“When I go, ‘Let’s try a Marshall,’ and we put it in, I go, ‘I don’t like that!’ Marshalls hurt my ears these days”: Ricky Byrd on tracking with Joan Jett, his Franken-Tele that sounds nothing like a Tele, and how sobriety has improved his playing

Ricky Byrd performs during the 12th Annual All-Star Irish Rock Revue at Highline Ballroom on March 12, 2011 in New York City.

Ricky Byrd – who helped Joan Jett make songs like I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll and I Hate Myself for Loving You famous in the ‘80s – takes a calculating approach to guitar.

“I’m always trying to be a little tricky,” he says. “After I finish my lines I’ll go, ‘Let’s see those motherfuckers try and figure that one out!’” [laughs]