America’s most beloved and immature pop-punks Blink 182 set off on their Missionary Impossible Tour last summer, and along the way, they stopped at the Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, Alabama. That’s where PG’s Chris Kies connected with Justin Sweet, guitarist Tom DeLonge’s tech, and Brian Diaz, bassist Mark Hoppus’ tech. They took us backstage for a tour of the guitars and rack equipment that DeLonge and Hoppus brought out with them last year in this new Rig Rundown!
This Fender Tom DeLonge Starcaster, like the others in DeLonge’s arsenal, was built by Brian Thrasher for Blink’s 2023 tour, and it’s been in service ever since. It’s got a single Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom pickup and a lone volume knob. DeLonge runs it with a set of Ernie Ball Paradigm strings (.011–.052) with a wound G.
After receiving the guitar, DeLonge asked Sweet for some gaff tape, which resulted in the stunning look and breathtaking poetry featured here.
Tom DeLonge: The Next Michaelangelo?
Within a day of receiving it, DeLonge also subjected this guitar, nicknamed “Milo,” to an aesthetic overhaul via stickers and some Louvre-worthy Sharpie work.
Tom DeLonge’s Signal Chain
DeLonge has left the Mesas, Marshalls, and Voxes behind for now and uses a Fractal Axe-FX III unit on the road. His main sound is based on a jumpered Marshall plexi amp and a Soldano X88-IR. For clean sounds, DeLonge goes for a hybrid sound of a CA3+ (Custom Audio Amplifiers 3+ SE) and a Fender Deluxe Reverb. The drive sounds are pushed through a model of a Marshall 4x12 cabinet loaded with Celestion Vintage 30s, and the cleans crank through a Vox AC-30 IR. A Rupert Neve Designs 5211 preamp helps bring the tones to life.
Changes are handled by a Fractal FC-12 backstage, and a FC-6 for DeLonge onstage.
Green Ray
Only played a few times on this tour, this Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay bass was used to record Blink’s 1999 breakout record, Enema of the State.
Take Off Your Pants and Jag-et
According to Diaz, Hoppus will message artists he likes on Instagram to ask them to paint his basses, like this commission from Ohio-based artist Burrito Breath. Nicknamed “Stoned Fruit,” this Fender Jaguar bass—now a Limited Edition signature model for Hoppus—carries Hoppus’ now-signature “reversed P” pickup configuration of a set of Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound P-bass pickups.
Mark Hoppus’ Signal Chain
Check out Mark Hoppus’ rack! He rolls with this Neural DSP Quad Cortex unit. His main sound is based off of an Ampeg SVT, and other key modeled sounds include a Keeley Noble Screamer, an Orange Terror amp, and a JHS 424 Gain Stage.
Also in the rack are a Radial JX 44, Fretronics RSW switching system, and a Rupert Neve Designs 5211 preamp.
Dr. Z and EQD meld minds and come up with a most flexible tube preamp that can add life to the output from your amp or at the input of a DAW.
EarthQuaker Devices
ZEQD-Pre Preamp Pedal
A game-changing joint effort between EarthQuaker Devices and Dr. Z Amplification, the ZEQD-Pre injects your guitar rig with a healthy dose of tube-flavored character. Place this all-analog preamp pedal at the end of your signal chain, and you’ll revel in the harmonic-rich warmth and dynamic response you’d expect from a cylinder of glowing-hot glass. The ZEQD-Pre’s robust, passive 3-band EQ is just what the doctor ordered for fine-tuned tone shaping, pushing its preamp into ear-grabbing grit, or breathing new life into your favorite modeling patch. Moreover, this stellar stompbox features a switchable analog cabinet simulation for seamless DI recording and backline-free live performances. You also get a Boost footswitch with a dedicated Level control, delivering a wide-open volume bump that lets your solos soar high above the mix without sacrificing clarity or character. Finally, the ZEQD-Pre includes numerous thoughtful features, including a Ground Lift, Headphone output, and a balanced XLR DI output. Driven by an EF86 pentode — the same tube that fuels Dr. Z’s pristine, hi-fi amplifiers — the EarthQuaker Devices ZEQD-Pre offers a complete, all-analog amplifier system that fits right on your pedalboard.
Courtney Cox on melting faces with Burning Witches Guitars, and, frankly, playing better than most people.
Burning Witches guitarist Courtney Cox joins the Axe Lords from her German riff-und-shred-haus to talk technique, tone, and how the band writes and records across borders and works under brutally short studio timelines. The conversation reveals how her ADHD shapes her practice regimen and traces her path from rural Pennsylvania Lacrosse phenom to touring teenage guitar prodigy through her tenure with the Iron Maidens, which as you might have gathered, is an all-female Iron Maide tribute band.
Along the way, Cox discusses her signature Caparison guitars and the realities of being a working guitarist in 2025, from social media burnout and Patreon economics to, of course, pissing off your neighbors.
Axe Lords is presented in partnership with Premier Guitar. Hosted by Dave Hill, Cindy Hulej and Tom Beaujour. Produced by Studio Kairos. Executive Producer is Kirsten Cluthe. Edited by Justin Thomas (Revoice Media). Engineered by Patrick Samaha. Recorded at Kensaltown East. Artwork by Mark Dowd. Theme music by Valley Lodge.
Follow @axelordspod for updates, news, and cool stuff.
This year was a big one for the Rig Rundown crew! John, Perry, and Chris traveled to Boston, Cincinnati, Chicago, Milwaukee, and even a cave in Tennessee, while, of course, foraging in their home base of Music City to gather the biggest and brightest (and loudest) setups touring the world. Dive into the most popular episodes and behind-the-scenes adventures the tres amigos encountered in 2025.
![Rig Rundown: John 5 [2026]](https://www.premierguitar.com/media-library/youtube.jpg?id=62681883&width=1245&height=700&quality=70&coordinates=0%2C45%2C0%2C45)
