Rig Rundown: Dinosaur Jr 's J Mascis [2022]

Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis is rock ’n’ roll’s loudest low talker. Onstage, the reserved frontman is overshadowed by his three full stacks, summoning up President Teddy Roosevelt’s quote: “speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”
Fellow volume-dealing stalwarts Emmett Jefferson Murphy III (drums)-better known as “Murph”-and Lou Barlow (bass/vocals) helped J form the band in 1984 after their first group, Deep Wound, dissolved. Both left Dinosaur Jr., and then rejoined in 2005. This core group has released eight studio albums of dynamically rich rock that teeters between a runaway locomotive fueled on feedback and buzzing riffs, and hooky, melodic, pop-soaked nimble rhythms that carry more than they crush. While never reaching the mainstream stratosphere like some of their contemporaries (including Nirvana, who opened for Dino Jr. in 1991), this consummate power trio have remained popular in the American underground by continually selling out theaters, splashing into the Billboard 200 (climbing even higher in the Independent and Rock charts), and headlining alternative-music festivals. All along the way, their soft-spoken shredder has ascended as a guitar-hero among musical outcasts.
Before Dinosaur Jr.’s sold-out show at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl, Mascis reconnected with PG’s Chris Kies to talk Teles (yes, you read that right; he’s touring with more Telecasters than ever), including the development of his new signature T that’s based on his studio-perfect ’58 model. We also witness two firsts for J: a Phantom-Tele-Jazzmaster Frankenstein and a Floyd Rose-equipped guitar.
Full Rig Details: bit.ly/DinoJrRR2022
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Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL
Merch & Magazines: shop.premierguitar.com
[Brought to you by D’Addario XPND Pedalboard: www.daddario.com/XPNDRR]
00:00 - D’Addario XPND Pedalboard
00:15 - J Mascis Playing Intro
00:49 - Chris Kies Intro
01:05 - Vox Phantom/Fender Hybrid
04:28 - Fender J Mascis Signature Telecaster
09:47 - Fender Custom Shop Deluxe Telecaster Thinline
12:08 - Fender Custom Shop Jazzmaster Thinline semi-hollow
13:41 - Fender Custom Shop Jazzmaster w/ mini-humbucker
15:43 - Fender American Ultra Luxe Telecaster Floyd Rose HH
17:07 - J Mascis Performing "Mountain Man" with Ultra Luxe
18:43 - Amps & Pedalboard
#rigrundown #dinosaurjr #jmascis

[@premierguitar]

Full Rig Details: bit.ly/DinoJrRR2022 Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGKZbin Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL Merch & Magazines: shop.premierguitar.com

[@michaellee1216]

I love Dino, I love J, and I love how Chris gets him to nerd out. Great interview as always!!!

[@Eliguitar1]

It is a medical miracle that J can hear anything at all after decades of blasting 3 full stacks a few feet from his head. Legend.

[@VinSuff28]

J has said he wears ear plugs when performing so Im sure thats helped him throughout the years.

[@Eliguitar1]

@@VinSuff28 thank goodness for that. The world needs J running at full capability.

[@castoroy14]

I had tinnitus for 2 weeks after forgetting my earplugs for a Dinosaur Jr concert. We were standing 10 feet in front of J and his huge stack of amps and I knew it wasn't going to end well for me. Concert was great as always, but that ringing in my ears when we left the venue stayed with me 24 hours a day for the full 2 weeks. I thought it would never go away! I was genuinely scared I'd lost part of my hearing.

[@Eliguitar1]

@@castoroy14 No doubt. He cranks that treble on the fuzz like a mofo as well. whew! Earplugs always.

[@arsenije_wav8620]

@@Eliguitar1 No disrespect to dinosaur or any of the other bands that do that, but cramming a bunch of amps on stage has no use other than the coolness factor. At a certain point you stop gaining tone and just start losing clarity and hurting people.

[@lucamoqi]

I always love the Rig Rundowns with J and, as usual, if you put the video on 1.25 he talks at normal speed haha

[@bobbyjackson20]

genius!

[@neilpatrickhairless]

I love how it takes him like 20 seconds to say, "I am not a fan of subtle"

[@IamtheActionman]

LOL

[@DyingSceneTV]

Oh my god, I'm doing this now and it's amazing!

[@standinsilence]

Its funny how Chris Kies sounds really annoying at 1.25 speed but J just sounds as if hes talking slightly fast.

