What does Dwight Yoakam use for strings?

[Lerb21]

Dwight is one of the few guys that when you see him live you can really call him a vocalist/guitarist because, while he doesn't play much lead, you can always hear his strumming.

On top of that, his guitar sounds awesome. I never really thought that acoustic tones existed until I listened to Dwight beating on his Gibson Dove or Martin Acoustic. I have a hunch that Dwight runs his guitar through an amp of some kind. I've run my DX1 through my Twin and while it's not an acoustic guitar amp, it still sounds great. I'm not too concerned with amps.

Dwight's guitar always sounds bright. It sounds like he puts a new set of strings on his guitar between each song they're so bright and lively and grand.

Here's some footage from the show I attended in June, and you can hear Dwight's tone quite well.



My thinking is that Dwight's gotta have some kinda super strings to get that kinda tone night after night and for his strings to never sound dull...

[Brendo]

They're made from the same stuff Lieutenant Dan's 'Magic' legs were made from.

[Buckocaster51]

Let me preface this by saying, "I don't know."

But...since this IS the internet...

It sure sounds "quackish" to me. Much like an under-saddle piezo pickup going straight into an amp with no pre-amp.

His sound is probably more of a function of his pickup/amp combination than of his strings.

I have a couple of acoustics that have much the same sound when they go straight into an amp. Since I am usually playing bluegrass type music when I play acoustic, I don't plug in very often, and when I do these days I use some sort of pre-amp to make the guitar sound a bit less like a water-fowl.

I think though, for the music Dwight plays, that is a very good sound.
Based upon what happens in the "Sin City" clip, I think it is fair to say that he uses strings that break.

Sadly, there is little chance that anybody that is associated with Dwight Yoakam and in a position to know, will ever be around here to tell us. It would just be a matter of time before somebody would say something inconsiderate and chase them away.

If you know what I mean.

Dave Bartlett has some sort of job where he sees and gets to hang with acts. Maybe he will chime in.

[Lerb21]

Originally Posted by Buckocaster51

...
It sure sounds "quackish" to me. Much like an under-saddle piezo pickup going straight into an amp with no pre-amp.

His sound is probably more of a function of his pickup/amp combination than of his strings.

...

Straight from the "Gibson Dwight Yoakam Honky Tonk Deuce Acoustic-Electric Guitar" on Musician's Friend.

L.R. Baggs Element Active Acoustic Pickup System
The Gibson Dwight Yoakam Honky Tonk Deuce comes equipped with the popular Element Active Acoustic Pickup System from L.R. Baggs, which features a low-profile undersaddle element—or transducer—that's proven more stable and durable than many standard ribbon-type pickups. Combined with an onboard preamp with an unobtrusive and removable volume control mounted just inside the soundhole, the Element delivers performance not previously attainable from an undersaddle pickup. Its sleek and effective design removes unnecessary internal components to enhance the coupling between the pickup and the guitar, and improve the sensitivity of the transducer for a robust, lively, and natural acoustic sound with excellent dynamics and delicate high end. The Element works with a standard 9V battery, which is housed inside the guitar in L.R. Bagg's "Battery Bagg."

Aha!

[Wardpike]

I think Dwight has a fantastic acoustic tone, and IIRC, he used Martin light gauge acoustic strings like most of the rest of us. Live, he's usually tuned down a half step.

The bit about the element system makes sense. It sounded like the Fishman Aura system with a built in mic to me... but the Baggs is arguably as good. Both have "the sound".

C-ya!

[Buckocaster51]

Aha!

I got part of it right.

[Guitfiddler]

Maybe it's just the clip, but IMO that tone is overly bright. Sounds more like a really bright harpsichord than a guitar to me.

Was that clip shot on digital camera or something with a pretty inexpensive mic?

[tweedtone]

Whenever I've seen him live, he's had his own small Peavey or Fender PA (mixer head plus two PA cabinets) set up behind him for his own acoustic guitar monitor, which he'll go over to and tweak occasionally.

[Lerb21]

Originally Posted by Guitfiddler

Maybe it's just the clip, but IMO that tone is overly bright. Sounds more like a really bright harpsichord than a guitar to me.

Was that clip shot on digital camera or something with a pretty inexpensive mic?

I'd expect a video camera with a cheap little mic.

I was there in the audience though. And it sounded exactly like that though, only better.

[tweedtone]

Oh and yes, he's a fantastic acoustic rhythm player. He's got one CD, self-released I think, that's just him singing, back by his acoustic and you really appreciate just how solid a player he is.

[cowboytwang]

Originally Posted by tweedtone

Whenever I've seen him live, he's had his own small Peavey or Fender PA (mixer head plus two PA cabinets) set up behind him for his own acoustic guitar monitor, which he'll go over to and tweak occasionally.

That's it!
The last couple of times, that I've opened for him, he used a self powered Peavey PA mixer into two three way cabinets(one on each side of him just in front of the drummer). It was the loudest, most shrill, quaky tone I've ever heard on stage. Out front it sounded totally different.