Saw Nile getting onto a train in London once with a gig bag on his back, I'm guessing the hitmaker was inside. No security, just the man and a gig bag with a priceless guitar on his back!
The look of panic on the guitar tech's face when the Hitmaker leaves his hands and John looks it over! Priceless! Listen to "Savoir Faire" and you'll realize that Nile is a jazz guy at heart!
At least a billion bucks worth of music created by that guitar and those fingers. They opened for Duran Duran and boy are they hard to follow. Had the entire arena up and dancing start to finish. Long live The Hitmaker!
Nile's rig feels very much like a nice working class musicians' rig. Except for the Hitmaker, his backup is the regular production model (not even the Custom Shop version!), regular old Fender Hot Rod amps, and higher end (but not crazy expensive or unattainable) pedals. Very cool to see!
Really great to see this and John is always the best of doing these interviews. He's a true musician. Always asks the right questions so we can all geek out on it.....yes
Love Nile. I've had the pleasure of taking his recording classes, and also hanging out with him, in several NYC clubs. He is honestly one of the coolest, most down-to-earth people ever. Nile is a huge Influence & Inspiration for me. Just a Phenomenal guitar-player. Listen to the Chic Track: "So Fine" to hear Nile Rip-on-Guitar. oNe LoVe from NYC
I’m genuinely surprised that you guys haven’t talked to him sooner but it’s still awesome seeing y’all sit down with one of the greatest funk guitarists and producers of all time
@@TheBbtlegit I highly doubt that’s it, like maybe he’s just been extremely difficult to get a hold of since he’s busy producing people or whatever but I have no idea
I once got an EasyJet plane from Bristol to Paris just after Nile had played with Chic at Glastonbury that weekend. To my surprise he got on the same plane as me with that very same guitar in its case, and in his hand
I think that Nile is a very gentile and commen human,no big star attitude. Years ago,he played at the festival "into the great wide open",a very intimate music festival at different locations on the Wadden island Vlieland,in the north of the Netherlands. To get there,you have to take a ferry.There excists a picture of him(was released in an article about this festival, in the Volkskrant newspaper)where he sits in loungeroom of this ferry,among other passengers and he was having a great time.
Thank you for being thorough with your questions! I’ve been trying to find information on Nile’s setup for a while, the pick thickness of .50 is handy information 🙏
Was just listening to Nile with the group, Material last night. This is bassist/producer, Bill Laswell's group. Nile plays on their record titled, One Down. Timeless funk.
Niles is Great!! My Buddy , Rich Hilton, whom I did tons of sessions with in New York, is one of his Keyboard players and I believe his music director!!! He's a monster in his own right!!
Love this, kinda feel like John said, love to see this guitar I've heard my whole life. Classic! Nile's tech is super cool and humble, also John is your best Rig Rundown host by miles. Cheers!
I'm not really a Strat guy though many of my favourite players play Strats, but I gotta say I was lucky enough probably 10 years back to play a Nile Rodgers Custom Shop Hitmaker Strat that had all the wear marks and was weathered as close as possible to his original, and MY GOD if it wasn't one of the best sounding, feeling, and playing Strats I have ever played! If not for the fact it was $10,000 I would've bought it!!!
Nobody talking about that guitar tech’s tattoo on his left arm. You KNOW your tech is hardcore when he gets the FACEPLATE OF A MESA DUAL RECTIFIER tattooed on his left arm. Lol
A terrific musician with a terrible bonnet. Everybody is free to wear whatever they fancy, but if I were friends with Mr Rodgers I would say "Hey Nile why don't let your hair free buddy?". Other than that he is one of the milestones of the modern popular music. If you are a budding guitarist study his guitar work like your holy book. Hats off to Nile Rodgers (pun definitely intended)
So pretty much the same set up as your average bedroom guitarist - the genius of Niles is in his songs and his fingers. If everyone did what he does, would make most of the guitar industry redundant.