[@ToLiveistoDie]

I love how J get's a little more excited as the interview goes on. When he says "they made a matching one for me" you can tell he's genuinely happy and excited about it. Dude is always just himself and it's awesome.

[@dylandenney3980]

He seemed less awkward in this interview too. It's rare that he seems even remotely comfortable in any interview. This one and his Guitar Moves he seemed to enjoy

[@Alexander-rx7jj]

@@greggaumond you must be so proud of yourself...

[@doug1274]

"Yeah, I like pedals when you know they're on." LOL. J is my hero.

[@richardwellend3806]

@@chrise.3814 did you not see the full stop between lol and j?? Pay attention

[@sorry3660]

it's an incredibly worn out joke to talk about how slow and unaffected J talks but I think it's so great to hear such an incredible guitarist be so unpretentious about his gear or his playing.

[@die2no]

He lets the guitar do the talking

[@texanfournow]

J Mascis is a righteous dude. The sportos, motorheads, geeks, bloods, wasteoids, dweebies--they all adore him.

[@bldallas]

Genius.

[@derrickharmon7980]

Anyone that plays a purple sparkle Jazzmaster is OK with me 👌

[@aisle_of_view]

Mascis Bueller's Day Off!

[@texanfournow]

@@aisle_of_view And for J, it's every day!

[@erictorres2368]

They think he’s a righteous dude!

[@TheLordcasio]

I can't imagine having J Mascis just dead pan staring you in the eyes while he rips away on some sludge....I'd be blushing.

[@adrianseifi8209]

I know you guys were stressed for time, but that Jazzmaster standing in front of the Hiwatt/Marshall fullstack is in fact not with in any Rig Rundowns and is a '59 that J's had for years and only recently (2019) brought it out for tour duty and seems to have taken first place as his main Jazzmaster. Was really excited to see it being demo'd but alas... Maybe in 2026!

[@johnpickk7526]

SAME

[@Millennial_Mike]

Dude lives in a different universe that's within his own mind.

[@johnnylauderdale7761]

I have watched a lot of interviews with J, and I am amazed that Chris got so many multi word answers from him haha. Great job guys!

[@iradole8362]

Chriss really seams like a good dude. He's an informed interviewer. And patient

[@Robbie_Shapiro]

12:48 the classic j mascis high pitched “i dont know”

[@JosephNoga]

This was so good. Because of their previous conversations, they were really able to get to the secret sauce moments quickly.

[@jeffdixon847]

His face at 12:02 and 12:06. Totally deadpan while wreaking total sonic havoc. The best.

[@rune8723]

IT SCREAMS!.......yea..... lol

[@naksu444]

It screams!😄😄 😐😐yea😐😐

[@MrJackrockerman]

Lol 😂 that hum

[@jimilee459]

I love J.Mascis. He’s so introverted, he has to make himself answer. Sometimes it’s not even the question asked.

[@corporalclegg914]

someone commented, “J speaks how most people play guitar & plays guitar like most people speak,” in the ‘What’s in My Bag’ -Amoeba Music Mascis Video & it makes great sense. he’s the most melodically sonic player I’ve ever known

[@yourguitarpal]

I own a j mascis squire and the quality and sound is unbelievable. I'm completely in love with the neck!

[@doug1274]

Same. I have a lot of guitars that cost 4-5x as much as that Squire, but it feels as good or better as any of them.

[@dubccoverseer]

the neck is modeled after the Rory Gallagher strat he mentions in this video :)

[@stagnatic]

This shall forever be known as the J on Speed interview-well done.

[@fanana_bishh]

This is the greatest ASMR of all time. Thank you for the tinnitus J Mascis, I still love you.

Watching Rig Rundowns since 2010. Thank you as always and Chris, you are great! Keep it Coming!

[@Koettnylle]

3:27 That whammy action + intense eye contact combo tho

[@Johnnybananass-_]

I dropped some backline to a Dino Jnr gig years back. I was talking to the local sound company about the volume he plays at and the FOh tech showed me his DB meter reading 108-110db at front of house desk with no PA on, just his 3 full stacks and 2 fender twins cranked as he was checking some fuzz pedals. his guitar rig was the volume as most gigs in the room, talk about wall of sound,

[@matthewdean5807]

Great to see another JM RR. Been a fan since the 90s Chris Kies, another fantastic interview. your host style is my fav. Love the questions you ask, they are geared towards the player, and the enthusiast and the fans- and they get some info out of the players that I’m curious always about. Keep up the awesome work premier guitar. I am completely addicted to your videos 🤣

[@premierguitar]

Much appreciated!

