There is an actual ’59 sound. One that existed in Brian Fallon’s mind, at least. The key to unlocking it, as far as The Gaslight Anthem frontman was concerned, was in getting his hands on a particular amp. Local hero Bruce Springsteen used one on early E Street Band tracks. It was the same kind Carl Perkins played on old Elvis hits. You can hear it on some of Sam Cooke’s raucous soul cuts.
Being as flat-broke as the Red Bank, New Jersey native was back then, picking up a vintage 1959 Fender Bassman was never on the cards. Ripping apart and rebuilding a modern reissue would have to suffice. As the title of his band’s next album relentlessly haunted him for months, the then 28-year-old’s quest became clear. Delving into online forums in search of audiophile advice, he scoured electronic stores for used parts, and soldered everything into place until he’d created the closest possible replica of the amp played on all those records he held so dear.
“I was a firm believer in the magic of things,” he told The Ringer in celebration of The ’59 Sound’s 10-year anniversary in 2018. “It was like, Well, if all these records are recorded on this one amp, and if I can get that sound, maybe I can get some of that magic.”
