Gear Review: Tech 21 RK5 FlyRig - l2pnet.com http://www.l2pnet.com/gear-review-tech-21-rk5-flyrig/

Gear Review: Tech 21 RK5 FlyRig - l2pnet.com http://www.l2pnet.com/gear-review-tech-21-rk5-flyrig/ FEATURED ! HOW TO ! GEAR ! GIGGING ! NEW RELEASES

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Gear Review: GearTech 21 RK5 FlyRig Review:- l2pnet.com Tech 21 RK5http://www.l2pnet.com/gear-review-tech-21-rk5-flyrig/ FlyRig By Bill Evans ! ! ! ! FEATURED HOW TO GEAR GIGGING NEW RELEASES July 2016

GEAR GEAR REVIEWS

By Bill Evans Gear Review: Tech 21 RK5 FlyRig - l2pnet.com Get all our latest contenthttp://www.l2pnet.com/gear-review-tech-21-rk5-flyrig/ delivered right to your Email!! Gear Review: Tech 21 RK5 FlyRig - l2pnet.com http://www.l2pnet.com/gear-review-tech-21-rk5-flyrig/

The Old Pedalboard From Hell. It barely 4ts into the photo frame. The Old Pedalboard From Hell. It barely 4ts into the photo frame. On the Line 6 tip, the HD400, the M9, a Relay G70 wireless and the non-Line 6, two channel switches, a Heil On the Line 6 tip, the HD400, the M9, a Relay G70 wireless and the non-Line 6, two channel switches, a Heil Geartalk box with Review: a little amp to driveTech it and 21an Aphex RK5 Xciter. FlyRig It was more than 44 inches wide and weighed more talk box with a little amp to drive it and an Aphex Xciter. It was more than 44 inches wide and weighed more than 50 lbs. I had no case so I built a frame inside of a giant duffel bag and put wheels on it. It took up so than 50 lbs. I had no case so I built a frame inside of a giant duffel bag and put wheels on it. It took up so much space in my smallish car (a Chevy HHR)—in which I somehow manage to pack a full PA and my guitar much space in my smallish car (a Chevy HHR)—in which I somehow manage to pack a full PA and my guitar gear—thatGEAR I foundGEAR myself REVIEWS in my driveway at 4AM pushing and shoving gear trying to make it all Lt before gear—that I found myself in my driveway at 4AM pushing and shoving gear trying to make it all Lt before leaving for another out of town run. And it took up a huge amount of stage space.By the time I had done a leaving forBy anotherBill Evans out of town run. And it took up a huge amount of stage space.By the time I had done a single run of gigs with it, I knew i had to make a change. single run of gigs with it, I knew i had to make a change.

I have known about Tech 21 for a very long time. I Lrst met the team at their HQ in Manhattan back in the I have known about Tech 21 for a very long time. I Lrst met the team at their HQ in Manhattan back in the By‘90s Rev. when Bill I was doing GIG Magazine. Yes, they proudly and somewhat unbelievably manufactured their ‘90s when I was doing GIG Magazine. Yes, they proudly and somewhat unbelievably manufactured their products in a building in NYC for a very long time. Up until 2002, when they expanded and moved 14 miles products in a building in NYC for a very long time. Up until 2002, when they expanded and moved 14 miles west to Clifton, NJ. Iwest had a sizeto Clifton, problem. ItNJ. was too damn big.

