Need a new Stompbox? Find your next effect in this month’s Gear Finds!
TriceraChorusInspired by the classic Tri-Stereo Chorus and stompbox choruses of the 1970s and early 1980s, the TriceraChorus pedal pairs rich Bucket Brigade-style chorusing with Eventide’s legendary MicroPitch detuning for a lushness that rivals the jungles of the late Cretaceous Period. TriceraChorus features three chorus voices and three unique chorus effects which can be used to create a wide stereo spread with pulsing waves of modulation. The innovative “Swirl” footswitch adds psychedelic flanging, phasing, and Univibe-style tones. It has never been easier to dial in syrupy smooth, deep modulation on guitar, bass, synths, strings, vocals, and more.MicroPitch DelaySavor the secret sauce simmered into countless hit records with the MicroPitch Delay Pedal. By utilizing subtle pitch shifts to create a rich stereo spread, MicroPitch Delay makes anything you cook up sonically delectable. This pedal is the key ingredient for serving up flavorful tones: Instantly harness soaring leads that jump out of the mix, add distinct lushness to a compelling clean passage and get your fill of vibey modulation that’s sure to sweeten any pot with the push of a button. MicroPitch Delay adds unparalleled dimension to any source; it’s not just a guitar pedal — Use it to thicken vocals, keyboards, drums, strings, brass, winds and more.Blackhole®Escape Earth and create haunting echoes, ethereal landscapes, and otherworldly ambiences with Blackhole – a reverb pedal as big and mysterious as the cosmos. Limitless and boundless, Blackhole features two types of infinite reverb. “Infinite mode” continuously layers new sound on top of a suspended reverb while “Freeze mode” holds the effect in stasis, allowing you to play over the reverb tail.UltraTapUltraTap is a unique multi-tap effect pedal perfect for staccato leads, swelling chords, and other evolving effects — everything from reversed reverbs to the sound of ripping it up in the Grand Canyon! Think of UltraTap as the mother of all Echoplexes and you won’t be too far off. That’s basically how it operates but with the flexibility to add as many ‘tape heads’ as you want and expressively control their positions and levels.UltraTap’s controls make possible new and unexpected effects. The controls that you would expect in a multi-tap delay pedal — Number of Taps, Delay and Feedback—are just the basics. Controls for Spread, Slurm, and Chop open up a new world of possibilities.H9 MaxThe H9 Max Harmonizer® effects pedal is full of Eventide’s iconic reverb, chorus, delay, modulation, pitch-shifting, and distortion effects. With the H9 Max, you can evoke the sonic landscape of legendary albums and open the doors to the creation of new sounds never heard before. The award-winning design of the H9 features a simple, one-knob user interface that allows easy effect editing and preset selection. Two onboard footswitches let you change presets, tap tempo, and bypass with your feet during live performance. The H9 offers studio-quality sound, stereo I/O, and full MIDI compatibility. With the free H9 Control app, you can create set lists, edit and manage presets wirelessly via Bluetooth.RoseRose is a bit-bucket brigade modulated delay pedal. From reverse delays, slapback, chorus, and everything in between, Rose is capable of producing a wide range of sounds. The perfect hybrid of analog and digital, the pedal features five different modulation sources, delay multiplier, phase invert/reverse, 25 customizable presets, true analog dry path, MIDI, and AUX/Expression via TRS for ultimate versatility, on stage or in the studio.
Maestro Original CollectionTo be called “legendary” is to have shaped music as we know it. From the Rolling Stones to the Raconteurs. From Pete Townshend to George Harrison and from Clapton to Frampton. They strived to coax the truest expression from their instruments – the sound they heard in their heads and their hearts. Their signature sound – so uniquely shaped by effects that it changed everything. It’s the Fuzz-Tone FZ-1 that fuels the groundbreaking riff in the Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and the funky wah filter that anchors the “Theme from Shaft.” While the impact they had on the lineage of music is also unique, many have one thing in common—Maestro. So, while not everyone has heard of Maestro, everyone has heard Maestro. Maestro, the “Founder of Effects,” is back with an all-new line of effect pedals – the Maestro Original Collection. Five new pedals, designed, voiced, and styled for the musician looking to shape their unique sound. A tribute to the sound and style of the brand’s much-beloved classic models of the 60s and 70s, with modern features, expanded versatility, and advanced tone-tweaking capabilities. Each function as an innovative “two-in-one” pedal, with a single toggle that switches between two distinct modes. Each features a straightforward three-knob setup, true bypass switching, and an ergonomic, pedalboard-friendly wedge profile. It doesn’t matter what you play. As long as there are sounds being made, new legends will emerge. Maestro is back