LOS ANGELES — Buckcherry guitarist Stevie D. and his guitar technician Dean Mitchell are using on a wireless setup from Lectrosonics for their current U.S. and European tour in support of their latest album, Black Butterfly.
Mitchell, who over the years has served as guitar tech for a wide range of artists including Cheap Trick, FireHouse, Night Ranger, The Doobie Brothers and Ted Nugent, maintains Stevie D.’s guitars, wires his guitar rack and makes sure his Lectrosonics wireless systems are working properly.
For key performances Stevie D. goes onstage with not one, but two Lectrosonics IS400 Wireless Beltpack Instrument Systems featuring the company’s Digital Hybrid Wireless technology.
Stevie D’s wireless setup consists of the two Lectrosonics IS400 receivers mounted into a single 19-inch rackspace, two Lectrosonics LMa beltpack transmitters and multiple Lectrosonics MI39ARA cables specially equipped with Neutrik right angle NP2RX-AU-Silent plugs.
“Stevie switches guitars numerous times throughout the course of a performance,” said Mitchell, “so by having him set up with two systems, I can alternate between them seamlessly. It makes for an absolutely trouble-free approach to wireless guitar.”
Mitchell added that Stevie D. is no newcomer to Lectrosonics wireless gear. “Stevie’s been using Lectrosonics for over two years, and the system really complements his style of playing. He’s got it—he’s a pure rock and blues player and he’ll be around for a long time,” Mitchell added.
“When I joined the tour, I was really impressed with Lectrosonics’ sound quality, the rock solid coverage and reliability, as well as the rugged build quality of the products and because of this, I wanted to get a second system so I could run them both at the same time. In the world of wireless equipment, a tech like myself lives and dies by the performance of the wireless setup, and in the world of wireless gear, Lectrosonics nails it.
“The IS400’s sound quality is really musical,” Mitchell added. “The Lectrosonics’ frequency response is great and the gear doesn’t color Stevie’s sound the way other wireless systems with compandors do. I’ve also been very impressed with the ease of identifying and locking down open frequencies. The system gives you a warning when you’re in range of other interfering radio frequencies, so at the touch of a single button, the system scans for available frequencies and when it finds it, another press locks it in and you’re done.”
For any touring act, reliability is yet another key consideration when selecting products, and in that regard, Mitchell finds Lectrosonics on top of its game. “To be honest, I really haven’t had any issues with our Lectrosonics equipment, so I rarely have reason to call the company. I called recently when we were in nearby Santa Fe because I wanted to tell them how much we like the IS400 and invite them to come to the show. Karl Winkler got back to me right away and visited with us.”
“I love this wireless setup and my tech. Just try to pry them from my hands! They both make my life on the road great,” said Stevie D., shortly before the European leg of the tour got underway.
For more information, please visit www.lectrosonics.com.
