Heavy-hitting trio looks ready to swim with alt-rock’s big fish.
Sharkmuffin’s press posse describes the trio as “badass riot grrl.” And there’s no question that the sonic storm generated by Tarra Thiessen (guitar, lead vocals, theremin, keyboards), Natalie Kirch (bass, vocals), and Janet LaBelle (drums) slams through the speakers with enough punk intensity and sharpened hooks to draw favorable comparisons with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Hole, Bikini Kill, and the Breeders—trailblazing alt-rock bands with strong female leads.
But listen to the four songs on the band’s latest EP, 1097, and it doesn’t take long to hear that there’s more than bad-assitude behind Sharkmuffin’s crunching riffs, thundering drums, and punk-simple bass lines. The band’s kick-to-the-stones ferocity amplifies solid songwriting, while Thiessen’s noise-rock fretboard assaults are balanced by nuanced technique. Amidst the noise, there’s plenty of cleverly applied tones and expressive dynamics.
A few weeks before a trip to Los Angeles to put the finishing touches on Sharkmuffin’s full-length debut album, Thiessen checked in from Brooklyn and explained how noise rock can coexist with the study of music theory, an appreciation for Van Halen, and a love of Pink Floyd—and why neither “riot” nor “grrl” tell the whole story.
so it’s always there.
How would you describe Sharkmuffin’s sound?
I guess like “psych-punk-surf?” I don't know! It’s like you just start stringing so many words together that you need to think of new words for it. I really like Ty Segall and Thee Oh Sees—they’re garage bands from San Francisco that have that “blown-out speaker” sound with catchy riffs and catchy melodies. But you can’t really hear the words they’re saying all that well because they’re so distorted. I wanted the sound to be less distorted so you can hear what I’m saying, while still being noisy.
Was that always your musical goal?
That’s a more recent thing, I think, from the last couple years of what Sharkmuffin turned into. I listen to my stuff from a couple years ago and it’s more classic rock “jammy” college stuff. I met Natalie the summer after I graduated college and she didn’t really know how to play yet. But that was fine because I wanted to be in a punk band. I like her style because she hasn't been playing that long, so it’s more basic, which is easier to follow and write stuff on top of. And it's more fun too.
Our sound and approach have changed as we’ve developed as a band. Our original drummer left and Janet LaBelle joined us in October. She’s out with an arm injury but we’re hoping she can finish the album with us when we go to L.A. in July. Patty Schemel from Hole stepped in and recorded with us in February.
Do you and Natalie write together?
For our first EP, She-Gods of Champagne Valley, the songs were written in my previous two bands and Natalie just learned those. On the new EP and album, we’ve done more jamming and writing together. “Soft Landing” came out of a bass line that Natalie wrote. We jammed a lot of the songs on the new album at her family’s beach house in New Jersey, which was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. We named the EP 1097 after it [based on the beach house's address].
YouTube It
This extended video features all four tracks from Sharkmuffin’s current EP, 1097. Check out the expressive surf-guitar solo outro starting at 1:21 and lasting until the end of the first track, “Foul Play.”
When did you start playing guitar?
My stepdad was a bass collector. He had about 30 different basses that I sort of jammed on when I was younger. I think it was Jack White who made me really want to start playing the guitar, after I heard “Fell in Love with a Girl.” I was in high school, so I just learned a bunch of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd—I like David Gilmour—and stuff like that.
Classic rock? That might surprise some of your listeners….
I’m more into noisy stuff now. I have lots of pedals and I like everything to be really loud. I really like surf rock. In high school, this one Ventures CD was stuck in my car stereo, so I listened only to them for a whole summer: The Ventures and Dick Dale. I love the Velvet Underground sound, too. I listened to Side B of Velvet Underground & Nico every day for a couple of months in college. I also really like [German experimental rock band] Can. I like their guitar parts. Then there’s this band called the Mallard—they were kind of more post-punk, noisy, with this girl guitar player that I thought was pretty sweet, Greer McGettrick.
While recording Sharkmuffin’s latest EP, 1097, at Audio Parlour in Brooklyn with engineer Kevin Andreas, Tarra Thiessen played a Fender Jaguar HH through her 1966 Fender Pro Reverb. Thiessen gets her noise fix from Death by Audio pedals. Photos by Jaime Schultz.
How long have you been writing songs?
