Rig Rundown - Unearth's Ken Susi

Taking a break from livestreaming on Fishman’s channel and building his own KZbin empire (Lord of the Rigs), Susi virtually welcomed PG’s Perry Bean into his tone zone. The Unearth axeman opens up about designing his signature ESP 7-string, pushing into the 21st century with “powered” pickups, and rocking in a world of 5150 and 800 descendants.
[Facing a mandatory shelter-in-place ordinance to limit the spread of COVID-19, PG enacted a hybrid approach to filming and producing Rig Rundowns. This is the 22nd video in that format, and we stand behind the final product.]
Article & Photos: bit.ly/UnearthKenSusiRR
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Fishman Fluence: www.fishman.com/product-serie...
00:00 - Intro
01:10 - ESP KS M-7
08:25 - Evertune Bridge
12:36 - Fishman Fluence Modern
22:10 - Amps
32:19 - Effects
38:30 - Amp Taste Tests
#rigrundown #unearth #kensusi

[@NightEmbers]

@22:10 "I've seen Unearth more times than I've seen my own dad" shit was hilarious and a little sad but I love it

[@5tnblnkt]

4:50 "I really wanted as much wood as possible" Ken Susi, 2020.

[@TheKensusi]

🤪🤪🤪

[@MauricioGarcia-mk5bz]

🤣🤣🤣

[@CagedPaps]

Came to the comments to make the same comment. I wish I was above it.

[@bucknasty69]

That RG550-esque 7 string is just too cool!

[@Twobarpsi]

Seen Unearth many times. Met Ken once. A totally nice guy. What you see is what you get. You couldn't meet a more down to EARTH rock star.

[@SafelandingRecords]

Down to Unearth guy

[@Twobarpsi]

@@SafelandingRecords 😉

[@jackson86n]

So much depth!

[@fraserlundie9468]

Synergy even now does the Fryette stuff (Pitbull and Deliverance) and sounds killer so far

[@Oilid]

*YAAAAAAAAS!* 💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@ZedChuva]

Good to see Ken debunk tone wood, even if it was unintentional. The PICK UPS make the difference, NOT the wood. I've always disliked EMGs. I started using them back in 86, and just didn't like them. Tried them again a few times over the years, and they just never resonated with me. Fishman's... (chef's kiss)... where it's at for sure. Still haven't played and Evertune equipped guitar tho. Honestly afraid to, cause I know I'll never be able to go back. haha

[@TheKensusi]

Both are important but at least Fluence is consistent and letting you taste test the woods of your guitar

[@RiceyConflict]

Zed Chuva this has really got me thinking of swapping like for like emgs in my guitars. I have a Arsenal of esp/ltds all loaded with emgs but I have one dean far beyond driven ML that’s loaded with a 81 & 60 and it’s so boomy and low end flubby. Even with a tube screamer doing its job I have to eq that guitar going into my helix to cut some lows. Maybe a bunk pickup? I’m looking at a mh1000 and swapping the stock pickups for fishmans. Josh from Architects style.

[@TheKensusi]

@Toxic Potato being the brand manager at fishman, I can say with full confidence that these pickups go through a series of tests indicating inaudible differences between one another. Replacing the inconsistent wire wound coil is 1 sep towards that goal. Plus, I've personally done so many A/B (same guitar/same pickup height) test that would confirm my statements about consistency. I don't know what you're hearing or where you are getting your "sound samples" but I can assure you that it's true!

[@nazarf1884]

Basically pickups is just personal preference..some people get "their" tone out of certain pickup..either passive or active..there's a lot great metal tone produced by this type of pickups

[@Mark-zi6nt]

Glenn Fricker from Spectre Sound Studios recently debunked wood too. Hell, there are guys making nice sounding guitars out of cardboard, spaghetti, glass and other insane stuff. I call it visualwood from now on.

[@radzillor]

i have two big monitors blasting into my ears and the synergy slo and the revv where insanely close.

[@michaelgallegos8811]

Great video

[@XMetalChefX]

I hear Unearth I want a VHT Pitbull...

[@brendanlucero8585]

They sound so damn good! better than everything else imo.

[@REZNAP]

Awesome Interview, thank you! Awesome Guitar, that reverse headstock drops panties! I got into ESP due to Page Hamilton, incredible guitars. Was Ken broadcasting from his bunker in Massachusetts!? Massive Respect!

[@diabeticmonkey]

That IbanESP is amazing. Gotta love how he made ESP build that and they refuse to paint his signature in that color. Might be a lawsuit if they did

[@petesorensenguitar]

You can run the Synergy modules into the Randall RM100. I've had the RM100 MTS since 2009 and I'm trying to decide whether to sell it or buy some Synergy modules.

[@Korneo54]

Damned, this Synergy Slo sound fat, agressive and clear. I'm really impressed !

