Checking out how the globetrotting funk trio achieve their beautifully hypnotic sound
Khruangbin – translated as engine fly or airplane from Thai – is undoubtedly one of the most interesting bands in the world today. Merely scraping the surface of their music finds influences from Thai funk, Iranian pop, and American hip hop, gospel, and surf rock.
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This incredibly varied selection of genres come to life from the genius of guitarist Mark Speer, bassist Laura Lee, and drummer Donald ‘DJ’ Johnson. In this week’s gear rundown, we take a trip across the world and see how Khruangbin achieve their beautifully hypnotic sound.
Guitars
Fender Classic Series ’70s Stratocaster
Surprisingly enough, Mark Speer’s only touring guitar is this Classic Series ’70s Stratocaster in a stunning natural finish. Speer added in two DiMarzio Cruiser pickups in both the neck and bridge, and a TUSQ saddle and string trees. After changing the pickups, Speer wired up the connections incorrectly on accident, rendering some pickup positions in a strange state of out-of-phase limbo – which Speer then incorporated into his playing.
Amazingly, Speer has been playing with the same green Tortex pick (which can be often found stuck in his guitar’s pickguard) for years. This utilitarian approach is mirrored in his string choice – D’Adarrio Chrome flatwound .010s – which are only changed once per tour.
SX Custom Handmade J-Style Bass 2009
Laura Lee’s main bass is this funky looking SX J-style bass. This guitar has been upgraded with DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pickups, and astoundingly bears the same D’Addario Chrome flatwound strings from the day Lee bought it – over nine years ago. Lee plays with the ashtray cover attached, and stuffs the interior with grey foam, as seen below in her backup guitar.
Mystery Bass Guitar
Unlike Speer, Lee brings a backup guitar with her on tour. This knockoff Hofner-esque guitar was bought by Mark Speer at a pawnshop, and features a hollow body with a shortened scale.
Amplifiers
Fender ’68 Custom Deluxe Reverb Reissue
Mark Speer tours with two copies of the ever-popular Fender ’68 Deluxe Reverb Silverface reissue, with one serving as a backup.
To match Speer, Laura Lee plays through a late ’60s Fender Silverface Bassman Ten, with another waiting in the wings as a backup amp.
Effects
Speer begins his effects chain with a Dunlop Fasel Crybaby Wah (unpictured) – which is engaged at all times throughout the set. Following that is plenty of modulation: a Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter, Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail, and a Strymon El Capistan.
The only dirt Speer uses is a Boss DS-1 Distortion, backed up by the MXR Dyna Comp Mini. While the Wah is powered by a battery, the rest of the board is juiced by a Cioks DC5, sitting pretty under Speer’s PedalTrain Nano.
Keeley Bassist Limiting Amplifier
Yep, that’s it. The lone effect in Laura Lee’s chain is simply a gorgeous-looking Keeley Bass Compressor. In an interview with Premier Guitar, Lee admits she only uses this pedal to have her cable stemming from the front to avoid getting tangled up on stage. For functional purposes, Lee leaves this compressor on at all times simply for tonal consistency when performing live.
Khruangbin are currently touring in the US and Europe.