MY FAVORITE AXE
With Shannon Hayden
BACKGROUND
I am a traditionally trained cellist, currently using the instrument in non-traditional ways, writing solo, amplified pieces. I play guitar and mandolin as well, providing studio session work for a number of artists and I tour with folk-pop duo Lily and Madeleine as a multi instrumentalist.
MAKE & MODEL
2013 Fishman Aura Spectrum DI Imaging Pedal
WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU
I have two very different cellos I perform with regularly – one an 1800s acoustic instrument, the other a modern electric cello. Though each has a very different arrangement of onboard pickups, the Fishman Aura Spectrum is able provide the warmer full range tone you would expect from a microphone without the feedback issues a mic can create on stage.
WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE
It gives the pickup system on my acoustic instrument the tone of a studio recording microphone.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Though designed for guitar, it is perfectly at home with all of my various stringed instruments.
CUSTOM MODS
The simulator has a wide variety of presets, one or two at least of which are bound to work with about any type of pickup system, so I haven’t found any need for modifications.
OTHER NOTES
I use a number of digital and analog effects in my live show as well as looping multiple tracks, so the clean tone this pedal provides is important to keep things separated and clear.
CAN BE HEARD ON
I make heavy use of the simulator throughout my upcoming album You See The World. It can also be heard on the most recent Lily and Madeleine record Fumes, Carrie Newcomer’s latest record A Permeable Life and also the latest album by world music artist, Simrit.
TOUR DATES
Apr 14 – Montreal @ Casa d’Italia^
Apr 15 – Ottawa @ Centretown United^
Apr 16 – Toronto @ St. George’s Lutheran Church^
Apr 19 – Auburn, NY @ Theater Mack^
Apr 22 – Boston, MA – Chapel Hill – Chauncy Hall^
Apr 23 – New York City, NY – Integral Yoga Studio^
Apr 25 – Washington D.C – Kogod Cradle Theater^
Apr 27 – Asheville, NC – Altamont Theater^
May 3 – Dallas, TX – @ Three Links
May 6 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Rebel Lounge
May 10 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
May 11 – San Francisco, CA @ Swedish American Hall
May 13 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
May 17 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
May 20 – Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge
^ w/ Simrit
LISTEN NOW at www.shannonleehayden.com
Got a favorite instrument you’d like to share? Email us at [email protected].
Photo by Ben Rains