Rig Rundown - Neil Zaza

[@premierguitar]

Sorry everyone! As you've heard, the internal audio preamp was getting too hot of a signal. We had tested several levels/settings prior to hitting the red light, but in the heat of battle, FOH boosted the signal (was doubling as a soundcheck so we could pull off the shoot before Neil's gig) and things got a tad crispy. Apologies ... thanks for checking out Neil, his blazing chops, and our channel - every click helps support PG and its staff.

[@MorGuitarz]

OMG, so glad you mentioned that, lol... I watched and was thinking "this is the most horrible tone/sound I've ever heard in my nearly 50 years on earth"... That explains it!

[@RadityoPramAdi]

it's ok! just need a little volume adjusting action... Nice to see everyone getting smaller rigs, cool RR as always!

[@crazykong5246]

Thanks. I fired up the comments to see if it was just me. Great rundown.

[@graxjpg]

We forgive you!

[@JRP3music]

I thought my audio interface was messing up.

[@mooseknuckle9662]

" I'm older now. I don't care for da shred". Shreds everytime he plays.

[@jan_07]

I can’t believe this guy is 57 years old now. He’s been playing so long since I was a teenager and he still looks like he’s just in his 40s 😂

[@stevedahl]

I remember him doing Hamer clinic at my local music store in 1992

[@flyme2themoon720]

Oh man..Neil Zaza..i remember hanging with you back in early nineties at Bentleys in Indianapolis..Ma Kelly I believe was opening for ya and I was the 17 year that you let play your Spiderman Hamer with the light up red fret markers backstage..Was a killer playing guitar..Thanks for that experience!!you sound better then ever!

[@constantinosmavroyannis9409]

someone should have been paying attention to the db meter. the guitar audio is clipping like hell

[@mark7166]

Yeah, it's brutal.

[@iiWNMii]

Agreed, it's not a set and forget kinda job. Gotta babysit that meter and be ready to adjust on the fly.

[@laz288]

Something is going on, not sure if its the AxeFX or camera. I clip my AxeFx a lot on certain presets and it never sounds like that.

[@sonnyblanchard]

Man I thought it was on my side.

[@liamgallagherrr]

What I love about rig rundown is how I can get interested or engaged with people I would never listen to or heard of but the nerdery of guitars/gear really brings out the best in each artist they interview

[@visionop8]

1997. I saw this man play as a freaking kid in high school at what was an incredible music store called Paragon Music in Tampa. He was doing a clinic tour with Bassist Bill Dickens and Drummer Bobby Rock. Bobby was kinda on about some new drums by Peavey. My mind just exploded at the sheer amount of shred that hit me directly in the face from these musicians. I couldn't find Neil but I got some pics with Bobby and Bill. What an evening!

[@thereallbking]

Sad that sound quality is so bad. Neil is such a killer player.

[@RichardGutierrezRG]

Neil is a class act and an incredible guitarist. I have been lucky enough to attend a few of his guitar clinics and have loved his playing. He has always been so friendly and down to earth. Hope all the best to Neil and continued success!

[@andrewlaw5628]

About 20 years ago , while working in a music store, Neil Zazza came to do a clinic...had to be one of the most down to earth and humble cats one could ever meet. We shared one common thread, our love of the Baltimore Club, " Hammerjacks". Anywqys, I called Neil while he was touring in America...I was in Canada. Club owner answered and said Neil was a little busy with things and could he call me back? Of course I saod no worries. Well , 30 seconds later, I hear a voice in background saying " Someone from Canada...Ill take the call". He gets on the phone and says " Hammerjacks"? I reply " Straight up , baby...Hammerjacks"! We proceed to chat about lots of different shit for about 30 mins!! He disnt have to take the call and Im surprised he remembered at all. But dude was super cool. Class act

[@timothy5974]

Neil was my second guitar Hero, Eddie being the first. It was around 1991, maybe, he toured around with bobby rock, and I think Budda Dickens? He had a couple of VHS instructional videos I bought signed and delivered which were very cool trio concert footage. Two hands one heart was a cd and sing i believe. The one thing I could say about Neil is that he was such a kind person and would answer so many questions we had at his clinic. I would love to meet Neil again and say thank you for being a inspiration. and being so kind and friendly. Thank You Neil !! He played at Roselle Music, in Roselle Illinois just outside of Chicago.

