Rig Rundown - Russian Circles' Mike Sullivan [2017]

Article & photos: bit.ly/RussianCirclesRR17
Never miss a Rig Rundown: bit.ly/PG-RRnewsletter
Co-founding member Mike Sullivan updates PG-er Chris Kies before the band’s show at the Ryman in Nashville, TN, on what has changed in his live setup since our 2013 episode (www.premierguitar.com/article...) that was shot while the band recorded Memorial.
Mike’s current main squeeze is a 1985 Gibson Les Paul Custom that he bought in his hometown of Chicago at Rock N Roll Vintage. Since acquiring the guitar, he dropped in new pickups-a high-wound Lollar Imperial in the bridge and a standard Lollar Imperial in the neck. Sullivan goes with D’Addario NYXL .011-.056 strings and tunes this one to a DADGAD variant-C#-G#-D-G-C-A#. When it comes to picks, he’s been loyal to the Dunlop Max-Grip Jazz III since he found some inside a box for an Andy Timmons pedal.
Continue learning about band's gear: bit.ly/RussianCirclesRR17

[@ofstoneandsteel]

Saw them live in Chile 2024, blew my mind

[@3nightstand624]

This guitar player is incredible. Mike’s songs and playing is outrageous.

[@NewMozart]

I watched the old rig rundown once a month. I will watch this rig rundown once a month.

[@SilhouetteLifter]

great video! I saw Russian Circles in the Kesselhaus in Berlin last fall (front row!) and they probably have the best live sound of anyone I've ever heard. It was insane how crisp and full they sounded for just 3 guys, and the mix was absolutely superb, so props to the venue as well for pulling that off. perfect sound, great band.

[@frsm_]

Watching this video after their gear was stolen just makes me sad. Specially if you here Mike talking about his LP Costum.

[@ToJam14]

They look like the same person with and without hair

[@WhIte0NErd]

Limited stock of customizable avatars..

[@NobodyNewsNetwork]

13:03 They really do. They could be brothers.

[@andrewwowk9385]

I literally have no idea what he is talking about (I don't play guitar, know anything about playing guitar, etc.) but I am fascinated listening to it.

[@spudvader]

lmfao

[@GothicXlightning]

Sullivan is a great musician and as always say, i can totally relate with his play style beautiful underrated band

[@nazznomad]

Oddly I use RR as a way of discovering bands I'm not familiar with. If the interview is good, I investigate the band. Really diggin this band. Nice one Premier!

[@stephenowen3383]

Nazz Nomad yeah same here. Found Russian Circles from the last one and also Black Mountain, amongst others.

[@shanedeel2]

Me 2 I found pelican and Russian from RR.

[@Wizzle]

Everything that Mike said, matters. Thanks for this.

[@MrNikkSudden]

Please do a This Will Destroy You rig rundown!!!!

[@paniccleo]

Chris Keyes is the best for rig rundowns, man.

[@fromthistexasbreath]

Noodlin' on my guitar while watching this, and my favorite pick in my hand is his favorite pick. Not a big deal, but it's funny when you're watching rig rundowns while noodling and end up using the same thing.

[@DragonCrestPC]

Just saw these guys last on at the house of blues and they were AMAZING.

[@Ullish1989]

I could watch you two talk gear literally all day

[@Tcflohr]

I saw them open for Mastodon, pretty good ambient stuff.

[@nickdow7020]

Tim F I did as well in Arizona. Russian Circles and Eagles Of Death Metal opened for Mastodon

[@xxxjake999xxx]

I wanna see Russian Circles in the UK, but they're only opening for Mastadon. Still yet to decide

[@Muperman1]

In case you didn't go (or want to see them again), Russian Circles will be coming back to the UK as headliners in 2 weeks.

[@Spaxcore]

@@nickdow7020 that must have been one hell of a gig!

[@vargusstonerock]

@@nickdow7020 I was there, too! Good show, been listening to Russian Circles ever since.

[@DalleDayul]

Mike's use of big headroom clean amps and using darker heavy pedals is something I wish so many other guitarists would do. You get loads of guitarists using dark amps and a shitload of pedals and they lose all of the clarity and high end. I love his way of doing things, and you definitely notice the difference live.

