September 2015

YO LA TENGO • TREMONTI • METZ • BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME SEPTEMBER 2015 16 NEW GEAR REVIEWS PRS / SPECTOR / G&L LANEY / MTD / & MORE!

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Analog Octave Up Mini-Ultimate Overdrive Publisher Jon LevyHand Made Effects Pedals | Akron, Ohio | www.earthquakerdevices.com EDITORIAL Chief Content Officer Shawn Hammond8 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 Managing Editor Tessa Jeffers Senior Editor Andy Ellis Senior Editor Joe Gore Gear Editor Charles Saufley Art Director Meghan Molumby Associate Editor Chris Kies Associate Editor Rich Osweiler Associate Editor Jason Shadrick Nashville Correspondent John Bohlinger Nashville Video Editor Perry Bean Digital Designer Shayna Blackmon Photo Editor Kristen Berry Intern Laura Kottke PRODUCTION & OPERATIONS Operations Manager Shannon Burmeister Circulation Manager Lois Stodola Production Coordinator Luke Viertel SALES/MARKETING Advertising Director Brett Petrusek Advertising Director Dave Westin Marketing Manager Matt Roberts Director of Marketing Colton Wedeking GEARHEAD COMMUNICATIONS, LLC Chairman Peter F. Sprague President Patricia A. Sprague Managing Director Gary Ciocci WEBSITES Our Portal: premierguitar.com Our Online Magazine: digital.premierguitar.com The information and advertising set forth herein has been obtained from sources believed to be Gearhead Communications, L.L.C., however, does not warrant complete accuracy of such information and assumes no responsibility for any consequences arising from the use thereof or reliance thereon. Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement or space reservation at any time without notice. Publisher shall not be liable for any costs or damages if for any reason it fails to publish an advertisement. This publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Premier Guitar [ISSN 1945-077X (print) ISSN 1945-0788 (online)] is published monthly. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $24.95 (12 issues), $39.95 (24 issues) Call for Canada, Mexico and foreign subscription rates 877-704-4327; Copyright ©2015. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Premier Guitar is a publication of Gearhead Communications, L.L.C. CUSTOMER SERVICE: [email protected]. PREMIER GUITAR (USPS 025-017) Volume 20, Issue 9 Published monthly by: Gearhead Communications, LLC Three Research Center Marion, IA 52302 Phone number: 877-704-4327 • Fax: 319-447-5599 Periodical Postage Rate paid at Marion, IA 52302 and at Additional Mailing Offices POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: Gearhead Communications, LLC, Three Research Center, Marion, IA 52302 premierguitar.com [email protected] Distributed to the music trade by Hal Leonard Corporation. premierguitar.com

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TUNING UP Damn Right, I’ve Got a Chip on My Shoulder! BY SHAWN HAMMOND @PG_shawnhLike Fukushima’s Besides the ridiculously cool Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers Patch Box, and radiation- Analog Outfitters Scanner (both on p. 52), the most shocking thing I heard at Summer NAMM was the observation that I always have “a chip on mydamaged daisies, shoulder” here in Tuning Up. I think it was meant as a compliment— the guy who we’re all at least said it is kind of quirky—but who knows? Despite my tough talk, I’m kind of a softy, so I kept waiting for a smile, laugh, or some indication he was dishing kudos a little messed with a side of ribbing. But his expression remained inscrutable until I was abruptly up, yet still pulled away to a video appointment. The rabble-rouser in me wanted to believe it was praise for not playing it fascinating and safe in this space—for trying not to be predictable, for not blabbing about how beautiful, awesome our latest reviews and articles are, for trying to say something of a little aren’t we? substance. But the other half of my brain kept asking, “When was the last time you heard that as a compliment, dumbass?” Regardless, there’s probably truth in both interpretations. I am kind of a contrarian. The fact that I was just about to write “But I wasn’t always this way” just proves it. Still, there was a time when I was very much by the book. I grew up in a religious culture that was very big on self-betterment and an eventual goal of achieving “perfection” in the afterlife. The definitions for this perfection were very black and white. Even though my family wasn’t as strict as some, I became very gung-ho about doing things “right.” It was a way of life. An all-encompassing worldview. Given how traditional and straight-laced my cultural sphere of experience was, it’s a wonder I ever got into guitar and rock ’n’ roll at all. In retrospect, I’d chalk it up to three things: naiveté about the true extent of rockers’ supposedly transgressive lifestyles, a mom who’s cool and laidback (by our religious- bubble standards), and an insatiable love of music. Still, it doesn’t take a genius to see how this upbringing would inevitably filter into how I viewed everything, including music and guitar playing: Do it right, or don’t do it. Be the best you can be. If something didn’t meet my rigid standards for morality or excellence in achievement, the people involved were on the wrong life path or kind of underachievers. Most of the music I adored was by virtuosic musicians—mostly guitar-centric. In part, I blame the guitar mags I took as another form of gospel. Over time this outlook gradually eased, especially once I moved outside the homogenized hometown of my youth and was exposed to wonderful music I never would’ve heard otherwise. But the biggest change came years later when I saw a fork in my life path that led away from so much I’d held dear. To be true to myself, I knew I had to take it. The whys and hows and ramifications of my switch upended so much of my existence that it led to a very different kind of righteous indignation, though one with similar intensity. I began questioning status quos and kneejerk assumptions. I became a lot more stingy with my allegiances, yet increasingly more open-minded and adventurous. For better or worse, the culmination so far is lived out somewhat here in Tuning Up every month. Everyone has similarly complex stories. No matter where we start, we’re all mutants morphing at varying levels of conscious detection. Despite our best efforts, sometimes we can’t escape who we are, can’t change our genetic/socially programmed codes—at least not completely or in a timeframe that doesn’t seem infinitesimally slow-mo’. In some ways we probably shouldn’t even try. And sometimes we should just smile, take a compliment, and go on our merry way thinking, “I’ll show you a chip, mofo!” Shawn Hammond Photo courtesy of Twitter Chief Content Officer [email protected] PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 premierguitar.com

