Keith Richards set-up ???

[jvalla]

Hi out there in tete world does anyone know keet's
set-up on his tele's?. What kind of pup's does he use.
Trying to set up my tele like his. I know he has a major supply of tele's. Just looking for some idea Trying to
get his tones or just in the ball park. Thanks

 

[Marshall Thinline]

Keiths setup

(link removed)

This is from an interview with Guitar Player magazine.

His basic tele setup is A
a Telecaster, a '57 set up in 5-string tuning. It's open G 5-string, without the heavy string. Right there from the bottom up it's: G, D, G, B, D.

He uses small Boogie amps.

enjoy,

Ray

 

[Marshall Thinline]

Keiths setup

(link removed)

one more interview with Keith

Ray

 

[buglecorps]

The "classic" setup..

is probably a 50's maple neck with a Gibson HB ( PAF?)in the neck position. "Keef" had several of these; each with a name... the most famous of which is probably "Micawber"
I beleive these had the original bridge PU's as Keith seemed to know who had wound the PU's and referd to "Virginia". "Lupe" etc. in interviews (PU's in the 50 were often signed by the winder). Keeth also has/had some Custom Shop repros of these guitars (supposedly this is where the distressed look now available from the CS got started...Keith thought the guitars looked too new). Of course the Tele sound has changed a good bit over the years..The "Ya Yas" sound is quite different than the "
"Flashpoint ..Steel Wheels" sound. (I don't listen to the new stuff enought to comment on it.)..The late '60s guitars were pretty much stock (and more LP's than Tele)..and played through large Ampeg amps..these have a unique fat clean sound with a funky midrange due to the tube compliment and type of tone stack used. Even the studio recordings are often large V-series combos. Later early Boogies were used and eventualy vintage Fender Tweed combos....Most later stuff is in altered 5 string tunings. This is kinda quick and dirty..I'm sure many others could give you more specific info..but I find that any US tele in to a Magnavox Ampeg will get you close to the late 60's sound ..while plugging same into a Fender will NOT get you the later sound...You need the altered tunings to get close, and tweed voicing is MUCH different than BF/SF so that is going to be a problem for most folks..... and of course 90 % of any sound is in the hands.

 

[stebon]

Try the Keith Shrine by Blue Lena

I stumbled onto this page quite some time ago and found it to be interesting and informative. The web address below gets you to the page in Blue Lena's website that deals directly with Keith's gear. Enjoy, and check out the rest of the site, I think it's really cool.
http.//members.tripod.com/~Blue_Lena/guitar.html

 

[Billy Claire]

you also need:

 

[Reno Sepulveda]

Keef's Rig

It's funny I learned how to play the live version of Midnight Rambler on my first Tele an old 60's blonde with a De Armond Humbucker in the neck position and a Harmony amp I practiced that song untill it sounded just like Keef and Mick Taylor the tone was dead on.

Years later I had a Les Paul Pro (a Standard with soapbars) and a Vibrolux my bandmates always said I sounded JUST like the record on that song.

And I still do exept when I play a strat I can't do it with a strat. The big key was the hours I spent with the 8-track listening and rewinding and playing it over and over.

Gear will only get you into the parking lot of the ballpark.

 

[Brass Saddles]

Keiths Gear:

Last September, I had a chance to see the Stones rehearse at the FLEET CENTER in Boston before they started their tour. I saw their list of equipment!!!Yes I asked for a copy, and was told to get lost. AWESOME> Keith carries 10 tweed Twins TEN!!!! His Tele are all 1951 through 1954. Low serial numbers. His most expensive guitar was a 1957 Mary Kay white Blond Strat valued at $25,000. for insurance purposes. He carried a L series 60'e Tele and a couple of Gibson Les Paul Jrs, and a Es 335 type guitar. On opening night he played through 2 tweed twins on top of Mesa Boogie Cabs (not plugged in). Great tone for an arena, 50's maple neck Teles through 2 Tweed Twins. For the most part 90% of all their guitars and basses were pre 1965 Fender. Great night for a TELE nut like myself.
Brass Saddles
Boston,MA.

 

[dave_esmond]

i'm a huge fan of tweed fenders....the high power tweed twins keith uses are truly magical to play thru....i've been lucky enough to use one live and in the studio......

i'll own one someday....probably right after i win the lottery.....

ampeg or tweed is keith to me....i thought his tone thru the boogies was terrible.....

d

 

[jvalla]

keef set-up

I like to thank all the tele heads for respoding to this
posting. With great info. Thanks again