Equipment

Even though Barb and I live on the road full-time, we have all the following equipment with us.  Along the way, we've set up for shows of all sizes.  I even used this equipment to provide sound for my daughter's outdoor wedding.

• Alvarez acoustic-electric guitar

• G&L ASAT Classic electric guitar

• L. R. Baggs Para Acoustic D.I.

• Radial JDX Direct Drive

• QSC TouchMix-8 mixing board

• Fender Mustang GTX50

• BOSS Katana Mini

• One Mackie Thump 12BST loudspeaker

• NUX C-5RC cordless guitar interface

• Two Audix OM-3 microphones

• Audix H60 wireless microphone and R41 receiver

• MXL 990 and 991 microphones

• AirTurn DUO BT-200

• All the necessary cables, cords, mic stands, speaker stands, etc.

With VERY few exceptions, all this equipment was purchased from one of the best music stores in the midwest - Brickhouse Music in River Falls, WI.  Please, please, please visit them at www.brickhousemusic.com.  You will NOT be disappointed.

About the Fender Mustang GTX50

This modeling amp has both wifi and Bluetooth connectivity.  The wifi is really only used for performing firmware updates.  The Bluetooth, however, can be used to stream music from a smart device or to interact with the modeling capabilities via the Fender Tone app.

While using both the streaming and app connections, I noticed that I was having problems with the music streaming.  After doing some research and experimentation, my suggestion is to do one or the other, but not both.

If you want to stream music via Bluetooth, I would NOT also attempt to use the Fender Tone app.  Just use the controls on the amp itself to interact with the modelling.  In this scenario, I have had NO problems streaming.

If you want to interact with the amp via the Fender Tone app, do NOT pair your smart device with the amp and attempt to stream.  I wouldn't even both pairing your device at all.  You do NOT need to pair the device in order to use the Fender Tone app.  It doesn't hurt to do so, but by not pairing, you won't be tempted to stream at the same time.  If you want to stream, you can simply plug your device into the "AUX" 1/8" port and stream through that.  In this scenario, I have had NO problems streaming and using the Fender Tone app at the same time.

About the AirTurn DUO

Notice above that I have a AirTurn DUO.  I had been using this two pedal device to control the Ultimate Guitar app on my iPad when I perform.  I have had issues correctly pairing the AirTurn and getting it to work with the app so I created the following how-to video.

Since experiencing these and other issues with using Ultimate Guitar for performances, I have switched to OnSong 2022 and LOVE it.

About the BOSS Katana Mini

I purchased this very nice, easy to use practice amp so that I could play anywhere (battery powered) and not have to get the GTX50 out of storage.  The Mini is a very nice sounding amp despite the small speaker.  Great tones.

One thing I have noticed is that, even though the "PHONES/REC OUT" port works great for headphones, when I use this port to plug into my sound system, the connection is very finicky.  I am plugging in using high quality plug and have to shimmy it just a bit "out" to get a solid connection.  Not sure what's going on there.