[@eldirtyfaygo5395]

Did you notice that he also said he doesn't use high output pickups too? Very few guitarists know about balance.

[@DalleDayul]

@@eldirtyfaygo5395 Yeah he seems to prefer the low-to-mid PAFs, I know he's a big fan of Lollar Imperials, honestly it's such a unique sound but it pays off so well, when you hear them live it's a fantastic sound

[@MB-wu9uq]

@@DalleDayul i got his set of lollars in my 01 les paul standard and it sounds absolutely incredible.

[@m3pilot19]

I love how someone starts blasting "Something About You" by Boston at 10:12 Great song. Cool rundown Russian Circles are rad!

[@Brian19451]

Saw these guys open for Mastodon. Great show.

[@Rooster7six]

These guys are amazing! 🤘🤘🤘

[@Hawthorneeffect1]

Love this band. Sweet

[@jackhammer893]

This mag keeps it real. 2 Russian Circles interview.....Props!

[@216trixie]

Nice interview.

[@countjulu]

Glad to see not everyone prefers analog delays.

[@fromthistexasbreath]

Interesting especially because he's been so known to favor analog and vintage gear, but his reasoning makes perfect sense for me.

[@TheZooropaBaby]

I like analog delay but its mostly because i only have a strat and sounds coming out of delay would be too bright; it depends on the feel, too, the brightness can be beneficial for ambient stuff, something Russian Circles often do

[@melchiando]

only analog snobs

[@stephenowen3383]

juusie I massively prefer digital delays. I like my delay to be really bright and clean, and also it is probably the type of delay that changes the way I play in the most satisfying way i.e. I basically play way less notes and am more considered.

[@joshschutz7731]

I think the way he uses it for more single note rhythmic stuff, digital is clearer sounding. If he was just doing leads or chordy stuff with the delay analog would make more sense

[@Greencheese333]

Another one, yes!

[@jameswilkins4motion]

Awesome Rig Run Down. What a fucking great band Russian Circles are

[@eddieparker1680]

Should be mandatory to demo all gear to be on rig rundown..

[@premierguitar]

Ryman doesn't all sound after doors, which happened here, but thankfully Mike wanted to make the RR happen so he was OK with filming while fans were taking their seats - hence the awkward background music.

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

Don't let Rick Nielsen hear you describe Surrender as "awkward"..Hahahaha

[@premierguitar]

Just awkward in the sense it was in the background while the boys were chatting - Cheap Trick rules!

[@2yugen2]

For a really great and affordable pickup that balances warmth and clarity check out Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro.

[@StaulkHolm]

So the "variant of DADGAD" thing is using the middle 4 strings of DADGAD as the top 4 strings and taking the 2 low strings down a half step from DA to C# G#. His statement initially confused me but it makes a lot of sense if you are familiar with DADGAD and it is especially sensible considering how Mike plays and writes music. . . . . . . . . I'm curious if the lower strings were dropped for range or so he could make spread triads without needing to stretch his 4th finger for a major third (or both lol). I know he had some kind accident/chronic pain issue in recent years and had to change some stuff up and I wonder if that is part of it.

[@corybrim7524]

The REAL question is how the f does he overdub loops so cleanly? Are the dubs going through separate amps?

[@spuuuuuz]

Sucks watching this now after their gear got robbed. Really hope they get their stuff back.

[@Astral_Wave]

Need a third rundown*

[@mackenziegreen1215]

''couldn't be happier'' - Mike Sullivan in every interview lmao

[@SzekelyPerspective]

A on 24.5, that is brave.

[@mustafaal-sibai7380]

how so?

[@SzekelyPerspective]

@@mustafaal-sibai7380 Due to intonation headaches.

[@tarkenton3895]

Yeah I think it works alright for the sludgy sound a la Neurosis, Crowbar, Mastodon etc. He's pretty much using the same AADGad as Steve from Neurosis where the high octave being played with the low one helps keep things in check. It's an interesting tuning though

[@FrostByte_AC]

You guys should do a rig rundown of your camera gear and editing software. Trust me.

[@premierguitar]

Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 6D with a Canon EF 24-70mm and Canon EF 70-200mm lenses. We capture audio through the Shure wireless mics and/or SM57 into a Tascam DR-70D that's mounted on one of the tripods.

