Joan Jett and Dougie Needles of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

I’ve done a lot of break downs on the site over the years and today we’re doing Joan Jett and Dougie Needles of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. This break down is about simplicity. Joan Jett is a veteran and has been around the rock block and knows her sound, what she needs to do to create, and why mess with something that works. I mean this sound is signature Joan and is what we hear on the classic hits, why mess with success?

So this all started from another great Rig Rundown video by Premier Guitar. Please subscribe to their channel.. ALWAYS good stuff.

So let’s start thing off with Joan Jett. Here is a break down of her pedals:

Ibanez TS9DX Turbo Tube Screamer

Yep, Turbo TS is all she runs. That classic Runaways / Blackhearts sound is based off of a tube screamer, her HD130 Music Man amp and her Gibson Melody Maker. Classic rock.. at it’s best.

Now Dougie Needles has a little more of a complicated set up, but based on the tech, he goes super light on the pedals and are not used often. Again.. very classic – Marshall JCM900 into a 4×12 cab.

G-Lab Power PB-1
Dunlop GCB-95 Cry Baby
Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Boss TR-2 Tremolo
Boss BF-3 Flanger
Custom Amp Channel Switcher

These days you see pedalboards getting quite complicated, but its built on the foundation of the style of music. Bands with sonic textures can have pedalboards that go into the extremes, but for a straight up rock band, it can be awfully simple. It’s not good or bad either way. Your pedals are used to shape the sound you’re going for.

Let me know what you think by commenting below!