Gary Clark Jr.ās longtime tech Dave Holman met with Premier Guitarās John Bohlinger before their three-night sold-out run at Nashvilleās Ryman Auditorium for a look at Gary Clark Jr.ās simple, yet stellar, setup. Later, JB met with King Zapata (above right) who showed off how he uses his complex rig for layering deep soundscapes.
When Gary Clark Jr. took over the scene with his debut Warner release, Blak and Blu, he did it armed with this 2007 Epiphone Casino packed with the stock P-90s. āRedā stays strung with DāAddario Chromes (.011ā.014ā.018pā.028ā.038ā.049).
This ā90s Ibanez Blazer, a gift from Gary Clark Jr.ās mother, is where it all started. The Blazer stays strung with DāAddario Custom Nickel Roundwounds.
Gary Clark Jr. worked with Gibson to help create a Gibson GCJ Flying V prototypes. Clark carries two of them on the road and both rock a trio of Gibson Custom Shop P-90s and DāAddario .011ā.049 strings.
Here is Gary Clark Jr.ās second V prototype.
In 2017 Gibson built Gary Clark Jr. this signature SG with Gibson Custom shop P-90s.
Gary Clark Jr. has long been associated with the Fender Vibro-King. Currently, he tours with a 2012 65-watt head version that sports a 100-watt transformer with modded bias points on the back of the amp.
The Vibro-King feeds a Fender 2x10 closed back cab loaded with Fender 10ā speakers.
Depending on the venue, Gary Clark Jr. will often add this 2013 Fender Princeton at low volume in rooms when the big amp loses tone from lack of volume.
Gary Clark Jr.ās pedalboard is run entirely through the effects loop of the Vibro-King, so his guitar plugs straight into the front of his amp. Down front he has a TC Electronic PolyTune 2 Noir, Fulltone Octafuzz, Function f(x) The Cannon Dual Fuzz, Strymon Flint, Dunlop Gary Clark Jr. Cry Baby Wah, Function f(x) Clusterfuzz, and a Hermida Audio Zendrive.
This yellow sparkle number is Eric Zapataās go-to on every gig. Itās a Moollon S-style axe based on vintage ā60s Stratocaster specs. He outfitted it with Don Mare pickups with the bridge pickup reversed. Zapata strings it up with DāAddario EXL115 Nickel Wound strings (.011ā.049).
Eric Zapataās other Moollon is this lefty Esquire-style axe.
For something a bit different, King Zapata plays this 1959 Supro Belmont made by National Valco. The pickup looks like a humbucker but it's actually a hot 9K single-coil. This vintage beauty features a Brazilian rosewood fretboard, solid mahogany body, and a maple neck.
Eric Zapata uses a dual-amp setup where both amps run into a single cab via a Radial Headbone VT. On the bottom is an Amplified Nation Steel String Singer, which was based on a Dumble Steel String Singer S/N #005. It contains four 6550 tubes running at a staggering 150 watts. The power section is articulate, punchy, and stays clean at extreme levels of volume. It also has a cathode follower driver tube, which is an additional 12AT7 located in the power section. The cathode follower adds output with extremely low distortion.
On top is a custom built Royal JPP100. The Royal and the Steel String run into what started out as a Marshall JTM45 4x12 cab, but he converted it to a 2x15 loaded with Electro-Voice 15L speakers.
Eric Zapata combines pedals to create spacious, ethereal effects. On the floor, from amp to guitar, Zapata runs a Carl Martin Headroom Reverb, ā70s MXR Loop Selector, ā90s Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man, ā80s Ibanez Analog Delay D-80, Sonus Halo Vibe, Hughes & Kettner Rotosphere, a ā60s Vox 847 Wah, a ā70s Shin-Ei 8tr Fuzz that was rehoused by Analog Man, and a Scott McKeon germanium fuzz. Other than some proprietary power solutions, a Voodoo Lab PP2 supplies the juice. Zapataās pedalboard was built by Mason Marangella at Vertex Effects.
On top of Zapataās rack sits a ā70s Roland Space Echo Tape Delay.
American Stage Cables:https://www.daddario.com/AmericanStageRR
With authentic stage-class Katana amp sounds, wireless music streaming, and advanced spatial technology, the KATANA:GO is designed to offer a premium sound experience without the need for amps or pedals.
BOSS announces the return of KATANA:GO, an ultra-compact headphone amplifier for daily jams with a guitar or bass. KATANA:GO puts authentic sounds from the stage-class BOSS Katana amp series at the instrumentās output jack, paired with wireless music streaming, sound editing, and learning tools on the userās smartphone. Advanced spatial technology provides a rich 3D audio experience, while BOSS Tone Exchange offers an infinite sound library to explore any musical style.
