Dweezil Zappa Rig Demo - Axe-Fx Ultra, Atomic Reactor FR Wedge

April 2010: The Fractal Audio artist team spent several days with Dweezil Zappa at the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen, the studio where Frank Zappa recorded some of his best loved work. We worked together on Dweezil's rig and sounds anticipating a live appearance of Zappa Plays Zappa with Jeff Beck (which was awesome!)

Highlights included creating or fine tuning a fresh setlist worth of core tones and "all kinds of wild sounds." The heart of the rig is a pair of Axe-Fx Ultra units, each running full amp/cab sims/stomp+studio effects (plus pedal du jour) into its own stereo pair of Atomic Reactor FR Powered Wedges (stood upright). This is what some would call "The Ultimate Rig, Twice".

Here Dweezil pushes his lead tone towards space as we enjoy the inspiration of having just nailed the sound of a vintage dynaflanger using "Fractal B". The pedal controlled Axe-Fx delays and sweeps take things where no rig has gone before.

Also, check out his guitar. He's playing a prototype Fender that matches the specs of one of his father's old favorites. The finish is embellished with Frank's image worn into it. Very Cool!

Thanks to Dweezil for the hospitality, the chance to do good work, and of course, the music!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Dweezil Zappa
• Frank
• Fractal Audio Axe-Fx Ultra
• Atomic Reactor FR Wedge
• FRFR
• Zoom Q3

[dswguitars]

@dswguitars Well... Steve Howe, Trent Reznor Etc. etc. However we're not talking about Line 6. No line 6 gear I've ever owned holds up to the Axe FX. I ditched my line 6 gear because the company doesn't stand behind it's products or support its customers. I've owned 3 pieces of L6 gear, none of which worked together and they wanted me to buy more gear that would only partially fix the problems. You need to actuall play the AXE FX not just watch your friend. This aint no toy.

[thricegod1288]

great player, way to many effects for my liking

[stbreal]

normally he doesn't use this many effects if any at all HE IS SIMPLY demonstrating the fractal unit!! come on!!

[gargantua]

Guys...that man that looks like he's just waking up (probably he is) would kick your distinguished asses just by playing a simple pentatonic scale way down-way up...Frank Zappa was right...It's not hydrogen the building block of Universe is just STUPIDITY!!! Shut Up'n'play yer guitar IDIOTS!

[movies7311]

Come on guys, this isn't supposed to be absolute perfection! hes trying out a new piece of gear for cryin out loud. Don't just judge someone like zappa with one video of him playing around with a new toy.

[evelskunny]

he;s awful,lol

[100slackerman1]

@damienrouse BTW - your playing probably sound like a duck or a dweezil or maybe like a can of bumble bees ..get me?! ,,,wahahahaha

[100slackerman1]

@damienrouse yep we're entitled to our own comments and opinions - in this case you;re the sad muppet which is probably 100x worse than a common idiot like me :)D wahahahah

[damienrouse]

@100slackerman1 then your an idiot

[NeuferP]

Listen to none of these whiny wimps Dweezil!!! You got the world's biggest shoes to fill and you do it amazingly well. It is real easy to get jealous of a dude like you. I mean your position is yours and yours alone. Your father influenced me very intensely and I love to hear you play. I like the differences. There can never be another Frank Zappa, but anybody with a glimmer of consciousness can see your challenge and I personally respect and admire your for rising to it. So, Zappa, play ZAPPA !

[100slackerman1]

Don't think Frank would be proud of that :(