it back into original shape. Either way, it’s a real workingman’s vintage guitar.
Famed Nashville Luther Joe Glaser collaborated with Gibson to create a Les Paul with a B-Bender. This is the prototype for the resulting Music City Jr. model that Glaser gave to Greenberg.
To continue learning about Greenberg's setup, visit: bit.ly/KennyGreenbergRR

[@Snowy0123]

I think all rig rundowns should be an hour long. .better than any television show I've watched lately

[@BoyAditya]

totally!

[@BestTits]

+Brian J so true they should never worry about them being on time limit

[@lonnystarr]

+Brian J and simple production, too!

[@JTakasa]

Yup.

[@BillLarkinmusic]

+Brian J yeah !!

[@JakeAikens]

I got to play with Kenny twice. Our guitar player was injured and our drummer knew Kenny and asked him to help us out. We were nobody and he graciously said yes. He shows up at the drummers house with a little tweed amp and like 4 pedals and absolutely blew us away. I mean tone for days. So then we go to the gig and he shows with the live rig and it was amazing. You see all these effects and that’s great but true pros like Kenny can show up with what your bro had in high school and absolutely blow you away. These guys aren’t great because use they have effects and amps. They’re great because they can play guitar. Kenny might be the nicest guy I ever met. Consummate professional. Love to run into him again someday. And that gig was the night I met Rick Neilson. Nashville is funny like that.

[@RobertKeeleyTV]

Cool story! Kenny is just as you describe, a total pro and a kind heart. Just wonderful.

[@albertplaysguitar]

Nice!

[@robertstapleton3598]

Kenny is a legend in Nashville (and beyond) and John Bolinger just gave a master class in how to interview: ask a question and then stand back and let 'em go. We learned so much from this. Perfectly done!

[@nitemunky76]

One of the best rig rundowns I've seen. Some absolute gems of tips in here.

[@frankie28web]

Best Rig Rundown in a long time!

[@polishmasterjay]

Seems like the Nashville guys make for the longest, and best rundowns by a landslide! This one, Bukovac, Brent Mason, all love to show and play their tools of the trade, thanks again John!👏🎸🔥

[@justinrulesass]

hour long rundown? Perfect excuse for a 6 pack and bag of chips

[@CMOYoung]

I've got a six pack and nothing to do!

[@howardmarkman]

I was lucky enough to meet Kenny in the early nineties while in Nashville working on a recording project. He was in every sense of the word a mensch. Friendly, nice, gracious, and went out of his way to help me. He is living proof that you can be a monster player as well as a really great guy. I doubt he remembers me, but I still use things I learned from him during the sessions. And a great rig rundown, to boot. Thanks

[@michaelreis8266]

Man, this is a great interview, how lucky are we?? Between John Bolinger, Pete thorn and Tim Pierce and the guys from "That Pedal Show" Guitar Players have an insight into their dreams through like minded players. I love Kenny Greenbergs enthusiasm for it all, it's exactly how I've felt about Guitar my whole Musical Life. I don't want this format to change, ever, but it deserves to be on TV on it's own channel 24 hours a day. C'mon, Channel 11!

[@MrBingping]

"That pedal show" is dangerous, those guys have cost me $1500 since I started watching lol

[@michaelreis8266]

Yeah, me too, but I "need" 20 overdrives lol.

[@marknorris3769]

one of the few rig rundowns i can watch over and over and each time it feels like a master class

[@philipbarman8577]

Easily the best gig rundown ever! This is what you want, thorough backstories, which really lets you get a sense of the guy who owns them. Other episodes tend to feel kind of soul less. Skål!

[@ericboreen4040]

It's nice he knows about his gear and likes to talk about it. The bad rundowns are where John has to do all the work and isn't given much to respond to. "So, is that your number one?"... "Yep"... Like what is he supposed to do with that. "Ok, can you tell me *anything at all* about the guitar you claim is your favorite?" Like what is it, where/when/how did you get it, what strings and why, what pickups, stock or bits and pieces, songs it's used for, previous owners...It's so easy when they just keep talking to the point where John is trying to catch a break to move forward.

[@scottbotkin1041]

Philip Bårman is

[@jamessummersett]

Awesome. I hope Premier does more studio guys. They're the real kings of tone.

[@wrenchhead6840]

They are the real gods…. And often un-recognized

[@1drumm]

Amazing!!! 🎸🙏🏻✍🏻

[@psychotogether5114]

Uncle Larry was the GOAT episode.

