Tim Skold Guitar Gear: Unpacking the Sonic Arsenal of a Rock Innovator

Tim Skold is renowned for his innovative and aggressive guitar work across various genres, from industrial rock to metal. His distinctive sound is not just a product of his playing style but also meticulously crafted through a detailed and powerful guitar gear setup. Let’s delve into the impressive collection of equipment that forms the backbone of Tim Skold’s guitar sound, revealing the components that allow him to sculpt his signature tones for both stage and studio environments. This breakdown provides a detailed look at the racks, pedals, and guitars that define his sonic landscape.

Guitar Rack (Case G1)

This rack forms a core part of Skold’s amplified sound, housing essential components for power, tone shaping, and effects routing.

• Dimensions: 43×26×26
• Marshall EL34 Power Amp Rack: Providing the raw power and classic British tube sound.
• Palmer adig-lb Speaker Simulator Line box Rack: Enables silent recording and consistent sound to front-of-house.
• Dunlop Crybaby Rack Wah: Classic wah effect in a rack-mountable format for precise control.
• Damage Control Glass Nexus Effects Unit: Likely used for unique distortion or overdrive textures.
• Line6 Echo Pro Rack Effects Unit: For versatile delay and echo effects.
• Line6 Filter Pro Rack Effects Unit: Offering a range of filter-based effects for creative sound shaping.
• Axess RX1 Rack Switching Unit: Central hub for switching and managing rack effects.
• Whirlwind Multi Selector Switch Rack: For further signal routing and selection options.
• Furman pl-8 Power Distribution Rack: Ensures clean and protected power for all rack units.
• Boss NS-2 Noise Reduction Pedal: Rack-mounted noise gate to keep signal clean.
• MXR III Distortion Pedal: Classic distortion pedal sound in a rack form.
• Tech 21 NYC Comptortion Compression-Distortion Pedal: Combining compression and distortion for dynamic tones.
• MXR EQ 6B Pedal: Rack-mounted equalizer for fine-tuning frequencies.
• Arion MTE-1Tubulator Distortion Pedal: Another distortion flavor, possibly for specific tonal nuances.
• DOD YJM-308 Distortion Pedal: Known for its high-gain capabilities, likely for heavier tones.
• Ibanez TS-9 Distortion Pedal: The iconic Tube Screamer, essential for many guitarists.
• Voodoo Labs 2 Power Distribution Unit: Additional power management for pedals.
• Shure u4d-j4 Wireless Receiver Rack (x 2): Dual wireless systems for guitar signal freedom.
• Ebtech Hum Eliminator Rack Unit: Reduces unwanted noise in the signal chain.

Guitar Rack (Case G2)

This rack seems to be centered around Blankenship amplifiers, suggesting a focus on boutique amp tones alongside more Crybaby wah pedals for expressive control.

• Dimensions: 43×26×32
• Blankenship VariPlex Amp (x 2): Boutique amplifiers known for their modified Plexi-style tones.
• Vari volt reg. (x 2): Voltage regulators for the Blankenship amps, potentially for sag and tone control.
• Furman pl-8 Power Distribution Rack: Power conditioning for this rack as well.
• Palmer adig-lb Speaker Simulator Line Box Rack: Consistent direct output option.
• Dunlop Crybaby Rack Wah (x 2): Dual rack wahs for varied wah settings or stereo wah effects.
• Dunlop dcr-ifc Rack Wah pedal (x 3): Additional wah controllers, possibly for different wah circuits or expression control.
• Gray Engineering lab Character Generator: Unknown specific use in guitar rig, possibly a unique signal processor or modulator.
• Blonder Tongue Saw Filter Modulator: Likely a specialized filter effect, potentially for experimental tones.

Pedal Board Case (Case G3)

A streamlined pedalboard setup focused on expression and tuning.

• Dimensions: 32×19×9
• Boss FV-300l Expression Pedal: Volume or expression control pedal.
• Dunlop dcr-ifc Rack Wah Pedal: Controller for rack wah effects.
• Planet Wave Tuner Pedal (x 2): Redundant tuners for quick and reliable tuning on stage.