[@aaronpermen5430]

Always cool to come across your comments Nigel! Means we’re treading the same paths.

[@Creed_fan_69]

Hell yeah him and bolinger are the best hands down

[@thalesb1324]

J Mascis always makes the hosts of the show work hard to make him talk, haha

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Imagine if J got stoned. Listening to him talk would be like watching a lake evaporate 😂 Crazy rig, a lot of cool oddball guitars and louder than a dryer full of steel toed boots

[@JInfinity7]

How do we know he's not?

[@stevenlacen1398]

@@JInfinity7 I think he is actually straight edge

[@TinkerToneworks]

Imagine???

[@gregmize01]

Great rundown and awesome job keeping J. awake!

[@garrettboomerbender]

That Jazzmaster in C# sounds killer!

[@orion10x]

J Mascis' enthusiasm cant be measured with respect to time.

[@egobrain]

super hyped for this now we need another larry lalonde one 🙏🙏

[@dildonicplague]

I just got home from a Dinosaur Jr concert yesterday. I was front row in front of J and now I have to watch this video with closed captioning.

[@randytate6848]

One of the most down to earth musicians out there. He truly loves the music and the gear. He gets excited the more gear-related the question.

[@ClaySmith]

This interview can be summed up in two words: High energy.

[@void0094]

Finally. J inspires me a lot.

[@MrDMF567]

This is rad. Great vid!

[@frunkus88]

I know this might sound wild but...J is really coming out of his shell!

[@peterstockhaus2709]

"I like pedals, when you know, they are on." Exactly. Nobody needs leds when you have at least one deaf ear left.

[@coldwar1977]

he's one of my all time favourite guitarists. that man has so much soul in his playing ❣

[@W8yj4133]

I met J in a side street before one of his gigs. This was the kind of conversation in my head that I wanted to have with him, not wanting to be annoying, so could only come up with saying hi and have a good gig 👍

[@Chef_Jeff69]

Settle down J. Mascis. This is the biggest release of energy since the Big Bang.

[@dinnerputter8757]

J Mascis inspired me to think outside the box, thanks buddy

[@bldallas]

Greatness. It always cracks me up to hear J talk…sound just like his singing voice. Mellooooowww.

[@joshingtonbarthsworth631]

Yes. Man. Yes. I needed this. J. Mascis forever.

[@smcgloth]

Love J, and great interview!

[@manunoise]

never heard him so excited

[@davideverhart3080]

It’s great j made him hold the guitar the entire interview 😂

[@amyharvey7173]

I was at that show. it was great. Love them so much

[@garageink74]

I’ve been waiting for this since J mentioned it on Instagram like 2 months ago.

[@blanc00x]

J Mascis! a living legend! Greetings from Peru.

[@winstonsmith8236]

what he doesn't have in tone, he makes up with charisma.

[@ampcharge5509]

Hahaha! Yea, isn't he just a complete dynamo?

[@MrThunders66]

This was a awesome video Jay rules

[@tylergibson7652]

this is the most lively and jovial i've ever seen J

[@Mindartcreativity]

Really rig rundown and interview. I‘d love to have a thinline jazzmaster🤤

[@mikeshanermusic]

Dude makes me feel like I'm tryin' to hard. Good vid👍

[@jbknight]

Cool too see the live footage mixed in there!

[@lockyp204]

This is as talkative and amiable J has been in an interview for a fair while. 👍

[@cmurduh1]

He seems thrilled to be there.

[@MrSneaksful]

Hey J, Lighten up man.

[@void0094]

Saw them a couple of hours ago in Cologne. J's solos were so good.

[@automatics1im]

All sparkles. I love it.

[@filipdemeyst8842]

Great, thank you!

[@Iamthesafe]

You gotta give Jason some props for standing right in front of those stacks getting blasted by sonic fury

[@theguitarprofessionals8584]

Love J... what a great Dude!!!!!!!!!!

[@nikelquint]

Saw the first show when they resumed their tour not too long ago and it kicked ass hard

[@wilburwokeii8298]

Soooo good!

[@androoponseen7790]

I attended this show, it ruled.

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

Just came in from watching them live in Manchester, England... my ears are MULLERED!

