"From using Marshall amplifiers to preferring Fender combos, Ricky Byrd, a former Joan Jett and the Blackhearts guitarist, changed his sound due to Jeff Beck's influence"
In the world of rock and roll, the journey of a musician's gear can often tell a captivating story. Such is the case with Ricky Byrd, a guitarist renowned for his work with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, who has recently made a significant change to his electric guitar gear.
For over a decade, Byrd was a stalwart of the Marshall amplifiers, a choice that mirrored his time with Joan Jett. However, a fateful encounter changed the course of his sonic journey. Witnessing Jeff Beck perform at the Iridium in New York, Byrd was captivated by Beck's use of two small Fender Pro Junior amps (15 watts, simple controls: volume and tone). The loud, portable, and straightforward sound resonated with Byrd, and he found himself drawn to this more vintage Fender tone.
Inspired, Byrd acquired a Fender Pro Junior amp and has since become a devotee of its sound. To such an extent, he can no longer listen to Marshalls. This shift reflects Byrd's evolution from a Marshall "guy" during his Blackhearts era to a musician embracing a more minimalist setup inspired by British blues rock tradition and Jeff Beck's approach.
Reflecting on his guitar-playing journey, Byrd credits George Harrison and Keith Richards as central figures. Their playing style had a profound impact on him, and he cites two historic performances that ushered in the British Invasion as key formative moments. Jeff Beck's playing and gear approach have also had a significant impact on Byrd's gear choices.
This year, Byrd has released his fourth solo album, titled NYC Made. With his new gear in tow, he continues to carve out his unique place in the annals of rock and roll history.
However, Byrd's journey has not been without its challenges. One of his worst onstage experiences may have involved being wrongly accused of stealing gear. Despite such setbacks, Byrd's contribution to Joan Jett's career earned him a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Byrd's musical journey began when he was around nine years old, watching the Rolling Stones and the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show. His mother received a gift from her boss on his birthday, which turned out to be a no-name acoustic guitar. This was the first of many instruments that would shape Byrd's unique sound. His second guitar, received from a store called Lafayette Electronics, was his first electric guitar, resembling a Gibson ES-335.
Today, Byrd continues to play a lot of small old Fender amps, a testament to the enduring influence of British blues rock on his sound. As he looks back on his journey, he can trace the roots of his love for music to those early performances that ushered in the British Invasion, and the musicians who inspired him along the way.
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