The live sound is always soo compressed and with chorus almost all the time...! This thech says that the chorus is for ¿one song?.... 🤷🏽♂️ And no compressor pedal? I think that the sound gets compressor maybe on the mic signal... I saw the live show this past july and i repeat... "the guitar sound is soooo compressed" always...!! 🕺🏻🎸🎶🔊🎈🛸🛸🎶😘😘
@@nazarenkodenys The "traditional" signal chain should've been something like this : Tuner - Wah - AutoWah - TS - Chorus - Delay... I know rules are made to be broken, but filters/comps/octaves...like to be first in the chain to receive the unaltered guitar signal and then you could delay that signal, overdrive it... Also, a delay before everything else is such a weird choice ...
Nile played Tokai Springy Sound guitars for his production work in the eighties. The Hitmaker mythology can only stretch so far before it smacks into reality.
I own a Telecaster,made by Eddie Martinez, who used a Tokai TE 70 Breezysound body,where he put an all Rosewood Schecter neck to it,other hardware and an EMG Telecaster set of pick-ups. Eddie had an endorsment deal thantimes(i guess end of the seventies/beginning eighties). I guess Tokai was quite active thantimes in the New York scene of guitarplayers,to give endorsment deals to different players.
Straw man argument and a misleading, knee jerk response. Noone said he was forced to play strats. He's gone on record saying he played Tokai strats in the studio during his producing days. Nothing wrong with them at all. In those days, just as Squier JV instruments were coming out of Japan, Tokai were better quality than Fender USA. My point was, there's a bunch of hype that has been created around the Hitmaker that takes liberties with the truth. And I play an exact replica FWIW even down to the thinner body and pre-60 aged pickups, it didn't cost $7000.
Shop the Rig:
Fender Nile Rodgers Hitmaker Stratocaster: sweetwater.sjv.io/Qy61qM
2-Fender Hot Rod DeVille 2x12 Combos: sweetwater.sjv.io/xkNdxd
Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer 40th Anniversary: sweetwater.sjv.io/DKkxEo
Boss DD-3 Digital Delay: sweetwater.sjv.io/21QdzO
Korg Pitchblack Poly Tuner: sweetwater.sjv.io/LXZkvL
Radial ProRMP 1-channel Passive Re-amping Device: sweetwater.sjv.io/MmNe43
Eventide PowerMax: sweetwater.sjv.io/75JgAr
There is an error...it is not the 2x12 combo, the combos are 4x10, like mine ;)
So cool to see legends like Nile Rodgers use simple rigs. Tone is in the hands
Saw Nile getting onto a train in London once with a gig bag on his back, I'm guessing the hitmaker was inside. No security, just the man and a gig bag with a priceless guitar on his back!
@InjectBleach tf is wrong with you going around all the comments being grumpy 😆
Joking aside though, hope everything is aight, don't give in x
@InjectBleach we found the liberal mouth breather
@@InjectBleachI’m sorry you have a small P3N1S and hate life
@@InjectBleach what?? That's an awesome story you jackass.
He did leave it on the Tube once. Luckily someone realised what it was and returned it
The look of panic on the guitar tech's face when the Hitmaker leaves his hands and John looks it over! Priceless!
Listen to "Savoir Faire" and you'll realize that Nile is a jazz guy at heart!
At least a billion bucks worth of music created by that guitar and those fingers. They opened for Duran Duran and boy are they hard to follow. Had the entire arena up and dancing start to finish. Long live The Hitmaker!
He also produced, and played a little, on Duran Durans album Notorious
I love my hand wired Snow White autowah, it’s a very versatile Pedal. I had no idea Nile uses one!
Nile's rig feels very much like a nice working class musicians' rig. Except for the Hitmaker, his backup is the regular production model (not even the Custom Shop version!), regular old Fender Hot Rod amps, and higher end (but not crazy expensive or unattainable) pedals. Very cool to see!
