Rig Rundown: Steve Earle and the Dukes

Songwriter, performer, producer, author, actor, and activist Steve Earle has arguably influenced a paradigm shift in country music. His poetic storytelling mixed with folk, bluegrass, rock, and traditional country has expanded the music’s boundaries and made him a pillar of the umbrella genre called Americana. Before their August 30 sold-out show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, Earle and longtime Dukes’ guitarist Chris Masterson took PG through their touring rigs.

#rigrundown #steveearle #premierguitar

[bernarddoherty]

I'm sorry to bring this up but these two guys share a deeply unfortunate bond: they lost children to the disease of addiction. They're both treasures to the music world and I think they are both inspiring

[layladystay]

Love his IWW themed all access pass. "ONE BIG UNION" - An injury to one is an injury to all!

[JohnGauge]

National treasure. Love that he took the time to passionately run through his touring guitars/gear. That tele, oof🔥

[wooggeek]

I always learn something from Steve. Always impressed by him. Thank you, for covering Steve and the Dukes in this rig rundown!

[dnniebrke]

Fantastic storyteller and an even better human. Steve has to be one of the most inspiring persons.

[christopherreily]

That octave mandolin and his reverence for Steve Gilchrist is just awesome. Wow!!

[sinnertrain]

Incredible and legendary songwriter and singer. His guitar skills suit his songwriting perfectly. Cool to know about his gear.

[VintageGuitarist]

That's what I'm talking about !! Steve Earle is the man ! All the way ! Been a fan since beginning. Had tix for that show, but with high risker at home I had to stay home.

[clydehannah]

Thank You Primer Guitar Team!
Lifelong fan of this guy and his gear. Throughout Steves career timeline ive consistently poured over so many articles and interviews investigating his sounds as well as various bandmembers and album contributors and what they were using!
Make sure you catch back up with Steve he had a great series going through the pandemic he talked about one Guitar per episode of his collection and I’d like to see you do something more with that with him!

[Lintmusic]

My father has one of those mandolins, made by Gilchrist himself, actually the 200th one made. He's had it for around 40 years. Can confirm they are the best mandolins ever made, and yes there are waiting lists of a few years, and they sell for tens of thousands, even here in Aus.

[estenray]

Great interview! Steve is and has been one of my all time favorite performers since before Guitar Town! Senior Bohlinger is the perfect man to interview him! Thanks guys it couldn’t have been done any better!

[marknorris]

so many great rig rundown's, that was unexpected and amazing, this one definitely jumps into top 10, these guys were so gracious with their time and enthusiasm

[Kralphrn]

John is a great interviewer he's having so much fun!

[ltsmash]

I love the old Peavey Classic series. I have one of the old Mississippi made Delta Blues 210s and the 115E extension they made for those way back in the day. Great tone combo. My old boss used to use 2 stacks of Delta 115s with extensions—one dirty and one clean set slightly lower in volume and blended them in the mix, it was one of the best live tones I’ve ever heard.

[alvaroescribano]

One of the best ones yet. And that's something talking about your rig rundowns!

[Snakefinger]

I wasn't into Country at all, I was a blues/rock guy but my woman bought Steve Earl's Exit O for me many years ago and I was blown away by his music. I Saw Steve Earle & The Dukes live in the 1990s in Sydney and they were awesome. He really understands his gear and isn't caught up in the MIA snobbism that we were all guilty of in our youth. Chinese and Indonesian gear is just fine and so much cheaper too. I use Epiphone nowadays and they're great.

[playfasthithard]

This is so fun to listen to Steve Earle geek out about his gear!

[tfunk]

This is right up there with the G.E. Smith rig rundown...could listen to these guys all day.

[MountanKing]

If they do end up making another M-series Steve Earl edition with the mahogany back and sides and that color combo, I'd be all over it. As long as they make a left-handed version. I have an OM-28, but I'd been thinking of an M-body for fit (I'm 6'1") and for volume, and this would be perfect. Under 2 grand would be even better too. Keep on 'em Steve.

[CarsonBlock]

Steve has a great ear for sound - and Chris is *so* good. Thanks for this excellent rig rundown!