to help you SHAPE YOUR SOUND.Maestro Original CollectionTo be called “legendary” is to have shaped music as we know it. From the Rolling Stones to the Raconteurs. From Pete Townshend to George Harrison and from Clapton to Frampton. They strived to coax the truest expression from their instruments – the sound they heard in their heads and their hearts. Their signature sound – so uniquely shaped by effects that it changed everything. It’s the Fuzz-Tone FZ-1 that fuels the groundbreaking riff in the Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and the funky wah filter that anchors the “Theme from Shaft.” While the impact they had on the lineage of music is also unique, many have one thing in common—Maestro. So, while not everyone has heard of Maestro, everyone has heard Maestro.
Maestro, the “Founder of Effects,” is back with an all-new line of effect pedals – the Maestro Original Collection. Five new pedals, designed, voiced, and styled for the musician looking to shape their unique sound. A tribute to the sound and style of the brand’s much-beloved classic models of the 60s and 70s, with modern features, expanded versatility, and advanced tone-tweaking capabilities. Each function as an innovative “two-in-one” pedal, with a single toggle that switches between two distinct modes. Each features a straightforward three-knob setup, true bypass switching, and an ergonomic, pedalboard-friendly wedge profile.
It doesn’t matter what you play. As long as there are sounds being made, new legends will emerge. Maestro is back to help you SHAPE YOUR SOUND.
Electro-Harmonix Intelligent Harmony MachineThe EHX Intelligent Harmony Machine instantly creates matching harmonies to what you play. It’s like having one – or even two – guitarists jamming with you at the same time and always in perfect sync. The Intelligent Harmony Machine opens a door to the music of great multi-lead guitar bands and multi-part harmonized solos. Plus, its ability to apply harmonies ranging from simple to sophisticated will totally transform what you play. Of course, it also boasts EHX’s renowned impeccable tracking and genuine musical tone.Intelligent Harmony Machine Harmonizer/Pitch ShifterThe EHX Intelligent Harmony Machine instantly creates matching harmonies to what you play. It’s like having one – or even two – guitarists jamming with you at the same time and always in perfect sync. The Intelligent Harmony Machine opens a door to the music of great multi-lead guitar bands and multi-part harmonized solos. Plus, its ability to apply harmonies ranging from simple to sophisticated will totally transform what you play. Of course, it also boasts EHX’s renowned impeccable tracking and genuine musical tone.
MESA/Boogie Drive PedalsMESA® Drive Pedals are built by the same artisans that create the award-winning Mark Five™ and the legendary Dual and Triple Rectifier® amps. They stand ready to serve up all rock genres with cut and aggression while retaining much of the signature warmth and organic sonic quality found in our amplifiers. Ranging from high to lower gain applications, including classic rock or howling blues, we have a drive pedal that will help you achieve the sounds that so many artists have employed in our amps to create the world’s heaviest guitar tones!
Progressing along the gain spectrum, the transparent boost/overdrive CLEO™ is joined by the vintage-inspired, medium gain DYNAPLEX™ and the higher gain GOLD MINE™. The CLEO is a transparent boost/overdrive design focusing on vintage-inspired low to medium gain overdrive sounds packed with dynamic nuance, lively attack, and a wide variety of essential clip sounds. Moving on to medium gain, the DYNAPLEX is all about the “British Crunch” style with classic mid punch, chirping harmonics, and the chime players desire for classic rock sounds and beyond. Progressing to the higher end of the gain spectrum, the GOLD MINE is focused on mid to high gain sounds, classic heavy chunk, and rich gain with harmonic complexity, soaring single note sounds, and the liquid gain and girth that gain lovers expect from MESA.
Like every MESA product, our pedals are built using the same quality components, craftsmanship, and inspiring performance as our custom amplifiers…all hand-built in Petaluma, California, USA! Drive PedalsMESA® Drive Pedals are built by the same artisans that create the award-winning Mark Five™ and the legendary Dual and Triple Rectifier® amps. They stand ready to serve up all rock genres with cut and aggression while retaining much of the signature warmth and organic sonic quality found in our amplifiers. Ranging from high to lower gain applications, including classic rock or howling blues, we have a drive pedal that will help you achieve the sounds that so many artists have employed in our amps to create the world’s heaviest guitar tones!
