We’ve all been there. You see that piece of gear that you just have to have, and your mind starts racing, imagining all the things you could do with it and how it would fit perfectly with other gear that you’ve been yearning for or already have.
And, ultimately, that’s why you’re here.
Since long before I started writing for Guitar Center, I’ve always seen it as a go-to musical playground and supply store for my hobby-turned-career needs. For me, it all started at the age of 10 with a Candy Apple Red Squier Stratocaster I picked up at the Guitar Center store in Lawndale, California.
So, if you’re looking to take stock of your dream gear and how it’ll all come together on stage or in the studio, you’ve come to the right place. As you narrow down your own wish list, I’ll run you through what’s on mine—and why I want it.
Pictured: Line 6 Helix Stadium XL Multi-Effects Processor
Table of Contents
A Little About Me and What’s Next for My Rig
My Top 5 Music Gear Picks
Create Your Own Wish List
A Little About Me and What’s Next for My Rig
I’ve worn many hats in the music industry since the late ’00s—drummer for thrash metal bands, guitarist in various rock outfits, recording and live sound engineer, mastering engineer, Downtown LA studio manager, composer, beatmaker and international touring stage tech for industrial juggernaut Ministry, to name a sample. The past few years, I’ve taken to playing bass and experimenting with DJ gear in my spare time.
Suffice it to say, I’ve worked with and cycled through a ton of gear across categories, and my taste, needs, wants and wishes have constantly shifted with ever-changing budget and space allowances, as well as career demands.
And, let’s be real—like many of you, and as my bank accounts can attest, I’ve been diagnosed with a chronic condition of GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). Adding a new tool to your rig is just fun … and endlessly addictive.
As you’ll see in my case, I’m favoring a more streamlined, minimalist, multipurpose ethos to my gig (re)buidling. Nowadays, I want my gear to serve as an easy-to-transport enabler of creativity across multiple instruments and genres—the idea is to futureproof my gear collection enough to withstand my inevitable shifting fixations across instruments and use cases.
Pictured: Fender Vintera II '60s Bass VI in Lake Placid Blue
My Top 5 Music Gear Picks
Line 6 Helix Stadium XL
Why I Picked It: After years of lugging around backbreaking half stacks and pedalboard rigs from gig to gig, having a cutting-edge, all-in-one guitar and bass rig at my feet is well worth the initial expense.
Key Features:
- Entirely new, ultraresponsive Agoura modeling
- High-visibility touchscreen and OLED scribble strips
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth control
Shop Now: Line 6 Helix Stadium XL Multi-Effects Processor
Before delving into the world of multi-effects rigs, I went through a series of combos and half stacks—my favorite being a Marshall Valvestate 2x12 combo before graduating to a Marshall Haze head with a grizzled, beat-up MESA 4x12 cab, which made the air move and ground rumble beneath me. Fun times.
But did I need something that massive? Not really. And did I have space for it? Definitely not, especially as I grew laser-focused on my audio engineering and production career. So, when the guitar itch came back, I got a secondhand Neural DSP Quad Cortex to serve as my pedalboard’s Swiss Army knife. Admittedly, the lack of scribble strips and slow update rollout was an issue, so I parted with it knowing I’d find a replacement to relieve those pain points and then some.
Enter the Line 6 Helix Stadium XL. While significantly bigger, it checks all my boxes: gorgeously laid-out user interface with plenty of space between footswitches, next-gen modeling, built-in expression pedal and rock-solid construction that I could confidently carry to rehearsals and gigs.
The Helix Stadium XL is instinctively easy to navigate, as showcased in this deep dive with Yvette Young. Plus, having a built-in expression pedal is handy—or “footy,” if that were a term. It’s one less piece of pedalboard Tetris I have to worry about.
Harbinger VARI V4412
Why I Picked It: It’s a gust of fresh air with its full frequency spectrum, sleek design and convenient wireless control.
Key Features:
- DSP-driven EQ and 10 voicing presets
- PEEK (polyetheretherketone—say that 10 times fast) tweeter dishes out incredibly detailed high end
- Comprehensive I/O includes XLR/1/4" combo jacks, Bluetooth and 1/8" auxiliary in
Shop Now: Harbinger VARI V4412 12" Powered 2-Way Loudspeaker
I was fortunate to get an in-person sneak peek at Harbinger’s flagship VARI V4412 before it was released. The team of designers who worked on this did an outstanding job creating a lightweight, affordable powered speaker that can go toe-to-toe with the industry standards—which it was A/B’d against at the unveiling.
Having had a QSC K10.2 at home as my FRFR and party speaker—which is fantastic, by the way—I was thoroughly blown away at how far Harbinger’s quality has progressed in recent years. And I loved the V4412’s app-controlled presets and comprehensive sound-sculpting options.
“This one’s going on my wish list,” I thought to myself while shaking my head, grinning from ear to ear like a maniac as the music filled the room in all the right ways. And when I do, I plan to use it as the other half of my FRFR rig, PA system and wedge monitor for my Roland e-kit.