In November of last year I did the longest run of gigs I have ever done at one venue. We did 19 nights in a spanBut ofI had 25 days never at the really Aquarius used in Laughlin, any of NV. it. And We I had did a aepiphany lot of aboutTech gear. 21 Well,reviews to be more over accurate the years but I always assigned But I had never really used any of it. We did a lot of Tech 21 reviews over the years but I always assigned aboutthem broken to someone gear. else. Up until less than a decade ago, I was a modeling amp guy—largely because I play them to someone else. Up until less than a decade ago, I was a modeling amp guy—largely because I play the kinds of gigs where volume is a huge big deal and I need big tone at low volume. When the newer digital the kinds of gigs where volume is a huge big deal and I need big tone at low volume. When the newer digital Themodeling run was Lve-days-on, offerings two-days-off stopped offeringfor four weeks models and in the of middlethe Mark of the Series2nd run, IMesa had two Boogie combos—my preferred amp modeling offerings stopped offering models of the Mark Series Mesa Boogie combos—my preferred amp guitars—outmodels—I the tried three toI was make carrying—go due but down. could Weird never coincidence, get the but bothtone my I 335wanted and my and Black Lnally Falcon did what I had wanted to do hadmodels—I one of the tried wires thatto makefeed the due output but jack could come loose.never If youget have the ever tone tried I wantedworking on and semi-hollow Lnally or did what I had wanted to do 1 of 11 since the ‘80s and bought a couple of Boogies. It was around 2008 and the Lnancial meltdown and I was 8/2/16, 2:48 PM hollow-bodysince the electric‘80s and guitars, bought you know a couplethey are not of easy. Boogies. All the work It was has to around happen through2008 theand F-holes. the Lnancial I meltdown and I was madestill makinga trip to the really local Wal-Mart good moneyand bought as some the Lshingeditor line of and FOH paper Magazine clips for Lshing and wires I checked out of the Craigslist several times a day. I bodystill andmaking tying the really parts offgood and grabbedmoney the as soldering the editor iron out of of FOH the toolbox Magazine that I carry and on I everychecked gig and Craigslist several times a day. I scored on some good gear deals. satscored in my roomon some trying to good Lx ‘em. gear I succeeded deals. with one and got through the week then headed back to Vegas and my guitar savior Neil Smith who Lxed them properly. 1 of 11 8/2/16, 2:48 PM

About the time I was freaking out over the size of my Monster Pedalboard From Hell, the band went into the ButAbout in the the days time off that I wasweek, freakingI thought a lotout about over gear the and size gigs andof mybeing Monster in a town wherePedalboard the nearest From Hell, the band went into the studio to record tracks for a new video promo. About eight 30-second song “sound bites.” Per the studio to record tracks for a new video promo. About eight 30-second song “sound bites.” Per the instructions of the agent who asked for this, no solos. Emphasis on vocals and the horn section. I was 2 of 11 instructions of the agent who asked for this, no solos. Emphasis on vocals 8/2/16,and 2:48the PM horn section. I was playing rhythm guitar and most of it clean so in the interest of simplicity, we ran the guitar direct. There was playing rhythm guitar and most of it clean so in the interest of simplicity, we ran the guitar direct. There was no way there was room for that board, so I used the rack-mount Tech 21 SansAmp that was in the studio. no way there was room for that board, so I used the rack-mount Tech 21 SansAmp that was in the studio. And I really liked it. And I really liked it. 1 of 11 8/2/16, 2:48 PM

So I emailed the Tech 21 folks who, not being millennials, actually read and answer email. And I explained So I emailed the Tech 21 folks who, not being millennials, actually read and answer email. And I explained my situation and asked if they had a solution. I needed something that provided some kind of amp my situation and asked if they had a solution. I needed something that provided some kind of amp emulation (Tech 21 is NOT modeling but more on that in a bit…) that wasn’t huge but that had at least a emulation (Tech 21 is NOT modeling but more on that in a bit ) that wasn’t huge but that had at least a good clean rhythm and high-gain lead sound. And they responded… quickly saying that what I needed was the good clean rhythm and high-gain lead sound. And they responded quickly saying that what I needed was the RK5 Signature Fly Rig. So I asked them to send one for a review and if I liked it I would sell the Richie Kotzen RK5 Signature Fly Rig. So I asked them to send one for a review and if I liked it I would sell the HD400 and buy it. (I shipped the HD400 to its new owner about a week ago…) HD400 and buy it. (I shipped the HD400 to its new owner about a week ago…)

