Rig Rundown - The Doobie Brothers

[@LoveLady-wn3eg]

I have new respect for John how he explains things with finesse.

[@markwoods9050]

No band deserves to be in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame more than the DooBros! Vote now!!!

[@douglasmcewan2550]

They are a good band. I think Toto should be in there too

[@MisterTee]

Opeth

[@andrewpappas9311]

Well they're in now, which is awesome

[@kromedge]

Inducted into the HOF in 2020.

Tom Johnston, loved by his town, Visalia California, and the Central San Joaquin Valley. Small town boy who is just keeps it real! You ROCK Tom!

[@Sergeant-Major]

I just saw the DBs in Alpharetta, GA, Jul 13th 2024, 50 years from my first attendance in Miami 1974. They packed the concert, had Robert Cray open for them and they were great in '74, but better in 2024. Along with Tommy, Musicians Pat Simmons, John McFee, Mark Russo, Michael McDonald, John Cowan and the rest rocked this venue attended by an older, but crazy-enthusiastic crowd. These guys are my favorite group; they always have been. Go see them if you get the chance. Talent = Top shelf. Love these guys. They are so down to earth, just regular guys with talent level second to none imo.

[@freelancevt]

I've never seen a more open and honest bunch of guys when it comes to how they derive their sound. All their personal preferences are there for all to see ...right down to how their picks are taped so as to not lose them while playing. Very thorough interviews!

[@okbrancho]

This guy does a great interview. More from Chris please. Educated, doesn’t step on the artist’s responses, realizes the artist and his gear is the reason we tune in. Well done!

[@josephagnello9335]

❤

[@patrickkowalski8256]

These gentlemen are true examples of musicians with talent: down to earth, polite, respectful, and takes care of their voices

[@MetaphysicalMusician]

Good interview ..he give the subject space to answer the questions...this guy is 73..amazing

[@martinsundland7614]

I'm impressed by how down-to-earth and articulate these guys are! They seem to really love what they do.Thanks for a great interview.

[@Spartanm333]

I've been lucky enough to meet Pat and he is exactly as he comes across here - a really genuine man, music lover and natural guitar player - no B.S. - what you see is what you get. Lovely guy.

[@ronmarcellais1920]

Doobies kick ass!! Rythm, Harmony, lyrics, Solos!! These dudes aren't spring chickens N their still kickin ass man!! They are the opitomy of true musicians that do it just because they love it!!! Who the hell wouldn't love jammin such awesome original tunes?! Keep it up guys, luv ya!!

[@tiki_trash]

Three guitar players with three completely different ideas on how to sound great together, and they do. I don't think I ever gave this band enough love.

[@blondeflame3261]

The best rock BAND in the world.All those so called rock and metal super stars cannot touch their musicality and perfection in performance in such difficult songs.They re also the ONLY band that gets better despite aging.Incredible.Thank you so much for the music Doobies!

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

Love the Doobie Brothers! It's great to see Tom Johnston still doing well.

[@TheCream14]

Tom Johnston is such a talent. His music got me through college and it's still a part of me 40 years later! What a bunch of nice guys!

[@MrCherryJuice]

Well, they all did their own rundowns. They are all down-to-earth nice people. They are all articulate by don't get too technical. And, of course, all are great players, singers and writers. Tom and Pat started this band over 50 years ago, and despite some really high ups and some really low downs, they look and sound phenomenally good on both personal and musical levels. Thank you for this. Very well done and highly enjoyable.

[@ethanmoeckel753]

Tom Johnston uses the Herco Flex 50 picks from Dunlop in gold. The medium gauge (point sixty-five millimeter). Same picks that Robin Finck from Nine Inch Nails uses and Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin.

[@jonathanjohnson8656]

Thanks!! Going to try those soon.

[@mplsmark222]

Interesting how these guys are so smart, friendly and down to earth. Guess that is a big part of why they are still touring and making great music, So many talented contemporaries of theirs are long gone, victims of excesses and bad choices. I know Pat has loved his motorcycles, glad he has managed to stay safe after all these years.