[@2doobsmcjubes555]

I screamed a bit when the guitar intro for Spanish bombs at 13:33 , that's one of my favorite Clash songs! haha

[@TheRocknrolla12]

He is one of the finest guitarist of this generation, just phenomenal musicality. The drummer of Russian Circle is just over the top...they together is magical with the solid fuzzy bass

[@acledfloyd]

I got to see them live a few weeks a ago, it was an amazing show! What color is that Les Paul Custom?

[@raytorvalds3699]

I was wondering about the color too.

[@witchbvrner]

Gunmetal Grey?

[@jcoriha]

I think its just faded/32 year old black.

[@omarogunhe5146]

Pelham Blue

[@dylanwilliams3347]

Metallic gray i think its called. It was a custom color in the norlin era. I forgot what the real name is but i think thats right.. People called them gunmetal gray back then

[@ekovv]

Hoping someday you guys will get to do a Caspian rig rundown!

[@reijerlincoln]

The man knows his Les Pauls. Norlin era Les Paul smoke most of what HenryJ has been pimping out these past 30 years.

[@adrianseifi3285]

A Rig Rundown on Ride would be amazing!

[@rafsbio]

I saw them live twice already (one time in Denver, then recently in Rome) and they are amazing. I get it that not every musicians is a gear-head, but it's really nice to see a guy like Mike Sullivan that knows his stuff.

[@ChiliPumpTheFunk]

0 dislikes... let's keep it that way. good interview. And a rarely well spoken guitarist. lol

[@donculig2525]

woa what is that finish on the first Custom? I thought it was grey but it almost looks like a really dark goldtop or something

[@omarogunhe5146]

Pelham Blue

[@JakesPhoto_]

It is a pewter that has aged to a greener shade, similar to what a early 80s Silverburst does!!

[@Pevanni]

Does he go in the effects loop or just the front?

[@srxiii2261]

Is his les paul custom really olive green? Looks like a refinish or a custom paint, never seen one like it before...

[@dylanwillis1473]

Its called "pewter"

[@MINDFREAK368]

Time for an update boys

[@tarkenton3895]

Hell yeee, I'd love to see a new one with those new Dunables. Plus thankfully they've recovered some of their stolen gear recently!

[@calvinschaller6575]

"like Stevie Wonder milking a cow" hahahaha

[@FabianSalomonsson]

hahaha I laughed so hard at that

[@ruthlesscutthroat4030]

i wanted to laugh but i then i thought probably better not to.

[@GothicXlightning]

I Like Mike's dark sound and the fact the uses my beloved Black beauty of honor well in this case we can just say Custom Les paul of honor

[@jeffersongoncalves92]

Premier, next time check Pelican, please!!

[@premierguitar]

We love them! Tell them to come to Nashville! 'Forever Becoming' was one of Chris' favorite records in 2013...

[@flyver]

Agree!!

[@clintn6677]

That would be a good one!

[@TheZooropaBaby]

you got your wish!

[@LaTigerGenesis]

nice work! go find White Denim!!

[@aidansmith6360]

10:51 so true

[@brettpanzer]

Those carbon Jazz 3s are the best picks ever.

[@Astral_Wave]

Do they come in different thicknesses, or are they one size only? Guessing they're rather heavy, what size do you use if you don't mind me asking (I'm somewhat of a pick nerd).

[@Astral_Wave]

Also, does the carbon fiber have a softer attack than the normal jazz picks? Similar to tortious shell in anyway? Sorry to pester you. Thanks

[@iwillnevergetone5]

everytime I return to this vid I get a good kick out of that guy doing that behind him around 6:20

[@MouthVisuals]

What's the intro song?

[@Ullish1989]

I KNEW he'd end up using the Burnley for distortion

[@T-Hawkeyes]

6:23. Its like Mike is looking right at Ben.

[@rayg3116]

Hmm... I wonder what his gear sounds like.

[@premierguitar]

Ryman doesn't allow for sound due to venue and union restrictions. It's the only drawback when filming at the Mother of Country Music in Nashville - We highly suggest just going to see the band live... you won't regret it!

