As I have gotten older, more experienced and easier to get tired I’ve learned a lot about gear and what works for me. I won’t compromise tone either. So what I have come to learn. If I don’t require body taps, glopes for my performance I’m using the Yamaha SLG200NW guitar.
Yamaha SLG200NW
if I do need body percussion then the Yamaha NCX3.
Yamaha NCX3
From there I plug into my simple pedalboard which gives me a high pass filter and eq with limiter and tuner it’s the Source Audio EQ2 with a Source Audio Tap/Temp Switch for the Tuner and Mute functionality, A Boss Reverb RV-6, Boss Loop Station RC-5 all housed in a Boss Pedalboard BCB-30X.
Simple Pedalboard
Now for amplification I am using 3 various stems depending on needs of clients. I can cover audiences from 50-500 with the gear I have. For 70% of the gigs I do I use the EV 30m I have been able to use this system with no problem for 250
EV 30m
I also like the QSC CP8 in Mono or Stereo and can cover 100-300 people with this setup
QSC CPS on Ultimate Support TS-110B Extra Tall Lift-Assist Speaker Stand with a K&M Speaker Tilt Adapter – Black
Then for intimate performances or where no AC is easy to access I use 1 Bose S1 Pro. I’ve also used a Bose S1 Pro as my monitor and preamp w reverb and then an additional speaker like the QSC CP 8.
2 Bose S1 Pro Speakers
I have other gear that I use when I add a mic like the DPA 4099 G to use with my Culpepper. The Grace Design FeliX 2 when I just use my guitar and preamp out to a Front Of House (FOH) set up
Grace Design Felix2 Grace Design FeliX 2 with EV30mGrace Design Felix2
I also like the sound of a saturated preamp like Neve 511 or Chameleon Labs 7603 but this moves out of the easy set ups.
Chameleon Labs 7603 and TC Electronic MOne-XLNeve 511 Preamp, 551 EQ, 545 Primary Source Enhancer. Rupert Neve RNDI
For a DI nothing beats the Rupert Neve RNDI
I’ve tried lots of gear and guitars but for the daily giging nylon string guitarist this is what I’ve concluded in 2022 works best for me and I hope it helps you get you best Nylon Live Sound. I purchase my gear at Sweetwater Sound, American Musical and Russo’s Music Store.
Yep the Line 6 HX Stomp can be used as a single preamp/effects/DI with a flamenco guitar like my Culpepper equipped with the LR Baggs Dual Source Element pickups & mic. #line6hxstomp #line6helix #line6 #lrbaggs #andyculpepper #nylonstrings #flamencoguitar #flamencomusician Line 6 HX Stomp Update on knobs and switch’s Knobs (pink) from Tesi Switch http://www.helixknobs.com and Pedal Swich Stomp buttons from: Gear by CEBA http://www.gearbyceba.com and power cord from Gator Cases Doubler Cable for Line 6 Pedals. #line6helix #russomusic #sweetwater #tesiswitch #gearbyceba
I have a bunch of gear all for specific purposes however. I do have my favorite tried and true set up. That’s what I’m sharing in this post. For my tried and true quick and easy beautiful sounding system for up to 200 people. I prefer my Andy Culpepper #83 with Daddario XTC45TT strings and LR Baggs Dual Source Element and mic system with a DPA 4099g mic. I run it into a Grace Design FeliX 2 with a Peterson StroboStomp Tuner. Then out to a Electro Voice EV 30M. That’s it.
The compact travel rig for train rides to NYC and Philly. QSC, Ultimate Stands, Grace Design, DPA, Neunaber, Peterson, Andy Culpepper, DPA , LR Baggs, and DAddario.