Pedal Board Case (Case G4)

This pedalboard expands on the previous one with a selection of distortion, modulation, and utility pedals, offering a wider range of foot-controlled effects.

• Dimensions: 32×19×9
• Dunlop Crybaby Wah Pedal: Standard Crybaby wah for foot-operated wah sounds.
• MXR III Distortion Pedal: Pedal version of the rack distortion.
• Arion MTE-1Tubulator Distortion Pedal: Pedal format of this distortion.
• Radial Big Shot A-B Pedal: For switching between different amps or signal paths.
• Planet Wave Tuner Pedal: Pedal tuner.
• Boss NS-2 Noise Reduction Pedal: Pedal noise gate.
• Nogels DD-800 Delay Pedal: Delay effect pedal.
• Ibanez DE7 Delay Pedal: Another delay pedal, possibly for different delay types.
• Boss CE-3 Chorus Pedal: Chorus modulation effect.
• Ibanez CF7 Pedal Chorus-Flanger: Combination chorus and flanger pedal for modulation textures.

Guitar Vault (Case G5)

This “vault” details a collection of Gibson Firebird guitars, indicating a preference for this iconic model, alongside essential accessories.

• Dimensions: 66×60×24
• Gibson Firebird V Classic White, Chrome Hardware, (potted Pickups): Stock Firebird V.
• Gibson Firebird V Classic White, Chrome Hardware, Seymour Duncan SM-3B: Upgraded pickups for tonal variation.
• Gibson Firebird V Classic White, Chrome Hardware, Seymour Duncan SM-3B: Another Firebird V with same pickup upgrade.
• Gibson Firebird VII Metallic Red, Gold Hardware: Top-of-the-line Firebird VII model.
• Firebird Custom Built Cardinal Red, Tom Holmes Humbucker: Custom Firebird with high-end pickups.
• Dillion Firebird Sunburst, Seymore Duncan Humbucker: More affordable Firebird style guitar with aftermarket pickups.
• Ground Control Pro Midi Pedal Board (x 2): MIDI controllers for complex effects switching.
• Shure Wireless Pack (x 7): Multiple wireless systems to match the number of guitars.
• Strings Dunlop Light Top Heavy Bottom, 10-52 Gauge: String gauge preference for balanced tone and playability.
• Dunlop Picks .73 mm (Custom Print): Pick preference and customization.

Guitar Speaker Set Cart (Case G6)

This case specifies the speaker cabinets used, highlighting a preference for Celestion Vintage 30 speakers, known for their punch and midrange focus.

• Crate Guitar Speaker Cabinets 4 12 Celestion Vintage 30’s (x 4): Four cabinets each loaded with four 12″ Celestion Vintage 30 speakers, for a large and powerful stage sound.

Guitar Rack (Case G7)

Another rack case, this one featuring Marshall 1959SLP amplifiers, suggesting a preference for classic, high-headroom Marshall tones, similar to the first rack but with different amp models.

• Dimensions: 43×26×32
• Marshall 1959SLP Amp (x 2): Reissue of the legendary Super Lead Plexi amplifier.
• Vari volt reg. (x 2): Voltage regulation for the Marshall amps.
• Furman pl-8 Power Distribution Rack: Power conditioning.
• Palmer adig-lb Speaker Simulator Line Box Rack: Direct recording/PA output option.

In conclusion, Tim Skold’s guitar gear setup reveals a meticulously curated collection of both classic and cutting-edge equipment. From vintage Marshall amps to boutique Blankenship heads, and a wide array of rack and pedal effects, his rig is designed for sonic versatility and power. The detailed inventory showcases the depth of thought and precision that goes into crafting the signature guitar sound of this influential and innovative musician. The focus on multiple distortion types, wah pedals, and Firebird guitars further emphasizes the specific tonal characteristics that define Tim Skold’s impactful guitar work.