[@marcobaek1378]

Thank you PG!!! I have Cort NZS-1 signed by the man himself and for years I have followed his work and he is known not to really get technical in his interviews. But here.....many years later y'all delivered. Thank you!!!

[@GearGasms]

Really good episode! Thanks

[@catdaddy57]

Hey Neil, it's your Sagamore Hills buddy...Nice video... thanks for letting me play that badboy .....\m/

[@1032patrick]

When to put the shred and when not.. That is the best advice of all

[@danmartin633]

He should have said that the holes in his pick reduce wind resistance.

[@Jesse_Johnson]

I appreciate his art. Good on him. I'll leave it at that.

[@DavidOakesMusic]

The white part of that first guitar is like someone tried to draw a strat from memory with their weaker hand...

[@freefallin0531]

Great interview! Love your work Neil!

[@thomasruck6646]

I Love Rig Rundown.. The Hightec equipment Mixes my Brain a Bit... But have Learned so much.. I just bought a Boss gt 1 pedal.. That's enough to get my 71yr head around.. Rockon X

[@charlescowan6121]

This dudes jams with TM Stevens is amazing!!!

[@JRP3music]

I like how he said, let's play a song rather than just all shred. I have had that same philosophy for a long time. I like shred, but it is better when it is more taste full playing and melodic playing with some flash here and there to me is so much more enjoyable.

[@Ron_Padgett]

Good stuff! Cool of him to mention Mark Day! Mark is awesome!

[@jch5150]

Love seeing these Fractal set ups!!

[@michaelfrancis1]

wow, 15:47 what a list of signal slamming effects you've designed! THEN there' she F3. then i start thinking of that song, I can only imagine, lol looks flippin' amazing! M

[@destossel]

Neil is a monster player ! It’s too bad the signal distorted so badly on this video. Neil plays with a great melodic sense but can shred when he wants to. He is one of my favorite players by far.

[@macleenrangasamy5745]

His a great guitar player 🎵🎶🎼🎸🎸👍😄✌️

[@carlstawicki1915]

I remember seeing Zaza back in the Akron Agora days. It's always good to see the actual artist do the rundown instead of a hired gun.

[@ChuckChrome]

Back in the days of the Hamer superhero guitars with the light up inlays. Those were some really cool guitars.

[@brutalbasspro]

When I was a teenager late 90s he did an in store guitar class at my local shop he used a cort guitar and evh amps back then.

[@Teodossi]

Neil's been such an inspiration over the years through everything he does, and "Staring at the Sun" has a special place in my heart. The sound on this record is my all time favourite guitar sound. As far as I remember back then he played though Music Man guitars into a Peavey Classic 30 and a Wizard amp and I miss that now. Also missing live versions of "Lift". Cheers!

[@stevedahl]

Check out his Sing album

[@bingefeller]

There seems to be some clipping when Neil plays.

[@kinazoranalvirovic3117]

Neil Zaza,is Guitar King..Amazing

[@unfcknblvbl]

Monster player.

[@twlowe19]

cool, another guy who went ALL AXE FX. Saw Adrian Belew do this and it sounded great.

[@Jmilillo]

I wish Kiesel still made his Carvin signature. It’s amazing! I don’t have one but I can imagine it’s great.

[@michaelfrancis1]

ok, the silver guitar just; retired to the case, ahead of his game. sniff sniff. Big Wide Grin is saying, Play me! Play me! it's Radical!! that said I can see why you like the black and white, yin and yang-esque. Please, go ahead and Rock some Ace Frehley vibes! We grew up loving those guitars and glitz. it would be like a treat lol I hope you were/are able to tour ASAP from Covid blah blah. HHMMMMM. I know this may not be viewed by Neil Zaza immediately. BIG SIGH, ...............Any FWD that way would be so appreciated. So, my Grandson is Aries! I know he's got the musical genes; so he and i would really love to see you play it! I guess I'll go see if you have already (played it online) now, oopps. lol all the best, Michael Francis

[@dagwood8409]

I had to google that guitar road case - Enki AMG-2. It looks awesome!

[@larryh.3173]

Great interview. Big fan of Neil for years now, and I actually own one of his previous Cort Signatures, a _beautiful_ blueburst NZS-1... simply a superb guitar, plays and sounds great, build is super-high quality! That being said, sorry, but I'm not a fan at all of the "duo tone" finish on this; all I keep seeing is the Gumby-like white area, at least on the dark stage and against the all black clothing. (I _much_ prefer that silver Aries.) Of course, all IMO and YMMV.

