Rig Rundown - Rise Against

Article and photos: bit.ly/RiseAgainstRR
Zach Blair is a PETA-supporting, straight-edge vegetarian who, when he’s not on tour, does his best to help keep Austin weird. The humorous, mild-mannered hardcore vet recently took time during Rise Against’s 2015 arena tour with Linkin Park to meet with Premier Guitar and share in-depth details on his gear.
Blair is a longtime Gibson Les Paul player who isn’t afraid to mod his axes. He brings a trio of LPs on the road, and each one has some unique features. His main guitar is a black Classic Custom with an EverTune bridge and Seymour Duncan Distortion pickups. All of Blair’s electrics are strung with Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinkys gauged .010-.052.
A natural-finished Classic Custom pairs an EverTune bridge with Lace humbuckers.
And a black Les Paul Custom also loaded with Duncan Distortions rounds out the trio.
For acoustic numbers, Blair reaches for a Gibson J-160. His favorite picks are Dunlop 1.5 mm Primetones.
For more insight behind Rise Against's setup, visit: bit.ly/RiseAgainstRR

[@c.atkinson2860]

I love how the bassist rocks up with his skateboard

[@MAVJ]

I love rig rundowns but I wish they did more bass rigs

[@martijnkemperman7689]

The guys from Rise Against seem so nice and honest

[@premierguitar]

Zach Blair contacted us yesterday and wanted us to clarify that when he mentions his amp had the brown sound mod, he's not saying the idea of the mod, or EVH is bad or screwed up, he is just saying that the particular mod put on his amp was wrong and screwed up. He loves EVH and all of you, so let it go and comment about his head as he requested! --PG Staff

[@guitargeek1984]

when is there gonna be a SlipKnot Rig Rundown ?

[@XneverstopfightingX]

Mikey Mike just search around they have like 4 or 5 out now. both old and new.

[@guitargeek1984]

XneverstopfightingX i saw all the old ones ,are you sure they have new one's out already ? where ?

[@DeeplyDisturbing92]

Mikey Mike I don't think they have a new one out no, hopefully they'll make one after all they're currently on tour so now's the time

[@guitargeek1984]

DeeplyDisturbing92 yeah, now they're on their way to Australia for a week or so and then back to the US i believe so, maybe hopefully they'll catch' em there :)

[@PowerChucker]

i wish all the rig rundowns were like this! this guy is great! he is very personable, interesting, and is engaging. I have seen a bunch that are almost uncomfortable to watch, because the player doesnt seem to want to talk, and its like pulling teeth to get info from them.

[@davidsalyers3212]

PowerChucker that's basically like the ones with tim, he's incredibly akward for a lead singer

[@5urg3x]

To be fair, most people don’t get into music to become gear salesman…and that’s basically what this is, and what this magazine does. I can totally understand why people would not want to do something like this, especially if they’re not really being paid to shill all these products. We are all obsessed with gear and specs, but I’m telling you, most real musicians don’t really care. It’s whatever they have, let’s find a way to make it work to achieve what they want to achieve, kinda thing.

[@Iggytommy]

"I like them as thick as possible" - I bet he does.

[@kfgtyicr]

This interviewer is way better than the others, I like the kinda laid back style

[@IgaGearDemos]

That Evertune is... Witchcraft. I need one!

[@TheExiledTexan]

I wouldn't consider myself a fan of this group, but this guy won me over. He seems like a genuine, relatable musician largely unaffected by fame.

[@FrostByte_AC]

The fact that they stay up-to-date on their videos by clarifying is fantastic. Always trust the Premier Guitar brand. Hopefully I become important enough for them to interview one day.

[@capybaraslivefromtheeggcar3709]

The interviewer looks like Tim.

[@jonathankeith524]

Capybaras: Live from the Egg Carton It’s Tim’s twin brother, Jim.

[@Madurbu]

The relationship between these guys is great. The tech is a trusted contributor to the live show.

[@Taylor-df4py]

hes so cute hes so happy about all of his gear its adorable

[@bernabemerino8348]

Biffy Clyro Rig Roundown, please!

