
Andrew Leahey joins PG editors and our reader of the month in naming their go-to dirt boxes, as well as their latest musical obsessions.
What's your favorite overdrive/distortion pedal and why?
Andrew Leahey – Andrew Leahey & the Homestead
Photo by Jen Gray
A: It's like a battlefield over here, with two pedals fighting for the role of my "always on" overdrive. For years, I've been using the Greer Lightspeed Organic Overdrive. I'll set the volume at 2 o'clock and the drive at 11 o'clock, then plug into my AC30 and turn up. I love the clean and crunchy tones that can both be coaxed from the pedal, depending on how hard I play.
The Benson Preamp is a newer addition to my arsenal and also works as a "set it and forget it" pedal, although I usually find myself adjusting the knobs between songs, dialing up some fuzz one minute and some raw British vibes the next. I'm trying to make room in my life (and on my board) for both of these pedals. Please send help.
Current Obsession:
I'm falling in love with touring all over again. I just got back from a short run of shows on the East Coast—my first out-of-town gigs since February 2020—and it feels like someone flipped a switch in a dark room. Like I can see where I'm going again. People get tired of touring all the time, but even the bad parts start to look pretty good after you've been stuck at home for so long. We have an 8-hour drive? An early wake-up call? A broken AC in the van? Bring it on. At this point, I'll drive down pretty much any road if there's a show waiting for me at the end.
Jason D. Killips – Reader of the Month
A: My klone from a $50 kit because it was 100-percent handwired by my 14-year-old son. And it sounds great! Here's a photo of me and my son, Mav (Maverick), by our basement worktable with my Tele project on it.
Current Obsession:
My current musical obsessions are the Tedeschi Trucks Band's new Layla Revisited album, and Jason Isbell's lead-guitar tone on "Overseas."
Shawn Hammond – Chief Content Officer
A: My core sound—on-the-verge breakup from my Fender Vibrolux Reverb—is a combination of a SoundBrut DrVa Mk.II's MOSFET variable boost circuit and a Ground Control Tsukuyomi midrange boost.
The MOSFET circuitry adds a lovely cushiness to the sound, while the Tsukuyomi adds sparkle that's been hard to get otherwise. For bristling distortion, I add in the SoundBrut's op-amp drive channel.
Current Obsession:
I've been playing pretty heavy strings for many years now—.011s for standard tuning, .013s for D-standard, and .014s for baritone guitars—but carpal/tendon pain has got me moving back to .010s and .012s. The reduced strain and easier playing action are refreshingly freeing. I feel like a better player now, too!
Nick Millevoi – Associate Editor
A: My favorite overdrive or distortion pedal will change depending on the task, but the Analogman King of Tone sure covers a lot of ground. It works great with my rig and pushes my amps in a warm, natural, and responsive way that's hard to beat for an impressive range of tones that span the distorted spectrum.
Current Obsession:
Music, Math, and Mind, the recent book by brilliant composer and scientist David Sulzer (aka Dave Soldier). It's almost like a music-centric version of Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time. Sulzer deftly explains the physics and neuroscience of music in a comprehensive and understandable way that should give anyone a lot to ponder, regardless of their background knowledge.
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If you see a curl on your capo, you know it was made by Kyser in Texas. They did a unique thing by bringing production to NAMM and showed how they make their acoustic guitar capos. There's only a few parts on their capos, but they're all high-grade components that make a secure, snug, dependable hug on your guitar's neck.
Available in 10- and 20-foot lengths, these cables combine reliable signal transmission with a distinctive braided design that adds a unique visual element to any setup.
The Backline Series braided instrument cables feature classic 1/4-inch straight to right-angle connectors for a secure connection and a durable 6.5-millimeter braided jacket that delivers a retro aesthetic. Players can choose between three color combinations – black and black, black and grey, or brown and yellow(tweed).
