After a devastating theft in 2021, the metal band’s guitarist rebuilt his tone empire around some life-changing loans.
Chicago post-metal band Russian Circles had to battle their way back to gear heaven. In 2021, the bulk of the band’s gear was stolen while on tour, leading to a years-long rebuild. As a result, many of the items you might’ve seen in guitarist Mike Sullivan’s Rig Rundown back in 2017 are long gone.
PG’s Chris Kies recently met up with Sullivan at the band’s Chicago practice space, where they’ve resided for nearly 20 years. Check out some highlights from Sullivan’s new, resurrected rig below.
Sullivan has been favoring Dunable guitars of late, borrowing one from tourmate Chelsea Wolfe after his other guitar was nabbed. The green one is based on the Dunable Narwhal, with a more Gibson-like scale—comparable to Sullivan’s old Les Paul. This Narwhal has a mahogany body and neck, maple top, and a coil-tap function for the two humbuckers: a DiMarzio PAF 26th Anniversary and a DiMarzio Joe Duplantier Fortitude signature. Vibrating atop those pickups are D’Addario strings—a set of .011–.056, with the low E swapped for a .058. Sullivan uses a number of different down tunings, all with D-A-D-G-A-D as a starting point.
The white Dunable has a maple neck, a 25.5” scale, and is tuned lower, with a .062 for the low E string. It’s used for drop-A tunings, and has the same DiMarzio pickups.
Gettin’ Hi
Sullivan was turned onto Hiwatts after acquiring some on loan in the wake of the gear theft, and he hasn’t turned back since. The cabinets are loaded with Hiwatt Octapulse speakers.
Mike Sullivan’s Pedalboard
Sullivan runs two pedalboards. The first includes a Peterson tuner, Shure P9HW, Dunlop CBM95 Cry Baby Mini, DigiTech Drop and Whammy Ricochet, and MXR Phase 95.
The motherboard carries a Dunlop DVP3 volume pedal, a Friedman BE-OD Deluxe, Strymon Dig, TimeLine, and Flint, a T-Rex Image Looper, DigiTech JamMan Stereo, MXR CAE Boost/Line Driver, Foxrox Octron3, Electric Eye Cannibal Unicorn, Maxon Apex808, Fortin-Modded Ibanez Tube Screamer, and a Radial Shotgun Guitar Splitter and Buffer.
The “monkey grip” body hole on this Teisco TG-64 certainly sets it apart—even if its function isn’t clear.
I like to think I have some unique idiosyncrasies that sort of make me weird, and others that I probably share with lots of people. For instance, are you into coats? I have a ton of coats for some odd reason, and I really can’t explain why I enjoy interesting jackets, parkas, vests, and raincoats. In addition to a lot of coats and guitars, I also have a lot of sneakers. I totally dig sneakers and am always on the lookout for retro designs and fascinating colors. I have a pair of Vans for every holiday and occasion. But sadly, as I age, Vans are not friendly to my aching feet. (Seriously, my feet hurt!) I already had rather huge feet but now I think they’re getting wider with age, and I have to be careful when picking out shoes. Aging is for the birds!
So the behavior pattern that I was examining within myself came down to the appeal of variety. Whether it was shoes, coats, or guitars, I liked variety, as well as weird and retro and odd. The variety totally spans my interests, and with guitars I think it manifests in my appreciation of rare colors and palettes. Think about guitar finishes for a moment. What are the really popular colors? I think of bursts, reds, blacks, and blues. Now think about rarer colors. Here I think of greens, yellows, and oranges. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed greens. Whether sparkles or bursts, green finishes have always been my jam. I think my second-favorite old guitar finishes were the yellows and off-whites. The old Gibson TV yellow (to appear white on black and white television) and the Fender butterscotch finishes are cool. And the off-white, smoke-stained colors are just super.
