One Heady Rig

[Heady Jam Fan]

I really liked HappyOrange's idea of everyone doing a rig-breakdown-video and I was waiting to make a few changes to my rig before doing anything like that. Rather than a video, I figured I would at least share my current pedalboard that I think will stay as-is for a while:



Think I am done. I order 4 yards of dual lock, I have about half a yard left, lol.

My signal chain:
Artinger Hollowbody w/ Lollar Imperials>70's Phase 45>83 TS9 mild overdrive>82 TS9 drive cranked>92 USA Rat2>(Noise Reduction pedals)>Ross Compressor>Turbo Tuner>Alesis Microverb I>Mesa Amp

One Boss FS5L turns the Reverse Reverb on the Microverb on and off (like a delay with an awesome dynamic texture).

The other FS5L controls the GEQ on my Mesa set for a midrange boost (I had to make a specific cable for my MKIII by adding a TRS plug to a mono cable, but a normal cable works with my Express Plus).

I can stomp both FS5L's at the same time to go from rhythm to lead.

90% of the time, I am using the lower gain TS9>comp only - with the mid-boost GEQ on my amp, its very smooth and liquid, cuts through amazingly.

Noise Reduction:
The noise reduction is between the Rat and the Ross compressor. It includes: EHX Hum Debugger>MXR 6-Band EQ>Carl Martin Noise Terminator.

This combination and placement works perfectly. If the EHX is early in my signal chain, the Metallic Reberb-like effect people complain about is very very noticeable (I think its the compression from the TS9). The Carl Martin Noise Terminator after the EHX seems to help cancel out the Metallic sound. However, the Carl Martin can have a gated effect on the decay and it cuts the volume noticeably, so the 6-Band EQ set to a flat boost completely fixes that issue. If these pedals are after the compressor, the compressor boosts the noise too much - where they are currently I can set the EHX and Carl Martin set mildly and have no 'side-effects.' I have put all these pedals in a TB loop and they don't have a noticeable negative effect on my tone, sustain or anything.

Future Considerations:
I have a love/hate thing with Wah, but I kinda want to see how a CAE MC404 sounds with my rig - I really liked the 'throaty' / midrangy inductor. I just sold my RMC3, I liked my Budwah I had a couple years ago, but nothing has stuck around as long as when I had a GCB95 for nearly a decade.

The Alesis Microverb I and EHX Hum Debugger have AC power supplies connected to a 3-outlet extender from the PP2+'s auxiliary outlet. I haven't had any problems with it disconnecting thus far, but I would hate to bump it out of place in a gig. I haven't figured out how to secure it without just taping it down (which I prefer not to do).

Other Things:
Just got new tubes for my MKIII and took it in for a cap job - so pumped to get it back, it sounds incredible already!

I use Dunlop Adamas Graphite Picks, I have a WGS custom built Blackhawk in my MKIII, but I also really like the Mesa V30... any other questions - ask!

[webephishin]

looks good man! I'd be interested in how it all sounds, especially with the microverb.  How would you go about installing the microverb to a combo amp?  Do you got pics of that?

[fulltone1989]

Is the Ross comp always on?

[Heady Jam Fan]

looks good man! I'd be interested in how it all sounds, especially with the microverb.  How would you go about installing the microverb to a combo amp?  Do you got pics of that?

Thanks!

I have the Microverb on my pedalboard (under the tuner). Since I am running my amp clean, I keep it in front of the amp.

Installing it in a combo - you mean kind of in place of a spring reverb unit in an amp? I suppose you could put it in the effect loop of the amp, plug the AC adapter into the amps courtesy outlet, and velcro the Microverb somewhere inside the amp. I really don't use it like a reverb though - the reverse setting it more delay-like. The reverb settings sound cool though too.

[Heady Jam Fan]

Is the Ross comp always on?

Pretty much. Sometimes I turn it off when I play classic rock type stuff - I used to always turn it off when the band I was in covered SRV Pride and Joy.

[webephishin]

looks good man! I'd be interested in how it all sounds, especially with the microverb.  How would you go about installing the microverb to a combo amp?  Do you got pics of that?

Thanks!

I have the Microverb on my pedalboard (under the tuner). Since I am running my amp clean, I keep it in front of the amp.

