Joe Gore of Tone Fiend

Check out Joe’s blog here.

Tone Fiend workstation

Dan Weller is a multi-faceted guitarist-vocalist based in Nashville.  Over the years, he’s toured with several independent and major label artists in front of audiences as large as 500,000.
Dan Weller began playing guitar at age 8. He kept disappearing with his dad’s classical trying to figure out how to play, so his folks decided to fan his interest and started lessons. Dan studied classical and finger-style guitar through college venturing into rock and jazz while in high school. At 16, he started playing in rock bands, eventually branching out into country bands as well. After college, a group of friends started a rock project that received national airplay and interest from several major labels. Building up his rock and country chops in Dallas and Ft. Worth, Dan became a side man with Austin and Nashville-based country artists. The ability to read music, write charts, play a few different instruments, sing, and work in multiple musical genres has allowed Dan to keep working pretty steadily over the years. Having a formal music background has been great but nothing beats going out and actually “doing it!”
Why did you change out your stock pickups?
“Originally, it was to go from a S-S-S to a H-S-S setup in a Strat.  A friend recommended the Duncan JB: that was in ’98, and I haven’t looked back. Now, I change out the stock pickups because Duncan pickups simply sound better. It also allows me to really tailor the guitar tone to fit the gig and the rig.”
Which pickups do you use and for which guitars?
“Right now, I have 59’s in my Reverend, Gibson, and Heritage guitars.  JB, SSL-1, and Jazz in a custom G&L Legacy. The Jerry Donahue is one of the best Tele pickups I’ve ever heard or used! ‘59 and JB combos in my Charvels.  Duncan Custom and Vintage Staggered in a couple old Kramers. Over the years, I’ve also used the Little 59, JB Jr., Classic Stack, Hot Stack, Hot Rails, Five-Two, Custom Stack Plus, Quarter Pound, Antiquity Humbucker, Custom 5, Custom Custom, and Full Shred pickups.

“With my Seymour Duncan pickups I have better and consistent tone thanks to the wide variety of options available with all the  standard pickup offerings as well as custom windings from the Custom Shop. I get amazing flexibility thanks to the four-conductor wiring. I am more creative when the tone and feel are right.”
How would you describe the sound of those pickups?
“Bliss.
“My Seymour Duncan pickups are the bridge between the tone in my head and the tips of my fingers!”
How would you describe your playing?  How would you describe your music?
“As a sideman, I land in all kinds of live and studio musical situations: Pop, Jazz, Blues, Country, Rap, Metal, Rock, Contemporary Christian. As a result, I get to use a variety of instruments and playing styles: hybrid picking, finger-style, sweep, slide, traditional pick playing, etc.”
Have you used any of the Seymour Duncan pedals?
“Yes!  The Pickup Booster, Deja Vu Tap Delay, and the Shape Shifter Tremolo. I love the resonance switch on the Pickup Booster. It’s is really handy and adds a lot of flexibility to the pedal. I love the ratio mode and tap on the Shape Shifter Tremolo. The modulation, loop, wet/dry mix, and CC control make the Deja Vu Delay an amazingly versatile and colorful pedal live and in the studio!”

