Rig Rundowns

Latest Episodes:

Loathe May 29, 2024

Show notes

Full Rig Info: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/loathe

Subscribe to PG's Channel: http://bit.ly/SubscribePGYouTube

Loathe is a challenging listen. In 10 years, they’ve released three dissimilar albums, a pair of pulverizing EPs, and a couple reinventive, collaborative covers (with Sleep Token and Teenage Wrist) of their own material, proving they thrive on juxtaposition and keeping your ears off guard. The Liverpool foursome morph from blissful dream state to Nightmare on Elm Street and everything in between. Their sound can be familiar like an old friend but thrilling like a first date.

From the ashes of Our Imbalance’s pure metalcore madness—featuring guitarist/vocalist Erik Bickerstaffe, vocalist Kadeem France, and drummer Sean Radcliffe before recruiting guitarist Connor Sweeney and bassist Shayne Smith—rose the reformation that became the experimental Loathe in 2014. (Current bassist Feisal El-Khazragi replaced Smith in 2018 and Sweeney left the band in 2021.)

Nu-metal bounce, djent precision, shoegaze shimmer, post-hardcore chaos, synth segues, barbwire breakdowns, moody melodies, and singalong choruses aren’t groundbreaking elements. But how they make them gel and grate against each other is what makes Loathe special. In a matter of minutes, they can make you scream, cry, and then dance before inciting you to do all three at once. The difference is in the disparate.

Their creative applications of the past, present, and future keep them ahead of the audience providing a deep musical menu. If you don’t like the first Loathe song you hear, there’s a chance the next one will be your favorite.

“The four of us have very differing influences, but when we work together, we create something very unique,” contends Bickerstaffe.

Even Bickerstaffe’s guitar choices are at odds. He wants the heaviest sound possible but avoids using 7- or 8-string guitars because of their brash tones and jagged aesthetics. He prefers to swing the sledgehammer in a classic costume of a Gretsch Jet (and formerly a Jazzmaster).

“We wanted a British-rock sound that pushes further into modern extreme-metal influence when we were writing. I don’t like anything too metallic or sharp sounding. For the band we are and what we’re trying to do musically, it’s not the right thing,” states Bickerstaffe.

It’s been over four years since their heralded I Let It In and It Took Everything, and the fans are growing impatient. The band is aware of the wait and are concerned with impressing themselves rather than capitalizing on the attention.

“There’s music in the world the four of us as individuals miss hearing, and we want to be the people that create that in our own style. Hopefully, people who agree with us are along for the ride, and if not, that’s absolutely cool. We’ve been through a lot, and we’re working really hard together to make sure the music that we put out is exactly what we want to put out. We’ll let it speak for itself when we release it,” explains Bickerstaffe.

Before Loathe’s opening slot supporting Knocked Loose on May 1 at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works, Bickerstaffe carved out some time to talk with PG’s Chris Kies. Bickerstaffe details the obtainable instruments that help him deliver both deathly and dreamy moments, why he shies away from the metallic edges of metal, and what fans should expect from the ever-evolving outfit’s new music.

Full Rig Info: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/loathe

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[Brought to you by D’Addario Strings: https://ddar.io/wykyk-rr & D'Addario XPND: https://ddari.io/xpnd.rr]

0:00 - D'Addario & Yvette Young

0:15 - Chris Kies Intro

1:44 - Erik Bickerstaffe Intro

3:01 - Gretsch G5260 Electromatic Jet Baritone

5:59 - Erik Bickerstaffe's Guitar Influences

8:36 - Erik Bickerstaffe's Strings & Tunings

11:55 - D'Addario XPND & John Bohlinger

12:45 - Amps & Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III

17:14 - Erik Bickerstaffe's Pedalboard

21:06 - Loathe's Next Album

23:06 - D'Addario & Yvette Young

#guitar #rigrundown #guitarist #guitarplayer #loathe

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out D'Addario's latest here: https://ddar.io/wykyk-rr

Dixie Dregs May 15, 2024

Show notes

Full Rig Info: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/dixie-dregs

Subscribe to PG's Channel: http://bit.ly/SubscribePGYouTube

Steve Morse and Andy West are legendary players. In addition to co-founding the Dixie Dregs together in Augusta, Georgia, in 1970, both virtuosos have colorful personal resumes.

