"This рbig boardс is Nate Rowellуs latest configuration and includes an Ernie Ball volume pedal, Dunlop Cry Baby, Voodoo Lab Micro Vibe, Visual Sound Angry Fuzz, Maxon OD9, Hardwire Valve Distortion, LovePedal Amp 50, Xotic EP booster, Hardwire Chorus, and a Line 6 M5я with an American Flag рjust for good measure.с Rowellуs ""essentials"" small board for jams is the Wah into the Maxon into the LovePedal, рalthough the Angry Fuzz is makin' a hard charge to get on the short board.с"
"Chris Sterr shared his pedalboard for his Chicago-based band, Stolen Silver, which plays everything from rock to Americana, blues to jam, and pop to fusion. He says, ""This setup gives everything I need to create atmospheric beauty to dirty, grimy sludge."" The signal chain goes into a Build Your Own Clone (BYOC) drop-in Wah, BYOC Orange Ringer, and BYOC Divided Octave before hitting a custom six-channel Loooper. Channel 1 is either a Pro Co Turbo RAT (which he calls an ""unexpected great unit"") or a Fulltone Catalyst (""also a sick fuzz/drive""). Channel 2 us a Tube Works Blue Tube (""for a wonderful clean boost""), Channel 3 is a reissue Ibanez TS-808 Tube Screamer with an Analogman Comprossor (""for the post drive compression option ala Trey Anastasio if the mood strikes me""), Channel 4 is a Boss RT-20, Channel 5 is a TC Electronic Flashback delay and/or a Boss RE-30, and Channel 6 is a Boss RV-3. He adds, ""This board is a rotating door of things... but this is what it looks like this week."""
"Doug Niman plays guitar for a Seattle garage and psychedelic rock band called John Lee Spectre. His main board is powered by a Pedal Pad MPS-XL II and he uses a Planet Waves strobe tuner because he tunes to 432 rather than 440 and this tuner is calibrate-able. From there his signal goes into a modified Vox Wah Wah, Dunlop Swollen Pickle Fuzz, Boss EQ, Boss Blues Driver, Electro-Harmonix Ravish Sitar, Guyatone Flip Stereo Tremolo, Boss PS6 Harmonist, Rocktron Digital Delay, and a Maxon SD808 Overdrive. The stereo outputs from the Ravish Sitar and the Guyatone tremolo go out to an ABY Switch, which feeds out to an Ernie Ball VP Jr. volume pedal to Nimanуs second amp. рThis gives me panning stereo tremolo and awesome psychedelic bliss by sending the Sitar's sympathetic strings to the second amp as well,с he says. рThe main signal chain goes to my primary amp.с"
"Lee Evan Neher plays mostly blues and classic rock through this signal chain: Boss TU-2, Boss NS-2, MXR 6-Band EQ, Electro-Harmonix Octave Multiplexer, Chicago Iron Octavian, Electro-Harmonix Nano LPB-1 Power Booster, Morley (Tel Ray) Power Wah, His Laney AOR 30 (effects loop) has an MXR 10-Band EQ going into a JHS Modded Line 6 DL4."
"Nori Ueno uses (from right to left): a Dunlop Wylde Wah, Fulltone OCD, Way Huge Green Rhino, MXR Dyna Comp, Visual Sound H2O, and Tech 21 Boost D.L.A. The pedals and a Korg DT-7 tuner are routed through a Providence PEC-04 Programmable Effects Controller, and everything is mounted on a Pedaltrain PT-2. рI play mainly hard rock (love the Green Rhino for adding more gain to the OCD), alternative, blues, and R&B,с Ueno says."
"Chris R Trifilio uses a Chemistry Design Werks AmpTop Holeyboard with a Hardwire HT-6, Frantone Peachfuzz, Xotic EP Booster, and Fulltone Supa-Trem."
