2012 Rig Upgrades... Crazy? Over the top? I think so and ...

[Zachman]

can't fix the 80?

I suppose it's possible (not holding my breath though), but the 81 will allow me to do things the 80 won't. I know the 80 and 81 share components like power supply, the LCD screen etc... so I'll keep it for parts-- just in case.

 

[Zachman]

Ethos OD...that pedal has gotten some great reviews. How do you plan on running that Zach?

I plan on running it in series, on my pedal tray-- routed to the front of the amps. I will likely use it w/ my Fender Super Reverb head.

 

[Zachman]

My thoughts are....If you are Happy with that rig and you don't mind lugging all that crap around then go for it

That's my thought as well. Your rig is the epitome of overkill IMO (I'm sure you'd crush with a few pedals and single amp...and your audience would most likely never know the difference) but if it floats your boat, go sailing

I agree with this 100%. At the end of the day, If Zach is Happy , that's all that counts.

Yep, you guys summed it up for me perfectly..

Aloha Kage. I hope you had a GREAT thanksgiving and that Christmas w/ the little big man Z, is full of fun.

Thanks Ralphie!! You're probably right about the audience not really knowing the difference. Truth is, I play more at home than I do out, so the enjoyment factor FAR outweighs the DEFINITE PITA, that hauling all this stuff is.

 

[Gainfreak]

that vai pageantry line yesterday was pure gold..
...pageantry....

zachy poo's 2012 stage rig

You know the rig is involved when you use satellite triangulation to run your wireless.

 

[Badronald]

I guarantee you'd sound just as good with a Paul, tuner, wah, boost, chorus, echoplex into a Plexi and one 4x12.

But if it makes you happy, go for it.

+1

Less is more.

No... Less is LESS options

Badronald didn't take into account that I also gig using smaller gear, similar to what he posted, and no it doesn't sound "just as good". Not even close

I didn't take it into account cause I didn't know!

The rig I mentioned would sound just as good. IMO.

 

[Gainfreak]

My thoughts are....If you are Happy with that rig and you don't mind lugging all that crap around then go for it

That's my thought as well. Your rig is the epitome of overkill IMO (I'm sure you'd crush with a few pedals and single amp...and your audience would most likely never know the difference) but if it floats your boat, go sailing

I agree with this 100%. At the end of the day, If Zach is Happy , that's all that counts.

Yep, you guys summed it up for me perfectly..

Aloha Kage. I hope you had a GREAT thanksgiving and that Christmas w/ the little big man Z, is full of fun.

Thanks Ralphie!! You're probably right about the audience not really knowing the difference. Truth is, I play more at home than I do out, so the enjoyment factor FAR outweighs the DEFINITE PITA, that hauling all this stuff is.

Aloha Brother!!
You know that I used to run a full slaved rig in my house, then my apartment ,Then my Condo and the Enjoyment I had playing through that rig was beyond amazing! These days though I have no desire to lug out the rig-o doom and I am currently getting one of the best sounds Ive ever gotten using one head, a 2x12 cab, A midi switcher and a digitech GSp1101 But..... and I will say this till I die... You are you and I know that you have always wanted a rig like that since you were a kid and I don't care how many people try to discourage you from using the rig o doom, If you are happy with it then that's the only thing that matters!

 

[Gainfreak]

Here's a picture of my smaller rig. I keep this one around to play for friends in the back yard.

Nonsense, Here is your back yard rig...

Sigh...
You're right Ralph... Boy do my neighbors hate me. LOL

LOL!!!

Oh crap I forgot

You see, this is why you are a stand up guy, because in the 80's you never would have told everyone that you were using a boost

 

[The Hoff]

I back the additions

I would love to hear that rig in person. I'd pay the cover charge just for that alone! Just curious, do you have your setting written down, marked down, or something like that? Maybe just some standard parameters...? I couldn't imagine how much time I'd put into tweaking all the sounds you get from that rig

 

[Zachman]

I guarantee you'd sound just as good with a Paul, tuner, wah, boost, chorus, echoplex into a Plexi and one 4x12.