Guitar giant Morse’s is more high-profile. He remains the leader of the Steve Morse Band, who opened the Dregs’s late April show at Nashville’s CMA Theater, where this Rundown was filmed, with 45 minutes of smart shred. He’s also been a member of Kansas and Deep Purple, as well as another instrumental powerhouse, Flying Colors.

Besides his tenure in the Dregs, West has recorded with Vinnie Moore, the Steve Morse Band, Paul Barrere, and Henry Kaiser, with whom he’s been a member of the Mistakes, Crazy Backwards Alphabet, and Five Time Surprise, which also includes Messthetics guitarist Anthony Pirog. (Full disclosure: I recorded a version of Steppenwolf’s “The Pusher” with Kaiser and West as part of Kaiser’s Moods & Modes of Halloween video quarterly in 2023.)

The Music City show was classic Dixie Dregs, with more than two hours of high-wire playing, all anchored by the bold melodies that mark their compositions. Joined by longtime Dregs drummer Rod Morgenstein, violinist Allen Sloan, and keyboard player Steve Davidowski, the concert was an affirmation of Morse and West’s vitality and musical partnership after sharing stages for more than 50 years.

In the video, Steve and Andy explain their rigs in person and in detail.

Shop Dixie Dregs' Gear:

Roland GK-3 Divided Pickup - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/R5MGOv

Engl Steve Morse Signature 100-Watt Amps - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/vNJP4L

ENGL Amplifiers E412VSB 240-watt 4 x 12-inch Amplifier Cabinet - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/daMO92

Roland GR-55 Synthesizer - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/NkM9Q1

Keeley Compressor - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/B0drY9

TC Electronic Flashback - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/y2XqeG

TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/MmMANn

Ernie Ball 2023 Super Slinky Paradigm Electric Guitar Strings - .009-.042 - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75vaJ5

Line 6 Helix Guitar Multi-effects Floor Processor - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/Qy6Lnz

Electro-Voice ZLX-12P-G2 1000W 12-inch Powered Speaker Pair - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/LXMKZ0

Full Rig Info: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/dixie-dregs

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Don't Miss a Rundown: http://bit.ly/RIgRundownENL

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PG's Threads: https://threads.net/@premierguitar

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[Brought to you by D’Addario: https://ddar.io/wykyk-rr]

0:00 - D'Addario & Joe Glaser

0:15 - Steve Morse Intro

0:56 - Steve Morse's No.1 Ernie Ball Music Man Guitar

2:29 - Steve Morse's Custom String Mute

4:08 - Steve Morse's Custom Pickup Switching

6:07 - Recreating Dixie Dregs' Back Catalog

7:31 - Steve Morse's Signature Engl Amps & Cabs

8:18 - Steve Morse's Pedalboard

11:19 - Designing the Engl Steve Morse Signature

13:56 - Steve Morse's Roland GR-55

15:45 - Steve Morse's No. 2 Ernie Ball Music Man Guitar

18:19 - Andy West's Gould Basses

22:09 - Andy West's Line 6 Helix Floor & EV Speakers

#guitar #guitarist #rigrundown #guitarplayer #bass #bassist #guitargear #stevemorse

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out D'Addario's latest here: https://ddar.io/wykyk-rr

Knocked Loose May 15, 2024

Show notes

Knocked Loose Drum Rundown: https://youtu.be/3WOPb983Pss

Full Rig Info: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/knocked-loose-2024

If hell had a guitar tone, it’d be what Knocked Loose’s Isaac Hale and Nicko Calderon conjure up from their Ibanez 7-string beasts. The band’s mission since day one has been to pummel listeners with the most-extreme form of hardcore music. The past decade they’ve throttled through all limits making each break down, each riff, each scream, and each performance outdone by the next. A more recent (and seemingly) conflicting goal has been to infect the mainstream with their brutality. Their brand-new third album, You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To paired them with pop producer Drew Fulk (Kevin Gates, NLE Choppa, Disturbed, Lil Wayne), the last two years they’ve played Coachella and Bonnaroo, in 2022 they partnered with hip-hop duo $uicideboy$ for a sold-out tour, and they were just announced as direct support for Slipknot’s 25th anniversary tour. Both goals are being accomplished as their sound has never been more punishing or popular.