I tried writing songs when I first started playing guitar in middle school, but I could never get myself to finish them. I always had really bad anxiety about finishing songs until I was about 19 and I started singing—then I started writing and finishing them. But I’ve had a journal since I was 11 and have always written things down, sort of as a release. I was always depressed when I wasn’t writing.
Interesting that you’re drawing from something as personal as a journal and then cranking it up to be loud and in your face.
There’s a lot of rage—controlled rage—in it. I guess it’s my ex-boyfriends pissing me off [laughs]. I’m really into storytelling. A song like “Mermaid Sex Slave” [from She-Gods of Champagne Valley]is kind of mythical and a bit jokey—just a stupid story that I made up. It’s more interesting to take my actual autobiographical experiences and make those into stories and songs.
Is there an essential piece of gear in your arsenal?
I use lots of Death By Audio pedals. During college, I had this band and the bass player lived in the loft behind Death By Audio [in Brooklyn, New York], and they built all the pedals there. So that’s how I first started playing with them—being in my practice space alone and playing around with the pedals. I’ve become friends with the guys who make them.
Do you work out parts and sounds ahead of time?
It depends on the song. On “Ten Ten,” that noise thing was such a spur of the moment idea. I asked Natalie what time it was, and she just screamed “10:10!” And our drummer just did this hardcore beat. It was a joke, an in-the-moment kind of thing. We ended up turning it into something because we thought it was so funny. I also played a theremin on that—I have a bunch of guitar pedals that I don’t use in my setup, so I use my theremin with them.
Other songs, like “Foul Play,” are more controlled. If you see me play live, I have three different pedals that I use to control dynamics. I don’t really know where that comes from. I guess for different parts I want to be louder and more in your face, as opposed to other parts where you just want to communicate your words.
Tarra Thiessen’s Gear
Guitars
2009 Fender Jaguar Special HH Version
Amps
1966 Fender Pro Reverb
Effects
Death by Audio Fuzz War
Death by Audio Interstellar Overdriver
Death by Audio Echo Dream
Seymour Duncan SFX-07 Shape Shifter Tremolo
Boss DD-6 Digital Delay
Boss RE-20 Space Echo (for vocals)
Strings and Picks
Augustine Spectra Light Electric strings (.010–.046)
Dunlop Gator Grip 1.14 mm picks
How did you approach the production of 1097?
We recorded at Audio Parlour in Bushwick [Brooklyn] with Kevin Andreas, and tracked the bass and drums to 2" tape, which sounded great. I played my Fender Jaguar HH through my 1966 Fender Pro Reverb. “Quarter Machine” and “Soft Landing” were pretty basic—mainly just the Jaguar through my Death By Audio Interstellar Overdriver and the Pro Reverb. “Ten Ten” has three different guitar tracks laid over each other, where I was just sort of improvising along with two theremin tracks.
Do you play any other instruments?
I play bass and I can sort of play keyboard. I have a Bachelor’s of Music degree in Music Business [from NYU]. I took four years of music theory, oral comprehension, and music history, so I know a lot of boring classical stuff—and some really interesting classical stuff, too. We also had to take recording classes and there was an option to take lessons, so I did voice lessons and guitar lessons towards the end.
Do you have a set writing or practice regimen?
I definitely try to write a song every day, or try to work out parts for songs. I have to go through a lot of crappy ideas to get to the decent ones. Last winter, I learned a lot of Van Halen solos—so I go through phases where I want to learn new licks and try different stuff because I get bored with my soloing. When I don’t have a boyfriend, I always sleep next to my guitar, so it’s always there.
It seems like the only difference in being a female is that we always need to specify that we’re female—that's the only problem. It’s kind of annoying, because I’ll never be on a “Best Guitar Players” list ... I’ll be on a “Best Female Guitar Players” list. Women have been playing rock music for a long time now, so it really shouldn't have to be differentiated anymore: It’s not new.
Reverend introduces new signatures, an addition to its Sensei line, and a new 5-string bass.
Ryan Malicsi has been leaning on his trustworthy Jetstream 390s for years with Hot Mulligan. His highly anticipated signature model brings upgraded styling to the Jetstream 390 platform. Armed with gold hardware, a backsprayed pickguard, dazzling finishes, and a brazen reverse headstock – this guitar makes a statement before you even hit that first power chord!
Ryan Malicsi is the lead guitar player of the Lansing, MI emo band, Hot Mulligan. With three full-length albums, a fistful of EPs, and near-constant touring with other big-name Emo bands, Hot Mulligan has become the #1 Hot New Band they proclaimed on their socials.