Installing it in a combo - you mean kind of in place of a spring reverb unit in an amp? I suppose you could put it in the effect loop of the amp, plug the AC adapter into the amps courtesy outlet, and velcro the Microverb somewhere inside the amp. I really don't use it like a reverb though - the reverse setting it more delay-like. The reverb settings sound cool though too.

ahhh i didn't see it under the tuner, it blends in to much.....I actually wouldn't wanna use it for reverb, but for the same setting you and Trey use it for- that reverse setting...that's the one that Trey demos for us in his video right?

[Heady Jam Fan]

looks good man! I'd be interested in how it all sounds, especially with the microverb.  How would you go about installing the microverb to a combo amp?  Do you got pics of that?

Thanks!

I have the Microverb on my pedalboard (under the tuner). Since I am running my amp clean, I keep it in front of the amp.

Installing it in a combo - you mean kind of in place of a spring reverb unit in an amp? I suppose you could put it in the effect loop of the amp, plug the AC adapter into the amps courtesy outlet, and velcro the Microverb somewhere inside the amp. I really don't use it like a reverb though - the reverse setting it more delay-like. The reverb settings sound cool though too.

ahhh i didn't see it under the tuner, it blends in to much.....I actually wouldn't wanna use it for reverb, but for the same setting you and Trey use it for- that reverse setting...that's the one that Trey demos for us in his video right?

Yep! It is kinda hard to hear it once he cranks up the dirt in the video and his legato playing style really steals the show at that point in the video.

It sits perfectly in the mix IMO - IIRC its 16bit so its kinda dark and behind the notes your playing, but adds texture and fullness. When you not playing, you can hear the repeat pretty well and it sounds sweet.

[Teleprs61904]

Nice man! Wish I could hear it. I bet it sounds rad. The midboost for the Boogie seems like a great option for solo boosts. I've got an old Microverb that I bought at a garage sale a few years ago for 5 bucks. I've never even tried it. I should get on that.

[Heady Jam Fan]

Nice man! Wish I could hear it. I bet it sounds rad. The midboost for the Boogie seems like a great option for solo boosts. I've got an old Microverb that I bought at a garage sale a few years ago for 5 bucks. I've never even tried it. I should get on that.

Lol - yea man, plug that in, its awesome! I sold my Strymon El Capistan (a $300 delay) when I got mine!

Right now, I have my GEQ with the treble and bass sliders way down and the other three equally boosted. Its extremely smooth and liquid, cuts through very well. I would say its kinda between Michael Kang and Trey, the lead guitar part for the Allman Bro's tune Jessica sounds awesome.

I'll try to make a recording when my MKIII comes back from the shop - never sounds quite as good as hearing it live, but hopefully I can get a decent example. The Express Plus is great too especially for grab-n-go and 'quiet' hours, but the MKIII is on a different level.

[Helping Friendly]

Very nice brotha! I bet it sounds dope. I'm going to post my rig in the near future as well now. I finally got the microverb also but have not got to try it yet cause my guitar is in the shop getting wired up. Once I get everything in order I will post some gear porn. lol
Heady I am very curious about how you use your MKIII? I am using an old fuzzy carpet Carvin X100b. The exact amp Zappa used. I love the cleans I get and the headroom. I just can't seem to dial in a good sound on the OD channel. So do you use your drive setting on the MKIII? Or just the TS's? I'm thinking of making the switch to the MKIII myself. Can anyone confirm Trey uses his dirty channel on the MKIII? Sorry if this has been confirmed already. Also do you get alot of hum with your rig without your Noise Reduction pedals? I have not run into that luckily. (knock on wood) I really need to post my gear!

[Heady Jam Fan]

Very nice brotha! I bet it sounds dope. I'm going to post my rig in the near future as well now. I finally got the microverb also but have not got to try it yet cause my guitar is in the shop getting wired up. Once I get everything in order I will post some gear porn. lol
Heady I am very curious about how you use your MKIII? I am using an old fuzzy carpet Carvin X100b. The exact amp Zappa used. I love the cleans I get and the headroom. I just can't seem to dial in a good sound on the OD channel. So do you use your drive setting on the MKIII? Or just the TS's? I'm thinking of making the switch to the MKIII myself. Can anyone confirm Trey uses his dirty channel on the MKIII? Sorry if this has been confirmed already. Also do you get alot of hum with your rig without your Noise Reduction pedals? I have not run into that luckily. (knock on wood) I really need to post my gear!