Before Knocked Loose’s sold-out show at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works, guitarists Isaac Hale and Nick Calderon invited PG’s Perry Bean onstage for a fresh conversation about their updated mercenary squad. During our time with the Hale and Calderon, we learn about their custom 7-string Ibanez doom brooms, Hale explains moving on from tube amps and pedalboards to Quad Cortex units and MIDI switching, and Calderon details finding his place in the band and adjusting to an extra low-B string.

Shop Knocked Loose's Gear:

Ibanez Iron Label Iceman ICTB721 - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/9gjr1Q

Ibanez Prestige AZ24047 Electric Guitar - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/oqMZme

Seymour Duncan Nazgul High Output Bridge 7-string Humbucker Pickup - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/zNM9Zx

Neural DSP Quad Cortex - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/5gmox9

Electro-Harmonix Freeze - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/OraQ9P

Seymour Duncan PowerStage 200 - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/3eQr6y

Orange PPC412-C - 240-watt 4x12" Straight Cabinet - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/R5Q3g2

Celestion Vintage 30 Speakers - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/Y934ve

Shure GLXD16+ Digital Wireless Guitar Pedal System - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/Y9AL9R

Radial ProDI 1-Channel Passive Instrument Direct Box - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/GmW3x6

D'Addario NYXL1164 NYXL Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings -.011-.064 Regular Light, 7-String - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/y2MQJB (edited)

Full Rig Info: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/knocked-loose-2024

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[Brought to you by D’Addario: https://ddar.io/wykyk-rr

D'Addario XPND: https://ddari.io/xpnd.rr]

0:00 - D'Addario & Yvette Young

0:15 - Perry Bean Intro

1:49 - Isaac Hale Intro

2:35 - Isaac Hale's Ibanez Custom 7-String Iceman

4:00 - Isaac Hale's Strings & Picks

5:17 - Isaac Hale Makes Move to Quad Cortex

8:34 - Isaac Hale's EHX Pedals

10:48 - XPND Pedalboard & John Bohlinger

11:37 - Nicko Calderon Intro & Joining Knocked Loose

13:17 - Nicko Calderon's Ibanez Prestige AZ24047 Guitars

16:30 - Nicko Calderon & Neural DSP Quad Cortex

20:01 - Nicko Calderon's Core Sounds

22:25 - D'Addario Strings

#guitar #rigrundown #guitarist #knockedloose #guitarplayer #guitargear

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out D'Addario's latest here: https://ddar.io/wykyk-rr

Grace Bowers Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

Follow Grace Bowers: https://lnk.to/tellmewhyudothat

Full Rig Info: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/grace-bowers

Guitarist Grace Bowers is a 17-year old California transplant tearing it up in Nashville. Currently working on her first album with producer John Osborne of the Brothers Osborne, Bowers invited John Bohlinger and the PG team to walk through her studio and live rig.

Full Rig Info: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/grace-bowers

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Win Guitar Gear: https://bit.ly/GiveawaysPG

Don't Miss a Rundown: http://bit.ly/RIgRundownENL

Merch & Magazines: https://shop.premierguitar.com

PG's Facebook: https://facebook.com/premierguitar

PG's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premierguitar/

PG's Twitter: https://twitter.com/premierguitar

PG's Threads: https://threads.net/@premierguitar

PG's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@premierguitar

[Brought to you by D'Addario.

