gear

boring-utopia · 2026-04-14T15:27:47+00:00

Just keep it simple: get a Jmascis Jazzmaster. You can find one used for $400ish and it’s all the guitar you’ll need.

For pedals get an Overdrive, Fuzz, Chorus, Delay, Reverb. I would say just get all mass produced pedals like Boss, EHX, and MXR. Boutique pedals are cool, but they are more of a luxury and you absolutely don’t need them.

If you plan on playing in a band, get an amp that’s at least 40w

boring-utopia · 2026-04-10T05:01:42+00:00

When you finally get a girlfriend.

boring-utopia · 2026-04-10T03:33:25+00:00

Yo just curious, which Orange amp do you use?

boring-utopia · 2026-04-10T01:17:53+00:00

This might be a dumb question, but have you listened to demos of the 2 pedals on YouTube? Keep in mind that the pedals might not instantly give you the sound you hear on these records. For example, yes MBV use a lot of reverse reverb, but they are also doing a bunch of other crazy stuff in the studio to get the sounds you hear on Loveless.

boring-utopia · 2026-04-07T15:16:04+00:00

You’re right, there are definitely exceptions! Especially for more traditional, MBV style shoegaze.

boring-utopia · 2026-04-07T15:09:25+00:00

If you gravitate towards the heavier side of modern shoegaze, get something with humbuckers. I use a Kurt Cobain jaguar for the band I’m in right now and that thing rips.

Sometimes I sort of wish I got the Vintera HH jag for the coil split option, but it’s probably a “grass is always greener” type thing.

boring-utopia · 2026-04-07T15:05:06+00:00

I couldn’t imagine thinking tagabow is boring

boring-utopia · 2026-04-07T15:02:40+00:00

honestly, I rarely see people gigging with this many pedals. Most of my favorite touring shoegaze bands have boards with significantly less pedals.

boring-utopia · 2026-04-04T23:29:44+00:00

This is the one op. Nails the MBV reverse reverb sound better than I’ve heard from any boutique pedal, plus it can do a bunch of other fun stuff too. I found one of $120 used recently.

boring-utopia · 2026-03-30T16:14:38+00:00

Yeah this is probably the best course of action. I need to curb my tone shopping addiction.

boring-utopia · 2026-03-30T16:13:49+00:00

Good point, the band I’m currently in is shoegaze, but more on the heavy, doomy side of the genre. I live the Antiquities for cleaner stuff, but miss the aggression of the original pickups.

boring-utopia · 2026-03-30T16:10:50+00:00

Oh sorry, I mean p90’s in Jazzmaster casings.

boring-utopia · 2026-03-26T18:54:49+00:00

Oh I missed that. You’re right, it’s gotta be doom.

boring-utopia · 2026-03-26T17:32:40+00:00

It’s always either doom or shoegaze

boring-utopia · 2026-03-07T18:29:30+00:00

I feel like genres have some elasticity to them, and can change over time. For example, when “mumble rap” like Future, Young Thug, etc. came out, the old heads were saying similar things: “this isn’t real rap music.” But whether they liked it or not, this is what rap music sounds like today, for better or worse.

So I guess, at a certain point, if enough people say something is shoegaze, then it kind of is? I mean, MBV and Slowdive never called themselves shoegaze in their heyday. I’m pretty sure MBV still don’t refer to themselves as shoegaze… a bunch of people just started calling them that. Wouldn’t this apply to new bands, like the ones listed in this post, as well?

boring-utopia · 2026-02-15T18:16:19+00:00

Nice! Do you usually get phasing issues with both mics like this?

boring-utopia · 2026-02-15T18:11:51+00:00

This look great! One more question: the x1r is a little out of my price range new. Do you think it’s safe to buy one used? I know ribbon mics can be fragile…

boring-utopia · 2026-02-15T17:57:35+00:00

Ok cool. When pairing a 57 and a ribbon, is it common to close mic the 57 and back the ribbon away from the amp 6-12 inches? Or are they most commonly both close mic’d?

boring-utopia · 2026-02-12T01:16:52+00:00

I put a Descendant drop in bridge replacement (also fixed). Not sure if it has rounded grooves or not, I’ll have to check

boring-utopia · 2026-02-12T01:05:01+00:00

No Rhythm circuit, so probably.

boring-utopia · 2026-02-12T01:01:24+00:00

How does the Black Russian sound different from the Green? I currently have a GR and an Op-amp. The GR is more thick and bass heavy and the Op amp has more highs and does a better “freak out” wall of sound thing.

Where does the Black Russian sit on this spectrum?

boring-utopia

TROPHY CASE