[@marcobaek1378]

i got mine signed by Neil!!! beautiful blue guitar

[@michaelfrancis1]

Cheers from Texas! 🤘😎🤘 🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊 I've just heard a few notes and yuss!! Comments start! Thank you so much for opening with a solo!! You automatically get a 5 Speaker rating!! It's a thing I just made up; it's cool and... Way to be! Back to listening! M

[@MrUltraworld]

The recording levels must be off because afx III's sound a lot warmer than this.

[@markinthemix6055]

This video confirms to me that Rocktron as a preamp company is officially nothing more than a memory.

[@idleave]

Maybe it’s just me, but there seems to be way to much pick attack in his tone. It just seems to muddy things up. Just my POV.

[@jimmoulton9878]

think it's more his effects, I agree with you on the muddiness.

[@Thirdgen83]

Too much overdrive.

[@dewberry3043]

Based on his rig and style looks like he is those straight forward guitar shredder. His tone is bad and compensated by his playing.

[@DasRightfortyforfo]

Neil is a monster player! Great mix of gear talk and banter.

[@DatAnydex]

I wonder if he ever tried PRS guitars?

[@Burnt_Gerbil]

Hey PG crew! Here is the link for the Enki case torture test video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZvGlHysa7inpdE That was done by Trey at GearGods. 😬👍

[@oscarbarquincaloca5762]

Did he say 11-52 in standard tuning?

[@fatboysgarage7984]

I almost thought he had an SLS3 until I looked closer at the body.

[@stevedahl]

Is that a stretch going from Carvin to Kissel?

[@iceWaterProductions1]

What guitar case is that?

[@tamirkeren6750]

Cool guitar

[@MrCela-Guitarworks]

Unjustice done, the guy is a great player, no doubt about it. A lot of explaining and it is like just smoke, no fire. I guess a call to all of us to get simple (the oposite of easy).

[@alexiwildchild7937]

Ableton 2020

[@Thirdgen83]

A Tone control is totally UNnecessary with humbuckers.

[@sublyme2157]

Carvin/Kiesel guitars are legit, though I prefer their bolt-on models to neck thru. I've got a Bolt from 2011 that resonates better than any guitar I've ever played, it's fantastic!

[@Thirdgen83]

Electric guitars are not supposed to resonate. The more resonance, the less sustain.

[@paginini]

Agree there killer tone n feel there legit !

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

I gotta go listen to Blind Willie Johnson after that

[@marcnuzzo5734]

I guessing by your name your Italian???👍 question what size fret wire is on that guitar.

[@ThomasVammenJensen]

It may have something to do with the sound but da...he is sloppy in his playing.

[@russdesaulniers2984]

EVH put a 'tone' knob on his volume pot-"Turn it up, and it gets great tone."

[@MisterTee]

I used to want to fight Jason Miewes but now I want to fight Neil Zaza

[@adrian_V99]

Is John really tall or does he simply like looking down on people?

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

lots of organic stuff

[@ubatooba8467]

Wow.....that tone is on par with C.C. Deville's......and Vernon Reid's......and everyone that has ever used the cheap DOD footpedals....you know, the plastic one's that look like they were made by Playskool.

[@mariodriessen9740]

What a nice guy! Unfortunately (and it's probably just due to poor recording, but...) the sound it horrific!

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

Love white guitars but that black portion makes the white look goofy. As for the sound, something isn't right here. That's not the way Neil normally sounds. The notes are usually very clear. PG should delete this one and fix the audio.

[@flash109]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZvGlHysa7inpdE is the video of Gear Gods throwing the guitar road case off a roof and beating it with a bat

[@Guitarorpheo]

The only thing I don't like about Neil Zaza is that I haven't been able to see him live yet! Seems he never comes to my neck of the woods. Helas. Love 'm nonetheless.

[@palmiuga]

Disotrce pure la Madonna!

[@rmcfee]

60 grit? That's rough!

[@1970borntorun]

Right !! Play the SONG, not "Licks" ! Much like Randy Rhoads did !! :-)

[@asmartelle]

Shaking hands. When was this recorded?

[@theresarose212]

Andreas Schmid-Martelle before the pandemic.

[@nickm.9474]

I realize the audio is clipping but still further proof modeling amps suck. Still waiting to hear it sound good.

