Frontwoman Jessica Dobson plunges into the depths of her Benson-powered road rig.Seattle indie rockers Deep Sea Diver released their fourth full-length record, Billboard Heart, earlier this year via Sub Pop, and their supporting cross-country tour took them to downtown Nashville’s Blue Room at Jack White’s Third Man Records.PG’s Chris Kies connected with singer and guitarist Jessica Dobson in 2020 for a virtual Rig Rundown, but this time we get a close-up, in-person look at Dobson’s tour kit, including her signature Benson stomp box and a custom guitar.Brought to you by D’Addario.Lighten the LoadDobson picked up this slick Bilt S.S. Zaftig to replace her beloved but terribly heavy Fender Starcaster. This one has Lollar Regal Wide-Range humbuckers in it.Regrets, I’ve Had a FewDobson purchased this used Fender Elvis Costello Jazzmaster in 2010, and has since met the person who sold it—and totally regrets it. It’s strung with D’Addario .011–.052s, and tuned to E standard. Blue BenzU.K.-based builder Elliott Trent modeled this custom Trent guitar for Dobson on her mother’s old blue Mercedes, and loaded it with P-90s. Benson Boom BoxDobson’s amp of choice, taped to perfection, is this 30-watt Benson Chimera 2×12 combo.Jessica Dobson’s PedalboardDobson runs a busy board powered by a Voodoo Labs Pedal Power 2 Plus and operated via a Boss ES-8. There’s also her signature Benson Deep Sea Diver, plus a Benson Germanium Preamp, JHS Pulp N Peel, Sarno Music Solutions Earth Drive, Benson Germanium Boost, EHX Deluxe Memory Man, Strymon blueSky, EHX POG2, Chase Bliss Brothers Analog Gainstage, and Menatone Pleasure Trem 5000, plus a TC Electronic PolyTune 2 Noir.Benson Deep Sea DiverBenson ChimeraBenson Germanium PreampJHS Pulp ‘N’ Peel Compressor PedalBenson Germanium BoostElectro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man Analog Delay / Chorus / Vibrato PedalTC Electronic PolyTune3 NoirStrymon blueSkyElectro-Harmonix POG2Voodoo Labs Pedal Power 2 PlusBoss ES-8

Kiesel Guitars has rereleased one of the most iconic models in the company’s line of custom-built instruments: the DC127 now rejoins the lineup of Kiesel’s premium US-made instruments for a limited time.Designed to excel in a variety of musical styles, the versatile DC127 is available in a 6-string configuration. Key features include:
Body tonewood options include Alder, Swamp Ash, Roasted Swamp Ash, Mahogany, Walnut, Black Limba25” scale length, 24 stainless steel fretsFretboard material options include Ziricote, Ebony, Royal Ebony, Richlite Black Diamond, Richlite Maple Valley, Zebrawood, Rosewood, Birdseye Maple, Flamed Maple, Maple, Roasted Birdseye Maple, Roasted Flamed Maple, Roasted Maple, and Palemoon EbonyElectronics: Comes standard with either one or two Kiesel M22 pickups; various control layouts available, including a special option featuring 2 volume and 2 tone knobs with coil split and phase switchesBridge options include Hipshot fixed bridge, Hipshot tremolo, Floyd Rose tremolo with locking tunersLike other Kiesel models, the reissued DC127 is available in a wide range of options for unique customization. Players can select their favorite finish, tonewoods, electronics and hardware to create the guitar of their dreams…expertly crafted in Kiesel’s Southern California custom shop.
Kiesel’s DC127 is available for street pricing starting at $1,799. For more information visit kieselguitars.com.