COLT FORD TOUR DATES
For more, information, please go to:
http://www.coltford.com/tour
Sept. 2             Woodstock, VA
Sept. 3             Wilmington, NC
Sept. 4             Murrells Inlet, SC
Sept. 10           Goldsboro, NC
Sept. 11           Hampton, VA
Sept. 13           Crownsville, MD
Sept. 15           Nashville, TN
Sept. 16           Pine Bluff, AR
Sept. 18           Rossville, GA
Sept. 23           Marietta, GA
Sept. 24           Winchester, KY
Sept. 30           Raleigh, NC
Oct. 3              Winston-Salem, NC
Oct. 8              Shreveport, LA
Oct. 9              Dallas, TX
Oct. 12            Chase City, VA
Oct. 14            Gulf Shores, AL
Oct. 15            Perry, GA
Oct. 19            Jacksonville, FL
Oct. 21            Aiken, SC
Oct. 22            Huntsville, AL
Oct. 27            Ladson, SC
Oct. 29            Petal, MS
Nov. 2             Niagara Falls, NY
Nov. 3             Pittsburgh, PA
Nov. 4             Fort Wayne, IN
Nov. 5             Rootstown, OH
Nov. 11           Baton Rouge, LA
Nov. 16           Port Charlotte, FL
Nov. 17           Davie, FL
Nov. 18           Tampa, FL
Nov. 19           Rome, GA
Nov. 25           Charenton, LA
Nov. 26           Jackson, MS
Nov. 30           Mesa, AZ
About Colt Ford:
Critics raved over Colt Ford’s 2010 release, Chicken and Biscuits, which featured collaborations with Randy Houser, James Otto, Nappy Roots, Josh Gracin, Joe Nichols, Darryl Worley and more; however his latest release, which hit stores nationwide last Spring Every Chance I Get, is the highest-selling debut of his career and features collaborations with Tim McGraw, Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Charlie Daniels, and more. With over 50,000 units sold the first month, it also nabbed the #3 spot on the Billboard Country Albums chart debut week. The lead single off the album is fastest-rising “Country Thang,” and latest release is a ballad about his 16-year-old daughter featuring Craig Morgan called “She Likes To Ride In Trucks.” In early 2011, Ford reached a milestone of over 1.5 million paid digital downloads and over 500,000 units sold with releases “Ride Through The Country” (2008)–which featured John Michael Montgomery and helped him earn his first ACM nomination for “Cold Beer” with Jamey Johnson–and “Chicken and Biscuits” (2010), Ford’s albums have been consistently ranked on the Billboard Country Album Charts. Ford will perform over 200 live shows in 2011 with previous major tours alongside Jason Aldean, Hank Williams Jr., and Larry the Cable Guy. For more information, visit http://www.coltford.com
In the last year, on tour with Colt Ford, Dan Weller has performed with Kid Rock, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Justin Moore, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Sarah Evans, Eric Church, Trace Adkins, Ronnie Dunn, Hank Williams Jr., Jamey Johnson, Montgomery Gentry, Craig Morgan, Jerrod Niemann, Jake Owen, Josh Thompson, Chris Young, David Nail, Sunny Sweeney, Josh Gracin, Mark Wills, DMC (of Run-DMC), Edwin McCain, James Otto, Corey Smith, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Rachel Farley, Brantley Gilbert, Steve Holy, Bucky Covington, Sarah Darling, Steel Magnolia, Jane Dear Girls, Bush Hawg, Tyler Farr, Ash Bowers, and Sunny Ledfurd
For more details on Dan go to:
http://www.danweller.com/
http://www.facebook.com/danwellermusic
http://www.coltford.com/
http://www.facebook.com/coltford
http://www.youtube.com/coltfordvideo

Photo by Carol Thelen

Hailing from Dallas Texas, Cat comes from a family strongly rooted in the arts. His mother, a singer, was a huge influence on his development as a guitarist-singer-songwriter. Following in her footsteps, Cat soon took up singing and playing guitar in many bands throughout California. In 2009, Cat joined Drist, the SF-based band that was featured on Guitar Hero I and II. After the group disbanded, Cat went on to help form State Line Empire. Shortly after forming, State Line Empire went on to record their EP with Mike Clink and Slash at East West Studios located in the heart of Hollywood. On tour all summer, Cat and State Line Empire have been hitting the road hard. Playing some amazing shows with bands such as Slash, Adler’s Appetite and most recently the Sunset Strip Music Festival honoring Motley Crue, Cat is currently writing and recording with State Line Empire at Sylvia Massey’s Radio Star Studios in Weed, California.

