Gear Review: Royal Bliss guitarist Taylor Richards and bassist Dwayne Crawford talk Amps and Guitars

I recently sat down with guitarist Taylor Richards and bassist Dwayne Crawford of the hard rock band Royal Bliss to discuss the gear they used during the recording of their newest effort, Waiting Out The Storm. The guys chatted in brief about Orange amps and Gibson Les Paul guitars, here’s how the conversation went.

When you were recording your newest disc, Waiting Out The Storm, what was the one piece of gear you relied upon the most?
Dwayne: I would definitely say my Orange amp. It was crucial that I got this. Not many amps out there can get that gritty without sounding like the speakers are going to blow.

Taylor: My Gibson Les Paul for sure, it’s a ’96 Standard. Can’t leave home without it… but also my Orange Rockerverb 100. I remember taking pictures of two or three settings that we would go to that had the exact tone we were looking for! You put the two together and its magic!

What about it makes it so important to you?
Dwayne: It’s all about the tone. I’ve played a lot of other amps and I can honestly say that nothing else comes close!

Taylor: The Les Paul has the feel and fat tone I like. The Orange gives me a kind of Vintage/Modern tone that suits me perfectly.

What are the major pros and cons?
Dwayne: The only con I’ve encountered is that it’s difficult to find an authorized Orange repair center mid-tour.

Taylor: The only con of my guitar is there’s only one, it’s irreplaceable. It does have a slight tuning issue with the D Major Chord, but I can tweak that in the studio. The Rockerverb has not had an issue yet. Knock on wood!

How long have you had it, how do you use it, would you ever change it?
Dwayne: I’ve had this amp about two and a half years and I don’t plan on ever getting rid of it. If anything, I’ll get another and slap a different set of tubes in it for a slightly different coloration.

Taylor: I’ve had the Les Paul since ’96. Even though I got it used. It’s pretty beat up from all the touring and use, but it never fails! The Orange I’ve had for 5 years or so. I’d like to fix the reverb in there. It’s been broken for as long as I can remember. Ill fix it one day.

How often do you practice your instrument on a daily basis?
Dwayne: Truthfully, I find myself playing a lot more guitar these days when I’m off the road.

Taylor: I do it in spurts. Sometimes it’s good to take a break and rethink practicing. But I feel I write more on the guitar than I do practice the guitar.

Any final thoughts or comments on the gear?
Dwayne: It’s hard to beat a Spector Bass through an Orange amp. I am a tone junkie, I live for it! I rely on this gear day in and day out! I have played everything under the sun and I can honestly say this is my combination. I love it!

Taylor: I wouldn’t mind having a few backups to these pieces. Maybe next time we talk I’ll be using fender through a Marshall! Probably not though!

Check out the song: “Crazy”