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

Rig Rundown: Murder by Death

Down-tuned axes and a thirst for experimentation fuel the rootsy indie-rock band’s sound.

It’s not often that a bassist works with more effects than a guitarist, but that’s the case with Armstrong. He runs all his effects through his Road Rage Pro Gear looper. From the looper he can activate all pedals when he needs them, but keep them out of the signal when he doesn’t. His stomps include a Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner and PS-5 Super Shifter, a Fulltone OCD, a Fuzzrocious Rat Tail and Grey Stache (with two switchable gain levels), and a JHS Honeycomb.

From there, the signal goes through an Electro-Harmonix POG 2, Boss RV-3 Digital Reverb/Delay (which is on the same loop as his MXR Carbon Copy), and a DigiTech JamMan Stereo for ambient loops. Finally, Armstrong uses a Boss GEB-7 Bass Equalizer to help with any signal loss. The whole thing is housed (and powered) by a Furman SPB-8C pedalboard along with a Visual Sound 1 Spot for some extra juice. He also uses InTune Tri-Tip picks (.88 mm), Dunlop glass and brass slides, and occasionally, an EBow.

Murder by Death’s bassist Matt Armstrong managed to squeeze in a quick interview and walk us through the band’s gear before their show in Nashville. The band’s spacey-meets-gothic vibe is powered by low-tuned axes, effect-laden cellos, and a unique approach to tone.

SWShopTheRigButton

Warm Audio introduces the Fen-tone, a modern ribbon microphone inspired by a classic 50s Danish design.

Read MoreShow less

Our columnist’s bass, built by Anders Mattisson.

Would your instrumental preconceptions hold up if you don a blindfold and take them for a test drive?

I used to think that stereotypes and preconceived notions about what is right and wrong when it comes to bass were things that other people dealt with—not me. I was past all that. Unfazed by opinion, immune to classification. Or so I thought, tucked away in my jazz-hermit-like existence.

Read MoreShow less

Slayer announces a one-night-only show just added to the band’s handful of headline concerts set for this summer. Marking the band’s only U.S. East Coast performance in 2025, Slayer will headline Hershey, PA’s 30,000-seat Hersheypark Stadium on Saturday, September 20, 2025.

Read MoreShow less

Some names you’ve heard, others maybe not. But they all have a unique voice on the instrument.

Intermediate

Intermediate

• Open your ears to new influences.

• Understand how to create interlocking rhythm parts.

• Develop a new appreciate for the rhythmic complexity of Wayne Krantz, the effortless bebop of Biréli Lagrène, and the driving force that is David Williams.

{'file_original_url': 'https://roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms/documents/13841/Underrated-Feb22.pdf', 'id': 13841, 'media': '[rebelmouse-document-pdf 13841 site_id=20368559 original_filename="Underrated-Feb22.pdf"]', 'media_html': 'Underrated-Feb22.pdf', 'type': 'pdf'}

The guitar has been a major factor in so many styles of music over the last 70 years, and any experienced musician can tell you that playing any one of those styles with authenticity takes countless hours of dedication. As we learn the instrument, we seek out music that we find inspiring to help guide us toward our voice. The legends we all know in the guitar pantheon have inspired millions of players. In my musical journey over the years, I’ve always been thrilled to discover unique musicians who never attained the same recognition as their more famous counterparts. With so much music at our disposal these days, I thought this group of guitarists deserved a little more spotlight. The inspiration and knowledge they have provided me were paramount in my development, and I wouldn’t be the player I am without them.

Read MoreShow less