PG contributor Zach Wish demos the Metallica guitarists signature EMG pickups. The Kirk Hammett Bone Breaker pickup set is born from the essence of Metallica's iconic tone and enhanced with innovative elements. It strikes a perfect balance, maintaining high gain without compromising on clean tones, or vice versa. Through meticulous pre-amp adjustments and a fusion of alnico 5 and ceramic magnets, EMG have crafted the ultimate tone-beast.
EMG Kirk Hammett Bone Breaker Signature Humbucker 2-piece Pickup Set - Black
Comprising the BB-B ceramic bridge and the BB-N alnico 5 neck pickups, the Bone Breaker set delivers unparalleled versatility. For Kirk, his tone starts with EMG pickups. “Metallica’s crunch sound is often cleaner than people expect”, says Kirk. “My taste in tone has definitely changed over the years. I don’t like to use as much distortion these days—I prefer my tone to be nice and crisp.” The set’s street price is $199.
Hard-riffin', quick-picking Zach Wish gets comfortable and loud with the 50W solution to chasing the different gassed-up eras from the beacon of British rock.
Gosh Problem Solver backstory: The journey began on the front porch of Chris Wollard’s house, back in 2016. Fueled by a shared passion for the 2204 circuit, Wollard and I embarked on collaborative process to redefine the circuit, ironing out its quirks and limitations. The result is an amplifier that not only pays homage to its roots but catapults the classic rock sound into the modern era.
The relentless pursuit of sonic perfection led to numerous modifications and revisions, transforming the 2204 circuit into a beast of its own. No longer bound by the constraints of the original design, the Problem Solver emerged as a versatile powerhouse, ready to unleash its magic in both studio recordings and live performances.
What sets the Problem Solver apart is its thoughtful array of features, carefully curated to empower your creativity. The AGE switch lets you tailor your tone stack to different eras – whether you crave the cutting-edge brilliance of 1963, the aggressive bite of 1966, the mid-heavy roar of 1981, or the warmth of 2023, it's all at your fingertips.
The Mid Boost switch elevates your highs and mids, ensuring your solos cut through the mix with unparalleled clarity. The Depth control allows you sculpt the low-end frequencies. And the revamped EQ controls provide a logical, intuitive layout, ensuring that you can sculpt your sound effortlessly, straight out of the box.
In the end, the Problem Solver Amplifier isn't just an homage to the past—it's a celebration of timeless tone, reimagined for the demands of today's musicians. Join us on this journey and discover a new era of sonic possibilities. Plug in, play, and let the music do the talking – the Problem Solver has arrived.
Watch Zach Wish run the range of Rush riffage with this 30-watt, 6L6 combo built with Alex Lifeson's guiding hand.
Chi takes the growl and tone of the Omega and places it within a more compact form factor. The 30-watt amplifier is built around 6L6 tubes for excellent headroom and a clear, articulate sound and is available as both a smallbox head and a 1x12 combo amplifier. In keeping with its lineage, Chi also includes footswitchable clean and lead channels and a serial effects loop, making it equally versatile on stage or in the studio.
“I’ve used more amps than Dr. Frankenstein did when breathing life into his creature, but the Lerxst Chi is an awesome monster in its own right and one of the sweetest sounding amps I’ve ever heard,” said Lifeson. “All the great character of the Omega in a cool, compact package that you don’t have to be a seven-foot monster to carry around.”
Both amplifiers are also accompanied by a range of guitar cabinets in multiple speaker configurations, including 1x12, 2x12, and 4x12, ideal for any stage configuration or studio application. All amplifiers and cabinets are handcrafted to the highest standards with top quality components in Mojotone’s Burgaw, NC-based factory. The cabinets, head shells, and combo speaker cabinets are made of voidless baltic birch and finished with a striking race gray and red garnet levant Tolex finish for a lifetime of gigging and playing.
Learn more here.