In an era where guitarists often hide behind massive pedalboards and complex digital modeling, Ritchie Dave Porter is proving that world-class Blues Rock is really about two things: the hands and the heart. By stripping his signal chain down to the bare essentials, Ritchie achieves a raw, emotive tone that allows the natural character of his instruments and the power of Debra Susan’s vocals to take center stage.
The Pete Feenstra Connection: “A Dream Team”
A significant milestone for the duo was their feature on the Pete Feenstra Rock & Blues Show back in 2018 on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. Feenstra, a renowned blues authority, has described the pairing of Ritchie’s “striking amplified guitar” and Debra’s “vibrant vocals” as a “dream team.”
In his review of their album The Story So Far, Feenstra highlighted Ritchie’s transition back to the electric guitar, noting how he ditched his Gibson SG for a Telecaster to achieve an “icy, stinging, cutting tone” that requires no pedals—a brave step that Feenstra notes “works perfectly.”
The Electric Core: Squier Telecasters & Fender Glass
Ritchie’s primary electric setup is a masterclass in efficiency. Utilizing Fender Squier Affinity Telecasters, he plugs directly into a Fender Champion 50XL. This 50-watt amp, equipped with a 12-inch Celestion speaker, provides the “glassy” response needed for his melodic lead lines.
Watch the Electric Tone in Action:
RITCHIE DAVE PORTER – ‘Telecaster Blues’ improvisation
RITCHIE DAVE PORTER & DEBRA SUSAN – ‘Lonely and Blue’ Live
The Acoustic Soul: The Ferndale Grand Auditorium
For his acoustic performances—such as his sets at the Great British Rock and Blues Festival—Ritchie relies on the Ferndale Electro-Acoustic Grand Auditorium. Pete Feenstra has praised Ritchie’s acoustic work for its “subtle restraint” and “originality,” noting how he generates all the power himself with minimal percussion.
Watch the Acoustic Performance:
Portability Without Compromise: The Blackstar Fly
Even a pro needs a practice rig, and Ritchie’s latest tool is the Blackstar Fly 3. Despite being only 3 watts, it serves as a testament to modern engineering helping Ritchie deliver a “big” sound that captures the “stinging” Telecaster tone Ritchie is known for, even when he’s on the move.
Watch the Blackstar Review:
Final Verdict
As Pete Feenstra aptly summarized, Ritchie is a “contemporary blues artist with old-school values.” Whether he is playing his Ferndale acoustic or his Squier Telecaster, his setup serves as a reminder: Gear should never get in the way of the music. By mastering just the guitar and the amp, Ritchie Dave Porter and Debra Susan have created a signature sound that is as honest as the blues itself.
