Clifton, NJ (January 23, 2019) -- The original Fly Rig, introduced in 2014, was a true gamechanger for players in all categories, from touring pros to bedroom hobbyists. At a time when pedalboards were expanding and backs were breaking, the innovative Fly Rig enabled players to slim down without sacrificing great tone, and travel without fear of baggage surcharges and dreaded mystery backlines.
The Fly Rig 5 v2 retains the same SansAmp heart, Plexi/Cali distortion and Delay, but adds a few twists and turns within these sections. New features include switchable Pre/Post Boost up to 12dB, an independent reverb with choice of room size, an effect loop, a tuner, headphone capability and an XLR Output.
Since the debut of the original Richie Kotzen RK5 Signature Fly Rig, Richie’s needs have changed, both on and off the road. New to this version is an on/off push-button for the SansAmp section. Richie previously would use his RK5 both with and without the SansAmp engaged. Currently, it’s either on or off during stage shows, so he no longer needs a dedicated footswitch. Following the same form factor as later Fly Rigs, the RK5 v2 includes a tuner, headphone capability and an XLR Output. Effects include delay, independent reverb, pre-boost up to 12dB, compression, fuzz, rotary speaker, and Richie Kotzen’s signature OMG overdrive.
The Paul Landers PL1 Signature Fly Rig offers two SansAmp channels, one clean (Wasser) and one dirty (Feuer). It also has an independent dual-mode Boost function: a post-SansAmp positive volume boost up to +6dB and “negative” boost down to -10dB and a Punch mode to enhance solos with a wide mid-range boost. Effects include Delay with Tap Tempo, Vibrato, and Ambiance.
All utilize included 9V DC Universal Power Supply: Model #DC9. “Auto-switching,” self-adjusting 100V-240V, 200mA with interchangeable international prong assemblies for use anywhere in the world.
Wanting to streamline and simplify his gear for new projects, Geddy Lee partnered with Tech 21 to design a signature rackmount SansAmp, the GED-2112. This challenging collaboration involved distilling a boatload of equipment into a single rackspace. Stepping up to yet another challenge, Tech 21 further distilled the rackmount into a super-compact, portable pedal format. The SansAmp YYZ offers Geddy’s core sound and the versatility for many different styles.
Features include all-analog SansAmp technology to record directly and enhance previously recorded tracks. For live performances, the SansAmp YYZ can drive a power amp and speakers, augment an existing amplifier set-up, or run directly into the mixer of a PA system. A Mix control blends the ratio of high-end studio clean and dirty bass tube amp tones. The Tight button adds definition to notes in cleaner settings and make distorted tones snappier. Other features include a Drive control, active 3-band EQ and Master Volume. Operable with 9V alkaline battery (not included) or optional DC power supply.
The Power Engine Deuce Deluxe is a pumped up version of Tech 21’s former Power Engine 60, which was introduced back in 2001. Tech 21’s original concept for a FRFR speaker cabinet specifically designed for guitar and bass evolved from an overwhelming amount of inquiries as to which amp would be best to use with a SansAmp. Enter the light bulb.
Fast forward to today, this new version consolidates a feature set that can be used for both guitar and bass. The handsome 1x12 rear-ported cabinet is capable of delivering 200 Watts of transparent power with convenient, on-board 3-band, active EQ controls to compensate for challenging venues. Other new features include low and high pass filters, defeatable tweeter, an extension speaker output, headphone output, auxiliary input, and worldwide power supply.
You can use the Power Engine Deuce Deluxe with any direct recording device or pre-amp --analog or digital, tube or solid state --from any manufacturer. You can take your Fly Rig/SansAmp or preamp gizmo du jour, with all those great direct sounds you’ve spent so much time creating, out to a gig and simply plug into the Power Engine Deuce Deluxe. It will amplify all your personal settings without giving you any additional tone. So there's no need to labor over readjusting all your parameters that would otherwise be colored by a conventional amp.
