Performer Magazine

My Favorite Axe with Steve Morse

steve_morse_live_1Like Steve Morse needs an introduction? He started the Dixie Dregs in 1970, the Steve Morse Band in the early ’80s, joined Kansas in 1986, joined Deep Purple 1993 and continues to perform with them to this day. This month, you can meet Steve and Joe Perry at Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut. Don’t miss it!

KEY GEAR
Engl Steve Morse signature amp, Engl 4×12 cabinets, Music Man Steve Morse signature guitars (pictured), and Ernie Ball volume pedals controlling TC Electronic Flashback delays with custom ‘toneprints.’

WHAT YOUR ORIGINAL SIGNATURE MODEL MEANS
It’s my first signature guitar from the production line back in 1986, and it reminds me of all the music I’ve written, performed and recorded over the decades. It is my voice, the most important ‘effect’ I have.

WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE
With four pickups, it can sound thick, midrangey, with soaring harmonics, fat, warm high notes, and can get high-end with midrange that is perfect for funk, country, or rhythm.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Four pickups spread over a wide distance, light, balanced weight for easy practicing, straight string pull from nut to tuning pegs, and easy access to volume and tone pots.

CUSTOM MODS
Rounded out the heel joint where the neck is screwed on (now a factory standard), changed bridge pickup several times, 10 fret jobs (!), and added some silicone cement around neck pickup coils one day in the studio to try to get ridiculous sustain with no feedback.

CAN BE HEARD ON
Deep Purple: Perpendicular, Abandon, Bananas, Rapture of the Deep, Now What?!

Steve Morse Band: Coast to Coast, Structural Damage, Southern Steel, Stressfest, Prime Cuts, Major Impacts, Split Decision, Major Impacts 2, Out Standing in Their Field

Dixie Dregs: Full Circle, Bring em Back Alive, California Screaming

Kansas: Power, In the Spirit of Things and countless more sessions!

LISTEN NOW at www.stevemorse.com.

Got a favorite instrument you’d like to share? Email us at editorial@performermag.com.
photo by Rick Triana

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