I'm 74 years old. I've been a professional blues player for over 40 years. You don't need pedals to get good Blues tones. A decent guitar into a good tube amp with a little bit of Reverb. It's all in the fingers and how you set the guitar volume and tone and set the controls on the amp. Blues-rock is different but real old-school Blues really nobody uses pedals. You might disagree but I don't care.
I get this wonderful sound from my Blues Deville 410 amp with reverb. Using Timmy kind of transparent overdrive and drive channel of the amp, setting pre in minimum, power in maximum. Voilà!
RJ, Tommy Harkenrider's Kid Ramos lessons are GOLD! They are less true lessons and really just great vids of Kid playing up close. Best money I've spent in a long time!
I never get tired of this video! Your playing is so sweet RJ! And the demo of these budget pedals so the the magic of tones and sounds you can achieve with simple gear. Man thank you for what you do for the guitar player community.
Okay, got that reverb pedal (had one for years, it's great), recently acquired the newer version of that Catalinbread pedal (the model 55) about 2 months now, I can get that tone with no problems, but.........I needs to work on my "touch". Doesn't sound as "soulful" as yours. It's "iffy" right now. When I'm on, I'm on, but when I'm not, well you know the rest. I don't do this for a living either, so..........awesome as always RJ!
Really tasteful playing. As I'm not a Fender player, I appreciated watching you switch between the pickups and the sounds you were getting. Many thanks for the video.
You should run the reverb into the Formula 5, the way it would be if you were using a real Fender reverb tank. The little bit of gain from the reverb absolutely lights up the front end of a 5E3. Also, contact Catalinbread, and tell them that you would like to demo a Formula 55, (updated version of the Formula 5), and a Topanga, ( their version of a Fender reverb tank), they sound incredible. Tell them you would be interested in an artist agreement. They are a very player friendly company, and could probably work something out for you. Or hit up their booth at Winter NAMM, and drop their jaws with your chops, and watch the offers roll in. 😎 Anyway, keep up the great stuff, RJ. I'm really enjoying your videos. Your enthusiasm for playing makes me feel like a kid again.
Thanks! Great point, the Formula 5 is technically supposed to be like an amp so i'm gonna try it! I actually just ordered a 5F6 (Bassman style) so I'm looking forward to that.
Magnificent tone!! Currently I'm enjoying this similar setup: Strat --> Analogue Delay set to one repeat (almost slapback) --> Spring reverb type --> blackface type combo --> 1x10 Celestion Speaker.
RJ, I’ve watched this video a number of times and I love your playing. Is there any chance you can do a video showing how to play the licks on the E,A and D strings? I think they sound amazing and would really like to learn them.
Bro! You just mentioned my favorite players.. Junior watson and Hollywood fats baby. And kid Ramos for that matter. I used to see kid Ramos play with Lester Butler and the red Devils just before the red Devils broke up and Lester went out on his own - RIP. Those were some good times.. I really appreciate this tone combo trick. I was thinking about buying a reverb tank because of Junior watson's tone. I have a box AC30 which helps me tap in to my inner kid ramos, but it's not quite there. I'll try this tip before i do anything hasty. Thank you for your excellent channel.
Love the tone and playing. Please do a blues and jazz licks instructional and how to play them over blues vamps. I'd buy that in a heart beat. Keep up the great work 🤘🏼
Love that reverb pedal... got one... subtle to drippy Ventures 'verb... awesome. Personally, not into that preamp... my search goes on... so far a Timmy fits the bill... very warm... yet I'll keep looking... Rock on RJ!
Sounds great man.. I dig your channel.. I've been watching awhile. I just don't always comment. Great stuff brother! Great channel and thanks for all the good videos man.. Really appreciate it.. Regards from the hills of southern central Indiana. USA Tim
SWEET TONE!!! My blues tone was a glen burton 335, danelectro echo, and a pignose, but the 335 had to go to help pay for the gretsch..... *BROKE STATUS*
Sweet sounds. I get a very similar sound running a BOSS BD2 through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp. Of course I'm using a guitar with humbuckers. The combination is super...