The Reverend Ryan Malicsi Signature is now available through any Reverend Authorized Dealer.
For more information, please visit reverendguitars.com.
Sensei H90
Reverend Guitars is proud to bring its popular Humbucker/P90 pickup setup to the Sensei guitar series. This versatile combination lets players easily switch between powerful and smooth tones or blend the pickups for a unique crunchy and twangy sound. Now available through any Reverend Authorized Dealer, the Reverend Sensei H90 is a must-have for any serious guitar collection.
Reverend Bob Balch Floyd
When Bob Balch asked for a new trem model, Reverend Guitars equipped the guitar with the Floyd Rose 1000 Series Pro. The new guitar offers players enhanced performance, versatility, and exceptional tuning stability – even during divebombs. Adding the Floyd's metallic mass enhances the sparkle and harmonic richness to the tone. Reverend Guitar's Joe Naylor designed this guitar for uncompromising performance that’s ready to meet the demands of any player.
Bob Balch is the lead guitarist for fuzz rock giants Fu Manchu. He also pioneered a successful guitar education website called playthisriff.com, where he invites metal, punk, and other heavy guitarists to teach a few songs to his subscribers. This guitar is the second signature model with Bob Balch from Reverend Guitars.
The Reverend Bob Balch Floyd is now available through any Reverend Authorized Dealer.
Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsider E
Reverend Guitars announces the Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsider E. The single-pickup version of the popular Eastsider is a streamlined tone machine. With the versatile Telbucker pickup at the bridge, players can choose between three distinct tones using the unique 3-way Voice Selector circuit:
- bright percussive twang
- full hot humbucker
- fat round warmth
The Eastsider E is the fifth model in the Eastsider series, developed in collaboration with acclaimed guitarist and producer Pete Anderson. The other models include the Eastsider T, Eastsider S, Eastsider Baritone, and the set-neck Eastsider Custom.
You can now find the Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsquire at any Reverend Authorized Dealer.
Triad-5
Reverend Guitars is excited to introduce the 5-string version of the renowned Triad bass. Featuring three Jazz Bomb pickups and a 5-way selector, it provides easy access to five distinct tones. The block inlays add a touch of elegance to its design, ensuring the instrument looks as great as it sounds. For those seeking a highly versatile 5-string bass, the Triad 5 is the perfect choice.
The Reverend Triad-5 is now available through any Reverend Authorized Dealer.
ESP has debuted a number of new additions at the 2025 NAMM Show.
At the 2025 NAMM Show, ESP Guitars (NAMM Booth 210D) debuted 10 new guitars in their popular LTD Deluxe series. Used on recordings and tours worldwide, LTD Deluxe guitars provide professional-level components and build quality.
“It’s easy to see why LTD Deluxe represents ESP’s most popular guitar series,” says Blue Wilding, ESP Brand Manager. “These are high grade instruments that allow serious working musicians to have the performance and aesthetics they want without wiping out their wallet.”
Three new LTD Deluxe guitars are being offered in an exciting Silver Blast finish. The LTD Deluxe XJ-1 Baritone uses the offset XJ shape, offering bolt-on construction at 27” baritone scale and pairing a sandblasted swamp ash body to a three-piece roasted maple neck. Design features of the XJ-1 Baritone include a tiltback reverse headstock, a Macassar ebony fingerboard with block inlays and 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. It also includes LTD locking tuners, a black bone nut, a brushed black pickguard, a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string-thru-body, and a single Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker pickup with voice selection via push/pull control.
The LTD Deluxe SN-1000HT is another new model in the Silver Blast finish on a sandblasted swamp ash body. Built with bolt-on construction at 25.5” scale, it pairs a roasted maple neck and Macassar ebony fingerboard (scalloped from frets 17-22) with a compound radius, mother of pearl dot inlays, and 22 extra- jumbo stainless steel frets. Components on the SN-1000HT include LTD locking tuners, a black bone nut, a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string-thru-body, and a pair of Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker pickups (ceramic in the bridge, alnico in the neck), with voice selection via push/pull controls.
Rounding out the new Silver Blast models is the new LTD Deluxe TE-1000. Also featuring a sandblasted swamp ash body with roasted maple neck and tiltback headstock, this guitar offers bolt-on construction at 25.5” scale, and a Macassar ebony fingerboard with offset dot inlays and 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. Components on the TE-1000 Silver Blast include LTD locking tuners, a black bone nut, a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string-thru-body, and an outstanding set of Seymour Duncan pickups — the ESP- exclusive Custom-14 in the bridge, and the renowned APH-1N in the neck.