[@serdna96]

Holy shit, I googled Zach's former bands and just found out he used to play as Flattus Maximus in GWAR Oo Now I can never look at him in the same way again..

[@JoQeZzZ]

First time I saw such a big band use evertune bridges. I've been fascinated by them since they first came out, but boy do they need a big hole in your guitar

[@ANTHONYFERNANDO]

Love that this guy is such a gear head. Love this rundown, one of my favs

[@F3rnando666]

The Offspring's Rig Rundown PG Please!!!..

[@CarlStacey]

So happy to see a rig rundown for Rise Against!

[@ranchsironi7736]

when he was talking about his picks and said "a woman who said he was kerry king.....s sister" i laughed and thought he was gonna stop at king lol

[@theArchive1O]

Can it be.... Foo Fighters next???

[@Gorbyrev]

With you on the thick triangle picks. I've been using the same batch for years which I bought out of a music store where the Dunlop rep had offloaded a ton load of them. Gives you a great playing surface, they are really hard to drop and if they rotate another playing tip is available in both directions. One of the reasons I first tried them was when Ty Tabor said in an interview that he would be lost without his green triangular piece of plastic and I took him literally on the shape. When I finally bagged one of Ty's picks they were super thin and regular shape! Just goes to show that we all need to find our own tools for expressing the stuff inside!

[@TW0PLAYERGAMING]

Cannot wait to see these guys live!!!

[@SCtrojan2k]

This guy seems really down to earth. Nice rundown. Gotta get an Evertune bridge.

[@lewisglaholm3646]

One of my Heroes and one of my favourite bands! Such an awesome, nice guy!

[@jasonwatrous8689]

do a rig rundown on Rancid

[@4stringsmakekings]

Kinda hoping to see Joe's rig in the mix! I really enjoy watching these, and I love looking at different bass rigs.

[@billystinker]

Everyone on a rig rundown says 'yeah I have a really simple set up' and they never do! Simple would be one guitar and an amp and a couple of pedals....

[@brianeharmonjr]

Saw these guys in an old empty, small-town movie theater on a wrestling ring in Indiana about 15 years ago, but haven't really heard anything they've done since.

[@JazJames616]

Very cool rig. And he's straight-edge, which is awesome!

[@5urg3x]

This is this man right here, he’s been with us so long…and I don’t know his name 🤣

[@andrewromanowski4290]

I didn't know Tim McIlrath hosted Rig Rundowns.

[@jeremyrafuse5330]

Why do people think that Perry looks like Tim? 😂😂 y'all blind

[@ajk1989]

I can't imagine having to manage the effects changes for two guitarists simultaneously... I wonder if that ever goes wrong and they end up with a super distorted phased out rhythm guitar jamming along to a relatively clean solo!

[@pyschokilla]

Please do an A Day To Remember rig rundown pg

[@L0RDB4C0N]

Awesome! I've been on a concert of this tour and they had such a great sound, nice to know how they achieve it and what gear they exactly use! And they're so cool guys, they must be nice to talk to and to hang out with

[@joshlowe7981]

I got to play on the acoustic guitar that he showed in the video. It's super light, and sounds awesome.

[@brunohebert-brassard6281]

if anyone wonder what the bridge is, it's Evertune

[@jodyreynolds81]

it would have been nice to see tims rig though too.

[@rafidhassanoney4007]

That wooden les paul is awesome !

[@goodlife1581]

Legendary band

[@Jvdg3m3nt]

So glad I stumbled upon this Rig Rundown. Rise Against was my favourite band for the majority of elementary and high school. We'll be opening for you soon!

[@216trixie]

Great interviiew!

[@CarlStacey]

You guys tune to E standard? was completely missed there, ah well! :P

[@Counterfeit1st]

afaik their tuning is E flat

[@CarlStacey]

i know their tuning dudes, just thought it was funny that he missed what he had asked :P

[@Counterfeit1st]

ok, just tried to help ;)

[@Toastandbananas130]

Carl Stacey haha I was hoping he’d confirm. But I think they play in E flat

[@tonyfiorilli2270]

@@Toastandbananas130 They play in E flat or Eb dude. 100%. Try a couple chords from any song and you’ll see.