Yeah man! Say RJ, I do almost that same thing with my Lovepedal Les lius and that same boss rv. (Did see the price going up on those? I couldn't give it away a year ago) the Les lius I run on the high power tweed twin setting which is the same thing - gives the notes some added character with a touch of grit that blends them notes together well. I do a lot of roots blues gigs where you can't push an amp hard enough to break up with single coils. That setup makes all the difference. The really cool thing with the LL is it has a boost side with an independent volume, so you can set it just above unity to jump for solos or get a heavier tone altogether. It's a touch brighter than the catlinbread, but not harsh. Check it out!
Judd Austin thanks Judd! I'm gonna check out the LL. I did see the boss on eBay for more than I expected. I guess it's a keeper, next to the real thing
One of the best tones I ever got was back in the late 1980's when I paired a Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive with a Boss DS-2 Turbo Overdrive. Both pedals were relatively new at the time.
Oooooh hope you still have this guitar Killer tones I've finally figured how to use my fuzz for a great rythmm tone w a clean boost on top for solo bump Great demo
Sounds great, though listening to the clip the "tweediness" sounds simulated or layered. Maybe its how things are EQ'd, the amp itself, or being ran with the reverb. It doesn't have that tweed attack, that edgy "bark". Hear what I'm talking about? Have you tried the Formula 55?...
Great tone! Will be coming to this for reference. Got a ts9 and an 808 tubescreamer that a guy gave to me cus he didn't want them. I'm sure I can get close to this tone, great video!
He wasn't lying. That is a great, natural blues tone.
Man... It's not the pedals, it's your heart that makes that kinda tone.
he could make anything sound good...
Yo RJ!
Amen to that. He could have a pass-through a potato and it would sound like heartbreak and blues.
I'm 74 years old. I've been a professional blues player for over 40 years. You don't need pedals to get good Blues tones. A decent guitar into a good tube amp with a little bit of Reverb. It's all in the fingers and how you set the guitar volume and tone and set the controls on the amp. Blues-rock is different but real old-school Blues really nobody uses pedals. You might disagree but I don't care.
Personally, I think RJ would sound awesome playing any guitar, pedal or amp combination! Tone is in his fingers and his phrasing is superb!
I'll give the pedals 25% and your fingers 75%. In other words great playing RJ. Greetings from the west coast of Canada.
I think he should try the Fulltone Plimsoul - that is all you need.
Pick/hand placing, pickup selection and dynamics..and the most important thing, the Soul...that what gives that awesomerer blues tone..
I like how you were able to switch pick ups and still have a killer sound... sounds like a great set up for blues. :)
dude- that was fucking awesome. Im always impressed when I hear a sweet blues improv jam without a backing track. Excellent job
Nothing to not like in this vid!! 100% clean tone. 100% cool vibe!!
I have to agree with the many who mentioned here that, it's in the Hearth, High Quality Guitar and the soul that is put into the blues.
I get this wonderful sound from my Blues Deville 410 amp with reverb. Using Timmy kind of transparent overdrive and drive channel of the amp, setting pre in minimum, power in maximum. Voilà!
RJ, Tommy Harkenrider's Kid Ramos lessons are GOLD! They are less true lessons and really just great vids of Kid playing up close. Best money I've spent in a long time!
wow - after watching this , i dug my formula 5 out of the pedal bin and hooked it back up. very inspiring !
The holy grail of tone!
Literally my favorite blues tone, and playing. I steal licks from this video often.
I never get tired of this video! Your playing is so sweet RJ! And the demo of these budget pedals so the the magic of tones and sounds you can achieve with simple gear. Man thank you for what you do for the guitar player community.
I'm sure the pedals help, but that tone is in your hands ! Well done !
Really digging' the sound. If you wanted to fatten in up a bit, I would add a delay with a slap back set up. For me that would be perfection.
Okay, got that reverb pedal (had one for years, it's great), recently acquired the newer version of that Catalinbread pedal (the model 55) about 2 months now, I can get that tone with no problems, but.........I needs to work on my "touch". Doesn't sound as "soulful" as yours. It's "iffy" right now. When I'm on, I'm on, but when I'm not, well you know the rest. I don't do this for a living either, so..........awesome as always RJ!
Came for the gear, stayed for the playing, good stuff!
Anything coming out of Ronquillo's fingers is pure gold. We need his Midas's touch.
Really tasteful playing. As I'm not a Fender player, I appreciated watching you switch between the pickups and the sounds you were getting. Many thanks for the video.