Progressing along the gain spectrum, the transparent boost/overdrive CLEO™ is joined by the vintage-inspired, medium gain DYNAPLEX™ and the higher gain GOLD MINE™. The CLEO is a transparent boost/overdrive design focusing on vintage-inspired low to medium gain overdrive sounds packed with dynamic nuance, lively attack, and a wide variety of essential clip sounds. Moving on to medium gain, the DYNAPLEX is all about the “British Crunch” style with classic mid punch, chirping harmonics, and the chime players desire for classic rock sounds and beyond. Progressing to the higher end of the gain spectrum, the GOLD MINE is focused on mid to high gain sounds, classic heavy chunk, and rich gain with harmonic complexity, soaring single note sounds, and the liquid gain and girth that gain lovers expect from MESA.
Like every MESA product, our pedals are built using the same quality components, craftsmanship, and inspiring performance as our custom amplifiers…all hand-built in Petaluma, California, USA!
Electro-Harmonix Pitch Fork+ Polyphonic Pitch ShifterDual engine pitch shifting with nearly endless possibilities and expansive control options! The EHX Pitch Fork®+ features two independent pitch shifting engines with full control over each. Both will transpose your pitch up or down over a +/- three octave range and detune +/-99 cents. With rock solid tracking, an organic, musical tone and extensive control, it’s your ultimate harmonizer.Pitch Fork+ Polyphonic Pitch ShifterDual engine pitch shifting with nearly endless possibilities and expansive control options! The EHX Pitch Fork®+ features two independent pitch shifting engines with full control over each. Both will transpose your pitch up or down over a +/- three octave range and detune +/-99 cents. With rock solid tracking, an organic, musical tone and extensive control, it’s your ultimate harmonizer.
Pedal Pad CUSTOM PEDALBOARDS : BUILT TO ORDER!!Pedal Pad pedalboards are hand-built for YOU in Coatesville, Pennsylvania! Our boards feature an ALL-IN-ONE solution where the board is also the case. Just pop the top and PLAY! Our ordering interface allows you to configure any board with a plethora of options. More options or requests? Just email or call and we’ll make it happen! Most custom orders ship within 2-3 weeks!CUSTOM PEDALBOARDS : BUILT TO ORDER!!Pedal Pad pedalboards are hand built for YOU in Coatesville, Pennsylvania! Our boards feature an ALL-IN-ONE solution where the board is also the case. Just pop the top and PLAY! Our ordering interface allows you to configure any board with a plethora of options. More options or requests? Just email or call and we’ll make it happen! Most custom orders ship within 2-3 weeks!
Electro-Harmonix Nano Big Muff Pi FuzzEHX took the Big Muff Pi circuit and simply shrunk it without changing its rich, creamy, violin-like sustain and sound. The EHX Nano Big Muff Pi works and sounds identical in every way to our classic NYC Big Muff Pi. Get a piece of the pi for yourself!Nano Big Muff Pi FuzzEHX took the Big Muff Pi circuit and simply shrunk it without changing its rich, creamy, violin-like sustain and sound. The EHX Nano Big Muff Pi works and sounds identical in every way to our classic NYC Big Muff Pi. Get a piece of the pi for yourself!
Valeton GP-200Implementing the HD digital modeling technology accumulated throughout years of the Valeton team’s diligent efforts, the GP-200 delivers hundreds of re-editions of tones from world-classic amplifiers and stompboxes with a comprehensive upgraded algorithm. Combining 140 legendary amplifiers and cabinets simulations and 100 renowned stompbox effect pedals, plus 20 factory cab IR slots, the GP-200 will guarantee your consistently great sound on stage.Valeton GP-200Implementing the HD digital modeling technology accumulated throughout years of the Valeton team’s diligent efforts, the GP-200 delivers hundreds of re-editions of tones from world-classic amplifiers and stompboxes with a comprehensive upgraded algorithm. Combining 140 legendary amplifiers and cabinets simulations and 100 renowned stompbox effect pedals, plus 20 factory cab IR slots, the GP-200 will guarantee your consistently great sound on stage.
Electro-Harmonix Ravish Sitar EmulatorTransform your electric guitar into a sitar! Very few instruments offer as much harmonic and dynamic flexibility as a sitar. Electro-Harmonix has streamlined the essence of the sitar into a compact enclosure that offers a polyphonic lead voice and tunable sympathetic string drones that dynamically react to your playing. With the EHX Ravish Sitar Emulator, you can create your own custom scales for the sympathetic strings while you set the decay time for the lead voice.Two expression pedal inputs allow you to bend the pitch of the lead voice and control the volume of the sympathetic strings simultaneously. These unique controls offer the player the ability to program the Ravish to become a totally unique and organic instrument unto itself.The Ravish is truly a design with the flexibility to be a crossover tonal wonder.Ravish Sitar EmulatorTransform your electric guitar into a sitar! Very few instruments offer as much harmonic and dynamic flexibility as a sitar. Electro-Harmonix has streamlined the essence of the sitar into a compact enclosure that offers a polyphonic lead voice and tunable sympathetic string drones that dynamically react to your playing. With the EHX Ravish Sitar Emulator, you can create your own custom scales for the sympathetic strings while you set the decay time for the lead voice.Two expression pedal inputs allow you to bend the pitch of the lead voice and control the volume of the sympathetic strings simultaneously. These unique controls offer the player the ability to program the Ravish to become a totally unique and organic instrument unto itself.The Ravish is truly a design with the flexibility to be a crossover tonal wonder.
