2008 Gear Answers
Guitarhero27
Posts: 2,146
This thread was lost during the merge. It was a collective "Ask George" from a bunch of us on here...then forwarded to the 10C who were nice enough to forward to George Webb, the bands full time tech, who in turn answered as much as he could.
1. Is it possible to get a newly revised signal flow chart including rack effects?
Sure, if we had them to give to you. But we don't. See next question.
2. Could we please see some Tech notes from "Pearl Jam" (if available)
(spreadsheet like in the synergy section)
We stopped taking notes too... Everyone who works for the band is now required to have a photographic memory. Many of us had to go back to school for that.
3. How are the pedalboards powered (ie: Brick, Pedal Power Pad, etc) and do they run through a power socket on the board to a good ol' fashioned extension cord into a power strip or otherwise?
All the PJ guys - Stone, Mike and Jeff - use the "JuiceBox" (version 2.0) to power their pedalboards. (www.pedalgear.net <http://www.pedalgear.net> ) We have for years now. Getting electrical power to the JuiceBox (mounted on each pedalboard) is simply a matter of putting an extension cord into the cable snake that is run to each pedalboard. The JuiceBoxes are very flexible and accommodating for a variety of pedals and ground schemes. We've had no problems with them at all. The new ones (version 3.0) are even better in terms of their flexibility and power capabilities. We're using a 3.0 for Ed's pedalboard on the solo tour.
4. Any changes to the accessories
(picks, strings/gauges, capos, mic's *ed's switching of mics during shows*)
Ed has now switched to using the .60mm Dunlop "Tortex Wedge" pick (the new white ones) and is using the Dunlop-made Herco "Flex 50" nylon pick for use with acoustic instruments. Stone continues to use the standard .60mm Dunlop Tortex picks, and Mike continues to use the standard .73mm Dunlop Tortex pick. Jeff, a couple of years ago, switched from the Tortex to Dunlop's new Ultex material, gauge 1.0mm.
Stone, Mike and Ed all still use GHS Boomers (10-46). Jeff continues to use Dean Markley SR2000 medium gauge bass strings on most his instruments, although he does use Rotosound "RS66" strings on some basses and Rotosound "RS88" strings on a couple basses for a different sound.
This may sound like a shameless plug, but sincerely we can't say enough good things about the support and generosity Pearl Jam has received over the years from companies like Dunlop, GHS and Dean Markley. They've all supported us from day one, no questions asked.
Capos PJ uses are the Shubb "C-1".
The reason Ed's Audix OM-7 microphones are changed out for fresh ones throughout the course of a PJ show is because of moisture. As he sings, moisture from his lungs is breathed into the mic capsule and will make the microphone (any microphone) sound dull and tired, unresponsive. For the sake of sound quality, the microphones are changed-out incrementally to keep things soundiing fresh. The frequency of the mic change is more often if the performance is being done in a naturally humid environment. The 'used' mics are allowed to dry-out and are re-used over and over. The Audix mics have worked quite well for us over the years. Our sound people have been very pleased with the quality and durability of the mics, and the company is very helpful and responsive with upkeep of the microphones.
5. Can we get an approx amount of guitars available in the "warehouse?" and each guys top 3?
Mike: 59 les paul, 59 strat rosewood, 59 strat maple?
Stone: 59 Pink "Frankenstrat," ?, ?
Ed: Tele, Schecter PT, Gibson SG?
Jeff: Red/Black Modulus, Wellstone Bass, 12 stringer?
Matt: Any chance he gets to play he loves it?
You know that saying... "I could tell you, but then I'd have to... " It applies here
6. What brand of cables and patchlink cables does the band use (also any wireless gear)
PJ uses Canare "GS-6" for all their backline instrument cable. Switchcraft connectors are primarily used as well. All the cable and connectors are purchased raw and in bulk. The backline technicians build their own cables to the needed lengths and with the specific connectors.
Mike and Jeff use - and have used for the past 15 years - old analog Sony WRR-820/WRT-820 wireless receivers and transmitter beltpacks in conjunction with their instruments. The units have been good to us over the years and produce a "color" that has been beneficial to their stage tone, but the Sony's are getting old in technology and, as such, increasingly difficult to repair/maintain. We anticipate making a change in wireless technology in the near future, but nothing has been determined at this point.
Stone uses a wireless in conjunction with one, and only one, of his instruments - his Taylor "T5" acoustic/electric guitar. For that instrument, the acoustic output is transmitted wirelessly via a Lectronsonics "IS400" digital-hybrid receiver/transmitter. The electric signal is transmitted through his electric guitar rig via a wired lead.
Hope this helps
-Seth
1. Is it possible to get a newly revised signal flow chart including rack effects?
Sure, if we had them to give to you. But we don't. See next question.
2. Could we please see some Tech notes from "Pearl Jam" (if available)
(spreadsheet like in the synergy section)
We stopped taking notes too... Everyone who works for the band is now required to have a photographic memory. Many of us had to go back to school for that.