[@TheThinker39]

This was a real thrill for me! The Doobies' hits always seemed magically good -- great songs, great great vocals, great guitars, great everything. It's nice to see they are still playing and enjoying it. I'm glad to see Tom Johnston looking healthy. And it's nice to see these guys' personalities -- very positive. Thanks!!

[@Stratking01]

This is one of my fave Rig Rundowns.. love when McFee says they good ol’ days weren’t so good’. Embracing technology and innovation with his Line 6 gear. So many of these RR’s with these purist new players all hung up on 40 year old Gibsons that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and all this vintage gear nonsense... find your niche, find your style, you don’t gotta sell your kidney for the nicest gear.

[@narvul]

Probably because John McFee uses Line6....??

[@jimini2419]

@@narvul Ha Ha Ha !!

[@williamkrueger]

I just saw them a couple months ago, and was surprised at McFee's guitar sound- the distortion sound was very solid-state-like, not smooth, but raunchy like square wave. Probably something set wrong, Line 6 makes good stuff, but they shouldn't have done the whole night with it. Have a tube backup! Pat and Tom sounded good.

[@pilgrimMj]

Chris Kies is really digging with these questions. What a boss!

[@SatanClaus69]

Much more entertaining than that muscle guy whose name somehow escapes me. No offence though, everyone has their own thing.

[@pilgrimMj]

If muscle guy reads this, he will be insulted that you don't find him entertaining and pleased that you noticed his muscles.

[@MrGroovergeorge]

Love the Doobies, what a timeless band!

[@hrs1414]

I love this series, never played guitar (i love drums too much) but watching this series has made me appreciate the "science" behind guitars and bass

[@Ibjahmin]

Each concert that I've had the privelage to attend...the sound and setup are awesome...always crisp, clear...never muddy...down to earth guys

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

I love that this dude is playing a Variax and Helix, most won't agree but think about it if you'r on the road. Don't have schlep amps anymore, a huge pedal board, cabinets, etc. He took it even a step further and can get a mass amount of tones through the Variax guitar. Don't need a dozen guitar...an acoustic, a banjo, a cytar, etc. Well done sir...well done.

[@mudwiser1391]

Tom is 68 yet he could pass for 48 anyday of the week, I guess great songs keep ya young. Really enjoyed this.

[@p.4890]

We need Tom Johnston PRS sig now! Both in core and se line.

[@terrybowman1204]

I had no idea what these guys were talking about, but really enjoyed listening to them talking about their equipment. Been a fan from the beginning.

[@musicman7773]

Doobie Brothers still going strong and modern!👍

[@ronnie5129]

THE DOOBIE BROS. SOUND BETTER TODAY THAN THEY DID, IN THE 70'S, AND THEY SOUNDED GREAT BACK THEN, SOME THINGS JUST GET BETTER, THIS BAND TODAY IS ONE OF THE BEST BANDS LIVE, THEY JUST GOT IT MAN, COUSIN FIGEL

[@TheDogPa]

Seeing Tom...I had to stand and bow! What a musical GENIUS! Been a hero and influence for many, many decades. #tomjohnston

[@Hawthorneeffect1]

This was great. Chris Kies did a wonderful job on this episode

[@voodoochili12]

Yup, he should do every Rig Rundown

[@jimp.7286]

Awesome interview with each of the guys talking about their gear in detail rather than techs. And they seem to genuinely like talking about their gear too. Thanks Doobie Bros, and P.G..

[@callingkings9232]

You gotta love artists that really want to share their piece wisdom

[@leokormanik5849]

Calling Kingsk

[@isaiahmarquez9717]

Tom Johnston is one cool dude. Reminds me of my Dad. 😎

[@Terribleguitarist89]

Tom and Pat seem like the dudes you'd drink a few beers with and blow the doors off the garage, John seems like the dude you'd chill and play some acoustic on the porch with...

[@andrewbutcher3391]

Thanks for this and thanks John McFee.....As a result I took the plunge and bought a Variax Standard Ltd Edition.....Everything he says is right....it’s a great guitar and you get great sounds. There is a lot of snobbery with equipment and here’s a top guy embracing technology. Anyone playing covers this is a great solution. Hard to believe you can get such a good guitar for the money.....Thanks Yamaha and Line 6 too.....