VOX Valvenergy Pedals: Mystic EdgeIconic amp sounds for your pedalboard. The Valvenergy series valve distortion pedals offer the warmth and harmonics of amp distortion in a compact pedal format. The all-analog signal path and Nutube allow for genuine overdrive and distortion tones with the feel of a real tube amp, while internally boosted voltage gives greater headroom and dynamics. Three output modes allow you to use this as a standard pedal, a line-level preamp, and a direct amp-sim using the built-in analog cabinet simulator.See VideoFollow on Instagram
Acorn Amplifiers F#%k Face FuzzThe F#%k Face is a triple gain stage fuzz with thick and meaty sustain that sounds huge in front of a slightly cranked tube amp. Baseball card collectors from the late 80’s will immediately recognize the infamous ‘error card’ graphics of the same name. The circuit is based on the legendary Fuzz with a different Face, but with an additional silicon transistor gain stage and voiced to retain more useable and dynamic fuzz tones all along the sweep of the two controls. In the front of your pedal chain, the F#%k Face will add dynamic interactivity to the volume controls on your guitar which enable a sweep from slight grit to full ripping-velcro breakup.See VideoFollow on Facebook
Blackstar Amplification Dept. 10 PedalsBrought to you by Blackstar’s R&D division responsible for blue-sky innovation and design, Dept. 10 are the most advanced valve pedals in the world. Meticulously designed and engineered by a team of musicians for musicians. At the heart of each Dept. 10 pedal is an ECC83 triode valve, running at more than 200V internally like a valve amp, which allows them to deliver organic tone, dynamics and break up. Dual Drive and Dual Distortion include Cab Rig, our next-generation DSP speaker simulator that reproduces the sound and feel of a mic’d up guitar cab in incredible detail. Deep-dive using our free software and capture the incredible tones via low latency USB, XLR D.I. out or headphones. Choose from Boost, Dual Drive or Dual Distortion to help you craft your perfect tone.See VideoFollow on Instagram
Nobels ODR-miniThe ODR-mini delivers creamy, natural overdrive – Everything from pushed clean amp tones to gain filled stacks! It has the same tones as its legendary brother – the ODR-1. You‘ll love the warm mid-gain tones for rock and blues, and the screaming hard rock sounds from the ODR-1 Mini. Plus the mini features true-bypass switching, the SPECTRUM pot with mid-click, fluorescent pointers on the “GitD“ – knobs (Glow-in-the-Dark). Guaranteed to be a BIG part of your sound while a small part of your pedal board.Effect-Type: OverdriveAnalogMono/Stereo: Mono In, Mono OutControl: Drive, Tone, LevelBypass Modus: True Bypass9-18 Volt, center negativeConsumption 25 mADimensions (WxLxH / mm): 42 x 93 x 50Weight: 175 grCountry of origin: ChinaSolid metal housingLow current consumptionRequires stabilized power supply 9-18 Volt DC, with min 100 mA, 2.1 mm plug, center negative, (not included)Hear AudioSee VideoFollow on Instagram
Darkglass Electronics Alpha Omega PhotonVersatility, empowerment, limitless options, and ever-demanding tools at the disposal of every musician and composer are today on demand. A call for inventive devices continues to make musicians more inspired, clever and connected. The Alpha·Omega Photon combines Darkglass’ signature Alpha·Omega parallel distortion with the versatile format of the Aggressively Distorting Advanced Machine. In addition to powerful distortion and studio-quality compression, the Alpha·Omega Photon is capable as an audio interface via USB-C or an amp replacement using cab sim IRs and XLR DI output.See VideoFollow on Instagram
George L’s Effects Cable KitsEnhance the tone and clarity of your pedalboard with award winning sound.The George L’s effects kit.The kit comes with 10’ of cable, 10 right angle plugs and 10 stress relief jackets.Available in black, vintage red and purple.As easy as 1, 2, 3 no soldering!Cut, poke and screw your way to 47 years of sound excellence.
SurfyBear Metal Reverb UnitThe Holy Grail of guitar reverb effects, the Fender®-style spring reverb, has been finally revisited with modern features!Try it and discover why most surf guitarists and the truly reverb addicted are turning to SurfyBear.★ exclusive SurfyPan type-4 spring reverb pan by Accutronics® and Surfy Industries★ aluminium body with removable feet on the bottom side for better positioning on pedalboards★ clean boost to adjust the volume when the effect is on★ innovative dual-LED on/off button★ true bypass functionality to keep your signal intact when the effect is off★ external footswitch possibility though the dedicated 1/4″ jack (footswitch not included)See VideoFollow On Instagram