An optional 1x12 extension speaker cabinet, Model EX112, is an excellent complement for both the Power Engine Deuce Deluxe and their VT Bass 200 combo amp. Under 25 lbs, it is available with a black grille to match the Power Engine or blue to match the VT Bass 200.
For more information:
Tech 21 NYC
Rhett Schull’s a busy guy. Between being one of the most prolific YouTubers in the guitar sphere, working as a trusted hired gun, and creating his own original music, including last year’s EP The Early Days, he’s an avid cyclist. Just a week before we met up with Rhett at Eastside Bowl in Madison, Tennessee, for this Rig Rundown, he was slated to ride a 100-mile race in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Those plans were dashed when 70-mile-an-hour winds stoked a wildfire near town and burned just over 26,000 acres. But the show must go on: The next night, Schull played a gig in town, a special release for people reeling from a brutal natural disaster.
Schull’s a certified gear aficionado and tone wizard, so PG’s Chris Kies headed to Eastside Bowl to have him walk us through his current live rig. Check out the Rundown here, and stay tuned; Schull’s got more music coming later this year.
Brought to you by D’Addario.
Special Serus
Schull’s wife pointed out this Novo Serus J hanging on the wall of a guitar shop back in 2017, and it was love at first strum. Made from tempered pine and loaded with Amalfitano P-90 pickups, plus sporting an unmissable pink sparkle polyurethane finish, it’s a real looker, and one of Schull’s favorite guitars.
Third Man Thumper
After Schull did a video on the Fender Jack White Pano Verb amplifier, Fender sent him a Jack White Triplecaster Telecaster, part of his signature series of gear with Fender launched last year. Schull calls it one of the most versatile guitars he owns, with each of the three pickup options virtually splitting it into three separate guitars.
Firebird-Watching
This beauty from Gibson’s Custom Shop came to Schull following NAMM in 2020. On tour, he needs something with humbuckers and something with single-coils. Then, he thinks of what’s exciting him. These days, it’s this Firebird V, which doesn’t have a typical Firebird tone, but cuts closer to something like a Telecaster at times.
Rockin' Two With a Two-Rock
Schull runs two amps onstage, but he doesn’t run them in stereo; he believes the stereo image doesn’t translate as well in a live situation where listeners are spread across the speaker system’s field. With this Two-Rock Classic Reverb Signature and an AC15-ish David Edwards Apollo, Schull gets a “broadband” sound set for big, fat clean tones, like one giant amp on the edge of breakup.
Fun fact: Edwards surprised Schull with the Apollo when Rhett went to Florida to work on some videos.
Rhett Schull's Pedalboard
Schull’s 2024 EP is very effects-heavy, so he commissioned the pedalboard-whisperers at XAct Tone Solutions to build him this double-decker station based around an RJM Mastermind PBC/6X switcher. Some of the stomps, like the Chase Bliss Mood, are activated by MIDI, and all the different sounds from each song—from intro to chorus to bridge to finish—is set up in the RJM. If Rhett wants to go off script, he can hit the function button, which lets him engage pedals on a one-by-one basis. A Line 6 HX One is a “wildcard” pedal in this rig, filling in gaps as needed.
In addition to those machines, the rig includes a Chase Bliss Dark World, GFI System Synesthesia, Hologram Electronics Chroma Console, Boss Space Echo RE-202, GFI System Duophony (which mixes the Dark World and Synesthesia), Chase Bliss Automatone Preamp MkII (used for boost, EQ, fuzz, or overdrive depending on the song), Old Blood Noise Endeavors Beam Splitter, Source Audio ZIO, Memory Lane Electronics Tone Bender clone, and a Mythos Argonaut. A mysterious Japan-made Noel dirt pedal, finished in striking red and gifted to Shull by JHS Pedals’ Josh Scott, rounds out the collection. Utility boxes include a TC Electronic PolyTune3 Noir, Lehle Little Dual, a pair of Strymon Ojai power supplies, and a bigger Strymon Zuma supply.
