So for the first time in forever I think I will update things here with a new layout for the site and some new guitar gear I’ve gotten. I posted a couple years back about my rig, and since then it has changed pretty drastically.

So here goes nothing…

First off, I use two guitars, a PRS Tremonti SE and a Squier Infinity Stratocaster. I’ve done some work on both of them, with the PRS having the American Tremonti pickups (although the stock Korean pickups are pretty good too) and the Squier has some awesome Custom Shop pickups in it. I usually use the PRS as my main, since I like the tone of those humbuckers more than the single coils in the Squier.

Now for the pedal chain. First off, I have a DOD FX-50B, a vintage overdrive that adds a nice bit of crunch to my tone when I need it. I have the volume maxxed, the tone dialed back a little, and the drive set between 10 and 11.

Next I have a Maxon TOD-9, which simply put is a TS-9 with a tube in it. No tone sucking, and with a little more amperage you get a nice tube warmth to your tone. I have the drive turned all the way down, the tone set at 12 o’clock, and the volume and tube knobs cracked to about 3 and 4 o’clock, respectively.

From there the my signal runs into the Line 6 Pod X3 Live, where I am using the Dyna Comp, EQ Boost, and a little bit of chorus to normalize my tone and improve sustain a little bit. I don’t run the chorus that high, just enough to notice when I add it in or take it out. From there it runs into two different amp models, the Plexi Variac (Marshall 4×12 combo) and a Bad Cat amp model.

 

After the amps, signal goes into my effects loop, which runs to two pedals right now. First I have a DOD 410 Bi-Fet preamp pedal, which acts as a clean boost, and from there it runs into a limited edition Xotic EP Booster, turned to about 11 o’clock. This pedal is pure, unadulterated magic. It is overvolted to 18v, and it adds a really nice mid-range coloring to my tone that enhances the sound of the TOD-9 as well. I also plan on adding a Strymon Timeline delay and Walrus Audio Descent reverb in the loop, but that will be a little while when I get some more money.

 

From the loop, it runs back into my Pod and to my delays. I have one delay set to eighth triplets, with the mix set to about 35% and feedback set to about 44%. My other delay is a dotted eighth delay, with mix at 50% and feedback set to about 45%. These are subject to change depending on what exactly I’m playing, but they usually stay within that spectrum.

One of the last things I use in my Pod is reverb. It is last in my chain, and for good reason. I use the ‘Lux Spring reverb, based off the ’65 Fender Twin Reverb, and have the mix set to around 35-40% and feedback to around 55-60%. This gives a lot of dimension and space to my tone, which is great for leads and when I’m playing more ethereal parts.

Now for one of the most overlooked pieces of a rig, power. I use a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2+, which is a great power supply for everything I have. It has a 110v output for the Pod, a high amperage output for the TOD-9, and comes with all sorts of cables for all of the other pedals, including the FX-50B, which uses an old school 3.5mm headphone jack-style power connector.

Overall, this tone suits where I am at right now. I am teaching myself to try to play more leads and ambient sounds, which is great for atmosphere of songs, especially a lot of the stuff we are playing at my church currently. I hope this helps anyone that is looking for some pedal ideas or tone ideas for playing at their churches, and some other guys I would suggest you check out are James Duke from John Mark McMillan’s band, and Jeffrey Kunde from Jesus Culture, who both have some really great tones.