My Gear: A Deep Dive into My Musical Equipment

People have been asking me about my gear, you know, the equipment I play. As for electric guitars, I am a Telecaster man. I have some early 70s Telecasters that I have been playing since they were brand new. My main amp is an early 70s Hiwatt, featuring a 50-watt head and a 4 X 12 cabinet. I only use the 4 X 12 cab in larger venues, like The Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver. For smaller gigs, I have a 2 X 12 cabinet that I built myself. It uses the same wood, wiring, and speakers as the stock 4 X 12 Hiwatt cab but is half the size. I think it sounds fantastic.

For my latest album, Graham Brown Band – Outside Within, I used the Hiwatt with the 2 X 12 cabinet for all the tracks. This amp is incredibly versatile, offering both clean and dirty channels to meet various needs. For acoustic guitars on this album, I used my 70s Larrivee L18 and my Morgan. I also featured my Rickenbacker 12-string electric on a few songs.

Amplifier Breakdown

Let’s break down that Hiwatt amp sound a bit. The beauty of the Hiwatt amp and speaker combination is what gives it its unique sound. The speakers are FANE purple-back model 12512. They are known for their clean mids and strong bottom end. These full paper cones are designed for high fidelity, providing plenty of headroom.

When playing through the BRIGHT channel input, these speakers break up beautifully, creating a lovely Rock & Roll tone. You get the distortion you need while maintaining clarity between the guitar strings. For a clean sound, cranking up the volume on the NORMAL channel input delivers a strong tone that cuts through any mix.

Let’s not forget about the classic Hiwatt transformers within the amp head. We are talking about the robust PARTRIDGE TRANSFORMERS. These jewels are hidden inside the amp head, adding to its allure. The combination of the amp head, Partridge transformers, Fane speakers, and birch wood cabinets creates the classic Hiwatt sound.

Yes, I also have a few Fender amps that I use in the studio alongside my Hiwatt rig. You really can’t go wrong with a Fender Deluxe, Fender Blues Jr., or Fender Princeton. These amps will get the job done in high fashion as well.

Pedal Board Breakdown

First of all, I’m not a big pedal board guy. I like to keep it simple. Between playing rhythm guitar, lead guitar, harmonica, and singing lead vocals, trying to step on multiple pedals while doing all that seems like too much footwork for me. So, I keep it simple, and that works for me.

Of course, it all depends on the kind of music or soundscape you are trying to create. My pedal board is straightforward. From left to right, I have a BOSS Blues Driver for volume boost and overdrive during solos, a CRY BABY Wah Wah Pedal, a BOSS Tremolo pedal, a Leslie Effects pedal (which I use rarely), and a BOSS Tuner pedal. Pretty simple, that’s it.

Guitar Breakdown

For electric guitar, I play early 70s Telecasters. I have Goto heads on all of them, with a Seymour Duncan Stack in the bridge pickup while leaving the front pickup stock.

For acoustic guitar, I prefer vintage 70s gear. In the studio, I like to use a Shure SM7 for my vocal tracks. It seems to work well for me.

Conclusion

In summary, my gear is a blend of vintage and modern equipment that suits my musical style. Each piece plays a critical role in shaping my sound. Whether it's the Hiwatt amp or the Telecaster, everything works together to create the music I love.

Enjoy… Cheers, GB