The Mystery Of Billy Gibbons' Guitar Sound

I for one thinks that Billy Gibbons has always had an amazing sound, but there are a lot of mysteries and myths where his iconic sound is coming from. After getting a blu-ray of their show on Monteux in 2013, I was amazed by his live sound right away, so I wanted to know where that sound came from. I took a deep dive to find out, but the answer is more complicated than I anticipated.

[@PhotoTrekr]

For me, the single most important thing about ZZ Top over the years is that they never fail to put a smile on my face. Keep on rockin guys.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I totally get what you mean 🤟

[@thearabianmage]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitarI apologise for being that guy, but the emoji you used is American Sign Language for “I love you,” while the rock n roll devil horns are 🤘

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@thearabianmage haha, well maybe it's a bit of both then! 😜

[@RicCrouch]

Main things powering Billy’s tone are a truckload of talent and a bus load of attitude! :)

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

For sure!

[@jeremykeiser9621]

And we're we are watching this KZbin video just waitin' for the bus

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@jeremykeiser9621 haha nice one, and also true! 😜

[@jemogan]

Elwood Francis, who was explaining the rig setups, is the guy who replaced Dusty Hill playing bass for the band after Dusty died. I expect everyone watching this knows that, but just in case....

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Yeah I thought it was funny to see him without the beard and the wild hair. And I really think it's cool that their tech replaced Dusty after he passed, rather than flying in some well known replacement.

[@michelleneeds4165]

Well, you know...the guitar tech is part of the family. No fly by night Johnny come lately is guna replace Dusty Hill!

[@lw1391]

Wow, I knew of Elwood by name, but I didnt realize that was him. Very cool, thanks for sharing.

[@carlrball]

I saw that, how cool.

[@hugginjohnny5934]

Thanks for the info

[@ConcezioPellegrini]

His tone comes from his soul, his heart, his brain, his hands and from his AMAZING talent. I only wish I could do the same. Excellent Video. Thank you.

[@danielfishburn7042]

I always see people say Elwood is replacing dusty or like he’s the right person to replace dusty. In my eyes he’s not replacing dusty. He’s doing him a solid. He was their bass tech for like 40. Dusty wanted to him to play bass so the band could continue

[@scottwyckoff5483]

The moving forward of the magic it does not matter

[@hisoverlorduponhigh90]

From “La Grange” to “Asleep in the desert”, and all points in between, the good reverend just delivers. No one like him.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

That's for sure!

[@fender4brad]

He just gets his cool swagger through the speaker. He is a pro that’s been at it for a long time. The human input is what makes guitar better than piano. For me, it’s fun to try, but I never expect it to sound like Billy, it will never happen.

[@hkguitar1984]

Great breakdown. About the only way to be 100% sure would be to see him perform in-person and then immediately check his setup. All that high-tech equipment aside he will always have his signature playing style. We are fortunate in that we are alive here and now to experience his music.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

He's one of those old school guitar heroes like Jimmy Page and EVH that have a great tone that many people chase, but that's shrouded in mystery.

[@Pugsley_addams7]

​@@StevenAnthonyGuitari cracked both those codes evh and jimmy.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@Pugsley_addams7 cool, please share it with the world!

[@Pugsley_addams7]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar vox distortion booster v830 ...or tone bender pedal. through a clean fender tube combo with a telecaster. I use Seymour antiquities. With van hallen its an explorer with super 70s. Or in my case its a les Paul with those pickups And an evh combo. Main thing you need is a plexi sound yet pickups are clean. EvH combo give you high gain plexi at low volume. Tuned 14cents sharp.

[@dk2428]

Saw him live 2 decades ago and I have never heard a "bigger" more amazing tone since. However he does it, its beyond cool. Something to experience, soak in and just accept its masterclass on all levels.

[@monmixer]

They have used a lot of amps. He uses nothing but Magnatones currently for his onstage amps. what goes to the house is a whole different thing. He always uses hand wired valve amps. They have so many cool tools today to curve to as Elwood said. these guys are pros. It's whole different world now though than it was in during Eliminator and recycler tour. there were tracks used on a lot of those shows for rhythm guitar and keyboards and even sax. I worked at quite a few venues when they were playing and I was every where nibbing.

[@benallmark9671]

Great video Steven and I agree , that guitar tone is second to none. Absolutely epic. Living Rock legends !

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Thanks! And Billy Gibbons always gets the most amazing sounds. Next to his playing chops, such a great ear for tone is an absolute gift.

[@RYC62]

Derek Trucks , might be able to compete with that tone. Especially when slide related. In saying that... the more the merrier. :)

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@RYC62 Derek Trucks has tone that is almost as great as his playing! I know some more classic tones I'd like to dive into, and seeing how this video has performed, I guess I'll make more 😉

[@EasyHeat]

Billy used to backline USA Crate V50-5212 VFX EL34 Crate 2x12 combos back in the day! I used to one one. Fantastic sleeper amp that can be had for cheap!

