The melodic hardcore pop-punkers dish the dirt on dirty gear.
Premier Guitar hung with Alan Day, Dan O’Connor, and tech Patrick Benson of Four Year Strong before their ear-crushing set at Nashville’s Exit/In in early January 2015. Still shaking off the cold after their Canadian tour, these Worcester, Massachusetts, road dogs go for a loud and proud setup.
Alan Day’s Gear
GuitarsAmps
Day goes with a purple 100-watt Soldano Avenger head powered by four 6L6s.
Effects
Patrick Benson, who built Day’s pedalboard, took PG through the signal chain. Straight from the guitar the signal hits a Boss TU-2 tuner, followed by a Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor. Then things get weird with an Electro-Harmonix Micro Synth into a MXR Blue Box, which Benson has modded. Next the signal hits a Line 6 DL4, a MXR Carbon Copy, and ends with an Earthquaker Devices Dispatch Master. A Voodoo Lab Pedal Power Plus provides the juice, and a Radial BigShot ABY sends the signal to the amps.
Dan O’Connor’s Gear
GuitarsAmps
O’Connor plugs into a 100-watt Marshall JCM800 2203—tamed with a THD Electronics Hot Plate power attenuator.
Effects
O’Connor is not much of a pedal guy. He employs a Boss TU-2 tuner, a Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor, and an Ibanez Tube Screamer, and powers them with a Dunlop DC Brick. A Radial BigShot ABY sends O’Connor’s guitar signal to his amps.
Joe Weiss’ Gear
BassAmps
The Jazz bass runs into a Boss TU-2 tuner and then into a 200-watt Orange AD200 driving an Ampeg SVT 810 cab. The AD200 features four 6550 power tubes and minimal controls. A 500-watt Orange Terror Bass head lays in wait as a backup.