Kyle Seely

Mentioned in this June 14, 2017 Vintage King interview and this July 28, 2017 Guitar World interview. It was the only guitar Seely used for Need to Feel Your Love.

Vintage King

You guys have a pretty distinct guitar tone that comes across when playing live and on the records. How have you captured that in the studio? What's your process of recording guitars like?

KS: It varies, but basically we double every lead guitar part to give it that beefier almost chorus-y tone. I tracked all of our new record with my Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster. It's got three single coils, so it's sort of a cross between a Tele and a Strat.

For rhythm guitar, we usually try to get a more shimmery clean tone and bury it in the mix a bit. We actually experiment more with rhythm guitar than we do with lead. We’ll add a delay that matches the BPM of the song to make it more atmospheric or add chorus. The balance between the two guitars is a big aspect of our music.

HS: We'll mess around with tones on guitar (mostly for the cleaner stuff) probably too long on some songs, but if we don't then there's a good chance we end up tracking it all again, so I don't know... We used an Empress paraEQ pedal a lot on the new record which I really like, boosting certain parts as we tracked. Pretty sure all the guitars are with a 57 on the 50-watt JCM, at least on the new record.

Guitar World

GUITARS

(Seely) Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Schecter Hellraiser with active EMGs, Gibson SG standard, 1985 Fender Squire Katana

(Palmer) Peavey T-60 1980 natural ash.

AMPS

(Seely) 1982 JCM 800, 2x12 Marshall Cab

(Palmer) Fender Hot Rod Deville II 60-watt 2x12

EFFECTS

(Seely) Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, Xotic SP compressor, Boss Super Chorus, Boss GE-7 Equalizer

(Palmer) Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, Electro-Harmonix Soul Food

Visible in this photo, provided to Rolling Stone for this May 11, 2020 interview.

Used for A Distant Call, as stated in August 15, 2019 Guitar.com interview.

What are your rigs like – what guitars and pedals were essential to the sound of A Distant Call?

Kyle: We tracked all the guitars through my Marshall JTM 60 1×12 combo and a 4×12 Fender DeVille, pretty much just my normal live rig. I still don’t use much in the way of pedals in the studio, just a ProCo RAT on some songs and a TC Electronic Mimiq for some doubling.

You’ll probably notice a lot of shimmery chorus and some 80s Judas Priest turbo-style distortion. All of those come from this really cool Ensoniq effects rack we bought. I couldn’t tell ya what the model is, but it’s packed with sweet over-the-top effects which are fun to use.

Mentioned in this July 28, 2017 Guitar World interview, which includes this photo.

But the longer runtime also has the band flexing outside of their comfort zone, whether its Seely chicly conjuring Nile Rodgers’ funky sway on the discofied title track, or ripping into Mick Mars–leaning whammy bar leads on the Sunset Strip–style power stomp, “Turn It Up.”

“We had to reel that one back in a little bit,” the six-stringer says of the latter, saying its Eighties metal edge had to be sanded down slightly to become more than just pastiche. “It’s probably the heaviest song we have. That guitar solo—the Floyd Rose dive bombs, and shit like that—that’s a guilty pleasure of mine. That shit’s sick!”

(...) GUITARS

(Seely) Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Schecter Hellraiser with active EMGs, Gibson SG standard, 1985 Fender Squire Katana

(Palmer) Peavey T-60 1980 natural ash.

AMPS

(Seely) 1982 JCM 800, 2x12 Marshall Cab

(Palmer) Fender Hot Rod Deville II 60-watt 2x12

EFFECTS

(Seely) Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, Xotic SP compressor, Boss Super Chorus, Boss GE-7 Equalizer

(Palmer) Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, Electro-Harmonix Soul Food

Visible in this photo from this September 17, 2019 New Noise interview. It is also mentioned in this July 28, 2017 Guitar World interview and this August 22, 2019 Reddit AMA reply.

Guitar World

GUITARS

(Seely) Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Schecter Hellraiser with active EMGs, Gibson SG standard, 1985 Fender Squire Katana

(Palmer) Peavey T-60 1980 natural ash.

AMPS

(Seely) 1982 JCM 800, 2x12 Marshall Cab

(Palmer) Fender Hot Rod Deville II 60-watt 2x12

EFFECTS

(Seely) Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, Xotic SP compressor, Boss Super Chorus, Boss GE-7 Equalizer

(Palmer) Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, Electro-Harmonix Soul Food

Reddit

hiya! I don't use a ton of pedals really, live just a Boss EQ, Xotic EP boost, Boss super chorus, Boss EQ and a RAT (I dont think its one of the super good RATS). Gets the Job done, but when recording, I've been liking my TC Mimiq pedal as a doubler ran stereo into 2 amps. It varies pitch and delay slightly and sounds real thick.

A lot of the wild guitar sounds on the new record come from a Ensoniq DP/4 that we bought for the studio :]

Visible in this photo, provided to Rolling Stone for this May 11, 2020 interview.