[@afri-dancer9967]

As a young Teenager living in Africa The Double Brothers were and inspirational force in my youth.Still love their music , its so cool to see what down to Earth Genuine people they are.

[@dougpeters1625]

Thank you for this video. Such legends. I burned through so many eight tracks, cassettes, and vinyl from the first four or five Doobie brothers albums I can't even count! These are some of the finest musicians walking the planet.

[@dessertman1181]

Pat Simmons is just a pure professional

[@NEstorytellingfest]

LOVE John McPhee's interview!

[@markscates8185]

Legendary guitarist: Johnston & Simmons. Great video.

[@Clayphish]

Really like this interviewer. Hes very comfortable with the players

[@ToddSauve]

And he saw the band when he was a kid with his dad and obviously is in awe of them, though the guys are humble and interested in letting us all know what they play and why. What more can you ask for?

[@dgardner7259]

I am impressed. I have spoken with the band before but not about equipment, but these guys are so down approachable and down to earth. I'm proud to say they have been my favorite band since their first album (although I went through the scary era when Tom was not feeling well and they were just a little too jazzy to suit me, but that is just me). I see them whenever they come anywhere near Arizona.

[@ethanmoeckel753]

Tom just shouted out nine-gauge strings on ALL of his PRS guitars.

[@goswo]

Great to watch, but also great to watch this great great “reporter”. He is soooo good…

[@mzxc]

Tom sounds like Norm Macdonald doing his Burt Reynolds impression :P

[@Leirbag42069]

He totally does! I think you kinda ruined this rig rundown for me haha.

[@nunyabidness4655]

Don't you mean Turd Furgeson?

[@maxdistortion]

was just gonna comment the same thing !! "yaathats not myname."

[@shaneedmundson7506]

You can tell Chris was just chomping at the bit to ask for a demo of the rig!

[@motokev2727]

funny....made me laugh

[@stepitupandgo67]

tom is friggin 70 yrs old!!! runnin with the devil..!!! awesome....

[@larryrogalski4067]

LOVE LOVE LOVE THE DOOBIES!!! Great band!!!!

[@MatthewElDeOrazio]

So glad I happened on to this. Have always LOVED the Doobie Bros. If you close your eyes you’d think it was Norm MacDonald 😂

[@leehanson1416]

John is awesome for using the available tech. I do the same time every weekend, leave the PRS and Mesa at home. 2 Variax guitars (one for backup), Helix Floor (Tech21 backup), and Alto 10 inch monitor so I can get feedback.

[@beoz658]

The great TJ prolific songwriter of some of the greatest RnR songs ever!

[@baybae92]

Haha aww. Chris loves Tom Johnston. Awesome that he's such a fan.

[@jeffreysearch]

what a legend ..... rollin down the highway .......

[@guitarman7169]

When I first heard China Grove I thought, Man that is me! From then on, I was known in my hometown as Mr. Doobie. I had a Micky Mouse Close and Play stereo and at Christmas in 1974 I got a Sherwood Receiver, a BIC belt drive turntable and some UnRealistic(Radio Slack) two way speakers. As HiFi as I could have asked for at the time. Fast forward and 1977 college, Guitar 101 at Lees-McRae College and then it was on. I took me about two months to get "most" of China Grove down and I was off. I know every song they have done by heart, singing that is, and am still a work in progress with 44 guitars today. Allman Brothers, Guess Who, The Who, Sweet, BTO, Outlaws, Bad Company all in Concert and watching each guitarist do their thing. But The Doobie Brothers 6 times and a Meet and Greet in Charlotte on June 8, 2022, then Row 1, seats 30, 31 and 32 for the show. And being a New Grass Revival fan, I get to meet John Cowan who is one hell of a crooner and artist. John, Pat, Sam and Bela were one heck of a group in the 80's with their Rock/Bluegrass sound. So, enough of this and time to pick one of the six strings behind me and let her rip! Ain't Rock and Roll grand!!!!!!

[@davidmahan6202]

Really enjoyed this. Thanks to all for making this possible.