3. How are the pedalboards powered (ie: Brick, Pedal Power Pad, etc) and do they run through a power socket on the board to a good ol' fashioned extension cord into a power strip or otherwise?
All the PJ guys - Stone, Mike and Jeff - use the "JuiceBox" (version 2.0) to power their pedalboards. (www.pedalgear.net <http://www.pedalgear.net> ) We have for years now. Getting electrical power to the JuiceBox (mounted on each pedalboard) is simply a matter of putting an extension cord into the cable snake that is run to each pedalboard. The JuiceBoxes are very flexible and accommodating for a variety of pedals and ground schemes. We've had no problems with them at all. The new ones (version 3.0) are even better in terms of their flexibility and power capabilities. We're using a 3.0 for Ed's pedalboard on the solo tour.
4. Any changes to the accessories
(picks, strings/gauges, capos, mic's *ed's switching of mics during shows*)
Ed has now switched to using the .60mm Dunlop "Tortex Wedge" pick (the new white ones) and is using the Dunlop-made Herco "Flex 50" nylon pick for use with acoustic instruments. Stone continues to use the standard .60mm Dunlop Tortex picks, and Mike continues to use the standard .73mm Dunlop Tortex pick. Jeff, a couple of years ago, switched from the Tortex to Dunlop's new Ultex material, gauge 1.0mm.
Stone, Mike and Ed all still use GHS Boomers (10-46). Jeff continues to use Dean Markley SR2000 medium gauge bass strings on most his instruments, although he does use Rotosound "RS66" strings on some basses and Rotosound "RS88" strings on a couple basses for a different sound.
This may sound like a shameless plug, but sincerely we can't say enough good things about the support and generosity Pearl Jam has received over the years from companies like Dunlop, GHS and Dean Markley. They've all supported us from day one, no questions asked.
Capos PJ uses are the Shubb "C-1".
The reason Ed's Audix OM-7 microphones are changed out for fresh ones throughout the course of a PJ show is because of moisture. As he sings, moisture from his lungs is breathed into the mic capsule and will make the microphone (any microphone) sound dull and tired, unresponsive. For the sake of sound quality, the microphones are changed-out incrementally to keep things soundiing fresh. The frequency of the mic change is more often if the performance is being done in a naturally humid environment. The 'used' mics are allowed to dry-out and are re-used over and over. The Audix mics have worked quite well for us over the years. Our sound people have been very pleased with the quality and durability of the mics, and the company is very helpful and responsive with upkeep of the microphones.
5. Can we get an approx amount of guitars available in the "warehouse?" and each guys top 3?
Mike: 59 les paul, 59 strat rosewood, 59 strat maple?
Stone: 59 Pink "Frankenstrat," ?, ?
Ed: Tele, Schecter PT, Gibson SG?
Jeff: Red/Black Modulus, Wellstone Bass, 12 stringer?
Matt: Any chance he gets to play he loves it?
You know that saying... "I could tell you, but then I'd have to... " It applies here
6. What brand of cables and patchlink cables does the band use (also any wireless gear)
PJ uses Canare "GS-6" for all their backline instrument cable. Switchcraft connectors are primarily used as well. All the cable and connectors are purchased raw and in bulk. The backline technicians build their own cables to the needed lengths and with the specific connectors.
Mike and Jeff use - and have used for the past 15 years - old analog Sony WRR-820/WRT-820 wireless receivers and transmitter beltpacks in conjunction with their instruments. The units have been good to us over the years and produce a "color" that has been beneficial to their stage tone, but the Sony's are getting old in technology and, as such, increasingly difficult to repair/maintain. We anticipate making a change in wireless technology in the near future, but nothing has been determined at this point.
Stone uses a wireless in conjunction with one, and only one, of his instruments - his Taylor "T5" acoustic/electric guitar. For that instrument, the acoustic output is transmitted wirelessly via a Lectronsonics "IS400" digital-hybrid receiver/transmitter. The electric signal is transmitted through his electric guitar rig via a wired lead.
Hope this helps
-Seth
9/29/96, 8/29/98, 9/8,11/98, 7/28/99, 8/23,24,25/00, 10/13/00, 4/15/03, 4/30/03, 7/8,9,12,14/03, 10/1/04, 9/30/05, 10/1/05, 5/4,5,13,27,28/06, 6/1,3/06, 6/19,20,22,24,25,27/08, 7/1/08, 8/4,5,7,16/08, 8/21/09, 10/27,28,30,31/09, 5/15,17,18,20,21/10, 9/2/12, 10/18,19,21,22,25/13
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Comments
JEFF HARDY AND JEFF AMENT USED TO LOOK THE SAME
"Pearl Jam always eases my mind and fires me up at the same time.”-Jeff Hardy
JEFF HARDY AND JEFF AMENT USED TO LOOK THE SAME
"Pearl Jam always eases my mind and fires me up at the same time.”-Jeff Hardy
audix i5 for some of the guitar cabs.