Luther Dickinson has built a career blending raw Southern roots with fearless guitar innovation. From leading North Mississippi Allstars to sharing the stage with legends like Phil Lesh, his sound has always lived at the intersection of tradition and experimentation. We caught up with him at Brooklyn Bowl to talk about his Vibratone guitar prototypes, his evolving approach to tone, and how family, heritage, and gear all shape his music today.
Luther Dickinson’s Live Rig
In 2020, Luther began building Vibratone Guitars with friends, starting with Partscasters and evolving into custom designs. His main prototype, “Rufus,” named after his grandfather, features Lollar Regal pickups, his first step away from the Gibson tones that had defined his career.
He’s since expanded the line with the “Sparkle Fox” equipped with Lollar DC-90 soapbars for noise-free clarity onstage.
Luther experiments with tunings as much as tones. He favors D Standard with super-light strings, often 9s or even 8s, and keeps his guitars set up with high action.
“Why make it hard? My friend Dwayne Burnside always said it’s supposed to sound effortless, and he’s right.”
A thumb injury years ago forced him to adapt, trading forceful strumming for a relaxed touch inspired by Teenie Hodges’ elegant rhythm work.
Despite his love of experimentation, Luther keeps his pedalboard simple:
- Polytune tuner – “A lifesaver in the sunshine.”
- Sarno Earth Drive – his go-to for a little extra warmth.
- MXR Six Band EQ – to tame harsh midrange frequencies.
- Boss DD-8 Digital Delay – used for splitting or subtle dimension.
On the amp side, he trusts Category 5. His main rig includes the Lizzy (modeled after a Marshall JCM 800) and the custom LD-100 Plexi-style head with tremolo and reverb.
He even credits Marcus King with influencing his approach to dirty tones after a memorable sit-in at Tipitina’s.
When it comes to slide guitar, Luther keeps it classic. He prefers the Dunlop 212 glass slide, though he experiments with heavier glass and metal slides on resonators.
Inspiration comes from many sources, but Hendrix remains a north star.
“Robert Johnson, Charlie Christian, Jimi Hendrix, those three not only pioneered what they did, but they’re still perfect.”
And what does Luther Dickinson use to keep all his gear pristine while out on the road? Gator Cases, of course! It’s the only way to make sure your gear arrives at the next gig in one piece.
Finding a Clean Sound
For years, Luther leaned into distortion, energy, and adrenaline to power through live shows. That changed when he began playing with Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh and when his daughters made it clear they weren’t fans of heavy distortion.
“I just relied on distortion and adrenaline my whole life… but playing with Phil, and also having daughters, made me embrace clean.”
It marked a turning point, leading him to explore new tones and lighter, more expressive playing.
Carrying on Roots Traditions
For Luther, music isn’t just gear – it’s lineage. His father, Jim Dickinson, played on legendary sessions with the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Aretha Franklin. Luther grew up immersed in that legacy, but he also learned directly from roots icons like R.L. Burnside and Otha Turner.
“If someone like R.L. Burnside takes the time to teach you, you owe it to them to keep it alive.”
He sees roots music as a craft passed down hand-to-hand, like oral storytelling – a responsibility to preserve, protect, and carry forward.
Closing Out with Luther Dickinson
For Luther Dickinson, tone is a journey one shaped by family, tradition, and constant evolution. Whether he’s building Vibratone prototypes, dialing in Cat 5 amps, or carrying forward the lessons of roots elders, his music remains as authentic as ever.
A huge thank you to Luther for sharing his time and gear with us, and to Gator for making this session possible.
Are you ready to shape your own sound? For all your gear needs, you know where to find the good stuff: AMS of course! And for more content like this, head over to the AMS YouTube Channel and hit that subscribe button. You won't regret it.