[@nkjagshenry]

Tom's natural PRS is absolutely beautiful

[@gr8guitarplayer]

WOW!! When the last guy played that pink guitar, you could instantly here the tone from Long Train Runnin!! It wasn't even plugged in!! Now THAT is the start of tone you can call your own, when an electric guitar sounds great and unique, before you even begin to shape the tone electrically. Freakin amazing!!

[@moxiemusic3739]

27:50 That little volume knob blocker is genius, I need that in my life!!!

[@fenderjeff]

GENIUS INDEED!!!!!

[@DrBanzaiPhd]

especially on a strat!

[@josuesamaniego182]

kyouryoku1977 get a piece of foam and cut it to fit under your knob and the knob won't move unless you want it too

[@DrBanzaiPhd]

Josue Samaniego : great tip! thnx

[@ryanforresterrenaissancesa4204]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I realized that standard guitar pots can be wired to function in the opposite direction, so that's what I did. Works great for me; if I bump it accidentally, I'm just keeping it at ten, or turned a bit toward ten if I'm turned down. I am ambidextrous, so that may be why I don't get confused, just to be honest. But I think most anyone could get used to it.

[@moosefactory1759]

Oh, I was at this show. Doobie / Chicago at the Ascend Amphitheatre in Nashville. I didn't know much about The Doobie Bros before the concert as I went mainly for Chicago. But man they blew me away! I was so impressed.

[@usaflagraybans]

Awesome to see the Helix in a Rig Rundown. I love mine.

[@TheRange7]

Talk about great guys and an EPIC band, great job, thanks

[@billyrouse4813]

I got to see these guys at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2015, and just geeked out over the racks and guitars.

[@petesorensenguitar]

Wow, Pat's iso cab setup is unreal. What a tone god!

[@jamescarter4175]

What great interviews! Thanks very much!

[@alexgallardo9149]

Tom Johnston what a great guitarist

[@JF-em6hr]

A living legend and totally nice. That's cool.

[@TheLastOilMan]

Gods of rock, Thanks Doobies !

[@Steve_9292]

Absolutely love me some Doobie Bros. Wonderful songwriters, wonderful musicians and wonderful dudes too. *Edit* And Patrick Simmons is a total boss, in a class of his own. Cool, cool guy. Great job PG!

[@blackfender100]

Always Loved His Pick scratching since I was a Kid Listening to China Grove.Super guys and very Talented.

[@zackyoder7359]

Stellar interview and superb gear! These guys arr the best example of bands that stand the test of time; and still sound great live, but most of all they have such a humble positivity u can tell they do it cause its fun

[@christopher.hallissy]

I’ve had a Line 6 Helix now for a few months. Such a great piece of gear.

[@alfredbbp]

Love when musicians like talking about gear.....chris totally digging it......nice.

[@DreamsongsProductions]

I love these guys, glad they're still rockin'.....

[@ells494]

I sold Tom his first PRS he is talking about! Black Cherry I think was the color Nice cherry red flame maple top.

[@DeathStarGuitars]

ells494 What is the shop? Bananas At Large?

[@patriotwarrior7570]

I sold him his 18,942nd bag of weed, dank chocolate thai buds

[@patriotwarrior7570]

@Lord Dr George Dufort LLB ITCCS world HQ Brussels Tom still sports the legendary codpiece he bought from you though. I attended a meet and greet recently where he allowed us all to touch it, and it was an amazing experience

[@mikeyo3230]

I sold Tom the bottle of shoe polish he puts in his hair !!!

[@patriotwarrior7570]

@Lord Dr George Dufort LLB ITCCS world HQ Brussels No smelling it, but I dipped my finger in some of the gelatinous stickiness on the inside of it while nobody was looking, and had a sneak taste. It was kind of a cross between sweet and sour sauce and sour cream. Not bad at all

[@TheSaleen786]

Wonderful interview. Tommy is my hero! So cool to see Lara Johnston Tommy's daughter in the background, she can really sing!! Also saw Tyler the Doobie Brothers Road Manager. Great dude! -Larry G. Golden, Co.

[@scottyhughes9179]

That was one of the best rig rundowns to date... they seem like really cool guys! Thanks PG!!