But if it makes you happy, go for it.

+1

Less is more.

No... Less is LESS options

Badronald didn't take into account that I also gig using smaller gear, similar to what he posted, and no it doesn't sound "just as good". Not even close

I didn't take it into account cause I didn't know!

The rig I mentioned would sound just as good. IMO.

The main problem is your opinion doesn't include actual experience w/ this rig, and is therefore purely speculative, all the while being incorrect. Especially since your suggestions are not even capable of generating the sounds I utilize when using the big rig w/ Diatonic pitch shifting, the clean delay of the TC2290, reverb from the Lexicon etc...

I'd love it, if it were true, to have a Paul, tuner, wah, boost, chorus, echoplex into a Plexi and one 4x12 sound like this, especially the clean tones:

It's interesting to me that the guys, like you-- who say to me that a small rig will sound as good, have never actually played through the rig, and have zero perspective as to what "I" have in mind for the rig to do. Not trying to argue with you, but I get guys who tell me that a guitar, amp and a couple of pedals will do. Of course, they're wrong, but that's okay because they don't have a proper perspective as to what is possible from this stuff, vs a couple of pedals. Ahh to be young, ignorant and full of idealism... OR to be an old purist. I like the straight in sound too, and simplicity-- if that's what's called for, but I can do that too, just not limited to it, and don't want to be-- since I don't just play jazz, blues standards, or chuga chuga metal.

 

[Zachman]

I back the additions

I would love to hear that rig in person. I'd pay the cover charge just for that alone! Just curious, do you have your setting written down, marked down, or something like that? Maybe just some standard parameters...? I couldn't imagine how much time I'd put into tweaking all the sounds you get from that rig

Actually I do have certain things noted, such as MIDI channels, CC#'s, PC#'s etc... The patches/sounds themselves, I can actually recreate pretty quickly, and have it all in my head. I've been noodling with this stuff for a LONG time, so it's pretty familiar to me. The Lexicon and Eventide have memory cards to store backups of presets, as well as the Eventide being able to connect to my computer for routing stuff internally, and storing presets for backup as well.

 

[Chris O]

You need a Pod.

 

[mrkmas]

Like the idea of being TOTALLY over the top:

Things being replaced:

Lexicon PCM80 (Died) Replacing w/ PCM81
Old Furman PL8+ w/ newer model
Replacing the MXR 10 Band EQ (which I nearly NEVER use) w/ an Ethos Drive pedal
Considering replacing the Korg DTR-1 w/ a Peterson VR Strobe tuner.

Things to add in 2012:

Dyno My Piano Tri-Stereo Chorus
Perhaps another Eventide H8000FW (undecided, but leaning toward YES)

As a result of the new additions, I will talk w/ Bob Bradshaw about another line mixer and possibly a 4x4 or something like that to accomodate the new additions, along w/ perhaps an RJM Amp Gizmo for MIDI amp switching.

I figured I will talk to Bob about how to incorporate another Amp Selector to drive up to 8 amps instead of the way I have it now w/ 4.

While doing that, I will likely replace the current A&S case w/ a Kriz Kraft case

Amps for 2012

Cameron CCV (DEFINITELY)
Perhaps a Cameron Atomica (Undecided)
Suhr PT-100


Thoughts???

You already have a fantastic rig, and you still find ways to make it better.

 

[Zachman]

You need a Pod.

I have one...

 

[Zachman]

Like the idea of being TOTALLY over the top:

Things being replaced:

Lexicon PCM80 (Died) Replacing w/ PCM81
Old Furman PL8+ w/ newer model
Replacing the MXR 10 Band EQ (which I nearly NEVER use) w/ an Ethos Drive pedal
Considering replacing the Korg DTR-1 w/ a Peterson VR Strobe tuner.

Things to add in 2012:

Dyno My Piano Tri-Stereo Chorus
Perhaps another Eventide H8000FW (undecided, but leaning toward YES)

As a result of the new additions, I will talk w/ Bob Bradshaw about another line mixer and possibly a 4x4 or something like that to accomodate the new additions, along w/ perhaps an RJM Amp Gizmo for MIDI amp switching.