Absolutely! More of a legend for it, too 😊
Really great to see this and John is always the best of doing these interviews. He's a true musician. Always asks the right questions so we can all geek out on it.....yes
Love Nile. I've had the pleasure of taking his recording classes, and also hanging out with him, in several NYC clubs. He is honestly one of the coolest, most down-to-earth people ever. Nile is a huge Influence & Inspiration for me. Just a Phenomenal guitar-player. Listen to the Chic Track: "So Fine" to hear Nile Rip-on-Guitar. oNe LoVe from NYC
you got to hang out with him? damn super jealous . i have conversations with Nile in my dreams sometimes! thats how much i dig the guy
I’m genuinely surprised that you guys haven’t talked to him sooner but it’s still awesome seeing y’all sit down with one of the greatest funk guitarists and producers of all time
Yup, definitely a guitar god.
Well we know why they haven't talked to him sooner. They always show disrespect to black artists. Nothing new.
@@TheBbtlegit I highly doubt that’s it, like maybe he’s just been extremely difficult to get a hold of since he’s busy producing people or whatever but I have no idea
@@andrewpappas9311 Really to busy. You can do better than that.
@@TheBbtlegit Like I said, I don’t know the reason but that was my best guess
More and more DISCO rig rundown!!! DISCO RULES!
That strat looked like it had extra strings - maybe just the reflection. I have fond memories of listening to Le Freak as a child - on tape!
Saw him and the band in NOLA with Duran Duran in June. Their musicianship was astounding.
Very cool to see Nile's settings on the amp. Taking notes for next time I'm playing some of his songs.
I saw him in 2016 opening for Duran Duran... legend!
I once got an EasyJet plane from Bristol to Paris just after Nile had played with Chic at Glastonbury that weekend. To my surprise he got on the same plane as me with that very same guitar in its case, and in his hand
I think that Nile is a very gentile and commen human,no big star attitude.
Years ago,he played at the festival "into the great wide open",a very intimate music festival at different locations on the Wadden island Vlieland,in the north of the Netherlands. To get there,you have to take a ferry.There excists a picture of him(was released in an article about this festival, in the Volkskrant newspaper)where he sits in loungeroom of this ferry,among other passengers and he was having a great time.
was there a seat reserved next to him for Hitmaker?
@@DarrenGlen he was a few rows back from me, but there may well have been!
brilliant. imo NILE is the most underrated guitarist ever. his totally genius level
Let' talk about Gert the guitar tech, he's one of the best on the block and genuine nice guy! The perfect fit for Nile Rodgers!
Cheers Rob
We're big fans of Gert!
I suppose he originates from the Netherlands or Belgium.
Thank you for being thorough with your questions! I’ve been trying to find information on Nile’s setup for a while, the pick thickness of .50 is handy information 🙏
The most beautiful guitar I have ever seen not too mention historical Nile is the best!!’
Absolutely the coolest strat of all time.
Was just listening to Nile with the group, Material last night. This is bassist/producer, Bill Laswell's group. Nile plays on their record titled, One Down. Timeless funk.
I’m A Drummer 🥁 but…. I’m a BIG fan of Nile Rodgers and CHIC … his guitar 🎸 playing and music are legendary!!!! Thanks 🙏 for this interesting video!
Niles is Great!! My Buddy , Rich Hilton, whom I did tons of sessions with in New York, is one of his Keyboard players and I believe his music director!!! He's a monster in his own right!!
Love this, kinda feel like John said, love to see this guitar I've heard my whole life. Classic! Nile's tech is super cool and humble, also John is your best Rig Rundown host by miles. Cheers!
Well done John, glad you got this one.
I'm not really a Strat guy though many of my favourite players play Strats, but I gotta say I was lucky enough probably 10 years back to play a Nile Rodgers Custom Shop Hitmaker Strat that had all the wear marks and was weathered as close as possible to his original, and MY GOD if it wasn't one of the best sounding, feeling, and playing Strats I have ever played! If not for the fact it was $10,000 I would've bought it!!!