[@kennethmeeker6369]

A plexi with a super thin set of strings is his time really. 7thru38 that’s where his sound comes from and his hands

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

It plays a part for sure!

[@christophervincent8420]

And Supro amps in recording very early in his career.

[@dezionlion]

No plexis

[@dezionlion]

Unfortunately

[@rjw7032]

Billy uses 7-38 strings and it has to be a part of the magic. As an old dog learning in the late 70’s we all went down the 08 and 07 gauge rabbit hole. Billy stuck with 07’s. Put a set of 07-38 on your Lester and your touch has to instantly change. Very dynamic with such a light touch. And the tone gets somehow beefier! Listen with your ears.

[@ironageamplification1791]

Totally agree. The lighter gauge allows for the magnets in the pickups to feel the vibrations of the strings and increases sustain. Light strings sound clearer on the low end to me as well.

[@pageluvva]

Great video, thanks. Love your passion.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Thanks, that's great to hear! Passion made me want to make this video in the first place, so I'm glad it shines through 🙂

[@pickbass1]

I remember reading in Guitar Player magazine that on the Eliminator album Billy said he had a circle of amps and setups he used to record. He said he was switching between amps a lot but one constant was he had a Scholz Rockman going to one track of the tape in every song.

[@michaelgarcia2050]

It was actually a 60W hybrid combo. I can't remember the brand, but it was tube preamp and S.S. power amp.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

I remember that, I heard he used them live too. Black plastic box with the blue logo.

[@danriley5848]

Billy also used a Marshall lead 12 practice amp for those recordings.

[@captainflamson]

My son and I just saw ZZ Top a couple of weeks ago is Salt Lake City and the stage was all Magnatone heads and cabs, not sure what was making the juice but Billy's tone was incredible! The whole band sounded amazing!

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I bet they did! I've never seen them live, but I hope I still get to. And cool that you got to see them with your son, I've visited a lot of concerts and festivals with my dad and loved it.

[@captainflamson]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar We've been fortunate to see a lot of great shows together the past few years, he is a guitarist as well. ZZ is still out on the road so definitely catch them if you can!

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@captainflamson it seems like they're only touring the US currently. At the end of June there will he a few shows here of Billy with his solo band, but both of the shows near me are around my wife's due date. So it seems like I have to wait for my next turn to see him or them.

[@PauloFerreira8]

saw them live in Brazil some years ago. It was the most fantastic sound of guitar I ever heard in my life.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I bet! I hope I can go see them too sometime.

[@elarr8733]

Searching for Billy Gibbons gear advice is only for people who can appreciate the art of an inoffensive well told Texas gentleman's tall tale.

[@robertleslie2467]

Billy's guitar tone is easy enough to figure out. What's difficult to figure out is how Billy makes his guitar tone sound just like his voice! Eh how how how...eh how how how!

[@gokhanersan8561]

It’s more like magic or something. He plays with the element of time like it was a toy! There were solos last night when Billy purposefully went out of synch with Frank Beard, created a syncopated vibe, and caught up with the drums again. Like a trapeze artist. The three of them have total control of the elements. Not playing safe.

[@arthurblackhistoric]

I bought a Fender Blues Deville amp from a friend of mine. I picked it up on my way to go jamming with some friends. He'd been demo-ing the amp for me before I had to get going to be on time, so I paid him for it, and we put it in my car and I took it with me. I didn't change anything as far as the settings went, and when I plugged my Gibson ES-355 into it, there was Billy's guitar sound, as heard on ZZ Top's First Album!! How lucky was that?!! It was just there waiting for me! For those who own such an amp, it was on the lowest gain setting on the overdrive channel. Bass and Mid on 7.5, Treble on 4. Presence on 5. I had the Master Volume quite low, as it is a very loud amp for just 40 watts. Reverb on about 2.5. I had the gain on 8 out of 12.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

40 Valve watts are better and louder than 400 solid state watts. I blew a "famous Guitar player away with a 15watt orange 1×10" combo(unmiked) competing with a Marshall 100w stack. I could crank my amp tp full but he could't get passed 3 without it sounding like a screaming banshee which just gave everyone a headache. Get an amp that uses a valve rectifier, it makes the tone fuller and warmer.

[@arthurblackhistoric]

@@giulioluzzardi7632 . . I have a 15W all-valve Marshall Haze head with its matching 1 x 12" speaker box. It looks like a toy Marshall. But the sounds it makes . .? I often have to turn it down at band practice!!

[@if6turnedouttobe9]

Great video..! I've called Billy "The Tone Master" since 1978...I was only 13 and just started playing guitar...

