Daniel Steinhardt

Guitarist catches up with one of Australia’s greatest exports, Daniel Steinhardt – host of That Pedal Show and head honcho at The GigRig – to talk about getting the most out of your pedalboard

- Rod Brakes

For many guitarists, Daniel Steinhardt’s The GigRig effects pedal switching systems have been a revelation in tone. As a professional player with a love for vintage stomp-boxes, Dan was frustrated by the technical drawbacks and lack of options he encountered in standard effects pedal chains and decided something needed to be done to solve the problems inherent with using a regular pedalboard. After a period of research in his native Australia, he gained an impressive knowledge of electronics and later teamed up with British engineer Dave Mapleston, culminating in the launch of The GigRig in 2003.

The GigRig’s latest system, the G2, is an exercise in simplicity, enabling guitarists to turn multiple effects units on and offwith the push of a single switch, while simultaneously eliminating any bypassed and potentially ‘tone-sucking’ pedals in the signal path. Along with high-quality power supply, pre- and post-gain boost or attenuation and other features, the G2 delivers an affordable (more affordable than tap-dancing lessons, at least!) all-in-one solution to the common flaws that have plagued pedalboards for decades.

Playing guitar is Dan’s first love and it was from the perspective of a gigging musician that The GigRig has continued to expand. The company now includes an impressive array of neat problem-solving gizmos in its catalogue aimed at making life easier for guitarists, while opening up a great deal more creative potential in the process. Dan’s enthusiasm for effects pedals is infectious, as many readers may have noticed when watching That Pedal Show – a YouTube channel dedicated solely to the subject of effects, created and hosted by Dan and former Guitarist Editor, Mick Taylor.

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