TRUCKS STOP
THE TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND features a dozen performers. That’s a lot of music onstage. Derek Trucks’ tone has got to complement not only his wife Susan Tedeschi’s guitar and vocals but also keyboards, flute, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, bass, two drummers and three harmony vocalists.
His playing and gear choices are truly judicious though. Trucks has a signature Gibson SG, but live he typically prefers his Gibson Custom Dickey Betts SG, aged by Tom Murphy. That it was a gift from Duane Allman’s daughter lends it a sentimental value and a sense of familial connection. With his SG and a glass Dunlop slide, he goes straight into his Alessandro custom head and cabs and a Fender Super Reverb. Trucks’ fingerpicking slide style naturally attenuates some of his amp’s gnarly treble, but he’ll constantly work his volume and tone pots in search of the sweet spots.