Molly Tuttle Knows: https://ddar.io/tuttle-rr

XPND Pedalboard: https://ddar.io/xpnd_rr

D’Addario WYKYK: https://ddar.io/wykyk-rr]

0:00 - D'Addario & Molly Tuttle

0:15 - John Bohlinger Intro

0:51 - Grace Bowers Intro

1:44 - 1961 Gibson SG Special

5:01 - John Osborne's 1960 Gibson ES-335

9:25 - Cesar Gueikian's 1959 Gibson Les Paul "Gemini"

11:58 - 1968 Gibson B-25-12

13:03 - Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb

13:35 - Grace Bowers' Pedalboard

#guitar #guitarist #rigrundown #guitarplayer #guitargear #gracebowers

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out D'Addario's latest here: https://ddar.io/wykyk-rr

Black Pumas Apr 23, 2024

Show notes

Full Rig Info: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/black-pumas

Subscribe to PG's Channel: http://bit.ly/SubscribePGYouTube

In just seven years since meeting based on a recommendation, Eric Burton and Adrian Quesada formed the Black Pumas, released two albums, and have already been nominated for seven Grammys. However, this fruitful friendship was almost never developed.

Quesada was enrolled at the University of Texas but flunking out due to his dedication to guitar over textbooks. His parents gave him a proposition: Either stay home in Laredo, or return to Austin without a guitar in hand to focus on studying. He went with option B and headed back for school in Austin—or so his parents thought. Quesada took his remaining book money (about $200) and headed to Ray Hennig’s Heart of Texas, where he snagged a Squier Telecaster Thinline. His parents eventually figured out the switcheroo, but Quesada was determined and hasn’t looked back. (Side note: The family obviously sees and supports his musical talents, and attended Black Pumas’ Ryman show the night before the filming of this Rig Rundown.)

That matador move pulled off by Quesada allowed him to become a longtime fixture in the Austin music scene with bands Brownout, Ocote Soul Sound, Spanish Gold, Echocentrics, and Grupo Fantasma (with whom he played for over 15 years, earning a 2011 Grammy for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album). He started to explore new ideas that didn’t fit the mold for Grupo, and needed someone to narrate his musical vistas. A friend recommended he link up with Austin newcomer Eric Burton, who traded his busking spot on the Santa Monica pier for the bright lights of Sixth Street. The duo met up, and as the results prove, the rest is history.

Before the Black Pumas’ second headlining show at the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville, bandleader Adrian Quesada, bassist Brendan Bond, and band tech Bryan Wilkinson invited PG’s Chris Kies into the hallowed grounds for a chill conversation about their tonal tools. During our time with the Black Pumas, we learned about Quesada’s love for tremolo (he even included it as a secret weapon in a semi-hollow Jazzmaster), Bond’s fateful trip to the Wilco Loft in Chicago, and why a ’59 ES-125 is Wilkinson’s perfect pairing with Burton’s expressive and emotive voice.

Full Rig Info: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/black-pumas

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[Brought to you by D’Addario: https://ddar.io/wykyk-rr & https://ddari.io/xpnd.rr]

0:00 - D’Addario XPND Pedalboard

0:15 - Chris Kies Intro

1:57 - Adrian Quesada Intro

3:15 - Touring with Vintage Gear

4:02 - Adrian Quesada’s Fender Custom Shop Telecaster

6:13 - Playing with Fingers or Pick

8:03 - College or Guitar?