When it arrived I had no idea what the box was. I thought it looked like business cards but I knew I had not When it arrived I had no idea what the box was. I thought it looked like business cards but I knew I had not ordered new cards in months. I was astounded to open the box and see this little tiny pedal board. I Lred it ordered new cards in months. I was astounded to open the box and see this little tiny pedal board. I Lred it up and was pretty happy but was using it to drive a real amp (an early ‘60s Fender Princeton that I bought at up and was pretty happy but was using it to drive a real amp (an early ‘60s Fender Princeton that I bought at a garage sale 30 years ago and that is in my ofLce). The test would come at the next rehearsal where I a garage sale 30 years ago and that is in my ofLce). The test would come at the next rehearsal where I planned to run it right into the PA. planned to run it right into the PA.

4 of 11 8/2/16, 2:48 PM 4 of 11 8/2/16, 2:48 PM Gear Review: Tech 21 RK5 FlyRig - l2pnet.com http://www.l2pnet.com/gear-review-tech-21-rk5-flyrig/

The Old Pedalboard From Hell. It barely 4ts into the photo frame. On the Line 6 tip, the HD400, the M9, a Relay G70 wireless and the non-Line 6, two channel switches, a Heil talk box with a little amp to drive it and an Aphex Xciter. It was more than 44 inches wide and weighed more than 50 lbs. I had no case so I built a frame inside of a giant duffel bag and put wheels on it. It took up so much space in my smallish car (a Chevy HHR)—in which I somehow manage to pack a full PA and my guitar gear—that I found myself in my driveway at 4AM pushing and shoving gear trying to make it all Lt before leaving for another out of town run. And it took up a huge amount of stage space.By the time I had done a single run of gigs with it, I knew i had to make a change.

I have known about Tech 21 for a very long time. I Lrst met the team at their HQ in Manhattan back in the ‘90s when I was doing GIG Magazine. Yes, they proudly and somewhat unbelievably manufactured their products in a building in NYC for a very long time. Up until 2002, when they expanded and moved 14 miles west to Clifton, NJ.

But I had never really used any of it. We did a lot of Tech 21 reviews over the years but I always assigned them to someone else. Up until less than a decade ago, I was a modeling amp guy—largely because I play the kinds of gigs where volume is a huge big deal and I need big tone at low volume. When the newer digital modeling offerings stopped offering models of the Mark Series Mesa Boogie combos—my preferred amp models—I tried to make due but could never get the tone I wanted and Lnally did what I had wanted to do since the ‘80s and bought a couple of Boogies. It was around 2008 and the Lnancial meltdown and I was still making really good money as the editor of FOH Magazine and I checked Craigslist several times a day. I scored on some good gear deals.

About the time I was freaking out over the size of my Monster Pedalboard From Hell, the band went into the studio to record tracks for a new video promo. About eight 30-second song “sound bites.” Per the instructions of the agent who asked for this, no solos. Emphasis on vocals and the horn section. I was playing rhythm guitar and most of it clean so in the interest of simplicity, we ran the guitar direct. There was no way there was room for that board, so I used the rack-mount Tech 21 SansAmp that was in the studio. And I really liked it.

So I emailed the Tech 21 folks who, not being millennials, actually read and answer email. And I explained my situation and asked if they had a solution. I needed something that provided some kind of amp emulation (Tech 21 is NOT modeling but more on that in a bit…) that wasn’t huge but that had at least a good clean rhythm and high-gain lead sound. And they responded quickly saying that what I needed was the Richie Kotzen RK5 Signature Fly Rig. So I asked them to send one for a review and if I liked it I would sell the HD400 and buy it. (I shipped the HD400 to its new owner about a week ago…)

