Strymon Engineering has announced a new gain pedal called Fairfax and an entirely new line of fully analog pedals they’ve dubbed Series A.
Fairfax is unique in the world of drive and boost pedals in that it’s a full tube amp circuit, miniaturized using only analog components. Strymon’s analog engineers took initial inspiration from the Herzog® tube drive unit from Garnet Amplifiers that was developed for Randy Bachman of BTO, as its sound powered a number of classic rock hits from the ‘60s and ‘70s.
As the debut pedal in Strymon’s new Series A lineup, the Fairfax uses only analogcomponents to recreate the amp’s topology, encompassing a tube preamp, Class Apower amp and a proprietary circuit that impersonates the important saturationcharacteristics of the output transformer, which is integral to the sound the unitproduces. Strymon created an internal power supply that converts the incoming 9 VDCinto 40V, giving the amplifier circuit a massive amount of headroom that gives the pedaltrue amp-like feel. The sound is clean and clear at low Drive settings, but moves into fulltransformer-like saturation as the gain is increased.
Along with a Bright circuit that modifies the treble response, the pedal also includes avariable Sag control that produces dynamic artifacts at low values, and full sputteringand gated sounds more commonly associated with fuzz pedals at extreme settings.
BRIGHT: A two-position tone switch for adjusting the high frequency content through the preamp. “Off” cuts high frequencies to darken the tone. “On” provides flat, full frequency response.
LEVEL: Adjusts the output level when the pedal is engaged.
SAG: Turning clockwise increases amount of power rail sag. Fully counterclockwise, no sag is applied. At high levels of sag, the preamp starts to un-bias itself, leading to gating and sputtering. A higher DRIVE setting will sag the circuit more than a lower setting with same input level.
The sound and feel of Fairfax is extremely tube-like, with added harmonics and saturation coming from a clever circuit that emulates the true behavior of a tube amp’s output transformer. It’s a drive pedal that feels completely natural to play, retains the natural sound of your guitar, and glues notes together in a truly organic way.
“Man, this thing is such a chameleon”, said Sean Halley, Strymon’s Head of Marketing and a long-time session and live player. “It can be a creamy and gooey boost that works great with any style of amp, and it can also breathe saturated fire.” Halley continues, “because it’s really an amp circuit, it doesn’t change your core tone, and it stacks brilliantly with other drive pedals. This thing is not leaving my board, full stop.” Gregg Stock, Strymon’s CEO and senior analog engineer added “even though we’re more known for DSP, our analog engineers are always coming up with interesting ideas for fully analog designs, so we created Series A to give them an outlet. There will be a number of pedals in the line by the end of next year, so we’re really excited to see some of these products come to market - it’s been a blast to work on this stuff.”
Fairfax is available now directly from Strymon and from dealers worldwide for $199 US. For more information visit strymon.net.
Following their highly successful debut band tour across Europe this past June and July — which saw numerous sold-out shows and glowing praise from fans and press alike — legendary guitar icons Joe Satriani and Steve Vai are bringing their electrifying SATCHVAI Band to the United States for the first time. The “Surfing with the Hydra” 2026 tourwill launch on April 1 in Seattle, WA and continue on throughout April and May before winding up in Vienna, VA at Wolf Trap on May 30. Animals as Leaders will support on all dates. Tickets will be on-sale Friday December 12 with artist presale (PW: SATCHVAI2026) on Wednesday, December 10 at 10am local. Local pre-sales follow on Thursday, December 11.
This new chapter follows a monumental summer that took the newly formed band through major cities including London, Manchester, Paris, Copenhagen, Zurich, and more as well as festivals including Hellfest, Umbria Jazz Festival, and Guitares en Scene Fest, thrilling audiences with the unmatched interplay and energy that only Satriani and Vai can deliver. Now, with a brand-new video and single, “Dancing,” arriving March 2, 2026 via earMUSIC, the guitar greats are ready to bring that same firepower to stages across America.