Photo Credit: Dara Munnis signature edition Contact your Authorized Martin Dealer to pre-order yours today! | Designed in collaboration with award-winning artist Ed Sheeran, this Signature Edition Little Martin® features times platinum-selling album’s logo inlayed in solid koa on a solid spruce wood top. For every guitar sold, all of Ed’s proceeds will be donated to the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (www.each.org.uk). | edsheeran.commartinguitar.com

FEEDBACK LOOPPreaching for Pops Socialize with Us!Hard to read this article[“Forgotten Heroes: Pops Staples,” I’ve learned moreAugust 2015] with the tears in my about #signalfloweyes. I was raised on the Staple from #rigrundownSingers and I love Pops Staples. than any class orI cancelled my subscription to book. @premierguitarPremier Guitar a year ago. Afterreading this article, I’m going to @YouTuberenew my subscription today! #subscribeyoufool‬Did you know the owner of PopsStaples’ guitar is Marty Stuart? —@BigDaddy_BooBooPops’ guitar was given to him byPops’ daughters. Pops loved Marty If I’m being honest.like a son. Working for—Bernardo Gui,via premierguitar.com @premierguitar one day sounds realisticGreat article. So neat that you 6-String Discoveries baggage. More than several times, and extremely fun.guys chose Pops and the Staple I asked the baggage handlersSingers to write about. What Fantastic playing. I went straight to load my Ovation rapidly so —@JosueLSamaniegoa sound. I was so knocked out to Amazon to find [Mark it wouldn’t be exposed to thewhen I first heard them on the Lettieri’s] solo albums [“Future weather. I’d watch from the Wien Got to say, I love someradio as they became a part of the Rock: Solos You Can Dance To,” Air Alaska terminal as the guitar of the DIY/Modding/early ’70s culture of Tallahassee, July 2015]. I hear Steely Dan, Jeff case sat on the ramp for 10-20Florida. The message of, “I’ll take Beck and Funk (all of which I minutes before being loaded, with Maintenance vidsyou there!” must have worked, love) as some of his influences, but temperatures in the -60s. It now @premierguitar, asbecause later on in life, I got yet he still has an original voice. has a large fracture on the body“there,” which is that point of Great stuff! I’m sure I’m late to the below the bridge and the neck got an ex-electronicsgrace when the old man dies, party here, but wow! warped. Got the neck straightened engineer I really enjoyand the forgiven man is reborn. and gave it to a grandson severalThe vehicle of music can be a —Rex Pate, via premierguitar.com years ago—still plays although the them, Thanks PG!powerfully persuading seed sower, fracture on the body shows.and theirs was offered way ahead How’s the Weather? —@aaronaedyof its popular music time... and —Len Canter, Winter Park, Floridasounded fabulous along the way, Just finished reading the article Okay let’s see whoas well. “Acoustic Soundboard: Guitar With the Band can build the best... Finishes and Care 101” [August—Kenny Lee,via premierguitar.com 2015]. Freezing point for lacquer How many rockers does it take to @Fender make finishes is 32 degrees Fahrenheit— change a light bulb? A hundred: Les Paul andFantastic story. I fell under the got to share a story about that. One to change the bulb and 99charm of Mavis Staples and the on the guest list. Club owners love @gibsonguitar makealbum with my hero Ry Cooder In 1982-87, I worked as a that joke [“Staff Picks: Grinding a Strat... Who’s in?[We’ll Never Turn Back] before traveling supervisor rotating Gears,” August 2015]. #guitar #fenderI went back to Staples Singers’ between Barrow, Deadhorse, #gibson #buildoffmusic but hearing Pops laying his and Fairbanks, Alaska, and had —Peter Gerlach,magic fills and gospel chords is a 1968 Ovation Glen Campbell via premierguitar.com —@ROBBYrockMILLERa true delicacy. Thanks a lot for model. During the winter monthsthis great post! (Rick Holmstrom outside temperatures got as low Keep those I’d be screwedis doing a mighty fine job with as -68 degrees Fahrenheit, with- comments coming! without my loopMavis—a true great guitar player.) out considering the windchill factor, which was sometimes Please send your suggestions, switcher.—Jipes Blues,via premierguitar.com in the -100s. The guitar and gripes, comments, and good words case were too large for carry-on directly to [email protected]. —Chris Arnold12 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 premierguitar.com

