What has Joe learned after amassing one of the most impressive collections of vintage gear in the world? You don't really need it.
On a recent trip to Bonamassa's Nerdville museum of vintage guitar gear, we put a sound test together with him and Dunlop's Jeorge Tripps. Could we, first, set up a period-correct rig of Hendrix gear? (Thanks to Joe's collection, that was easily done.) And, second, see how a $1,000 setup compared?
Here's what they contained. The Hendrix "Band of Gypsys" rig:
- 1969 Fender Stratocaster in Olympic White (Est. value: $35,000-$45,000)
- Vox Wah ($1,500-$4,000)
- Tycho Brahe Octavia ($2,500-$4,500)
- 1970 Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face ($1,900-$4,000)
- Shin-Ei Uni-Vibe ($3,500-$4,500)
- 1969 Marshall Super Lead ($4,500+)
The budget rig:
- Squier Stratocaster (Est. value: $300)
- Dunlop JH-1D Wah ($95-$169)
- Dunlop JH-OC1 Octavio ($211-$320)
- Dunlop JHF1 Fuzz Face ($120-169)
- MXR M68 Uni-Vibe ($83-$129)
- Peavey Classic 30 ($400)
How close to the hallowed tone did Joe get with this budget setup? Watch the video and decide for yourself. In Joe's estimation, the Squier rig got about 80% to 85% of the way there, punching way above its weight when comparing costs.
The lesson, from the self-proclaimed "King of Corksniffers" himself? While the vintage gear is great and fun—you don't need it.