I figured I will talk to Bob about how to incorporate another Amp Selector to drive up to 8 amps instead of the way I have it now w/ 4.

While doing that, I will likely replace the current A&S case w/ a Kriz Kraft case

Amps for 2012

Cameron CCV (DEFINITELY)
Perhaps a Cameron Atomica (Undecided)
Suhr PT-100


Thoughts???

You already have a fantastic rig, and you still find ways to make it better.

I have been working toward a goal for quite some time, to facilitate my ultimate culmination of total insanity, and I am pretty close now.

 

[glpg80]

Aloha Zack!

recap the dyno-sound and go through it with a fine tooth comb when you get it. they were very problimatic and the pots on them are notorious for wearing out and is not the best design with the off click mode. id recommend getting three switches hard on/off installed and putting high quality PCC carbon pots in their places.

whats the difference between a PC80 and 81?

as far as the investment goes its your rig and your roadies back

As far as the tone goes i have experienced W/D/W only once and it was too much for me, i am one of the ones that prefer two cabs stereo at most or only one cabinet. The sound is not the same 100% at all, too much for me to handle or justify.

I do have to ask though, with as much playing out what have you invested in mic wise for the cabinets? any high quality mic pre's?

 

[Zachman]

Aloha Zack!

recap the dyno-sound and go through it with a fine tooth comb when you get it. they were very problimatic and the pots on them are notorious for wearing out and is not the best design with the off click mode. id recommend getting three switches hard on/off installed and putting high quality PCC carbon pots in their places.

whats the difference between a PC80 and 81?

as far as the investment goes its your rig and your roadies back

As far as the tone goes i have experienced W/D/W only once and it was too much for me, i am one of the ones that prefer two cabs stereo at most or only one cabinet. The sound is not the same 100% at all, too much for me to handle or justify.

I do have to ask though, with as much playing out what have you invested in mic wise for the cabinets? any high quality mic pre's?

Thanks for the tips re: the TSC

Live mics are Shure SM27, Sennheiser e609, or e906's (Usually SM27's). As far as mic pres go, nah... the sound Systems that the sound company's that we hire, use good stuff.

The pcm81 will allow me to do delay and reverb simultaneously.

Fortunately for me and the roadies, everything is on casters, and the only real lifting is in and out of the truck, and sometimes not even that-- because of the hydraulic lift gate on the truck.

 

[Digital Jams]

Aloha Zack!

recap the dyno-sound and go through it with a fine tooth comb when you get it. they were very problimatic and the pots on them are notorious for wearing out and is not the best design with the off click mode. id recommend getting three switches hard on/off installed and putting high quality PCC carbon pots in their places.

whats the difference between a PC80 and 81?

as far as the investment goes its your rig and your roadies back

As far as the tone goes i have experienced W/D/W only once and it was too much for me, i am one of the ones that prefer two cabs stereo at most or only one cabinet. The sound is not the same 100% at all, too much for me to handle or justify.

I do have to ask though, with as much playing out what have you invested in mic wise for the cabinets? any high quality mic pre's?

Thanks for the tips re: the TSC

Live mics are Shure SM27, Sennheiser e609, or e906's (Usually SM27's). As far as mic pres go, nah... the sound Systems that the sound company's that we hire, use good stuff.

The pcm81 will allow me to do delay and reverb simultaneously.

Fortunately for me and the roadies, everything is on casters, and the only real lifting is in and out of the truck, and sometimes not even that-- because of the hydraulic lift gate on the truck.

One rack unit to do BOTH delays and verb?!?!?!?!?! My god what has this world come down to?!?!?!?!? Mentoneman probably read that and ran to the bathroom like he drank a quart of turbo flush!!!!