[@MisterGuitarItalia]

Best Rundown yet! Kenny's great and John was right on the money. Thanks and please keep interviewing these session cats!!

[@jimdonovan5847]

I knew him when he had hair, LOL. No ego, with all the talent in the world, ready for country, rock, blues and probably many other styles. THE SNAKES from '88 was the killer cd he was all over as a real band member, but I also caught him with 4-5 other bands during SUMMER LIGHTS. Amazing guitarist!

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Wow he just comes across as the nicest most genuine guy!

[@stan5585]

One of the best Rig Rundowns i've seen. Kudos to John and PG for featuring Kenny, he rocks!!

[@ericgray8526]

Best Rig Rundown I've seen in quite a while (maybe ever). I love the ones with the studio guys (Kenny Greenburg, Brent Mason, etc). Need more ringers from Nashville and L.A.! The depth and detail that Kenny goes into is awesome. So many tips, tricks, and a whole lot of insight into the studio gig. John is also on point on this one!

[@professorhamamoto]

This is a man who obviously likes his job. Now, I wanna see Kenny Chesney live.

[@tomigunn777]

This was one of THE most informative, helpful videos I've seen in YEARS! Thanx Kenny Greenberg for being so plain and simple in explaining your rig. Great job Premier Guitar!!

[@bwall615]

One of my favorite players. Great Rundown! Love his enthusiasm for his gear.

[@marsattacks7071]

That guy Kenny loves what he is doing ! Very inspiring to hear someone like him.

[@budgetguitaristcom]

John does the best Rig Rundowns. Plus, his hair is getting slightly more normal with each passing year.

[@allenlocke1935]

I miss Rebbeca's Rig Rundowns. The should've kept her!

[@lordmanshaft1112]

@@allenlocke1935 She was a good interviewer, but Im cool with the comment section of every rig rundown not wholly populated by the socially challenged awkwardly ejaculating over her tbh.

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

No thats just an illusion

[@zachamilton553]

NIGHTBEDS! My heart skipped a beat when he said that. Love that band.

[@hollis1003]

The longest rig rundown ever. Wow. It was incredibly informative, though. Everyone that plays guitar should watch it. AMAZING!!

[@justme-re4jz]

saw kenny and the king snakes in nashville at the bluebird cafe many years ago. back in the late 80's. very good player. he was voted musician of the year many times when i lived there. he would play some inexpensive guitars and make them sound good.

[@blueishxx]

I rate this as my #1 all-time rig rundown coming back once a year

[@StratTones]

My Favorite Rig Rundown to date!!! Kenny, what a Treat and love the gear and straight ahead approach to kick ass 'Real Tone'!!!! Also, love that you don't hold back verbally!!

[@HARwinsOUTagain]

I only watched bits and parts of it but I can't wait to be able to sit down for the whole thing. I've never heard of this guy but it's so awesome to hear of musicians talk and dissect their gear in such a level. He really is passionate about it. There are some RR's where the artist tries to go through it in 5 minutes or doesn't really know how or why things are in their chain.

[@sylvesterado1]

Wow, Wow, and Wow again! Put this in the Rig Rundown Hall of Fame! Drooling uncontrollably here, even more so than I normally do. Thanks John

[@babagadoush1]

Probably my favorite run down. Keep coming back to this one!

[@jessebfly]

This is probably my favorite rig rundown. Such an amazing player and humble dude. And that at the heart of his sound- it's a 5e3 Deluxe.

[@Zuhlsmann1]

Saw this guy playing on Chesney's tour a few years ago. He took someone's iphone and played a slide solo with it. Hell of a player!

[@realitywakeupslap]

This is one of the best gig review ever done on Premier guitar.. it is full of "useful" info.. I am a pro musician with 50 years of experience and I took notes while watching this! Thank you to kenny Greenberg for sharing such great in depth info with us peers .. and thank you to Premier guitar for the high quality gear rundowns and a special thank you to John Bohlinger for his great style of interview where he allows the guest to talk and doesn't hijack the video... excellent stuff guys.. keep up the great work I am glad I am a subscriber to Premier Guitar.

[@tonywhetham8165]

I'd like to see you sit down with him again and hear those guitars.

[@ethompson526]

don't forget the amps too please

[@keelhaulTV]

A great rig rundown. Thanks for this one. We all learned a lot... Especially about the session world

[@MontyCantsin5]

Possibly the best rig rundown I've seen. Diggin all the Strymon pedals.

[@brucecoffman6492]

A fantastic Rig Rundown! Kenny's willingness to share his gear - as well as his experience and attitude - is absolutely invaluable!. Nicely done, JB!

