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Tonal Tinker Toys: Reader Pedalboards 2018

When it comes to pedal puzzles and putting together your dream sound rig, there’s no right way—just your way. Check out these boards from your fellow readers, and be inspired!

Daryl Robertson: Happy (For Now)

Daryl in Dundee, Scotland, gives us his board rundown: “This is a pedalboard I’ve put together over the last few years, and I can now say I’m happy with it… well, as happy as a guitarist can be with his pedalboard!

“We start with a good old Dunlop Cry Baby wah, then into a rather beat up but still as solid-as-a-rock Boss TU-2 tuner, then into a Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor, which only gets used if I’m using a single-coil guitar. Next up is my Visual Sound Liquid Chorus. I’ve had a few different chorus pedals and this is still my favorite; there’s just something about it that I love! That feeds into my EarthQuaker Devices Dunes overdrive (I’ve always preferred chorus pedals in front of drive pedals).  Next is an Electro-Harmonix Bass Big Muff Pi that I use as a boost pedal for solos. I use the bass version because I prefer that you can blend the original signal with the fuzz sound. Next is a Keeley DynaTrem Dynamic Tremolo and, lastly, an MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay.”

It’s that time of year, when Premier Guitar readers from such disparate places as Florianópolis, Brazil, to Katy, Texas, share with us their prized collection of sonic goodies. All kinds of players write in: Sunflower Bean’s frontman/guitarist Nick Kivlen goes down memory lane, describing how he acquired, through many years and sources, all the pedals he loves. Simon Gotthelf, who has his own YouTube channel dedicated solely to the world of guitar and demoing gear, shows us his fave pedal configuration. A few session guitarists give advice on grab-and-go stomp setups. And then there are dozens of players who call themselves “bedroom” guitarists, many of whom know more about how to wire up a board than some stars featured on Rig Rundowns. Now, let’s dig in!

Vox’s Valvenergy Tone Sculptor

Two new pedals from the Valvenergy series use a Nutube valve to generate unique dynamics and tone ranges that can be used to radical ends.

When tracking in a studio or DAW, you’re likely to use compression and EQ on most things. Many enduringly amazing and powerful records were made using little else. And though many musicians regard both effects as a bit unglamorous and utilitarian, EQs and comps are as capable of radical sounds as more overtly “weird” effects—particularly when they are used in tandem.

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Darkglass Electronics unveils ANAGRAM, a flagship bass platform designed to redefine tone, flexibility, and performance. The pedal’s extraordinarily deep feature set includes multiple effects and modeling, an on-board looper and tuner.

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- YouTube

Alongside Nicolas Jaar’s electronics, Harrington creates epic sagas of sound with a team of fine-tuned pedalboards.

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Well-designed pickups. Extremely comfortable contours. Smooth, playable neck.

Middle position could use a bit more mids. Price could scare off some.

$2,999

Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay II

music-man.com

4.5
5
5
4

A surprise 6-string collaboration with Cory Wong moves effortlessly between ’70s George Benson and Blink-182 tones.


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