Still striving to be the last word in maximalist modern metal, ALLEGAEON have been a formidable force over the last decade. Stoically progressive, technically dazzling and yet always in thrall to the uplifting power of melody, the Colorado crew have already released several extraordinary records, and “Damnum” is simply another triumph to add to the list. Still rooted in melodic death metal, but increasingly adventurous in terms of both arrangements and dynamics, the band’s sixth full-length offers yet another great leap forward, but with more than enough brutality and showmanship to satisfy the faithful. Irritatingly, they make it look easy.

Sonically pristine and located squarely at metal’s cutting edge, “Damnum” is what happens when absurdly gifted musicians reach a state of unwavering confidence. ALLEGAEON have dazzled in the past, of course, but their all-encompassing sound has never been as elegantly expressed as it is here. “Bastards of the Earth” is a furious opener that ticks off a bunch of the band’s trademarks, but it’s “Of Beasts and Worms” that demonstrates the true extent of their evolution. Overtly prog-fueled and embellished with hazy, analogue organ, the song’s first half is mesmerizing; its explosive second half, as bewildering and vicious as anything in the ALLEGAEON canon. Similarly, “To Carry My Grief Through Torpor and Silence” snaps seamlessly from imperious, melo-death squall to lissome, jazz fusion interlude and back again, the Americans’ collective dexterity wholly focused on honoring the numerous hooks and melodies that, somehow, band founder Greg Burgess slots skillfully into these mini-symphonies. Even at their most intense and straightforward, as on the stormy “Into Embers” and the black and bloody “Vermin”, ALLEGAEON’s shared lust for invention shines through, in rhythmic intricacies, textural quirks and all manner of unfathomable guitar work.