Great Episode ... John´s doing such an amazing Job. Reaaly love the way he interviews the people and keeping great vibes all the time
Been waiting for this one for a long time!
my favourite guitarist by far
seeing him live next week 👍
That Strat is legendary
I remember in the 1970's seeing Chic on television and seeing that hitmaker guitar. I knew then and there I wanted to play a Strat.
Finally a true amazing rig thats nuts and bolts of great sound
Nile is a hero across genres
Absolute LEGENDARY player
Great producer! Great guitar player!
thanks for watching!
So lm very surprised there’s no compressor! I’d have put serious money on Nile having a ton of it on that funky clean sound! Show what I know🤷♂️
me too 😂 no compressor Indeed. That Strat must be thinner and lighter like a AF squier
I was more surprised that the delay was one of the first things in the chain usually that goes at the end of the chain or in an effects loop
@@gagslovedotcomyep first rule! There are none!!!
Nobody talking about that guitar tech’s tattoo on his left arm. You KNOW your tech is hardcore when he gets the FACEPLATE OF A MESA DUAL RECTIFIER tattooed on his left arm. Lol
Legend!!!!
Man, I love your channel! ❤
Great video! Can you do a “Rig Rundown” of Jerry Barnes’ bass rig..? Thanks
Agreed... Amazing Bassist!
Personally I think it was bad video, it's so boring when it's a techie doing the gear and not the real musician
Love Niles!
No compressor? That's suprising.
Wow! That is a really, really simple rig.
string through no less. wow!!
Greatest rhythm guitarist of all time ❤❤❤
One of the greatest
Not too long ago I discovered who Nile was because of the vaughan brothers back in the late 80s
That's a Duran Duran drumm set on the back right there 👆🏼
Gert is the best guitar tech name ever. Sounds too good to be true.
No compressor?!! Wow wasn't expecting this. 😮
The man is the coolest human on planet earth 🌎
Love the hard-tail.
Niles is an underrated guitar God! And what a cool practical set up. Anyone can be Niles!…well at least play on the same gear :).
Cool to see he’s using the standard production model signature instead of the custom shop. It’s not always the more expensive model that works best.
10:25 as long as you have the backup, you won't need the... "oops where is the camera light...??" I love the raw nature of these.
A terrific musician with a terrible bonnet. Everybody is free to wear whatever they fancy, but if I were friends with Mr Rodgers I would say "Hey Nile why don't let your hair free buddy?".
Other than that he is one of the milestones of the modern popular music. If you are a budding guitarist study his guitar work like your holy book. Hats off to Nile Rodgers (pun definitely intended)
It’s about time rig rundown on someone iconic like Niles let get a rundown on Robert Cray and Keb’mo and another one on Buddy Guy.
Awesome minimalist rig! Is he using the Vertex 'Nyle' pedal at all? (compressor).
So pretty much the same set up as your average bedroom guitarist - the genius of Niles is in his songs and his fingers. If everyone did what he does, would make most of the guitar industry redundant.
he also plays using the picks UPSIDE DOWN...little known fact...in other words, hitting the strings with the wide fat end of the pick
ज़बरदस्त!
Did you hear about the time he left The Hitmaker on a train?
The world needs more hardtail Strats.
Does anyone know exactly how light this guitar and its Fender artist version is ? Thank you
To hear Nile shredding listen to Chic’s Real People. His autobiography is well worth reading too.
Great book
Any idea what mic is being used on the DeVille? Thanks
Nile is the perfect example of , it’s not what to play , it’s when NOT to play !
So what was the 'Hitmaker' that sold at the auction recently? (I simply don't know the history but there must be more than one...)
el sonido strat por excelencia, es el genio de la lampara con guitarra
You guys gotta rig run down Gran Hechicero! He’s the best!
Who is that?
Keith Urban cameo :))
Mad professors are the bomb!