9:14 - Adrian Quesada’s Strings

10:00 - Adrian Quesada’s Gibson ES-345

11:53 - Playing ES-345 with DI Fuzz

13:11 - Adrian Quesada’s Fender Custom Shop Jazzmaster Thinline

14:27 - Built-in Tremolo

17:33 - Adrian Quesada’s Fender Limited Edition ’68 Custom Deluxe Reverb

18:36 - Adrian Quesada’s Pedalboard

30:05 - D’Addario XPND & John Bohlinger

30:55 - Brendan Bond Intro

31:49 - Brendan Bond’s 1974 Fender P Bass

36:15 - Brendan Bond Fingerstyle & Bass Strings

38:20 - Brendan Bond on Working at Willie Nelson’s Studio

41:03 - Fender Super Bassman

44:06 - Brendan Bond’s Pedalboard

46:07 - Tech Bryan Wilkinson Intro

46:27 - How Eric Burton’s Busking Past Influenced His Gear

47:03 - Eric Burton’s 1959 ES-125

47:36 - Eric Burton’s Wireless Setup

48:49 - 1959 ES-125 Song Choices

49:50 - Eric Burton’s Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb

50:36 - Eric Burton’s Playing Style & Strings

52:11 - Eric Burton’s Pedalboard

55:01 - Tech Bryan Wilkinson’s Go-To Guitar Items for Tour

58:02 - Eric Burton’s Fender Custom Shop Telecaster Thinline

1:01:33 - D’Addario Sound Better, Play Better

#guitar #rigrundown #blackpumas #guitarist #guitarplayer #guitargear

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out D'Addario's latest here: https://ddar.io/wykyk-rr

Extreme's Nuno Bettencourt & Pat Badger Apr 22, 2024

Show notes

Full Rig Info: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/extreme

Subscribe to PG's Channel: http://bit.ly/SubscribePGYouTube

Nearly 40 years ago, Nuno Bettencourt walked into Mouradian Guitars Co in Boston where Pat Badger was working and they formed a bond that would change their worlds. In March of 2024, Pat Badger and Nuno Bettencourt, of multi-platinum band Extreme, along with their tech, John Thayer, invited PG’s John Bohlinger to talk through their current rigs.

Shop Nuno Bettencourt & Pat Badger's Gear:

Washburn N4-Nuno Vintage USA Electric Guitar - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/GmyLVn

Washburn Nuno Bettencourt N4 Authentic Signature - Natural Matte - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/1rY4PD

Seymour Duncan SH-1n '59 Model Neck 4-conductor Humbucker Pickup - Black - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/Jz6DV2

MXR CSP026 '74 Vintage Phase 90 Pedal - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/g1n36g

Pro Co RAT 2 Distortion / Fuzz / Overdrive Pedal - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/XYaJnG

Boss OC-5 - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/vNOonL

EMG 35DC Active Ceramic Modern Humbucker Bass Pickups - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/zNKJb0

Rotosound UM45 UltraMag Type 52 Alloy Bass Guitar Strings - .045-.105 Standard 4-String - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/WqeVdJ

Ampeg SVT-CL 300 - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/EK64eW

Ampeg SVT-810AV 8x10" - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/nLKmEV

Ampeg SVT-4PRO 1200-watt Tube Preamp Bass Head - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/Jz03zN

EBS Billy Sheehan Ultimate Signature Drive Pedal - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/6e64dQ

Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI V2 Pedal - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/216450

Electro-Harmonix Micro POG Polyphonic Octave Generator Pedal - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/LX5qZ0

Boss GE-7 7-band EQ Pedal - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWnK4J

Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner Pedal with Bypass - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/jryA4M

Full Rig Details: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/extreme

Subscribe to PG's Channel: http://bit.ly/SubscribePGYouTube

Win Guitar Gear: https://bit.ly/GiveawaysPG

Don't Miss a Rundown: http://bit.ly/RIgRundownENL

Merch & Magazines: https://shop.premierguitar.com

PG's Facebook: https://facebook.com/premierguitar

PG's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premierguitar/

PG's Twitter: https://twitter.com/premierguitar

PG's Threads: https://threads.net/@premierguitar

PG's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@premierguitar

0:00 - D'Addario Strings

0:08 - John Bohlinger Intro

0:57 - Nuno Bettencourt Tech John Thayer Intro

1:12 - Washburn Nuno Bettencourt N4 Signature

3:21 - Nuno Bettencourt's Strings & Tunings

4:50 - Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 12-string Acoustic

5:13 - Washburn Nuno Bettencourt EA20SNB Acoustic

5:33 - Nuno Bettencourt's Amps & Effects

8:28 - Nuno Bettencourt's Guitar Picks

9:21 - Nuno Bettencourt Crashes the Rundown!