TC = delays
Lexicon = verbs

Come on Zach ya rack n00b

I did the monster rig one time, this past summer for the town annual picinic. 3 4x12s running w/d/w, Fortin, VHT 2/50/2, and 10u of roland, lexicon, and eventide and a pedaltrain pro pedal board.

I will never do that again but yeah it sounded awesome

 

[Zachman]

Aloha Zack!

recap the dyno-sound and go through it with a fine tooth comb when you get it. they were very problimatic and the pots on them are notorious for wearing out and is not the best design with the off click mode. id recommend getting three switches hard on/off installed and putting high quality PCC carbon pots in their places.

whats the difference between a PC80 and 81?

as far as the investment goes its your rig and your roadies back

As far as the tone goes i have experienced W/D/W only once and it was too much for me, i am one of the ones that prefer two cabs stereo at most or only one cabinet. The sound is not the same 100% at all, too much for me to handle or justify.

I do have to ask though, with as much playing out what have you invested in mic wise for the cabinets? any high quality mic pre's?

Thanks for the tips re: the TSC

Live mics are Shure SM27, Sennheiser e609, or e906's (Usually SM27's). As far as mic pres go, nah... the sound Systems that the sound company's that we hire, use good stuff.

The pcm81 will allow me to do delay and reverb simultaneously.

Fortunately for me and the roadies, everything is on casters, and the only real lifting is in and out of the truck, and sometimes not even that-- because of the hydraulic lift gate on the truck.

One rack unit to do BOTH delays and verb?!?!?!?!?! My god what has this world come down to?!?!?!?!? Mentoneman probably read that and ran to the bathroom like he drank a quart of turbo flush!!!!

TC = delays
Lexicon = verbs

Come on Zach ya rack n00b

I did the monster rig one time, this past summer for the town annual picinic. 3 4x12s running w/d/w, Fortin, VHT 2/50/2, and 10u of roland, lexicon, and eventide and a pedaltrain pro pedal board.

I will never do that again but yeah it sounded awesome

Sup Bubba!!! I have "secret" "Custom" programming plans that Italo (The father of the H8000) and I have discussed. He's providing me with some custom algorithms for the PCM81 and the H8000FW, which are not available commerically. Looking forward to implementing those.

I hear you, re: Big rigs being more involved than little rigs, but to me-- It's always been about the TONE, as a higher priority than the hassle of moving the gear. Probably just that I'm used to it. I've been using big rigs forever. In the late 70's I was using a combo, 4x12, and a ton of pedals-- and mostly moving gear by myself. In the mid/late 80's, the rack age began. I was running stereo and started w/ my 1st rack piece (Yamaha SPX90), and it just went wild from there. In '86 I got my 1st TC2290, and just about lost my mind. I ended up using a 18 space Flagg rack (TC, Yamaha, DBX, Rane, etc... Pat/mentoneman can tell you stories about that rig, (3) Boogies-- 1x12 combo + 1x12 cab, rack mounted MKIII, and my MKIII Coliseum, (2) Marshall JCM800 Cabs, and a few guitars (6). The 90's was a drag. I sold 99% of all of my gear to fund a child custody battle, which I won. For the next 15 years or so-- I was playing w/ a 1x12 cab, my MKIII Colseum, NO effects and plugging straight in. It took that long to build back up the gear I sold, and then attempt to achieve the goal I had in mind back in the early 90's. Finally in around 2000 I had enough of the key components to go w/d/w

Evolved to this:

Then the rig I have now...

and the next round of updates completes the mission that started back in the late 80's... FINALLY

The other benefit is, I HATE tap dancing my ass off (while singing), when using the pedal approach. I much prefer MIDI, changing the tonal landscape with one button press, so I can concentrate on performing.

I have done MANY MANY more gigs using smaller gear; Roland Cube 60 and Dyna Comp, TU2, TS7, DD2 or MKIII combo, Intellifex in the loop, Dyna Comp, TU2, or Fender Princeton Reverb w/ a Dyna Comp and TU2, or Line6 flextone3 1x12 combo, or Vox AC30, or Twin, or Band Master Reverb + pedals ,or

or

or

You get the idea....