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

the axe-fx sounds like ass here

[@charlesfitzgerald3201]

Not a fan of the body shape of that guitar ,, the body looks to small in proportion to the double cuts that are too wide .. just looks odd to me ,, hey sounds good though except for the clipping ,, I would like to thank you for the axe fix tips ..

[@PyroShredder982]

Guy is underrated as hell

[@SP2333]

Watch this, then switch to the Tommy Emmanuel interview and make up your own mind

[@richietownsend6737]

SP2333 Both are wonderful at what they do, and both love the instrument. Thank you for the thought experiment. 🙂

[@supawenhaoli6307]

I think neil should really de-noise his whole channel by switching the amps to a real tube one.

[@fretted]

I'm sorry, but the black bevel gives the guitar a really goofy look. I love my Carvins/Kiesels don't get me wrong, just not my cup-o-tea. I'd have to have it match the top. Love Neil :-) Nobody looks happier when playing!

[@DavidEvansMusic]

'shred' is so dead, please.

[@dr2675]

With all due respect, even without the preamp clipping, he has that type of fast playing where it's not really accurate and precise. There's A LOT of extraneous noise from his picking hand not entirely being in-sync with the strings and add to that a tone with TOO MUCH gain. Sorry, he seems like a nice enough guy (although he has that gear demonstrator/music store employee vibe), my advice, slow down, concentrate on the cleanliness of your picking technique and turn the gain down.

[@marcobaek1378]

go listen to "Lift" and "My Only Son" by Neil Zaza

[@stopthehate1749]

Check out Neil's live versions of In My Dreams, Im Alright (with T.M. Steven's on bass) and his feature in Hot Guitarist Video Magazine #4 from the 90's. Some times a players tone may sound a bit off by itself, but when you hear it in a full band context it makes sense. Technique wise, Neil can totally shred with the best of them when he wants to.

[@Chad-fh3su]

Holy hell turn that gain down,!!!don't Neil normally have a great tone?

[@thomasprice1760]

Hand shaking..and no 6 ft social distance. Lol. 😲

[@Thirdgen83]

And no one died...

[@ryner5171]

i like neil carvin guitar more than kiesel.

[@larsandersson9680]

Dont shake hands.

[@marvelharris9540]

sounds like a soupy mess of gain and effects

[@billbones1000]

Regardless of audio clipping, that's a pretty lame guitar sound.....why so many effects? Sounds mushy, undefined, sloppy......would love to hear this guy simply play into a nice clean amp, he can really play but all those crappy 1980s effects added to the signal really diminish his abilities.

[@GearBoxTy]

I know you know there were sound issues at the FOH but I can't believe you would still release this video with such terrible audio.

[@premierguitar]

We felt that even with the shoddy quality of the guitar tone/audio in parts of the video, its overall content far outweighs the negative because of the fun, informative conversation between Neil and John that goes on for nearly 30 minutes. Sure, do we wish we could delete, fix, and re-upload the video with pristine guitar audio? Of course! But if you or anyone else in this comments section who has worked with audio knows, you can't "fix" crispy audio. We apologize but still feel the video is compelling enough to run. Thanks for the support and feedback - we appreciate it! Stay safe out there everyone!

[@OnlyOurRiversRunFree365]

Tattoos? I despise tattoos.

[@TeeMeawzilla]

Horrible guitar sound!!!

[@kaloshadaentertainment314]

He Had Bad Guitar Tone ..

[@Thirdgen83]

Over-processed.

[@SP2333]

That tone is hideous

[@horacebugzapper499]

I hate shredders

[@lobola956]

Wow that all sounded terrible

[@aschneider70]

harsh, scratched sound. horrible!!!

[@Thirdgen83]

Neil is great, but that is an UGLY guitar.

[@Walkerbjj]

I love this show and I love shredders. But I have to say this may be the worst I’ve seen. His playing was sloppy and his tone sounded like screechy nails on a chalkboard. I apologize for sounding rude but damn this was rough

[@dewberry3043]

Very good guitar player. Very bad tone for his caliber. Meaning you will sound shit on his rig for that Price.

[@vintagepipesnightmares]

Ugliest guitar ever !The worst digital sound ! I almost find it amazing in 2020.

[@losrogers13]

Worst tone award

[@GreenMeanie101]

Goofy looking guitar. He should go back to his Hamer.

[@cedarbay3994]

Horrible toan. 😒