And here is where I land this month. A wonderfully worn, yellowed example of a Teisco TG-64. I love this guitar and still own it today. Yellow was a rare color for any old Japanese electric and today’s exhibit looks like it’s been clawed by a rambunctious cat, exposing the darker undercoat. Maybe the original finish was whiter? Either way, this one features a very rare finish for the time and place.
“Many of these old guitars add a unique brush or color to your creative instincts.”
The TG-64 guitars were introduced (you guessed it) in 1964 and seemed to hang around into ’65, with slight variations such as emblems and pickguard materials. This model has the body cutout (often referred to as a “monkey grip”) and the square pole-piece pickups that were the successors to the older gold-foil pickups that Teisco was using. There is plenty of hype over gold-foil pickups, and rightly so, but these square jobbers are almost as good, and some might even say better. When I studied coil windings on Teisco pickups, I noticed that the amount of wire lessened over time, resulting in less aggressive tones. It was probably a way to save money but as a result, not all Teisco guitars sound alike, even among the exact same models.
I’ve owned two of these TG-64 guitars and both sounded different. They both needed extreme fretboard/neck work and refrets, but once you get these guitars dialed in, there are a multitude of sounds. Anywhere from grind to mellow, from thin to thick, these are not simple guitars. They borrow from Fender Jazzmaster/Jaguar electronics that offer some preset tones with the flick of a switch. The mini-switches are an acquired taste, but the tremolo units do work fine and overall, the guitar balances nicely. It makes me wonder if the body hole was there for balance or just to be different. I’d like to think the latter, but who knows?
What I really love about mine is how it handles fuzz and overdrive. When clean, my TG sounds a bit thin and lacking sustain. But with a clean boost or some dirt, it shines. In fact, a good clean boost can totally bring an old import guitar from below average to above average. I seem to mention this in one form or another every month: Many of these old guitars add a unique brush or color to your creative instincts. There’s a song in every guitar—and maybe in coats and sneakers, too!
The monkey is out of the cage, and this time, it’s a little bit meaner. DigiTech’s cult-favorite Bad Monkey® overdrive pedal has swung back into the spotlight—not as a simple reissue, but as a fully evolved creature from DOD®: the Badder Monkey™. With the original Bad Monkey circuit still at its core and two brand-new circuits named Behaved and Badder joining the fray, this pedal gives players the power to go from mild-mannered overdrive to mischievous, unpredictable tones that are downright bananas.
The real magic happens with DOD’s patent-pending 360-degree Barrel Control, which lets musicians blend any two circuits at a time, resulting in hundreds of unique overdrive combinations. And if that’s not enough monkey business, a three-position toggle adds even more tonal tricks. In the UP position, the Bad circuit plays nicely in-phase with the others; DOWN, it flips out-of-phase to create wild harmonic shenanigans; and CENTER activates Troop Mode, where all three circuits pile on at once. In Troop Mode, the Barrel Control steps aside, letting the full troop roar together.
The Badder Monkey™ also introduces DOD’s patent-pending reversible StagePlate™, a simple but brilliant way to keep your pedal grounded—or attached to your board. The skid pad side keeps it from sliding off the stage; while flipping it over reveals a hook pad that locks onto your pedalboard in a snap. Switching between the two is as easy as removing four screws, flipping the plate, and tightening it back up—a simple solution for every rig and stage setup.
From the gain knob’s subtle creep to full-on roar, and with EQ controls named Grunt and Screech, the Badder Monkey™ offers a sonic playground for guitarists and bassists of all skill levels. True Bypass ensures your tone stays pure when the pedal is off, while a modern 9V DC input keeps it compatible with any rig.
From light, cheeky breakup to heavy, chest-thumping distortion, the Badder Monkey is ready to swing onto stages and pedalboards worldwide, delivering a jungle of tones without ever letting go of the vine. The Badder Monkey is the next step in the evolution of Cage-Free DOD.
Seymour Duncan, a leading manufacturer of guitar and bass pickups, effects pedals, and pedal amps, is proud to announce the Dino Cazares Machete Signature Humbuckeris now available to order from seymourduncan.com and from authorized Seymour Duncan dealers.