“Called Home” is the album’s obvious centerpiece, and it’s a stunning piece of songwriting: gothic and grand, it sizzles with black metal’s grim allure while gently evoking the liberated contemporary prog of OPETH and KATATONIA. Quietly beautiful, it’s a revelatory moment and a tantalizing glimpse of where ALLEGAEON may be heading next.

Elsewhere, two-part curio “The Dopamine Void” shimmers in nourishing reverb, before veering off on a frostbitten tangent, with both drummer Jeff Saltzman and vocalist Riley McShane locked in visceral, machine-gun mode, while “Saturnine” is another immaculate, highly evolved tech-melo-death gem. Darker and more destructive than any previous album, and yet uncannily accessible and full of jaw-dropping moments, “Damnum” is technique and soul in a state of perfect synergy. It closes with “Only Loss”, another startling rush of great ideas, pitiless precision and enlightened, futuristic metal power. ALLEGAEON have always been a bit special, and this is their most fantastic and fearless voyage to date.

PAPA ROACH singer Jacoby Shaddix spoke to Terrie Carr of the Morristown, New Jersey radio station 105.5 WDHA about the lyrical and musical inspiration for the band’s anthemic new single, “Stand Up”. Produced by Jason Evigan (Dua Lipa, G-Eazy, MAROON 5), the song brings massive energy and unique arrangements to Shaddix’s uplifting and motivating lyrics. The track seeks to provide a signature, bouncing anthem for a world that is energized to stand up against injustice, complacency, and opposition, further exercising their agency towards the obstacles in this new year.

Shaddix said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Trying to live my life in a more positive manner over the past 10 years and looking at life through a little bit of a different lens, I think being a father has inspired this as well, is writing something that has that positive element and almost like a message to myself but also to my kids and to the youth and to the people. You’ve gotta stand up for what you believe is right. And we see people doing that. And we don’t always agree on what you’re standing up for or what he’s standing up for or what she’s standing up for, but people wanna be heard; people wanna be recognized and acknowledged and understood. And in a time when people are really good at slinging shit at each other on the Internet, it’s, like, c’mon, people. I believe we have more in common than we think.

“Music is such a great unifier,” he continued. “It can be such a motivator and an inspirer; it’s been that to me in my life. And so to be able to put that message in a song and be that voice for someone that feels like they don’t have a voice and be that song that might inspire somebody to really start their movement in their life to become their greater self, what better thing to do? So ‘Stand Up’ brings that message.

“It’s like we took three different genres and slammed them together. It’s like we took hip-hop, we took rock and then we took pop anthemic vibe and made this amalgamation of a song.”

“Stand Up” joins previously released singles “Dying To Believe”, “Kill The Noise” (which held the no. 1 position on the Mainstream Rock chart for over a month) and genre-bending banger of a single “Swerve” featuring Jason Aalon Butler (FEVER 333) and Sueco, all pulled from a 2020 writing session with the iconic rock band and a tight-knit creative team including familiar collaborators Colin Brittain and Nick Furlong. What started as an escape and an exercise in keeping the creative juices flowing, in a world that had completely ground to a halt, quickly grew into something bigger. The forthcoming album, expected to drop later this year, will be released via New Noize Records, in partnership with ADA Worldwide (WMG’s independent label and artist services arm).

PAPA ROACH’s North American “Kill The Noise” tour with special guests HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD and BAD WOLVES will kick off on March 1 in Anaheim, California. The trek, produced by Live Nation, will make stops in the United States and Canada, marking the band’s first headlining tour in three years.

PAPA ROACH’s second greatest-hits collection, “Greatest Hits Vol. 2: The Better Noise Years”, was released in March 2021 on Better Noise Music. “Greatest Hits Vol. 2 – The Better Noise Years” included 12 of the band’s top 10 hits released between 2010 to 2019 as well as three previously unreleased remixes and two unreleased acoustic recordings recorded live at the YouTube Studios in New York City.

