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Dicky Betts Tone

bongo122819

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Joined
Oct 6, 2003
Messages
172
The classic Dicky Betts tone from One Way Out, Blue Sky & Jessica - so thick & sweet with just the right amount of edge.
What amp is he using ?
Heavy gauge strings on his Les Paul ?
I can't get enough of THAT TONE
:hee
 

Flogger

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Joined
Sep 23, 2008
Messages
555
Old Marshall with JBLs or Altecs, I can't remember. But Dicky gets the "cry" in his sound with a flattop, so once again, it's in the fingers.
 

frank3si

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Feb 22, 2007
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290
I saw Dickey on Friday night in NJ - great, two-set show. As is often the case, his musical skills have just expanded over the years and he played some really fantastic things. Andy Aledort is still along on guitar, and I was able to have a nice chat with him between sets - super nice guy...
 

Dire Wolf

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Dec 20, 2006
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2,745
Andy Aledort is a freaking encyclopedia of licks spanning many different styles; Dickey's got himself an accomplished 2nd guitarist, that's for sure. My former bass player, Pedro, is playing in that band!
 

frank3si

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Joined
Feb 22, 2007
Messages
290
Dire Wolf, very cool - Pedro was awesome. I checked out his bio on Dickey's site after the show to learn more about him. Odd, though, that on the site there is no mention of Andy (who mentioned he started playing with Dickey five years ago) or even Duane Betts. Duane, btw, has really come into his own. I'm telling you, between those three guys playing there was a LOT of guitar happening. Dickey was on his old goldtop most of the night.

The big thing for me is that the rhythm section now is much more sympathetic to the feel called for by Dickey's material, particularly drum-wise. That was not the case the last time I saw him, about two years ago.

Friday night was just the second show of the tour - if any of you get a chance, go - you won't be disappointed. Tour dates at:

http://www.dickeybetts.com/
 

muddy056

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Mar 19, 2008
Messages
90
frank3si I was at that show also, my first time w/o the bros. it was absolutely fabulous a must see :applaude
 

Wire and wood

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Nov 9, 2005
Messages
571
I'm sure I got it off this site once but at one point Dickey was using a 50 watt Marshall head with the volume set on 5, the treble about 4.5, the mid at5, the bass at 3, and the presence up at 7.
Again though, that tone is in his soul and released by his fingers.
 

mistersnappy

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Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
7,321
Here's the refined Goldtop used on "Fillmore East":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfCLYlzYO68

Dickey used 100 watt Marshalls with JBL D120s (I think) back in the day.
BUT, I'm not sure what he used on the studio recording of Jessica-maybe Fender?

There's a world of difference between the three recordings you listed, IMO. One Way is live and cranked, which wouldn't be done in the studio. Blue Sky and Jessica might've been played thru early-60s Fenders with Jensens...

The beauty of players with identifiable sounds is that they can play any rig and sound like themselves but there are parameters and guides to getting certain tones, as well. :hmm :salude
 

Mr. Clean

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Joined
Sep 13, 2002
Messages
473
Yes, Dickey used 100 watt Marshalls, which at least partially accounts for the cleaner tone he got compared to Duane (who used 50 watt) in the Fillmore days.

All that stuff on Fillmore East and Eat A Peach, Dickey and Duane both, is my benchmark of great LP tone.
 

DHBucker

Active member
Joined
Jul 18, 2007
Messages
2,367
Here's the refined Goldtop used on "Fillmore East":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfCLYlzYO68

Dickey used 100 watt Marshalls with JBL D120s (I think) back in the day.
BUT, I'm not sure what he used on the studio recording of Jessica-maybe Fender?

There's a world of difference between the three recordings you listed, IMO. One Way is live and cranked, which wouldn't be done in the studio. Blue Sky and Jessica might've been played thru early-60s Fenders with Jensens...

The beauty of players with identifiable sounds is that they can play any rig and sound like themselves but there are parameters and guides to getting certain tones, as well. :hmm :salude

Hi Mr.Snappy. That is some awesome tone on that clip. Who is that guy? That ain't Dan Toler. Did he sell that burst? Great stuff. Thanke dude.
 

mistersnappy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
7,321
The classic Dicky Betts tone from One Way Out, Blue Sky & Jessica - so thick & sweet with just the right amount of edge.
What amp is he using ?
Heavy gauge strings on his Les Paul ?
I can't get enough of THAT TONE
:hee

Just had a thought: go over to the Vintage Forum here at the LPF and do a search. I know folks have discussed Dickey many times and pay attention to anything posted by TM1. That is the Forum handle for Don Butler who knew the Brothers back in the day and who has forgotten more about their rigs and tone than I'll ever know :applaude :salude
 

Litcrit

New member
Joined
May 9, 2002
Messages
5,990
I saw him recently and was mightily impressed: he's just the REAL THING, copies don't come close. He's got that great tone, along with excellent solo construction and lyrical lines.
 

tonemeister1

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Joined
Feb 10, 2006
Messages
65
Dickeys current setup is 2 50 watt reissue marshalls through 2 4x12 marshall bottoms loaded with the usual jbl 120's not sure if there d's, k's, or e's at this point ,He's also using an ibanez dm1000 digital delay and at times he even stomps on an ibanez tube screamer, just saw him this past Sunday night on long island . What can i say!! He was Smokin!!
 
G

GuitarsfromMars

Guest
That's Udo Pipper from the German 'Gitarre & Bass' mag. He has posted some more clips a while ago..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA0LtElaUIo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8kfI8H-XOg&feature=related

More pics of 8-1810

Udo has been a long time friend of Jim Wagner of WCR pickups notoriety,the guitar Dickey used at the Fillmore(which at one point was Dan Toler's-was given to him as a gift by DB)is now owned by a friend of Udo's.There is an article in Vintage Guitar(May 2009).Udo took all the pictures/specs for Wagner to design the BetSet,which is now regarded as the premier set of pickups which sound identical to the set in the guitar(so Udo says,whenever he's asked).According to Wagner,putting them in an old beat up Les Paul helps too.
 
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