Teching for Trey Anastasio & Phish: Justin Stabler | Tone Tailors Podcast

What does it actually take to keep Trey Anastasio's rig running night after night? On this episode of the Tone Tailors Podcast, John from Tone Tailors sits down with his longtime friend Justin Stabler, guitar tech for Trey Anastasio and Phish, fresh off the band's four-night run at Dick's in Colorado.

Justin traces his path from playing bass in Jersey pop punk bands and lugging gear into CBGB's to learning repair work in New York City, landing his first touring gig with Lauryn Hill, and stepping up to a massive Bob Bradshaw rig for John Shanks on Bon Jovi. From there, a call from a production manager he'd worked hard for opened the door to Trey's camp.

John and Justin dig into what really goes on side stage: anticipating where Trey is headed with his tone, why some vintage pieces like his whammy are nearly impossible to replace, the trade-off between old tubes and repeatability, and why the best-sounding gear is only as good as the hands playing it. Justin also opens up about balancing touring with family, how martial arts keeps him grounded on the road, and his advice for anyone who wants to become a guitar tech.

Chapters

0:00 Dick's Recap & Crossroads

3:20 Growing Up in Jersey & Early Bands

15:06 Becoming a Guitar Tech & Touring with Lauryn Hill

25:07 Bon Jovi, John Shanks & the Bradshaw Rig

28:57 Landing the Trey Anastasio Gig

36:35 Touring Life, Family & Show Day

47:35 Inside Trey's Rig: Tone, Tubes & the Whammy

1:02:09 Staying Healthy on the Road & Advice for New Techs

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