"Jeff Beck's influence led Ricky Byrd, ex-guitarist of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, to swap out Marshall amplifiers for Fender combos in his musical setup."
Ricky Byrd, the renowned guitarist known for his contributions to Joan Jett's music, has just released his fourth solo album, titled NYC Made. But Byrd's musical journey didn't start with fame and accolades; it began with a no-name acoustic guitar, a gift from his mother's boss.
As a nine-year-old, Byrd was captivated by the Rolling Stones and the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show. The British Invasion, ushered in by two historic performances, played a significant role in shaping Byrd's guitar-playing journey. His fascination with the guitar playing of George Harrison and Keith Richards led him to acquire his second guitar, an electric guitar from Lafayette Electronics, resembling a Gibson ES-335.
After spending over a decade playing alongside Joan Jett as a member of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Byrd made several notable changes to his guitar gear. Influenced by his personal tastes and the styles of other guitarists he admired, Byrd's gear evolved to emphasize versatility in tone—from jangly rock to warm, jazzy sounds.
One of the key changes was his decision to use Fender amps. Byrd was attracted to their simplicity, with only two knobs: Volume and Tone. This decision was further influenced by seeing Jeff Beck play at the Iridium in New York.
Byrd's preference for guitars and pickups capable of delivering clarity and warmth is evident in his choice of dual-pickup configurations, blending rock and jazz influences. The mention of a travel guitar with a bridge pickup delivering a "classic bright, jangly Rick sound" and a warm, jazzy neck pickup indicates Byrd's focus on versatility in his sound.
While specific detailed changes after his tenure with Joan Jett are not extensively documented, it’s common for guitarists evolving beyond a seminal band to pursue tones inspired by players like Jeff Beck, known for his innovative tone and melodic phrasing. Byrd's choices appear influenced by a tradition of guitarists who value tonal clarity and expression.
In summary, post-Blackhearts, Ricky Byrd seems to have refined his gear to emphasize versatility in tone, using guitars with dual pickups that provide this range. His choices appear influenced by a tradition of guitarists who value tonal clarity and expression, with indirect influence possibly from guitarists like Jeff Beck. Specific model preferences likely align with enduring Fender styles known for their reliable, classic tones suitable for rock and beyond.
For more detailed specifics about Byrd’s exact guitar gear changes after Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, further targeted sources or interviews would be required.
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