“The SATCHVAI Band rides again! After a fantastic European tour last summer Steve, Kenny, Marco, Pete and I will bring the Surfing With The Hydra Tour to the US. We can’t wait to play you the new material from our forthcoming Satch/Vai album along with your favorite songs from our shared catalog. And that’s not all, we’re bringing along the incomparable Animals As Leaders. You do not want to miss this show with this lineup!” – Joe Satriani
Steve Vai concurs, "The SATCHVAI Band summer Euro tour of 2025 far exceeded anything I could have imagined. Joe and I struck pure jammin’ gold night after night. Being in the same band with Joe, playing songs we actually wrote together on stage, in real time felt like watching a childhood fantasy step out of my teenage brain and stroll onto the stage. And somehow, it was even more rewarding, satisfying, and downright fulfilling than I ever thought possible.
Our trusty band—Marco Mendoza holding down the bass with his usual thunder, Pete Thorn weaving in the magic on guitar, and Kenny Aronoff powering the whole thing from behind the kit, we created a musical flying carpet that carried us through the tour.
And to all the fans who came out and supported the show: massive thanks. Your energy and enthusiasm made the room pulse, and inspired us all beyond beyond. We are looking forward to steamroll this train into your city on our 2026 spring North America tour.”
The band’s forthcoming single “Dancing” marks the latest chapter in SATCHVAI Band’s creative evolution. It follows the duo’s first two releases — the sweeping, cinematic instrumental “The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 1” and the high-octane rocker “I Wanna Play My Guitar,” featuring powerhouse vocals from Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Country Communion). Together, these tracks have showcased both the emotional depth and unbridled energy that define the SATCHVAIBand sound — a seamless fusion of melody, virtuosity, and the kind of musical chemistry only five decades of friendship can produce.
The SATCHVAI Band marks the first time in their nearly 50-year friendship and musical partnership that Satriani and Vai have formally joined forces as a band. Their collaboration debuted in March 2024 with a duo tour and the release of “The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 1,” a stunning six-minute opus showcasing their extraordinary synergy. A second track, released ahead of the European tour, further fueled anticipation for what has become one of the year’s most celebrated live events.
Rounding out the lineup, powerhouse drummer Kenny Aronoff, renowned bassist Marco Mendoza, and virtuoso guitarist Pete Thorn complete the stellar quintet that is the SATCHVAI Band — a live ensemble built for explosive musicianship and unbridled guitar mastery.
Animals As Leaders, Tosin Abasi said of the tour, “We are beyond honored to be joining Joe Satriani and Steve Vai on tour! Our band, in many ways, would not be what it was if not for the impact of these two icons. Getting a chance to hit the US with them is a bucket list experience for us. Can’t want to see you all soon!”
Pre-sale tickets for “The Surfing with the Hydra 2026 U.S. Tour” kick off with an Artist Presale (PW: SATCHVAI2026) on Wednesday, December 10 at 10am local. Local presales follow on Thursday, December 11. The public on-sale begins Friday, December 12 at 10am local. All ticket details available at SATCHVAIBAND.COM
SATCHVAI Band “Surfing with the Hydra” 2026 U.S. Tour (with Animals as Leaders):
April 1 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
April 2 – Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
April 4 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
April 5 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
April 7 – Long Beach, CA – Long Beach Terrace Theater
April 8 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
April 10 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Amphitheatre
April 11 – Las Vegas, NV – The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
April 14 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
April 16 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
April 17 – Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park
April 18 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at the Moody Theater
April 20 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre
April 22 – Pompano Beach, FL – Pompano Beach Amphitheater
April 24 – Clearwater, FL – Baycare Sound
April 25 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre
April 26 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live
April 27 – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Symphony Hall
April 29 – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium
April 30 – Durham, NC – DPAC
May 2 – Minneapolis, MN – State Theatre
May 3 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
May 5 – Milwaukee, WI – The Riverside Theater
May 7 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
May 8 – Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavillion at Riverbend Music Center
May 9 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
May 10 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory #
May 12 – Buffalo, NY – Kleinhans Music Hall
May 13 – Toronto, Ont – Meridian Hall #
May 15 – Northfield, OH – MGM Northfield Park
May 16 – Rochester Hills, MI – Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
May 17 – Syracuse, NY – Landmark Theatre
May 20 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion
May 21 – Albany, NY – Palace Theatre
May 22 – Waterbury, CT – Palace Theater
May 23 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome
May 27 – Reading, PA – Santander Performing Arts Center
May 28 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
May 29 – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
May 30 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap *
#On-sale TBA 2026
*Pre-sale and on sale for Wolf Trap show will be in February 2026.
