Chris Stapleton Helps Design Signature Fender Amplifier
Chris Stapleton was asked how it felt to be the first country singer ever to have a signature Fender amplifier, and his response was honest, if unexpected.
"Embarrassing" is the word the "Millionaire" singer used on Wednesday night (Feb. 13) during a reveal event at RCA Studio A in Nashville. Stapleton and Dave Cobb took center-stage to talk guitar tones, the evolution of the new Fender '62 Princeton Chris Stapleton Edition amplifier and what's next for this partnership.
The 40-year-old doesn't consider himself an elite country guitarist, but it's clear he's very specific about his tone. The '62 Princeton was a favorite — in fact, he bought one on Craigslist that a previous owner had stuffed a 12-inch speaker into, replacing the 10-inch the amplifier came with. So of course this new amplifier supports a 12-inch speaker, hand-wired. It's available for consumers, but also part of the rig Stapleton will carry to studio sessions and on tour, including his stop at WE Fest in Detroit Lakes, Minn. this August.
With pickers like Charlie Worsham in attendance, it's easy to imagine who Stapleton was referring to when he said he'd rather hear a dozen people in the room play guitar over himself. His sound is pure and unique, however. Speaking of the recording process for their albums together, the producer recalled how Stapleton toyed with different controls, amplifiers and pedals until he went back to that amp he bought on Craigslist. It offered the most pure Stapleton sound, so they called up Fender hoping they could recreate it. At the time he wasn't looking for his own signature series, and with that in mind he's not even keeping his portion of the proceeds. All of Stapleton's royalties will be donated to his Outlaw State of Kind charity, which supports a variety of causes important to the singer and his wife, Morgane.
While Stapleton and Cobb didn't reveal what's next for him as a recording artist, the Fender panel did share they're working on a signature Stapleton Fender guitar next.
Country's Best Guitarist? You Decide!