Rig Rundown: Pete Thorn

Full Rig Details: bit.ly/PeteThornRR
Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGKZbin
​Pete Thorn has constructed a dream career on being heard, not seen. He’s toured the world backing Chris Cornell, Don Henley, Melissa Etheridge, Jewel, and Japanese rock icon Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi (even performing at Mt. Fuji for over 100,000 fans on the biggest concert stage ever assembled in Japan). For a self-proclaimed “guitar nerd” (check out Pete’s 2011 album under the same name), it was a 21st century guitarist’s goal. After that, what does one do in between tours to stay busy and relevant in a modern world? You become a beloved KZbinr, of course!
His channel (‪@PeteThorn‬) is a great destination for gear demos and comparisons, but Pete’s content stands out with his simple, and east-to-apply tone tips. (It’s worth noting that Pete did this very thing inside Premier Guitar for years with his “Tone Tips” column. Check it out!) The fun, diverse, informative videos Thorn has delivered have blossomed into a parallel profession with a built-in audience pushing 250k subscribers.
While PG was on the road in SoCal, Thorn graciously invited Chris Kies into his Hollywood-based recording sanctuary, where his KZbin channel takes form. The hour-long chat covers Thorn’s signature Suhr gear (guitars, amps, and humbuckers), he shows how his setup can switch between eight tube amps in a flash (only outdone by his ability to interchange cabs, mics, and speakers in a snap), and we dive deep into Pete’s primary pedalboard.
Full Rig Details: bit.ly/PeteThornRR
Win Guitar Gear: bit.ly/GiveawaysPG
Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGKZbin
Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL
Merch & Magazines: shop.premierguitar.com
PG's Facebook: / premierguitar
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[Brought to you by D’Addario XS Coated Strings: www.daddario.com/XSRR]
00:00 - D’Addario XS Coated Strings
00:15 - Pete Thorn Intro
01:06 - Suhr Pete Thorn Standard HSS
09:41 - Pete's Ernie Ball String Choices
14:12 - 1976 Ibanez Destroyer
19:10 - Suhr Pete Thorn Standard
21:32 - 1963 Gibson ES-335
26:08 - 2000 Gibson Les Paul Custom
30:32 - 1964 Fender Stratocaster
35:06 - EVH Striped Series Frankenstein "Frankie"
37:22 - Pete Thorn's Amps
48:28 - Pete Thorn's Pedalboard
#rigrundown #petethorn #guitar

[@premierguitar]

Full Rig Details: bit.ly/PeteThornRR Win Guitar Gear: bit.ly/GiveawaysPG Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGKZbin Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL Merch & Magazines: shop.premierguitar.com

[@rikshredder]

So which amp is he playing through at the beginning??

[@shreddingpen]

Can you please interview @RhettShull? He has a fabulous roots rock/americana/blues guitar skills, and a wonderful KZbin channel. He chats about his touring experience often with Noah Guthrie and GoodTrouble, along with his musical endeavors.

[@MorGuitarz]

Nicest guy in rock and roll and a consummate professional. Very generous to share his knowledge like he does

[@thefilthygringo9228]

He is a KZbinr….what he doing on here??? Smfh

[@Ottophil]

@@thefilthygringo9228 here on youtube? Edit: also hes tour’d and sold more records than you. Mellisa ethridge, don Hendley, chris cornell. What have you done besides eat candy wearing hate symbols?

[@thefilthygringo9228]

@@Ottophil he is irrelevant,

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks so much!! 😊

[@PeteThorn]

@@thefilthygringo9228 you may see me as such, nonetheless, I enjoy living rent free in your head 😊

[@gregmize01]

Good grief 😐 This coulda been two hours long and i wouldn't complain! Thanks Chris, PG and Mr. Thorn! 🎸❤⭐👍

[@yestoES355]

For years Pete has shared expert and precise knowledge without any feel of snobbery. He’s amazing and his knowledge of gear from tubes to guitars is amazing

[@KajHeGeHaggman]

An interview with Mr Thorn is always a pleasure to watch!