Not to bore you with my day gig, but I do product reviews. I’m a bit surprised to find myself here, as I’m not great at techy things. I hate reading manuals, and having spent most of my life in the pre-digital age, I’ve developed a low rage threshold when it comes to dealing with technical issues. Get an error message twice in a row, and I want to throw my phone or computer across the room. I’m the kind of musician whose comfort zone is a traditional guitar plugged into a few pedals (tuner, compressor or boost, overdrive, delay, maybe a phaser for something weird), running into a tube amp with controls limited to volume, treble, mid, and bass—and maybe verb and trem. If I haven’t changed by this point, it’s unlikely I will.
Yet, the PG reviews seem pretty popular. Perhaps the appeal is that the average guitar player can hear what the gear is capable of, even with a knuckle-dragging guitarist twisting the knobs—sort of like having a monkey test-driving a new car.
Part of the draw may also stem from my being a furiously positive person who genuinely looks hard for the good in everything. My default mode is up, probably because I don’t handle the downs very well. That being said, when I review anything, I look at it as somebody’s baby. People don’t dedicate themselves to building guitar stuff to get rich (although a few do make a ton of dough-re-mi)—they build out of passion. I am not one to yuck somebody’s yum, so I search for the best a piece of gear has to offer and lean into that—rather than looking for the bad, like a bitter restaurant blogger. Even when it’s a sound I don’t find appealing (an extreme clipping fuzz, for instance), I understand that, for some of my 6-string family, this may be just what they’ve been searching for.
The truth is, it’s good to be forced out of one’s comfort zone. When you have to make music with a sound or tone that’s completely foreign to you, it can take you to some very cool places you wouldn’t normally go. I usually build a track for my demos, and it often seems like the tones I’m least comfortable with lead to the most interesting backing tracks or playing, because I’m not able to rely on my comfortable old bag of tricks.
“Analog won’t vanish, but in time, it’ll be a premium, ‘vinyl-like’ niche.”
Last week, PG’s editors lined up a review of the Boss PlugOut Pedal for me. I admit, I experienced some initial frustration—and emitted some vile cursing—when I first plugged in the PX-1. But once I got past my tech fear, pilot error, and some Bluetooth issues with my phone, I found a lot of sounds I really liked. It felt like a practical way to bring a Swiss Army knife of a pedal to a session—something packed with just-in-case sounds if you need them. It also occurred to me that in five years, this pedal will be as normal to my kid as my 50-year-old Ross Compressor is to me.
To me, doing a gig without an amp feels wholly unnatural. But I know young players whose comfort zone is a Kemper/Fractal/Line 6/etc. into headphones. And in time, AI-driven tech improvements, combined with the rising cost of analog gear, will result in digital rigs becoming the standard. Stats back this up. In a blind test conducted by Sound On Sound in 2024, 90 percent of listeners found digital indistinguishable from analog.* In a 2024 Sweetwater survey, 55 percent of new buyers opted for digital gear over analog (up from 35 percent in 2020).
Digital amps tend to be more affordable, and offer preset tones that usually sound good-to-great without any tweaking (or the addition of pedals). They’re also more stable. If your rig consists of a tube amp driven by five pedals and a bunch of cables and AC power lines, there’s a lot that can go wrong compared to plugging into a Boss Katana loaded with onboard effects.
For casual and home players, who make up roughly 70 percent of the market, the low cost and simplicity of all-in-one amps and effects makes digital an easy choice. And as many Rig Rundowns have shown, the stability of digital amps, combined with their portability, has led many classic bands to leave their Marshalls at home in favor of modeling gear.
