Gear
We dig vintage rock-a-billy because it has a raw energy that is still relevant a half-century after Carl, Elvis, Jerry Lee, and Johnny kicked things off at 706 Union Avenue. Is vintage gear required for a vintage sound? In some cases, yes. But why ignore 50 year’s worth of advances in technology and reliability ?
This is especially true for the Straight 8s, who demand hours of service from their gear on-stage and in the studio. And if you’ve ever been to the legendary Heavy Rebel Weekender rock-a-billy festival in Winston-Salem, NC, you can fully appreciate the need for equipment that can withstand the rigors of a harsh performance environment.
So the Straight 8s mix and match. Robert may run his 1999 Guild X-160 through his ’55 Guild Master Amp, or one of his modern, home-built amps that he’s tweaked to elicit just the right growl he needs. The same goes for Daniel and Murph... it’s gotta sound right and feel right. And most importantly, the gear has to work right when they hit the stage.
Click on an instrument to read more, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have specific questions, or tips of your own to pass along.
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