Rig Rundown – Social Distortion’s Mike Ness & Jonny Wickersham [2015]
Article and photos: http://bit.ly/SocialDistortionRR
Frontman Mike Ness’ longtime #1 is a 1976 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe that was modded with custom-wound Seymour Duncan Antiquity P-90s. Ness got the idea of swapping in P-90s when he opened for Neil Young and was blown away by his raw, powerful tone throughout the Ragged Glory tour. He prefers ’70s Deluxes because they’re more affordable than older, holy grail Les Pauls and he gravitates towards mid-decade models—’75–’76— because they shifted from all mahogany models to a mahogany-body-maple-cap-and-neck construction. He feels the added maple brightens up the overall tone of the guitar, which meshes well with his heavy use of a capo on the second fret. All of his guitars use custom-wound Seymour Duncan Antiquity P-90s, Ernie Ball 2215 Skinny Top/Heavy Bottom strings, and he prefers .88 mm Dunlop Nylon picks.
Ness’ main amp—stage or studio—is a 1967 Fender Bassman modded by Divided by 13’s Fred Taccone. Ness on his modded Bassman: “I don’t exactly know what he does to my amps, but I know that I look for a hotter, more overdriven tone at a lower volume. To get a great, rockin’ tone with most older amps, you need to push the amp and its power tubes. I was just looking for a way to heat ’em up at a lower volume so I wasn’t blown off the stage.”
Guitarist Jonny Wickersham can’t decide so he currently has two #1 guitars—this is one is a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior tuned down a half step with a capo on the second fret. All of his guitars are loaded with Ernie Ball 2215 Skinny Top/Heavy Bottom strings and he prefers to play with .92 mm Dunlop Tortex picks.
To continue learning about Social D’s gear, visit: http://bit.ly/SocialDistortionRR
#Rig #Rundown #Social #Distortions #Mike #Ness #Jonny #Wickersham
Originally posted by UC5J-hZ4wNf7OlkzIn49LHoQ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4ueHB4SjOk
Mike is so dedicated to his 50s aesthetic– even the "mothers little helpers" he is popping back stage– I mean that is attention to detail
Goin to see them in less than a week in Stroudsburg PA. Gotta say i saw them in philly in 09 i think and wasnt terribly impressed. Im hoping this one flips it for me
I love these 2 guys. I don’t think either of them get the full respect and appreciation they deserve
Mikes a ruler
People will say I’m bad and blablabla, but in this day he is on drugs or drunk . ( he says he is “clean” , but who knows ? ) ????
Shut up and sing, we dont care about your dumb left wing politics
Mike would’ve liked Hillary Clinton instead of Trump? Haha … you sure dude is sober ? ????
Is Mike wearing Cowboy boots ????
Never realized until now that Mike is under 6ft tall . ????????????
Johnny 2 Bags ….????
He’s a brain dead leftist
Nothing was awkward !! Social D baby !!!
Jonny's Archer pedal is awesome, love mine. Beyond his dedication, fantastic music and sound, love Mike's esthetic and laid back attitude.
mike ness played in Slc , utah at the tower theatre and I was helping the promoter and I got to meet him , he was very nice ! made me love social d even more ! great great band
Mike Ness must have went through a big drug phase before because the damage is apparent when he tries speaking. I'm not begging on him I know personally that years of drug abuse takes a toll on you. It changes your brain chemistry and you're not as bright as you once were
Love that Chip Hanna shoutout.
It's real frill the Turbo and D's 1 but the so
Awesome !!! My favorite Band
Hey Mike, remember when I called you "Elvis"?
Loch Ness…i mean, Mike is an artist so shut the f* up.
is it van halen's guitar case??? wtf??
I have a les paul special and nothing touches punk rock like a p90
That G to a Gent sticker and graphic are so tacky. Reminds me of those awful 2010 era Affliction t-shirts. And that skull sticker looks like something you'd get out of a gumball dispenser for 25 cents. Otherwise rad guitar.
I don’t see anything with Mike’s behaviour. He acts like always, just seems really tired of everything he’s been through and the tour as well. Might be on some medicine too. I guess if you don’t do tours and are not a full time musician, you can’t understand.
2nd dude riding the horse for sure….
The “secret” pedal is a Klon.
Did anyone notice FADGCF written across Mike's tuner? Does he use an alternate tuning?
Jonny seems like the chillest dude ever
Looks like Mike has klon there as his pedal if you notice by knobs lol
I love it when the interviewer just steam rolls and talks over the person they're interviewing.
Question
Answer
-Follow on
Next question!
Is it a band or family restaurant decor?
Mike Ness is such a weirdo
Please check out some of my Social D covers and leave your thoughts ???? https://youtu.be/fdXV2x6PWNA
Please check out my cover too! Social Distortion – ‘Story Of My Life’ LIVE https://youtu.be/fdXV2x6PWNA
Johnny is AWESOME ???? ???? ????????
Soooo… whatcha wanna talk about?
Mike's tone is something I've gotten close to but never found completely. It's as if he has lots of bass but it doesn't take away from the sustain and twang of the treble. Maybe its just his use of mostly or all vi rage gear.
That sandblasted pedal is a Klon Centaur. It's like $5000
I love there style there stage looks like my living room..old toys masonic paraphilia and creepy stuff mixed in
I found social distortion late but I'm a huge fan .they have great taste in guitar too
19:58 i'd like to know what he thinks about the potato in charge now .Anyone with half a brain should rethink anything they once believed.
Mike is the dumbest man in Rock and Roll literally like talking to a brick!!
Mike has been unhappy for a long time, and although I get the feeling he just wasn’t feeling the interview. Mike is just a troubled dude but still puts on a great show.
The last two SD albums have been a really fun and enjoyable listen.
Johnny has the best rig of any in this series. A true punk rock guitar player with the Juniors
SO is Mike high? Or just unbothered by anything?
Mike Ness is the most under appreciated rocker in history.
Jonny is a cool dude. Archer for the win!
Does anyone know what type of P90's Mike use?
back in the 80s a big kick cheeks was reading flipside and Maximum Rock'n'Roll look at all the vintage gear bands were using… SD gatefold lp showing all these guitars and the iconic sg