[@TheKensusi]

It's really good

[@BoKnowsBrains]

day-glo never goes out of style

[@Aleph_Null_Audio]

It would have to be in style at some point in order to go out of style. ;-P

[@Zane_Doe]

Perry with that MLIW shirt

[@richardsmith7322]

I have the Green Bengal Satchel Charvel DK 22 pro mod with the Fishman pickups that came with it and kens not kidding! These are the best active pickups I’ve ever tried and their completely different from every other pickups out there. Their like the I-Phone of pickups idk man lol there not wire wrapped they have layers of computer chips. I would never want to install these in a guitar but buying a guitar with these stock is such a win for yourself.

[@jakeyoung3933]

We need a rig rundown for Perry and Chris 🤘

[@nickdavids8573]

Ken, Im really amped to have a go at learning a bunch of songs off the new album, but I don't know what tuning most of them r in, other than 'Incinerate' which is 'Drop A'. Any chance u could shed some light?

[@TheKensusi]

Thanks for taking intrest in our material! We tune to drop B and use a Digitech drop pedal for live use. Most songs are in drop B but some are A# and A

[@cameronmcelwee5465]

@@TheKensusi Hey Ken, same question but regarding Darkness in the Light? Some of the songs are in C, right? Is that on a six or a seven?

[@dougleydorite]

“Active” and “analog” are not mutually exclusive. If it requires power to operate, it means it’s active.. just like passive speakers that don’t have an integral amp vs active speakers that are powered.

[@XMetalChefX]

25:40 is everyone ever who has talked to a guitar player... "Well, here you go a**hole" lol

[@runandjump13]

I don't even play guitar....but after watching this video i've somehow bought an LTD signature and a Synergy amp... #subliminalsalesman

[@williamkeys2596]

Undercover boss ruined peavey for me. They way they over worked, refused to pay raises and outright lied to some of their 15+ yr loyal employees about them closing one of their American factories making all their people unemployed just disgusted me. Mabye at some point they cared about music, musicians and the employees who helped make their dreams come true but at this point those notions of family and loyalty are dead, bloated and buried. As for Ken & unearth ive loved their music since i 1st heard zombie autopilot when i was like 13yr old

[@MK-oz2lf]

Yeah but the cool thing about passive pickups, Ken, is that each one is unique and becomes solely your sound. There's a fine line between reliable consistency and becoming assembled cookie cutter.

[@roosterj2599]

Amen brother! Active pickups is like cheating. Zero individuality. Yeah they sound great and all, but they are sterile. I'm a Seymour Duncan addict. I primarily use the TB and SH 6 Distortion humbuckers and JBs. Recently put a 78 in one of my Kraner Barettas. I dont sound or play like EVH. I play like me and the 78 opened doors for me in search of my own sound.

[@BrokenArrowSchoolofModernMusic]

this dude knows how to design a guitar.

[@KRayxKodessA]

Owning both a Two Notes Torpedo Live and a UA Ox box.... UA owns the TN.

[@freeman7079]

Does Chris Otoole still play bass with Unearth?

[@pauljosephpadua2654]

According to his official Instagram account, he still is.

[@ScotianBlooded]

wow kens getting old i seen them about 10 years ago opening for as i lay dying

[@paniccleo]

Perry asking basic questions about how evertunes work and how fishmans are powered like he has no idea is pretty unbelievable since both products have been around over 5 years and extensively covered by premier guitar prior to this.

[@bucknasty69]

Maybe he was doing it for people that may be unfamiliar with the products?

[@paniccleo]

@@bucknasty69 such people can google and don't need half an hour of Perry's faux amazement.

[@dougleydorite]

I get what you’re saying.. if he worded it as “can you explain to viewers how the evertune works” instead of pretending not to know..

[@CL8ON6]

You sound elitist.

[@paniccleo]

@@CL8ON6 Alright then.

[@xheadlessx]

5:02 He wanted to maintain as much wood as he could 😂

[@danielpicon8012]

The karate kid explains his love over his silver guitar

[@fatsuperfly]

It’s funny because floyd used to suck but ppl did it and got over it, just now a new thing without the bar, I think it’s the same kinda routine. I love Floyd’s, but just don’t really use it. For guys like me, I think it be more down with this. It can be a bit daunting for ppl who just straight tune a guitar with regular bridge, but just learn it. Once it works man! I always felt like that when I set up my guitar. Play it for hours after a re string. Lol

[@NobodyNewsNetwork]

I thought the Rev sounded the best.

[@frankcastle8277]

Something is weird about this interview. Almost like it was re-done or something.

[@HeavyKevy-eg3ej]

Can we hear disillusion

[@jamesagwe2981]

Eddie Halen passed away 😣

[@REZNAP]

2020 continues...

[@EliPorterMahn]

God this guy is their worst interviewer he gives me so much anxiety

[@enigma1247]

I hate guitars that have ebony boards with light colored wood on the backside of the neck...it doesnt go well with the overall "dark" theme of the guitar. It looks like the builder forgot to have the back of the neck painted...