[@joshuahenry7482]

Pete talking about how he looked at all the contours and shapes of his guitar as a 10 year old totally hit me. I did the same damn thing. Just totally encapsulated by this incredible machine in my hands. I still do it.

[@georgestone3957]

I do as well!! 👍

[@joshuahenry7482]

@@georgestone3957 We're all big kids.

[@vicdeacon7276]

I regret that I only have one like to give 🧐

[@drzecelectric4302]

That destroyr is a ROCK MACHINE!

[@DavidOakesMusic]

Oh my god that Ibanez Destroyer sounded incredible.

[@chandlerclement1365]

I love Pete so much 😭 Been a huge source of inspiration and knowledge for guitar players. This was an awesome rundown.

[@troyroberts79]

Pete Thorn is a savage player who's tone is always on point. I've been a huge fan of his videos since moving to LA a while back and finding out about him. I love the way he has such a huge affinity for amplifiers and traditional amp tones but has also embraced the tech shift towards modeling and IRs. He blends them together so well! Such a rad dude!

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks Troy!

[@JordonBeal]

Gotta love Pete. Seems like just the most genuine and positive dude.

[@joesatchton212]

Only one complaint: This should have been 2 hours. XD Pete is arguably the very best gear demo guy on KZbin, but he literally makes eeverything sound so great that he is wholly responsible for the financial bankrupting of way too many guitar nerds.

[@M0M...]

Right when he started playing the intro, my mouth dropped.....It sounds SOOOOOO GOOD!

[@StealthParrot]

Pete is such a great guitarist and an incredibly nice guy too. Great Rig Rundown.

[@Ottophil]

Hes a good dude, but sometimes we don’t see eye to eye

[@harrykadaras9459]

He's better than great...he's outstanding...that perfect run that he did with the FankenEddie guitar was insane...to whip it out like it was nothin'. Awesome G man

[@kevinlane7555]

Hey Pete.....you may not be Steve Vai....but when it comes to riffs and tone and all 'round playing....you're the man

[@godface81]

Pete is such a pro and a gem for guitar community.

[@richarddine1109]

I first saw Pete with The Classic Rock Show. Absolutely brilliant guitarist. Thoroughly enjoy watching him play. Great rig rundown with a really nice guy. Thank you PG for bringing us this rundown with Pete and Chris 🎸🎸👍👍

[@CoreyJamesGuitars]

That’s the best lunch hour I’ve had in a while. Great video

[@corycourtney8923]

What I wouldn't give to hang out with Pete in his studio for a day. Not just for access to all these amazing toys he has, but just the insane amount you would learn. Amazing musician and all around great personality.

[@saunds59]

Excellent. Absolutely love watching Pete. Great to see someone who knows what he’s doing interviewing someone who knows what he’s doing. Could watch this all day, top job.

[@PrestonSmithsMusic]

Awesome rundown of my favourite YT personality. Thanks for that! And to Pete, thanks for a decade of teaching us nerds new things as they appear!

[@geetarbube]

Pete is such a great guy and a monster player.

[@Ottophil]

Why don’t youtubers just ban the word telegram?

[@dannbrauckmann1545]

Pete is just incredible. So inspiring. Thanks for all you do, Mr. Thorn!

[@TredenWagoner]

I love that guitar heroes have guitar heroes. Great interview. Thank you Pete for giving us so much of your time. I could listen to your stories all day.

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks Treden! Glad you enjoyed this, it was really fun filming it and an honor.

[@BenCoombs]

Great rundown and two quality guys right there!! Cheers Chris & Pete!!

[@seanantley1965]

EXCELLENT interview!!!

[@thecrappyguitarist9597]

Thanks for the video. Awesome job.

[@guitarplayerstowohio]

One of the BEST rig rundowns ever! What a class act Pete is. Just awesome.

[@shawnhaught6774]

Great rig rundown PG! Pete is such a killer guitarist and a super nice guy. Well done guys. 👍🏻

[@guitarman1129420]

Repeating what was commented below, but I could watch this stuff all day.

[@jamesleigh900]

What an amazing life you have forged for yourself. You are such a great guitar player, and generous with your knowledge. Thank you.