[@edwardsforest5055]

Can’t sleep? Listen to this dude talk. But I love Dino jr

[@johnb4024]

The way J stares at him when he demonstrates the first guitar is super awkward

[@fixpedalboards1969]

McNelly T-90 is my fave Tele pickup ever made…

[@qv7653]

This dude is so cool I can’t believe how underrated dino is

[@eliwebster509]

I never used to know a lot about J, I had thought he was a huge stoner because he talks to slow and seems like he's pretty stoned so I was thoroughly surprised when I did some research on him to find he doesn't do drugs or drink at all. Just a real mellow dude.

[@ThermionicScott]

Mind blown. I always had him pegged as a stoner!

[@anthonynonya]

He's the coolest and most interesting dull person I've ever seen interviewed. 😂

[@ehambright]

Great rundown

[@jarrettfinney4882]

I love his new tele so much

[@DLH.23]

"I like pedals when you know they're on"

[@bretmaynardmusician3807]

This dude is like, oh no I’ve got to do another JMascis interview lol, J is the man!

[@xeverettx2564]

Oh my goodness that Jack Rabbit is far out!! Talk about opening a totally new headspace you didn’t imagine you ever could!! I’m buying one today no matter what it takes. Wether looking online all day or going to every guitar store within a two hour drive of my house. Literally don’t care, I will own it by 6:19a.m. January 25, 2022 that gives me exactly 24 hours til tomorrow at this time!!!! Take a wad of $5000 cash and who knows what else I’ll end up with! I haven’t treated myself in over a year. It’s well past due!!! Thanks J. Mascis always keep the rock ma dude!!!!

[@IanBurningham]

you end up getting it?

[@hitnorcal]

I love how they added in the live performance....

[@danielcruz1263]

I love J so much man 😔

[@Paul-dw2cl]

I love Start Choppin’

[@bactareality]

All time favorite musician, would love to create something with him some day..

[@karlboman]

Love to see J this cheerful and relaxed. And wow what guitars!

[@johno7617]

This dude rocks!!

[@doctoribanez]

Must be getting paid by the hour . He would be awesome at bed time stories

[@lobotomyscam1051]

I have a ticket to see them on Feb 4th at the Brooklyn Bowl in Vegas. I was very confused wondering why he would be in town already until I read the description. And there's a hotel casino around the corner from me called the Cannery.

[@NotNotKenny]

Hanging out with my favorite guitarist who seems like he was raised by koalas.Nice.

[@goldphish606]

Hey, i was at this show!

[@jakerhodes839]

Holy shit I was at the Brooklyn bowl that night in November lmao

[@ThermionicScott]

Never thought I'd see J with humbuckers and a Floyd!

[@CarsonBrockOfficial]

His comment for everything should be “uhhhh…………. I don’t know……”

[@seanbrooks2583]

he has to have had the most rig rundowns of anyone.

[@Emet.V]

3:13 😂 cracks me up because after he stops playing casually moves on after an awesome fuzz tone.

[@aboveaxis]

that purple sparkle finish looks killer

[@nlrproductions8106]

Fender should do a signature J Mascis model of the thin line jazz master

[@hughjass5156]

Ha! Awesome that you guys actually stuck around for the show afterwards. How was it?

[@talhaslam4657]

homie has gravy flowing through his veins

[@johnpickk7526]

wut

[@Aspartamebraintumor]

3:16 sounds like WW2. love it 14:44 the purple trim on the pups and knobs remind me of starting off a game of StarCraft with purple Terran

[@dep1001]

#LEGEND

[@paulroethele6509]

I hope J is wrong about the signature Squiers - the J Mascis Jazzmaster is widely regarded as the best guitar in their entire lineup right now. It'd be a shame if they pulled a Gibson move and said "This inexpensive guitar is selling too well, better kill it".

[@premierguitar]

Agreed!

[@mcdingus5081]

rumor has it that the JM Jazzmaster is already discontinued. But hey, they had it on the market for almost 10 years. For the longest time it was the best kept secret in inexpensive quality guitars- until you realize that everybody, including myself, bought one. And yeah- from what I heard J is right- the Squier signature guitars are all going away. I guess they decided that the Mexican ones would be the lowest price point going forward.

[@astheniaaa]

when does he talk about the sig squier?

[@mcdingus5081]

@@astheniaaa at the end of the video

[@astheniaaa]

@@mcdingus5081 thank you