Why did you change out your stock pickups?
“I was not getting the tone that I was hearing in my head. As a guitarist and always on the quest for tone. I tried every pickup out there and I always found that something was missing. I have to say though, as soon as I dropped some Duncans in, I had a full spectrum of sound to work with. I have never looked back since. Its has been a game changer with my playing for sure.”
Which pickups do you use and for which guitars?
“I use a variety of Seymour Duncan pickups. Recently I have been using the Seymour Duncan Blackouts in my Gibsons. I have also been using the Slash Alinco II sets which sound amazing. On our new single, “Makes You Brave,” I used a combination of those pickups along with my 3rd Power Amplification and Mesa amps. The two combined is a deadly combination!!!”
How would you describe the sound of those pickups?
“Here is the thing… I have to tell you they can sound sound like anything you can dream up. Every emotion can be conveyed through these pickups. You’re sad they sound sad. You’re angry, they sound angry. You’re happy, they can sound happy also. The possibilities are endless; which, again, is why I use them.
“As musicians our goal is to connect with the audience: to move them, to scare them, to take them on a journey with us. Everything starts with you and with what you bring to the table. Then you need something that’s going to help you tell your story: unfiltered and raw. Seymour Duncan pickups do that for me. They help me take what’s inside and send it out in the world to tell that story.
“With my Seymour Duncan pickups, it made me want to play more. Every nuance is transferred from the fretboard to the amp via the pickups. This is also great because it helps to tighten up your technique when you can hear the character of every note played. I find that to be important.
“As guitar players we spend a lifetime searching for tone. We speak through our instruments and take our audience on a journey with that voice. For me, Seymour Duncan has given me all the tools to do just that. These are hands down the best pickups. It is such an honor to be apart of the Duncan family.”
How would you describe your playing?
“High energy and aggressive. Dynamically speaking, I like to incorporate a lot of different techniques to enhance the song. At the end of the day, its all about the song. I don’t want to overplay. I’d rather use what I know to move the audience and tell the story through he guitar.”
How would you describe your music?
“State Line Empire is high Octane rock ‘n roll. Put it in an go! Pedal to the metal! Check out our new single, “Makes You Brave,” which was released August 26th. It’s available on all the on-line stores such as iTunes and Amazon to name a few. Be sure to check it out. We will be seeing you soon!”

About the Band:
California-based State Line Empire formed in 2009. After a whirlwind first few months of songwriting, Tyson, Cat, Dave and Jay found that an exciting chemistry had emerged and the band was born. Shortly after the band went on to win Guitar Center’s inaugural “Record Your Next Record with Slash” competition. Out of over 12,000 bands across the Untied States, State Line Empire was handpicked by Slash and Mike Clink to record their debut EP Octane, on which Slash preformed the title track “Drive Me.” The band has since been tearin’ it up on tour.
State Line Empire just finished their summer tour in San Francisco. They will be announcing new dates for the fall tour here.
For more about State Line Empire go to their MySpace, Facebook, Reverb Nation, or official band site.