[@THUNDERWORX]

Really cool!!! Kenny seems like a really nice guy, and it was great of him to take that much time to go into that kind of depth. Very informative and helpful. Rock and roll!!!

[@blasterkid2014]

this was great and really interesting...I don't know him as a player but this is a really great one to watch...I'll have to search out some more of his playing/

[@OleDiz]

This might be the best one ever. Patient, humble, knowledgable, and varied gear. The mix of gear was unreal.

[@Wildart2]

Kenny it looks like you're playing through that Bassman head on the whipping post. What a great tone!

[@jayfoster]

Kenny's a great guy! One of my favorite rig rundowns so far.

[@jcs3663]

never heard of this guy, but easily my favorite rig rundown. Nicely done!!!

[@Steaminlidz]

I love this rundown and have come back to it several times. What you shouldn’t do is a drinking game, where you do a shot every time Kenny says, “it stays in tune…”

[@gitaarlessenamersfoort920]

i love guys like this taking their sweet time going through all their gear.. same with john shanks.. awesome

[@kennethbernard1723]

Best one ever. Over an hour!

[@MichaelSeanHarrell]

Great rundown,thanks Kenny Greenberg !

[@MusicTherapyLaz]

Lots of great knowledge from this video...worth watching every second! Thanks John!

[@telekmetyk]

man this is a real rig run down, the guitars just keep coming. love it!!!

Superb rig rundown! One of the best, yet, for shure.

[@keelhaulTV]

Like everybody's saying: a great rig rundown. Thanks for this one. We all learned a lot... Especially about the "session" world.

[@ianryan5727]

mmmmmmmmm I love that P90 gold top ... love the DeArmond too, great rig rundown... ty :)

[@stewsim]

One of the best Rig Rundowns yet! Very in depth. With all that shtuff…along with the knowledge to use it…anything is possible…it must be good to be Kenny…;-)

[@jeffhebert9643]

This is what a rig rundown is supposed to be like....awesome.

[@theruley]

This is definitely my favourite rig rundown to date! Kenny is such a cool dude. Id love to have a beer with him and talk about guitars.

[@justme-re4jz]

i saw him years ago in the mid to late 80's at the bluebird cafe in nashville with the kingsnakes. loved every minute of it. great players. he was playing an old dan electro. ugly cheap guitar, sounded great. they were a good band. even talked to him for abit, and i think his name is don stroud, drummer of the kingsnakes, good people, very easy to talk to and hang out with. good times in nashville.

[@StianLerstadJohansen]

I just love that he just have a old Deluxe Memory Man in a box.

[@skydivechris2802]

This was the most entertaining rig rundown I ever watched . Great guy. Great gear.

[@cadtcu]

Awesome Rig Rundown, talk about a passion and Kenny clearly has fun doing it. Well done.

[@albertplaysguitar]

Man, amazing to not get bogged down with all that gear. Master of his craft.

[@mark130471]

Now that's a rig rundown... full credit to the interviewer and interviewee. One of the best yet!

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

This was the longest Rig Rundown I've seen but if felt like 20 minutes. They should all be this long especially if your fortunate to have the gear this guy has. Very impressed with the depth of his gear, he's got everything needed for a session player.

[@lrmars]

This is excellent! Kenny's reputation is enviable and the interview is first rate...bravo!

[@giggs102]

yes! Please do more session musicians, some bass players would be great :)

[@kinkiebeast]

7:39 How to relic your guitar.

[@sharktroubles]

Mr. Greenberg's way cool. I bet he gets a lot of session calls and live gigs just 'cause of that, let alone his musical and technical skills. Mr. Bohlinger's the best Premier Guitar Rig Rundown interviewer they've got. This was really an informative treat to watch.

[@jrmiller.network]

That was a great interview, learned so much from Kenny and John did a great job. One of my favorite pedal/amp setups is a J Rockett Archer into a Strymon Deco into my Fender DRRi, fun caused he mentioned both pedals in such high regard. BTW, my Rev 33 was on order before the video was over. This is the standard for all Rig Rundowns moving forward, just sayin.

[@byebyebeano8616]

Fantastic show! Thanx guys...

[@wrekkingcru]

This and the Tom Bukovac Rig-Run-Down shows have been the two most helpful ones I've seen since they started doing Rig-Run-Downs back in the day of 360 resolution YT videos.

[@godface81]

Whao , that was badass! thankx John and Kenny. great rundown

[@DrSpaceman69]

this is the best kind of rundowns when the artist literally talks an hour about their gear, not a series of shallow gear questions about gauges and mojo crap. good stuff!

