Rig Rundown – A Perfect Circle
Article & photos: http://bit.ly/APerfectCircleRR
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Before APC’s gig at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, bassist Matt McJunkins and guitarists James Iha and Billy Howerdel spend some time with PG’s Chris Kies cataloging the guitars, basses, amps, and digital gear they require to pull off material from all three of their studio albums and beyond.
As part of the Smashing Pumpkins from the start, James Iha originally was a Fender guy in the Gish-era of the band, but slowly made his way to humbuckers and Gibsons. Here is a 1984 Gibson Les Paul Custom he’s had since the mid-’90s. The only thing he’s done to the guitar was swap in Tom Anderson H3 (bridge) and H1 (neck) humbuckers to match the sound Billy achieved on APC’s recordings. Following suit even further, Iha tunes this LP to C# and uses a custom set of Ernie Ball Slinkys (.056–.044–.032–.020P–.017–.012) that Billy came up with. He prefers to play with Jim Dunlop Tortex .73 mm picks.
Back for his second Rig Rundown is bassist Matt McJunkins (check out our Eagles of Death Metal episode where Matt shows off some different gear. Link: https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/23198-rig-rundown-eagles-of-death-metal) who is still favoring Fender P basses. During his time in EODM, he rolled with a 2010 Fender American Deluxe Precision bass, but he recent upgraded to a new go-to—a 2017 Fender American Elite P. He rocks Ernie Ball Power Slinkys .055–.110 and Jim Dunlop Tortex .88 mm picks.
This is Billy Howerdel’s main squeeze—a 1960 Gibson Les Paul Classic Reissue that is actually two guitars he put together from his days as Trent Reznor’s tech for Nine Inch Nails. The guitar has been upgraded with Tom Anderson H3 (bridge) and H1 (neck) humbuckers, is tuned to C#, and has a custom set of Ernie Ball Slinkys (.056–.044–.032–.020P–.017–.012). All of his guitars, including this beast, has an added cap so when he rolls off the volume he doesn’t lose any of the guitar’s tone.
To continue learning about the band’s gear, visit: http://bit.ly/APerfectCircleRR
#Rig #Rundown #Perfect #Circle
Originally posted by UC5J-hZ4wNf7OlkzIn49LHoQ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxoHvr2ICYA
I loooove James .. I rickythe yellow tortex also.. all I buy
Too many edibles James.
It really sounds like you know way more about his his gear than he does. This might make him a genius. I don't know what strings I'm using. I vaguely remember the picks I use. Sometimes, I play a vintage guitar. Sometimes I play a Yamaha, with a special tuning. I forgot the tuning, but once again I have it in an Iphone note. He does all this without thinking about it. He's only flustered when you start asking him all these questions about things he just does naturally.
That last kid was quite interesting
c sharp is not a really low tuning
a percect perfle, smamshing punkins
James doesn't know jack about his own life apparently. Lay off the weed bruh.
I am always amazed at these insanely complex guitar rack setups as seen in this video used by Billy Howerdel. Thankfully a Keeley Compressor Plus, a Boss RV-500, an old Tube Screamer, and a Soldano Hot Rod 25 can make me very happy whenever it is time to play in my home studio. Billy has an incredible capacity to understand both the guitar setup aspect of sound, and the electronic signal chain pathway; he is truly a very gifted player , musician, and sound engineer. Thank you for sharing this video!
I’ve watched this more than once. Billy Howerdel is the man.
Press 5 for side shot of busted Les Paul headstock
What is he using 2101 for? can someone explain it to me?
crazy.. I sold my a couple of weeks ago
Black Queen!!!
Who the fuck are these guys? Either their marketing team need firing or rig rundown are scraping the bottom of the barrel.
I believe mer de noms is truly a work of genius. If you get the chance, pay really close attention to howerdells bass lines on that album. He uses dissonance all over the place. Little notes here and there around all the beauty. I dont think ive ever heard anyone do bass quite like that. First time i noticed it. It blew my mind.
Sad to see a musician that knows nothing about his gear…
Shout out to Chris Kies as a great man for the job for PG rundowns!
If James got anymore laid back, he’d slip into a coma, LOL????????
What kind of Tom Anderson pickups does James Iha use? Looking for a set on Reverb. ????
One of the curiosities I always had was when the pedals are in a rack and off stage as he said.. who's controlling those? The tech or the guitarist actually runs over pre song to adjust whats needed for that song?
Whoa, hour long, aye. I'll get the popcorn ready haha
Is James the first person who’s actually still asleep during your interview ?
Root Beer.
Best rig rundown ever!!! A icon play and show your rig and trics !!!! Awesome @billy
this is my favorite rig rundown. I love how Billy goes through the songs while explaining everything he uses.
Love the Cinnamon burst colors on Billy's Les Paul
actual gear talk 26:43 , you welcome
Hey! i just get and old Digitech 2101, were cand i find some good APF presets to copy?
Siiiiiiick Paulbearer shirt ????
So basically James just turns up, shrugs his shoulders, plays whatever guitars happening to be sitting there, and goes home..