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

That means you started out with good ears and good taste back then 😉

[@uptheironsiommi]

The Reverend Billy G is a genius and an artiste, visually and sonically. I mean the man dropped acid with Jimi and painted and played music with him. Billy treats everything he ;loves the most, (guitars, cars and women, not necessarily in that order) with the highest respect and is aware of how his world is seen in public. Just like the detail and class you see when he steps out of one of his cars with his lady, I am sure he would do the same with any performance of ZZTop, especially one for a DVD. That isolation box is probably not just for re-amping, but serves as a source to mix his sound to the House P.A. or stage or ear monitors. I guarantee you Billy can tell you all the steps his mojo travels from his fingers to your ears. That's why it sounds so good. He's convinced your brain to make that mojo into music in your head, and he laughs knowing it's really you that makes the music you hear. All he does is play the guitar. The only thing I would ever ask Billy is, Can you keep an armadillo as a pet in California?

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I can only applaud your awesome response my good sir 👏

[@dinosaur6756]

It's coming from his fingertips. It's crazy how iconic guitarists can pick up any guitar plug it into an amp, and with just the onboard reverb and the tone and volume controls on the guitar, create their unique sound. I'd say 80% is the player at that level of talent... maybe more.

[@JohnOShaughnessy]

Stevie Ray was like that too

[@adamlee6946]

If you gave SRV a Les Paul and a Marshall his tone is not going to sound like a strat with a blackface combo and a tube screamer. His phrasing is going to be recognizable, but his tone is going to sound like humbuckers cranking through a Marshall. Same goes for an iconic player like EVH: give him a tele and an AC30 and we’re not going to be hearing the famed “brown sound”.

[@JohnOBryan]

Saw them live. Yeah, their sound was huge!

[@dougreed8885]

I read somewhere that Mark Knopfler called Gibbons to ask him about the hardware he uses for his distinct sound. Knopfler’s intro to Money For Nothing was the result.

[@mitch0990]

He said Billy wouldn't tell him

[@jasonashley4579]

I've seen ZZ TOP a dozen times live, once at the River Market in Kansas city I was up against the stage, it was phenomenal!

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I bet! I wish I could say the same. Hopefully I get to see them for once too! 🙂

[@anthonypanneton923]

there's a video somewhere on YT - from a street busker in Helsinki, Finland. guy was playing a strat with a backing track of The Thrill Is Gone. up walks Billy Gibbons who was on vacation in Finland, and out shopping with his wife. guy hands Billy his strat, and Billy starts playing along to The Thrill Is Gone backing track. sounded like Billy Gibbons. he played for about a minute, then handed the guy back his guitar. its a good video if you can find it.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I know the video you're talking about! That one further proofs how cool Gibbons is 😉

[@timhax77]

Thanks for doing this video on Billy's tone. Plus, who misses Rebecca Dirks from Rig Rundown?

[@joespadaro361]

My Amp tech in LA Bob Dixon of The Amp Hole told me he had done some work for Billy and he asked about the Fandango sound from the early records. Billy told him it was a Marshall Plexy... Like EVH it looks like they EQ the guitar with a mountain shape midrange & also like EVH I still like the sound of the early records best... An MXR 10 band EQ works well on my '73 Marshal plexy style Super Lead... The mountain shaped EQ curve really lets you sculpt that mid range sound like both of these great guitarists do.

[@lesliel1182]

Of course, but there is the other variable which I suggested also. You could be correct that there is a distortion pedal involved squaring the wave, but pick-ups can square them also to a degree with the right attack.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

All of that can make a difference, but if it were that easy, everyone would play a cheap Behringer amp with a Boss EQ-7 in front of it.

[@gokhanersan8561]

Saw the band yesterday at Saratoga, NY. Billy is more than a guitarist…a magician. The three of them are turning the songs upside down and inside out just to land at the right place for 90 magical minutes…We owe it to Dusty, who blessed Elwood so the show goes on!

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I really hope they'll come to Europe soon!

[@gokhanersan8561]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar They have to do it!

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@gokhanersan8561 that's how I feel about it, and I won't be the only one ofcourse. I just hope the band agrees 😜

[@mickpilsworth1]

Always sounds like ZZ Top! Been loving this band since hearing them on France Inter (French long wave radio station) in 1968 underneath the sheets in my bedroom in Nottinghamshire, England. Blew me away then....blow me away now...rock on baby!!!

[@tomcrosby6332]

Thanks for your post. I've been a tone chaser, and I went back to vintage tone (although I still have no talent). Many of these discussion end up back at "tone comes from the players fingers". IMHO. I've noticed that his pickups seem super hot, and blast harmonics with seemingly no effort.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Yeah in the end it's hard to tell what does what, unless we get Billy and his gear in a lab with some scientists. That would be a cool video though! But chasing these dragons is just a lot of fun.

[@christopherlott3461]

I saw a video from the time the band started. A sound engineer was somehow able to pull a tone out of his Billy's guitar notes and delay it a milisecond or so. So it gave it that fuller signature sound.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

What they did, at least on the first few records, is double tracking guitars slightly detuned.

[@jbwood3341]

I saw them a few years back. Billy and Dusty were both using Magnatone amp's. Billy had about 8 of them stacked on top of each other and Dusty's set up looked identical,but I would imagine they had 15' speakers.

