Rig Rundown – Russian Circles’ Mike Sullivan [2017]
Article & photos: http://bit.ly/RussianCirclesRR17
Never miss a Rig Rundown: http://bit.ly/PG-RRnewsletter
Co-founding member Mike Sullivan updates PG-er Chris Kies before the band’s show at the Ryman in Nashville, TN, on what has changed in his live setup since our 2013 episode (https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/19620-rig-rundown—russian-circles-mike-sullivan-brian-cook) that was shot while the band recorded Memorial.
Mike’s current main squeeze is a 1985 Gibson Les Paul Custom that he bought in his hometown of Chicago at Rock N Roll Vintage. Since acquiring the guitar, he dropped in new pickups—a high-wound Lollar Imperial in the bridge and a standard Lollar Imperial in the neck. Sullivan goes with D’Addario NYXL .011–.056 strings and tunes this one to a DADGAD variant—C#-G#-D-G-C-A#. When it comes to picks, he’s been loyal to the Dunlop Max-Grip Jazz III since he found some inside a box for an Andy Timmons pedal.
Continue learning about band’s gear: http://bit.ly/RussianCirclesRR17
#Rig #Rundown #Russian #Circles #Mike #Sullivan
Originally posted by UC5J-hZ4wNf7OlkzIn49LHoQ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVK87xE3NBI
Saw them first at their second show at the old Empty Bottle opening for Cult of Luna. He used to play a chambered double cut Les Paul. They were a huge influence on me.
Saw them live in Chile 2024, blew my mind
Time for an update boys
This guy exactly knows what he wants. He uses only a fuzz factory for dirty sound?
< < < MIGHT WANT TO SERIOUSLY THINK ABOUT CHANGING THAT NAME TO UKRAINIAN CIRCLES > > >
The only good thing about Russian circles is the clean parts
''couldn't be happier'' – Mike Sullivan in every interview lmao
Watching this video after their gear was stolen just makes me sad. Specially if you here Mike talking about his LP Costum.
Sucks watching this now after their gear got robbed. Really hope they get their stuff back.
I literally have no idea what he is talking about (I don't play guitar, know anything about playing guitar, etc.) but I am fascinated listening to it.
Sullivan is a great musician
and as always say, i can totally relate with his play style
beautiful underrated band
Awesome Rig Run Down. What a fucking great band Russian Circles are
Need a third rundown*
Those carbon Jazz 3s are the best picks ever.
The REAL question is how the f does he overdub loops so cleanly? Are the dubs going through separate amps?
6:23. Its like Mike is looking right at Ben.
I Like Mike's dark sound
and the fact the uses my beloved Black beauty of honor
well in this case we can just say Custom Les paul of honor
This guitar player is incredible. Mike’s songs and playing is outrageous.
https://youtu.be/ZYs92_QQoJo
Mike's use of big headroom clean amps and using darker heavy pedals is something I wish so many other guitarists would do. You get loads of guitarists using dark amps and a shitload of pedals and they lose all of the clarity and high end. I love his way of doing things, and you definitely notice the difference live.
These guys are amazing! ????????????
everytime I return to this vid I get a good kick out of that guy doing that behind him around 6:20
What's the intro song?
10:51 so true
Everything that Mike said, matters. Thanks for this.
Thumbs up number 664-the neighbor of the beast
A on 24.5, that is brave.
For a really great and affordable pickup that balances warmth and clarity check out Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro.
One of the best upcoming instrumental bands – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUh0PoaC1_g
Is his les paul custom really olive green? Looks like a refinish or a custom paint, never seen one like it before…
LOL, I was fortunate to find this band during my quest to find music to oil paint with, this band is by far the coolest ear candy beyond ambient, more like smooth music with some caffeine and steroids at moments of sonic bliss. Throw in some Plini, and Paint the Sky red, and you have an awesome ear experience:) I thought they WERE Russians!! lol,, who would have thunk it? From Chicago no less! I hope them the best, they are very good and I love there material!
Does he go in the effects loop or just the front?
Hoping someday you guys will get to do a Caspian rig rundown!
So the "variant of DADGAD" thing is using the middle 4 strings of DADGAD as the top 4 strings and taking the 2 low strings down a half step from DA to C# G#. His statement initially confused me but it makes a lot of sense if you are familiar with DADGAD and it is especially sensible considering how Mike plays and writes music.
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I'm curious if the lower strings were dropped for range or so he could make spread triads without needing to stretch his 4th finger for a major third (or both lol). I know he had some kind accident/chronic pain issue in recent years and had to change some stuff up and I wonder if that is part of it.
6:16 Haha! akward leg hump
Does someone have the tab for the song "Asa"? I can't find it anywhere.
Don't tell me I am the only one who thinks 0:50 "WTF is this?". Did he forget to close his pants correctly?
Nice Shoes Mike
Just saw these guys last on at the house of blues and they were AMAZING.
this interviewer has some nervous energy. dude needs to chill
that signal must be shit by the time it is ran through all that crap. Wire up your damn board though a loop train so you aren't pumping mud.
I could watch you two talk gear literally all day
Anyone know What kind of jacket Mike is wearing
He is one of the finest guitarist of this generation, just phenomenal musicality. The drummer of Russian Circle is just over the top…they together is magical with the solid fuzzy bass