Rig Rundown - Gary Clark Jr.

PG’s Chris Kies tracks down the soft-spoken guitarist and his tech Dave Folman to talk shop before Clark Jr.’s opening slot for the Foo Fighters at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Before he could ever dream of having his own signature, Clark Jr. gravitated to the Casino model because of its sleek, symmetrical body shape and its ability to give him tones reminiscent of B.B. King and T-Bone Walker. Following the success of his album Blak and Blu, Epiphone honored the Texas axe-slinger with his own signature model shown above. The only major differences from a standard Casino are the Blak and Blu finish and that it’s loaded with Gibson P-90s. Almost of his guitars are strung up with D’Addario Custom Nickel .011–.049, but the lower-tuned guitars use .011–.052.

This Fender Custom Shop 1963 Strat is very special to Clark Jr. and not just because it’s the best sounding one he’s played and it reminds him of Nile Rodgers’ Hitmaker, but because it was given to him by his fiancée after he mentioned that “I need that in my life” when walking by Ludlow Guitars in NYC. He typically uses the Strat on the more soulful cuts like “Cold Blooded,” “Star,” and “Down to Ride.” This is the only guitar with lighter-gauge strings, which uses D’Addario Custom Nickel .010–.046.

To continue learning about the gear behind Gary Clark Jr.'s tone, visit:

[CliveBarnesMusic]

I opened for Gary Clark Jr a few years ago in Dublin Ireland...
Gary was a gent, his band were so great to me..
But I have to say Dave his guitar tech went above and beyond...
And absolute gentleman, he made me feel so comfortable, we talked gear and shot the shit.... Great to see him again... and I love Gary, his band and what he's doing ...!

[jasonschooler]

Seems like everything Gary owns was a gift. He is obviously loved dearly by the ones he surrounds himself with. That is typically a sign of a good human being.

[PaulPadoan]

Gary seems so nice and professional, It feels so good to see that in a person. May he have a long professional career and a good life.

[mantashaft]

Gary is such a great performer. Music needs more players like him.

[twiggidy]

YouTube video People criticizing Gary and his gear when he's playing arenas, touring with Foo, and marrying models. What are you guys doing? Buying overpriced Gibsons, staying in the pentatonic box, and drooling over girls you can't get at the local bar. Who's winning?

Keep doing your think Gary!
Great interview Premier Guitar!

[chemikalguy]

Man, a gift of a great Strat, a gift of a great SG, a gift of a very unique amp - I have the wrong friends, I guess.

[leobender]

Dave is one of the best techs I've seen on these series

[pgab]

Great artist and band, I love how chill they are. The guitar tech is super mellow as well. 🙏

[DH_Artist]

Gary reminds me of Jimi in not only his playing but also how he’s so reserved when talking and how he describes things

[HMohr]

came for gear, stayed for chilling vibe

[johnham]

Always loved casinos. Picked up his signature model a few years back also pushed me into Gary’s Music more and have most of his albums, great player and comes across as very humble.

[alblack]

Saw this dude come on stage once with the same $325.00 Epiphone hollow guitar I had in my collection and just killed it. Loved it because my cheaper price hollowbody Epiphone's and Ibanez's AF series with different smooth medium jazz gauge strings are my favorites.

[joemasse]

I love that casino is his guitar of choice! I’ve played one for years and live they’re fun to play, if you can get it set just right, wow it’s like a wild animal, biting tone, great feedback, nice and light, comfortable neck!

[yjmsrv]

This is his number 1, and this is his number 1, and this used to be his number 1, and this is number 1.3.

[jackiethompkins]

I love Gary Clark he's a great musician and singing artist he's also a cutie pie,

[giulioluzzardi]

I l8ke the way he keeps the equipment simple and uses the few pedals to enhance rather than dominate his unique sound . Guitar tech has a perfect calm demeanor that helps a lot.

[wckedbackhand]

Thanks for doing this series! It's great to see, what artists are using to create their sounds. I haven't found anything like Rig Rundown, anywhere it's appreciated. I hope next year is even better than this one!

[gabriel_adahm]

The man hired Tony Hawk as a guitar tech. What a legend

[LivingstonGina]

I hope to someday meet and perform on the same stage with the amazing talented artist!

[SoTotallyTokoTTV]

very nice rundown! i liked gary's overview on his own signature casino and props to his legend of a guitar tech Dave for showing everything else that's eveything else