BluesTrain Guestbook

BluesTrain‘s Instruments

To create their unique Chicago rhythm ‘n’ blues sound

JJ FLYING FINGERS BENSON

Bass Guitar

Instruments

JJ plays a "1979 Sunburst Fender Precision Bass" with "Rotosound Swing Bass" strings.

His amplifier is a 350 Watt "Martke" through a 4X10 Cab.

He also sometimes uses a "Trace Elliot" 130 Watt Combo.

Previous much loved basses were an old "Vox" with a warped neck, a "Hofner Senator", and a 1963 red "Fender Precision" (which he foolishly exchanged for a Morris Minor 1000 van in 1970).

LORD ROBERT HAMILTON

Drums, Percussion

Lord Robert plays a Pearl Masters MMX (Maple shell) kit in a lovely, transparent Liquid Amber finish.   The colour looks great on stage and is fitting for the style of music.  The maple shells produce a nice rounded and controlled sound, with enough projection for small to medium sized venues.

Cymbals (apart from the hats) are Zildjian – the only ones to use in Lord Robert’s view.  The crashes give a broad tonal palette, from fast and bright through to warm and dark.  The K Custom ride is a lovely cymbal with clean, controlled stick definition, a bright bell that projects and nice dark overtones when lightly crashed.  The Sabian hats are good, but maybe a bit too bright for the music.  There might be changes a’comin’ !!.

Drums used are 10”, 12” and 14” Toms – although Lord Robert tends to use just the 10” high tom and 14” floor tom these days as he likes the more traditional setup.   20” x 16” Bass drum and a great little Pearl  12” x 7” Soprano Snare which has superb feel and response and decent projection as well.  Most drummers use a 14” snare but smaller rare  better for Lord Robert !!

Cymbals used are a 16” K Custom Dark Crash, a 17” A Custom Crash, a 20” K Custom Ride, and 14” Sabian El Sabor Hats.

Lord Robert always uses Zildjian Jazz sticks.

Instruments