Adrian Vandenberg is a Dutch rock guitarist, best known for his tenure 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.
Hot-Rodded Heritage
Vandenberg bought this 1980 Gibson Les Paul Heritage brand new. It’s been his number-one for 44 years. All original black plastics, like the truss rod cover, pickup rings, and more, were replaced by Adrian himself in the ’80’s to give it a unique look compared to other LPs. The day of this rundown, van Roekel replaced the original bridge pickup, which had grown microphonic over the years, with a new Burstbucker. Vandenberg’s strings are Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky (.009-.046), and his picks are Herco Flex 75s.
Proto-Peavey
This Peavey Vandenberg is a prototype of his signature model. It is completely stock, loaded with Seymour Duncan JB Model pickups. The trem was not being used so van Roekel blocked it with a stack of quarters and dimes, which Vandenberg feels helps it get great sustain. The red diamond inlays are not really visible on a stage, so they will likely be changed.
Vandenberg also plays a stock Taylor acoustic, which runs into Vandenberg’s Neural Quad Cortex using their J45 impulse response and some chorus and delay to make it sound like a proper guitar. The acoustic runs Ernie Ball Everlast Coated strings (.010-.050).
Cortex, Cabs, and Chorus
Vandenberg runs his Quad Cortex for all electrics and the acoustic, approaching it as you would a normal rig. The Cortex provides effects like chorus, delays, and a boost for leads. The amp section includes two primary profiles: “Signature Soldano” and “Modded Marshall.” All of the presets include a bit of chorus, and the “Modded Marshall” profile has a short delay on it at all times. His signal is then sent to a Seymour Duncan PowerStage 100 Stereo which feeds four 4x12 Peavey 6505 cabinets. The signals are split across Vandenberg’s cab stacks: The “Signature Soldano” goes to the first top and second bottom cabinets, and the “Modded Marshall” goes to the second top and first bottom cabinets.
Just in case something goes wrong, Vandenberg tours with a backup Quad Cortex and Seymour Duncan PowerStage that van Roekel can swap in a hurry if needed.
Shop Adrian Vandenberg's Rig
Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s Electric Guitar
Gibson Accessories '60s Burstbucker Humbucking Pickup
Peavey Vandenberg Signature Series Electric Guitar
Taylor T5z Custom Koa Hollowbody Electric Guitar
Seymour Duncan TB-6
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Seymour Duncan PowerStage 100 Stereo
Peavey 6505 II 4 x 12-inch Slanted Cabinet
Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky (.009-.046)
Ernie Ball Everlast Coated strings (.010-.050)
Herco HE211P Flex 75 1.01mm Silver Nylon Guitar Picks
“This was a five year project to create the most authentic Univibe pedal we could while adding modern features players would love” says Chris Van Tassel. The Uni-Verb is a faithful analog recreation of the Univibe with an added 50’s spring tank reverb, expanded control section and effects loop. “We know most players want to separate the vibe and reverb in their chain so we created an effects loop to give the player the most amount of flexibility". Chris continues “This pedal runs at 24v like the original, but is internally converted to 24v so you can use a standard 9v power supply. We paid special attention to making the vibe section very musical and useable compared to the original. The Uni-Verb vibes faster and slower than the original and also has slightly more output.”
Features
● Analog vibe/chorus running at 24v like the original (powers with a standard 9v)
● Built in 50’s spring tank reverb selectable via foot switch
● Effects loop separating reverb and chorus/vibe for versatile routing options
● Expanded modulation controls for more flexibility and versatility than the original
● True Bypass
Uni-Verb is available now for $449.00. Available for online purchase via select dealers. More info at: rockettpedals.com.
For starters, the Callisto MKII is 100 percent analog just like the original for some classic trembling warmth you can really feel. Just how much wobble you want can be dialed in with the Mix control, which achieves 100 percent wet or dry in either direction. Turning it all the way up delivers a wonderfully-tuned pitch vibrato that can add some spice to your solos or some disorienting tape-like warble designed to help you create your next bedroom pop record.
Classic Rate and Depth controls go beyond the basic two-knob chorus and into hi-fi territory that makes your guitar shine and sound equally great for both lead and rhythm applications, or any other instrument you find may be lacking in thickness. Catalinbread has also taken the liberty of adding a new Feedback control, which dumps a varying amount of signal from the output of the BBD chip back into the circuit after the filtering occurs, for a striking regenerative tone that blurs the line between chorus and flanger.
For more information and demo videos, please visit catalinbread.com. The Callisto MKII is out now and available for $209.99 at participating retailers.