Derek Trucks on Finding the Perfect SG and How to Set It Up

One of the most impressive guitarists on the planet shares the secrets behind what he looks for in an SG and how he sets them up night after night.

[bonkII]

It’s so refreshing to see one of the most gifted and talented guitarists of our time conduct himself with so much humility and sincerity. Polite and gentlemanly with a down to earth attitude. I love that he said he likes to give his slides away to the younger local musicians he inspires. It testifies to the deep gratitude and acknowledgement he has for his fans.
Probably the greatest slide guitarist to have ever lived, with an equally kind soul.

[cupofshutupjuice]

Dereks playing is tighter than Johns shirt.

[evianbidet]

Probably the best slide player in all of history. And a humble gentleman.

[timharrington]

Derek Trucks is one of the most brilliantly creative musicians I have ever heard in my entire life. Great musicians like him make the world a better place for sure. Thank you for the gift of your music Derek.

[richardlee]

Hes telling the truth he Give his slide That he had played the whole show with to my son. He was about 8 years old & Still got it. Derek is a Down-to-earth 1st class Gentleman.

[jmarty]

"When you've got a rhythm section like that behind ya, you feel like you're being chased down." Gotta love Derek Trucks and the Gibson SG.

[Paolo]

Seen him live twice. An incredible experience. Pasaquan live is probably the most amazing live music experience of my life.

[nolanvarner]

Absolutely one of the most humble musicians alive.

[AMPMReviews]

Instead of going to prom, I went to see Santana and he opened. I was blown away! Way better than prom!

[generalpatzer]

I saw Derek Trucks when he played with The Allman Bros. and his playing that night was truly jaw dropping. He is a slide virtuoso!

[Chrispbacon]

He plays make somebody happy with Santana live and it’s easily my favorite slide song ever. Huge talent!

[lonesomeguitarplayer]

Derek is "not super picky about those things'", of course he's not, he makes ANY guitar sound like it was made in heaven.

[hearpalhere]

That is cool that he gives away slides like that! Such a humble person but so utterly talented.

[Bubbadew]

Derek is such a nice, humble guy. If you haven’t heard or checked out his playing, definitely do so! You won’t regret it!

[debbiewheat]

It's a beautiful combination! Derek's skills and his guitars.
His wife, Susan Tedeschi Truck, has been vocally just getting sooo smooth and mature with her voice

[Renhjarta]

I remember when I was about 14-15 and really into punk, The guitar for me to use (both because of the sound and the looks) was the SG. I had an SG Special. Then I started gettin' into other types of music like bluesrock, hard rock, progressive rock etc, and when talking to other guitarplayers in the same age, I just got the impression that the SG was so 'out'. You should really use a Strat, Les Paul, Tele, 335.. basically anything but an SG. So I went through a lot of guitars, even a PRS. Then many years later I had this dream where I played an SG and something said to me "This is the perfect guitar! This is what you should use!" I was very into Cream-era Clapton around that time, so shortly afterwards I traded a Telecaster for a wonderful walnut/dark cherry SG with replacement pickups (Skatterbrane Yangbranes) and the guitar just spoke to me.. It just had some kind of magic. After that I used that SG for lots of gigs and recordings and it has never let me down. Doesn't matter if it's bluesrock, jazzfusion, garage rock or whatever.. It just suits the music perfectly ! Such a dynamic instrument!

[leonardodalongisland]

About two years ago Derek was made an "Honorary Board member" of the John & Alice Coltrane Home restoration project-Long Island-at a small ceremony at Lincoln Center. I had the privilege of not just meeting him (I'm a volunteer on the committee) but hanging out talking-THEN! We went up town to see him and his crew gigging at the Beacon! He's a real-honest-to-goodness-Good man...oh yea, and his axe playing ain't too bad either :)

[ZOOTSUITBEATNICK]

Best store-bought guitar I ever had was a '74 walnut SG Standard with a Bigsby.
Wish I'd never gotten rid of it.

[enlightenedchristian]

I like some slide but not all through the night on a show.Small doses are enough for me but I think his straight playing is very lyrical and melodic more than most, an aspect of his musicality that seems to garner less appreciation than his much lauded slide work.11 gauge strings really bring so much more robustness into the fray also, an almost acoustic resonance with more muscle.
Total respect.

[gmr]

Amazing how simple his guitar demands are and he makes it sound incredible