[@fiddlefolk]

Pete has been a real friend to guitar players! Demos that are great with a great person and talent behind it!

[@SomeKindOfMadman]

Awesome upload

[@relevantinformation6655]

His Thornbuckers are so versatile. I’ve got a couple Suhr’s, one with the dual Thornbuckers. The the taps are so usable as opposed to many other pickups. Very easy to tone shape.

[@stratolestele7611]

Love all of what Pete does. Total gentleman and pro. Chris - It's really great to see you again. Always my favorite PG host.

[@laufonseca4444]

This was great!

[@rkb3573]

Holy cow what a great rig rundown. Such a likable person as well. Always great to watch videos with PT.

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks!

[@surfrby8876]

Finally posted this video , great ! Pete is the nicest guy in rock and a hell of a player

[@IamtheActionman]

Pleasure as always. 🤘

[@JensenSpeakersVideos]

Absolutely fantastic. That's how a true Pro should be. Truly an inspiration and very high-value tone tips shared during the talking, with 100% authenticity and generosity. Really, really good, thank you @PeteThorn & @PremierGuitar!

[@nickhutchinson9068]

I love Pete! He's such an inspirational human being. Great conversation 👌

[@HELPINGTHEBLINDSEE]

Really really good rig rundown

[@teruki302293]

One of the best rig rundown ever! Pete has a tons of knowledge about gears. Needless to mention, he is amazing guitar player! I met him at NAMM show 2022 and luckily was able to have a little chat with him. Super nice guy !

[@jsullivan2112]

Pete's such a rad dude, one of my top guitar players and personalities. Really cool to have more of a formal rundown of his gear, despite already know half of his stuff already.

[@travissexsmith5362]

This was awesome

[@rockinvida1960]

Such a great player and his enthusiasm for gear is infectious. “When Pete Thorn speaks - people listen!” 🎸

[@babagadoush1]

Yes! This is a good one!

[@scottakam]

Pete is awesome!

[@BasilHayden]

Pete sounds so great on that Strat

[@Mcqlfc]

How many of us have levitated to our favourite guitarists only on PG and then added this video to the viewing. Pete is such a great guy and has a lot of time for the people who want to learn what the best players do.

[@garywatters8133]

Pete Thorn is the MAN! His playing is so inspiring and motivated me to keep working. I'll never get there but lofty goals are never a bad thing

[@jacobnelsen2786]

These Rig Rundowns are AMAZING!

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Yeah, my favorite to watch. I especially love the Pedals & Effects. Pete is a Beast. He inspires me. . . super - nice-guy too.

[@hafizimranYT]

What a professional. Thanks, Pete.

[@z20000z]

Great guy and awesome guitarist! This was one of the best and most enjoyable rundowns to me! Thanks to all!

[@premierguitar]

Thanks again!

[@jadonsvd]

Amazing tones

[@TonyEmeryGuitar]

I've had the pleasure of meeting Pete in real life. Such an awesome, nice guy who had all the time in the world for me. He deserves all the success he gets. Great fella!

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks Tony!

[@toddman26]

Great vid! Great player!

[@traviesoarcefan3063]

I just discovered Pete Thorn today. What a great early Christmas present. Mind blowing player and unbelievably kind in every way. I've got to see him live someday. 😊

[@ST4RCLOUD]

One of the best rig rundowns. Pete Thorn rocks.

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks man!

[@MarshallSetUps]

So much fun.

[@JulesFox]

Pete constantly blows me away - when he started playing the Ibanez Destroyer - he sounded Bang On. Van Helen!

[@davischip]

So great to see how Pete gets all those incredible sounds! Thanks PG and thank you Pete Thorn for allowing them to come in!

[@premierguitar]

Our pleasure! We ❤ Pete!

[@samwheeler-brown7458]

Chris was spot on. That’s why we watch these things, the connection these players have to the instruments they love is epic to watch

[@ByronWarfield]

Killer chops, and comes across as brilliant, humble, and approachable!

[@TheCyberMantis]

Pete never plays a wrong note, and he makes everything sound great. He knows Tim Pierce. Tim is wizard-level.

