Steve Rothery – Guitar Tones In Marillion & Beyond
The prog titan joins us in the studio with a bevvy of classic gear!
Welcome to the show. We are delighted to welcome Steve Rothery to the show… Steve is a founding member of UK progressive rock band, Marillion, now into their fifth decade of highly successful recording and touring. Alongside many other projects Steve also has his own band and is showing little sign of slowing down in terms of writing, producing and making great music.
He’s taken a day out from that busy schedule and joined us to walk through some of the key gear down the years AND get a look at that now legendary Squier Strat.
Enjoy the show!
Big thanks to Andy Rotheram for the considerable assistance today!
Pedals & Stuff used in this show
• Ernie Ball VPJR Volume/Tuner
• Boss DS-1 Distortion, Analog Man Mod
• Analogman King Of Tone
• Free The Tone Fire Mist Distortion
• Kingsley Jester Overdrive/Boost
• Origin Effects SlideRig Compressor
• Boss TR-2 Tremolo
• Analog Man Mini Chorus
• Electro-Harmonix PitchFork
• Roger Linn AdrenaLinn
• Sweet Sound Mojo Vibe
• Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere
• Free The Tone Flight Time FT-2Y Delay
• TC Electronic 2290 P Dynamic Digital Delay
• Chase Bliss Audio CXM1978 Reverb
If you use the following links to buy stuff – any stuff – we receive a (very) small cut, for which we are extremely grateful.
• UK & Europe: Andertons Music – https://bit.ly/3zaTX5Z
• USA: Sweetwater – https://sweetwater.sjv.io/5g6ALN
• Australia: Pedal Empire – http://bit.ly/2mWmJQf
Interesting bits and go to sections…
0:00 Intro
2:14 How it all started
3:19 Early Marillion rig
5:20 THE Squier Strat
7:20 Early days of digital
8:54 Let’s have a listen
11:30 Boss Analog Man DS-1
13:30 That Kayleigh sound
17:35 Groove Tubes Trio
18:31 Solo from This Strange Engine
20:00 Pioneers of crowd funding
27:00 We’ve never been fashionable
29:30 Upcoming solo projects
30:40 Levinson Blade RH4
32:43 Groove Tube Trio
34:30 H&K Rotosphere
36:19 Roger Linn Adrenalinn
37:00 Crafting a solo
43:20 Solo from The Crow And The Nightingale
44:29 Jack Dent guitar
46:10 Pitcher amp
52:50 Volume pedal at front of the chain
53:30 Adrenalinn again
56:20 Rockman modules
57:00 Audience questions for Steve
Guitars in today’s show
• Squier Stratocaster, modified by Steve
• Blade RH-4
• Jack Dent Raven
Amps in today’s show
• Roland JC-120
• GT Trio Preamp & KSR PA50 Compact Power Amp
• Pitcher Shadow 50W
• Zilla Custom 412 with 2 x Celestion V30 and 2 x Jensen Raptor 100
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#Steve #Rothery #Guitar #Tones #Marillion
Originally posted by UCnUXq8mGmoHt0e6ItuTs10w at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-7JjVVfgSE
The first concert I saw was Marillion at Liverpool's royal court at the tender age of 14, I'll never forget it,
this was the time when they rolled out some of the Misplaced Childhood songs before they were released.
I'm a lifelong fan, thank you Steve, for your moving and soulful guitar style…
My life would be complete if the two giants from Genesis and Marillion made an album,
I'd kill just to hear Steve Hackett and Steve Rothery play together on stage…
One of my first inspirations as a player, beginning in 1983. Still is inspiring to this day
What an inspiring musician! Thank you once again TPS, and thank you Steve.
Have loved Steve's playing and sounds for almost 40 years since my mate played me Fugazi… He and Marillion have had a huge influence on me. Can vouch for the emotional impact, I was one of those with tears streaming down my face when I saw them in Glasgow in 2022, the week after my Mum passed away. Also, my son and I were fortunate enough to get to the Glasgow SRB weekend, which was a wonderful live experience… Thank you, Steve. And thank you, guys, for bringing this video to us!
One of my guitar influences. Totally not appreciated enough.
I've modded my original pitch fork with that midi mod that's from Germany (not the Netherlands). It's a bit fiddly but works great! Search for Oscillator Devices if you want to know more.