Analog won’t vanish, but in time, it’ll be a premium, “vinyl-like” niche. The combination of technology and economics makes digital inevitable for most players. Obviously, we’ll play whatever we can afford and acquire. So if analog is your thing, hold onto those amps and stock up on tubes.
With less than six weeks until the arrival of their eighth studio album on January 9, 2026, Alter Bridge return with their brand-new single, “Playing Aces.” The track bursts open with the band’s trademark dual-guitar firepower as Myles Kennedy (vocals/guitars), Mark Tremonti (guitars/vocals), Brian Marshall (bass), and Scott Phillips (drums) lock into the muscular groove that has defined their sound for more than two decades. The propulsive verses build into a soaring, unforgettable chorus, highlighted by Kennedy’s declaration: “If I risked it all, I hope you’ll understand that I had to play my hand…”
“Playing Aces” is available now across all digital service providers. The accompanying music video—directed by J.T. Ibanez—is also out today and can be seen here.
“The term ‘Playing Aces’ ties in with the gambling analogy of risking everything regardless of how many times you’ve failed in life. It’s a last-ditch effort to come out on top,” explains Myles Kennedy.
With over twenty years as one of rock’s most consistently acclaimed bands, Alter Bridge continue to push forward. Renowned for their towering riffs, infectious melodies, and masterful guitar interplay, the quartet will release their self-titled eighth studio album on January 9, 2026, via Napalm Records. Physical formats are available for preorder now at https://www.lnk.to/AB-AlterBridge.
The forthcoming album features 12 brand-new tracks that capture some of the band’s most compelling work to date. Songs like “Rue The Day,” “Disregarded,” and “Scales Are Falling” stand tall alongside staples from the Alter Bridge catalog. “Trust In Me” showcases the powerful vocal chemistry between Kennedy and Tremonti, with Myles taking lead on the verses and Mark commanding the chorus—an approach they flip on “Tested and Able,” one of the band’s heaviest introductions to date. “Hang By a Thread” is primed for the live stage, echoing the energy of fan-favorite anthems, while album closer “Slave to Master” delivers an epic finale and marks the longest track the band has ever recorded.
The first single, “Silent Divide,” continues its ascent at Active Rock and has already surpassed 4 million views on YouTube. Longtime producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette once again joins the band for the project, recorded over two months this spring at both the legendary 5150 Studios in California and at Elvis’ studio in Florida.
-1-CD Jewel Case (Ticket Bundle for Townsend exclusive) + Guitar Pick (Band exclusive)
To coincide with the new album, Alter Bridge will hit the road in support of the release on the What Lies Within Tour. The 31-date European run kicks off January 15 in Germany and wraps March 5 in Nottingham, UK, with Daughtry and Sevendust joining as special guests. The band has also announced a headlining U.S. tour featuring Filter or Sevendust and Tim Montana on select dates. The trek begins April 25 in Orlando, FL and concludes May 24 in Tampa, FL. Full ticketing information and VIP package details can be found at www.alterbridge.com.
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is thrilled to announce the return of the internationally acclaimed camping festival, taking place June 11-14, 2026, on the 700-acre Bonnaroo Farm, located just 60 miles southeast of Nashville in Manchester, TN. Bonnaroo 2026 will once again present a fantastic lineup of top artists performing around the clock across more than 10 unique stages over the four-day festival, with live music and much more through the night and into early morning with special sunrise sets. This year’s highlights include headline performances from Skrillex, The Strokes, RÜFÜS DU SOL, and Noah Kahan, along with top-billed live sets from GRiZ, Turnstile, Teddy Swims, The Neighbourhood, Role Model, Kesha, and many more. In addition, Kesha will lead the 2026 Superjam, titled “KESHA PRESENTS: SUPERJÂM ESOTERÍCA: THE ALCHEMY OF POP,” and “Weird Al” Yankovic will be performing a special late-night Saturday set called “Bigger & Weirder Saturday Late Night Roovue.” The complete Bonnaroo 2026 lineup is below.
