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GALLERY: Riot Fest 2017

Check out the instruments used by members of Queens of the Stone Age, Jawbreaker, Bad Brains, Prophets of Rage, New Order, Built to Spill, and others who rocked the Chicago fest.

Mad Caddies’ Chuck Robertson

Founding member of the ska-punk outfit went with his old friend, a Fender Classic Series ’72 Thinline Telecaster. Here’s his take on the 6-string: “This was my first electric guitar I ever bought new from a store back in 1998. For years I was playing, my fender Jagmaster, but recently I pulled the Tele out of the archives. It’s by far my favorite guitar to play onstage because it plays so well, it sounds good, and most importantly, it’s super lightweight which is great on the lower back.”

A reverb-based pedal for exploring the far reaches of sound.

Easy to use control set. Wide range of sounds. Crush control is fun to explore. Filter is versatile.

Works best as a stereo effect, which may limit some players.

$299

Old Blood Noise Endeavors Dark Star Stereo
oldbloodnoise.com

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The Old Blood Dark Star Stereo (DSS) is one of those pedals that lives beyond simple effect categorization. Yes, it’s a digital reverb. But like other Old Blood designs, it’s such a feature-rich, creative take on that effect that to think of it as a reverb feels not only imprecise but unfair.

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The exquisite BilT Brothers collaborative guitar: a Frank Brothers Ultra Light in BilT eggplant sparkleburst with Arcane 3x3 Gold Foil Humbuckers and loaded with a Caroline Custom Cannonball Distortion.

This forward-thinking custom guitar commissioned by our columnist makes a special case for partnership in the guitar building community.

Owning a guitar shop, your brain is full of to-do lists, questions, and plenty of compulsive thoughts over details. And when you run a shop that specializes in custom builds that you spec out from boutique companies, the ideas for these guitars often come at the most random times of day (and night). While I don’t subscribe to the notion of fate, the following makes a case for its existence.

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Introducing the new Gibson Acoustic Special models, handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana, featuring solid wood construction, satin nitrocellulose lacquer finishes, and L.R. Baggs electronics.

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Great Eastern FX Co. has released the limited-edition OC201 Preamp, featuring vintage Mullard OC201 transistors for a unique fuzz sound. Part of the 'Obsolete Devices' series, this pedal combines classic circuits with modern components for optimal tone and reliability.

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