"Session guitarist and president of Ultimate Audio Systems, Doug Bryan designed this pedalboard with the goal of obtaining as pure guitar-to-amp tone as possible without tone sucking or coloration, and no toe-tapping. Each pedal has its own discreet loop to keep the guitar to amp tone as pure as possible. The Patchmate is programmed to turn single pedals on/off as well as having seven pedal combination programs in addition. The back of the board shows his attention to detail, cutting each cable from a Planet Waves Cable Station custom cable kit to the proper length and securing them, and all power lines were braided, electrical taped, and wrapped in foam sheet core insulation before being wrapped in rubber hose and locked onto the board away from audio cables to keep everything noise-free. The board is a Pedaltrain Pro with custom Candy Apple Red/Black powdercoat finish, and is powered by a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus mounted under the board. On the board is a Line 6 Relay G50 wireless, Dunlop Custom Audio Electronics wah, Majik Box Doug Aldrich Rocket Fuel LTD boost/ovedrive, TC Electronic PolyTune, TC Electronic John Petrucci The Dreamscape, TC Electronic Flashback delay, TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb, ISP Technologies Decimator, Rocktron PatchMate Loop 8, and Diamond amp switcher. "
"Jason Gearhart (fitting name) currently plays in a jazz fusion band, covering the likes of Return to Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Pat Metheny, etc. He plays his Squier Deluxe Strat and LTD MH-250NT w/ EMG through this signal chain: Boss TU-2 Tuner, Standard Phase 90 (""with 1 resistor removed for that 'script' sound""), Bad Monkey (""modded for less mids""), which goes into the amp. Next is the FX loop send, MXR/CAE Boost/Line Driver, Hardwire CR-7 Chorus (""usually on Jazz mode, but sometimes Vintage""), Boss DD-3 Digital Delay (""for long delays""), Hardwire RV-7 Reverb (""I use Gated mode for a touch of slapback when playing live, otherwise good ol' Spring when I'm practicing at home""), and an FX Return."
"Mike Mara plays rock, blues, funk, and dabbles with jazz. рThough it's subject to change at any moment, this is what I lug around to jam with friends.с He routes his tuner into a Noise Suppressor, then Dunlop 535Q, Boss Octave, Octavio, Fat Sandwich, Green Rhino, Crunchy Frog, Soul Vibe, (back to the noise suppressor) EH Memory Toy. He plays all of this through his Fender Hot Rod Deluxe."
"Keith Paul's board consists of an Electro-Harmonix POG2, Boss PS-5 Super Shifter, Ibanez WH-10 Wah, Ibanez TS808HW Tube Screamer, HardWire SC-2 Valve Distortion, Boss GE-10 EQ, Boss BF-3 Flanger, Boss PH-2 Super Phaser, Ibanez TC-7 Chorus, MXR Phase 90, Boss DD-5 Digital Delay, Electro-Harmonix Memory Boy, Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Nano, Dunlop DV-P Volume, Basic Cable Tester, Line 6 M9 multi-effects, and DigiTech JamMan Stereo."
"Ralf Lofstad plays progressive, alternative, and classic rock in Oslo, Norway with Andr▌ Holstad, Paralgin Forte, Charlotte & The Co-Stars, Violet Scene, Still Doing Sky. His pedalboard is a Pedaltrain Pro modified to accommodate an MXR/CAE MC403 Power System on the underside. The pedals are a Radial BigShot ABY, Eventide ModFactor, Keeley-modified Boss BD-2, Fulltone OCD v.4, DigiTech Whammy v.1, Demeter Compulator, Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95, MXR/CAE Boost / Line Driver, Musicom Lab EFX MkIII, Ernie Ball VP Jr. 25K, Eventide TimeFactor, Boss RV-5, Korg Pitchblack, and Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi with Tone Wicker."
"Cutter Savage plays original instrumental hard rock music inspired by the likes of Joe Satriani, Led Zeppelin, SRV, and Van Halen. He says he keeps his pedalboard, ""Pretty clean and simple,"" using just a DigiTech DigiDelay, Boss DS-1 distortion, MXR Phase 90, and a Vox Wah."
