Rig Rundown: Bryan Adams

Last year, Bryan Adams launched the Roll With the Punches Tour, a 40-show run across North America which marked his most significant outing in years. The production touched down at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in early November. That’s where Adams’ tech Craig Pattison gave PG’s John Bohlinger a backstage tour of the gear used by Adams, and guitarist Keith Scott and his tech Dan Ely detailed what’s used on the other side of the stage. Peep the highlights below, and tune into our new Rig Rundown for more!

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Summer of ’53

Adams has a few of these vintage Gibson ES-295s, loaded with P-90s, and treasures their expressiveness so highly that they’ve displaced the Stratocasters he used for much of his career. The original Kluson tuners were swapped out for Waverly machines. Another 295 stays on standby.

Adams’ guitars take custom La Bella strings (.012–.014–.017–.030–.040–.050). Second guitarist Keith Scott uses the same range, except with a .018 G string.

Adams’ Acoustic

Adams’ 1954 Martin D-18 uses a Fishman Natural 1 pickup—a model that Pattinson stocked up on to ensure they never have to go without. The guitar takes a set of La Bella 7GPS Phosphor Bronze strings (.012–.052).

Bryan Adams’ Pedalboard

This simple board helps Adams navigate effects on guitar, but it also carries his bass rig when he switches to the 4-string. In addition to the Fractal FC-6 and TC Electronic Polytune, there’s an Ampeg SGT-DI, Radial SGI-TX, Universal Audio Max Preamp and Dual Compressor, and an Axess Electronics IsoFormer RCV. A Truetone CS-7 1 Spot Pro keeps the lights on.

Rock ’n’ Roll Relic

Scott’s main weapon is this 1963 Fender Stratocaster. As you might guess, it came by its worn look very honestly.

A Gift to Remember

This 1954 Gibson Les Paul was gifted to Scott by Adams for Christmas in 1989. Over the years, it’s been refretted, and fitted with upgraded bridge, machine heads, and nut.

Paint it Black-Panel

In addition to a backstage rack setup, Scott runs a pair of black-panel Fender Bassman heads through matching cabinets.