Each cable has a 23-gauge, 99.99% oxygen-free copper conductor and copper spiral shielding to provide a clear signal and eliminate interference. The low capacitance minimizes signal loss and supports wider audible frequencies, providing a richer, uncolored tone. Reusable ties ensure cables remain organized during transport.
Gator Cableworks offers a comprehensive selection of audio cables, including XLR, instrument, and speaker cables. Whether selecting from the Backline, Composer, or premiumHeadliner Series, consumers can trust Cableworks to deliver reliability, durability, and top-tier performance in any setting. For more information on Cableworks, visit www.gatorco.com.
Juniper II Baritone
Orangewood unveils an upgraded version of their popular Juniper Rubber Bridge guitar.
The company has made noticeable upgrades to the instrument, developing a more versatile and professional instrument for those who are looking for the unique rubber bridge sound. The Juniper II Rubber Bridge model is available in all Mahogany and Satin Black. It is also available in a baritone scale in Satin Black.
Even after the initial success of the first Juniper model, the Orangewood team continued to explore different ways to improve the instrument. Shortly after launching the first Juniper model, the team started testing a number of pickups to find the right pickup that could add more clarity to the muted tone so that the rubber bridge sound could mix even better in a live or recording environment. The team landed on the Seymour Duncan Hot Rails® pickup, and also added a coil split function and a tone control knob – making it a versatile and exceptional rubber bridge instrument. Additionally, the highly requested baritone scale version was added to the collection.
In order to accentuate the vintage-inspired aesthetics, the Juniper II models now feature oversized dot inlays and a diamond trapeze tailpiece. Strung with premium flatwound strings, Juniper II also features Grover open-gear tuners for excellent tuning stability and vintage-style cupcake knobs for volume and tone controls.
STANDARD SCALE KEY FEATURES
Body Shape: Parlor
Top: Solid Spruce or Mahogany Top
Back/Sides: Layered Sapele Mahogany Back & Sides
Scale: 24.75''
Pickup: Seymour Duncan Hot Rails® Pickup with Volume and Tone Controls
Electronics: Coil Split
Tuners: Grover Open Gear Tuners
Nut / Saddle: Bone Nut / Rubber Wrapped Saddle
Bracing: Reinforced Non-Scalloped X Bracing
Neck Joint: Vintage Style 12th Fret Neck Joint
Strings: Ernie Ball Light Stainless Steel Flatwound Guitar Strings 11–50
Truss Rod: Headstock Access
Gig Bag: Included
Price: $645
BARITONE SCALE KEY FEATURES
Body Shape: Grand Concert
Top: Solid Spruce or Mahogany Top
Back/Sides: Layered Sapele Mahogany Back & Sides
Scale: 27”
Pickup: Seymour Duncan Hot Rails® Pickup with Volume and Tone Controls
Electronics: Coil Split
Tuners: Grover Open Gear Tuners
Nut / Saddle: Bone Nut / Rubber Wrapped Saddle
Bracing: Reinforced Non-Scalloped X Bracing
Neck Joint: Vintage Style 12th Fret Neck Joint
Strings: D'Addario Chromes Flatwound Electric Guitar Strings 15-65
Truss Rod: Headstock Access
Gig Bag: Included
Price: $645
Every Juniper II is professionally set up by Orangewood’s in-house guitar technicians before shipment and includes a gig bag. The guitar retails at $645 and will be available directly online at orangewoodguitars.com/collections/rubber-bridge in February. Customers can now head over to the Orangewood website to sign up to be notified when the Juniper II models are available to purchase in February. Juniper II models will also be available through select retailer partners. For more information about Orangewood, please visit orangewoodguitars.com.
Two things that go together like peanut butter & jelly are Spector and Living Colour bassist Doug Wimbish. Making new waves with their longtime partnership they collaborated on a fresh trio of 4-strings under the Doug Wimbish Euro 4 banner that is built with a quilted maple top paired with maple body wings, Doug's preferred slim neck profile, and custom-wound EMG pickups. The bad news, it doesn't come with Doug's flashy, funky, musical chops!