"If only life could be so simple for all of us. This is what John Lovett has to say: рI go direct from the guitar into an amp, a Fender Blues Jr,, so I just have empty stage where my feet go.с"
"David Mednick plays rock, pro, blues, shoegaze, ambient, and alt (""badly,"" he adds) with this setup. The pedals are a Wampler Plextortion, Rockbox Boiling Point, Stomp Under Foot Civil War, Basic Audio Tri/Ram Muff, Way Huge Swollen Pickle, Janglebox Compressor, original Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man, ISP Technologies Decimator, Catalinbread RAH, Throbak Stone Bender, Basic Audio Solar Myth fuzz, Basic Audio (custom) Wildcat, MetalPedals Pro Country, VFE Enterprise Phaser, TC Electronic Alter Ego delay, TC Electronic Corona Chorus, HardWire Supernatural Reverb, EarthQuaker Organizer, Eventide Space, DigiTech Jimi Hendrix Experience modeling pedal and wah, and a Boss GT-10 used for certain models, but also as volume pedal, wah, flanger, tremolo, and other uses."
"John Mridha's Pedaltrain 2 pedalboard is loaded with a Dunlop JC95 Jerry Cantrell Cry Baby, Z.Vex Box of Rock, Boss DS-1 (modded), MXR ZW-44 Wylde Overdrive, Line 6 DL4, TC Electronic Corona Chorus, and TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb. It's powered by a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus."
"Jonno Wilson's current pedalboard is mainly use for church, as well as creating soundscapes, and, ""pretty much any style I feel like mucking about with in my home studio."" The board is a Pedaltrain Pro powered by a Cioks DC10. The signal chain is a Boss TU-2 Tuner, Rothwell Audio Love Squeeze compressor, Fulltone MDV-2 Mini DejaVibe, Morley Mark Tremonti Wah, Catalinbread Galileo overdrive/treble boost, Creation Audio Labs MK 4.23 boost, Ernie Ball Volume, MXR EVH Phase 90, Cusack Tap-A-Whirl, Retro-Sonic Chorus, Strymon Lex, Eventide PitchFactor (not currently patched in), Eventide TimeFactor, and Eventide Space. The blue stomp in the middle is a JHV3 Master Tap Pro 1:3 out tap tempo feeding the TimeFactor and the Tap-A-Whirl, the red three-footswitch pedal is a JHV3 3-Aux switch to use with the PitchFactor. He says, ""Patch leads are rubbish and next on my list to upgrade. Considering changing all this to a pedalboard switching system using Musicom Lab EFX MkIII for the brain, or a full blown RJM Music Effect Gizmo/Mastermind GT system...hmmmm GAS anyone?"""
"This incarnation covers everything from country to classic rock to metal. рI still have a few noisemakers for creating cool soundscapes on the fly,с says Chuck Stevens. рOnly problem is, I have no room left, so any changes means something has to go.с The guitar goes through the ISP Decimator, to the Morley Dragon 2, DigiTech Whammy DT, Electro-Harmonix POG2, and then an Ibanez Paul Gilbert Signature AF2 into a Moen Anole true-bypass looper. Then the TC Electronics PolyTune. Loop A has a Wampler SLO, Wampler Triple Wreck, Tech 21 Oxford. Loop B goes from a Fulltone MDV-2, Keeley 4-Knob Compressor, Empress Multidrive. The signal goes out of looper back to the ISP Decimator to a Tortuga Martini, Malekko EKKO 616 MKII, Electro-Harmonix Cathedral then out to a vintage Hiwatt Custom 50 watt driving a 2x10 open cab over a 2x12 closed back. "
"Larry Scharaуs latest setup is equipped with a Moog MF-108M Cluster Flux, Moog MF-104M Analog Delay, LovePedal Englishwoman, Keeley Compressor, Dunlop Cry Baby wah, T-Rex Polyswitch, and One Controlуs Xenagama Tail Loop. рEverything you might need!с he says."
"Mike Denson uses minimal effects on his bass, but has a Sunn amp footswitch, Line 6 Relay wireless for both his Waterstone and Fender Jazz basses, Boss GE-7 EQ for overdriving his 12-string, Amptweaker TightDrive, Boss TU-3 tuner, and a Radial BigShot AB-Y for toggling between basses."
"Anton Nota plays indie-post-ambient-rock with this ""little beast."" The signal path starts at the Keeley Compressor, MXR Ten-Band EQ, Fulltone Full-Drive 2, a DIY distortion pedal, Strymon Flint, Line 6 Echo Park, and Strymon blueSky."
"Rob Rossу pedalboard is short and sweet: DigiTech Whammy, Bad Horsie Wah MXR EVH Phase 90, Suhr KoKo Boost Banshee Talk Box. рIуm waiting for an EVH flanger,с Ross says."