9:49 - Nuno Bettencourt Talks "Bumblebee" N4

12:40 - D'Addario Strings & Nita Strauss

12:56 - Pat Badger Intro

13:11 - Pat Badger's Mouradian Basses

20:25 - Pat Badger's 1980s Hamer Blitz Bass

21:25 - Pat Badger's Ampeg Amps & Cabs

23:54 - Pat Badger's Rotosound Strings

24:32 - Pat Badger's Pedalboard

27:40 - Pat Badger's Picks

29:09 - D'Addario Strings & Joe Glaser

[Brought to you by D’Addario: https://ddar.io/wykyk-rr]

#guitar #rigrundown #guitarist #extreme #nunobettencourt

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out D'Addario's latest here: https://ddar.io/wykyk-rr

Adrian Vandenberg Apr 10, 2024

Show notes

Full Rig Details: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/adrian-vandenberg

Subscribe to PG's Channel: http://bit.ly/SubscribePGYouTube

Adrian Vandenberg is a Dutch rock guitarist, best known for his tenure as one of the guitarists in Whitesnake during their successful late 1980s period, and also with the band Vandenberg, which he started in 1981. Vandenberg invited PG’s John Bohlinger to his soundcheck before his recent Nashville show to take us through his rig. Special thanks to guitar tech Willem van Roekel for giving us the extra details.

Full Rig Details: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/adrian-vandenberg

Subscribe to PG's Channel: http://bit.ly/SubscribePGYouTube

Win Guitar Gear: https://bit.ly/GiveawaysPG

Don't Miss a Rundown: http://bit.ly/RIgRundownENL

Merch & Magazines: https://shop.premierguitar.com

PG's Facebook: https://facebook.com/premierguitar

PG's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premierguitar/

PG's Twitter: https://twitter.com/premierguitar

PG's Threads: https://threads.net/@premierguitar

PG's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@premierguitar

0:00 - D'Addario & Nita Strauss

0:15 - John Bohlinger Intro

0:50 - Adrian Vandenberg Intro

2:20 - Using a Bow in Whitesnake

3:37 - 1980 Gibson Les Paul Heritage

8:29 - Swapping in New Gibson Burstbucker

9:55 - Writing Music on Various Instruments

10:44 - Using Ear Protection

12:06 - Strings, Picks & Fingernails

14:38 - Wrist Injury During Whitesnake's Slip of the Tongue Recording

20:50 - D'Addario XPND & John Bohlinger

21:39 - Peavey Adrian Vandenberg Signature Guitar

30:04 - Taylor T5z Custom Koa Hollowbody Electric

31:50 - Any Classical Music Training?

36:08 - Neural DSP Quad Cortex & Seymour Duncan PowerStage

42:10 - D'Addario & Joe Glaser

[Brought to you by D’Addario: https://ddar.io/wykyk-rr & XPND Pedalboard: https://ddari.io/xpnd.rr]

#guitar #rigrundown #guitarist #guitarplayer #guitargear #whitesnake

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out D'Addario's latest here: https://ddar.io/wykyk-rr

Crosses' Shaun Lopez Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

Full Crosses' Rig Info: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/crosses

Subscribe to PG's Channel: http://bit.ly/SubscribePGYouTube

What if Deftones’ lead singer Chino Moreno fully leaned into his love for the Cure and Depeche Mode—think “Digital Bath,” “Teenager,” “Anniversary of an Uninteresting Event,” and “Cherry Waves?” The short answer is Crosses (often seen as †††). And the sole sonic sniper pillowing and piercing through Moreno’s moodily melodic vocals is multi-instrumentalist Shaun Lopez.

Crosses was formed by cofounding members Lopez and bassist Chuck Doom in the late 2000s before recruiting Chino Moreno to front the dark dance party. The trio released three EPs and a self-titled debut album between 2011 and 2014 before going on hiatus in 2015.

For almost 15 years, the nucleus of Shawn Lopez and Chino Moreno have creatively layered and disguised guitar and synth combining new wave, electronica, goth rock, industrial, and ambient pop producing a soundtrack to neo-noir readaptation of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly that subs the old west and gunplay with after-hours Miami and foreplay.

