Rig Rundown

A breakdown of the gear Niko uses on stage, in the classroom, and on acoustic gigs.

Gear is personal. After nearly 30 years of performing, teaching, and recording, Niko has developed a rig that prioritizes tone, reliability, and versatility — without unnecessary complexity. What you see here is what actually gets used, night after night, lesson after lesson.

Ibanez SML721 — Midnight Arctic Ocean Matte

"I love this guitar. I use 12s on the bass strings and 10s on the high strings, and the multi-scale neck is brilliant for ergonomics. I honestly wish all necks were made this way. I love the color as well.

With a coil tap and a 5-way pickup switch, it offers 10 different tonal options. The tone knob has a subtle sweep, unlike most guitars, giving you just the right amount of warmth. And while the pickups are not especially high output, they deliver a fantastic blend of clarity and warmth."

Live Electric Rig

Schecter C-1 FR S SLS Elite

"One of my favorites. The Fishman active pickups have two modes which is nice. I don't use the single coil at the bridge too often. Like my Ibanez, the wizard neck on this one makes playing a breeze.

I don't think I could live without the sustainer; this has to be one of my favorite features on any guitar. I own two others with the Sustainiac installed. When you master using this feature in all 3 of its modes your playing completely opens up."

Schecter C-1 Platinum FR S

"This is my backup for the C-1 elite. The EMGs are nice, but I much prefer the tone of the Fishman. The neck is round on this one, you I do play it a bit differently than the C-1 elite."

Fender Tone Master Pro

"I've played many, many multi-effects modelers. This is the first one I've used that feels and sounds authentic. The tone is spot on for the amp models, and the feel is as close to a tube as digital has come so far. What's more, it's built like a tank, weighs next to nothing, and it couldn't be much easier to use."

HeadRush FRFR-112 & FRFR-108

"When it comes to amp modeling you need a good FRFR speaker system. For monitors, I use the 108 models in stereo. When I'm playing a really big gig I'll use two 112 models in stereo to boost my stage volume. I often place them on opposite sides of the stage."

Line 6 PowerCab 212

"At 50 pounds, it isn't lightweight! This thing is built like a boulder but it's nearly indescructible. The stereo sound is great. I use it in FRFR mode for my backline. It gives pureness to any modeler I've owned. It very much compliments the Fender Tone Master Pro which is my full-time live rig."

Line 6 Relay G30 & Boss WL-50

"The Relay G30 is small and simple. This is the most reliable unit I've owned that wasn't large like the old standards we're all used to.

For me, wireless freedom is a must."

Dava Guitar Picks — Nylon, Delrin, Gel & Nickel Rock Control

"When it comes to guitar picks, some guys use one specific kind, others can play with anything and don't particularly care.

I'm a huge fan of Dava. I spoke to owner Dave Storey quite a few times and he's created a solid design. They are easy to use and sound great. I use the nickel ones the most when playing anything rock. I just love the tone."

Dava Guitar Picks — Nylon, Delrin, Gel & Nickel Rock Control

"When it comes to guitar picks, some guys use one specific kind, others can play with anything and don't particularly care.

Cort GA-QF Grand Auditorium — Coral Blue Burst

"As inexpensive guitars go, the Cort is fantastic. It plays well, sounds great, and that 'beach' dye job is gorgeous. I'm a sucker for quilted maple so when I saw it on an acoustic, a blue one no less, I had to have it. This is a great guitar plugged in. It's comfortable enough to play lead on, too."

Live Acoustic Rig

Shure SM58

"The ever-reliable SM58... I use this for my backup vocals in bands and my main mic for solo gigs. There's a reason it's a common grab for many musicians. It just works flawlessly and sounds good."

HeadRush Prime

"This was my main rig for years playing in bands. Now I use it as my acoustic rig. You get great studio preamps tone, effects for guitar and vocals, and control. It's like a complete PA system at your feet."

Acoustic A20 20W Acoustic Guitar Amplifier

"When you play an acoustic guitar the sound projects from the sound hole. The audience is hearing you from the guitar and the PA speakers. As a player, you're hearing things indirectly. Tonal loss leads to improper playing techniques.

This acoustic wedge is perfect for monitoring guitar and vocals. I can hear everything when I'm playing."

ESP LTD EC-1000

"The guitar is built like a Les Paul but has features that solve my dislikes of Les Paul guitars.

The neck is smaller. There are 24 frets. The body is thinner and not as heavy. There is only one tone knob. While some Epiphones now feature a coil splitter... Gibson LPs are typically known for a straight humbucker tone. I like having the coil splitter that ESP installed on these. The guitar is perfect for teaching. I can match my tone closer to my students' tone."

Teaching Rig

HeadRush Gigboard

"HeadRush Prime is amazing. The Gigboard is the old pre-Prime series model. It's powerful enough to make teaching a lot of fun. You don't need 12 stomp buttons to teach, so it's also simple. With the simple skeuomorphic interface, students understand the pedal layout, too."

Line 6 POD Go Wireless

"Line 6 is has the type of quality that suites students. With a reasonable selection of amps and effects... the PodGo is a great starter board with basic tone and simplistic features.

Once my students learn how to use this one they are ready to move onto the professional products out there."

HeadRush FRFR-112

"Since I run two effects processors in my teaching studio, one for me, one for the students, the HeadRush 112 is perfect. It'll handle two separate units (one for each input on the back) and sound authentic so students sound their best.

When we perform we want to sound great so that we play great. How we sound affects our performance. Students deserve to sound their best to maximize their learning experience."