Bonnaroo tickets go on sale Friday, December 5th at 10:00 am (CT), exclusively via bonnaroo.com. 2026 ticket options include 4-Day General Admission, 4-Day GA+, 4-Day VIP, 4-Day Platinum, and 4-Day Roo Insider, along with a variety of camping and parking options.
Bonnaroo also offers upgraded ticket types for those who prefer an elevated experience. GA+ tickets include unlimited access to the Centeroo GA+ Lounge, with relaxed seating, dedicated food for purchase, air-conditioned restrooms, and hospitality staff to assist with all festival needs; a private bar with drinks for purchase plus complimentary soft drinks; a dedicated premium entrance lane at both gates into Centeroo, and more. VIP and Platinum guests will enjoy the same perks plus dedicated close-in and on-field viewing areas; unlimited access to VIP and Platinum air-conditioned Lounges; an express lane at the main festival store and artist merch store, commemorative festival gifts, and so much more. To learn more about all Premium experiences, please see http://www.bonnaroo.com/tickets.
A wide range of Camping & Parking options will be available in Outeroo, including Primitive Car Camping, Glamping, RVs, Backstage Camping, Accessible Camping, Groop Camping, Community Camping, and more. Premium Outeroo Camping Accommodations include pre-pitched Souvenir Tents, cool and comfortable Darkroom Tents, Luxury Bell Tents, and spacious 2-person Wood Frame Safari Tents for the ultimate Bonnaroo camping experience. Cosmic Nomads On-Site Daily Parking passes will be available for ticketholders who are not camping. For details on all accommodation options, please visit www.bonnaroo.com/accommodations.
Bonnaroo 2026 will also see an array of new experiences along with significant upgrades to the Farm, including improved drainage, miles of new roadways, and 135 acres of new turf. In addition, the much-beloved Bonnaroo bandanas will be back this year. 2026 will also see the long-awaited return of Bonnaroo Radio, providing exclusive programming like throwback Bonnaroo performances, interviews, traffic and weather updates, and more as fans arrive at the Farm and throughout the weekend.
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is generously supported by PayPal, Venmo, and Verizon.
THE COMPLETE BONNAROO 2026 LINEUP IS BELOW:
THURSDAY
Skrillex
Four Tet
Vince Staples
Spiritual Cramp
FRIDAY
The Strokes
Griz
Turnstile
Mt. Joy
Major Lazer
Jessie Murph
Yungblud
Geese
Cloonee
Lil Jon
Blood Orange
Wet Leg
Hot Mulligan
bbno$
Zack Fox
Smino
Sidepiece
Rachel Chinouriri
The Dare
Adventure Club
NOTION
Mother Mother
Łaszewo
Blues Traveler
Wolfmother
Wednesday
The Chats
Lambrini Girls
Amble
Daniel Allan
Goldie Boutilier
Dora Jar
Villanelle
Jackie Hollander
PawPaw Rod
SATURDAY
RÜFÜS DU SOL
Teddy Swims
The Neighbourhood
Alabama Shakes
Chase & Status
Sara Landry
Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
Amyl & The Sniffers
Sub Focus
Gorgon City
flipturn
Passion Pit
Snow Strippers
Tash Sultana
Wyatt Flores
Boys Noize
Holly Humberstone
Deathpact
SG Lewis
Osees
Waylon Wyatt
The Runarounds
DJ Trixie Mattel
Buffalo Traffic Jam
Confidence Man
Arcy Drive
Mountain Grass Unit
Juelz
The Stews
Congress The Band
Midnight Generation
Sunami
Nikita, The Wicked
"Weird Al" Yankovic Bigger & Weirder Roovue
KESHA PRESENTS: SUPERJÂM ESOTERÍCA: THE ALCHEMY OF POP
![Rig Rundown: Russian Circles’ Mike Sullivan [2025]](https://www.premierguitar.com/media-library/youtube.jpg?id=62303631&width=1245&height=700&quality=70&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0)
