Take A Deep Dive Into Billy Strings’ Guitar Rig

Billy Strings teamed back up with Premier Guitar for another “Rig Rundown.” Billy also talked playing the late great Doc Watson’s guitar as well as picking on his “California Sober” collaborator Willie Nelson’s iconic guitar Trigger.

Along with the conversations noted above, Billy gave an interesting take on tonewoods (woods used for acoustic stringed instruments) and situations that certain woods are best suited for. He also talked about finding cheap acoustic guitar “gems.”

The “Rig Rundown” got going in earnest with Billy showcasing his main axe, a Preston Thompson DBA he calls “Frankenstein.” Billy then demonstrated the sound through his Kemper Amp and some overdrive effects before talking about how his diverse musical tastes — including his metal roots — dictate his effects choices.

After talking about the dangers of flying with guitars (he now buys an extra seat for his guitar), Strings showed off his other Thompson DBA, which is “The Bride” of “Frankenstein,” before discussing “Jody,” a Martin D-28 formerly owned by Willie’s longtime guitarist Jody Payne who passed away in 2013. Billy then told an amazing story of how Willie’s longtime harmonica player Mickey Raphael sprinkled some of Jody’s ashes in the guitar.

Elsewhere in the rundown Strings talked his gorgeous Martin D-45, his “pride and joy” 1940 Martin D-28, his pedalboard and what everyone wants to know about — his Casio DG-20 Synth Guitar. Watch Billy Strings’ 2023 Premier Guitar “Rig Rundown” below:

See Billy’s rig in action by livestreaming the final headline shows of his U.S. Summer Tour at Thompson’s Point in Maine this weekend, free for nugs.net subscribers.