When it arrived I had no idea what the box was. I thought it looked like business cards but I knew I had not ordered new cards in months. I was astounded to open the box and see this little tiny pedal board. I Lred it Gear Review: Tech 21 RK5 FlyRig - l2pnet.com http://www.l2pnet.com/gear-review-tech-21-rk5-flyrig/ Gear Review: upTech and 21 RK5 was FlyRig pretty - l2pnet.com happy but was using it to drive a real amp (an early ‘60s Fenderhttp://www.l2pnet.com/gear-review-tech-21-rk5-flyrig/ Princeton that I bought at a garage sale 30 years ago and that is in my ofLce). The test would come at the next rehearsal where I WHAT IT IS WHATplannedWHAT ITIT to ISIS run it right into the PA.

On the surface it’s like a three-slot mini pedal board. But there is hidden stuff. 4 of 11 OnOn thethe surfacesurface it’sit’s likelike aa three-slotthree-slot minimini pedalpedal board.board. ButBut therethere isis hiddenhidden stuff.stuff. 8/2/16, 2:48 PM

Starting in the middle, there is the famous Tech 21 amp emulation. It can be overdriven but it is voiced for a StartingStarting inin thethe middle,middle, therethere isis thethe famousfamous TechTech 2121 ampamp emulation.emulation. ItIt cancan bebe overdrivenoverdriven butbut itit isis voicedvoiced forfor aa clean sound. To the left is a very good delay section with a hidden setting that will give you a decent cleanclean sound.sound. ToTo thethe leftleft isis aa veryvery goodgood delaydelay sectionsection withwith aa hiddenhidden settingsetting thatthat willwill givegive youyou aa decentdecent chorus-like sound and to the right is a section titled OMG. This is where the RK really comes in. It stands for chorus-likechorus-like soundsound andand toto thethe rightright isis aa sectionsection titledtitled OMG.OMG. ThisThis isis wherewhere thethe RKRK reallyreally comescomes in.in. ItIt standsstands forfor Ritchie Kotzen—a hotshot guitar player best known for replacing C.C. DeVille in Poison and in RitchieRitchie Kotzen—aKotzen—a hotshothotshot guitarguitar playerplayer bestbest knownknown forfor replacingreplacing C.C.C.C. DeVilleDeVille inin PoisonPoison andand PaulPaul GilbertGilbert inin Mr. Big and for the band with and . It stands ofLcially as maybe Mr.Mr. BigBig andand forfor thethe bandband TheThe WineryWinery DogsDogs withwith MikeMike PortnoyPortnoy andand BillyBilly Sheehan.Sheehan. ItIt standsstands ofLciallyofLcially asas maybemaybe the favorite distortion unit I have ever used. Ever. On it’s own, it’s pretty good. But in conjunction with the thethe favoritefavorite distortiondistortion unitunit II havehave everever used.used. Ever.Ever. OnOn it’sit’s own,own, it’sit’s prettypretty good.good. ButBut inin conjunctionconjunction withwith thethe dirty rhythm channel on the Mark III it is magic. Getting the rhythm chunk of a 4×12 out of a combo amp is dirtydirty rhythmrhythm channelchannel onon thethe MarkMark IIIIII itit isis magic.magic. GettingGetting thethe rhythmrhythm chunkchunk ofof aa 4×124×12 outout ofof aa combocombo ampamp isis supposed to be impossible. But it just kind of magically happens when the OMG circuit is engaged. It has supposedsupposed toto bebe impossible.impossible. ButBut itit justjust kindkind ofof magicallymagically happenshappens whenwhen thethe OMGOMG circuitcircuit isis engaged.engaged. ItIt hashas literally changed the way I play. I am substantially more aggressive when using it. literallyliterally changedchanged thethe wayway II play.play. II amam substantiallysubstantially moremore aggressiveaggressive whenwhen usingusing it.it.