"JD Bradshaw uses an ISP Technologies Decimator, DigiTech Turbo Flanger, HardWire RV-7 Stereo Reverb, HardWire DL-8 Delay/Looper, Guyatone Cool Booster, Dunlop Cry Baby wah, and HardWire TL-2 Metal Distortion for his classic rock, southern rock, blues rock, and instrumental rock."
"Zach Allard says he primarily uses delays and overdrives. рI tend to cascade them to get different tones,с he says, рAll the settings are pretty modest so adding them together doesn't really get too over the top.с He runs his pedals into the front of a 1971 Traynor YSR-1 (which is basically a Canadian super reverb) into an Orange 2x12. "
"рI play Southern rock/jam music,с says Travis Clark, who runs his board into an Orange Rocker 30 into a custom 2x12 loaded with Greenbacks. Pedals are: EB Vol Jr., Vox wah Electro-Harmonix Nano LPB-1 Power Booster, Guyatone Funky Box, Fulltone Supa- Trem, MXR Phase 90 modded to script logo specs, Orange footswitch, Fulltone Dej┤Vibe, and an Electro-Harmonix Memory Boy."
"John Abrenica's Trailer Trash pedalboard is built for eclectic alternative rock. It's loaded with a Blackstone Appliances Mosfet Overdrive 2S, WMD Geiger Counter, DigiTech Whammy 4 with Molten MIDI2, Providence Heat Blaster 2, Empress Multidrive, Electro-Harmonix Microsynth with Roland EV-5 Expression pedal (Filter Sweep control mod by Analogman), Strymon El Capistan with Favorite Switch, Malekko LoFi Ekko 616, Eventide ModFactor, Moog Moogerfooger MuRF, Xotic EP Booster v2, DigiTech JamMan Solo with FS3X footswtich, Boss LS-2, and a DIY True Bypass Looper (A+B, A/B, Bypass)."
"Jonathan Tarplee calls his live pedal setup ""simple, cheap, and cheerful,"" and uses it with lo-fi, quirky folk-rockers the BlueYellows. The pedals are a Chord FL-50 Flanger, Behringer Digital Delay, Behringer Ultra Chorus, Behringer Overdrive, Danelectro Cool Cat CT-1 Tremolo, Behringer VT911 Vintage Tube Overdrive, Arion Octave, Electro-Harmonix The Worm, and a Dunlop Cry Baby Wah. "
"His pedalboard is nothing too exotic, says Rich Higdon, but it works for his cover band needs. He runs a Line 6 G30 receiver way over to the left into a DigiTech Vocalist Live 3 Harmonizer, which рallows me (and the audience) to handle my backups and also is my tuner.с He also uses a Durham Electronics Zia Drive, into a Bob Bruce Clean Boost, into an MXR Carbon Copy, into a Vox volume pedal. рFrom thereяout to the amp du jour,с Higdon says."
"Blake VanHouten calls his DIY board, ""still a work in progress."" The signal chain is a TC Electronic PolyTune, Dunlop Cry Baby wah, Xotic EP Booster, Boss BD-2 Blues Driver, Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi, Dunlop Rotovibe, Vox DelayLab, and Hardwire Supernatural Ambient Verb."
"Tyler Gomo's signal chain is an Ernie Ball VP Jr, DigiTech Whammy DT, Dunlop Kirk Hammett Cry Baby, MXR Distortion +, MXR Phase 90, Mooer Ensemble King, Boss TU-3 Tuner, Mooer Ana Echo, and MXR Carbon Copy Delay. "
"For his soul and funk tones, Shant Bajac uses his Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster or Yamaha SA2200 into this board, starting with a Maxon AF-9 Auto Filter, Fulltone SB-2 Soul-Bender, Budda Budwah II, Mu-tron Phasor II, Cmatmods Signa Drive, Xotic RC Booster, Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress, and MXR Carbon Copy delay, ending up in his Fender Super Reverb."
