From Guitar World · · 3m
Warren Haynes on finding your own sound
The Gov't Mule and Allman Brothers guitarist shares how playing alongside Dickey Betts taught him to stop imitating and start being himself.
In brief
The Gov't Mule and Allman Brothers guitarist shares how playing alongside Dickey Betts taught him to stop imitating and start being himself. Playing next to a distinctive voice like Dickey Betts forced Warren Haynes to strip away unnecessary techniques and focus on what made him unique as a player. Originally reported…
Always searching for your tone
Warren Haynes gravitates toward Les Pauls because he wants his guitar to sound like his voice. Even if you love your tone today, keep exploring what comes next.
“Always be searching. Even if you love your tone today, you might not tomorrow.”
His first guitar was a Norma
His dad bought him a Norma guitar and amp from a hardware store when he was 12. He traded it for a Lyle SG copy, which became his second instrument.
The teenage rig that wasn't true
He convinced his dad to buy a bass amp from a Sears catalog by making up a story that B.B. King played through one. It actually worked.
His 1959 Les Paul is irreplaceable
A friend promised him a 1959 Les Paul for years, and they eventually made it happen. It's original and has a unique sound he treasures.
“It's original, and those guitars have their own unique sound.”
Playing slide in standard tuning
Haynes naturally gravitated toward combining regular guitar and slide playing in standard tuning. He can pick up a slide at any moment and switch without feeling it.
The session career he rejected
At 23 in Nashville, Haynes pursued session work but realized it wasn't what he wanted. By 26, he knew he wanted to be a solo artist or in a band instead.
Dickey Betts changed everything
At 28, Haynes joined Dickey Betts' band. When the Allman Brothers reformed, they asked him to join. That decision transformed his entire career.
Playing next to Dickey was a wakeup call
Dickey Betts sounded like himself no matter what guitar or amp he played. Watching him made Haynes realize he needed to develop his own instantly recognizable voice.
“Dickey was instantly recognizable. When I started playing with him, I realized I needed to go to school to figure out how to make every note sound like myself.”
Eric Clapton at the Beacon Theatre
The Allman Brothers Band and Eric Clapton performed together for two nights at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, playing six to eight songs each night. It was historic.
Losing Allen Woody in 2000
When Gov't Mule bassist Allen Woody died in 2000, Haynes wanted to dissolve the band. Friends convinced him to keep it going, and he's grateful he did.
The Three Kings lesson
His first guitar teacher Andy Hunter told him that listening to Freddie King, B.B. King, and Albert King alone could occupy a lifetime of learning. The point was depth, not limitation.
“If you only listen to the Three Kings, Freddie, B.B., and Albert, you'll still have a lifetime of work ahead of you.”
More than blues and rock
People assume Haynes is purely blues and rock because of the Allman Brothers and Gov't Mule. He's proud of both bands but listens to much more and incorporates diverse influences.
What's next: instrumental jazz
Haynes is working through Gov't Mule vault recordings and planning his next adventure. He's considering an instrumental, jazz-influenced solo record or band project.
“My next adventure will probably be an instrumental, jazz-influenced record.”
At a glance
Playing next to a distinctive voice like Dickey Betts forced Warren Haynes to strip away unnecessary techniques and focus on what made him unique as a player.