Used for A Distant Call, as stated in this August 15, 2019 Guitar.com interview and this August 22, 2019 Reddit AMA reply.

Guitar.com

What are your rigs like – what guitars and pedals were essential to the sound of A Distant Call?

Kyle: We tracked all the guitars through my Marshall JTM 60 1×12 combo and a 4×12 Fender DeVille, pretty much just my normal live rig. I still don’t use much in the way of pedals in the studio, just a ProCo RAT on some songs and a TC Electronic Mimiq for some doubling.

You’ll probably notice a lot of shimmery chorus and some 80s Judas Priest turbo-style distortion. All of those come from this really cool Ensoniq effects rack we bought. I couldn’t tell ya what the model is, but it’s packed with sweet over-the-top effects which are fun to use.

Reddit

hiya! I don't use a ton of pedals really, live just a Boss EQ, Xotic EP boost, Boss super chorus, Boss EQ and a RAT (I dont think its one of the super good RATS). Gets the Job done, but when recording, I've been liking my TC Mimiq pedal as a doubler ran stereo into 2 amps. It varies pitch and delay slightly and sounds real thick.

A lot of the wild guitar sounds on the new record come from a Ensoniq DP/4 that we bought for the studio :]

Used for A Distant Call, as stated in this August 15, 2019 Guitar.com interview and this August 22, 2019 Reddit AMA reply.

Guitar.com

What are your rigs like – what guitars and pedals were essential to the sound of A Distant Call?

Kyle: We tracked all the guitars through my Marshall JTM 60 1×12 combo and a 4×12 Fender DeVille, pretty much just my normal live rig. I still don’t use much in the way of pedals in the studio, just a ProCo RAT on some songs and a TC Electronic Mimiq for some doubling.

You’ll probably notice a lot of shimmery chorus and some 80s Judas Priest turbo-style distortion. All of those come from this really cool Ensoniq effects rack we bought. I couldn’t tell ya what the model is, but it’s packed with sweet over-the-top effects which are fun to use.

Reddit

hiya! I don't use a ton of pedals really, live just a Boss EQ, Xotic EP boost, Boss super chorus, Boss EQ and a RAT (I dont think its one of the super good RATS). Gets the Job done, but when recording, I've been liking my TC Mimiq pedal as a doubler ran stereo into 2 amps. It varies pitch and delay slightly and sounds real thick.

A lot of the wild guitar sounds on the new record come from a Ensoniq DP/4 that we bought for the studio :]

Used for A Distant Call, as stated in this August 15, 2019 Guitar.com interview and this August 22, 2019 Reddit AMA reply.

Guitar.com

What are your rigs like – what guitars and pedals were essential to the sound of A Distant Call?

Kyle: We tracked all the guitars through my Marshall JTM 60 1×12 combo and a 4×12 Fender DeVille, pretty much just my normal live rig. I still don’t use much in the way of pedals in the studio, just a ProCo RAT on some songs and a TC Electronic Mimiq for some doubling.

You’ll probably notice a lot of shimmery chorus and some 80s Judas Priest turbo-style distortion. All of those come from this really cool Ensoniq effects rack we bought. I couldn’t tell ya what the model is, but it’s packed with sweet over-the-top effects which are fun to use.

Reddit

hiya! I don't use a ton of pedals really, live just a Boss EQ, Xotic EP boost, Boss super chorus, Boss EQ and a RAT (I dont think its one of the super good RATS). Gets the Job done, but when recording, I've been liking my TC Mimiq pedal as a doubler ran stereo into 2 amps. It varies pitch and delay slightly and sounds real thick.

A lot of the wild guitar sounds on the new record come from a Ensoniq DP/4 that we bought for the studio :]

Visible in this photo from this September 17, 2019 New Noise interview. It is also mentioned in this July 28, 2017 Guitar World interview and this August 22, 2019 Reddit AMA reply.

Guitar World

GUITARS

(Seely) Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Schecter Hellraiser with active EMGs, Gibson SG standard, 1985 Fender Squire Katana

(Palmer) Peavey T-60 1980 natural ash.

AMPS

(Seely) 1982 JCM 800, 2x12 Marshall Cab

(Palmer) Fender Hot Rod Deville II 60-watt 2x12

EFFECTS

(Seely) Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, Xotic SP compressor, Boss Super Chorus, Boss GE-7 Equalizer

(Palmer) Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, Electro-Harmonix Soul Food

Reddit

hiya! I don't use a ton of pedals really, live just a Boss EQ, Xotic EP boost, Boss super chorus, Boss EQ and a RAT (I dont think its one of the super good RATS). Gets the Job done, but when recording, I've been liking my TC Mimiq pedal as a doubler ran stereo into 2 amps. It varies pitch and delay slightly and sounds real thick.

A lot of the wild guitar sounds on the new record come from a Ensoniq DP/4 that we bought for the studio :]

Mentioned in this July 28, 2017 Guitar World interview.

