Robben Ford Discussion

elizabeth

Hi everyone,

Someone recently asked me if I know what amp Robben used on the first Yellowjackets CD, and whether or not it was the same as what he used on The Inside Story. I know you will have the answer to this, and I appreciate your profound collective knowledge.

I promise to give you credit, as opposed to trying to look as if I were all knowing (stop laughing, will you?)

love,
elizabeth

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Red Suede · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 11:46 pm Post subject:

Yamaha G-100 2-12 (the ones with the black and silver knobs, not the multicolored knobs) refitted with a new baffle board to house a 1-12" EVM-12-S or L (not sure which) speaker for "The Yellowjackets" lp. He used a Mesa Boogie on "The Inside Story". He did a clinic in San Jose back then, that's how I know this. He actually had two Yamahas when I saw him and he was running stereo. I have one of the 1-12' models that I got for old times sake (I used to own two of them). Carlos Rios played one on his instructional video, and a great blues player in this area called Sammy Varela still pulls his out. You can really get a great tone out of these if you know how to use the equalizer. My favorite transistor amp. The circuit on this particular model was designed by Paul Rivera, subsequently screwed up by Yamaha on the multicolored knob model because someone thought it needed to produce more distortion. (I have one of these too, more distortion, but not as rich and warm).

Ruedy · Member Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 30

Red Suede · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:31 am Post subject:

You're not wrong, Ruedy. I saw Carlton with Fourplay a while ago and what did he have on the floor? A Boss Bluesdriver. I'm just one of those guys who prefers to get my distortion from the amp, if I can.

Scotto · New Member Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 3

Wow, I would have never guessed he used the Yamaha amps for the Yellowjackets album. I assume the "Casino Lights" show he was using Mesa? I have to go back and listen. I could be surprised all over! Thanks for posting that

diatonicdude · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 4:15 pm Post subject:

marinblues · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:17 pm Post subject:

Mike Stern still uses a Yamaha G100 amp. I remember first seeing Pat Metheny in the early 80's and he had a couple of them too (in stereo).

My brother had one for years and we tweaked it a as hell. We could get some really nice cleans, but it beats me how Robben got that "Yellowjackets" overdrive sound. Shocked

The amp had a nice reverb and this funky parametric equalizer. Built like a tank.
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Scotto · New Member Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 3

hmmmmm,

Last I saw Stern was playing through a roland Jazz Chorus amp. But, I havent seen him in a while.

And Yea, I assume Robben was using some pedal to get the overdrive from the Yamaha. Have you guys heard the reissue o the Yellowjackets CD? THey have some rehearsal demos. WOnder if he;s using that Yamaha there too. Almost sounds liek a Poly Tone amp on those demos

I saw he(Robben) has a '65 Deluxe Reverb too-does he ever use that thing?

Red Suede · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:58 am Post subject:

Nope, no pedals used for that sound.. As I said, you have to know how to use the equalizer. Turn the level control fullup clockwise, the middle control counterclockwise and the righthand knob clockwise and you'll notice the amp gets extremely warm. Now just fool with the eq settings to your taste. These amps are extremely underrated, and sound really good for that "Yellowjackets" tone. I never used an overdrive pedal with mine. It gets better with the EV of course. I used an EVM 12-S because this is what Carlton used in his Boogie and I think Robben used them in the Yamahas also.