Punch Brother and friend of the podcast Chris “Critter” Eldridge drops by to talk about the great Tony Rice. Not only is Rice one of the most reputable legends of bluegrass guitar, he also served as Eldridge’s mentor.
Eldridge, who paid tribute to Rice in 2022 with the Punch Brothers’ Hell on Church Street, shares his firsthand stories of listening to music with Rice on his home stereo and taking his legendary guitar to a jam session. Plus, he shares his Tony Rice listening list.
Line 6, Inc. has introduced the Helix® Stadium Family of products. Leveraging powerful DSP and the entirely new Agoura™ modeling methodology, they deliver extraordinary sound and responsiveness, a sophisticated yet intuitive user interface, and unparalleled control capabilities. The Helix Stadium Family includes the Helix Stadium XL Floor and Helix Stadium Floor processors, the Expand D10 digital I/O expansion unit (VDI, L6 LINK™, and other connectivity), the EX2™ expression pedal/toe switch, and the Helix Stadium Backpack.
"Helix Stadium XL Floor and Helix Stadium Floor are in many ways a new type of product,” said Eric Klein, Chief Product Design Architect. “In addition to featuring the best-sounding, most powerful, and most flexible processing Line 6 has ever offered, they can serve as performance workstations that aim to upend the way you approach playing—whether that’s writing and learning songs, jamming with friends, or controlling your band’s entire stage rig. And most of all, they’re fun to use.”
The flagship Helix Stadium XL Floor and the streamlined Helix Stadium Floor feature high-resolution 8" touch screens, high-contrast OLED scribble strips (XL only), the ability to morph between ultra-authentic and idealized amp sounds with a single control, 8-channel audio interfaces, Matrix cue mixers, and Showcase™ automation and playback engines that enable them to serve as the centerpiece of entire stage setups.
Whether you are a current Helix owner seeking to further your sonic adventure (your Helix/HX® presets can be loaded into Helix Stadium), or you are considering upgrading from another modeler, or even if you are a traditional amp and effects player intrigued by the convenience and nearly unlimited tone-crafting possibilities offered by multi-effects—Helix Stadium can help you realize your musical vision.
Pricing
U.S. customers can expect to see advertised prices starting at $1799.99 USD for Helix Stadium Floor, $2199.99 USD for Helix Stadium XL Floor, $219.99 USD for Expand D10, $149.99 USD for EX2, and $249.99 USD for the Helix Stadium Backpack. For customers outside the U.S., please contact your local Line 6 retailer for pricing information.
Availability
Starting on June 25th, you can reserve your Helix Stadium online and in stores. Helix Stadium XL Floor will be available Fall 2025, and Helix Stadium Floor in Winter 2025.
We continuously work with our retailers in the U.S. and in international markets to ensure our customers have experiences that reflect the quality of the Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc. brands. To protect our retailers’ ability to offer top-of-the-line customer service and education, Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc. unilaterally established a minimum advertised pricing (MAP) policy for the advertisement of certain Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc. products by its retailers in the U.S.
Spector Bass unveils the Doug Wimbish Euro 4 Signature Model, meticulously designed in partnership with the legendary bassist himself. Featuring custom-voiced EMG pickups and a slim neck profile for unmatched speed and comfort, this bass is a player's tool and a piece of history. Available worldwide from Spector Dealers.
Spector Bass unveils theDoug Wimbish Euro 4 Signature Model,an inspired evolution of Doug’s iconic 1987 NS-2 bass. Building on the momentum of the 2024 USA Signature Series, this new Euro model brings Wimbish’s unmistakable tone, style, and legacy to an even wider audience. As bassist for the legendary rap label Sugarhill Records backing Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five to the pioneering Living Colour, Wimbish has lent his innovative and creative bass grooves and sounds to a roster of world-renowned musicians.
Meticulously designed in close partnership with Doug Wimbish, the Euro4 DW features a signature slim neck profile and narrow nut width to offer unmatched speed and comfort. As well as custom-voiced EMG pickups, developed alongside Doug himself, delivering that unmistakable tone that’s powered countless records, tours, and sessions. Considered a pioneer in Hip-Hop bass playing and in the use of bass effects, alternate tunings and extended hand techniques, Wimbish’s mastery of the bass is unparalleled.
“My Spector Euro4Signature Model is absolutely stunning - visually, sonically and with the feel of my original '87 NS-2 Spector 4-String,” shared Wimbish. “The stars aligned on this new model - everything came together. I knew instantly when I played the first note on this model that we had a winner! I couldn't be happier - what a wonderful instrument.”
Finished in Amber Stain, Black Stain (gloss), and a Limited Aged Nitro finish that authentically replicates the wear and feel of Doug’s original bass, the Euro 4 Signature is both a player’s tool and a piece of history. A figured maple top, classic maple body wings, and a rosewood fingerboard with mother-of-pearl crown inlays complete the look. Gold Spector hardware adds a touch of elegance, while the Spector Legacy Preamp delivers a powerful, 1980s-inspired 2-band EQ—the heartbeat of Doug’s signature sound.