GUITARS

(Seely) Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Schecter Hellraiser with active EMGs, Gibson SG standard, 1985 Fender Squire Katana

(Palmer) Peavey T-60 1980 natural ash.

AMPS

(Seely) 1982 JCM 800, 2x12 Marshall Cab

(Palmer) Fender Hot Rod Deville II 60-watt 2x12

EFFECTS

(Seely) Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, Xotic SP compressor, Boss Super Chorus, Boss GE-7 Equalizer

(Palmer) Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, Electro-Harmonix Soul Food

Mentioned in this July 28, 2017 Guitar World interview.

GUITARS

(Seely) Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Schecter Hellraiser with active EMGs, Gibson SG standard, 1985 Fender Squire Katana

(Palmer) Peavey T-60 1980 natural ash.

AMPS

(Seely) 1982 JCM 800, 2x12 Marshall Cab

(Palmer) Fender Hot Rod Deville II 60-watt 2x12

EFFECTS

(Seely) Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, Xotic SP compressor, Boss Super Chorus, Boss GE-7 Equalizer

(Palmer) Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, Electro-Harmonix Soul Food

Mentioned in this August 22, 2019 Reddit AMA reply.

hiya! I don't use a ton of pedals really, live just a Boss EQ, Xotic EP boost, Boss super chorus, Boss EQ and a RAT (I dont think its one of the super good RATS). Gets the Job done, but when recording, I've been liking my TC Mimiq pedal as a doubler ran stereo into 2 amps. It varies pitch and delay slightly and sounds real thick.

A lot of the wild guitar sounds on the new record come from a Ensoniq DP/4 that we bought for the studio :]

Visible in this photo, provided to Rolling Stone for this May 11, 2020 interview.

Visible in this photo, provided to Rolling Stone for this May 11, 2020 interview.

Visible in this photo, provided to Rolling Stone for this May 11, 2020 interview.

Visible in this photo from this September 17, 2019 New Noise interview. It is also mentioned in this July 28, 2017 Guitar World interview.

Guitar World

GUITARS

(Seely) Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Schecter Hellraiser with active EMGs, Gibson SG standard, 1985 Fender Squire Katana

(Palmer) Peavey T-60 1980 natural ash.

AMPS

(Seely) 1982 JCM 800, 2x12 Marshall Cab

(Palmer) Fender Hot Rod Deville II 60-watt 2x12

EFFECTS

(Seely) Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, Xotic SP compressor, Boss Super Chorus, Boss GE-7 Equalizer

(Palmer) Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, Electro-Harmonix Soul Food

Mentioned in this July 28, 2017 Guitar World interview and in this August 15, 2019 Guitar.com interview.

Guitar World

GUITARS

(Seely) Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Schecter Hellraiser with active EMGs, Gibson SG standard, 1985 Fender Squire Katana

(Palmer) Peavey T-60 1980 natural ash.

AMPS

(Seely) 1982 JCM 800, 2x12 Marshall Cab

(Palmer) Fender Hot Rod Deville II 60-watt 2x12

EFFECTS

(Seely) Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, Xotic SP compressor, Boss Super Chorus, Boss GE-7 Equalizer

(Palmer) Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, Electro-Harmonix Soul Food

Guitar.com

What are your rigs like – what guitars and pedals were essential to the sound of A Distant Call?

Kyle: We tracked all the guitars through my Marshall JTM 60 1×12 combo and a 4×12 Fender DeVille, pretty much just my normal live rig. I still don’t use much in the way of pedals in the studio, just a ProCo RAT on some songs and a TC Electronic Mimiq for some doubling.

You’ll probably notice a lot of shimmery chorus and some 80s Judas Priest turbo-style distortion. All of those come from this really cool Ensoniq effects rack we bought. I couldn’t tell ya what the model is, but it’s packed with sweet over-the-top effects which are fun to use.

Featured in this June 23, 2023 Instagram post.

⚠️NERDY GUITAR BULLSHIT⚠️

It's always a good day when I get mail from Mike @grimm__riffer @acidguitarelectronics . He built me some custom extra long cables so I can run around stage like a Foo Fighter this weekend. He also threw in this excellently-named "Key Bump Boost" based on a Rangemaster treble booster. I don't know the nitty gritty workings of this pedal but I think it's found a permanent home on my board. It gets insanely loud and gnarly if you want that, but I wound up placing it at the very end of my chain and upped the bass on my amp. The result is a really nice clear tone - thicker than what I had before but not muddy at all. Sounds fuckin awesome and helps to tame some of that spanky Telecaster high end without losing the clarity. Been looking to add a treble booster into the mix for years and this is the one. I tried to film a few A/B demos of classic Mag riffs to get the point across but I'm not sure how well it comes through in our super noisy practice space.

Anyways, come out to the Mag show on Sunday at FUC in Philly and hear it in person - and check out some of what Mike has going on - he's a super knowledgeable true rocker with a heart of gold and he builds good shit!