Tone Merchants & Rack Systems LTD

In progress.. Doesn’t look like much. Yet!

Chris Shiflett, guitarist for Foo Fighters, has been a longtime friend as well as client. In February 2023, he commissioned us to help replace the aging, overgrown pedalboard that had become too crowded and unmanageable on the road, especially given the workload of a typical FF show that’s on his shoulders coupled with a demanding tour schedule. Considering this was Chris’ first foray into the world of self-contained rack-based systems with MIDI, our goal was to create a solution for him that was simple and straightforward, quick and easy to program, compatible with his elaborate multi-amp setup, and most important: sounded amazing with zero noise! Enter this arrangement of more than a dozen pedals organized neatly across two sliding shelves, each with its own ultra-quiet Friedman Power Grid 10 power supply, routed into an RJM Effect Gizmo. A Radial JX42 handles routing duties while the incredible Kikusui PCR1000 ensures clean, regulated system power anywhere on Earth. Patching and interconnections are done via the custom, front-panel interface - designed and assembled completely in-house. All of this, including the Shure
wireless accoutrements, were housed in a 15-space Encore shock-mount enclosure, and controlled by the RJM Mastermind GT - chosen for its roadworthy construction and ease of use. This one took some extra time to
test because it was SO much fun to play and sounded positively huge with all of Chris’ amps hooked up! And btw, like most of our pro, touring clientele, when they order one rig, that usually means “this one, PLUS a duplicate please!” and there was no exception here. This is one of the two rigs we delivered and they’re both still performing flawlessly.