Rig Rundown - Clutch's Tim Sult & Dan Maines [2018]

Before the band’s headlining show at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works, Premier Guitar’s Chris Kies hopped onstage before soundcheck to see how guitarist Tim Sult and bassist Dan Maines use vintage axes, roaring tube heads, and a select few stomps set fire to the band’s live shows.

Guitarist Tim Sult is constantly chasing a raw, “Free-on-steriods” tone in his head and he’s currently lassoing that idea with a pair of 1965 Gibson SGs. (When we tracked down the band for their 2009 Rig Rundown he was using Les Paul Standards and when we chatted about 2013’s Earth Rocker, he was favoring a P-90-loaded Les Paul Jr.) This cherry red one has been updated with newer TonePros hardware but does still have its stock P-90s. Both SGs are rocking D’Addario NYXL .011–.049 strings.

Bassist Dan Maines has played many basses (Fender, Lakland, Gibson), but the 2017 winter tour saw him taking the stage with a Rickenbacker 4003 with the Ric-O-Sound stereo jack that he’s been leaning on since 2010. With the help of his tech, Dan Maines uses a homemade pedal to split the pickups to their own Ampeg cabs—the neck hits the 1x15 and the bridge goes into the 8x10. And he has a third signal—a DI—that goes to front of house.

[DwayneCreates]

Tim is the cool uncle at the BBQ who acts chill and hangs around the BBQ, but doesn't tell you he is in one of the best rock bands of all time. Humble AF. Even Dan is chill.

[Lucky-cuxq]

Tim may not be animated on stage but when he strikes a chord live, it's like the gods have spoken

[thefounder]

You can really tell that these guys never were out to be famous, they just love playing music. Clutch deserves more respect, they're as pure of a rock band as they come

[louisminati]

Sult is one of the all time Riff lords. thanks for diving into his rig.

[jamesgphilosopher]

Dude seems like a soft spoken, humble. Understated genius. 🤘🏾

[SugarmanSam]

Chris Kies always knows his shit when he does these. He knows albums, tones, songs and stuff. I know research is a huge thing in journalism but this guy is on point.

[DweedleDeeDweedleDoo]

Every note he plays is deliberate and purposeful, and never anything more. No flash, no glitz, just straight riffage.

[marshalsea]

Clutch "Psychic Warfare" is easily one of the best rock albums of the last 10 years, if not in history. Brilliant riffs, great grooves and rhythms, and then Neil's brilliantly mental lyrics! Great on album, even better live! As the others said, so great and down to earth.

[MuleriderLife]

Clutch may one of the best shows I have ever attended. So much energy and sound!

[johnetone]

I'm so glad you guys did this Rundown with CLUTCH!!! They are sadly under-reported in the world of PRO ROCK!!! Tim, Dan, Neil and Jean Paul are purveyors of some of the most amazing tones and heavy rock ever! Love these guys, Love you PG! Mahalo ~ Tone

[kafercrazy]

Kudos to Chis Kies ... this was a tough one.

[pamoffa]

Back in the 2000s I was on a job site installing barcode equiptment in a warehouse that needed conveyors and everything, some other guys installing other stuff were playing Clutch, I asked one of the guys who the heck is this? Zakk. He said Its Clutch, and soon as I got home from the trip I looked them up and never turned back. Amazing band, their sound is theirs. I think Blast tyrant came out shortly after. I feel foolish thinking it was Zaak but back in the day it was the only thread in my mind. Great great great song slaughter beach.

[RobPierce]

The guy who owns park amps now is Mitch Colby. Super awesome dude. Highly recommend checking his stuff out

[nkogliaz]

Anyone who has ever in their life experienced Clutch play 'Impetus' or 'Binge and Purge' live, knows EXACTLY how hardcore this band is (let alone how insane their shows were back in the 90s), one of the best bands I've ever seen live in my lifetime so far, they absolutely destroy any venue they play, Clutch rules, nuff said.

[t.t.kelsey]

Tim & Dan....real masters of axe..very underestimated of in you're face professional Masters...you want hard....??Tim & Dan are Lord's...God bless Clutch..!

[Superhawk]

Saw them in Clarksville, Tennessee tonight (9/27/19). Great Soapmakers and a great Quick Death in Texas. Awesome show with Hatebreed and Cane Hill.

[paulpoche]

Clutch=badass
Like their laidback attitude
Seen em live, incredible!

[Snibborwocky]

this is the most awkward rig rundown ever lol but I liked it.

[MontyCantsin]

Love what Tim Sult says about drive pedals at 13:35. Seems like not enough guitarists are getting their OD sound straight from an amp these days.

[ryeyanmatthew]

Whoa! Is that a Fargo Brewing Company hat that Tim is wearing???? Great rundown!