Gear Aesthetic vs Function

[Spook410]

Gear is an interesting and necessary part of the hobby. It doesn't take much attention span even if you obsess. Time spent dialing in sounds, trying strings, picks.. welcome to guitar. It's not an activity that's going to make you practice and learn less. It might make you sound better and practice more.

As for minimalism.. that's a gear approach too.

[Doctor Jeff]

Yes in the Rick Wakeman era with the Roger Dean designed stage. Hardworking roadies.

The Dead's quippies were famous and infamous throughout the band's history and as much a part of the band as the musicians for many in the audience. The Wall of Sound... I'd love to have heard that in person. Hundreds of JBL speakers (including one tower for each of Phil's bass strings) and something nuts like 28,000-37,500 watts RMS (McIntosh power amps). 75 tons or something like that. Basically bankrupted the band because they had to have two of them leapfrogging between shows.

On the personal front I assembled my Strat and Tele myself, including designing a unique wiring harness for the Strat; I built my tweed Deluxe from a Mission Amps kit. That was fun and adds to the satisfaction of playing them plus I learned a few things. My gear is as homemade as my musical skills, I think. I also have guitars and amps made by actual professionals, as well.

A lot of Dead equipment was auctioned off last year. Not sure if all of it was from the Wall of Sound era—probably more from the late 80’s/early 90’s. I think a couple of Jerry’s guitars were auctioned off. I remember some of those Mac amps being listed—had some interesting names and labels written on masking tape.

I think Jerry ran his rig through those Mac amps right up til the end. Interesting approach, and I’m sure it kept the techs very busy.