What Strings Do You Use? ROBERT CRAY
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We ask a great guitarist all those little questions you really do want the answers to. This month we chose the Georgia born blues legend Robert Cray...
Do you have a type of pick that you can’t live without?
I use Dunlop picks. I love the heavy gauge (1 mm) and the way they hit the strings.
If you had to give up all your pedals but three, what would they be?
I have only two pedals. One to turn delay on and off and one for tremolo-vibrato.
Do you play another instrument well enough to be in a band? (If so what, and have you ever done it?)
I’ve played (ha,ha,ha) harmonica on one of our albums and I played bass on a track from Take Your Shoes off, and Fender VI on a track from the upcoming album.
If a music chart was put in front of you, could you read it? Do guitar cables really make a difference? What make are yours?
I go wireless these days.
Is there anyone’s playing (past or present) that you’re slightly jealous of?
I got over being jealous. There are just too many legends and upcoming greats that it’s really a waste of time.
If your house or studio was burning down, which guitar would you salvage?
I’d save my favourite new Fender Strat – my sunburst Robert Cray model. It’s my workhorse. It’s bright sounding so that chording and solos really come through.
What’s your favourite amp and how do you set it?
My Matchless Clubman 35s have a really great response and they give me anything I want and more. Volume – 1 o’clock, bass – 11 o’clock, treble – 1 o’clock, brilliance – 1 o’clock, master – 3 o’clock.
What kind of action do you have on your guitars?
I would say that my action is high. I like to get under the strings to see and feel what’s hiding there. Most of the time it’s something good!
What strings do you use?
D’Addario .011 .013 .018 .028 .036 .046. I use these strings to get more response from the pickups and more sound. Robert Cray’s new album, In My Soul is released by Provogue Records on 31st March. His two- week 40th anniversary UK tour starts Friday 3rd May. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster: 0870 534 444),Ticketline: 0844 888 9991, See Tickets: 0871 220 0260.
I got over being jealous. There are too many legends that it’s really a waste of time.