[@IamMusicNerd]

Magnatone might be one of the best amps nobody ever talks about. I got one of Billy’s signature Magnatone amps and it is unreal, and the Magnatone Panoramic Stereo amp is also incredible.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I love what I've heard in demos of those Magnatone amps, no matter which model. I just can't justify the price at the moment, but they really sound great! Do you recognize your Magnatone's sound in these clips?

[@alexwoolridge94aw]

Agreed on the Magnatone amps. Own a Super 15 and a Varsity Reverb. Need a Twilighter and a Super 59 next

[@allancerf9038]

Steven Anthony - nice video. Also - what a novel angle for a video - and a good one. Alas, I'll have to finish watching - but I will. Just a quick thought. I actually prefer his studio tone - by far. Especially the classic 70's sounds. As you know the mixing board can have a huge influence on tone! Best, Allan.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I get what you mean, I love both for different reasons :)

[@gunsofsteele]

The great thing is that you can play any ZZ song on any guitar & you will ROCK the house!!! 🎸 🎸 🎸 ✌️

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

That for sure! 😎

[@cobowe]

Saw him in late 2000's with the tower of expandoras!.... Just awesome sound that night There were no speakers on stage ... it all came through the PA

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

For all we know he might be using a Kemper these days! 😜

[@TruthSurge]

honkin Tele pickup/guitar into a Marshall or anything crunchy with whatever needed to make it loud enough. Semi distorted with a good bit of highs so those pinch harmonics jump out better. It's mostly the amp tho since most guitars sound very similar aside from if it's single or double coil. He's prob using .008 gauge strings too which people think can't sound thick and nice but obviously they are misinformed.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Rick Beato and Rhett Shull did a great video on string gauges. Makes a real difference in tone.

[@TruthSurge]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar um, I think they are overlooking something very important. If you pick like an ogre with a hamfisted heaviness, then you definitely need heavier strings. If you pick softly and press lightly when fretting, you can use lighter strings. It's like an equation in math. If the gauge goes DOWN then the picking force and fretting force must also go down and the amp and eq must go up a bit. Else, you can't tell. I've been using .008 for over 40 years. Bet you would never have guessed that if you watched any of my guitar covers. Rick is a self-professed know-it-all who's desperate for views. Did Rhett interview Billy Gibbons about his string gauge being inferior? Can I see that vid? I've only been playing since 1974, in bands, studios, so what do I know?

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@TruthSurge your way of picking comes into play for sure! I personally pick my string gauges based on feel, not on sound. I just thought it was interesting to hear the difference in their video.

[@TruthSurge]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar well, if I were to put 9s on my guitar without changing anything else, yes, the tone would be more stable and louder. Then go for 10s! But it's not that simple, is it? I use .008 for a reason so for me, it's not an option to use 9s unless I wanted a guitar I had trouble bending on and just used it for just chords and no bending. Rhythm stuff. But when you go into SRV land, yeah, you would have trouble replicating that using 8s. It's such a big difference in size so I'm not saying there is no difference. There is. That's why I use 8s. They are easier to bend so... I use them and live with my tone options. ty!!

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@TruthSurge I use 10s on my Gibsons and 9s on my Fenders. But I'm usually tuned a half step down and I like a slinky feel.

[@doctersound9630]

I absolutely LOVE the Crate amp sounds of the VC5310, VC5212, VC5115 these are MONSTOROUS amplifiers (Mark Knopfler uses them too) Sadly they are not exactly reliable. CRATE ALL TUBE amps are very underrated. Save your pennies, get great tone! Your welcome. 😎

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I'll look into that!

[@doctersound9630]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar Please do! you wont be disappointed! I currently own the VC5310 -3 10" drivers, all tube for less than $500 yes PLEASE! hahaha! Cheers!

[@JeffBostick222]

I have a Palomino. Great sound but runs hot (true Class A) and fragile

[@hadleymanmusic]

I got crate tv 6210 and it gave up the heaters ghost

[@MURF8393]

The Eliminator studio tone is a 50w 68 plexi Superlead and a Trainwreck Express in stereo, a tiny bit of slapback tape echo and a tad bit of treble boost into the Marshall, occasionally a Leslie speaker. All double tracked with Pearly and an original 50s Fender Esquire

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I have a 50 plexi reissue, a Z-Wreck, a Lester and an Esquire. Maybe I should try how close I can get with gear that's in the ballpark, yet lacking his talent and coolness.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

The Esquire is the ticket, fat/clean overwound pickup.

[@richardpierce7819]

According to an interview with Gary Rossington when Lynyrd Skynyrd was on tour with them Billy was using magnatones and he actually gave one to Gary which Gary added to his Peavey set up.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Cool! Those Magnatones are awesome, so I always hope he's actually running them.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

See, Billy can be generous too.

