Session veteran Tom Bukovac says Joe Walsh went through a “conveyor belt” of guitar amps in the hunt for the perfect one as they prepared for a tour together – and he was surprised by which one he went for.
Bukovac was Walsh’s foil when he hit the road to support Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and rehearsals proved to be quite the ear-opener for him.
“We were rehearsing and while we were doing these weeks of rehearsals, getting this tour together, they kept bringing in pallets of amps for Joe to try, two at a time,” he tells fellow session great Dan Huff. “Like, hundreds of amps on a conveyor belt coming in from I don’t know where.
“He’d set up two Fenders, play for a second, and then we’d play a couple of songs, and then they’d bring in two more. I don’t know what he was looking for or what he was doing, but to be honest, they all sounded exactly the same to me. That’s just the way his hands are.”
It’s an experience Greg Suran can relate to. Speaking to Guitar World previously, he said, “Joe had a semi-truck full of amps and swapped them out every two or three shows. He’d be like, ‘Yeah, what do you think?’ And I’d be like, ‘Sounds great! It sounds just like you every time.’”
“I walk over there, and they just brought two new ones in. He played a couple of chords, and it literally sounded like a ******* ice pick,” he continues. “It was so thin and bright. I couldn’t believe it.
“I thought he was going to laugh and say, ‘Oh, this is a piece of ****.’ But he looks up and goes, ‘Pretty awesome.’ And I was just like, ‘Is it?’ Maybe I’m the ******* here, but it sounds terrible to me.
“it sounded like an ice pick. I thought he was gonna laugh. he looks up and goes, ‘It’s pretty awesome.’ I thought, ‘Is it?! It sounds terrible to me'”: Why Joe Walsh’s Distinct Taste in Amps Took Tom Bukovac by Surprise
The Unusual Encounter: Tom Bukovac meets Joe Walsh’s Amp Sound
When seasoned session guitarist Tom Bukovac first heard Joe Walsh’s guitar amplifier tone, he was utterly taken aback. In his own words, “It sounded like an ice pick.” It was sharp, harsh, and far from the warm, polished guitar tone Bukovac typically valued. Expecting Joe Walsh-a legendary musician-to chuckle at the rawness of the sound, Bukovac instead got a reassuring, “It’s pretty awesome.”
This unexpected reaction opened a window into joe Walsh’s distinctive guitar amp tastes that blur conventional sound aesthetics but deliver unmistakable character and mojo.
why joe Walsh’s Amp Choice Seems So surprising
Joe Walsh’s reputation as a pioneering guitarist is tied not just to his skill but also to his experimental approach to tone. His distinct amp preferences diverge from the typical quest for smooth, round sounds. Rather, walsh embraces:
- Harsh, biting frequencies that cut through a full band mix.
- Raw, edgy distortion that can sound abrasive but adds personality.
- Amplifiers with unique voicings that conventional guitarists might consider unpleasant at first.
To many guitarists, these tones might sound like an “ice pick”-sharp and attacking-until you understand their musical purpose: to create a signature voice that stands apart in recordings and live performances.
tom bukovac’s Perspective: The Learning Curve
Tom Bukovac, a guitarist renowned for his versatility and session work, initially found Joe Walsh’s amp tone jarring. His perspective resonates with many musicians who are conditioned to favor amps that sweeten and saturate the signal:
- Taste for amps that deliver smooth midrange and warmth.
- Preference for less aggressive overdrive, frequently enough found in boutique or vintage-classic tube amps.
- First impression that Walsh’s tone sounded “terrible” underscored the subjective nature of guitar sound.
What made the encounter memorable was Walsh’s confidence in his sound choice. This taught Bukovac an invaluable lesson: tone is highly personal and tied to artistic expression rather than technical perfection alone.
Understanding Joe Walsh’s Amp Setup: Tech and Tone
Joe Walsh’s guitar tone is known for it’s blend of vintage analog warmth combined with piercing midrange presence. Here are some technical highlights that give his sound its distinctive edge:
| Amp Model | Key Features | Effect on Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Fender tweed Deluxe | 12-watt tube amp, simple circuitry | Raw, mid-focused breakup with natural tube compression |
| Mahogany-voiced Cabinets | Wooden cabinets known for resonant mid-lows | Honeysmooth low end with piercing midrange attack |
| Tube-driven Boosters | Hand-wired boost circuit pedals or built-in amp effects | Added harmonic content and a cutting sustain |
These components contribute to an amplifier sound profile that can initially feel “sharp” or “ice pick”-like, but sustains incredibly well and has presence in dense mixes.
Practical Tips for Guitarists exploring Distinct Amp Tones
Whether you’re a session player,hobbyist,or aspiring pro like Tom Bukovac,learning to embrace unconventional amp tones can enrich your sonic palette. Here are some practical tips:
- Experiment with midrange-focused amps rather than chasing pure warmth – try models like Fender Tweed or vintage Marshalls.
- Don’t be afraid of initially “harsh” tones. Play your rig through a full band setting or headphones to understand how it fits in context.
- Use EQ pedals cautiously to tame or emphasize frequencies without losing amp character.
- Explore tube-driven boosters to maintain dynamics but add harmonic richness.
- Instrument choice matters. Single coil pickups frequently enough accentuate the “ice pick” chip in amps, influencing your overall sound.
Case Study: Tom Bukovac’s Journey with Distinct Amp Sounds
After the initial surprise in Joe walsh’s tone, Tom Bukovac integrated aspects of that “unexpected” sound into his own guitar setups. The blend of his tasteful session approach and the edgy amp inspiration led to:
- More daring tonal choices that cut through mixes effortlessly.
- Confidence in mixing vintage and modern gear to suit song needs.
- Healthy balance between smooth tones for ballads and aggressive tones for rock-oriented sessions.
His evolution showcases how exposure to unique amp preferences broadens a guitarist’s tonal vocabulary without losing musicality.
Benefits of Embracing Unique amplifier Tastes
- Stand out from the crowd: Develop a signature sound that’s immediately recognizable.
- Adaptability: Learn to shift tone profiles to suit different musical settings.
- Creative inspiration: Unconventional sounds often spark new ideas and playing techniques.
- Technical growth: Understanding amp circuitry nuances enhances gear proficiency.
Summary Table: joe Walsh’s Amp Characteristics vs.Traditional Amps
| Aspect | Joe Walsh’s Amps | Traditional Guitar Amps |
|---|---|---|
| Sound Profile | Sharp, biting, midrange heavy | Warm, smooth, balanced frequency |
| Distortion | Abrasive, raw, aggressive | Soft, creamy, saturated |
| Application | Cut through band mixes, distinctive sonic signature | General purpose, smooth overdrive layers |
| Player Reaction | Polarizing-love it or find it rough | Widely accepted, agreeable |
“On my side of the stage, I had these old Fenders and a real sweet sound, but it still had some bite.”
But Bukovac quickly learned why Walsh’s amps sounded like they did.
“I would go out and sit out at soundchecks in the 100th row of these empty arenas. I’m listening to the guitars, and Joe Walsh’s rig sounds incredible, even though it’s like an ice pick on stage.
“Then my tech, who’s a good guitar player, comes and plays my rig, and it sounds like [makes muffled noise]. I started thinking there is no limit to how much high-end you can have in an arena.”
Elsewhere, Chris Holt has detailed how he became the Eagles’ latest guitarist and what fans can expect from their new-look line-up. He’s stepped in for longtime guitarist Steuart Smith, who was forced to step down from the group in January following health struggles.
