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PG's Shawn Hammond is on location at the Majestic in Madison, Wisconsin, checking out Dinosaur Jr. frontman J Mascis' rig. In this segment, he shows us his arsenal of modified Jazzmasters, a powerful four-amp setup, and then demonstrates some of the tones in his pedalboard.

Guitars
J Mascis' main guitar is a sunburst '63 Fender Jazzmaster with original neck and pickups (left). He replaced the pickup covers, knobs, and added a Tune-o-matic-style bridge. His main backup is a sunburst '65 Jazzmaster with original neck and pickups, also with the bridge replaced. Other Jazzmasters in his arsenal include a refinished '58 with vintage pickups and gold hardware, a refinished '63 body with '59 neck and vintage Jazzmaster pickups, and the second prototype of his signature Squier Jazzmaster with Seymour Duncan Antiquities. Mascis disengages the top toggle switch and installs jumbo frets into most of his guitars.

Amps
Mascis’ four-amp setup includes two late-’60s Marshall Super Bass full-stacks, a vintage Hiwatt DR-103 head driving two Marshall 4x12s, and a Victoria 80212 tweed Twin clone. The head shown here sits atop an ancient and battle-scarred 4x12 that he proudly says he bought for $40, minus the speakers.

Effects
Mascis’ pedalboard is built around a Bob Bradshaw-built Custom Audio Electronics switcher that gives him a multitude of effect combinations. Among the notable boxes on the board are a ToneBender Mk I-clone/Rangemaster-clone combo pedal built by Built to Spill’s Doug Martsch (bottom right corner), Mascis’ first Electro-Harmonix “Ram’s Head” Big Muff (top right), an MC-FX clone of a Univox Super-Fuzz, a CAE Twin Tremolo (upper left), a Z.Vex Double Rock (two Box of Rocks in one, bottom left), and an Electro-Harmonix POG2 that he’s using to mimic Mellotron and organ sounds from Dino Jr.’s latest album.

Comments

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roknfnrol on 04/23/2013	Maybe it was mentioned before, but Doug from BTS didn't build that pedal. It's another band member, I believe his name is Jim or "Jerms".
Tim G on 04/18/2013	I agree with Ian B. Just because he can't explain the schematic for a Rangemaster or Tonebender doesnt know what he's talking about. J is a really laid back guy, and really cares about how something sounds, not obsessed with the physical aspects of a pedal. Not a question was left unanswered. Laconic doesnt mean ignorant.
Ian B on 04/10/2013	Totally disagree with Patrick C. Not a question unanswered. interesting and informative. J's delivery might mask his enthusiasm but laconicism is not ignorance.
Patrick C. on 03/29/2013	Holy Shit. Could you know any less about your gear??? I understand messing with sounds, and finding what you like, without knowing exactly what you are doing, but this J. is totally ignorant to anything. What a disappointment.
Jim on 02/10/2013	I saw Dinosaur Jr at the Electric Ballroom in Camden on the 4th Feb 2013. The Bass player and drummer sounded excellent, but J Mascis had a sound that was painful to listen to. Sounded like he had also blown a few speakers as well. Never seem them live before and when I saw 3 full stacks in a venue that size...overkill? His clean tone I heard, his dirty tone was awful. All that said and done, I had a blast watching them and the band had loads of energy.
Alan on 01/22/2013	I saw them in Oxford, MS a few years ago and the stage was so small that he was only able to use 2 of these stacks. How does J expect to get any volume with only 2 stacks? haha They were giving away earplugs at the door and I declined, thinking "earplugs are for p*****s" Not long after that I went running to the door and humbly asked for a pair. They were out. Toilet paper helped a little bit. I can't imagine how loud it would have been with that 3rd stack. And by the way, the toilet paper was clean.
PureSalem on 01/09/2013	I ..... L ... O ...V ....E ... D....I....N....O....S....A....U....R ..... J.....R.... !!!!!!!!!! No rock star B.S with J ....
RH on 12/28/2012	Correction in your article: J says the pedal in the bottom right corner was built by Jim Roth of Built to Spill, not Doug M.
Quetzalcoatl on 12/24/2012	Great player and nice guy, but other than seeing the obvious -- that a great player need not be a great public speaker -- this really was a snooze. Even where there were unique aspects to the setup -- that way-high action, for instance -- the interview didn't really go into any detail at all. Great player, good band, pointless inview.
Jack on 12/05/2012	I first met J back in 1984 and his laconic way of speaking was EXACTLY the same as it is EXACTLY the same as it is now. The guy is unquestionably an amazing guitarist and songwriter. I am particularly partial to the first three Dino Jr. albums, the 3rd of which, BUG, is an example of a perfect record where everything rocks from beginning to end with no weak material whatsoever. Plus the guy can sing and solo at the same time, I certainly can't do that.

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