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CONTENTS September 2015 ARTISTS 61 Tremonti The man of manybands recruits bassistWolfgang Van Halen. 70 Photo by Michael Jackson Yo La Tengo Ira Kaplan on coveralbums and the gear he never strayed from.81 Between the 40 119 “I used to spend hours Buried & Me Summer 5-String Bass on end playing some ofThe evolving technique NAMM 2015 Roundup the simplest funk riffs overand long-term goals of Drool over 31 new guitar The latest from Ibanez, and over to records. Paul Waggoner. and bass gems from Dingwall, G&L, Still do to this day.” 90 Music City’s gear expo. Spector, and MTD. Brent Paschke REVIEWS —Brent Paschke, p. 90 Pharrell’s fretman on 138 Way Huge Saffron Squeeze Mk II holding it down for chart-topping artists. 138 JGS Guitars T3 Africaster 96 139 KLIQ UberTuner Banditos 139 Hungry Robot StarliteRoots-rocker Jeff Salter 140 PRS Vela loves Chet, studied 143 XITS 10jazz, and builds guitars. 147 Hudson Electronics Broadcast 104 150 B.C. Rich BCR6 METZ 153 Tronographic Boxidizer Alex Edkins creates jagged, jarring punk 157 Laney Nexus Studio Live Head & Cabs rock with a vintage 161 EHX Bad Stone Jazzmaster.14 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 premierguitar.com

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On the Cover: SEPTEMBER 2015 YO LA TENGO • TREMONTI • METZ • BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME SEPTEMBER 2015CONTENTS September 2015 Clockwise from left: V16 Guitars ES-0 Berkeley, Analog Outfitters 31 NEW GUITAR & BASS GEMS FROM SUMMER NAMM Scanner and 2x12 cab, Asher GT-3, and Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers Patch Box. premierguitar.com 16 23 Opening Notes NEW GEAR REVIEWS PRS / SPECTOR / G&L LANEY / MTD / & MORE! 136 Tools for the Task 164 Staff Picks 174 Esoterica Electrica 176 Last Call “Think about it: GEAR If every possible 30 Rig Rundowns square inch of a 36 Vintage Vault cabinet’s body 38 Bottom Feeder 58 Tone Tips is vibrating the floor, good HOW-TO things are going 78 Acoustic Soundboard 110 The Recording Guitarist to happen.” 112 Guitar Shop 101 114 On Bass —Victor Brodén, 116 Bass Bench 130 State of the Stomp On Bass, p. 114 132 Mod Garage 134 Ask Amp Man Above: Photo by Jerri Starbuck Left: Photo by Tim Mullally16 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 premierguitar.com

Music To Your EarsNEWElixir® BassStrings-inspiredby4,000+BassPlayersI.mA pmroorevedduraPbelerfNoArmNOaWncEBe®-cEoanthinagn,*ceexdcluPsliaveyliynfgor Experience bass, that endures. even hard-hitting attacks Optimized tension profiles, flexibility and feel.Extended and Refined Range Full line of coated round wound bass strings in a range of gauges, wrap metals and scale lengths.. NEW 4-String and 5-String sets in Stainless Steel and Nickel Plated Steel. A wide selection of single strings to customize your own setGreat Tone - Long LifeElixir Strings is still the only brand to coat the entire string - protecting notonly the outer string surface, but also the gaps between the windings.As a result, Elixir Strings retain their tone longer than any other bass string,uncoated or coated.**Find out more and spread the word about your playing experiencewww.elixirstrings.com/bass*compared to original NANOWEB Coating **Elixir Strings player survey ELX-496-ADV-US-APR15 GORE, ELIXIR, NANOWEB, POLYWEB, GREAT TONE · LONG LIFE, “e” icon, and other designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates. ©2015 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

GO ONLINE ONLY ON PremierGuitar.com… Your guide to the latest stories, reviews, videos, and lesson. FEATURED LESSONSWalk the Talk Access all of our lessons online, for free, with“I don’t want to be out on the road with a $150,000 guitar. That’s just stupid,” says singer/songwriter streaming audio andJason Isbell. That down-to-earth, outspoken approach to road gear mirrors the workingmanattitude that fills his latest album, Something More Than Free. We caught up with Isbell to discuss his downloadable, printableapproach to songwriting, and why Outkast’s music is just right for breaking in his flattops. notation PDFs. In our online interview with Al Di Meola, he recalls a 1974 epiphany where he realized his future ANALOG MANwas in acoustic playing. “I didn’t want to be that Jeff Beck guy at 72 years old—he’s got the wall of A Joe Walsh Primergiant amps and he’s trying to look like he’s 25.” That said, Di Meola changes it up on his new album,Elysium, by blending 6- and 12-string acoustics with his famed ’71 Les Paul Custom. Read all this By David Brewsterand more at premierguitar.com/sep2015. FUTURE ROCK Solos You Can Dance To By Mark Lettieri BEYOND BLUES Warren Haynes’ Southern- Fried Blues-Rock By Levi Clay Get Jazz Licks and Photo by Brian Glass Your Gear Fix PG’s Nashville correspondent John Bohlinger brings you more ideas for the fretboard in the latest edition of What Bohlinger Plays. He must’ve been inspired from the jazz courses he decided to explore online this year, because his latest lesson covers “Easy Jazz Chords.” Also, don’t forget to check out the dozens of gear demos filmed at Summer NAMM 2015, with new ones going up daily on premierguitar.com/snamm2015.18 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 premierguitar.com