[@LukasDozer]

Great video. I am looking for a rack mount guitar processor to achieve the sounds he achieves on the Eliminator and Afterburner albums. Do you have any recommendations? Thank you. 🎸😮

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

A Marshall JMP-1 would be the obvious contender for thay, as Billy uses one.

[@giii7599]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar A modded JMP-1

[@texasflood3165]

So glad I’ve seen them many..many times.. never disappointed..😜

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Wish I could say the same!

[@vminator]

It's not a mystery. He's just a badass.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

That's the best comment so far, and the one we should all agree on!

[@jimmcdougall9973]

Billy used a Boss SE70 on some of his 80’s and 90’s recordings. I have one myself and it’s spot on. I have also used it live, but it has a terrible lag between patches.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I'll look into that, though it's no surprise, because as far as I know he liked to experiment.

[@JulesFox]

The SE70 is still in his rig

[@jimmcdougall9973]

@@JulesFox Makes sense. He used it a lot on the Eliminator and Afterburner albums.

[@bluedigu]

I have one se70 too. An old thing but really good for clear, vintage sounds and for 1 very😢 good crunchy for blues and blues rock

[@bluedigu]

I notice that i use bartolini pickups. Bought in 1979... In pigalle paris.. Mounted on a es335 japanese copy. The saler say these pickups was really appreviated by billy gibbons... Commercial . Argument? Reality.? Impossible to know. But the trio fender champs + se70 plus bartolini is a real fantastic sounding system....

[@playersteven007]

They play Loud and I like that. They have it together and very good. They jelled together and last that long is unbelievable. The Beatles lasted 10 years and all hated each other after breakup.

[@goldendreamer2122]

He mentioned that Billy uses crate amplifier sometimes and that is a fact he does use the 52/12 VFX crates. I am a 45-year player and that's about all I will play through is the 52/12 VFX it's incredible if you've never heard one do yourself a favor and plug into the best amp sound you will ever hear period.. oh and PS ask Joe Walsh about them as well..

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I'd love to ask Joe Walsh about them, if I only had his number 😜 But in all seriousness, the comments are getting me interested in trying a Crate.

[@hazegreen1896]

I think its just mostly him. I hear a lot of little variations over his career and you can tell he likes to experiment but its 90% in his hands and his cool ways he plays figures. plus you hear overdubs more in the albums. That begin said everytime ive seen him play in a small non zz top things in years and years he has a magnatone or two and always sounds perfect.

[@autodidacticprofessor869]

I own a Crate Vintage Club 60 that was very similar to the amps he used in the 90's. These were made in USA (St. Louis) and are fantastic sounding when they work. Unfortunately, the circuit board fell victim to overheating and became conductive so the amp is toast. But tone-wise I can see why he used them for a while. But the JMP-1 has been his "primary" guitar sound live for a long time. There is blending in the PA and likely the Magnatone is blended in but mostly what you hear is the rack Marshall on his settings. Bottom line is that Billy like homogeny. He wants his Tele's, Gretsch and other guitars to sound like his Pearly. He wants his amp tone to be a JMP Marshall tone with no treble. It's likely less complex and mysterious than you think.

[@silverwings1843]

I will not mention any names but: In my youth I was a professional guitarist traveling around some pretty good circuits. Had several well known guitarist sit in every now and then. Always had a side setup for the occasion. A stock early 70s Twin Reverb and one of my guitars. Most often a 60s SG. With that basic setup these known guitarist would obtain their own unique style and sound. So the real answer her is: IT'S THEIR OWN PERSONAL TOUCH & ABILITIES!!!

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Oh for sure! If someone else played through my rig it would sound totally different. But the right gear just makes it easier to get there.

[@anthonypanneton923]

Exactly! and the thing is - an early '70s stock Twin-reverb ain't even all that great sounding of an amp. its loud when cranked up, but its pretty plain vanilla. it ain't gonna give you anything you don't already have.

[@cerealkiller5688]

C,mon man mention some names bro.

[@jeremydunn5012]

No it is not

[@anthonypanneton923]

@@jeremydunn5012 you don't know what you don't know. and its not your fault.

[@legalize.brokkoli]

ZZ Top on Howard Stern; Billy plays a Les Paul into a Magnatone Combo, no pedals, and sounds like Billy Gibbons. Guitar players should stop obsessing about gear, really.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

But where's the fun in that? 😉

[@legalize.brokkoli]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar In practicing, and playing with others. I mean, collecting gear is fine, but will never replace the satisfaction you get from actually making music. :p

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@legalize.brokkoli oh I absolutely agree with that! Chasing tone and gear is secondary, actually making music and getting your playing skills up to par always comes first... or at least it should!

