The Yardbirds Members, Gear & Sound

Genre

Rock Blues rock Country rock Folk rock Rhythm and blues Art rock Symphonic rock Psychedelic rock Garage rock Acid rock Roots rock Electric blues Hard rock Classic rock British Invasion album rock british blues merseybeat mod

Members

Select a The Yardbirds band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Jimmy Page

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Led Zeppelin XYZ The Honeydrippers Coverdale/Page Page & Plant The Firm Jimmy Page And John Paul Jones Roy Harper & Jimmy Page All-Stars Carter Lewis & The Southerners Immediate All Stars Cyril Davies & His Rhythm & Blues All Stars Neil Christian and The Crusaders

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Eric Clapton

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes Cream Derek and the Dominos John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers The Plastic Ono Band Eric Clapton & His All Star Band The Secret Police George's Band The Louisiana Gator Boys The Dirty Mac Blind Faith T.D.F. The Singing Rebel's Band The Singing Rebel's Band Eric Clapton and the Powerhouse Delaney & Bonnie and Friends Eric Clapton & The Powerhouse Immediate All Stars Eric Clapton And His Band Slowhand and Van Sting with Eric Clapton Sean Head Showband B.B. King & Eric Clapton

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Jeff Beck

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes The Honeydrippers Cactus The Secret Police The Jeff Beck Group Beck, Bogert & Appice Buddy Guy & Jeff Beck Lord Sutch & Heavy Friends Holy Smoke Santana, Jeff Beck & Steve Lukather Jeff Beck, Terry Bozzio & Tony Hymas Upp Seal & Jeff Beck Jeff Beck & The All Stars Malcolm McLaren and the Bootzilla Orchestra Immediate All Stars Jeffery Rod Jeff Beck(band)

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Chris Dreja

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Groups:

Box of Frogs

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Johnny A.

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

The G3 Jam

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Kenny Aaronson

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

New York Dolls Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Dust Stories Neverending Tour Band Silver Condor John Eddie Band Hagar, Schon, Aaronson, Shrieve Derringer The Satisfactors Radio Exile Graham Parker & The Episodes

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Keith Relf

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Composer Music Producer

Groups:

Holy Smoke Renaissance Metropolis Blues Quartet

Needs more gear

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Paul Samwell-Smith

Roles:

Bassist Music Producer

Groups:

Holy Smoke

Needs more gear

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Jim McCarty

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Box of Frogs Holy Smoke Renaissance Shoot Pretty Things/Yardbird Blues Band Pilgrim Illusion

No gear added

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David Smale

Roles:

Bassist

No gear added

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Andy Mitchell

Roles:

Guitarist

No gear added

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Ben King

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Goldenhorse Expatriate

No gear added

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Mark Feltham

Roles:

Composer

Groups:

New Model Army NHS Voices Nine Below Zero The Co-Operative

No gear added

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Top Topham

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

John Dummer Blues Band

No gear added

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About

The Yardbirds are a seminal English rock band that originated in the suburbs of London in 1963. Known for their innovative approach to blues and rock music, the group has been instrumental in shaping the sound of the 1960s and beyond. The original lineup featured Keith Relf (vocals, harmonica), Paul Samwell-Smith (bass), Chris Dreja (rhythm guitar), Jim McCarty (drums), and Anthony "Top" Topham (lead guitar). The band is particularly notable for its association with three of rock's most legendary guitarists: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page, each of whom contributed to the band's evolving sound. The Yardbirds' music spans a variety of genres including blues rock, psychedelic rock, and British blues, and they are credited with pioneering "rave-ups," a technique characterized by frenzied instrumental interludes.

How to Sound Like The Yardbirds

The Yardbirds' sound is characterized by its dynamic energy and experimental edge, blending gritty blues riffs with psychedelic and avant-garde elements. Their music often features frenetic guitar work, which is both melodic and aggressive, a hallmark achieved through the use of powerful amplifiers like the Marshall Plexi 1959SLP that deliver a classic, overdriven tone. The interplay of rhythmic and lead guitar lines, enhanced by effects like the Snarling Dogs Super Bawl Whine-O Wah Pedal, creates a rich tapestry of sound that is both raw and polished. The harmonica and vocal stylings add a distinct bluesy texture, while the tight, driving rhythm section anchors their compositions with a relentless groove. To emulate the Yardbirds' iconic style, musicians should focus on crafting a sound that marries emotive expression with technical prowess, utilizing both vintage and modern gear to capture their timeless yet adventurous vibe.

Discography

Five Live Yardbirds

1964

For Your Love

1965

Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds

1965

Sonny Boy Williamson & The Yardbirds (Live)

1965

Roger the Engineer

1966

Little Games (Original Mono)

1967

Little Games (Original Stereo)

1967

Live in Sweden 1967

1967

Little Games

1967

Shapes of Things (2015 Remaster)

1977

The First Recordings (Live - 2015 Remaster)

1984

Sonny Boy Williamson with The Yardbirds (Live at The Crawdaddy Club, London, December 1963 - 2015 Remaster)

1984

Yardbirds Reunion Jam

1999

Birdland

2003

The Yardbirds

2003

Live at B.B. King Blues Club

2006

Yardbirds '68

2017

Dazed and Confused: The Yardbirds in '68 - Live at the BBC and Beyond

2018

1966 - Live & Rare

2018

1967 - Live in Stockholm & Offenbach

2018

Live and Rare

2019

Live at the BBC Revisited

2019

Live in France

2020

The Ultimate Live At The BBC

2024

Get the The Yardbirds Sound

Want to sound like The Yardbirds? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.