[@andrewpappas9311]

I remember seeing them about a year ago here in Toronto when they opened for Journey, and they were really good

[@mikebottiaux5850]

Thanks for the interview. Love the Doobies!

[@Singlehand_Music]

Love these guys' music!

[@calsurflance5598]

Just saw them in post pandemic, (sort of ) in Fresno 2021. They sounded just like the albums of 40 plus years ago. Great show!! Interesting to see their conservative approach to gear. Use what works, and don’t get to hung up on crazy expensive vintage gear that requires constant attention! The sound was awesome. Their approach works!!🎼🎼🎸🎸🎻🎻

[@mayemcdonald9111]

Fabulous video. Thanks to all the guys for showcasing their guitars and styles. Rock on Doobies!

[@blendernoob64]

Just saw them yesterday in VA and they were very good! Also surprised that such an old band is using such modern gear

[@ryeyanmatthew]

Awesome rig rundown. Love seeing something 30+ minutes. Especially with such a classic band.

[@wgb01001]

Love Tom and Pat. My first word as a baby was record and I used to carry around a "Best of the Doobies" LP wherever I went. Forever love this band. Wish I could meet them one day. Thanks for this.

[@vincentenk4449]

Diggin' the Sweetmeat sticker on the gear! St Louisians will know what I'm talking about!

[@chadcollier1070]

I watched the trailer for this video, and it only featured Pat. I had never heard of him before, but as soon as he said "Washburn bridge" and I saw he has the arm on the bass side of the bridge, I liked him immediately! That cat knows things that the average player doesn't 👍

[@midnightmerv3560]

They seem like a nice group of guys, the interviewer did a great job as well. That line 6 rig was a big surprise. I know Steve howe from yes was using/swearing by one of those on another rig rundown.. might have to try out the demo one they've got set up at the local music store

[@7775Kevin]

Good stuff. Excellent interviews.

[@scootmcgoot570]

I dig that FAME recording studios T shirt! I live in Muscle Shoals. That made me smile

[@Imdatboi669]

Steve Butler you'll soon find out why he's wearing it.

[@jonathanjohnson8656]

Yup. Same here.

[@codieterry8114]

I thought I was the only one I live in the shoals as well

[@richardbinder9662]

The Swampers . Awesome.

[@fr3ak1shh]

Probably the most helpful channel for musicians. This is fantastic!

[@Eventual420]

Would be nice to see Chris w/his Dad. Thanks for the great content, PG. We all love gear... and love to talk about it. These very busy, very talented people have cleared their schedule, made time just for you so they can show us the 'behind the scenes', 'under the hood' sneak peak. Let's not rush them. Such a privilege. Thanks again.

[@DenisSanacore]

Great questions asked by the interviewer !!!

[@DenisSanacore]

He asked the question I would ask as a guitarist ! Great job !

[@darylreimer3325]

Awesome, I also use the same Washburn whammys (3) strat, ibanez and Gibson 1275, for 40 years.I also agree with Pat's assessment. I've read numerous negative reviews about them and could find no merit to them. I'm also using a mesa boogie mk1 combo sometimes with a Marshall 412. In the last 5 years I've been using the same variax as John with a line 6 combo amp. So impressed I Recently bought a line 6 Helix. Just when I start to think I might be a little crazy they provided some relief. Thanks for the interview I'm an even bigger fan now

[@tommyborgstrom5580]

Onebof the greatest bands ever🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@pcbeauty2696]

what an interview and interviewer. Really amazing band and seem like a great bunch of guys.

[@mentholdeathray]

Bad ass seeing him wear the fame studio shirt. I drive that place everyday on the way to work. Also the Jackson road studio

[@ethanmoeckel753]

The strings Patrick Simmons uses are as he said, "Small as .009- and .008-gauge". He used to use Dean Markley when he was with Tom in the band. But nowadays, he uses Ernie Ball Slinky.

[@TheBigGuppy]

Holy Cow Tom's hair look great for 69. Must be all that clean living.

[@robbievalentine8239]

Man that archon sounds KILLER in this band. Totally unexpected. I may need one now LOL