Guitar tech says “yeah goes all the way back to the B52s” lol.
the joy of guitar and music. f..k yehhhh
Crazy but good his #1 gtr is still on the road. He could have anything built to his spec
Not an easy task re wood selection
10:20 wisdom
Wait, no Compressor Pedal? This rig is half the size of my livingroom rig! 😮
The live sound is always soo compressed and with chorus almost all the time...! This thech says that the chorus is for ¿one song?.... 🤷🏽♂️ And no compressor pedal? I think that the sound gets compressor maybe on the mic signal... I saw the live show this past july and i repeat... "the guitar sound is soooo compressed" always...!! 🕺🏻🎸🎶🔊🎈🛸🛸🎶😘😘
Probably the microphone model and positioning gives compressing effect
John, where’s a black tube screamer? It’s dark red sparkle.
He said "black knobs"
Interesting pedal chain he’s got going there, unless it’s from left right for some reason…
Very odd!
I know they’re Fender amps but which model ? Thanks
It can Deville or Rod Hot Deville versions.
Can anybody explain how he use the Radial boxes? One from pedalboard to amp? But why? And the other one from wireless to pedals??
Sounds great! oh wait...
the mirror pickguard makes it look like he's rocking 12 strings on there
John should've asked why Nile's signal chain is reversed : Tuner _ Delay _ Chorus _ Auto Wah _ Wah _ TS
What exactly is reversed in your opinion?
@@nazarenkodenys The "traditional" signal chain should've been something like this : Tuner - Wah - AutoWah - TS - Chorus - Delay... I know rules are made to be broken, but filters/comps/octaves...like to be first in the chain to receive the unaltered guitar signal and then you could delay that signal, overdrive it... Also, a delay before everything else is such a weird choice ...
Why the 2 Radials between the board and the amp I wonder? Just in case of venues w a ton of distance/cabling between board and amps?
This is the main question!! But no answer here... 😮
if any guitar has mojo, that has it for sure!
That JMP stole the show.
At first I thought Ritchie Sambora was touring with Nile😅
I never understood why those are called speed knobs. They're smooth so my hand slips on them. I need knurled or ribbed knobs.
how in the world is there not a compressor or three on Nile's board...
Nile played Tokai Springy Sound guitars for his production work in the eighties. The Hitmaker mythology can only stretch so far before it smacks into reality.
I own a Telecaster,made by Eddie Martinez, who used a Tokai TE 70 Breezysound body,where he put an all Rosewood Schecter neck to it,other hardware and an EMG Telecaster set of pick-ups. Eddie had an endorsment deal thantimes(i guess end of the seventies/beginning eighties).
I guess Tokai was quite active thantimes in the New York scene of guitarplayers,to give endorsment deals to different players.
Misleasing comment. As studio musician he might have tried tons of instruments. Still - nobody has forced him to play strat on tours.
Straw man argument and a misleading, knee jerk response. Noone said he was forced to play strats. He's gone on record saying he played Tokai strats in the studio during his producing days. Nothing wrong with them at all. In those days, just as Squier JV instruments were coming out of Japan, Tokai were better quality than Fender USA.
My point was, there's a bunch of hype that has been created around the Hitmaker that takes liberties with the truth. And I play an exact replica FWIW even down to the thinner body and pre-60 aged pickups, it didn't cost $7000.
Keith Urban on that stage too...
Boss DD-3... Who needs anything more? Pros use it... Must be good...
DD-5 for me!
Glad you asked about strings and pic, but this video being sponsored by D'daddario maybe you had to? Please always ask about strings and picks
Wife noticed your phone in your pocket she said to much radiation be carful! 😂
That is a myth. Phones aren’t radioactive
irst time ever that John asks to grab someone's guitar/ The man just couldn't help himself. I understand, would do the same.
Hello I am John BOOOOOLIGHER
could yall do luke bryan
The guitar tech has a Flemish accent, I suspect he's Belgian 🙂
Your right,probably Belgium, cause Gert is name,mich more commen in Belgium than in the Netherlands.
This must be both the simplest and the dullest of rig run-downs ever. I would have guessed Strat >> Compressor >> Wah >> Chorus >> Fender Twin.