New Orleans heavyweights Crowbar have been on a relentless tour of sellout shows this spring, with a schedule of dates that would have bands half their age fainting. Ahead of their gig at Eastside Bowl in Madison, Tennessee, PG’s Chris Kies talked with guitarist/vocalist Kirk Windstein, guitarist Matt Brunson, and bassist Pat Bruders to see what gear they’re using to conjure their crushing wall of sludgy hardcore.
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X Gon’ Give it To Ya
This is Windstein’s latest signature model with Solar Guitars, the X1.6KW, in Mardi Gras purple. It’s loaded with a pair of passive pickups at the moment—a Seymour Duncan Invader in the bridge, and a Seymour Duncan ’59 in the neck. It’s currently his go-to instrument for Crowbar dates, and he strings it with DR Strings (.013–.060). Though the band’s down-tuned heft would lend itself well to a 7-string, Windstein grew up on six, and that’s where he’s going to stay.
Not-So-Small Fry
Windstein is running through a Neural Quad Cortex unit, working in tandem with a Fryette Two/Ninety/Two power amp, recommended to him by his sound man.
Dean’s List
Brunson shreds with this 7-string Dean Exile Select, kitted out with a burl poplar top, maple neck, and EMG 57/66 pickups. He digs these pickups for their vintage-voiced, cleaner sound, which pairs well with the band’s high-gain environment.
Kemper and Kab
Brunson is running through this Kemper Profiler MK2, primarily using the stock Diezel VH4 profile. He likes the ease of use and consistency he’s found in the digital platform. The Kemper runs through SonicTone Amplification cabinets loaded with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers.
From the Ashes
Bruders has used this EST LTD Phoenix II since 2005. It features active EMG pickups, and he runs it with DR Strings sets.
Extra-Large Amp
Bruders plays through a Darkglass Microtubes 900v2, often blending it with the signal from his Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI. His signal is pumped through an Eich Amplification XLCab cab, which is stocked with a range of speakers: two 15", two 12", four 10", and two NT1 tweeters.
Pat Bruders’ Pedalboard
Bruders’ DIY board couldn’t be simpler. It’s got a Boss TU-2, and the aforementioned Tech 21 Sans Amp DI unit.
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