䈀䔀䰀䰀圀䔀吀䠀䔀刀 䄀渀愀氀漀最 䐀攀氀愀礀 眀椀琀栀 䄀渀愀氀漀最 䌀栀漀爀甀猀 䔀渀最椀渀攀GUITARDOM’S TOP TWEETS Asking @ericavery @justinmj 圀 圀 圀⸀ 圀 䄀 䰀 刀 唀 匀 䄀 唀 䐀 䤀 伀 ⸀ 䌀 伀 䴀 @jonathanhischke to help dial this PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 19 one in. @pghmodular —@J_Alderete Alex with a wall of Marshall’s. The old school set is on! Yes!!! @rushtheband More later. Musical heaven now! —@EddieTrunk And @treyanastasio is still absolutely killing this in a Karate Kid kinda way. #WaxOn —@alschnier 8/16/13 Last time I was with BB. I asked him if we would sign my “Lucille” for a 3rd time. He just laughed, “OK Mr Rick” —@cheaptrick I’m having post-separation anxiety from the studio... —@DaveMustainepremierguitar.com





original chrome series READER GUITAR OF THE MONTH www.redwitchanalogpedals.com www.facebook.com/RedWitchPedals Name: Eric Shea22 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 Location: Oakland, California Guitar: Custom Build “FogTone Hellacaster” Eric Shea always wanted to build a Telemaster-style guitar. “I thought an offset body with Telecaster guts would do well to blend my love for ’70s country- rock and ’90s shoegazing.” He was inspired to take on his first build after watching a short documentary on Vimeo titled Wood & Wire: The Hand-Crafted Guitars of Creston Lea. The body started as an unfinished alder plank from TK Custom Guitars. “I gave it three coats of a dark-green water- based stain from Ace Hardware and then sealed it with countless coats of tung oil,” says Shea. The C-shaped neck was pulled from a Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Thinline, has 22 medium-jumbo frets, a rosewood fretboard, and a scale of 24.75\". The pickups are a pair of Duncan Designed single-coils with a TE-101b in the bridge and a TE-101n in the neck. Shea named it the FogTone Hellacaster as homage to some Bay Area history: FogTown is a nod to FogTown Skateboards (an underground ’80s San Francisco company), while Hellacaster is a tribute to the slang of the East Bay he calls home. He had the waterslide decal custom-made from a seller on eBay. “I finished it off with a Telecaster ashtray cover because I always liked those old photos of Albert Collins playing with his ashtray secured over the bridge,” says Shea. “I’m looking to get it engraved with my band Sweet Chariot’s winged-wheel logo. When I use a yellow strap (not pictured), this guitar has hella Oakland A’s mojo!” Top Photo by Karen Goldman

OPENING NOTES Kirk Hammett June 6, 2015 Circuit of the Americas Austin, TX Photo by Jerri Starbuck Metallica’s lead guitarist and horror buff amps up an X Games crowd with his main squeeze, the ESP “Mummy” axe—essentially a stock KH-2 signature model decked out with custom graphics inspired by the classic Boris Karloff film.premierguitar.com PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 23

24 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 OPENING NOTES Jesse Keeler June 5, 2015 Randall’s Island Park New York, NY Photo by Joe Russo The lead bassist/keyboardist for dance-punk duo Death from Above 1979 grinds on a ’71 Dan Armstrong bass he reveres for its sustain. The original rosewood bridge has been replaced by an intonatable unit, and the neck now boasts a brass nut. premierguitar.com

OPENING NOTES Tommy Emmanuel June 11, 2015 Cannery Ballroom Nashville, TN Photo by Andy Ellis The acoustic powerhouse wows a Nashville crowd with his bruised and battered No. 1, a 2008 Maton EGB808 TE signature model with stock electronics. Inspired by the soundboard’s hue, Emmanuel calls this particular instrument “Yellow Mouse.”premierguitar.com PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 25

26 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 OPENING NOTES Billy Gibbons June 20, 2015 Val de Moine Sport Complex Clisson, France Photo by Christophe Pauly ZZ Top’s frontman lets the Texas tone ring during the band’s set at Hellfest 2015. Since Gibbons received this heavily relic’d 6-string last year, it has been his main axe. The one-off collaboration with luthier John Bolin has a chambered swamp- ash body, roasted and chambered maple neck, and a custom Cream T humbucker. premierguitar.com

