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Since our 2013 episode with AAL, guitarist Tosin Abasi has gone back in time (or technology) to use traditional tube heads and pedals, while fellow 8-stringer Javier Reyes (above right) continues down the digital rabbit hole with the powerful Fractal Axe-Fx II. Watch as they break down (and demo their) setups with PG’s Perry Bean for over 60 minutes.
Inspired by the recent spur of ergonomic guitar designs and custom builds he’s played, Tosin has been working with Ibanez on this all-original body for his latest signature that’s been in the prototype stage for over a year. Although it is an 8-string guitar, it has a major belly scoop to reduce heft and increase playability. It has a fanned-fret neck that allows the bass strings to have a longer scale length (27"), while the treble strings are on a traditional scale (24.75"). Tosin prefers the sound of bolt-on guitars (and acknowledges that this will reduce production cost) and it is loaded with his signature Fishman Fluence pickups. Tosin uses D’Addario NYXL custom 8-string sets (.0095-.074) and Dunlop .73 mm signature picks (similar to a Jazz III, but slightly larger).
This is another Ibanez Tosin Abasi signature model with his Fishman Fluence pickups.
This custom build by Ola Strandberg started Tosin down the alternative-body, ergonomic-design path. It’s a baritone 8-string that has the two beefy strings extended past the traditional nut. It was the eighth guitar Ola ever built and was finished in 2013.
Here is a Kiesel NS1 Nylon Synth Access guitar that gets busted out for “Brain Dance.”
While working with Seymour Duncan, the tone-seeking Tosin had his interest piqued when he saw and heard a Morgan Amplification head was used as their test amp for new gear and product demos. He got hooked when he was able to play through this Morgan SW50R that runs on 6L6s and has a 3-spring, tube-driven reverb.
The Fractal Axe-Fx II now just runs the delays and reverbs for Tosin’s Fishman Loudbox when he plays on the Kiesel nylon-string guitar. While he uses a Bogner 4x12 for stage volume, Tosin likes using this Two Notes Torpedo Live Digital Loadbox and Speaker Simulator so he can dial in tones/mic placement/speaker cab configuration for FOH each night.
Tosin’s board is home to a TC Electronic PolyTune 2 BlackLight, ISP Technologies Decimator II, Bogner Harlow, Strymon TimeLine, Strymon BigSky, Empress ParaEQ, KHDK No. 2 Clean Boost, two Friedman BE-ODs, Carl Martin Plexitone, Bogner Ecstasy, Horizon Devices Precision Drive, and a Boomerang III Phrase Sampler. Everything is controlled by a Carl Martin Octa-Switch MKII.
Javier Reyes recently scored this custom-made ESP Vintage Plus 8-string that has a gold Floyd Rose trem and a features the same neck profile and inlays that are on his current ESP signature model. It is equipped with a custom set of DiMarzio single-coils. He uses D’Addario NYXL custom 8-string sets (.0095-.074) and Dunlop .73 mm signature picks (similar to a Jazz III, but slightly larger).
This is his signature ESP 8-string that is outfitted with his own DiMarzio JR-CTM humbuckers.
Just like his bandmate, Javier rocks a Strandberg. This is the 63rd guitar built by Ola.
Reyes continues to rely on a Fractal Axe-Fx II for nearly all of his amp and pedal needs. It cranks through a Port City 2x12 Wave cabinet with Celestion G12H speakers.
Onstage he controls all his sounds with a Fractal MFC-101 MKII unit and supplements a required octave sound with a MXR Sub Machine and uses a Bogner Harlow for added compression.
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Perry cut his teeth touring and playing in punk rock and hardcore bands, before he got his start in film. He worked his way up from lowly production assistant to become a producer, art director, and most recently, a music video director nominated for ACM, CMT, and CMA awards. Premier Guitar was a perfect fit for him, combining his two favorite things, guitars and cameras. Perry doesn't have free time, but his massive dog Beef pays his rent by being Perry's intern.
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