K&M Speaker Stand Adapter Grace Design FeliX 2, Neunaber Wet, Peterson StroboStomp and to stream Radial Engineering BT DI
Simply the best sounding Acoustic Preamp “Grace Design Felix2” I was dialing in my tone for the L.R. Baggs dual source and running it direct into the EV 30m or Bose S1 Pro (set flat no eq or ToneMatch) and this is the best most accurate transparent non colored tone. It’s so warm and pleasant on the ear. I love that it is analog no a/d d/a converter. The tone is in your face what your pickup gives this puts out. My tone is so pleasant non hyped and no strange artifact or high hiss. This is now my primary preamp for all gig with my Culpepper, DeVoe and Córdoba guitars. Thanks Grace Design and Sweetwater- Chris M x1628 not so much FedEx. #gracedesign #sweetwatersound #sweetwater #newgeardaysweetwater #newgearday
In the BoxOut of the BoxPlugged inBy the Christmas Tree
I could not be happier that I was able to get back my original commissioned number 83 Guitar from Andy Culpepper last week. Shout out also goes out to Yannaki Arrizza for hanging out with me for the 9 Hour drive up and back. I reset the pick up and did a few adjustments and was able to get it to sound exactly as I had when I shipped it to a new owner. The guitar became available and through luck and hope I was able to get it back and it sounds freaking amazing. I’ve been playing it non stop almost since it’s return to me. I put a set of Knobloch SN 200 ADN strings and it’s fantastic. The tonality in the woody sound just sings in the upper registers not nasally but just that beautiful warm open vibrant tone that unfortunately my other guitars are not able to duplicate except for my very high-end guitars. I’ve made a decision to put the Culpepper back into rotation for my general performance and even high end performance gigs the only time I won’t take it out is when it’s high humidity or high heat especially outdoors. I’m just glad that this Guitar is back home.
Andy Culpepper makes fantastic instruments if you were looking for or need a custom made a Flamenco, or classical guitar or custom nylon string instrument contact him talk it through and I’m sure you will not be disappointed. Check him out at: http://www.andyculpepper.com
Ez set up 1000w QSC CP8 & TouchMix 8 and it Bose TM4, Sennheiser G3 Wireless, DPA 4099G, and Culpepper w Dogal strings. And AudioTechnica Wireless. My personal preference was with QSC TouchMix8 for eq. The eq is very easy to program and get great sound. This will be the system I start using for restaurant gigs this 2019 and for a few other projects with other musicians. We’re trying to just Mic our instruments. I’ll be using QSC and EV for most gigs in 2019 and Bose S1Pros for outdoor weddings.
The Compact and lightweight travel system is completed. It begins with the Andy Culpepper Flamenco Blanca with the LR Baggs Dual Source Pick Up going to the pedalboard by CNZ Audio and powered by Pedaltrain’s Volto 2. The pedals are the Line 6 G30 (Underneath) LR Baggs Align Series Equalizer, Reverb, TC Electronic Spark & Ditto, LR Baggs Active DI. Then XLR Out to the Bose S1 Pro PA.
I just completed my wireless set up for my Andy Culpepper Flamenco Blanca using DPA 4099g Mic with a YPA Sennheiser adapter to the Sennheiser EWD1 Transmitter to the Sennheiser ewD1 Digital Receiver. It then goes to a Radial Engineering Voco-Loco Preamp with eq and effects loop including KoKKoSpace Reverb and DigiTech Jam Man SoloXT looper . I used the Boss Pedalboard Cable Kit 6 Connectors purchased from Prymaxevintage in NJ eBay too or Prymaxe. Cory F and Steve were great. They have great service. It all now looks and sounds great to the Bose L1, or speakers.
Some folks have asked about my recent AC Blanca/Spruce build. It’s similar in build and design to a 1951 Marcelo Barbero ex Sabicas guitar. It’s a five fan brace with two smaller outer braces. See below
The neck is 2mm wider at the nut thand the standard 52mm this build is at 54mm and a 658mm scale lenght. I wanted to try tuners instead of flamenco pegs.
For guitar strings I have tried various sets from Daddario, LaBella, Guitar Solo, Luthier, Hanabach, Salverez and I’ve come to prefer Daddario EJ45.
I also asked Andy to make a sound port on the guitar so I can hear a bit more when playing without monitors or amplification.
I also am using a Daddario small NS micro Tuner
For a pickup amplification system I chose the L.R. Baggs Dual Source (Element & Mic)
When I’m playing out I use the Grace Design AliX to a Bose L1 system.
Nylon Live 