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OBITUARY | 1948-2015 |Yes bassist Chris CHRIS SQUIRE Squire plays his famous BY SHAWN HAMMOND Rickenbacker Ionly met Chris Squire once. It was 4001 in 1978. just about as surreal as the Roger Dean paintings on old Yes album covers and, in retrospect, rather fittingly Photo by Neil Zlozower/Atlas Icons full of twists, turns, and humorous surprises. I say fitting because my first real exposure to what most hardcore fans would call “real” Yes—the classic lineup of the late legendary bassist, Steve Howe (guitars), Jon Anderson (vocals), Rick Wakeman (keys), and Bill Bruford (drums)—was a bit of an accident. I was 16 years old and lived in possibly the most conservative city in America, where I knew hardly any other rock musicians and pretty much everything I knew about music was from magazines. Beyond & Before I’m sure I heard Squire’s rollicking Rickenbacker tour de force on “Roundabout” as a young child—but I wasn’t even born till the year after the groundbreaking Yes hit was released. By the time I started playing guitar, Yes meant “Owner of a Lonely Heart” and the modern sound that guitarist Trevor Rabin brought to the band’s ’80s comeback albums, 90125 and Big Generator. I’d gotten into playing music because of Van Halen, so I liked the flashier approach and was only vaguely aware of the band’s early work. All that changed one night when I went to my bedroom, flipped on the classic-rock radio station from the nearest big city and, within seconds, was hooked by the intricate musicianship, ever- shifting compositional structure, and beautiful vocal harmonies of a song I’d never heard before. Something that most definitely wasn’t from that decade.28 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 premierguitar.com

Who is this? I wondered. Jon Davison and I assumed a DJ would come on and Chris Squire dispel the mystery at the end of the song, of Yes perform but instead another tune, clearly from at Hard Rock the same band and album, came on. Live held at When the lead vocals finally came in, the the Seminole distinctive, high-pitched voice sounded Hard Rock Hotel familiar, but I had to know for sure. I was & Casino on mesmerized. Glued to the spot. I refused August 1, 2014, to leave my stereo’s side for fear of not in Hollywood, hearing the eventual revelation, because Florida. the adventurousness of this strange “new”Photo by Larry Marano/Atlas Icons music piqued my interests in ways I’d baggy, karate-like outfit and spoken-word answering (for the umpteenth time, I’m never experienced. interludes were pretty awkward. sure) questions that had to have been It soon became clear that an entire frustratingly geeky. album was being played, and after Which brings me back to meeting sitting through a few more songs full of Mr. Squire. It was March 14, 2013, Squire never acted put out, but 13 perfectly timed bass-and-guitar unison and we were set to film a Rig Rundown minutes into the interview—after we’d riffs, angular 4-string-vs.-6-string duels with him and Howe before the band’s covered a bunch of his road basses—he bouncing from the right speaker to the Three Album Tour performance at the handed us off to his tech to finish talking left, and crisp, brawny, in-your-face bass Holland Performing Arts Center in about amps and effects. He kindly but lines propelling each song forward with Omaha, Nebraska. Due to some sort of decisively explained that he needed to a masterful blend of technique, restraint, communications snafu, Squire and Howe go get ready for the show … which was and melodicism, my suspicions were were expecting to be interviewed in their about three hours later. But no matter—I finally confirmed: It was indeed an earlier dressing rooms. As we explained to the was just glad he’d spoken to us at all. version of Yes, and the album was their road crew that we needed to talk to the He’d been a bass god for more than 1971 masterpiece Fragile. duo onstage so they could show and tell four decades and had no need for extra The next day I went out and bought us about their gear, it became clear the publicity. the late-night mystery album, as well as concept of a Rig Rundown was foreign. Close to the Edge, and The Yes Album. In But they obliged, had us wait outside a set I only wish I’d stayed for the show that fact, my meager CD budget for the next of stage-left doors, and went to explain to night instead of letting a long drive and couple of months was all spent on Yes the veteran interviewees why they couldn’t a heavy load of work back at the office albums: Their eponymous debut—which sit in the privacy and (relative) comfort of dissuade me. Squire seemed strong and in sees Squire just ruling the roost alongside their backstage havens. good health, with years of recording and original Yes guitarist Peter Banks (check touring still left in him. out Squire’s brutal, swirling intro to Before long, Mr. Squire emerged “Survival,” and the swinging, upbeat and, despite the unexpected change Starship Trooper beginning to “Harold Land”)—plus Time of plans, was friendly and jovial. You Christopher Russell Edward Squire, born and a Word, Tales from Topographic Oceans, can tell from the first few minutes of in Kingsbury, London, on March 4, Relayer, and Going for the One. It’s an video footage that I was nervous—not 1948, passed away June 27, a little over a understatement to say I was a Yes freak. just because I was meeting one of month after being diagnosed with a rare the most influential musicians of my form of leukemia. Like his heroes John Meeting the Fish youth, but because I knew I’d probably Entwistle, Jack Bruce, and Larry Graham, I first saw the band live on the Talk annoyed and inconvenienced him. But he leaves a matchless musical legacy. He tour at Wolf Mountain, Utah, in July he handled it with grace, kindness, and wasn’t just a bassist’s bassist—he was of 1994. To this day three memories humor. He showed us his hallowed 1964 a complete musician with an instantly remain strong: 1) How majestic and Rickenbacker 4001, triple-neck Wal copy, identifiable sound and a keen ear for badass Squire was as he stood there in ’70s Jim Mouradian bass, and other cool dynamics and melody. Rest in peace, Mr. a long, flowing overcoat, throwing out instruments, going into great detail about Squire. You’ve left this world a better, complex, beautifully thunderous lines changes to the storied gear and patiently more wondrous place. like a stoic, bass-wielding Zeus descended from Mount Olympus; 2) how Rabin nailed the tones and delivery of old Steve Howe songs; 3) and how Anderson’spremierguitar.com PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 29