PAPA ROACH’s latest album, “Who Do You Trust?”, was released in January 2019. The disc was produced by Furlong and Cunningham except for the song “Top Of The World”, which was helmed by Jason Evigan.

In December 2020, PAPA ROACH released a five-song EP, “20/20”, featuring “new takes on old jams,” including “Last Resort” and “Scars”.

The Nashville-based power player uses classic-style guitars and amps to create big tones that echo from the past to the future.Our last Rundown with J.D. Simo was eight years ago. Since then, the songwriter, guitarist, and producer has worked with Jack White, Tommy Emmanuel, Luther Dickinson, Dave Cobb, Blackberry Smoke, and even been a friend in Grateful Dead founder Phil Lesh’s band Phil and Friends. Currently, Simo is promoting his most unique, original, and raw album yet, called Mind Control, where he explores Afrobeat grooves and Mississippi trance blues. Simo invited John Bohlinger and the PG team to his studio to look at some new and old friends with strings, cones, and attitude.[Brought to you by D’Addario XS Strings: http://ddar.io/xs.rr]Hail to the ChiefJD Simo’s No. 1 remains his beloved and battered 1962 Gibson ES-335. It’s had a few changes since his last Rundown. Note JFK on the back of its headstock! Nashville star luthier Joe Glaser modded the neck tone control to knock it out of phase. During quarantine, Simo reinstalled the original Bigsby bridge with nylon saddles. This, and all of Simo’s guitars, use Stringjoy strings (.010 sets, when tuned to standard) and are picked with Jim Dunlop tortoise mediums.Trifecta of CoolThe backside of the 335’s headstock reveals some classic stamps.Picks of the LitterHere you see JD’s Jim Dunlop tortoise medium pick (for guitar) and a Dave Grisman DAWG pick (for mandolin). Jazzmaster Just in NameIt began life as a mid-’60s Jazzmaster body. Fellow Nashville-based guitarist George Bradfute added a MusiKraft neck and refinished and rewired this 6-string with a humbucker and S-style pickups from Vintage Inspired Pickups, out of Beverly, Massachusetts. There is a phase switch on the tone control.Headstock ShockA close look at this axe’s headstock logo reveals that … well, this offset has a unique make and model name. The Asscaster stays tuned down to B with .014–.064 strings.From the DeepsThis Echopark Exner Tavares in a seemingly luminescent finish is made from white pine sinker wood. It features a gold-foil neck pickup, a ’70s Fender Wide Range bridge pickup, and a Chris Swope Guitars bridge. The Exner stays tuned down a whole step, with .011–.049 strings.Down in the HollowsHere’s an all-stock 1952 Gibson ES-5 in standard tuning and strung with flatwound .012—.056 strings, for vintage tone. This model debuted in 1949 as an electric version of Gibson’s then-popular acoustic L-5.Lab RatThis Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab ’64 SG Standard features OX4 pickups, hand-wound by Mark Stow in Oxford, England. The finish is the work of Gibson’s famed in-house aging and replication expert, Tom Murphy.Humble HotshotSimo’s going for heavy acoustic vibe with this 1965 Silvertone H165. It stays tuned down to C# and is amplified with a LR Baggs M80 pickup.Mondo MandoThis 1966 Kay Airline mandolin is hipper than most, with the company’s cool Kelvinator-style logo on its headstock. It’s all original, including the Jimmy Reed-style pickup and two-tone binding.Mr. NaturalJ-50 is the Gibson company’s designation for its natural-finish J-45 workhorses—the guitar that helped define modern folk music. This 1961 J-50 features a 1963 DeArmond RHC-B soundhole pickup and stays strung with nickel bronze .012­–.056 strings.Goodbye MarshallsDepending on the scenario, Simo currently uses one, or a combination of, these amps: a 1964 Ampeg Gemini I with a Weber ceramic-magnet ferromax speaker, a 1949 Alamo Model 3 (lower right), a 1972 Fender silver-panel Deluxe Reverb converted to black-panel specs (also with a Weber speaker), and a Pre CBS Amps Clifford 18W made by Zack Allen of Nashville’s Carter Guitars. The latter is essentially a 7591-output-tube Princeton Reverb clone and has a Weber speaker. Simo runs with his amps with an AmpRX Brown Box power attenuator.At the Stomp PostSimo’s very simple pedalboard includes a 1972 Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face, a 1973 Vox Cry Baby with a Chase tone pot, a rehoused vintage Kay fuzz, a Strymon El Capistan, and a Fender trem/reverb Switch. XAct Tone Solutions made the board and its battery box. Simo also uses Divine Noise Cables.

