Jacob Binzer

We met up with lead guitarist Jacob Binzer from D-A-D during his sound check in Aarhus, DK (Aug. ’21). Jacob kindly showed us his rig and demonstrated some of the settings he uses, when playing live with D-A-D. One of his signature settings is his famous “Spaghetti Western sound”, which has been an essential part of D-A-D’s sound since the late ’80’s. This specific sound was made famous by the song “Sleeping My day Away”, where it is the theme sound of the song.

The gear used

Jacob is an avid Caveman Audio user and has multiple custom made products from Steen Skrydstrup. The SC1 System Controller is used  to control his entire system – and Jacob uses a mix between preset and direct-access controls when performing. All the pedals are interfaced via the MR10 Loop System to ensure maximum performance.

All amps are connected to the Amplifier Interface, custom built by Steen Skrydstrup.
The Amplifier Interface switches between his amps, and provides a Line Level signal to the TC Electronic G-Force from each amp. The effects signal is then sent to the stereo power amp.
The system is a WET-DRY-WET system.
Dry sound in the center cabinet, and the stereo effects in the two outer cabinets.
The live sound is a mixture of the 3 cabinets.

“My guitar needs to have the clearest signal chain possible. I want to go from my guitar and out of the cabinet without losing tone. The shorter a signal path you can have, the more core sound you get. The more “body” you will have in your sound. That’s my philosophy”.
– Jacob Binzer, Lead guitarist of D-A-D

D-A-D Live Concert

Jacob’s trusted guitars

The main guitar that Jacob uses at the moment is the Gibson Les Paul, Murphy Lab ’59. His back up guitar is a Gibson Les Paul Classic from 2000.

Pedals & effects used live

These are the effects that Jacob uses when playing live with D-A-D:
Boss CS2 Compressor
MXR Micro Amp
Boss Metal Zone
TC Electronic Spark Booster
Tube Screamer TS-808
Electro-Harmonix, Pitch Fork Pitch Shifter
Voodoo Lab Proctavia
Dunlup CryBaby
Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus (Power adapter)
TC Electronic G-Force

The Metal Zone is used only for the song “Reconstrucdead”, which have a very distinctive punchy riff sound.
The Tube Screamer TS808, the Boss CS2 Compressor and the MXR Micro Amp is used only for the clean amp sound.
The TC Electronic Spark Booster is only used on one preset as a “Gain down” for the Friedman amp.
The Pitchfork is used as a Whammy pedal and the G-Force is only used for delays.
The Voodoo Lab Proctavia is used for the riff sound for the song “Monster Philosophy”

Jacob’s signature “Spaghetti western” sound, from the song “Sleeping My Day Away” is made by going into the CS2 compressor, to the MXR Micro Amp and then adding delay from the TC Electronic G-Force.
To be able to make the sound, you need a single coil guitar and add compression, boost and delay.
The delay effect can be replaced by reverb, but it has a tendency not to work that well in a live situation. Then make sure to make a hi cut and low cut, so you have a mid range sound. The rest is up to you and your fingers.

Jacob Binzer’s Gear