[@EricJh21690]

Dark..and warm 😆

[@cirjames2540]

Thumbs up number 664-the neighbor of the beast

[@Guitargasm1000]

Never heard of them

[@KeeperOfPoops]

you should listen to them, Post-Rock is a super underrated style of music

[@PintsofGuinness]

how much you wanna bet this video gets claimed by some record company for surrender playing in the background towards the end

[@harijsijabs2420]

I have never clicked a video so fast in my life!

[@pattonPwr]

no Brian Cook, BASS ...

[@premierguitar]

The doors at the Ryman were open since Mastodon and EDOM took full soundchecks, but thankfully Mike wanted to make the RR happen so he was OK with filming while fans were taking their seats - hence the awkward background music. We're lucky we got Mike to do it! (For the record, we love Cheap Trick, it was just a nuisance for the guys while they wrapped the shoot.)

[@MickRose90]

Nice Shoes Mike

[@el_wilder8860]

Thats def Bill Kelliher and Mastodons backline behind Mikes set up.

[@dylanwillis1473]

EL _Wilder88 This was filmed on their tour with mastodon.

[@thegeopoliticalforecaster2994]

Anyone know What kind of jacket Mike is wearing

[@tybrunz]

whats the scale length on those les pauls?

[@yungstaben7675]

Little late but all Les Paul’s are 24 3/4” unless it’s a special model.

[@stonecole4703]

Can you do Unknown Mortal Orchestra?

[@HarleyMothersole]

What is the song at the beginning of the video?

[@premierguitar]

"Vorel" off their latest album 'Guidance.'

[@rolandlemus203]

LOL, I was fortunate to find this band during my quest to find music to oil paint with, this band is by far the coolest ear candy beyond ambient, more like smooth music with some caffeine and steroids at moments of sonic bliss. Throw in some Plini, and Paint the Sky red, and you have an awesome ear experience:) I thought they WERE Russians!! lol,, who would have thunk it? From Chicago no less! I hope them the best, they are very good and I love there material!

[@Elimnio]

since he doesn't use a switcher on his pedal board, he must have a huge loss in signal with so many pedals, right? how does that work, can someone explain?

[@ramsayperez6523]

How about a in flames rig rundown?

[@JuniaThePriest]

And the Mastodon rig behind it! Please lets have a Mastodon redux!

[@cswift6273]

You guys should do a rundown with Andy Larocque of king diamond

[@crosswalklarry]

So you let your pedals get caked with grime and they go bad on you? Shocker!

[@Jakeman90210]

Chris keys has developed a strange way of talking where he gets quieter all of the sudden then back up to normal volume

[@premierguitar]

Kind of like a Russian Circles song, no??!

[@paulk.5767]

I'm a simple man, I see some Les Paul Customs, I click.

[@MrDaigoRiki]

This guy exactly knows what he wants. He uses only a fuzz factory for dirty sound?

[@IceKoldKilla]

Does someone have the tab for the song "Asa"? I can't find it anywhere.

[@bullyaudio2317]

The second they zoomed in on the dig all I saw was hair

[@sagrado5]

spanish bombs!

[@EmilyRose0]

Don't tell me I am the only one who thinks 0:50 "WTF is this?". Did he forget to close his pants correctly?

[@Kebinwmiles]

this interviewer has some nervous energy. dude needs to chill

[@pwayne3580]

that signal must be shit by the time it is ran through all that crap. Wire up your damn board though a loop train so you aren't pumping mud.

[@Onamorata]

P Wayne you never seen them live I assume?? Doesn't sound bad at all yo

[@pwayne3580]

Onamorata I've seen them live many times and yeah it always sounds great, however that setup inarguably can be seriously cleaned up.

[@neoflox]

Premier, maybe next time sent someone who doesn't make the conversation sound like a Rick & Morty episode. Informative but nowhere near entertaining to listen to.

[@itsoktobewhite4347]

don't get your panties in a twist, great rig rundown

[@TonySkiens]

cheap trick rules !!!!!

[@dannyroybal1483]

The only good thing about Russian circles is the clean parts

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

< < < MIGHT WANT TO SERIOUSLY THINK ABOUT CHANGING THAT NAME TO UKRAINIAN CIRCLES > > >

[@ileutur6863]

Why would they? They have nothing to do with Russia the country

[@tarkenton3895]

Russian Circles is the name of an ice hockey maneuver I think. That's where they got it from