Grateful Dead Music Forum

Hey guys, so I've decided that I'd like a rig to pull off all those great Fillmore tones from '69. I know what Jerry was using back in those days, but the only problem is my budget. So, I was wondering if you guys could point me in the right direction with some nice, reliable, and cheaper gear. Amps, cabs, anything that will help me get closer to those tones.

Thanks,
TruckinThruTennessee

That's a pretty straightforward period: SG->Crybaby->Twin(s).

I'd think that any mahogany bodied guitar with a 24.75" scale length and humbuckers would be a start. The Bigsby surely had some effect on tone but he also played a stop tail Les Paul in the early 70's so how important it was is a question to be answered by your ears.

Crybaby - there are many long threads on the DIY effects sites about wah pedals. I'd just get whatever is reasonable and go from there.

There's a small amp discussion here: forum/viewtopic.php?f=419&t=8525 I'm still happy with my Blues Jr, but I've completely come around to amp modeling since that thread was active. More expensive options here: forum/viewtopic.php?f=419&t=9165

Good Luck!

How much is your budget?

Find a used epiphpone sg that plays well and maybe change out the pickups for something a bit more vintage sounding. Theres wah pedals all over craigslist, one big thing to consider is how much the buffer in it sucks your tone. True bypass would be ideal here since you have very little in your chain. Id find a used deluxe reverb reissue instead of a twin cause jerry was cranking a twin and getting some overdrive out of his. Since you wont be using pedals volume is something to consider here. Used hot rod deluxes also have fantastic clean tones that can hang with vintage amps believe it or not and their cheap and plentiful

You may even want to consider something like a super champ x2 head and a 1x12 or 2x12. I have a super champ xd and think it sounds fantastic