Dino Cazares Machete Signature Humbucker
Dino Cazares doesn't compromise, and neither does his signature Machete humbucker. This active pickup in a passive mount combines high-output coils with a custom preamp circuit to unleash ferocious attack with surgical precision. Whether you're hammering out brutal rhythms or cutting through with lead work, the Machete delivers the relentless clarity and thickness that fuel Fear Factory's punishing sound, now available to power your heaviest riffs.
Dino Cazares' signature Machete humbucker now available worldwide
Active pickup in passive mount for modern metal
Aggressive clarity with crushing low-end definition and articulation
Available in 6-string (in colors Black, White, and Red) and in 7-string (in colors Black, White, and Zebra)
Hand-built in Santa Barbara, CA
MAP pricing: 6-string $149.00
MAP pricing: 7-string $159.00
Fear Factory's Dino Cazares has spent decades defining the sonic assault of industrial metal, and his tone continues to evolve. The Machete, previously exclusive to Dino's signature Ormsby® guitars, is finally available everywhere from Seymour Duncan. This active humbucker in a passive mount delivers aggressive clarity and crushing power, engineered for players who demand articulation and low-end definition without sacrificing organic feel.
The Dino Cazares Machete Signature Humbucker delivers the razor-sharp attack and punishing crunch his music demands. Built on the foundation of the acclaimed Retribution model, the Machete channels that articulation into a distinct new voice. Treble bite and low-mid thickness combine for an immediate, aggressive attack perfect for machine-gun picking, tight chugs, and searing leads. The Machete retains an organic character that responds dynamically to your playing, delivering punchy aggression with definition.
If you've been craving fierce, articulate power that cuts through the heaviest mix while maintaining note clarity, the Machete delivers. It's the pickup that powers Dino's relentless riffing on Fear Factory's latest material, and now it can power your playing. Load it into your guitar and discover the sound that drives one of modern metal's most uncompromising players
Following their highly successful debut band tour across Europe this past June and July — which saw numerous sold-out shows and glowing praise from fans and press alike — legendary guitar icons Joe Satriani and Steve Vai are bringing their electrifying SATCHVAI Band to the United States for the first time. The “Surfing with the Hydra” 2026 tourwill launch on April 1 in Seattle, WA and continue on throughout April and May before winding up in Vienna, VA at Wolf Trap on May 30. Animals as Leaders will support on all dates. Tickets will be on-sale Friday December 12 with artist presale (PW: SATCHVAI2026) on Wednesday, December 10 at 10am local. Local pre-sales follow on Thursday, December 11.
This new chapter follows a monumental summer that took the newly formed band through major cities including London, Manchester, Paris, Copenhagen, Zurich, and more as well as festivals including Hellfest, Umbria Jazz Festival, and Guitares en Scene Fest, thrilling audiences with the unmatched interplay and energy that only Satriani and Vai can deliver. Now, with a brand-new video and single, “Dancing,” arriving March 2, 2026 via earMUSIC, the guitar greats are ready to bring that same firepower to stages across America.
“The SATCHVAI Band rides again! After a fantastic European tour last summer Steve, Kenny, Marco, Pete and I will bring the Surfing With The Hydra Tour to the US. We can’t wait to play you the new material from our forthcoming Satch/Vai album along with your favorite songs from our shared catalog. And that’s not all, we’re bringing along the incomparable Animals As Leaders. You do not want to miss this show with this lineup!” – Joe Satriani
Steve Vai concurs, "The SATCHVAI Band summer Euro tour of 2025 far exceeded anything I could have imagined. Joe and I struck pure jammin’ gold night after night. Being in the same band with Joe, playing songs we actually wrote together on stage, in real time felt like watching a childhood fantasy step out of my teenage brain and stroll onto the stage. And somehow, it was even more rewarding, satisfying, and downright fulfilling than I ever thought possible.
