Rig Rundown - The Winery Dogs

Richie Kotzen and Billy Sheehan took a breather after soundcheck at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville to speak with Premier Guitar’s John Bohlinger about their signature rigs.

Even during the era of pointed headstocks, Richie played a Tele and just recently his signature model became available in the U.S. It features a contoured ash body, maple top and neck, and sports a pair of DiMarzio pickups—the Twang King in the neck and Chopper T in the bridge. Kotzen also expanded the traditional 3-way Tele wiring to include a rotary series/parallel knob. Plus, the small switch between the two knobs activates a tuner that lives around his volume knob. Finally, there’s a Hipshot GT2 Electric Xtender that allows Kotzen to quickly move to drop D. He strings up his Tele with D’Addario .011–.049 strings.

Sheehan tours with the prototype of the third version of his signature Yamaha Attitude bass. He also has an identical production model as a backup. (Sheehan claims that the production model is “tighter” than the prototype.)

[anthonyknese]

John is slowly morphing into Ace Ventura

[caloss]

How Ritchie kept a straight face I will never know

[joshski]

I guess being a Pet Detective doesn't pay the bills like it use to so now Ace is interviewing musicians.

[satchu]

He has the "There's Something About Mary" doooo going here!

[halftongorilla]

Richie is making a professional attempt at not looking at John's hair.

[kierenmoore]

Billy Sheehan is a legend, and a lovely guy. I got to drink wine with him backstage after a show in Adelaide, South Australia ... So interesting talking with him, and what a player!!!! Total class act! :)

[andykuhn]

What spectacularly regular folks. Thank God for good people, good musicians and the Winery Dogs.

[midnightmerv]

as soon as I saw Johnbo I scrolled down knowing their would be hundreds of ballbusting comments..you guys didn't disappoint.

[RodolfoSF]

"Hey this is ace ventura for premier guitar"

[blearghbleorgh]

I came for the gear but I stayed for the hair.

[fmills]

Ace Ventura investigating Winery Dogs; makes sense.

[Thes]

HAHAHAHA... Kotzen keeps looking at his head like "are you putting me on?"

[Casey_J]

Richie's such a cool guy. It is pretty cool how with his signature stuff he thought of everything like the phantom power knowing all else that he needs is a wah. And i like that they both ran through their own rigs not just a tech.

[Thejgomez]

Came here for the gear, stayed because of the comments... Now have to watch the video again and pay attention to the gear, well I'll try!

[LuckySinghMusic]

Who else went to comments to read about the hair? Haha

[michaelclavelli]

It's nice to see a major player with a KISS approach to his gear setup. Just what you need, nothing more, good results without all the hassle.

[nexdrums]

"I shake you hand again!!!!" RICHIE THE BEST GUY AROUND!!!! Being humble is not a skill! It's a way of life! BE BLESSED MAN!

[darraghtate]

Richie has that Jesus/Chris Cornell vibe happening.

[catboyzee]

Love the simplicity of Kotzen's rig. Obviously the main parts of the rig are REALLY high quality, but I love the simplicity...

[MatthewMacFarlaneMusic]

I'm stating the obvious here, but Sheehan = insane bass chops! Never ceases to amaze.