[@JDeloggia]

Battles rig rundown!

[@luizavarga]

Finally a band i know and like

[@Arjunandthevectors]

You guys gotta get Peter Hayes from BRMC!

[@33trake]

muse pls

[@travisoliver6107]

Hagfish was one of my favorite bands Zach played in #blastingroomlegends

[@michaelb3290]

I think Zach's head is super hot. I had an Outer Limits bubble-gum card when I was a kid that I would swear he was on, except for the fact that he probably wasn't even born when those cards were being distributed. But seriously, more power to Zach for being on the cutting edge and defining the new sexy!

[@JOKERMECRAZY]

would of loved to of seen the other members of rise against's rig's

[@SaberToothGary]

Zach rules! Haha, you can take the boy outta Gwar, but you can't take Gwar outta the boy!! =)

[@OhTheAgonyBand]

i doesnt matter how old you might be. these are things that make nerds realise we are normal.

[@Guitarjosii]

This JMP was made in 1977... you can see the "J" in the serial number

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

Too much back peddling and flagged up apologies and warnings and wotnot... ...the guy had the mod done. He hated it. He had it undone. Seems perfectly reasonable to me

[@robertrogers7939]

Cool !

[@donaldlamendola1584]

im a stagehand in Nashville and worked this show. Fuckin killer show.

[@Max-ek8gw]

That tech in the background makes everything really awkward 😬😂

[@CarlStacey]

yeah would love to see a linkin park or foo fighters run down!

[@LaurensMusicBox14]

DO RANCID!!

[@LouSassles]

Does this mean Linkin Park is next?

[@MyNamelsBlue]

Probably.

[@derrekmcfarlane7872]

noskilz04 still waiting

[@Hupp61]

derrek mcfarlane Not waiting anymore. *ba dum tsh*

[@JHAM3232]

How do you change the tuning with the automatic tuner? For instance, if you wanted to go from standard to open tuning?

[@Steeve9292]

I'd rather lick piss off a nettle than listen to any more of their music, but, what a nice guy. Cool rig too. Got to love some Les Paul Custom action.

[@RoqueHead]

Did you guys re-do this rig rundown or what? I remember seing one a few days ago different than this but still Rise Against... And it had both guys

[@billyrouse4813]

Eddie’s original amp he used in VH was stock. The variac and diming every knob is how he got his sound.

[@alex.espeseth]

What about the rest of the band?

[@brandonmedeiros6278]

have you tried the different blackstar amps? i know you love gibson and marshall but blackstar has improved on the marshall designs but that's just my input andbqhat they say. id love to hear it from a proffesional especially from someone who solely uses marshall

[@1thess523]

Ifnheq painted himself blue he could be Megamind!

[@ArcherVll]

he could replace his entire rig for an axe-fx and sound better! Fractal for the win!! \m/

[@AJbassist]

i wish they showed Joe Principe rig :(

[@coreydm676]

Hey Zach Hope you see this. Why the switch from Duncan JB's?

[@AndreAmeli]

maybe i miss it but what is the mic used int he cabs?

[@grebe66]

Ty Segall rig rundown?

[@blainemorin]

I respect he uses an Evertune bridge...but that's about it.

[@TheBradical84]

Hold on. Let me interrupt everyone I interview just so I can use terrible adjectives and not let the person being interviewed get their point out. Dope.

[@rmaclema]

Thank you. I can barely listen to the rundowns this guy does. Shut the hell up and let the guitarist talk.

[@frankkubiak8349]

Idubbztv plays for rise against

[@KJFilmProductions]

When will you guys go BTS of MUSE :D

[@klinchthis]

hey

[@bakuhpindibipawpin7319]

the tech should download some fart noises on that watchamacallit. swell them in for some sweet cheek harmony.