RIG RUNDOWNS FACTOID GUTHRIE TRAPP Trapp does not read music or rhythms at Premier Guitar all. He plays by ear dropped in to Guthrie Trapp’s and feel alone. Nashville studio between sessions and checked out Trapp’s no-nonsense rig, which includes blackface amps, a vintage 335 and an axe carved out of wood from a compost pile. GUITARS Top Right: Although Trapp owns other guitars, he basically gets it all done with two very different axes. His No. 1 is his Floyd Cassista T-style with an ancient redwood body and a maple neck. Right: When Trapp wants to change it up, he goes with his stock 1969 Gibson ES-335 with trapeze tailpiece. Both guitars are strung with D’Addario NYXL .010–.046 strings.30 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 premierguitar.com

premierguitar.com AMPS Trapp is a total blackface player. Most of his work is done with either his 1965 Fender Vibrolux Reverb that features the original speakers, or his 1966 Fender Deluxe Reverb loaded with a Reverend All-Tone speaker. PEDALS His modest day-to-day board starts with a Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner. From there the signal hits his Xotic Effects RC Booster, vintage Nobels ODR-1 Overdrive, XTS Winford Drive, J. Rockett Audio Designs Guthrie Trapp Overdrive, Strymon Flint Tremolo/Reverb, Boss DD-5 Digital Delay (which is on the reverse setting),  and a Strymon El Capistan dTape Echo. Everything lives on a Pedaltrain Jr. board and is powered by a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus. PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 31

RIG RUNDOWNSChris Carrabba FACTOIDDASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL Carrabba’s ’67 Mustang is aIn early May 2015, rare prototypePremier Guitar with a matchingcrashed Dashboard headstock.Confessional’srehearsal inNashville and metwith Chris Carrabbato get up closeand personal withhis deceptivelysimple acoustic andelectric rigs.GUITARSTop: Carrabba loves oldguitars. For electrics, hetours with a 1961 GibsonLes Paul Junior and aracing-striped 1967Fender Mustang witha matching headstock.According to Carrabba,Fender told him theserial number indicatesthe guitar must’vebeen a prototype,because matchingheadstocks weren’tofficially introduced onMustangs until 1968.Both instruments arestrung with D’AddarioEJ21 sets.Right: For acoustics,Carrabba goes with hisbeloved and beaten1970 Martin 0-18 anda custom 2014 Martin00-18 with a 3-pieceback. The acoustics arestrung with D’AddarioEJ17 sets, and Carrabbaprefers Dunlop ShellPlastic thumbpicks andPaige capos.32 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 premierguitar.com

premierguitar.com AMPS Carrabba tours with one mighty Vox AC15. His backup is an 80- watt, EL34-powered Bogner Shiva that was previously his “main amp for years.” PEDALS A pair of pedalboards with a few essential stomps helps Carrabba balance his acoustic and electric duties. His electric board holds a TC Electronic PolyTune 2 Noir, an MXR Micro Amp, and a coveted silver Klon Centaur. A Whirlwind Selector A/B box splits the signals. Everything’s powered by a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus. Carrabba’s acoustic board holds a TC Electronic Spark, a Fishman Aura Spectrum DI/processor, Radial JDI (which is there as backup for the Fishman), and a TC Helicon VoiceLive Play (which is used solely to add ambience to Carrabba’s in-ear vocal mix). Another Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus provides the juice. PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 33