Now available worldwide from Spector Dealers, the Amber Gloss and Black Gloss is $3,499.99, and the Amber aged $3,699.99.
EarthQuaker Devices One to Four Splitter and Four to One Mixer: Create unique sonic adventures with our high-quality, compact devices. The One to Four Splitter features unity gain buffers and the Four to One Mixer offers independent level controls and selectable phase for each channel. Backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Greetings sonic explorers! We have crafted the One to Four Splitter and Four to One Mixer to help route your next musical adventure and create sounds you never thought possible.
The One to Four Splitter allows the user to take one input and send it through four buffered outputs for unlimited creative potential. Use it to run out to four amps to play in quadraphonic sound and blow people’s minds. Send a clean signal to your DAW and another through your normal signal chain to have a clean back up while recording. Or use it to run 2 parallel stereo signal paths.
The One to Four Splitter features a unity gain buffer on each output for maximum punch and clarity. These buffered outputs have a flat frequency response with a high 1MOhm input impedance and a low 100 Ohm output impedance. This ensures that your signal won’t lose any quality and will sound just like you intended.
The Four to One Mixer is a simple and compact 4-channel mixer with independent level controls and selectable phase for each channel. It can be used just about anywhere you need to mix four different sources into a single output with your unique sound! Phase selector switches for each channel will correct any issues you might have from mixing multiple signals with opposing polarities.
The Four to One Mixer features a high 1 MOhm input impedance and a low 100 Ohm output impedance, ensuring all signals maintain their sonic integrity throughout their journey, even on long cable runs. The high headroom and input impedance of this device allow it to accept a variety of instruments without distortion or clipping. This was built to handle just about anything, including guitars, basses, synthesizers, drum machines, and more…
When used in conjunction, the One to Four Splitter and Four to One Mixer can create wild parallel signal paths at the flip of a switch! Both devices feature high-quality components and are backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Unity gain buffers on each output for maximum punch and clarity
The buffered outputs have a flat frequency response with a high 1 Mohm input impedance and a low 100 ohm output impedance so that your signal won’t lose any quality
A simple and compact 4 channel mixer with independent level controls and selectable phase for each channel
Features a high 1 MOhm input impedance and a low 100 Ohm output impedance ensuring all signals maintain their sonic integrity throughout their journey, even on long cable runs
The high headroom and input impedance allows it to accept a variety of instruments without distortion or clipping
Phase selector switches for each channel will correct any issues from mixing multiple signals with opposing polarities
Ciari Guitars introduces the Steve Stevens Signature Ascender, a groundbreaking travel guitar merging folding technology with elite performance features. Designed for musicians on the go, this innovative model offers premium materials, custom pickups, and unique design elements.
CiariGuitars, the pioneering brand behind the world's most innovative travel guitars, proudly announces its first-ever SignatureSeries model in collaboration with Grammy Award-winning songwriter, guitarist, and rock legend Steve Stevens. Best known for his work with Billy Idol and contributions to music icons like Michael Jackson, as well as culture-defining films such as Top Gun, Stevens brings his unparalleled tone and artistry to Ciari’s revolutionary platform.
The Steve Stevens Signature Ascender™ merges Ciari’s patented folding technology with the high-performance features demanded by elite touring musicians. Designed for tone, portability, and stage-ready aesthetics, the Signature model offers a new benchmark in travel guitar innovation - perfect for stage, studio, and everywhere in between.
“Imagine flying with a truly professional, high-quality guitar and not having to worry about an airline damaging it,” says Stevens. “With my signatureCiari guitar, you just fold it up, stick it in its included backpack, and slide it under your seat. Ciari has changed the game, and I’m proud to put my name on this instrument.”
Crafted with premium materials and custom features handpicked by Stevens himself, the guitar is built for musicians who refuse to choose between convenience and performance. The Signature Ascender features a custom neck profile, premium pickups, and striking visual elements that reflect Steve’s iconic style. The SignatureSeries includes two models: the SteveStevensSignature Ascender Platinum, available in Jet Black Glass and Olympic White Gloss, and the SteveStevensSignature Ascender Premier, available in Jet Black Glass, Olympic White Gloss, and Josie Pink.
The Steve Stevens Signature Ascender boasts the following key features:
Bare Knuckle Ray Gun pickups for dynamic, precise tone.
Coil-splitting functionality for versatile sound options.
LED Selector Switch with Red, Green, and Blue position indicators on the Ray Gun Logo.
Bezel tuners for effortless, accurate tuning.
Premium electronics with stacked pots for seamless control.
Trapezoid inlays and Ray Gun-inspired design elements
Ciari’s patented foldable neck system allows for “Personal Item” convenience on planes.
“Partnering with SteveStevens for our first SignatureSeries is a dream,” said Jonathan Spangler, Founder & CEO of CiariGuitars. “He embodies everything we value — innovation, excellence, and fearless artistry. This guitar is the culmination of that shared vision.”
The SteveStevensSignature Ascender is available for pre-order exclusively on the CiariGuitars website.
