When recording As I Lay Dying’s 2005 album Shadows are Security, guitarist Phil Sgrosso was introduced to the Krank Revolution Series One head by the album’s mixer Andy Sneap. Since then he wouldn’t dare use anything else for live shows. He is often told how much the live shows sound like the album, which is always great to hear.

As far as live setups go Sgrosso’s is pretty simple and straight to the point. The main focus of his setup is distortion. He has two Krank Revolution Series One 100-watt tube heads (a primary and a backup) hooked into four Mesa/Boogie Recto-Standard straight-front 4×12 cabinets. The cabs house Celestion Vintage 30s. Something that is interesting is that the two upper cabs are not even plugged in.

From Guitar to Amp

Phil Sgrosso’s setup from his guitar to his amp goes like this:

• 2005 Black Cherry Gibson Les Paul Standard
• EMG 85 Active Pickups (both neck and bridge)
• Sennheiser EW 172 G2 Wireless Receiver
• Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner
• Maxon OD808 Overdrive
• Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor
• Krank Revolution One Series 100-Watt Head
• 2 Mesa/Boogie Recto-Standard Straight-Front 4×12 cabinets with Celestion Vintage 30s

Phil Sgrosso also has 1 backup Krank head and 2 cabs which he doesn’t use.

Guitar Strings and Tuning

On both of his guitars Sgrosso uses 11-15-20-34-44-56 gauge strings. The guitars are tuned down one whole step with an extra drop-D (from low to high: C G C F A D).

Related posts:

1. Getting my Guitar Professionally Setup
2. Getting my Les Paul Setup Part 3 (Finale)
3. My Guitar Gear Past, Present, and Future
4. Getting my Les Paul Setup Part 2