We catch up with the virtuoso pair to talk about gear, three-string guitars, and how they dial in their legendary tones.
Although Gilbert’s pedalboard isn’t that complicated, this diagram lays everything out. Notice the Peterman Puck ’N Stompa off to the side that Gilbert uses for some added percussion.
Thanks to tech Jeff Mallard for technical support.
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Featuring a unique Blah Blah Circuit for expressive filtering effects, versatile tone control, and premium Morley buffer circuit. Available exclusively through the LERXST Reverb Store for $299.
Spawned out of Lifeson’s long-time appreciation and use of the classic wah-wah effect, the Lerxst Blah Blah is a new breed of wah designed specifically for adventurous tone chasers. The Blah Blah uses Morley’s iconic switchless optical wah circuit as a springboard, carefully tuned by Lifeson and the engineers at Lerxst and Morley for an expressively vocal response that is equally usable in both classic and modern applications.
“Wah pedals have been an essential tool of sonic expression for me since the ‘Fly by Night’ album,” explains Lifeson. “With the ‘wah’ side of the Blah Blah, we really wanted to capture that classic sound while also giving it a wide enough frequency response to suit modern players.”
“The guys at Morley have designed some of the greatest wah pedals ever, so it was a natural collaboration to work on this project with them, and also see where we could take it next.”
The Blah Blah’s namesake Blah Blah Circuit is where the pedal sets its sights, and sounds, squarely on the future. Taking inspiration from Lifeson’s immediately recognisable Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction acceptance speech from 2013, the Blah Blah Circuit is a cornucopia of expressive, touch-sensitive filtering effects that evoke both vocal and synth-like sounds out of whatever instrument that is run through the pedal – including a recognizable ‘Blah’! The Blah Blah’s onboard tone control allows precise EQ control of these effects to make them fit perfectly alongside anything else in your pedalboard, or mix.
"Alex wanted us to create something unique and inspiring," said Morley Owner Scott Fietsam. "We certainly achieved the 'Blah-talkie' sound, but what surprised us was how versatile this pedal turned out to be. It opened up numerous sonic possibilities in both clean and distorted modes, making it enjoyable for a wide range of players."
Blah Blah Specifications
- Iconic Morley Switchless Optical Wah Circuit
- Switchable Blah Blah Circuit for Expressive Filtering Effects
- Versatile Tone Control for Blah Blah Circuit
- Premium Morley Buffer Circuit
- Sturdy Steel Enclosure
- Heavy-Duty Footswitch, Knobs, and Jacks
- LED Indicator Light
- 9V DC Negative Center Power
- Current Draw: 300mA
- $299
Asked to comment on the implications of such a unique wah pedal in a crowded market of effects, Lifeson said the following: “Blah blah blah, blah blah, blah. Blah blah blah blah, blah blah. Blah, blah blah blah. Blah blah. Blah blah. Blah blah blah, blah blah, blah blah blah. Blah? Blah blah blah, blah blah, blah. Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. Blah blah blah, blah blah, blah.”
For more information, please visit lerxstamps.com.
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.
The features of the Debut 30E have been carefully selected to cover all the needs of an aspiring guitarist; two footswitchable channels, our patented ISF(Infinite Shape Feature) tone control, series effects loop, and a built-in tape delay. This amp is available in two gorgeous vintage finishes; cream covering with oxblood fret, or black and ‘biscuit’ basketweave.
Debut 30E Combo Features
- 30 Watt combo
- 2 Channels – Clean + Overdrive
- Patented ISF tone control
- Line In for jamming along or listening to music
- Speaker emulated Line Out for ‘silent’ practice or recording
- 1x10" custom-designed speaker, producing true Blackstar tones
- Series effects loop
- Stereo playback of Line In sources through headphones
- Dual footswitch control for channel switching
- Compatible with any 2-button latching footswitch (available separately)
- Vintage styling in cream and black options
Debut 30E | No Talking, Just Tones | Blackstar - 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....
PG contributor Tom Butwin demos EarthQuaker Devices' versatile Silos delay pedal, a 3-in-1 powerhouse offering digital, analog, and tape delay modes with intuitive preset saving, tap tempo, and expression pedal control for endless creative possibilities.