36 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 premierguitar.com

VINTAGE VAULT1968 Gibson Trini Lopez DeluxeBY DAVE ROGERS, LAUN BRAITHWAITE, AND TIM MULLALLYIn 1965 Gibson added Trini Lopez throughout the rest of the ’60s, including a trapeze tailpiece embellished with a to its list of artists with signature “If I Had a Hammer” and “Lemon Tree.” rosewood shield and plastic nameplate. guitars. These already included Tal While bright cherry sunburst was theFarlow, Johnny Smith, Barney Kessel, and Gibson offered two Trini Lopez standard finish, this example is finishedthe Everly Brothers. models: the Standard (based on the in sparkling burgundy—common for ES-335), and the Deluxe (based on ES-335s, but rare for this model. Trini Lopez was born in Dallas, the Barney Kessel model). Both hadTexas in 1937. Dropping out of high asymmetrical, Fender-like headstocks A total of 302 Trini Lopez Deluxeschool his senior year, he helped support and diamond-shaped soundholes and models shipped between 1964 and 1970.his family by playing music. Buddy fretboard inlays. The 1966 Gibson The September 1967 list price was $725.Holly befriended Lopez in the late ’50s catalog describes the Deluxe: “A Gibson (There may have been a small upchargeand introduced him to his producer, custom artist guitar featuring deep for the custom finish.) The current valueNorman Petty, in Clovis, New Mexico. modern double cutaway and exceptional of one in excellent all-original conditionLopez’s band, the Big Beats, recorded electronic response. Exquisitely fashioned is $5,000.an instrumental single in Clovis before in Curly Maple with cream binding andLopez left the group to go solo. shell pickguard, the Trini Lopez Deluxe is Sources for this article include Gibson styled for today’s guitarists.” Electrics: The Classic Years by A. R. After recording several disappointing Duchossoir, Gibson Shipment Totalssingles for King Records between The 1968 Trini Lopez Deluxe pictured 1937-1979 by Larry Meiners, and1959 and 1962, Lopez was invited to here has the standard features for that trinilopez.com.California to front Buddy’s old group, year: a double-cutaway laminated maplethe Crickets. That gig didn’t work body measuring 21\" x 17\" x 3\", a DAVE’S GUITAR SHOPout, but his California trip eventually 24 3/4\"-scale fretboard, a mahogany Dave Rogers’ collection is tended by Laun Braithwaitebrought him to the attention of Frank neck, two humbuckers with a volume and Tim Mullally and is on display at:Sinatra, who signed him to his own label, and tone control for each, a 3-way pickup Dave’s Guitar ShopReprise Records. This venture proved selector switch, a standby switch, a Tune- 1227 Third Street Southsuccessful and earned Lopez multiple hits o-matic bridge with nylon saddles, and La Crosse, WI 54601 davesguitar.com Photos by Mullally and text by Braithwaite. Opposite page: The wide-bodied version of the Trini Lopez was based on Gibson’s Barney Kessel signature model, but with such oddball adornments as diamond- shaped soundholes and position markers. Left: The trapeze tailpiece includes a decorative rosewood shield with a plastic “Trini Lopez” plaque. Below: The Trini Lopez was one of the few Gibson models to have the “six-on-a- side” headstock first popularized by Fender in 1950.premierguitar.com PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 37

BOTTOM FEEDERJay Turser ES-125 CopyBY WILL RAYIn my youth I always wanted a I received the guitar five days later. It To hear this guitar, Gibson ES-125TDC. I used to go had no case but was very well packed by head online to to our local music store and salivate the seller, who turned out to be a musicover the one in their window. But oddly store. After the first three notes I was in premierguitar.comenough, I’ve never bought one over the love. The action was nice and low, andyears. Oh well. I’ve never had to adjust it—it’s perfect! It does have one high fret that frets out Fast forward to 2014. I saw this cool when I bend the 1st string at the 10thJay Turser 125 copy on the ’Bay, and the fret, which I may deal with down theyouthful memories started flooding back. It road. But honestly, the guitar is suchsported two P-90 pickups, a Tune-o-matic- a pleasure to play that I just overlookstyle bridge, and a thinline body with a stuff like that. Plugged in, the P-90-styleFlorentine cutaway. It had a buy-it-now pickups sound fat and strong, but withprice of $170 plus $20 shipping, which I enough high end to give your soundthought was a good deal. But the auction some snap.also included the words “or best offer.” After the first three notes I was in love. The action was nice and low, and I’ve never had to adjust it —it’s perfect!Well, alrighty now—my kind of auction! The guitar has since become one of Being the cheapskate I am, I my go-to “TV guitars,” an axe I play acoustically while watching TV as part ofimmediately sent an offer of $145. I was my maintenance/rehearsing program. Igoing to give them a few days to reply reserve that position for guitars that havebefore just paying their original asking a nice acoustic tone and are fun to play,price, which I still considered a bargain. so I can hear myself over the TV.But to my surprise, they accepted myoffer within two hours. So is it a keeper? Most definitely— at least for now. I can’t explain it, but Bottom Feeder Tip #284: Whenever some guitars just speak to me on ayou see a price with OBO (“or best gut level, and this is one of them. Ioffer”), go ahead and send a lower offer, don’t own a guitar quite like it, andbut not so low as to risk making the it’s sooooo much fun to play!seller angry. What have you got to lose?The worst that can happen is they say WILL RAY is a founding memberno. But sellers usually entertain best of the Hellecasters guitar-twangoffers because they’re unsure of their trio. He also does guitar clinicsasking price. Take advantage of this when promoting his namesake G&Lyou can. But remember: Once you’ve signature model 6-string, andsubmitted an eBay offer and the seller has produces artists and bands at hisaccepted it, you’re committed to buying. studio in Asheville, North Carolina. You can contact Will on Facebook and at willray.biz.38 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 premierguitar.com

THE UPPERCUT HAS LANDED Introducing the Prestige S-Series Uppercut with Bare Knuckle PickupsThat pinnacle of form and function,the Ibanez S-Series, hand-craftedby Japan’s masterly Prestige luthiers,is now paired with a titan of tone:Bare Knuckle pickups.Hand-wound in England, the BareKnuckle Nailbomb has been the proguitar tech’s secret weapon. Nowthe word is out. Fans of the pickupsdescribe its thickly layered yettightly defined response…even indown-tuning mode… as sonic voodoo.A beautiful combination of powerand precision… the Uppercut S6UC.Learn more at ibanez.com 6-STRING S6UCDM

Tone Town!31 New Guitar & Bass Gems from Summer NAMM BY THE PREMIER GUITAR STAFFLook for the this icon to see a video demo at premierguitar.com/snamm15 or youtube.com/premierguitar Photo by Laura Kottke40 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 premierguitar.com

