Rig Rundown – The Doobie Brothers
Article & photos: http://bit.ly/TheDoobieBrosRR
PG’s Chris Kies met with Tom Johnston, John McFee, and Patrick Simmons before their recent Nashville gig at the Ascend Amphitheater. Old-school mentality reigns with Doobie mainstays Johnston and Simmons using the same guitars for decades, but multi-instrumentalist McFee explains why he embraces the 21st-century technology.
Guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for Doobie hits like “China Grove,” “Long Train Runnin’,” and “Listen to the Music,” Johnston has been a tried-and-true PRS guy since he stumbled upon one in a San Rafael music store in the ’80s. His current No. 1 is a 2009 25th Anniversary Custom 24 that rides in standard tuning. And all his guitars are equipped with Greg Sfarzo strings gauged .009–.046 and he’s been loyal the Jim Dunlop Herco .50 mm picks since the ’70s.
Simmons main ride is this custom-built S-style constructed by his current tech and instructor at the Robero-Venn School of Luthiery, Joe Vallee. It has three active EMG pickups with an onboard mid boost that’s engaged most of the time and an old Washburn tremolo that he prefers because of how it stays in tune thanks to the rollers. For picking needs, Simmons takes a dobro thumbpick, cuts it in half (leaving just the main pick part), and marries it with a Dunlop Tortex, and then tapes it to his thumb with gaff tape.
Continue learning about the band’s gear: http://bit.ly/TheDoobieBrosRR
#Rig #Rundown #Doobie #Brothers
Originally posted by UC5J-hZ4wNf7OlkzIn49LHoQ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMPK8XTVFWc
I have new respect for John how he explains things with finesse.
That's funny how Tom's son says that his dad has an old school approach to things; well, yeah, we are old school, from the '70's.
And I wonder if it was at all awkward for Tom, to have his son call him by his first name?!
That really usually, throws us parents off, when our kids suddenly, without warning call us by our first name, instead of mom, or dad.
That's how kids can get their parents attention, if it's important enough.
Haha.
I never understood why they added a 3rd guitarist. Patrick and Tom on those 1st 4 Doobie albums. That was the formula and sound. It was never better than that.
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 ????
The tremolo systems on Pat’s Strat-style guitars are Washburn Wonderbar tremolo bridges, I think.
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.
Pat Simmons is just a pure professional
Anyone know where the knob protector is sold for those strats?
Love Doobie brothers
what an interview and interviewer. Really amazing band and seem like a great bunch of guys.
Tom Johnston is one cool dude. Reminds me of my Dad. ????
Talk about great guys and an EPIC band, great job, thanks
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
LOVE John McPhee's interview!
Norm macdonald ladies and gentlemen
Love that FAME shirt!!! Good Morning from Muscle Shoals Alabama.
Awesome!
I'm sure they're quality, but I find the PRS guitars a bit ugly and tacky compared to a nice Tele, Les Paul , 335…
Doobie Brothers – Good honest ROCK'N'ROLL.
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.
Patrick said that he likes his action a mix between low and underneath the rattle point. "Higher than some people think they might have, lower than others".
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.
(gasps in shock) HERCO! "Since 1972" Tom said. I heard Dunlop Mfg. makes those picks from nylon in gold and silver (which I love).
Tom Johnston just said he's been using GHS strings from the beginning with the band.
Tom just shouted out nine-gauge strings on ALL of his PRS guitars.
Big fan of Tom.
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!
I like to blend strings on bends at time so low action for that. Some stuff I want a little fight.
Easy in and easy out, it's work. Make your life easy. I'm all onboard and have been looking at these Variax guitars. One of the guys at church on Sunday is playing one. I work there in theatre. They are in residence every Sunday so I'm up close. I could play it if I wanted to and I may. Not buying anything at the moment though so not on the radar. I have notices these guitars for years. The attraction to me is the tunings. Play like standard A-440 in any tuning you want to. The guitar transposes it so you don't have to work like Keefs guitar tech. lol
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.
That was one of the best rig rundowns to date… they seem like really cool guys! Thanks PG!!
Just saw them yesterday in VA and they were very good! Also surprised that such an old band is using such modern gear