Hey all, it’s me, emerging from behind my computer screen. I’m Michael, the Multimedia Graphic Designer on the Content Team here at AMS. While I’m heavily involved in social media, I also work across ads and our website, helping bring creative ideas to life on multiple platforms.
I’ve been fascinated by guitar since I was 8, though I didn’t really start playing seriously until high school. In college, I started a band with some friends called Back Pocket Alimony, where I switched to bass as my main instrument.
These days, I mostly play for fun and record ideas when inspiration hits. Working at AMS has given me the opportunity to explore gear I never imagined I’d have access to, which has only deepened my love for music and creativity. Here’s some of my favorite gear I found along the way.
Fender Stage 112 SE
For the sound projection category I have a Fender Stage 112 SE 2-channel 1x12 solid state amp. The Stage 112 amp packs a huge punch for such a small package. It’s perfect for the stage and gives a beautiful clean platform for pedals.
Unfortunately, Fender decided they don’t want to make the Stage 112 anymore… But if you’re looking for something similar that they still do sell, check out the Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb. It’s a great clean live amp with plenty of headroom. For home recording, I’d recommend something a bit smaller, like the Soldano's ASTRO-20H or the Blackstar HT-20R MK III.
My Pedalboard
Now, for the funny sounds that come from the boxes at your feet. There are so many good digital options out there, and being able to use some of them for my job has been eye opening. I used to be an analog purist, but many of the newer pedals I’ve seen have convinced me to change from analog to digital.
I’m old school and like to use a full pedalboard that breaks your back when carrying to a gig. What’s on there, you ask? Here are a few of my favorites:
- Fulltone OCD
- Drunk Beaver Bat
- Tenacity Threshold Exceeded Boost
- JHS Emperor V2
- Walrus Audio Sloer
- Line 6 DL4 MKII
And they’re all plugged into a JOYO PXL8 VIII Channel FX to help mitigate the tapdancing needed for all these pedals. They’re also powered by the Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus.
Fulltone OCDv2 Obsessive Compulsive Drive Pedal
Special Price $179.00
Reverend Double Agent OG
As for the almighty axe, I use a Reverend Double Agent OG. This guitar is super versatile for the music I like, which is usually shoegaze and grunge. Reverend is a unique brand that brings something different than a standard Fender or Gibson — but no shame to those brands. The Reverend just speaks to me.
The neck on the Double Agent OG is an oval shape, and for me it really fits my hand nicely. With the humbucker in the bridge and P90 in the neck, I can get really any tone I need.
One thing I love most is how it handles distortion. It really punches through, but at the same time it can really chime it up when it goes clean.
One last note I’ll add is the fact that it’s not very heavy, so playing for a long time is no problem at all — whether with a strap or sitting down.
Fender Jazz Bass
AHHHHHH but we are not done yet! For the low end I keep things very simple. Fender Standard Jazz Bass in Sunburst. It keeps things easy.
This bass is iconic for a reason. It just works, and it sounds good. With the classic Fender C-shape neck and the ability to tone craft on the ceramic single-coil bass pickups, it really lets me choose what type of tone I want for the song I’m playing.
As for pedals and amps, I also like to keep things simple. Rather than lug an amp around, I like using a DI to go straight to front of house or interface. And, of course, a few choice bass pedals:
The Gear That Runs AMS
BOOM supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! That's the gear I use. And since working at AMS, I have gained so much knowledge that would have otherwise taken me a long while to acquire.
And speaking of acquiring knowledge, there are TONS of musicians here at AMS who have been playing for decades. If you want to know what they play, check out more “The Gear That Runs AMS” blogs right here at American Musical Supply.