"Lorenzo Baccarini playsу60s and у70s rock through this rig: Vinteck boost, Dunlop Cry Baby wah, Boss Tuner TU-80, Ernie Ball VP Junior volume pedal, DigiTech Whammy DT, T-Rex Comp-Nova Compressor, HomeBrew Electronics Power Screamer, Fulltone OCD, Fulltone Fat-Boost, T-Pedals T-Fuzz, Electro-Harmonix POG, HomeBrew Electronics Three Hound Chorus, HomeBrew Electronics Psilocybe Phase Shifter, Hughes & Kettner Rotosphere MKII, Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress flanger, Fulltone Mini Dej┤Vibe, Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler, Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail reverb, Orange AD30TC channel footswitch."
"Andres Ugueto's pedalboard is also homemade and is powered by two Voodoo Lab Iso-5 units. He has a Hardwire HT-6 Polyphonic Tuner, MXR Super Comp, Fulltone OCD, Morley Bad Horsie 1 (he calls ""a great dirty wah""), DigiTech Whammy DT (""my must-have""), Z.Vex Fuzz Factory, MXR Phase 90, TC Electronic Nova Modulator, and Line 6 DL4."
"рMy board is all about utility,с says Jordan Shindle, who uses the following board for a church rig: Ernie Ball volume pedal (with output to Boss TU-2 tuner), Dunlop Cry Baby, Boss NS-2, Micro Comp, Boss OS-2, Fulltone OCD (рgreatest od ever!с), Ibanez TS-808, Little Big Muff Pi, back into the NS-2, Electro-Harmonix Micro POG, Boss Chorus, Boss Tremolo, Boss DD-7 with tap tempo (bottom left), then Strymon TimeLine with stereo output to two differently voiced Vox amps. "
"рI realized I only need a wah, a whammy and a few dirt pedals to satisfy my hunger for tone,с says reader Nino Sau, who plays rock, grunge, alternative and a little bit of funk through a simple rig with a Dunlop Kirk Hammett Wah, a DigiTech Whammy 5, a Damage Control Womanizer, a Radial Tonebone Hot British, and a Barber Trifecta. "
"Though he's building a new one at the moment, Sander Camps currently uses this setup for his indie-pop band. The pedals are a Strymon blueSky, Boss CH-1 Chorus, Modtone Clean Boost (with the graphics removed and Superman decal added), TC Electronic Nova Repeater, Ibanez TS-9, Xotic BB Preamp, and TC Electronic PolyTune."
"Colombian rocker Carlos Arturo Poveda uses this live rig for shows with The WorkManShip (TWMS). He breaks it down by effect types. For drive: Boss MT-2, DOD FX55-B, and Boss SD-1, For dynamics: Dunlop Cry Baby, Boss CS-3, and Boss FV-50 (L), For EQ: Boss GE-7, For shifting: Boss PS-5 with expression pedal EV-5, For modulation: Boss CE-5, For dimension: Boss DD-6 and Boss RV-5, For other things: Boss NS-2 and Boss TU-15 (just in case). All pedals are controlled by the Carl Martin Octa-Switch and everything is powered by the 1 Spot Combo-Pack."
"Billy Beheler uses this board with his band Atoadaso, which he describes as ""proguntzive jam rock"" from Virginia. The signal chain is a Teese RMC3 Wah, Subdecay Prometheus, true-bypassed DigiTech Whammy IV, Source Audio Programmable EQ, Source Audio Multiwave Distortion, Pigtronix Envelope Phaser, Ibanez TS-9 with Analogman Silver mod, Timmy Overdrive, Analogman Bi-Comp, Moog MF-102 Ring Modulator, Ernie Ball volume pedal, TC Electronic PolyTune mini, Tech 21 Boost D.L.A, Boomerang Phrase Sampler, and Dr. Scientist Reverberator."
"John Curtis Lewis plays everything from John Mayer to Black Crowes. рMainly I enjoy the bluesy-rock stuff,с he says. This is what he uses for that tone: Boss TU-3, JHS Pulp уNу Peel, Vox wah, Morley Power Wah Volume, Keeley Fuzz Head, JHS Honey Comb Dual Tremolo, Boss Super Chorus, Xotic EP Booster. His 5-Loop Effect Switcher strip contains: a Fulltone OCD, Keeley Katana, Fulltone FullDrive2-Mosfet, Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler, Electro-Harmonix Cathedral."