Thanks man!

Congrats on the Micro and a fresh wiring - I'll bet your pumped try those out. I'll look forward to seeing your rig when you get done!

The MKIII - so many good settings!

I believe Trey is using the lead channel of his MKIII - pics seem to show a plug going into the jack to control the lead channel via footswitch; the GEQ switch seems to be set in the position where it turns on automatically when the lead channel is turned on; and in Trey's rig rundown video there is blue gaffer tape marking his settings, including settings for knobs that only effect the lead channel (lead drive and mv), as well as pulling certain knobs that change the lead channels tone.

In the rig rundown video, Trey seems to have a mild-moderate amount of dirt on his lead channel. This results in more bite to leads and more of a rock sound rather than smooth and fusion-esque when its clean(er). I have looked at a lot of pics of Trey's rig and his settings vary over time, sometimes with the lead channel cleaner, which is more similar sounding to just using the GEQ on the clean channel although the lead channel is voiced slightly differently.

I have gone back and forth between using the GEQ with the clean channel for leads, and using the lead channel with various amounts of distortion. I am currently using the GEQ alone because: 1) switching channels results in a short lag, especially switching to channels that have less gain, 2) if the lead channel is distorted, I would want my Microverb in the loop and that requires to more long cables, and 3) I like the smooth fusion lead as much as the grittier rock lead for overdriven solos, but sometimes having overdrive dialed into the lead channel bugs me when I want a really squeaky clean lead.

I prefer the Mesa's built in GEQ, which is after the preamp tubes, to using an EQ pedal, but the GEQ itself isn't a reason to buy a new amp IMO. I have used a Boss PQ4, Fromel Shape and MXR-6-Band as surrogates on amps without a GEQ and gotten good results. Your Carvin is probably a really cool amp, especially if it has so much headroom - if it can be fat and have a nice compression like a Mesa clean channel, an EQ pedal might do the trick for leads IMO. On the other hand, I think Mesa MKIII's are incredible and by far the best bang-for-buck amp! The Red Stripe apparently gets close to the MKIIC+ that costs well over $2K IIRC and people sometimes compare the lead channel to Dumbles that cost $40K. My MKIII cost me $850.

I can talk more about settings - I have posted in the past about where I set other dials and where Trey sets his, in the end, its a great amp with a ton of usable sounds. The only other thing I change fairly often is how much treble I have dialed in - Trey had a decent amount in his rig rundown video, I like that when I am playing live, but I usually turn the treble way down at home for a smoother sound.

Hum:

I do get hum in my rig - there is a power transformer on the telephone pole right outside my window, plus I live in a house were every floor is a separate apartment and the rooms above and below my rig are where people put their home theater type stuff (TV, receiver, etc). I have checked power, grounding, everything and it is definitely EMI/RFI type noise I am getting. I even tried other guitars, other pedals, cables, other amps, power supplies and double checked with techs at a couple stores - nothing is wrong with my rig. When I was playing in a band, we practiced at the other guitarists garage and I only had a mild hum when I played there. It really depends on the venue. Its good you don't have a problem with hum, I am jealous - I really wish I didn't need those noise reduction pedals in my signal chain, but they don't seem to cause a problem in my sound and I am kinda happy not to fill that extra real-estate on my pedalboard with gadgets I don't need and would only use here and there.

[Happyorange27]

Well done sir.

[IamWILSON]

Very nice Heady!  FYI, you can totally use the microverb to split your signal to into stereo... some of the reverb settings in stereo are really great!

[Heady Jam Fan]

Very nice Heady!  FYI, you can totally use the microverb to split your signal to into stereo... some of the reverb settings in stereo are really great!

Yea - I figured I could, but I haven't tried it yet. Maybe I'll test that out this weekend.

[Heady Jam Fan]

Put my Mesa MKIII in a Rack Case - it was tough fitting in the reverb unit, after trying I searched on google and found some threads saying its not possible... at first I had it dual locked covering half of the opening on the back, but I got it to fit inside behind the black plate on the front just below the knobs.



My Express Plus 5:25 is next! I also mounted the chasis upside down so if I have the rubber feet of the rack case on the ground, the tubes face up so they aren't dangling or toasting the chassis.

The 112 combo sounds so much better without a chassis and reverb unit taking up all the space for soundwaves to bounce around in.