Our trusty band—Marco Mendoza holding down the bass with his usual thunder, Pete Thorn weaving in the magic on guitar, and Kenny Aronoff powering the whole thing from behind the kit, we created a musical flying carpet that carried us through the tour.
And to all the fans who came out and supported the show: massive thanks. Your energy and enthusiasm made the room pulse, and inspired us all beyond beyond. We are looking forward to steamroll this train into your city on our 2026 spring North America tour.”
The band’s forthcoming single “Dancing” marks the latest chapter in SATCHVAI Band’s creative evolution. It follows the duo’s first two releases — the sweeping, cinematic instrumental “The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 1” and the high-octane rocker “I Wanna Play My Guitar,” featuring powerhouse vocals from Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Country Communion). Together, these tracks have showcased both the emotional depth and unbridled energy that define the SATCHVAIBand sound — a seamless fusion of melody, virtuosity, and the kind of musical chemistry only five decades of friendship can produce.
The SATCHVAI Band marks the first time in their nearly 50-year friendship and musical partnership that Satriani and Vai have formally joined forces as a band. Their collaboration debuted in March 2024 with a duo tour and the release of “The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 1,” a stunning six-minute opus showcasing their extraordinary synergy. A second track, released ahead of the European tour, further fueled anticipation for what has become one of the year’s most celebrated live events.
Rounding out the lineup, powerhouse drummer Kenny Aronoff, renowned bassist Marco Mendoza, and virtuoso guitarist Pete Thorn complete the stellar quintet that is the SATCHVAI Band — a live ensemble built for explosive musicianship and unbridled guitar mastery.
Animals As Leaders, Tosin Abasi said of the tour, “We are beyond honored to be joining Joe Satriani and Steve Vai on tour! Our band, in many ways, would not be what it was if not for the impact of these two icons. Getting a chance to hit the US with them is a bucket list experience for us. Can’t want to see you all soon!”
Pre-sale tickets for “The Surfing with the Hydra 2026 U.S. Tour” kick off with an Artist Presale (PW: SATCHVAI2026) on Wednesday, December 10 at 10am local. Local presales follow on Thursday, December 11. The public on-sale begins Friday, December 12 at 10am local. All ticket details available at SATCHVAIBAND.COM
SATCHVAI Band “Surfing with the Hydra” 2026 U.S. Tour (with Animals as Leaders):
April 1 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
April 2 – Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
April 4 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
April 5 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
April 7 – Long Beach, CA – Long Beach Terrace Theater
April 8 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
April 10 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Amphitheatre
April 11 – Las Vegas, NV – The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
April 14 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
April 16 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
April 17 – Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park
April 18 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at the Moody Theater
April 20 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre
April 22 – Pompano Beach, FL – Pompano Beach Amphitheater
April 24 – Clearwater, FL – Baycare Sound
April 25 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre
April 26 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live
April 27 – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Symphony Hall
April 29 – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium
April 30 – Durham, NC – DPAC
May 2 – Minneapolis, MN – State Theatre
May 3 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
May 5 – Milwaukee, WI – The Riverside Theater
May 7 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
May 8 – Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavillion at Riverbend Music Center
May 9 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
May 10 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory #
May 12 – Buffalo, NY – Kleinhans Music Hall
May 13 – Toronto, Ont – Meridian Hall #
May 15 – Northfield, OH – MGM Northfield Park
May 16 – Rochester Hills, MI – Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
May 17 – Syracuse, NY – Landmark Theatre
May 20 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion
May 21 – Albany, NY – Palace Theatre
May 22 – Waterbury, CT – Palace Theater
May 23 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome
May 27 – Reading, PA – Santander Performing Arts Center
May 28 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
May 29 – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
May 30 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap *
#On-sale TBA 2026
*Pre-sale and on sale for Wolf Trap show will be in February 2026.
![Rig Rundown: Russian Circles’ Mike Sullivan [2025]](https://www.premierguitar.com/media-library/youtube.jpg?id=62303631&width=1245&height=700&quality=70&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0)