"Tim Warrenуs signal chain is as follows: Boss TU-2, Dunlop Cry Baby, Fender Starcaster Distortion, Boss RV-5, Boss TR-2, EVH MXR Phase 90, Boss BF-2, Boss DD-3, DOD 680 Analog Delay."
"рI play mostly indie/alternative but also some drone and more ambient stuff,с shares Adam McClure. For his tone he uses a TC Electronic PolyTune, Mellowtone Hi Five Plus, Mellowtone Singing Tree, Mellowtone Melx Fuzz 2, Mellowtone Trumpet Fuzz, Mellowtone (prototype), Mellowtone Wolf Computer, Devi Ever Soda Meiser, Blackout Effectors Twosome, Blackout Effectors Whetstone, EarthQuaker Devices Bit Commander, EarthQuaker Devices Organizer, Strymon El Capistan dуTape Echo, EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine, Electro-Harmonix Freeze, Electro-Harmonix Memory Boy, Electro-Harmonix Stereo Pulsar, and an Electro-Harmonix SMMH. "
"Giulio Catarinelli set up his pedalboard for playing with a bass or a guitar, anything from рstoner doom to rock уnу roll blues.с He uses a Fulltone OCD, Catalinbread Teaser Stallion, Black Arts Toneworks Pharaoh Fuzz, Eventide PitchFactor (рIt can do EVERYTHINGс). Itуs all powered by a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power ISO-5."
"Emmanuel Lucas uses this pedalboard in a rock cover band that also touches on some metal. The board is a Pedaltrain Pro powered by a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus and a Cioks Baby. The signal chain goes into the Dunlop Cry Baby wah with a seagull switch into a Musicom Lab EFX with an Electro-Harmonix Soul Preacher, TC Electronic Vortex Flanger, Danelectro Chicken Salad, and Malekko Omicron Fuzz on separate loops. From there, the signal goes to an Electro-Harmonix Ravish Sitar and Option 5 Destination Rotation before returning to the Musicom Lab EFX with a Boss BD-2 overdrive, MXR Distortion III, and Danelectro Cool Cat Transparent Overdrive in their own loops, and a Boss ST-2 distortion, Boss NS-2 noise gate, Boss FV-300L volume pedal, and Line 5 M5, Strymon TimeLine delay in the final loop. The tuner out from the Musicom goes to an old Boss TU-12."
Aguilar is introducing the amPlug3 Tone Hammer, a portable headphone amplifier inspired by the iconic Tone Hammer sound. Ideal for practicing anywhere, this compact device packs dual channel Clean and Drive modes for ultimate versatility. To help keep practice sessions inspiring, the unit includes reverb, chorus, and compression as built-in, onboard effects and a built-in rhythm feature to keep any players favorite basslines in time. Lastly, the amPlug3 features AUX connectivity to allow players to play along with tracks, or via a TRRS cable, record straight to a phone or laptop with ease. Whether at home, in the studio, or on the road, the amPlug3 Tone Hammer offers a convenient practice solution without compromising tone.
In addition to the amPlug 3 Tone Hammer, Aguilar has revamped their iconic Tone Hammer Preamp pedal. Built upon the original design that has become an essential tool for bass players seeking tone and flexibility. Incorporating customer feedback and refining key features, the new Tone Hammer Preamp offers enhanced drive functionality featuring an expanded gain range with a separate "drive" control for greater tonal precision, allowing users to refine their overdriven and clean tones independently. New Practice-friendly features include the addition of a headphone output and auxiliary input, allowing the pedal to double as the perfect practice companion at home or on the road. The updated, compact enclosure has a modern aesthetic, complementing the Tone Hammer series of amplifiers.
“We are thrilled to expand the Tone Hammer family with these new products,” said Jordan Cortese of Aguilar Amplification. “The reimagined Preamp/DI pedal and the all-new amPlug3 Tone Hammer provide bassists with even more options to achieve their perfect sound, whether they’re on stage or practicing on the move.”
Street Prices:
- Tone Hammer Preamp Pedal $299.99
- amPlug3 Tone hammer $59.99
Aguilar amPlug 3 Tone Hammer Bass Guitar Headphone Amplifier
Kurt Listug (left) and Bob Taylor (right) share a lighthearted moment.
A Limited-Edition 50th Anniversary Collection
Three standouts in Taylor’s new 50th Anniversary Collection.