Metal Mike Chlasciak is the guitarist who helped Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford reclaim his status as the true Metal God. With over one million units sold, Mike appears on all now-classic Halford albums, videosand DVDs. Mike has also spend time playing guitar with Bay Area Thrash masters Testament, his own band PainmuseuM and Sebastian Bach – the voice of multi-platinum Skid Row. Mike has toured the world several times over sharing arena tours with Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden and Guns N’ Roses. He has appeared on records with Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) and Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses).
Mike has released five solo based records and has written two guitar instructional books Ridiculous Riffs For The Terrifying Guitarist and Monster Coordination – Guitar Boot Camp. Mike writes his own “Metal For Life” guitar column for Guitar World Magazine.
Metal Mike is preparing a new album release entitled The Metalworker featuring Daath’s Kevin Talley and vocal phenomenon Carlos Zema.
Why did you change out your stock pickups?
You know, the guitars that I play which are USA Jackson Randy Rhoads models already come armed with the pickup choice I prefer. They come with Duncans already out of the shop and whatever tone testing and matching you guys and Jackson have done works really well for me.  I am a meat and potatoes metal player–I play flying V’s through Marshall stacks–so give me something that sounds great, clear, and gives me tools to inspire me one way or the other, and I’m in.  I know immediately if I like something or not. I stay with the same gear for a very long time.
Which pickups do you use and for which guitars?
The only guitar that I play is a Jackson RR1 USA Model. It is the Randy Rhoads model. And, the bridge pick-up is the JB model, SH4. For the neck, I go with the SH-1 ’59. That is it. We’re done as far as what I need.
How would you describe the sound of those pickups?
They are a very important link between my hands and the sound that comes out of the cabinets. They help instead of take away from what I am going for.  The Duncans sound clear, not harsh, have a really nice internal supportive tone to them without distorting or coloring the sound that a player might have in his or her hands.  That is the key.
I do not want my pickup to be a distortion box. I need a pickup that can put out a sound similar to a dozen rottweilers barking at you, but at the same time have the ability to sound very sweet and innocent. I play through two stacks. I also need the pickup to project the pick attack through those stacks to the audience. This is for both rhythm and lead playing. The pick attack is very important to the sound.
My Seymour Duncans provide me with the subtle things that I am looking for. I guess, in the end, they are pieces of gear that enhance what it is that I am trying to do. They give me a pure, crystal clear in your face heavy metal tone.
When you know the gear is there for you it comes down to your ability in the end, doesn’t it?  I know that if I am not sounding good, 90% of the time it is me and not the gear. I mean Seymour Duncans are made solid as hell.  I sweated and spilled water, beer on them and they are still going every night.
So, the short story is – the Duncans provide all those qualities for me.
How would you describe your playing?
Well, obviously I am a metal player. But, I believe that when you listen to it you will find shades and depth beyond the standard metal repertoire. You will also see me paying attention to tone, vibrato and things like that. I like when I am in control of my own recording process. In my playing I want to provide excitement and a sense to the listener that they will never know where I am going to go next, and what I will play next. I find beauty in notes that many would not choose. But, with that said, I am also a meat and potatoes metal player. I want to create excitement to the listener and a sense of joy. Believe it or not, I still work on things that make me sound like me and I got a few of them down pretty close.
How would you describe your music?
My guitar playing and style of music that I write and play goes hand in hand–meaning they both mirror each other and are closely related. I’m a heavy metal guitar player. Always have been and this has been a constant point of concentration for me, but within that world, I like to create a variety. I like intensity. I like the ability to take a listener on a journey with a constant element of surprise. I like to play music that moves from point A to point B. I like music that I feel has a purpose to it even if it just makes you bang your head. That is perfectly fine with me. I like to make a statement with a song, a solo or an album and get out. I’m not a fan of plotty bands. I believe metal is a working man’s music and I stay true to that because it makes sense to me. I strive to create things that are new and hopefully uncharted.
Mike’s Advice:
To succeed – knowing what you desire and your persistence to get it are the most important things. It is more important than talent, more important than luck and hell lot more important than any trend.
For more about Metal Mike go to:
http://www.metalmike.net/
http://www.twitter.com/MetalMikeC

Opening announcements will begin shortly. Official event begins at 10 a.m. (PT). Ask your questions to us on Twitter @SeymourDuncan.

Update 4:29 PM: The event is now over. Thanks to everyone who joined us for this fun event! We will work on putting together a video of highlights. In the meantime, we are getting ready for a huge jam with our forum users!
Free live streaming by Ustream

Jason Saulnier is a Canadian-based contributor to Music Legends interview magazine and Guitar International magazine. About the new Yngwie Malmsteen signature pickups he says, “Seymour Duncan YJM Fury STK-S10 pickups give me all the sustain and power needed to play at fast speeds and still be able to identify the notes being played.“
Jason’s radio show is broadcast on CIFA 104.1 FM Broadcasting at 40,000 watts in Nova Scotia Thursdays from 6:30PM to 8:00PM Eastern and on Tuesdays from 8PM to 10PM Eastern; as well as Fridays from 3PM to 5PM Eastern on Pure Rock Radio.
You can also check out Jason’s video performance and music legends radio interviews on YouTube.
Check him out. And check out the YJM Fury pickups!