The TE Series got another new addition with the LTD Deluxe TE-1007 Baritone. This 7-string guitar, being offered in the Black Blast finish, has a sandblasted swamp ash body and roasted maple neck with a tiltback headstock. It has bolt-on construction at 27” baritone scale, and provides a Macassar ebony fingerboard with offset dot inlays and 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. The TE-1007 Baritone has components that include a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string-thru-body, LTD locking tuners, a black bone nut, and a single Fishman Fluence Modern 7 String 3-Voice Humbucker (ceramic) in the bridge, with a push-pull control to activate its voicings.
The LTD Deluxe EC-01FT has been significantly updated for 2025. Now available in Charcoal Burst Satin Teardrop finish over a quilted maple top, the streamlined guitar also features white single-ply binding on the body, neck, and headstock. Like the previous versions of the EC-01FT, it offers set-thru construction at 24.75” scale with a single-cutaway mahogany body and three-piece mahogany neck. It includes a Macassar ebony fingerboard with block inlays and 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a recessed bridge with string-thru-body design, LTD locking tuners, a brushed black pickguard, and the ESP-exclusive Seymour Duncan Custom-14 High Output Triple Ceramic Humbucker, splittable with push-pull control.
Another new addition for 2025 is the LTD Deluxe M-1000 Maple. Offering the iconic look of a Black Gloss finish along with a maple fingerboard, this guitar offers an alder body and a three-piece maple neck built with bolt-on construction at 25.5” scale. Black binding on the neck and headstock give it an even tougher look. It features 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, black offset dot inlays, and a compound fingerboard radius. Components on the new M-1000 Maple include a Floyd Rose 1000SE tremolo with stainless steel screws, Grover tuners, and a set of Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker pickups — ceramic in the bridge, alnico in the neck position — with push-pull controls to activate their voicings.
Also new for 2025 is the LTD Deluxe M-1007 Baritone EverTune in Granite Sparkle finish. Designed for seriously extended low pitch ranges, it’s a 7-string guitar with neck-thru-body construction at 27” baritone scale, pairing an alder body with an extra-thin three-piece maple neck. Its Macassar ebony fingerboard features a compound radius, offset dot inlays and 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. Components on this guitar include the innovative EverTune constant tension bridge, and a set of Fishman Fluence Modern 7 String 3-Voice Humbucker pickups with push-pull controls to select voicings.
A distinctive entry in the “New for 2025” collection, the LTD Deluxe MH-1000NT Bold Binding delivers what its name says: a Black Satin finish with double-thick silver painted binding on the body and headstock. It offers set-thru construction at 25.5” scale, using a mahogany body with maple cap, and a three-piece maple neck. Its Macassar ebony fingerboard has a compound radius, offset block inlays, and 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. Components on the MH-1000NT Bold Binding include a TonePros locking bridge with string-thru-body, LTD locking tuners, and a pair of Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker pickups with voice selection on a push-pull controls.
Two popular LTD Deluxe models are returning with significant updates. The LTD Deluxe SN-1 HT is now being offered with a Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker (Ceramic) pickup, with voices selected via push-pull control. The LTD Deluxe Arrow-1000 in Candy Apple Red Satin now features a reverse headstock and a set of Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker pickups, with voices selected via push-pull controls.
For more information, please visit espguitars.com.
Signature Series
The highly-anticipated Signature Series guitar for Mick Thomson of Slipknot, the LTD MT-I, makes its debut at NAMM 2025. Available in Obsidian Metallic finish, the MT-I is based on the MH-style body, with an arched top and an inline reverse headstock. This guitar features set-thru construction at 25.5” scale, pairing a mahogany body with white ash top to a three-piece maple neck with a Macassar ebony fingerboard with compound radius and 24 medium-jumbo stainless steel frets. Special features on the MT-I include a Graph Tech Black TUSQ XL nut, Hipshot Grip-Lock locking open gear tuners, an all-brass Hipshot Hi-Mass hardtail bridge, blue Luminlay side markers, and a Fishman Fluence Mick Thomson Signature pickup with a 3-way low profile toggle switch to select between Voice 1, Voice 1 with bass boost shift, and Voice 2, and a push/pull volume control to select Voice 3.