To kick off the celebrations, Taylor has introduced the first wave of models from its limited-edition 50th Anniversary guitar collection. These instruments, featuring exclusive appointments and designs, are crafted to honor Taylor’s tradition of innovation and excellence. Throughout the year, additional models will be released, each representing a chapter in Taylor’s journey over the past half-century.
In addition to the guitar collection, Taylor has launched a detailed timeline on its website that chronicles the company’s major milestones, innovations, and breakthroughs. This interactive resource allows fans and guitar enthusiasts to explore the evolution of Taylor Guitars and learn about the advancements that have set the company apart in the industry. From pioneering guitar designs to their commitment to sustainability, Taylor’s history is a testament to the company’s enduring passion for quality and innovation.
American Dreamers: A Podcast Miniseries
One of the most exciting parts of Taylor’s anniversary celebration is the release of American Dreamers, a podcast miniseries that offers listeners a unique glimpse into the history of the company through candid conversations with co-founders Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug. The podcast, hosted by Taylor’s Director of Sales, Dave Pelletier, dives deep into the personal and professional lives of Bob and Kurt, tracing their early beginnings and exploring the journey that led to the creation of Taylor Guitars.
The podcast starts with Bob and Kurt’s childhoods in San Diego, where they developed an interest in music and craftsmanship. Bob recalls how, during his teenage years, he became obsessed with making guitars, a passion that would later define his career. In American Dreamers, listeners get to hear the story of how Bob and Kurt first met at the American Dream guitar shop in Lemon Grove, California, when they were just 19 and 21 years old. The shop, with its free-spirited, hippie vibe, was a hub for musicians and guitar enthusiasts in the area. It was here that the seeds of their partnership were planted, leading to a business venture that would last over 50 years.
Bob Taylor (left) and Kurt Listug (right) circa 1973 – on the cusp of launching Taylor Guitars.
The Journey from a Small Shop to a Global Brand
In the inaugural episode of the podcast, titled “Episode 1: The Road to the American Dream,” Bob and Kurt reminisce about those early days, sharing the challenges and triumphs they faced in launching their own guitar company. After meeting at the American Dream shop, the duo eventually decided to buy the business and turn it into something even greater—a company dedicated to creating innovative, high-quality guitars.
Throughout the podcast, Bob and Kurt reflect on the pivotal moments that shaped the company’s growth, including their decision to implement groundbreaking guitar designs and their commitment to sustainability in later years. Taylor Guitars became known for its patented bolt-on neck, a feature that improved playability and ease of maintenance, as well as its forward-thinking use of responsibly sourced tonewoods. These innovations have solidified Taylor’s place as a leader in the guitar industry, setting new standards for craftsmanship and environmental responsibility.
Bob Taylor (left) and Kurt Listug (right) enjoy some of their new instruments in 1985.
American Dreamers isn’t just a historical retelling; it’s a treasure trove of insights for fans of Taylor Guitars and those interested in the art of guitar-making. The conversations between Bob, Kurt, and host Dave Pelletier offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a successful guitar company from the ground up. For aspiring entrepreneurs, guitar enthusiasts, and anyone curious about Taylor’s success, this podcast provides invaluable lessons in creativity, perseverance, and the spirit of innovation.
A Year of Reflection and Looking Ahead
As Taylor Guitars celebrates its 50th anniversary, the company is using this moment to both reflect on its past achievements and look ahead to the future. The limited-edition anniversary guitar collection and the American Dreamers podcast are just two ways Taylor is commemorating this milestone year. By sharing the personal stories of its founders and showcasing the craftsmanship that has made its guitars world-renowned, Taylor is giving fans and musicians an opportunity to connect with the brand on a deeper level.
New episodes of American Dreamers will be released periodically throughout the year, and listeners can tune in on their favorite podcast platforms or watch video versions of the interviews on Taylor’s website. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Taylor Guitars or someone interested in the art and business of guitar-making, this podcast promises to be an engaging and informative series that highlights the passion and dedication that have driven Taylor’s success over the past 50 years.
Be sure to follow or subscribe to American Dreamers to stay up to date on the latest episodes and visit Taylor’s website to explore the full range of anniversary guitars and learn more about the company’s 50-year journey.