Ronnie Earl

He prefers either Ernie Ball Super Slinky [.009–.042] or D’Addario EXL 120 [.009–.042] strings, and his picks are Fender 351 medium celluloid.

We got the lowdown on Earl’s stage and studio equipment from his road manager, Dave Clark. “Ronnie has three pre-CBS Fender Stratocasters: a ’57 sunburst, a ’59 blonde, and a ’62 fiesta red named Mahalia—after Mahalia Jackson.

Well, the band helps a lot in the tone department. And believe it or not, I’m not too big of a gear person at all. I’ve just got a bunch of Strats, I’ve got a Tele, I’ve got a couple of Martin and Collings guitars. I play through a Fender Super Reverb, and that’s it. No pedals, no nothing.

The amps are pretty much stock, with the exception of Celestion G10 Vintage speakers, though one has Eminence Ragin Cajuns, which are his favorite. Ronnie plugs into the Vibrato channel and sets the Normal side on 0, with the volume at a minimum of 6, no matter how small the venue. He usually sets the treble at about 10, the middle at 8, and the bass at 5, with the bright switch off, as well as the reverb on 4.

The amps are pretty much stock, with the exception of Celestion G10 Vintage speakers, though one has Eminence Ragin Cajuns, which are his favorite. Ronnie plugs into the Vibrato channel and sets the Normal side on 0, with the volume at a minimum of 6, no matter how small the venue. He usually sets the treble at about 10, the middle at 8, and the bass at 5, with the bright switch off, as well as the reverb on 4.

He prefers either Ernie Ball Super Slinky [.009–.042] or D’Addario EXL 120 [.009–.042] strings, and his picks are Fender 351 medium celluloid.

Oh, it wasn’t anything too fancy—nothing like an 000-45, just a plain old D-18. I bought it one day and then returned it the very next day for the Strat. Because it was electric, it gave me instant access to this whole other world of sounds, and, obviously, the ability to play in a band and be heard and bend strings. All of a sudden, the world was a very different place, and I’ve been playing and loving Strats ever since.

In terms of acoustics, Ronnie has some guitars by Martin and Collings—a C10 and a Parlor 1 T. But give him even the least expensive Squier and he’ll sound every bit as good. The tone is in his hands.

In terms of acoustics, Ronnie has some guitars by Martin and Collings—a C10 and a Parlor 1 T. But give him even the least expensive Squier and he’ll sound every bit as good. The tone is in his hands.

He prefers either Ernie Ball Super Slinky [.009–.042] or D’Addario EXL 120 [.009–.042] strings, and his picks are Fender 351 medium celluloid.