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

Rig Rundown: Zao

Even on borrowed gear, the metalcore pioneers are able to bring the thunder with a handful of ESP guitars, some Mesa/Boogie firepower, and a stash of gnarly fuzz pedals.

Martin Lunn plays a stock Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay bass strung with LaBella .50-.110 strings. He also plays with 1.13 mm InTune guitar picks.

Click to subscribe to our weekly Rig Rundown podcast:



Though Lou Reed seemed to only use a handful of chords, his shrewd right-hand strumming created limitless rhythmic variations.

Beginner to Intermediate

Beginner to Intermediate

  • Focus on syncopation.
  • Add muted strums to enhance your rhythm playing.
  • Learn how to modify complex rhythmic patterns into smaller, more comprehensible figures.

Though usually more lauded for his lyrics than his guitar playing, Lou Reed had a distinctive style of strumming that can make replication a challenge and seemingly impossible for beginners to comprehend. With a combination of syncopations and muted strums, Reed’s rhythm guitar—from his time with the Velvet Underground to his solo career—has a groove and feel that all guitar players can learn from.

Read MoreShow less

Xotic revamps a classic Vox-boost-in-a-box pedal, creating a new one in the process.

Smart, feature-packed update on a classic. Nice size and price.

Small boost knob.

$180

Xotic Effects AC Booster V2

xotic.us

4
4
4
4.5

Read MoreShow less

Stringjoy has introduced the Ariel Posen Signature String Set, a heavy-gauge Nickel Wound set designed in close collaboration with acclaimed slide guitarist and singer-songwriter Ariel Posen.

Read MoreShow less

Nashville luthier and guitar tech Dave Johnson shows us the baker's dozen of tools he thinks any guitar picker requires to be a guitar fixer.

Read MoreShow less