Eric Braunn was the lead guitarist for Iron Butterfly during their early years, and he played a crucial role in shaping their unique sound. The band is best known for their iconic track "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida," which became a classic of psychedelic and hard rock music. I can provide some insights into the general equipment and effects commonly used by musicians of that era to achieve similar psychedelic sounds.
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, when Iron Butterfly was at its peak, guitarists often used the following equipment to create their unique sounds:
Guitar: Eric Braunn reportedly used a Gibson SG guitar, a popular choice among rock and psychedelic guitarists due to its sustain and tonal characteristics.
Amplifier: He likely used tube amplifiers, as they were the norm back then. Brands like Marshall, Fender, and Vox were widely favored for their warm and saturated tones.
Effects: Psychedelic music heavily relies on various effects to create ethereal and otherworldly sounds. Some of the common effects of that time included:
Fuzz pedal: A fuzz pedal like the Arbiter Fuzz Face or the Maestro Fuzz-Tone was widely used to add a gritty and distorted tone to the guitar.
Wah-wah pedal: The wah-wah pedal, like the Vox Clyde McCoy wah, was used to shape the guitar's sound dynamically, providing that signature "wah" effect.
Phaser: Phaser effects like the MXR Phase 90 or the Electro-Harmonix Small Stone were used to create sweeping, spacey sounds.
Tremolo: Tremolo effects, often built into amplifiers like the Fender Twin Reverb, added pulsating volume changes to the guitar signal.
Reverb: Reverb, commonly built into amplifiers or available as standalone units, added a sense of space and depth to the guitar sound.
Delay: Tape delay units or early analog delay pedals like the Electro-Harmonix Memory Man provided echoing and repeating effects.
It's important to note that Eric Braunn's sound, like that of many guitarists of his time, was a combination of his unique playing style, gear choices, and the overall musical chemistry of the band. His contributions to Iron Butterfly's music and their distinctive sound have left a lasting impact on the history of rock music. For more specific details about his setup, you may want to search for interviews, articles, or documentaries that delve deeper into his gear and techniques.