[@benworrell4412]

Couldn't image trolling Zach after he gave us permission. means he is a cool dude! soundcloud.com/ben-worrell/perspectives-rm?in=ben-worrell/sets/the-law-school-chronicles

[@ARTANE01]

Swami records shirt, for the joy of Speedo.

[@bwalig4157]

Adam Elmakias' twin??

[@BoboJr3]

um... so many hard hats. why are so many people walking through like it isn't safe to be where this interview is?

[@mancefine]

You guys only do the bass rigs in like 1 of 10 rig rundowns. More bass gear!

[@NinjaCentral313]

you said shave the Neck down!

[@Ricardobruzzone]

6:22 thats what she said

[@NinjaCentral313]

1.4, I see you like em' Thick

[@DRGUITAR182]

"I like 'em as thick as possible" ;)

[@foetalmonsieur]

he kinda looks like that yellow guy in sin city...

[@chadwr85]

Yeah that's cool that your guitar holds tune but you lose a lot by not being able to bend the notes.

[@xpazuzu]

Why would you call this a Rise Against Rig Rundown? That was one of the musicians...

[@WithoutAChance64]

God the guitar players in my town are way too anal about their gear. In the end all their tones sound the same cuz they've become so close minded. It's really refreshing to actually see gear like Rise Against 👍

[@LukeBass1000]

Dude sounds like Jonah Hill :D

[@frisby81]

good for you: I've owned my thinning hair as well.... grow some facial hair though, moby

[@ianfij75]

Gibson and Marshall are the "punk rock formula' huh? Yup. tell me 'bout those struggling punk bands with a $3800 guitar and $4300 amp stack.

[@jordanmahony4268]

only spend money on gear you can afford explained

[@ianfij75]

***** gear was still plenty spendy back in the old days... Marshall and Gibson have never been barbrand

[@tysonrinker5958]

I been in the punk circuit for years . Seen plenty of gibsons and Marshall's on stage. Way less than 4 grand each to

[@StringBender567]

Two words: Minor Threat

[@jeremyrafuse5330]

@@StringBender567 are you implying that Brian Baker never used Gibsons and Marshalls?

[@myworstenemy680]

So the bridge compensates for all pitch change on the E, A and D strings? What's next, a glove that gives strength to the left hand allowing you to play great without practicing?

[@davidwantsahug]

I don't care if it's a punk band and they jump about a lot. I HATE it when guitarists don't choose to control their own pedalboards.

[@lachlanpilgrim3603]

Why

[@yankee8seven]

davidwantsahug agreed

[@andrewpangus5440]

Because its lazy. That's why. Wtf dude?

[@axlrose5803]

Not a fan of this interviewer. Keeps interrupting the god damn artist

[@Iggytommy]

okay he asked for it. weird looking head. he should stop shaving his head.

[@bb-of3qz]

If you look at his head you can see his hairline is just about gone so he'll look like your old uncle Roy if he didn't shave his head. He kinda doesn't have a choice.

[@ishatonthecarpet.hopemymom898]

So this is what punk rock has become? Meh, I'll stick to my Ramones, Black Flag and Bad Religion album collection.

[@lemom1148]

You're so cool

[@ishatonthecarpet.hopemymom898]

Christa Robnik Why thank you, young man/lady/whatever.

[@VinceDSkates]

bad religion plays shows bigger than this. and they also played warped tour which is just...you know....warped tour.

[@ishatonthecarpet.hopemymom898]

Vince D I wasn't talking about the venue. I'm more interested in the music.

[@VinceDSkates]

Fuckball McGee well i really wouldnt compare rise against to ramones, black flag, or bad religion. they come from completely generations of music, and punk at that. and it's pretty foolish to put a band on a bill with linkin park and consider them punk. rise against isn't a good example of modern punk rock. look a little deeper and you'll find great bands like the menzingers, the bouncing souls (sort of newer), against me, and hot water music.

[@Cam_B]

"We're on tour with Linkin Park". Well looks like I'm done with this video...