Offering all the features of the previous generation in a refreshed external design, KATANA:GO delivers premium sound for everyday playing without the hassle of amps, pedals, and computer interfaces. Users can simply plug it into their instrument, connect earbuds or headphones, call up a memory, and go. Onboard controls provide access to volume, memory selection, and other essential functions, while the built-in screen displays the tuner and current memory. The rechargeable battery offers up to five hours of continuous playing time, and the integrated 1/4-inch plug folds down to create a pocket-size package thatās ready to travel anywhere.
KATANA:GO drives sessions with genuine sounds from the best-selling Katana stage amp series. Guitar mode features 10 unique amp characters, including clean, crunch, the high-gain BOSS Brown type, two acoustic/electric guitar characters, and more. Thereās also a dedicated bass mode with Vintage, Modern, and Flat types directly ported from the Katana Bass amplifiers. Each mode includes a massive library of BOSS effects to explore, with deep sound customization available in the companion BOSS Tone Studio app for iOS and Android.
The innovative Stage Feel feature in KATANA:GO provides an immersive audio experience with advanced BOSS spatial technology. Presets allow the user to position the amp sound and backing music in different places in the sound field, giving the impression of playing with a backline on stage or jamming in a room with friends.
The guitar and bass modes in KATANA:GO each feature 30 memories loaded with ready-to-play sounds. BOSS Tone Studio allows the player to tweak preset memories, create sounds from scratch, or import Tone Setting memories created with stage-class Katana guitar and bass amplifiers. The app also provides integrated access to BOSS Tone Exchange, where users can download professionally curated Livesets and share sounds with the global BOSS community.
Pairing KATANA:GO with a smartphone offers a complete mobile solution to supercharge daily practice. Players can jam along with songs from their music library and tap into BOSS Tone Studioās Session feature to hone skills with YouTube learning content. Itās possible to build song lists, loop sections for focused study, and set timestamps to have KATANA:GO switch memories automatically while playing with YouTube backing tracks.
The versatile KATANA:GO functions as a USB audio interface for music production and online content creation on a computer or mobile device. External control of wah, volume, memory selection, and more are also supported via the optional EV-1-WL Wireless MIDI Expression Pedal and FS-1-WL Wireless Footswitch.
For more information, please visit boss.info.
Featuring torrefied solid Sitka Spruce tops, mahogany neck, back, and sides, and Fishman Presys VT EQ System, these guitars are designed to deliver quality tone and playability at an affordable price point.
Cort Guitars, acclaimed for creating instruments that exceed in value and quality, introduces the Essence Series. This stunning set of acoustic guitars is designed for musicians looking for the quintessential classic acoustic guitar with fabulous tone all at an exceptional price point. The Essence Series features two distinct body shapes: The Grand Auditorium and the OM Cutaway. Whatever the flavor, the Essence Series has the style to suit.
The Essence-GA-4 is the perfect Grand Auditorium acoustic. Wider than a dreadnought, the Essence-GA-4 features a deep body with a narrower waist and a width of 1 ¾ā (45mm) at the nut. The result is an instrument that is ideal for any number of playing styles: Picking⦠strumming⦠the Essence GA-4 is completely up for the task.
The Essence-OM-4 features a shallower body creating a closer connection to the player allowing for ease of use on stage. With its 1 11/16āth (43mm) nut width, this Orchestra Model is great for fingerpickers or singer/guitarists looking for better body contact for an overall better playing experience.
Both acoustics are topped with a torrefied solid Sitka Spruce top using Cortās ATV process. The ATV process or āAged to Vintageā, āagesā the Spruce top to give it the big and open tone of older, highly-sought-after acoustics. To further enhance those vintage tones, the tops bracing is also made of torrefied spruce. The mahogany neck, back, and sides create a warm, robust midrange and bright highs. A rosewood fingerboard and bridge add for a more balanced sound and sustain. The result is amazing tone at first strum. 18:1 Vintage Open Gear Tuners on the mahogany headstock offer precise tuning with vintage styling. The herringbone rosette & purfling accentuates the aesthetics of these instruments adding to their appeal. Both acoustics come in two choices of finish. Natural Semi-Gloss allows the Sitka spruceās natural beauty to shine through and classic Black Top Semi-Gloss.
A FishmanĀ® Presys VT EQ System is installed inside the body versus other systems that cut into the body to be installed. This means the instrument keeps its natural resonance and acoustic flair. The Presys VT EQ System keeps it simple with only Volume and Tone controls resulting in a true, crisp acoustic sound. Lastly, ElixirĀ® Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze Light .012-.053 Acoustic Strings round out these acoustics. This Number 1 acoustic guitar string delivers consistent performance and extended tone life with phosphor bronze sparkle and warmth. The Essence Series takes all these elements, combines them, and exceeds in playability, looks, and affordability.