[@andreaperoncini5643]

I remember in 2010 ZZ Top came to play in italy, I looked to the side of the stage and the guitar was connected to a 1x12 combo amp, miked of course, unfortunately I didn't see the brand of the amp

[@danpagejr]

Nice job, very informative but... I thought I was gonna learn the answer to the mystery lol? Guess it's still a mystery or just brilliance. Beautiful tribute to BG tho, very well done.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Thank you very much! I hoped to learn the answer as well, but some things remain unsolved. I guess my video is just like the movie Zodiac, while not as good 😜 But in the end I guess it is a tribute, I was just very excited by this live blu-ray and wanted to make a video. Compared to my other work on this channel, it was just a spantaneous video, but it seemed to have worked out well. And I'm glad, because I'd like to make more content like this.

[@jteixeira8725]

I dig it man 🤘🏻 what about Josh homme? Adam Jones? Jimmy page? Feeling like homme would be episode 2 of zodiac guitarist- Adam more straightforward with gear but uses his left hand like drums so more technique vs gear. Jimmy is of course full of tricks and talent. Anyways good cut keep it goin

[@kevincraig8257]

I have seen them many times saw them in the early eighties cleanest loudest I ever heard live

[@lesliel1182]

Yup...it's called "break-up" you know when you max out and exceed the headroom. Even Twins will break at a high enough level. There is perhaps a delay and an eq, but mainly it's the pick-ups and him.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Each amp breaks up differently. If you think a Twin sounds the same as a Super Lead, give it a try to make them sound the same without pedals. Even the magic hands of BFG can't change the character and tonal response of an amplifier circuit. Will he sound like him? Yes. But will he sound exactly the same whether he plays a Roland Jazz Chorus, Twin Reverb, AC30 or Super Lead? No way.

[@Infinityplus1111]

I am Billy's EQ tech. It's cool to see the very first Digitech MEQ Mono 28 I built for Billy in that older rig rundown. (You cant see my logo on the newer rundown) I have built 14 altogether for the Boyzz and they are certainly a key part of his tone. The MIDI patches vary dramatically as you can imagine. I have a feeling Billy pushes the EQ into a bit of clipping, but I cant confirm.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

That's the EQ he uses the emulate Pearly?

[@Infinityplus1111]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitarYes.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@Infinityplus1111 I've always wondered how well that works. Where you there when he or his tech tried it?

[@Infinityplus1111]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar No, I wasn't there as, I work remotely. I keep a loose contact but I get feedback, mostly from Elwood. When Billy heard the first one I built, he was impressed and have been his EQ guy ever since. 20 years or so. I did get his B rig up and running right before a show. I was invited to hang in his bus after the show. That's when he tasked me to find a dozen MEQs and build them. They have only used 10 so far. They are all great guyzz. Its a great EQ and its a key part of my personal rig as well. (Boston Tone) I refurbish Rockman Modules online. But since I love MEQs too, I developed a refurbishing and ruggedization for them. That's how Elwood found me.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@Infinityplus1111 very cool! Do you happen to have any videos about this? Sounds very interesting!

[@hgostos]

Cut some lows, cut loads of highs so you have a kind of cocked wah tone and a Marshallesque overdrive. Presto. Cigar-smoking optional.

[@philbob99]

2023 way too complicated for me. I saw ZZ Top in a small venue in November 1972. They were promoting the Rio Grande Mud album, and were superbly tight, hot and loud. BG was clean shaven, btw. He played (I think) Pearly Gates or a similar late 50s LP and no other guitar. 6 Marshall heads, 6 Marshall cabinets. Dusty had 4 and 4 and played a Fender bass. (as I recall) So, there you have it. Guitars and amps. Did they use 13 Pedals, 5 EQ, loops, gadgets, other razz ma tazz? -- don't really know but doubt it. Nothing could have been better. A wonderful song, Down Brownie is on Mud. Spectacular tone there. Hot licks. One of the newer songs "Just Got Paid" was probably 7 or 8 minutes of furious soaring jam time. Btw, I have played LPs, SGs and others for close to 50 yrs, but not superbly. Ha. . I have an idea where the hands and fingertips fit into tone. Related: J Bonamassa seems like a nice young man and a very good player, but I cannot listen to him play that song ( just got paid) for more than about 20 seconds. Just cannot. I'll be fine. 😊

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Yeah I prefer thing a little simpler as well, and he probably sounded just as good back then.

[@alexwoolridge94aw]

I seen ZZtop back in 2014 and Gibbons was using Magnatone along with Jeff Beck at the same show. Tone for days

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I bet those Magnatones are awesome. Would love to try one, once I actually find one somewhere.

[@gergemall]

He always SOUNDS AMAZING. You are correct.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

He is a real tone master, from his early sounds up until now.

[@michaelhotz7118]

Yes it’s the rack mount amp and the sound curve.

[@markmeyers160]

You missed a crucial part: the very beginning of his signal chain - his strings; that were a .007 gauge(!)

[@lorenmorgan1931]

Man, after watching the comparison between the German broadcast and the BluRay, the broadcast sounds night and day better. On the BluRay for whatever reason they decided to compress the holy hell out of the guitar in the mix, and sounds more like he is playing through a Kemper than a real amp.

