Rig Rundown: Acid Bath

Explorer’s Edge

Sammy Duet is using this prototype ESP EX model, with color-shifting side bevels and Lollar Monolith pickups. He uses S.I.T. strings, .013–.060 gauge, for stability while tuned to C standard.

Marshall Madness

Duet likes these Marshall JCM2000 heads and matching 4x12 cabinets for their simplicity.

Sammy's New Slugger

From SPD100 designer Michael W Klein, "I was able to play through Sammy's rig onstage, which gave me a really good sense of what he was looking for. I think after that tour, he sent me one of his [Randall] VMax heads for repair and again to brainstorm on the performance he loved and didn’t love. A tour later, I brought him my personal amp that I designed and built years prior for him to give input on.

Those three experiences were extremely helpful, and the design time to prototype completion was about two years. I went all in, probably to an unhealthy degree. Praise Skeletor - he loved the prototype and took it on tour immediately. We spent the next two years torture testing, tweaking, and refining the design."

Under the Hood

From SPD100 designer Michael W Klein, "The amp is pretty unique, not really based on anything but definitely has various influences and inspiration throughout. It is definitely purpose-designed rather than based-on, if that makes any sense? There is a lot of attention to the tuning and taper of all controls, and I’m thrilled people that own one have noticed how unique but easy everything responds."

The tube complement is 4x12AX7, 4xKT77. I cut no corners in its construction, and it is meant to last a lifetime even in the most heinous situations. Every amp is built by me, by hand on turret/eyelet board just like my favorite amp builders of lore."

Brutal But Balanced

From SPD100 designer Michael W Klein, "As a builder, my effort to maintain the integrity of everything upstream from

the amplifier was a primary goal. Your guitars shouldn’t sound the same. Pickups will begin to make a hugendifference. Boosts that once felt identical should start to reveal their true character."

"While revealing, the SPD100 is intentionally forgiving, too."

"How can an amp be revealing AND forgiving? It’s not complicated – avoid over-saturation & over-compression, don’t get cutesy with excessive frequency trimming, and make the controls easy to dial and clear in their purpose."

"I hope the first chug you play brings a smile to your face."

Sammy Duet’s Pedalboard

Duet’s board currently boasts a Shure GLXD16+ tuner, Fortin Roach, a high-gain Morley wah pedal, Fortin Zuul, MWK Audio Design Spire, Xotic Effects SP Compressor, MWK Torture Rack, Strymon Cloudburst, and MWK Stull.

Choppin’ Wood

Sanchez plays this Woodrite V-style for now, but he’s collaborating with the company on a signature model that will feature a larger pickguard and tobacco-burst finish. Keep an eye out for that. This one, though, is loaded with custom high-output passive pickups designed by Jeff Richard.

Twin 2000s

Like Duet, Sanchez plays through a JCM2000 stack.

Mike Sanchez’s Pedalboard

Sanchez’s board carries a Dunlop Cry Baby, Boss TU-3, Shure GLXD16+ tuner, MWK Audio Design Lonely Ghost, Boss SY-1, and Death by Audio Moonbeam Phaser. A Boss ES-5 switching system helps navigate the changing.

Purple Pounder

Wesley uses a Sandberg Forty Eight bass, with a quilted maple top and Fishman Fluence pickups. He likes DR Strings Black Beauty coated string sets for their durability and dampening.

Split the Signal

Wesley’s signal from this Darkglass Microtubes 900 head runs both to an 8x10 cab onstage, and direct to front of house. The onstage cab mostly serves as a monitor.

Shane Wesley’s Pedalboard

Wesley’s tricked-out bass board carries lots of goodies. He has a Dunlop Justin Chancellor Signature Cry Baby, Shure GLXD16+ tuner, Origin Effects Cali76, Rupert Neve Designs preamp, Caveman Audio BP1 Bass Preamp, Citadel Electronics Dynazero, Darkglass ADAM, SFX Micro Thumpinator, Origin Effects BassRig Super Vintage, Universal Audio Astra and Del-Verb, and Tech 21 Q/Strip. A Strymon Zuma sends juice to them.

Marshall JCM 800

Strymon Cloudburst

Boss Metal Zone

D’Addario NYXL

Seymour Duncan Blackouts