Street Price: $449.00
For more information, please visit cortguitars.com.
Cort Essence-GA4 Demo - YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.Moth Electric's C. regalis overdrive pedal offers massive boost, natural overdrive, and searing distortion for guitar and bass. With active treble and bass controls, clean blend, Smooth/Crunch modes, and true-bypass switching, this USA-made pedal is a versatile addition to any pedalboard.
Adding a new model to their line of overdrives, Moth Electric has released the C. regalis. Equally suited for guitar and bass, the meticulously designed C.regalis is capable of massive boost, natural, singing overdrive, and searing mid-gain distortion. Its six op-amps power a dynamic, crunchy overdrive circuit with a suite of features including:
- Active treble and bass controls that allow for +/- 15db boost and cut. Perfect for tailoring the C. regalis to your instrument and amp.
- A powerful clean blend for introducing either your ampās natural character or another effect into the equation. Allows the C. regalis to become a more transparent overdrive.
- Smooth/Crunch modes, provide a subtle change in feel with āSmoothā increasing sustain and āCrunchā introducing high-order harmonics for additional texture.
The C. regalis offers the following features:
- Bass, Treble, Blend, Volume, Drive controls
- Smooth/Crunch modesā More volume than youāll ever need
- True-bypass switching, top-mounted jacks for easy placement on crowded pedalboards
- 9-volt DC operation with external power supply ā no battery compartment
- Designed and hand-built in the USA using through-hole components
The C. regalis carries a $179.99 price and is available for purchase at mothelectric.com.
For more information, please visit mothelectric.com.
OK WOW. Moth Electric C.REGALIS - Pedals and Tea EP 57 - YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.The long-running noise rockers detail what they packed for their January 2025 run across the U.K.
When the Jesus Lizard released their seventh studio record, Rack, last September, it ended a 26-year hiatus between recordings, and lovers of raucous, steely rock music around the world rejoiced. As guitarist Duane Denison told PGās Nick Millevoi in our feature story, the key to the albumās vitalityāand reviving the bandās brutal soundāwas simple: āPractice loud.ā
Ahead of a hotly anticipated U.K. tour celebrating the record, the band gathered at SIRās rehearsal space in Nashville to do exactly that. PGās Chris Kies stopped by to see what Denison and bassist David Wm. Sims were stuffing into their suitcases for the trip across the pond.
Brought to you by DāAddario.Higher Powers
The last time Denison invited us to his Nashville home for a Rig Rundown, he was using Electrical Guitar Company models. This time around, heās smitten with this Powers Electric Type A. Most of the guitarās features are proprietary, including the bridge, pickups, and the vibrato system. The trussed hollowbody is made from urban ash with a solid maple top, and comes with a compound radius Honduran rosewood fretboard.
Denison digs the definition and articulation in the attack of the discrete FF42 single-coil pickups, which bridge the gap between a humbuckerās hot output and a traditional single-coilās brightness. He goes through four different tunings in the current Lizard set: E standard, drop D (for āHide & Seekā), drop G (on āThumbscrewsā), and a strange tuning with flat E and D strings for āThumper.ā Coated Stringjoy Orbiters (.105ā0.50) handle the changes, as well as the Stringjoy Jumbo Jazz picks Denison uses.
Sweet Victory
Denison has switched from Blackstar amps to this 2-channel Victory VS100 Super Sheriff. Heās always preferred British amps: āAmerican guitars and English amps make the world go round,ā he says. Denison also uses a Marshall JCM900, which he appreciates for its simplicity compared to the JVM series, and its versatility compared to the JCM800.
Helix Help
Denison sets up this Line 6 Helix as a pedalboard, with tweaked versions of his favorite analog delay pedals programmed in. Among his go-to effects are reverb, slapback delay, tremolo, chorus, wah, longer delay, and what he calls a āwildcare effect,ā which comes into play for āWhat If?ā
The Best $250 Ever Spent
Sims bought this Memphis brand Jazz-style bass in 1981 for $250, and itās still his No. 1. He strings it with Rotosound RS66LDs, which he needs to change every three or four shows; once he senses the attack softening, he slaps new ones on.
Boomtown Brightness
Sims blasts his bass through this Gallien-Krueger 800RB, set for a classic midrange scoop with plenty of bite and bottom end. He prefers Ampeg 8x10 cabinets, or 2x15 speaker cabs.
Triple Combo
No fancy floor unit for Sims. Heās got a Boss ODB-3, an MXR Bass Chorus Deluxe, and an MXR Phase 90, all of which are used sparingly throughout the set.