The LTD RZK-III is the newest signature model for Richard ZK of Rammstein. Beginning with the smooth flowing curves of the Phoenix body shape, the RZK-III comes in a classy Olympic White finish. It offers neck-thru-body construction at 25.5” scale, with alder body wings and a three-piece satin-finished maple neck with rosewood fingerboard. Features and components on the LTD RZK-III include a TonePros locking bridge and tailpiece that are both recessed, a brushed black pickguard, 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a reversible arcade-stye kill switch, and a set of Fishman Fluence Richard Z Kruspe signature pickups with a push-pull control to select voicings.
With the LTD JM-I, ESP is introducing its second Signature Series model for Josh Middleton, the acclaimed guitarist for Sylosis. Available with a Deep Blood Moon finish over a quilted maple top, the JM-I offers an alder body and a three-piece roasted maple neck with bolt-on construction at 25.5” scale. This guitar features black binding on the body and headstock, a Macassar ebony fingerboard with 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, Luminlay side markers, and a single Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker, with voice selection on a push-pull control.
The new LTD ALR-II is the long-awaited Signature Series guitar for Andy LaRocque, influential guitarist/music producer and co-founder of the iconic heavy metal band King Diamond. Based on the Horizon body, the ALR-II offers neck-thru-body construction at 24.75” scale, and is distinctively finished in See Thru Purple over its figured quilted maple top with a classic teardrop headstock. It features a three-piece maple neck, a Macassar ebony fingerboard with a compound radius and 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, Luminlay side markers, a Floyd Rose 1000 double-locking tremolo, and a set of Seymour Duncan TB-4 JB Trembucker (bridge) and STK-S6 Custom Stack Plus (neck) passive pickups.
Caleb Shomo, the founder, songwriter, and producer of rock band Beartooth, has his first Signature Series guitar with the debut of the LTD CS-II. Based on the Phoenix shape, the CS-II is available with a figured quilted maple top in Vintage Natural finish. This neck-thru-body guitar is offered at 25.5” scale, and comes with mahogany body wings, a three-piece thin u-shaped mahogany neck, Macassar ebony fingerboard, and 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. Components on the CS-II include gold hardware, black binding on body, neck, head, brushed black pickguard, a black bone nut, a locking bridge and tailpiece, and a pickup set that includes ESP’s exclusive Seymour Duncan Custom 14 humbucker in the bridge (splittable with push-pull control) and a Seymour Duncan STR-3 Quarter Pound pickup in the neck.
A new Signature Series guitar has been announced for Alex Wade of deathcore band Whitechapel. The LTD AW-XJ7 Baritone EverTune provides the LTD XJ shape in a 7-string, 27” scale baritone guitar that also features the innovative EverTune constant tension bridge. Available in a Black Open Grain Satin finish, the AW-XJ7 Baritone EverTune offers bolt-on construction, a resonant swamp ash body, and a five-piece maple/walnut/padauk neck with a Macassar ebony fingerboard. This guitar’s features include 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a brushed black pickguard, LTD locking tuners, and a single DiMarzio D-Activator 7 passive pickup that can be split with a push/pull volume control.
A number of Signature Series guitar models for current ESP Signature artists have received fresh updates. Renowned guitarist Alex Skolnick of Testament has a new Lime Burst finish and new pickups for his LTD AS-1FR signature model. Based on the single-cutaway EC shape, this guitar features set-thru construction at 24.75” scale, a mahogany body with flamed maple top, three-piece maple neck, Macassar ebony fingerboard, a Floyd Rose 1000 double-locking tremolo, Dunlop Straploks, and a set of Seymour Duncan Alex Skolnick Signature Humbucker pickups, splittable with push-pull control.
50th Anniversary Series
From its humble beginnings in 1975 as a small Tokyo-based guitar repair shop to its current status as one of the world’s largest and most respected electric guitar and bass manufacturers, ESP Guitars (NAMM Booth 210D) has never been a brand to rest on its laurels. While celebrating its milestone 50th anniversary in 2025, the company is still far more focused on the future than looking back on its past.
To commemorate the major milestone, ESP has announced a special limited edition batch of guitars from the ESP Custom Shop in Japan. Just 15 pieces each of the ESP 50th Anniversary Horizon-CTM Flamed Maple and ESP 50th Anniversary Horizon-CTM Buckeye Burl are being handcrafted by the company’s expert luthiers using custom components and extraordinary tonewoods, and no two are identical.