Since 2002, blues-based guitarist Stuart Ziff has been with the band War. Stuart was living in Nashville in the ’90s when Joe Glazer did all the repairs and installations on his guitars. Not satisfied with the bridge pickup on his Fender Telecaster, Joe suggested the Seymour Duncan STK-T3b Vintage Stack. That started a Seymour Duncan love affair that has been going strong since 1998. It was and still is the sound Stuart had always been looking for from his Tele. Simple as that. Much fatter, rounder and meatier then a stock Fender Tele pickup but sonically perfect to cut through the sound of a band. And above all, noiseless.

Which pickups do you use for which guitars?
On my Fender Tele I have a STK-T3b Vintage Stack in the bridge position and on my ESP Strat I have the SSL-1 Vintage Staggered Strat pickups. My SSL-1s are true to the originals, only with a bit more bite to them. Certainly not harsh or boosted in the frequencies: just a little more of what you might want from a Strat pickup. It can go from Twang to Funk to the Blues very easily.
The Duncan Vintage Stack gives me everything that I want from a Tele. A meatier top end and gutsy mid-range. I would have to say that it made a Tele Player out of me considering at that time I mostly played Strats.
With Seymour Duncan I get great tone. That is the real advantage of my Seymour Duncan pickups.
How would you describe your music?
My music is rooted in the Blues and R&B . I’m a purist and tone fanatic and Seymour Duncan pickups deliver just that: good pure tone. It’s simple and with no coloration in the sound. It doesn’t matter if I’m being called upon to play rhythm, parts or solos, Seymour Duncan pickups have enabled me to dig deeper and be a better guitarist.
2011 Tour dates with War:
Sept 2 Monterey CA, Sept 4 South Park, PA
Sept 10 Shelton WA, Sept 16, Los Angeles (Co Fair)
Sept 17 Reno, NV (Harrah’s), Sept 18 Northridge, CA
Sept 21, Bakersfield CA (Kern Co Fair)
Sept 23 San Diego, CA (4th 7 B Concert Theater)
Sept 24 , Prescott, AZ (Tim’s Toyota Center)
Sept 30, Frederick, MD Harry Grove Stadium
From 1980 to 1990 while living in NYC, Stuart worked as a freelance musician including working on Broadway as the guitarist on O’Calcutta and The National Lampoon Class of 86. He also did numerous recording sessions for singer/songwriters, records, commercials (Clairol, Heineken, Mercedes Benz, Harley Davidson, Pizza Hut Delivery and more), not only on guitar, but on some as lead vocalist.
From 1990 to 2000, Stuart worked as a freelance musician and songwriter in Nashville. He did numerous recording sessions for music publishers and recording artists. As a songwriter, he co-wrote David Ball’s ’94 hit “Thinking Problem” (Warner Brother’s Records). Stuart also played acoustic and electric guitar on that album.
From 2000 to the present, Stuart has lived in Los Angeles and has played in War since 2002. Some of War’s hits include “Low Rider,” “Slipping Into Darkness,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” “Cisco Kid” and many more. He’s also done a lot of writing for film and television and his credits include America’s Funniest Home Videos, Lifetime Network and Oxygen.
Starting in 2005, Stuart, like many other great guitarists, has been Teaching at Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, California. As a songwriter, Stuart’s songs have been covered by artist’s such as guitarist Gary Hoey (“Wake Up Call”) and Theresa James & The Rhythm Tramps. Stuart also writes songs for his band Stink Foot.