“When we started Crosses, I was just learning to play piano. I think back then I wanted to make synthy-sounding songs, but I didn’t know how to play synths so I was like, ‘how can I get my guitar to sound like a synth,’ so I just incorporated pedals, lap steel, and anything to make my guitar unrecognizable,” admits Lopez.

Prior to working with Moreno in Crosses, Lopez cofounded Far—an influential post-hardcore 1990s contemporary of the Deftones in Sacramento—and has tallied a variety of producer credits collaborating with Chon, Rob Zombie, Lupe Fiasco, Dead Sara, Whitechapel, and others. That sort of versatility is evident when experiencing Crosses with a pair of headphones or seeing them perform onstage.

Throughout the band’s run, Lopez has interplayed and interwoven guitar and synths countering brooding against beauty and gentle versus tense. When Crosses was revitalized in 2022 with fresh material—and the departure of bassist Chuck Doom—the remaining duo doubled down on their digital-based dynamism featuring even more synths, keys, and electronic experimentation where he would even sample his guitar through his keys.

“Since those first songs, I’ve really learned how to play piano and keyboards and by better understanding that new instrument, at times, I’ve become more inspired by synths over guitar,” recalls Lopez.

But no matter how many synths or keyboards get put to tape, you’ll still see Lopez onstage with a guitar draped over his shoulder.

“I do prefer to play guitar live because it’s more fun and I can run around. I am always chasing sounds no matter the instrument it takes to get there. My sound is growing because I’m always learning. I think if you stop learning you stop progressing. but guitar will always be home,” states Lopez.

Prior to Crosses’ sold-out show at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works, Lopez welcomed PG’s Perry Bean onstage to dissect his setup. The lone instrumentalist showed off six stellar guitars, broke down the heavy lifting his FM9 endures for Crosses’ sets, introduced a peculiar pedal he can’t live without, and demonstrated a Gretsch that sounds like an angry orca.

Full Crosses' Rig Info: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/crosses

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[Brought to you by D’Addario Strings: https://ddar.io/wykyk-rr & D'Addario XPND: https://ddari.io/xpnd.rr]

0:00 - D'Addario & Yvette Young

0:15 - Perry Bean Intro

1:14 - Shaun Lopez Intro

2:08 - Creating Crosses Sound on Record

6:30 - Gibson Les Paul Custom 20th Anniversary 1974

10:11 - Recreating Crosses Albums on FM9

11:04 - Chino’s Gibson SG Special

12:48 - 1960s Gretsch Corvette

16:44 - Gretsch G2420T Streamliner Hollowbody

17:47 - The Heaviest Gretsch Ever!

20:13 - Schecter PT Fastback

21:39 - Schecter Coupe

23:01 - D'Addario XPND & John Bohlinger

23:50 - Shaun Lopez's Main FM9 Sounds & Pedalboard

33:22 - Fender FS-52 Lap Steel & Prophet 6 Synth

36:17 - D'Addario & Joe Glaser

#guitar #rigrundown #guitarist #crosses #deftones #guitarplayer #guitargear

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Sammy Boller Mar 24, 2024

Show notes

Sammy Boller on Randy Rhoads: https://youtu.be/Ym-LXU-3nd4

Subscribe to PG's Channel: http://bit.ly/SubscribePGYouTube

“I grew up wanting to be Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads, but over time I’ve found my own dark and aggressive style. These days, my dream as a musician is to make people feel as connected to the cosmos as I feel when I play the guitar,” wishes guitarist Sammy Boller.

Sammy Boller has been playing guitar most of his life. He played in high school orchestra and even attended University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance. In 2012, his life forever changed when he won Guitar Center’s “Master Satriani” competition. (Watch his submission for “Satch Boogie” here.)

Catapulting off that success, the next year Boller joined Detroit rockers Citizen Zero. The band released their 2016 debut LP, State of Mind, and its lead single “Go (Let Me Save You)” climbed to #17 on Billboard’s mainstream rock chart.