Awesome show guys, Steve's sound and feel on the guitar has been a huge influence on my playing over the years.
Thanks for doing this maestro ????
Marillion brings together my favorite bass player and guitar player in one band. The chemistry in Marillion is magical. I have loved this band my whole life.
such a brillant talent. Steve Rothery is the unknown David Gilmour
Been waiting for this!
Seasons End is such an important album for me. The songs are wonderful but are elevated by the tone and feel and musicality of this man’s playing. Hooks in You has a hall of fame riff and there ate magical solos and flourishes across the whole album, for example I still get chills from some of the parts Steve plays on The Space.
Thank you for such a precious gift, Steve.
Great video I love Marillion I love the Fish era.
Marillion ???? Steve rothery ????
Steve is a wonderful guitarist and an exquisite person ! Thanks for doing this episode.
True music legend and such a nice gentleman
I also improvise my solos and then, I have to learn them too ! It's quite often "how did I play that?: ????????
Not a massive marillion fan but i do love maybe 10 songs and his tone has always been amazing, the playing on Easter is fantastic
I would love to see Marillion, Pendragon and Jadis on the same bill
Steve Rothery, what an awesome creative guitarist, a brilliant guest. Thank you for the exceptional content.
Finally the dream TPS episode I’ve been waiting for!!! Steve is the reason for me learning guitar. I’ve been chasing his tone for years as well. After a terrible day at the office the best fix is a glass of wine and playing the intro to Sugar Mice or Ocean Cloud or a number of melodies and buttery licks! ????. Thanks guys for thinking of us neo-prog heads!!
Now you need to bring on Steve Hackett, Mike Holmes (IQ), Adam Jones (Tool), Steve Lukather (Toto), and heaven can only hope, Mr Gilmore!
Along with Alex Lifeson and Andy Summers, Steve Rothery has been such a guitar inspiration to me since I was a kid, and especially since I first bought Misplaced Childhood in 1986. His clean, chorused arpeggios made me want to master that style of playing. And I think I nearly have done! Thanks to Steve for decades of brilliance!
One off the most underrated guitarist in history, listen to the earley years, and now? Lots of respect for this man! ????
I've always been jealous of that "clean" sound but have never got near it. Such a lyrical lead player too.
Steve's guitar solo tones had influenced me the most. I will always remember the first time I discovered Marillion purely by chance a live version of Neverland came on my TV, when Steve started playing the solo, oh my! What a sound! I knew that was the sound I wanted for my guitar solos!
Been waiting for this for years. ♥
Marillion will always hold a special place in my heart; the Brave album truly saved my life. Thank you for this insightful conversation!
My first dive into the MIJ Squiers was when I had to replace my 95 MIM that was stolen. I found an 87 E-series 57 Style but with the Floyd rose type system for the bridge and nut. I decided to work it into a true 57 style with the six point bridge, new electronics, etc., so I dove in and did a lot of work to get it right. When it was finally set up, my mind was blown! The easiest guitar I ever played, hands down. The neck, however, was significantly played and therefore worn and definitely in need of fret replacement soon. While talking to luthiers about it, I was also looking for replacement necks. Very soon, I found an 86 E series neck that was complete 57 spec and barely played! I now have an 86/87 hybrid that, like Steve’s, is heavily modified but, like he says, it’s the wood. These guitars are every bit as good as any top line strat style guitars I’ve ever played. They sing even without amplification. It’s been a very worthwhile project and partner. Get one if you can. Love this show!
I’m so happy that you’ve done a show with the amazing Steve Rothery. Could you do one with my other 2 favourites Andy Latimer or Steve Hackett please? Also does anyone know how different the Analogman DS-1 sounds from the stock version? What was the actual mod ? Thanks
Thank you so much for all your hard work
. ++++ My t shirt merch from yourselves just arrived today – absolutely amazing work , beautiful packaging , looked stunning – so good in fact my 10 year old daughter decided it was far two pretty for me – never seen it since ????
Easily the most ‘Un-Widdly widdly’ guitarist out there – and for that we’re thankful????????????????????
Fantastic to see Steve on the show, and the hint of a part two in the future is very good news. Thanks guys. ????