artists » Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

The VOX Virage has fantastic balance. I love the different pickup selections and the scale of the neck.” – Chris Robinson, The Black Crowes

It’s been nearly twenty years since The Black Crowes first album, Shake Your Money Maker, put brothers Rich and Chris Robinson on the rock and roll map.

Their eighth studio album, Before the Frost, was released in the fall of 2009. The album was recorded at Levon Helm’s barn in Woodstock, NY. The new DVD, Cabin Fever, documents the recordings made at Levon’s place and features a great cover of the Velvet Underground’s “Oh! Sweet Nuthin’”. The Black Crowes closed down their Stuck inside Utopia tour with five nights at The Fillmore in early December. We snared a few minutes with Chris, and discussed why he chose the VOX Virage guitar and VOX AC30H2 amplifier for the tour.

VOX: What first drew you towards the single cutaway Virage?

CR: It has fantastic balance. 

VOX: Now that you’ve had the Virage a while, what stands out the most for you?

CR: My favorite feature is the different pickup selections; and I love the scale of the neck.  

VOX: You mentioned the different pickup selections. How does that work for you?

CR: I love the fullness and warmth while playing rhythm guitar, and I like the dynamics and cut when switching pickups for more lead guitar.

VOX: Chris, you’ve played VOX amps before. Lately you’ve been using the VOX Heritage handwired AC30H2. How does this new amp compare?

CR: I’ve owned VOX amps in the past and used them on numerous recording sessions and I find these new hand wired AC30s to have incredible warmth in the mids.  

VOX: And how has it worked out on tour using the Virage SC [Single Cutaway] and AC30H2 together?

CR: One thing is that the Virage guitar and AC30 both complement each other as a great package; and I enjoy playing them as a package every night on tour. It brings me great satisfaction!

Thanks so much Chris; and we know it brings your fans great satisfaction as well.