[@chriscraddock6748]

I think the secret is he has a trusted roadie who lights his cheroot being careful not to ignite his beard. He plays on without missing a beat, thoroughly enjoying both the smoke and the raunchy riff his fingers are churning.

[@seric4546]

Hes used almost Everything over the years. He has been using Magnatone amps recently. 20 years ago he was playing through Crates.

[@jimzeleny7213]

The rig rundown I watched (the one with the obnoxious drum tech pounding away in the background) mentioned "we don't use any treble". Regardless of the amp he uses that's probably a good part of his tone.

[@furyiiiplate]

Never thought of having a clean direct signal recorded. Smart..Later, just sitting down and picking and choosing all day till you get 'that' tone. Wow.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

It would even just be good in a studio setting. If you have a great take but the sound is not right, you can just reamp it. I can't count the times I had to re-record because the sound was just not right, throwing away good takes.

[@jacobpaul81]

My understandingnis that Gibbons recorded mostly through small tweed and brown fenders and if you watch videos from the 70s-80s, there's usually a Brown or Tweed Deluxe on stage. Today they EQ everything to achieve the same amp tone. Then Gibbons plays thin strings which gives him more presence with the sharp top end bite. It allows him to play with his signature light touch.

[@adamp2]

He runs Marshall JMP1

[@hansfreekit]

A Marshall JMP is an awesome rack amp. Ace Frehley used them too. They are tight and you need that in big rooms

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I've never actually tried a rack amp. But I bet if Billy could plug into a toaster he could make it sound good.

[@TigerKing77]

I seen that....little band from Texas live with rat in in Florida ZZ blew the doors off of place.. 100% ass-kicking good time they're just absolutely isn't any other band like them gone but never forgotten 🇺🇸

[@kandykorn6136]

I started filing down and grinding down quarters and Pesos a couple of years ago. I also switched to Reverend Willy's strings...the lightest 1st string(E) I've ever used. How does that damned thing stay tuned as well as it does? You can bend that damn thing 2 1/2 steps...no prob. I think it is a combination of his amplification equipment, effects, distortion, Gain, that Peso pick, the strings...but mostly it is Billy, who he is, what he is, and where he got it. That is his sound and where it came from.

[@careyvinzant]

Billy is notorious for fibbing about his rig.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

That's what makes the mystery more compelling. I think it's very clever.

[@sasquatchisnotreal2529]

And his string gauge.

[@markolsen4394]

Yep

[@longlivebytor]

Most of what makes Billy Gibbons sound like Billy Gibbons is Billy Gibbons. It's in his soul.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

That's for sure!

[@guitarandmore69]

'59 LP through a 100w Marshall Plexi. Emulated in various ways with different guitars and more reliable rigs.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

As long as it works and sounds this good 😎

[@matthewmckinney5387]

He uses the smallest strings possible too

[@Blinkerd00d]

Which is insane bc I tried using 8's once and I couldn't play chords in tune half the time lol I usually play 10-52s so I'm used to a much thicker string. I'd probably get it eventually if I kept using them.

[@Old_Sailor85]

He's playing through a JBL processor of some type. He also uses a cabinet isolated small tube amp for the "classic" ZZ Top tunes.

[@michaelw366]

On my wish list… Billy… please just do one last actual show with Pearly Gates. Strip down to just guitar and amp. If they’re worried about the safety of Pearly then just make it a private event. I just want to see and hear that combo of the man and his favorite (and mine) axe. I consider that guitar an original member of ZZ but I can’t find a public sighting since 1982…if anyone have newer footage please share.

[@mobydick3895]

I think he uses ultra light gauge strings, .007's, that produce a lot of harmonics, but are difficult to control and require a light touch. But these allow higher gain settings on amps to get the same gain.

[@arthurblackhistoric]

It always makes me laugh when a guitarist says his sound is basic and simple, then he shows us his rig and everyone must be going: WTF? . . LOL. Invariably he's going into a refrigerator sized rack!

[@truthserum9157]

I use a 50 watt plexie that’s lightly moded with N.O. Tubes through a Marshall cab with celstion golds, i can cop his tone easily.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Then upload a video and share it, so we can all enjoy it 🙂

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Gotta Love Billy.. I've wondered what that EQ is that he uses? I mean they say he took a G chord from his Gibson and then uses that curve on all his guitars or matches it and then adjusts all the other guitars to match that sound profile.. I want to know what EQ rack effect he uses to do so? I'd like to be able to do the same thing, because then all of your guitars sound the same no matter what pickups and effects, etc.. That's very cool if you ask me.. I agree, it's mostly in his hands.. I still think it's that JMP1 and the Valvestate power amp combo that will get you most of the way there.. Then, maybe if you have an EQ you'd get even closer.. Very cool. I Just found you so I subscribed man. Thanks Be safe and well.. From Indiana. (The heartland) USA. Tim

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Thanks for subscribing and commenting Tim! His EQ thing is pretty interesting and I'd like to try it sometime, though I'd prefer all of my guitars to sound like themselves. I couldn't imagine owning all these cool guitars that feel and play different, but are all made to sound the same. But that's just me. Why would I question what works for Billy Gibbons? He's awesome!