Eddie Sutton of metallic hardcore crossover underground royalty Leeway continues to battle an aggressive cancer. Here’s the latest update and how you can help.
The post Fall and Rise: Eddie Leeway Takes On Cancer appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

Joe Satriani says that he has stopped pushing for CHICKENFOOT to reunite for more live shows and possible new music.

The supergroup, which features the legendary guitarist alongside former VAN HALEN singer Sammy Hagar, ex-VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith, has been largely inactive since 2012 when it toured with Kenny Aronoff on drums due to Smith’s busy schedule with his main band.

In 2018, CHICKENFOOT reunited at the Fillmore in San Francisco during the fifth annual “Acoustic-4-A-Cure” benefit concert. The even marked the band’s first performance together in just over two years.

Asked in a new interview with SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk” if he believes CHICKENFOOT still has some “unfinished business” to take care of, Satriani told host Eddie Trunk (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “I think so… I believe the last time that I was in the worst mood about CHICKENFOOT, I was at your studio and you were surprised, I think, when I had said that I’d be into working with other people ’cause I had kind of thrown my hands up in the air with those guys. After that, I kind of backed off bugging, because I thought I just don’t wanna be that guy. That’s the guy that’s always saying, ‘C’mon, guys. Let’s get the group back together.’

“I still think that it has to happen from the other side there, because they’re so busy. Like, Chad right now is about to launch a worldwide tour with the CHILI PEPPERS and a new album,” he continued. “So the reality is that he won’t really have time for quite a while. It’s not my place anymore to be the guy bugging him about it. But Sammy and I talk every week, and it’s all cool. Everyone’s on good terms. It’s just a question of how do we fit it in to this crazy world we live in.”

Last March, Anthony told the Morristown, New Jersey radio station 105.5 WDHA that CHICKENFOOT will reunite for more live shows and possible new music. “I think there’ll definitely be some kind of CHICKENFOOT [activity] in the future,” he said. “Sammy and I, we talk about it all the time, and I text with Joe and Chad all the time, if we’re not speaking. And I know Joe really wants to do it.”

Michael, who has spent most of the last few years playing with Sammy in THE CIRCLE, continued: “It’s kind of funny, ’cause we start doing THE CIRCLE thing, and Sammy gets all enamored with THE CIRCLE. He’s all, ‘Oh, yeah. It’s THE CIRCLE this and that.’ But you never know. He might wake up tomorrow and go, ‘Oh my God. CHICKENFOOT — let’s do a CHICKENFOOT gig.’

“I definitely think that CHICKENFOOT will do something else,” Anthony reiterated. “Whether we’ll record another album, which would be great — I’d love to do that. But I’d love to just together and even just do some shows — do a bunch of shows with those guys. ‘Cause that’s actually some of the best times I’ve ever had on the road. Believe me — touring with Chad Smith is like touring with no other… Even hanging out with Chad since he’s been sober, he’s still crazier than some of the most crazy people I know.

“But we definitely have a great time. And I definitely feel that we’ll [get together], if not to record some new stuff, hopefully in the near future to at least get together and play some shows together.”

Three years ago, Joe told Meltdown of Detroit’s WRIF radio station that “the door is always open” for CHICKENFOOT to play again, “because there’s a true connection between the four of us, and we’d all do it in a second.”

In March 2017, CHICKENFOOT released “Divine Termination”, its first new tune in five years, on “Best + Live”, the band’s first-ever best-of collection.

CHICKENFOOT’s most recent album of all-new material was “Chickenfoot III”, the band’s second LP, issued in 2011.