[@erik2446]

Fun, interesting and informative, thanks!

[@ianhoyle8459]

Inspiring Pete, I absolutely enjoy your apparent sincere approach to guitar even though I still don’t have a clue, thank you so much ❤😊

[@paolo-1283]

VAN HALEN LIVES! Thanks Pete Thorn!

[@adamziehm-friesen7480]

That destroyer 😮

[@jondonnelly]

Pete is awesome musician. Super talented and knowledgeable.

[@andyfenton1510]

Completely with you on the series parallel Pete, I’m amazed more people don’t use it rather than coil split. Best of both worlds, no loss in output, but bright sound of coil split. Great feature

[@Markybroon]

The breadth of a lifetime’s knowledge in that hour is astounding. You’re the man Pete ❤

[@PeteThorn]

Thank you Mark!

[@str8shooter159]

Pete is a killer player. The dude is on a whole other level.

[@stephenchow5161]

great stuff

[@zenmaestro04]

How can you not love Pete!??

[@JaakkoTK]

Mr. Thorn - best in this kind of business! And truly wonderful person too, cheers from Finland!

[@MrWilson-WithaPbass]

This was really good guys Thank you .

[@CMPProductions]

Pete's tone is always incredible, but the sound of the Ibanez Destroyer thru his rig is absolutely insane.

[@georgestone3957]

I think it sounded better than the Frankie

[@CMPProductions]

@@georgestone3957 agreed!

[@darvinclement3250]

Love Pete Thorn!

[@koolkutz7]

Great overview and Pete has some stunning guitars. I love the tone of that 1963 Gibson ES-335, keep rockin'

[@evanmiller2579]

Awesome. Love Pete. Great interview. Could have listened to you guys for hours!!

[@premierguitar]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ralphashford9022]

I have a '76 Gibson SG with two headstock repairs. Nice to see one of my heroes has headstock repairs, too. (Misery loves company!)

[@jaythomas8861]

Great interview Chris. Pete always one of my favorite guitarists

[@premierguitar]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@derekhenderson1730]

Pete is such an obliging nice guy, a real pro. Great to see a fellow player selflessly share his knowledge. Many thanks Pete. I'b like to meet him someday.

[@austone121]

Pete Thorn... a great player, ... encyclopaedic knowledge of the guitar, amps, effects.... but best of all ... a really nice person.

[@johnmurray3346]

Such a great dude.

[@allstarvb]

Pete is a solid dude and a hell of a musician - this was awesome

[@rumbletruck1]

Awesome episode! Pete just seems like a great guy, and the knowledge that he has is amazing. I love the TV Jones story!

[@jensk4140]

Great guy! We all learned at least one guitar trick from him. Thanks PG!

[@googaboogaloo]

I love his videos on tone deep dives. That van Halen one is awesome

[@EddieB2047]

So freggin cool….love Pete🤘🏻

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

I run Suhr pickups in my HSS Strat. Thornbucker Plus in the bridge, V60LP single coils with wiring harness. I pretty much live on the Thornbucker. Pete and John Suhr actually replied to my thread on The Gear page in 2017 with what would fit into my Strat. Still play this guitar daily and people always ask about the pickups. The clarity in the Thornbucker Plus even with high gain is amazing. Well done Pete!!!

[@arnyarny77]

pete is my hero

[@jimwatson5977]

That amp Pete is playing through sounds amazing.

[@33shoobs]

Pete is the absolute man

[@stephenbedford1395]

Thanks for a great interview; Pete is an all-round nice guy and great gear junkie... I always learn so much listening to him. Trust me, when you get into your sixties and the arthritis sets in, you won't mind going down to a set of .008's. My gnarled fingers just don't cope with anything heavier now.

[@stanesposito2664]

Pete's the best!

[@jodycarlson4859]

Very cool man

[@lazynorse5607]

Especially loved hearing Pete cycle through his different amps fairly quickly, cabs and cab emulations too. Great to hear them A/B'd like that, a quick little bite sized snack demo. Reiterates an obvious truth - I, too, love Marshall circuits, lol!