PG met with Robert Randolph, undisputed jam king of the pedal steel before his recent Nashville gig at 3rd and Lindsley. Randolph proved there is no end to what one can do with a pedal steel.
Robert Randolph spends most of his time on his Mullen G2 Custom 12-string single-neck pedal steel that’s tuned (low to high) B–E–G#–B–E–E–G#–B–D–E–G#–F# and strung with .072, .060, .054, .046, .032, .030, .024, .020, .028, .015, .012, .015 gauged strings. He also keep a second Mullen G2 around that’s tuned a half step lower.
When he wants to stand up, Randolph plays this Jackson G7 Custom 7-string pedal steel. The Jackson is tuned (low to high) D–A–D–F#–A–D–D and strung with .060–.046–.032–.026p–.021p–.017–.015 gauged strings. All strings are custom made especially for Robert by the DR String Company.
On the floor, Randolph keeps a Mission Engineering VM-Pro volume pedal and a Custom Audio Electronics MC-404 Wah.
Within easy reach on his right side sits a pedalboard loaded with a Peterson StroboPlus HD tuner, Boss FT-2 Dynamic Filter, MXR Phase 95, Budda Zenman overdrive (with custom graphics), and a Henretta Engineering Custom Six Speed that houses six different effects into a single enclosure. All the cables are custom made by tech Tim Miller using Neutrik 1/4" ends and Canare cable. A pair of Truetone 1 SPOT power supplies are used to keep everything working.
Randolph worked closely with Peavey to design his signature amp and cab. He needed something capable of handling extreme highs and lows and have plenty of headroom. Naturally, Randolph maintains this is the best steel amp ever built.
Randolph switches between two Shubb Signature slides, the RR1 and RR2. For picks, he uses his signature Dunlop medium thumbpicks and .025 nickel silver fingerpicks.
Randolph sits on a voodoo vibe-heavy chair purchased in New Orleans by his tech, Tim Miller.
Special thanks to tech/luthier Tim Miller.
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John Bohlinger is a Nashville-based multi-instrumentalist best known for leading the band on NBC's Nashville Star, serving as music director for the CMT Awards and specials on PBS and GAC, and of course for his appearances in PG Rig Rundown, Review Demo, Axes & Artifacts, and What Bohlinger Plays videos.
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