The guitarists from one of classic rock’s most enduring hitmakers walk us through how they combine old-school custom axes with some of the latest technology.
Simmons main ride is this custom-built S-style constructed by his current tech and instructor at the Robero-Venn School of Luthiery, Joe Vallee. It has three active EMG pickups with an onboard mid boost that’s engaged most of the time and an old Washburn tremolo that he prefers because of how it stays in tune thanks to the rollers. For picking needs, Simmons takes a dobro thumbpick, cuts it in half (leaving just the main pick part), and marries it with a Dunlop Tortex, and then tapes it to his thumb with gaffer tape.
Special thanks to tech Chris Ledbetter.
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