With all the advances in technology over the last few decades, you’d think recreating that 1980s rack sound would be easy.
It’s not.
Modern gear gets close — but there’s still something missing.
So we asked the guy who built the rigs everyone’s still chasing.
Bob Bradshaw.
Full interview drops in February on YouTube (@sessionsolos )
Great to meet Joe Bonamassa and crew and to hang with my old buddy Josh Smith today in Reading. Some cool things are brewing! Stay tuned! #joebonamassaofficial #joebonamassa #joshsmithguitarzan #bobbradshaw #robertcbradshawjr #customaudioelectronics
I know I’m jumping ahead here, as this photo puts us in the “PreampYears” but what the heck.
I’m still looking for photos of the rigs that got us this far. And this is the “Rocktron era” too. Probably the most compact it ever got! Haha! Not exactly travel friendly to say the least… but it DID sound great! More to come… #stevelukatherofficial #toto #racks #thebobbradshaw #Bradshaw #robertcbradshaw #customaudioelectronics #customaudio
Based on the time stamp, this may be the only photo I have of the first rig I built for Steve Lukather. I’m sure other pics will surface. There were many revisions to come. And more pics! #toto #Lukather #stevelukatherofficial #tototours #thebobbradshaw #Robert #Bradshaw #robertcbradshaw #robertcbradshawjr #customaudioelectronics
My best buddy died in my arms today at 4:17 pm. Gary was the best cat I ever had. He was with me for 15 years. I still have his brother Percy (the one on the sticker) to cushion the blow. RIP Gary! I’ll surely miss you.😻❤️❤️😻 #Gary #the #cat #garythecat #thebobbradshaw #customaudioelectronics
Today is the day, people!
Session Stories is live on YouTube with yours truly. My friend John Talman went out of his way to create a compelling story of my journey into the unknown and beyond! I hope you enjoy it. #Robert #Bradshaw #robertcbradshaw #robertcbradshawjr #stevelukatherofficial #michaellandau #sessionstories
I forgot to include the foot controller for David Gilmours rig!
So here it is! #customaudioelectronics #robertcbradshawjr #thebobbradshaw #davidgilmour
Here is the rig I designed and built for David Gilmour. Circa 1987. Mr. Gilmour came to me via Michael Landau , as Mike played on Momentary Lapse Of Reason ( on the tune One Slip, as I recall)…there’s that word of mouth thing again! Anyway, David came in one evening, and we talked it through…he was intrigued at what I was capable of doing back then after seeing (and hearing) Mikes rig in action. Ultimately, the rig came back for some updates as he returned to using more pedals for his sound even though he kept with the rack format. Eventually, he went back to Mr Cornish, as I don’t think his “people” liked having a yank so involved in his rig! However, it was a pretty cool experience for me working with such a legend, and he was always nice to me. Some of these pics are from tour rehearsals in Toronto ( on an airbase, hence the fighter jet…that’s Dave in the cockpit)… #davidgilmour #pinkfloyd #momentarylapseofreason #tour87 #thebobbradshaw #customaudioelectronics #Robert #Bradshaw #robertcbradshawjr
Ok, this rig certainly falls into the “most unusual “ category. It was designed by me for Adam Paskowitz ( of the renowned Doc Paskowitz surfing family) , the singer in the ‘90s band The Flys. It was built to Adam’s specs , down to the chrome plated RS 10 foot controller, unique continuous controller knobs on chrome plated tubes that extended up from the floor , and pedals mounted on rack panels for quick access (Jerry Garcia style). AND RS-10 Preset access from switches on the microphone body!. All for vocals! The cc knobs controlled effects in a TC G-Force and were mounted on a board along with the RS-10. Quite a rig! Sorry for the grainy pictures.
It’s all I have of this one of a kind setup. Swipe for more. #adampaskowitz #theflys #customaudio #customaudioelectronics #thebobbradshaw #Robert #Bradshaw #robertcbradshawjr #robertcbradshaw #robertcbradshawjr
This is the first rig I built for Andy Summers ( circa 1986) . Swipe for another view). I was thrilled when Andy reached out to me, as I was (and am) a huge fan of his. I believe he was referred to me by Peter Frampton ( there’s that word of mouth thing again!). This was the start of a long relationship and I still get calls for help occasionally from his long time engineer Dennis Smith. What was unusual about this job was that Andy left it to me to choose ALL the components for the system, as he was heading out of the country and he wouldn’t be back for awhile. And of course he wanted it yesterday! I even sold him my personal Tri Chorus as none were available at the time. It was the first time anyone had trusted me like that. Pretty un-nerving for someone used to having people bring me the gear they wanted to use! Soon after he took delivery he demonstrated the rig on a British TV show and said some really nice things about me which were quite encouraging. Btw, the Mesa cabs in the photos were mine. #Andy #summers #andysummers #Andy #summers #andysummersmusic #customaudioelectronics #thebobbradshaw #robertcbradshawjr
This is Trey Anastasio’s office.
Swipe to see the office rearranged with different furniture. Can you hear a difference? #treyanastasioband #treyanastasio #customaudioelectronics #thebobbradshaw #Robert #Bradshaw #robertcbradshawjr #robertcbradshaw
