Premier Guitar features affiliate links to help support our content. We may earn a commission on any affiliated purchases.

GALLERY: Riot Fest 2016

See what guitars and basses the punks, metalheads, and hardcore rockers used during the Windy City’s other 3-day festival.

13_With-Our-Arms-to-the-Sun_WEB.jpg

With Our Arms to the Sun’s Josh Breckenridge

Making the trek all the way from Arizona, WOATTS guitarist/frontman Josh Breckenridge rocked and rolled with his Schecter Solo II Platinum, loaded with active EMGs in it, during the band’s entire set.

Marshall mass in miniature.

Many inspiring and realistic big-Marshall tones. Cool variation in amp, cab, and room models.

Authentic as it sounds, it’s hard to replace the visceral experience of a big, bad stack.

$399

Universal Audio UAFX Lion ’68
uaudio.com

4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5

Though their ears may ultimately thank them, many guitarists never experience the visceral thrill of piloting a big Marshall plexi. But if nothing replaces the sensory wallop of standing before a stack—or the dynamic interactions such proximity affords—the art of digitally replicating those tonalities is in an elevated place. In terms of sounding satisfying on playback, Universal Audio’s UAFX Lion ’68 is at the leading edge, and a convenient path to big-Marshall-isms with minimum hassle and mega convenience.

Read MoreShow less

With a few minor fingering adjustments another world of musical expression can be unlocked.

Beginner

Beginner

  • Look at the pentatonic scale in a new light.
  • Understand how to navigate diagonally across the fretboard.
  • Use this newfound knowledge to create more musical phrases.
{'file_original_url': 'https://roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms/documents/19290/PentatonicBoxes-Oct22.pdf', 'id': 19290, 'media': '[rebelmouse-document-pdf 19290 original_filename="PentatonicBoxes-Oct22.pdf" site_id=20368559]', 'media_html': 'PentatonicBoxes-Oct22.pdf', 'type': 'pdf'}

Likely the first melodic device any improvising musician learns is the pentatonic scale. It’s a simple pattern to learn on guitar, it’s easy to play, and it always sounds “correct.” It contains mostly the “good” notes and usually you don’t need to think too much about which notes to avoid. What’s not to love? After a while, however, a certain sameness begins to emerge, and one begins to wonder, “Is there something more here?” Well, it has much more to offer than what you see on the surface.

Read MoreShow less

Blackstar's 30-watt combo amp with two footswitchable channels, ISF tone control, and built-in tape delay. Available in vintage cream or black finishes.

Read MoreShow less
John Bohlinger on Why the Hardest Gigs Can Be the Best
- YouTube

At a recent outdoor NHL Stadium Series performance, it was so cold that my hands went numb. So, I had to improvise. Last month, I wrapped the NHL Stadium Series at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium in front of 68,619 screaming fans and an army of TV production, crew, etc. The network chose to lean into Nashville’s Music City theme by including performances by 12 of the city’s biggest names in music. About a month ago, the director, Michael Dempsey, whom I worked with on several award shows, hired me as the music director. Here’s how it went....