Sounds awesome man!
Thanks Brett!
Brett ain't no slouch on the guitar either. Learnt a shitload from these two. Cheers from Oz..
Hey, Papastache! 🤘🏼🎸👊🏽
The video title had me skeptical, but you were right. Although I feel like some of that tone is you and not just the pedals.
Killer tone and killer playing (as usual). Keep up the great content, please! Happy Holidays.
Most impressive. With or without the pedals.
That is a great sound, brother!
You should run the reverb into the Formula 5, the way it would be if you were using a real Fender reverb tank. The little bit of gain from the reverb absolutely lights up the front end of a 5E3.
Also, contact Catalinbread, and tell them that you would like to demo a Formula 55, (updated version of the Formula 5), and a Topanga, ( their version of a Fender reverb tank), they sound incredible. Tell them you would be interested in an artist agreement. They are a very player friendly company, and could probably work something out for you. Or hit up their booth at Winter NAMM, and drop their jaws with your chops, and watch the offers roll in. 😎
Anyway, keep up the great stuff, RJ. I'm really enjoying your videos. Your enthusiasm for playing makes me feel like a kid again.
Thanks! Great point, the Formula 5 is technically supposed to be like an amp so i'm gonna try it! I actually just ordered a 5F6 (Bassman style) so I'm looking forward to that.
Magnificent tone!!
Currently I'm enjoying this similar setup:
Strat --> Analogue Delay set to one repeat (almost slapback) --> Spring reverb type --> blackface type combo --> 1x10 Celestion Speaker.
The Formula 5 is one of my desert island pedals. Great choice.
As you said, it's an awesome blues tone.
RJ, I’ve watched this video a number of times and I love your playing. Is there any chance you can do a video showing how to play the licks on the E,A and D strings? I think they sound amazing and would really like to learn them.
Well I done goofed. Sold my 63 reverb a while back and picked up a strymon blue sky.
Bro! You just mentioned my favorite players.. Junior watson and Hollywood fats baby. And kid Ramos for that matter. I used to see kid Ramos play with Lester Butler and the red Devils just before the red Devils broke up and Lester went out on his own - RIP. Those were some good times.. I really appreciate this tone combo trick. I was thinking about buying a reverb tank because of Junior watson's tone. I have a box AC30 which helps me tap in to my inner kid ramos, but it's not quite there. I'll try this tip before i do anything hasty. Thank you for your excellent channel.
Everything you do is magic...It isn't the "right" pedals....It's your talent!!!!
RJ Keep 'em coming! Your tone and playing are always spot on. Super tasty tone
Well RJ the problem is, you make everything sound great
It's a nice problem to have.
tswrench yeah bro. Im glad i dont have it
Love the tone and playing. Please do a blues and jazz licks instructional and how to play them over blues vamps. I'd buy that in a heart beat. Keep up the great work 🤘🏼
Chisti Iqbal - YES! I’d love RJ to do some jazzy blues leads to learn. Those jazz notes he’s throws in are so great!
I think you’re right, that’s a very nice blues tone. Nice playing too man.
That sounds awesome love it. Gotta love the blues.
Very nice mate! Love your playing. Just a tad of reverb...and nice bite from the overdrive pedal.
Pedals and tone are good. Playing is even better. Please do a video on your licks and phrasing.
Stat first. Would like to hear a comparison but you don't need to. Anything you play would be great through any amp and that guitar. Bravo 👏
I love how this room looks!! Nicely played too
Bald & Bearded he's a rock n roller so it better look nice.
Love that reverb pedal... got one... subtle to drippy Ventures 'verb... awesome. Personally, not into that preamp... my search goes on... so far a Timmy fits the bill... very warm... yet I'll keep looking...
Rock on RJ!
Sounds great man.. I dig your channel.. I've been watching awhile. I just don't always comment. Great stuff brother! Great channel and thanks for all the good videos man.. Really appreciate it..
Regards from the hills of southern central Indiana. USA
Tim
You're not kidding. I was listening to you about the 2 pedals and thought we'll see... Totally blown away. Awesome playing too.
Sounds great and tweedy to me...keep these short gems coming!
Thanks for sharing. Your blues sound was exactly what I was looking for.
What would be the best ones for helping to get way huge Jimi-SRV type tones, kind of thinking outside the box a bit, not the standard thing.
