Gear Gossip: A.D.D. Guitarist Dave Adams Discusses His Gibson Les Paul

The Chicago-based hard rock quartet, A.D.D., are a must-see if they hit your town. These guys, and girl, are rock veterans whose newest album, Core, is arguably their best work to date. Core was mixed by Tadpole (Disturbed, 3 Doors Down, Staind) and mastered by Grammy Award winner Trevor Sadler and recently we checked in with guitarist Dave Adams to learn more about his signature tones!

What one piece of gear do you use to obtain your signature sound?
Adams: A Gibson Les Paul.

What about it makes it so important to you?
Adams: It has 10lbs of uniquely aged and treated heavy wood that gives me that dark tone.

How was this gear used during the recording of your latest album?
Adams: I record everything with my Les Pauls (I have a Studio and a Standard model).

How do you recreate your album (guitar/vocal/bass) tones in your live set?
Adams: I mainly play my Les Pauls live, with my Randall RM 100 head and TC Electronics G Major 2 for effects.

What are the major pros and cons?
Adams: I have to do a lot of tap dancing with my midi pedals and foot switches live (laughs), so sometimes I have to stand still for that, but that makes ME sound like our record!

Do you have a backup for this gear, if so, what?
Adams: Yes, I Have a backup Les Paul, as well as a backup RM 100 head and G Major 2 fx processor as well.

How long have you had it, how do you use it, would you ever change it?
Adams: The overall setup, about 5 years… I will always play Les Pauls, but I’m open to trying other amps and effects.

Give us your best “gear goes wrong” story.
Adams: At our last CD release show, my amp was at about half volume and sounded “twangy” on the distorted channel. After about 3 songs it magically came back to full tone and volume. I found out later it was a bad toggle switch on my Les Paul Studio. It was a very frustrating experience to say the least!

Any final thoughts or comments on the gear?
Adams: I absolutely love my gear and tone. All the mentioned gear has been reliable for me through the years.

Check out the song “I Regret” here.