Robert Hecker

ZT Lunchbox (x2) + ZT Lunchbox Cab (x2). I had read about the ZTs in some guitar magazine reviews. It seemed way too good to be true. They are the real deal. I bought one, and was blown away. However, one Lunchbox alone is very directional , so I picked up another, to get a nice stereo spread. Live, the set-up still seemed a little thin, so I added two of the extension cabs, and there you have it: 400 watts (200x2) driving four 6.5" speakers. Insane. Every show I play, people are incredulous at the amount of tone & volume that eminates from these little amps. The amps are 9 pounds each, the extension cabinets are 7 pounds each. Our drummer plays a Bonham kit, 26" kick, the whole nine yards, ridiculously loud; no challenge or problem keeping up. Back is spared, ears are blessed. I am now an official ZT artist, and absolutely swear by them. Used live exclusively since 2015.

Mesa/Boogie Triaxis Preamp, 20/20 power amp, Thiele 1x12 (x2). Tone for days, extreme headroom. Fantastic stereo Boogie rig, all midi, ran in conjunction with a Marshall JMP-1 midi preamp into two 1912 1x12 cabinets. Some Alesis and Digitech midi units, as well, all operated with a Midi Mouse pedal. Went this route sometime in the '90s, subsequently used for most It's OK! and Redd Kross gigs up until 2015. A bit more manageable in the size and weight category. My last run with a live tube rig; the gradual degradation of tone, and the cost and time of maintenance, led me to retire all of my tube amps from the stage, and just keep them for the recording milieu.