The RK5 is all-metal and powered by a standard wall-wart style power supply. Oh and I nearly forgot. There TheThe RK5RK5 isis all-metalall-metal andand poweredpowered byby aa standardstandard wall-wartwall-wart stylestyle powerpower supply.supply. OhOh andand II nearlynearly forgot.forgot. ThereThere is a clean boost available in the OMG section, too. isis aa cleanclean boostboost availableavailable inin thethe OMGOMG section,section, too.too.

The rubber really hit the road at the next full band rehearsal. I brought a guitar and the RK5 and two cables TheThe rubberrubber reallyreally hithit thethe roadroad atat thethe nextnext fullfull bandband rehearsal.rehearsal. II broughtbrought aa guitarguitar andand thethe RK5RK5 andand twotwo cablescables and nothing else. The output ran into the rehearsal PA. As mentioned earlier, the Tech 21 stuff is an andand nothingnothing else.else. TheThe outputoutput ranran intointo thethe rehearsalrehearsal PA.PA. AsAs mentionedmentioned earlier,earlier, thethe TechTech 2121 stuffstuff isis anan all-analog emulation of a guitar amp. It is NOT digital modeling. And, I know I’m late to the party, but at this all-analogall-analog emulationemulation ofof aa guitarguitar amp.amp. ItIt isis NOTNOT digitaldigital modeling.modeling. And,And, II knowknow I’mI’m latelate toto thethe party,party, butbut atat thisthis point I am liking it better. There are no weird artifacts and it just sounds chunky and REAL. I dialed in a pointpoint II amam likingliking itit better.better. ThereThere areare nono weirdweird artifactsartifacts andand itit justjust soundssounds chunkychunky andand REAL.REAL. II dialeddialed inin aa sound that was pretty close to clean with the guitar volume dialed back and that broke up just a little when soundsound thatthat waswas prettypretty closeclose toto cleanclean withwith thethe guitarguitar volumevolume dialeddialed backback andand thatthat brokebroke upup justjust aa littlelittle whenwhen the guitar was maxed. The studio where we rehearse has a large selection of good guitar amps including thethe guitarguitar waswas maxed.maxed. TheThe studiostudio wherewhere wewe rehearserehearse hashas aa largelarge selectionselection ofof goodgood guitarguitar ampsamps includingincluding Fenders and Marshalls. And I promise that not using them was not missed at all. It was nothing short of a FendersFenders andand Marshalls.Marshalls. AndAnd II promisepromise thatthat notnot usingusing themthem waswas notnot missedmissed atat all.all. ItIt waswas nothingnothing shortshort ofof aa revelation to be able to carry something so small and get through an entire night. revelationrevelation toto bebe ableable toto carrycarry somethingsomething soso smallsmall andand getget throughthrough anan entireentire night.night.

So, here is where we stand… So,So, herehere isis wherewhere wewe standstand……

I wanted something to use as an emergency backup. What I got was a piece that has become an important II wantedwanted somethingsomething toto useuse asas anan emergencyemergency backup.backup. WhatWhat II gotgot waswas aa piecepiece thatthat hashas becomebecome anan importantimportant part of my rig even when I am using an amp, The RK5 can do double duty and allow me to go direct if my rig partpart ofof mymy rigrig eveneven whenwhen II amam usingusing anan amp,amp, TheThe RK5RK5 cancan dodo doubledouble dutyduty andand allowallow meme toto gogo directdirect ifif mymy rigrig bites the dust or if volume concerns demand a direct input. Plus, my board is WAY smaller now. The RK5 bitesbites thethe dustdust oror ifif volumevolume concernsconcerns demanddemand aa directdirect input.input. Plus,Plus, mymy boardboard isis WAYWAY smallersmaller now.now. TheThe RK5RK5 has made me more than a bit happier. It’s a keeper. hashas mademade meme moremore thanthan aa bitbit happier.happier. It’sIt’s aa keeper.keeper.

RReellaatteedd RReellaatteeddRReellaatteedd

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