Fender Vintera II Bass VI
Why I Picked It: Coming from such a prevalent maker, this producer’s secret weapon isn’t one you see every day, and it’s incredibly versatile, which—shocker—is absolutely my thing.
Key Features:
- Mid-’60s specs make this a vibey time capsule
- 7.25"-radius rosewood fingerboard with vintage-tall frets yields easy expression
- Floating tremolo system lets you wail and dive to your heart’s content
Shop Now: Fender Vintera II '60s Bass VI in Lake Placid Blue
Some of my fondest childhood memories involved The Beatles playing in the background—but, really, in the foreground of my music-obsessed mind. And decades later, I landed my first “real” writing job at Fender.
So, it’s only natural that when I sat captivated at the edge of my seat throughout the eight-hour The Beatles: Get Back documentary series, my love for both was rekindled—not that it ever went away. Seeing and hearing John Lennon and George Harrison play a Bass VI at various points during the writing and recording of the Let It Be album solidified my desire to make a Bass VI mine.
Technically a bass, but with the six-string and playability factor of a guitar, the Vintera II ’60s Bass VI turns back the clock as much as it turns heads. Its trio of single coils give effervescence, warmth and organic tone that harken back to that golden age.
Not only that, but it’s also got a cult following among drop-tuned metalheads, which lets me revisit some of my most beloved nu metal riffs and vibes. A ’60s British Invasion-steeped throwback and a headbanging machine? A bass and (basically) a guitar? I’ll take it. And sign me up for a Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI while we’re at it—okay, now I’m just getting greedy …
Allen & Heath CQ-20B
Why I Picked It: This studio-and-stage chameleon has lived rent-free in my mind since I edited the transcript of our CQ Series article prior to release.
Key Features:
- Most robust I/O offering of the CQ Series
- Stagebox model is remotely controllable via mobile device or laptop
- 19" rackmountable chassis with rack ears
Shop Now: Allen & Heath CQ-20B Digital Mixer
I’ve had a 6-piece TAMA Starclassic kit since high school, but have never had enough inputs and mic pres to record it the way I’ve wanted to. Bigger, more I/O-capable interfaces were always way out of budget, and until my mid-20s I didn’t have the know-how to properly track the bands I was in.
Allen & Heath’s CQ-20B has everything I’m looking for in a streamlined hybrid studio and live mixer: more than enough inputs to record or mix a full band live, a minimal yet built-like-a-tank form factor and easy-peasy control via Wi-Fi on my phone or tablet.
That wireless control is offered in two apps—both of which I could see myself using. If I’m mixing shows or recording a band, the CQ MixPad app lets me control every aspect of the mixer as if I had the touchscreen interface-equipped models. And the musician-catered CQ4You app works as a personal monitor mixer. While the touchscreen on the CQ-12T and CQ-18T would be a super convenient nice-to-have, it’s not a necessity for me, and I’ll happily take the higher input count and lower channel-per-channel price tag on the 20B.
IK Multimedia iRig Pro I/O
Why I Picked It: On the opposite end of the I/O spectrum, this solid portable recorder is perfect for laying down ideas on the go—or without having to fire up my full-blown desktop recording rig at home.
Key Features:
- Ultracompact form factor fits easily in your pocket with room to spare
- Single MIDI I/O and combo XLR/1/4" with 48V phantom power let you record whatever you need
- Included AmpliTube TONEX SE gives you access to tons of amp, cabinet and pedal models
Shop Now: IK Multimedia iRig Pro I/O Audio/MIDI Interface
In school, sometimes I’d excuse myself from class for a minute to hum a melody or beatbox a rhythm into my phone as song idea fodder for fear of forgetting it. I couldn’t resist scratching the creative itch then, and still can’t today.
When inspiration calls, pick up the phone—or better yet, the IK Multimedia iRig Pro I/O. Whether you’re looking to lay down vocals, guitar, bass, keys or any MIDI-, XLR- or 1/4" plug-equipped instrument, you can record dry or load up your favorite presets through the app on your mobile device or laptop.
With up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution, it records audio you can actually use in your final mix. Very handy. And its bigger sibling, the iRig Pro Duo I/O, gives you twice the inputs in a slightly bigger but still pocket-sized interface. Even handier.
Create Your Own Wish List
Pictured: Harbinger VARI V4412 12" Powered 2-Way Loudspeaker
Trust me, there’s more on my list. And until GAS is added to the DSM-V, I’ll keep adding more to it with abandon.
But we’ll leave it at that for now. Everyone’s wants, needs and situations are unique, but I hope reading through my own thoughts strikes a chord with you, even if you play different instruments or hold a totally different approach to music and production than I do.
Now it’s time to go forth and make your own wish list. From musician to musician, if you haven’t been to a Guitar Center location lately, I’d highly recommend checking one out in person. The quintessential musicians’ playground is alive and thriving with the best brick-and-mortar selection I’ve seen in years. Otherwise, our expert Gear Advisers are here to help make your wish list into a reality.