Nels Cline

In a 2017 Instagram post by hudsonelectronicsuk, Nels Cline's pedalboard for Wilco features the Strymon El Capistan dTape Echo, as captured in a photo by Jay Blakesberg.

https://www.fretboardjournal.com/features/almost-stuck-to-it-the-gear-of-nels-cline/

Nels trots out his two “New York Jazzmasters” for my perusal. The first is a sunburst ’59 with a gold anodized pickguard. It was once broken in half lengthwise through the body, and much of the nonoriginal finish is starting to wear away under the heavy play of its owner. The guitar has both the Mastery bridge and vibrato installed, and the neck is notably wide. Without a means of measuring the nut, I ask his preference. “I’m not super neck-sensitive––I can pretty much get around on anything.”

Nels Cline runs his Schroeder amp through a limited edition Marshall JTM45 cabinet, outfitted with 4 Celestion Blue-back speakers. The JTM45 was "the amp I was using when I joined Wilco," Cline said in this Premier Guitar interview at (20:40). "It's too big, too loud, too much sound, but it sounds so good, we just sort of point it away from everybody!" he said.

For weird sounds, Nels Cline uses a Bleep Labs Thingamagoop, which he demonstrates in this interview at (33:50).

At 23:25, it can be seen that Nels uses a FV-500H.

"The Mastery Bridge is the answer to my prayers." - Nels Cline

he says it on 22:43

In this pedalboard photos of Cline, taken by a fan at one of their Brasil concerts in October 2016, the EHX B9 organ machine can be seen.

The Super Sarge was the result of a collaborative effort between Analog Outfitters and Nels Cline. Looking for an amplifier with the tone of the Sarge but cleaner headroom for live applications, Nels helped shape the final version of the Super Sarge into an amp that is equally at home in the studio or on stage.

He uses it in the Scanner demos: https://youtu.be/r6h37uvp8Vg

“I immediately used it (Delay Llama Supreme) on some recordings – mostly on documentary soundtracks – a few weeks ago1! It sounds really great. The pedal itself sounds warm and the extras are quite cool. Thank you so much!”

"Anyway, I now prefer a Keeley-modded Boss DD-3 pedal. The Keeley modifications provide some 'warmer' delay effects choices while I am still able to get my old DD-3 weirdness happening (as in, really fast, heavy repeat-laden, digital-sounding, electro spazz-outs that I can cut on and off with no trail off). And, of course, I can get simple, tasteful bounce. I can get by with a plain old DD-3, too, but the Keeley one is just a bit better."

Played during backstage livestream 2021 tour

Wilco guitarist Nels Cline uses at Crazy Tube Circuits Vyagra Boost, as seen in this Premier Guitar Rig Rundown video at (27:30). "It has a parametric EQ function," he said.

Nels Cline uses a Bigfoot FX Magnavibe, as spotted in this interview at (27:48). "I prefer to record with an old Magnatone amp, and this is the only pedal that tries to replicate that sound, which is kind of a wiggly sound."

Nels plays: TubeDreamer+, WaterFall, Rattler, RetroVibe, Delay Llama+

Nels Cline uses these Source Audio products: soundblox Tri-Mod Phaser

"What's a Mid-Fi Glitch Computer? My roommate Bobb turned me on to this little company, which seems to basically be a guy in Massachusetts named Doug and his raw, loud, and SICK creations. Bobb's Glitch Computer is different from mine, but at least mine does what I had hoped for: it makes things sound like they're blowing up. Warning: These boxes (he makes distortion of various types) have so much gain it would be easy to blow up your gear! Start at low gain…"

In the Premier Guitar Rig Rundown, you see the Fulltone '69 fuzz @ 22:55. @ 27:06 "And the 69 fuzz Germanium fuzz sound, I prefer this one."

Another one of his guitars is a custom-built Bilt "El Hombre", which has a custom paintwork done by Norton Wisdom.

In this photo, Cline is visible playing Bilt "The Relevator" electric guitar.

Nels picked this fabric which Souldier used to custom make a limited edition strap in their Signature line. He describes it in this video at the 14:51 mark.

"Rilakkuma, the relax bear from Japan," appears on a guitar pick that Nels Cline has glued to his Schroeder DB7 amp. (See video at 22:18). He doesn't use the pick, but a fan gave him some, and he loves Rilakkuma, so he found a home for it on a significant, rare piece of gear.

"...in NYC I usually use a ZT Club amp—a solid state, Chinese-made (Berkeley, CA company) particle board piece of crap that sounds amazing and is versatile as hell and can be thrown in and out of cabs, carried for blocks. I have recorded with it! Deal with THAT!"

"I used a Sarge on my 'Lovers' recording, and I dig the Super Sarge, too."

Nels demonstrates this "classic vibrato" which is, as he explains, a "Hammond organ vibrato and reverb tank housed in an attractive Plexiglas box with, also, wood from an old Hammond organ."

Visible in this photo of Cline's pedalboard.

"I also adore the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man, Fulltone Tube Tape Echo, and the like, but try carrying all that stuff around in an under-50-pound suitcase!"

Featured on the official ZVEX artist page.

Nels Cline - Wilco, Nels Cline Trio: Nels uses various ZVEX pedals, notably the Box of Metal

On this picture Cline can be seen using a Racer X Strap by Couch. "Now he’s in Wilco where he uses a Black Couch Vinyl Racing Stripe Guitar Strap. We heard he liked his first one so much he walked into True Tone music in Santa Monica a couple months later and bought a second one." - Couch on their homepage.

Played backstage live stream 2021 tour