But even with Citizen Zero’s success, Boller wasn’t sending listeners into the stratosphere feeling one with the stardust. Then while shopping his instrumental solo work, he quickly earned a fan in CandyRat Records owner Rob Poland who signed Sammy. (CandyRat was started by Poland in 2004 and began working with Don Ross, Andy McKee, Antoine Dufourto. Boller released his debut solo album and an additional standalone single—Kingdom of the Sun and “Path of the Heart”—in 2020 that snake between Sunset shred and post-rock melodies. The next year was celebrated with Boller’s stunning third release “Ritual Lights” showing Sammy’s first (solo) recorded run in with the wah wah. (Something you’ll now see on his pedalboard later.) He’s since dropped a pair of singles “Spellbound” and “Midnight Garden” that grow off his enchanting formula and adds in heightened technical abilities and deeper rhythmic grooves.

Before his headlining show at Nashville’s Bowery Vault, the fretboard maestro shows off a pair of versatile guitars, explains why the chase for his pinnacle amp is over, and details and demos the select stompboxes that send his sound into the asteroid belt.

Full Rig Details: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/sammy-boller-2024

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[Brought to you by D’Addario: https://ddar.io/wykyk-rr & XPND Pedalboard: https://www.daddario.com/XPNDRR]

0:00 - D'Addario Strings with Mark Tremonti

0:15 - Perry Bean Intro

1:16 - Sammy Boller Playing Intro

2:10 - Gibson Les Paul Axcess Custom

5:49 - Tunings, Strings & Picks

9:03 - Friedman NoHo 24

11:01 - Friedman BE-100

15:02 - D'Addario XPND Pedalboard

15:51 - Sammy Boller Pedalboard

33:31 - D'Addario with Yvette Young

#guitar #rigrundown #guitarist #guitarplayer #sammyboller

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A.J. Ghent Mar 24, 2024

Show notes

Full Rig Info: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/aj-ghent

Subscribe to PG's Channel: http://bit.ly/SubscribePGYouTube

AJ Ghent’s uniquely inspired Singing Guitar has its roots in the Sacred Steel musical style and African-American gospel traditions that developed out of a group of Pentecostal churches across the South. Ghent comes from a long line of innovative players, including his father, Aubrey Ghent Sr., and grandfather, Henry Nelson. His great uncle Willie Eason is credited as the founder of the Sacred Steel rhythmic guitar style.

Ghent invited John Bohlinger and the PG team to his soundcheck before his show at Nashville’s City Winery to talk through his rig and play some inspiring music on his lap and pedal steels.

Full Rig Info: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/aj-ghent

Subscribe to PG's Channel: http://bit.ly/SubscribePGYouTube

Win Guitar Gear: https://bit.ly/GiveawaysPG

Don't Miss a Rundown: http://bit.ly/RIgRundownENL

Merch & Magazines: https://shop.premierguitar.com

PG's Facebook: https://facebook.com/premierguitar

PG's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premierguitar/

PG's Twitter: https://twitter.com/premierguitar

PG's Threads: https://threads.net/@premierguitar

PG's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@premierguitar

[Brought to you by D’Addario: https://ddar.io/wykyk-rr & XPND Pedalboard: https://www.daddario.com/XPNDRR]

0:00 - D'Addario: When You Know You Know

0:15 - John Bohlinger Introduction

0:52 - A.J. Ghent Playing Intro

3:27 - Asher Lap Steel

10:52 - Rocky Mountain Slide

13:10 - Pedals

13:19 - Eventide H90

15:40 - Boss Loop Station RC-5

17:05 - D'Addario: When You Know You Know

17:58 - Quilter Amps Overdrive 202

19:22 - Milkman Sound The Amp

20:47 - Jackson Maverick Pedal Steel

27:21 - A.J. Ghent Pedal Steel Play off

27:36 - D'Addario: When You Know You Know

#guitar #rigrundown #guitarist #guitarplayer #slideguitar #lapsteel #pedalsteelguitar #ajghent

Mentioned in this episode:

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