bascially a vintage 60’ s style Vox AC30, but with big Fender like low end, and wide open breakup. This has been my favorite amp for years.
The Blankenship TwinPlex is a newer favorite. Made from Roy Blankenship down in Southern California. He is a meticulous builder who uses nothing but high-quality parts. I asked him for an amp that had the power tubes like a Vox( EL84) but the tone control of a Fender amp. So we landed on the TwinPlex at 36 watts. It has really nice mid- range and the most exciting, gritty breakup that makes any drive pedal sound incredible. Some may find its breakup a little bit fizzy, but to me it feels alive and exciting and brings excitement to a mix.
Effect Pedals: The Meris pedals( Mercury X, LVX, and Enzo X) have taken first prize for me. They are basically super computers on your pedal board. But it is so apparent to me how much better my tone sounds with their effects. My guitar sits so nicely in a mix with them, as well as the effects are complex and harmonically rich. I’ ve never heard anything like it.
My other effects pedal highlight is the TC Electronic SCF, a chorus pedal. I use it in a very subtle way, nearly always on, to add width and warmth to my stereo image, I’ m obsessed with the way it sounds.
Modeling Product: ToneX has taken the modeling world by storm to me. With their use of AI to process the amp tone you are capturing, it rocketed them ahead of nearly any other modeling platform( for now). I love how accurately it resembles my favorite amps( JMI and Twinplex). It sounds nearly exactly like my amps mic’ d up at home. And that’ s priceless to have that kind of control and consistency, but also not compromise on tone.
Guitar Strings: My go to strings are Daddario NYXL Medium 11-49. They just have an undeniably full sound. Also very rich and articulate.
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