A more widely available commemorative guitar is the LTD EC-2025 50th Anniversary. Based on the single-cutaway EC shape, it’s being offered in Metallic Gold finish with black hardware and black single-ply binding on the body, neck, ad headstock, appropriate for the company’s golden anniversary celebration. It features a special “50” graphic fingerboard inlay at frets 11-13, as well as a full 50th Anniversary logo on the guitar’s headstock. Built with set-thru construction at 24.75” scale, the guitar employs a mahogany body with maple cap, a three-piece mahogany neck, and a Macassar ebony fingerboard with 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets.
Features on the EC-2025 include LTD locking tuners, a TonePros locking bridge and tailpiece, and a set of Seymour Duncan humbucker pickups that includes the ESP-exclusive Custom 14 in the bridge, and the iconic APH-1N in the neck. Coil splitting is accessible with a push-pull control.
200 Series
The LTD EC-256 is now being offered in a Silver Sunburst Teardrop finish. This single-cutaway guitar includes unexpected details like white binding on the body, neck, and headstock. Built with set-neck construction at 24.75” scale using a mahogany body and three-piece mahogany neck, it also features a set of great-sounding, high-output ESP LH-150 bridge and neck pickups, splittable via push-pull control. The popular LTD EC-201 has also been updated to offer a Black Gloss finish.
The LTD M-201 Baritone HT offers an affordable solution for musicians getting into baritone guitar. Offered in Black Gloss finish, it’s built with bolt-on construction at 27” baritone scale, pairing a mahogany body and three-piece maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. This guitar features an LTD fixed hardtail bridge with string-thru-body, and a single ESP LH-150B bridge pickup with an antique nickel cover, with coil splitting via push-pull control.
Another new model in this series is the LTD Phoenix-201, the first Phoenix model in this range. It offers set-neck construction at 25.5” scale with a mahogany body and three-piece mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard. It also includes a single ESP LH-150B bridge pickup with an antique nickel cover, and coil splitting via push-pull control.
It’s a similar story with the LTD SN-201HT, a new model in this affordable range. Available in Black Gloss, it offers bolt-on construction at 25.5” scale, with a mahogany body and three-piece maple neck with tiltback headstock. It also includes a single ESP LH-150B bridge pickup with an antique nickel cover, and coil splitting via push-pull control. The LTD TE-201 is also now offered in Black Gloss finish.
For more information, please visit espguitars.com.
Gator Cases' ICON Take Two Series Gig Bags are the perfect solution for gigging musicians traveling with two instruments.
Traveling with two instruments has long posed challenges for gigging musicians. Gator Cases has addressed this need with the launch of its ICON Take TwoSeries Gig Bags, designed to carry two electric guitars or two basses. The new models expand the existing ICON Series and complement Gator’s ProGo and MiZone Seriesdual-instrument guitar bags.
The ICON Take Two bags feature one-inch-thick protective padding while maintaining a compact profile for easy travel and storage. The exterior is sewn from durable nylon sourced from 50% recycled materials, providing a strong yet lightweight design. A built-in neck block secures the instrument’s neck, and the electric model includes an additional neck rest block to elevate pitched headstocks, preventing unwanted contact. Adjustable body blocks ensure compatibility with a wide range of instruments.
Padded backpack straps are designed to offset the weight of two instruments, while strategically placed handles provide additional convenience during transport. The second guitar cavity can be repurposed to hold clothing, allowing the bag to function as both a guitar bag and a travel suitcase.
On the bass model, additional padding allows for accommodating an electric guitar, making it possible to carry both a bass and an electric guitar in the same bag. This design is an ideal solution for multi-instrumentalists needing to switch between instruments during performances.
Gator offers a diverse range of products tailored for gigging guitarists, including instrument cases, gig bags, stands, cables, and other essentials.
For more information, please visit gatorco.com.
This innovative stand combines amp support and mic functionality in one compact design, featuring five adjustable tilt positions and soft foam padding for amp protection.
This innovative stand combines amp support and mic functionality in one compact design. The integrated microphone boom arm enables precise amp miking while reducing the need for additional stands, freeing up space on tight stages or in compact rooms. With five adjustable tilt positions, it accommodates various setups and is designed to lift a combo amplifier off the ground, angling it toward the player’s ears for optimal listening.
The stand supports combo amp loads up to 100 pounds and features soft foam padding on all contact surfaces to protect the amp from scratches, while also helping to dampen vibrations. When not in use, it folds down into a compact, portable size for easy transport and storage.
Gator offers a comprehensive range of guitar accessories, including hard-shell cases, professional gig bags, multi-stands, and a variety of related guitar products.
For more information, please visit gatorco.com.