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

Tech 21 Introduces the Geddy Lee MP40 SansAmp

Tech 21 Introduces the Geddy Lee MP40 SansAmp

Tech 21 launches the limited edition Geddy Lee MP40 Signature SansAmp, celebrating the 40th-anniversary of Moving Pictures.


Moving Pictures was a milestone album for RUSH that sold over 5 million copies, and a major turning point in Geddy Lee’s bass tone. The Geddy Lee MP40 Limited Edition pays tribute to the album cover, designed by Hugh Syme, with a new black and red color scheme and custom artwork. The all-analog MP40 SansAmp builds upon the original YYZ pedal with a brand new selectable Boost stomp switch that provides a 12dB presence boost for increased top-end distortion. Additionally, engaging the Shape-shifter button gives you 6dB of Schmegilka on top, which, according to Geddy, "is an indefinable thing of awesomeness!"

Features held over from the YYZ pedal include: a Mix control to blend the ratio of high-end studio clean and dirty bass tube amp tones; Tight button adds definition to notes in cleaner settings and makes distorted tones snappier; Drive control; active 3-band EQ; and Master Volume. Operable with 9V alkaline battery (not included) or optional DC power supply. As with all SansAmps, you can record directly and enhance previously recorded tracks. For live performances, you can drive a power amp and speakers, augment an existing amplifier set-up, or run directly into the mixer of a PA system. And each Geddy Lee Signature SansAmp offers Geddy’s core sound, as well as the versatility for many different styles.

Anticipated availability: March 2022. Designed & Manufactured by Tech 21 USA, Inc.

For more info: tech21nyc.com.


In challenging times, sometimes elemental music, like the late Jessie Mae Hemphill’s raucous Mississippi hill country blues, is the best salve. It reminds us of what’s truly essential––musically, culturally, and emotionally. And provides a restorative and safe place, where we can open up, listen, and experience without judgement. And smile.

Read MoreShow less

This legendary vintage rack unit will inspire you to think about effects with a new perspective.

When guitarists think of effects, we usually jump straight to stompboxes—they’re part of the culture! And besides, footswitches have real benefits when your hands are otherwise occupied. But real-time toggling isn’t always important. In the recording studio, where we’re often crafting sounds for each section of a song individually, there’s little reason to avoid rack gear and its possibilities. Enter the iconic Eventide H3000 (and its massive creative potential).

Read MoreShow less

A live editor and browser for customizing Tone Models and presets.

IK Multimedia is pleased to release the TONEX Editor, a free update for TONEX Pedal and TONEX ONE users, available today through the IK Product Manager. This standalone application organizes the hardware library and enables real-time edits to Tone Models and presets with a connected TONEX pedal.

Read MoreShow less

Valerie June’s songs, thanks to her distinctive vocal timbre and phrasing, and the cosmology of her lyrics, are part of her desire to ā€œco-create a beautiful lifeā€ with the world at large.

Photo by Travys Owen

The world-traveling cosmic roots rocker calls herself a homebody, but her open-hearted singing and songwriting––in rich display on her new album Owls, Omens, and Oracles––welcomes and embraces inspiration from everything … including the muskrat in her yard.

I don’t think I’ve ever had as much fun in an interview as I did speaking with roots-rock artist Valerie June about her new release, Owls, Omens, and Oracles. At the end of our conversation, after going over schedule by about 15 minutes, her publicist curbed us with a gentle reminder. In fairness, maybe we did spend a bit too much time talking about non-musical things, such as Seinfeld, spirituality, and the fauna around her home in Humboldt, Tennessee.

Read MoreShow less