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar Absolutely man. I guess he wants to play anything and know what to expect and that way they all sound like their supposed to. I do like different sounding guitars, but playing live it's nice to have some consistency I guess too. Like you say, I won't question BG 🤣♥️🤘. Take care man and be well. ♥️🤘

[@Infinityplus1111]

Billy uses Digitech MEQ Mono 28s. I am the tech that builds them for him :)

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@Infinityplus1111 that's cool info! Thank you so much for commenting 🙂

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

@@Infinityplus1111 Thanks so much.. I'll look those up..

[@TAM-gz5tc]

Bill was using a harmonic generator blue trany overdrive. Rockman.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I'll add it to the list 😉 It's truly amazing how much different gear people have pointed to as the reason for his tone in the comments here. Would be a cool but expensive follow-up to put it all to the test.

[@flemmingerichsen8621]

So much gear with such a simple sound. 😀

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I think that goes for a big percentage of guitar players.... including me 😜

[@darrantankard1493]

Devil's in the detail

[@playersteven007]

I saw Z Z Pop when they had the old time hot rod and over 2 hours played in Atlanta. If I could play a tenth as good as Billy Gibbons I would be great. He should be in the top five greatest rock guitarist of all time.

[@sdkee]

He uses wacky thin strings also. Brightens up the tone.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

That would be part of it for sure.

[@davids2838]

its actually a simple formula. his guitars are all hollowed out ( even the neck) making for a trebly, jangly sound and lows are turned up high on the amp. so you end up with a broad range but still tight sound.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

That's an odd and a new story. Have you got a source?

[@davids2838]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar yes but im not sure if i remember where. one of the Rig Rundowns i believe. metal picks also

[@jensk4140]

Check out Billy Gibbons live at Daryl's house. He's playing a sg through a Magnatone combo.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Yeah I've seen that multiple times. It's just worth it to watch him play thst awesome SG. But wherever Billy shows up, he's always cool.

[@jensk4140]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar i totally agree!

[@markolsen4394]

A New Marshall is also right next to it ?

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@markolsen4394 well, that's the tricky thing, especially with Billy Gibbons. I don't think what you see is always what you hear.

[@johncunningham4820]

Absolutely correct . Nobody else Sounds like Billy . You can pick it immediately when he Plays a Guest Spot for someone else . As distinctive as Mark Knopfler , obviously in a FAR different way . Yes that " Sound " IS him , but also the Guitar . One of those , " Hand-Picked " from Dozens , Freak Guitars . On Paper same as all the others . Yeah , NAH ! Is it Fuck..............

[@markuskantola6951]

Billy Gibbons use really professional amplifiers and they are on the back stage. That is in ZZ Top gig. In Billy Gibbons' solo gig Billy use Megatone amplifiers

[@ohiomossyoak]

Billy used Crate Vintage Club amps. They are all tube el84 based, made in St Louis, Missouri.

[@PeteMunchel-sn9ff]

He used to,.I actually had one but it was too loud lol. Now he has a Magnatone endorsement

[@sanstache2529]

Billy also uses a Mexican peso for a pick. They really make a difference.

[@user-ev2qo1hj1g]

Light strings, Marshalls, and a gift

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

That last thing is for sure!

[@lsu1992]

That comparison of "La Grange" with the Les Paul...both sound 100% Marshall Valvestate to me, I've had one since 1991.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I've got to try one then!

[@trevorgwelch7412]

The tone may come from his custom made pick ups , guitar bodies and neck and hot rodded amps . He is also very gifted to play like a virtuoso blues man . ✨🇺🇸✨🎸☮️🎖️

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Yeah if one can't play for shit, all that awesome gear is still not going to sound that great. But Billy sure knows how to play some mean old blues!

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Fender Esquire with overwound pickup too.

[@rbilleaud]

Bodies and necks have nothing to do with tone. Tonewood is a myth. Pups also have very little to do with it (of course there are differences between humbuckers and single coils and actives, but one single coil is like any other single coil. No magic involved). The amps, particularly the speakers, and effects are 99.999% of the equation.

[@JordonBeal]

The neck and body wood will have little-to-no impact on the tone, especially a heavily overdriven tone.

[@TheCleaner6969]

That's one big thing missing from stage presence these days, amps & cabs even if they're not mic'ed up. It was cool to see them there. I get it, it's less to load in but ticket prices are high so they should be there. You're paying for it.

[@denmar355]

Crate, Lunchbox, Marshall, Magnatone. He’s always got his tone. And part of it is he has people at his service to bring it to where he is happy with it.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

He obviously has a great knack for tone, because he seems to get it out of everything he uses. But ofcourse it helps to have the funds and people to get him there in every situation.