Recently Memphis-based Deering & Down, spoke to Gearwire about their guitars and the recording of their CD Break This Record. Lahna Deering and Rev. Neil Down took some more time to chat about their amps and how they record.

“I always like to plug my Guild acoustic guitar into an amplifier and mic that if necessary, versus going directly through the PA system, “ says Deering. “This notion on first request has on more than one occasion proved to be rather disappointing to various soundmen.”

She is right — sound engineers would usually rather have an acoustic direct. But the sound you get is, obviously, going to be different than if you go through an amp with a microphone. Be sure you need it, however. Deering does as she has a specific sound she is looking for.

”I believe that at this time right now I have achieved a very satisfactory pawn-tone as the Rev fondly refers to it,” she says. “I have been plugging my Guild into a slightly tattered 80’s Fender Princeton Chorus (all transistors w/2X10” speakers) I like a tad touch of reverb but I have never used the chorus or the overdrive for that matter.“

Down has been using a Peavey Delta Blues amp (with 15 inch speaker) for around five years.

”I pretty much always use a guitar, a chord and an amp with nothing in between. I guess that am a sorry disappointment for the nine volt battery salesman. Now and then I’ll fool around with a stomp box or a wah wah peddle but it’s always a short lived affair,” says Down. “I really get off on the sound of many effects though and the way that many great guitarists employ them. It is truly an art unto its own. Do fancy the built in vibrato and channel switching on the Delta Blues though. I actually first stumbled upon the amp by pure chance.”

Down was getting ready to fly from Skagway, Alaska to Juneau, Alaska for some gigs and was perplexed over which amp he was going to take along.

“It’s about a forty-five minute flight in very small plane. Thus hauling freight can be a bit of a challenge as well as rather pricey. When a drummer friend who just happened to live in Juneau, called and asked if I might be interested in purchasing an amp. Surely the name of the amp (delta blues) caught my immediate attention,” says Down. “I asked him a few questions like how much and does it work? Are there any tubes back there? I threw caution to the wind and without ever seeing one or even plugging into one, said ‘I’ll take it.’ I couldn’t have been happier. Thanks Vern!”

He keeps the first one up in Alaska still and has one in Memphis that he picked up in Atlanta.

”There really ought to be one on every corner. When we went to Switzerland to play we found one at a music store over there as well and our host kindly bought it for me to use during the course of our stay,” says Down. “He handed over to his delighted guitar player son after our mini tour was completed.“

The Peavey was used heavily on Break This Record although he also used a 1980s Fender Champ 12 for some “sonic doodle” in a couple of places—including the CD’s opening track, Finally Found The One.

“It’s covered in a very kitschy fake snake skin but there’s a rabid badger that lives in that thing. Its got two settings, nearly silent or deadly,” says Down. “I’m still trying to figure out how to operate it and loving every minute of it.”

But Down still loves Fender amps but as the value of those amps has increased the desire to have someone spill a beer over them has kept them from the road.

”I still am the proud owner and shall remain eternally enamored with Fender amplifiers,” he says. “But some of the ones that I was using started becoming a little to precious to keep knocking around all the time.”

When it comes to recording the band is digital but Down cannot say beyond that.

"Please forgive us for this very vague answer, as we should have been paying a little closer attention.” he says.

What does it really matter—leave the recording business to the engineers! The record was recorded live—vocals included--with minimal over dubs at Yella Brick Studio in Memphis. It was engineered by Chris Scott and mixed by Chris Scott, Rev Neil Down, Lahna Deering, & John C. Stubblefield.

As noted in the first part of our chat with Deering & Down they plan to play in Tennessee and then hit dates in Georgia, Florida and California.

A new CD is also being planned.

”We have also been in contact with our guitar virtuoso friend The great Henry McCullough (Paul McCartney & Wings etc.) about enlisting his help once again for the next Rev Neil Down album,” says Down. “The last time we worked together was in 2003 when we recorded When A Wrong Turns Right in Ireland.

Keep an eye open for Deering & Down in your neck of the woods.