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Rig Rundown: Brad Whitford and Derek St. Holmes

Classic rockers from Aerosmith and Ted Nugent reconnect after three decades to jam on vintage-inspired gear with modern accoutrements.

St. Holmes, a sucker for ’58 copies, has another Collector’s Les Paul—this one is #28 and pays tribute to the late, great Ronnie Montrose and his iconic “STP” burst. This one was given to him by his six-string brother Brad Whitford at the end of their most recent recording jam. He’s dropped in David Allen Tru 59 PAF pickups—because he says they bring the guitars’ tone even closer to the vintage vibe he’s chasing—and upgraded to a TonePros bridge and tuners.

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Stevie Van Zandt with “Number One,” the ’80s reissue Stratocaster—with custom paisley pickguard from luthier Dave Petillo—that he’s been playing for the last quarter century or so.

Photo by Pamela Springsteen

With the E Street Band, he’s served as musical consigliere to Bruce Springsteen for most of his musical life. And although he stands next to the Boss onstage, guitar in hand, he’s remained mostly quiet about his work as a player—until now.

I’m stuck in Stevie Van Zandt’s elevator, and the New York City Fire Department has been summoned. It’s early March, and I am trapped on the top floor of a six-story office building in Greenwich Village. On the other side of this intransigent door is Van Zandt’s recording studio, his guitars, amps, and other instruments, his Wicked Cool Records offices, and his man cave. The latter is filled with so much day-glo baby boomer memorabilia that it’s like being dropped into a Milton Glaser-themed fantasy land—a bright, candy-colored chandelier swings into the room from the skylight.


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