the type of sounds I was looking for and Jim ended up recommending the JTS-2250 Alnico 2 pickups in the neck and middle and the JTS- Hot Laura in the bridge . The Hot Laura has a bit more output and more midrange and balances perfectly with the more vintage vibe of the others . I don ’ t know exactly what he does but there is something about how snug the neck pocket is on Tylers ’, it has so much sustain that it ’ s mind blowing . It easily has as much sustain as my Gretsch White Falcon , no joke ! It is an absolutely dream instrument !
[ WM ] Next up is the Pat Wilkins gold Jazzmaster …
[ Dwayne ] Pat is a luthier and guitar painter in L . A . and his shop was right next door to my studio for five years and he became one of my dearest friends ! Pat made a Jazzmaster style guitar that had some modifications . To start it had a bigger neck which added weight and sustain to the sound as well as a Demeter preamp that gave up to 9db of mid-boost or presence boost . That has been one of my main go to ’ s since the mid 2000 ’ s and makes its way onto literally every recording and tour I do ! It is my work horse and probably the most versatile guitar I have .
[ WM ] Last but not least , the Elliott green Firebird …
[ Dwayne ] I met Andy Elliott thru David Curran who plays bass with us in Lauren Daigle ’ s band . He has been playing Elliott basses for years . Andy made this fiesta red Strat that became the main guitar on tour with Lauren for a couple years , if you ’ ve seen us live or on TV , you ’ ve seen and heard that guitar . Andy makes absolutely amazing instruments and amps ! At the start of the arena tour last year he brought me a guitar called the Phoenix . It is his take on the classic Firebird . A couple main differences are the neck , which normally are very skinny on Firebirds , he designed this like a 1959 Les Paul . The other thing is the pickups , they are custom wound P-90 ’ s that he makes and they are wired so that in the middle position they are out of phase like a Strat . It ’ s a game changer ! That is literally the most lively guitar I have ever played , the notes literally jump out of that thing , it ’ s what I would call a “ big boy ” instrument . It is a player ’ s guitar for sure !
[ WM ] Another big guitar in your arsenal is your big white Gretsch . What captures you about that guitar ?
[ Dwayne ] I have always loved Grestch guitars . I have had a Duo Jet since around 2000 or so . We had a chance to connect with my friend Mike over there at Gretsch and David Curran and I both got White Falcons for the LD tour . Hollow bodies and Bigsby tremolo ’ s have always been a big thing for me . The way you can hit a note or a chord and let it just ring and sustain and give a little push on the tremolo is