ELECTRIC GUITARS V16 ES-0 Berkeley Check out the curves on this beauty! Denver luthier Corey Wadley came to Nashville NAMM with the eye-popping ES-O Berkeley ($TBD), which flaunts 7-ply curly maple-and-beech top and back, scatter-wound pickups, and a Bigsby B-12 vibrato. v16guitars.com ASHER GT-3 Like old Teisco guitars, Bill Asher’s latest fetching solidbody, the GT-3 ($3,400 street), has a mahogany body and neck, only his work of functional art is outfitted with Lollar Gold-Foils, a Varitone-style switch, shortened T-style ashtray bridge, and a gold-anodized aluminum pickguard. asherguitars.compremierguitar.com PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 41

ELECTRIC GUITARS CONT’D IBANEZ TALMAN 1803 Many still think of Ibanez as the shred-guitar company, but at NAMM they debuted a trio of new Talman Prestige models that produce everything from country spank to robust rock tones via the Seymour Duncan pickups. They will be shipping in November and start at $1,199 street. ibanez.com BP ROSE MAX 135 premierguitar.com These first-time exhibitors from East Grove Village, Illinois, came to Nashville with the down- home ‘n’ handsome Max 135 ($1,950 street), a 24 3/4\"-scale semi-hollowbody with a laminated flamed-maple top, carved mahogany body with center block, set neck, and the company’s own humbuckers. bproseguitars.com NIKITA WILMA Designed to be a straight-up rock machine, Nikita Guitars’ new Stone Age series Wilma ($1,500 street) is a relic’d double-cutaway with Bourns pots, Sperzel locking tuners, and a single Dylan Pickups DAF (Dylan Applied For) 7.8k unpotted humbucker. nikitaguitars.com42 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015



ACOUSTIC GEAR HENRIKSEN AMPLIFIERS BUD SANTA CRUZ BRAD PAISLEYNamed in honor of late company founder/amp designer Bud Henriksen, You could comb all of Nashville, but it’d bethis solid-state amp weighs 17 pounds and packs 120 watts of robust analog hard to find a dreadnought slicker than Richardpower into a diminutive 9\" x 9\" x 9\" housing that fingerstyle jazz guru Sean Hoover’s new Brad Paisley signature B/PW.McGowan insists is fantastic for acoustic and electric instruments—plus With Indian rosewood and bear-claw Sitkavocals. It features two channels, dual 1/4\"/XLR inputs, independent EQ spruce, it nods plenty to classic inspirations (lovesections and reverb units, all for $999 street. jazzamp.com the herringbone rosette!) but the 1 3/4\" nut adds a little extra fretboard acreage for pickers. santacruzguitars.com WASHBURN WOODLINE WL020SCE The new Woodline series guitars were among the best-sounding affordable acoustics we heard at NAMM. They range from $299–$399 street, and the higher-end WL020SCE shown here features a solid Sitka spruce top, laminated rosewood sides and back, Graphtech Nubone nut and saddle, and Fishman Isys+ electronics. washburn.com44 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 premierguitar.com



ACOUSTIC GEAR CONT’D RECORDING KING RD-216 Recording King has entered the torrefaction (heat-based wood “aging”) game with its usual combination of fair prices and sweet tones. The RD-216 has a lovely, torrefied solid Adirondack spruce top and layered mahogany back and sides for just $499 street. recordingking.com TAYLOR 326E BARITONE-6, SEB The rich, honey lows we heard from the Taylor 326e baritone ($1,799 street) will stay with us for a long, long time. The combo of the Honduran mahogany top and sapele back and sides is a perfect combo for the long-scale tones. taylorguitars.com46 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 premierguitar.com

SHAPEYOURSOUNDBose® F1 Model 812 Flexible Array Loudspeaker1 speaker. 4 coverage patterns.STRAIGHT J REVERSE J CIntroducing the first portable loudspeaker that lets you easily controlthe vertical coverage – so wherever you play, more music reaches morepeople directly. The Bose F1 Model 812 Flexible Array Loudspeaker’srevolutionary flexible array lets you manually select from fourcoverage patterns, allowing you to adapt your PA to the room. Plus,the loudspeaker and subwoofer provide a combined 2,000 watts ofpower, giving you the output and impact for almost any application.Your audience won’t believe their ears.Bose.com/F1©2015 Bose Corporation. CC017045

AMPS48 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2015 3RD POWER DUAL CITIZEN Pretty much everyone we talked to who heard the Dual Citizen at NAMM raved about it. Like its name implies, the head (a combo is coming soon) can go from a beautifully chimey British sound to a robust and spanky blackface tone. It’s loaded with four Mullard EL34s pumping 45 watts, and the channels can be blended together or switched via the included footswitch. Finally, it has a mixed-bus, pedal-level loop driver so you can put all your pedals after the preamp. It’s available now and goes for $2,750 street. 3rdpower.com TONE KING FALCON GRANDE Master amp builder Mark Bartel has reimagined his existing Falcon amp as the 5881-powered Falcon Grande. The difference? A custom 12\" Eminence speaker, spring reverb with level and dwell controls, and an Iron Man II attenuator. Fatness! toneking.com premierguitar.com