A Show of Hands: Lage’s Manual Approach to Sound

rom Manzer and Gibson L5 archtops to Martin OOO-18 and Collings OM1A acoustics, Nash T-style and Nacho Guitars solidbodies, and a 1954 Fender blackguard Telecaster, Julian Lage has experimented with a variety of tools in pursuit of his singular sound. Perhaps none is so surprising as his recent dalliance with a 1957 Gretsch Duo Jet, with the original Bigsby tremolo,; Lage discovered it while recording and producing the album at Wilco’s spacious studio in Chicago’s Irving Park area. Still, one notable feature of Lage’s studio and live tone is what gear he use. Even playing with a solid-body electric guitar, he eschews pedals almost entirely in the studio, and uses only a few on stage.