SWEET TONE!!!
My blues tone was a glen burton 335, danelectro echo, and a pignose, but the 335 had to go to help pay for the gretsch.....
*BROKE STATUS*
I agree the tone is great. Any chance you could run that set up through a lesser guitar and amp?
Sweet sounds. I get a very similar sound running a BOSS BD2 through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp. Of course I'm using a guitar with humbuckers. The combination is super...
RJ could make two cans and a wire sound bluesy. Magic.
Yeah man! Say RJ, I do almost that same thing with my Lovepedal Les lius and that same boss rv. (Did see the price going up on those? I couldn't give it away a year ago) the Les lius I run on the high power tweed twin setting which is the same thing - gives the notes some added character with a touch of grit that blends them notes together well. I do a lot of roots blues gigs where you can't push an amp hard enough to break up with single coils. That setup makes all the difference. The really cool thing with the LL is it has a boost side with an independent volume, so you can set it just above unity to jump for solos or get a heavier tone altogether. It's a touch brighter than the catlinbread, but not harsh. Check it out!
Judd Austin thanks Judd! I'm gonna check out the LL. I did see the boss on eBay for more than I expected. I guess it's a keeper, next to the real thing
You have a great sound...But it's you as well.
You have the talent and tone.
Great selection of pedals.thanks for the info. I've subscribed.
Thanks Ed
Loved that reverb pedal since day 1 :) Great tone from the Catalinbread too!
Yeah. It's you man. The pedals just helping some. Good talons man!
Very nice, thank you for sharing!
One of the best tones I ever got was back in the late 1980's when I paired a Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive with a Boss DS-2 Turbo Overdrive. Both pedals were relatively new at the time.
Yep that's the sound!!
Yes! To everything more is better!!
Amazing blues tone, feel and performance!!! 🎸 🎶❤
Beautiful playing
That Boss pedal is now selling for about $400! So I got the 65 Deluxe Reverb (FDR-1) for about $90. It sounds good too and has a cool vibrato as well.
Nice tone! Unfortunately the Boss FRV-1 now sells for >$250 used.
I love the players you mentioned.
Oooooh hope you still have this guitar Killer tones I've finally figured how to use my fuzz for a great rythmm tone w a clean boost on top for solo bump Great demo
That's certainly one way to do it. A Tube Screamer flat out with a slapback delay is good too...
your right that is a great blues tone!
Sounds great, though listening to the clip the "tweediness" sounds simulated or layered. Maybe its how things are EQ'd, the amp itself, or being ran with the reverb. It doesn't have that tweed attack, that edgy "bark". Hear what I'm talking about? Have you tried the Formula 55?...
Beautiful, simple....perfect !! Can you say....” sa-weet “ !! ?🤗🎶
Thanks RJ. Just the review I was looking for.
Absolutely great videos and your playing is right on..Thanks again from Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
That's a really awesome tone. Very cool. I think that the darker settings sound really great.
Great job man! Love your playing!
Killer tone ..love it thanks for sharing
Great tone and great playing!.
You made me plug in today thank you!!!!
That's a nice combo of pedals. Soulful playing is the main component. But yeah that is a great blues tone u made there. Awesome playing dude
Faaantastic played and a great bluesy Strat sound!!!
DUDE i could listen to this ALL DAY
Pure silk. I got a bass tone that would sit with that. I'll be sure to show my guitarist! Thanks!
great playing!! I'm bookmarking your video for your performance !! :)
Kick ass playing RJ!
Sounds great! I’m pretty sure no matter which equipment you use it would sound awesome!
Rrrreally enjoy your playing!!!
Sounds like the blues to me, RJ. Sweetness!
Wow. I’m aspiring to play like that. U killed it
Great tone! Will be coming to this for reference. Got a ts9 and an 808 tubescreamer that a guy gave to me cus he didn't want them. I'm sure I can get close to this tone, great video!
What a great player!
Love this combination of pedals with my Tweed Champ - thanks RJ!
Great tone and great playing. Liked and subscribed.
Love your playing, it sings with relaxed confidence.
Your playing's awesome
Yep, nailed it!
That was way cool, awesome sound
that sounds great good playing
i'm trying to get the blues tone without to much distortion or breakup
yours sounded perfect
This sounds amazing
I love this. Thank you!