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PG's Jason Shadrick catches up with Keller Williams at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City, IA. In this segment, Williams details and demonstrates his live rig.



Guitars
Keller's main workhorse is a Martin HD-28(L) from the early 2000s. It has "the low end of a beast" and is plugged direct into the PA. He also has another HD-28 that is used for more experimental purposes–such as adding a synth pickup or even cutting it in half. The thin-bodied guitar on the right caught Keller's eye online for $180 on Amazon when it was described as an "acoustic SG."

He also uses an electric guitar made by Tommy Rodriguez out of Richmond, Virignia and a Fender Road Worn bass. He strings it with flatwound strings and turns the tone control all the way down to take all the treble out of his sound.

Pedalboard
The heart of Keller's pedalboard rig is a Boss RC-300, which everything feeds into. His favorite effect–due to Jerry Garcia's influence–is the MuTron III. His other main effects include a Line 6 DL4, Ibanez Tube Screamer, Boss Digital Reverb, Boss RT-20 Rotary Ensemble, and a TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb. Keller is able to blend the effects with his dry signal via an Ernie Ball VP Jr. Volume Pedal. He runs everything direct with no amps.

In addition, the Korg Kaossilator gives Keller access to some synth-style sounds–which are also run through the RC-300. The Roland HandSonic HPD-15 gives Keller all the drum sounds he needs to create his loops, and he also uses a Roland GR-55 for all of his synth sounds (with the Rodriguez electric).





Comments

(24 comments) display by
UsernameComment
Pushkin
on 03/10/2013
Exploring the looping myself, it's good to see the different ways people use this technology in it's infancy/adolescence... maturity, how far can we go, albeit alone? The band doesn't show up one night, you can cover the dinner set, dance set, psychedelic freak out set and get all the love!
AZhouse
on 03/06/2013
Politics aside I really dug it.
Aural
on 02/28/2013
Actually I prefer to be high and drunk, cause it's even more fun that way!
GoodMusic
on 02/27/2013
Just because YOU don't like Keller Williams, don't afford you the right to decide what WE like. He's really great to go see (not high, not drunk). The video alone is to illustrate his equipment, not subject him to your liking.
Aural
on 02/24/2013
This is a demo of his setup, NOT AN ACTUAL CONCERT PERFORMANCE!! Jeez, people, he's just messing around and showing what his rig is all about. If you heard him just playing his Martin, and weren't all prejudiced about hippies or something, you'd be amazed by his chops. Also, maybe think about how he plays to packed houses of paying customers a couple hundred nights a year, while you....don't......
St. Stephen
on 02/23/2013
Wow. How high do you have to be to imagine this music is interesting? Nice guy, knows how to work his cool setup, but what's the point, other than zoning out? Repetitious to the max. I just don't get it... My bad.
John
on 02/21/2013
Hey "Everyone" on 02/15/2013 you don't get to pick your audience, they pick you.True, seems a lot of hippies flock to Keller, so? Keller is pretty unique, a decent writer and tons of fun to listen to and watch. Are you jealous he can do that much with a looping pedal? As far as Dave Matthews is concerned, he is a one-trick pony savant. Tim Reynolds is the real guitar talent in that band.Besides, acoustically, Tommy Emmanuel and Doyle Dykes would eat all of them for lunch! Rock on Keller!
Earle
on 02/20/2013
If you like it listen. If you don't change the channel turn the dial. Nothin makes everyone happy. No need to speak hate. I say this while not making up some fake name to hide behind. As most who speak ill of others do.
Joe
on 02/18/2013
What pickup is in his "Baby"(HD-28)??
Zymos
on 02/17/2013
Keller could probably outplay all you jokers if he was wearing mittens...



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