[@AlmostLakai94]

Phenomenal. my favorite rig rundown

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

I've never heard of this dude so I Googled him and holy crap man he can play! And what a humble guy. Seems like you could sit down and have a couple of beers with Kenny and just have a great time!

[@jonatanguitar]

The intro he plays has one of the most beautiful clean strat sounds I've ever heard. Great guitar/amps/pedals of course but the sound is very clean, accurate and just great. After watching it many times I realized that Kenny plays it almost exclusively with downstrokes, he seems to never do an upstroke with his pick - though he plays with fingers as well when needed. Very interesting. Awesome rig rundown as well.

[@TVCMJ]

Such a kind man, down to earth with one big passion

[@alexmillar8242]

nice to see a mix of both boss and strymons on the board, shows that there is room for both for the right needs

[@michaelgonzales54]

8:35, I love it, hee hee, this is a mother tucker of a guitar, I love this guy, he knows his stuff hes the real deal, I learned so much from this, dang bad ass dude, rock on!!

[@PatDeJongeSoundwise]

Great to see Kenny! Thanks guys, great job Mr JB!

[@adam614ce]

That says alot that all the pros, session guitarists, and musicians with passion for tone all watch Rig Rundown. Best Rundown in a long time! I wish they would come to one of my little shows in KY, would be so much fun doing a Rig Rundown of your own gear. THATS what PG should do.. have a "Win Your Own Rig Rundown" contest!

[@waytoomanyguitars]

So much great information. Thanks Kenny and John!

[@heliobluesrock]

I love when the guest is a gear head great guitar player and a Rig Rundown addicted as well! \m/

[@wildbill7]

What a fantastic RR, Knocked it out of the park Kenny and John!

[@ryanybh]

Fantastic. Well worth my hour! Thanks For the video!

[@ITheFight]

This episode is a great example of why I love PG rigrundown. Johnny beans the man!

[@svenzia]

Now this is what i call a rig rundown. Awesome!

[@incubism]

This was brilliant, thanks so much! I learned a lot.

[@vriendelijkegroet]

Finally a good rundown, been some time ago. Clearly with someone who loves his gear.

[@hiredgun419]

I want to play em!

[@TNNLZ]

Missed this one. I dig this guy… great rundown!

[@ArthurStone]

Thanks; this series is great...much appreciated : -)

[@williep1626]

I always start a rig rundown with a player I don't know and instantly doubt everything until I hear them play...and then it's 45 minutes later and I feel like I've had a high level guitar lesson.

[@StanleyCullerEsq.]

This video is an embarrassment of riches! John, I really love the way you go about interviewing these players. Thanks, to Kenny, for being so generous with his time. And, at the risk of being ridiculously greedy... How great would it be to see one of these with Tom Bukovac?

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

Have you seen the one with Tom yet?

[@StanleyCullerEsq.]

@@lastofthe4horsemen279 Indeed!

[@RudySlute]

This should be 4 hours long. I could watch this all week long.

[@CrookeNtheCoppers]

Best rig rundown in a loooooong time.

[@mrnicholasgray]

What a dude, one of the best rundowns!

[@bobbaumeister5243]

Kenny is the best & this is one of the best rundowns

[@BestTits]

awesome job pg thanks so much

[@mrrintymonaghan]

"Thanks a million!"...LOVE IT!!

[@M3RRIH3W13]

That was the best Rig Rundown ever!! I feel like I took an accelerated college course.

[@nashphillc4795]

Kenny says it like it is and has a good sense of humor. What a wide range of guitars, unlike many who have 200 of the same guitars (boring), and gear, and he loves it all - fun fun!

[@evankeal]

He slightly references a thin sound of Strats a few times, I recently felt the same way. Theres a chunk of frequencies that Strats and other fenders could never achieve no matter how its wired, effected, amped, eq'd, pick up'd. I spent the first 30 years playing only Strats, it was a sudden change to my Epiphone Wildkat that I bought as a junker toy to get a feel for the body, p90 and trem, none of which i had touched, but it opened up a world of warmer, sweeter sounds.

[@francisskundaliny1295]

ROCKN ROLLY!, KENNY GREENBERG! GREAT GUITS!-GREAT WORK! ROCKN ROLLY! LOVE THIS GOLDTOP 52!

[@StreetsOfVancouverChannel]

Had to tell ya that I'm a drummer who plays some guitar.... and this was probably the best 'music hour' I spent online this month! Lookin' forward to more like this...