Vol. 26, No. 5
March 2025
Players, Gear & Sound — The Inside
Explore the pursuit of iconic tone in music, celebrating Jerry Garcia's spirit through innovation. Discover the Milkman JG 40 amplifier and Alnico speaker, blending vintage design with modern precision. Learn how Josh Olken of Terrapin Flyer channels Garcia’s sound while crafting his unique style. Gear expert Mike Wald shares insights on achieving authentic tone with custom electronics. Plus, delve into the dynamic Proton Mk IV envelope filter, enhancing expressive playing. Join us in honoring musical heritage and creativity with cutting-edge gear that redefines classic sound.
PLAYERS, GEAR & SOUND
The Inside
The Milkman Delivers Again
By Scott Ulrichs. Tim Marcus of Milkman Sound returns to discuss his limited-run Jerry Garcia–inspired JG 40 amplifier, built around vintage re-coned JBL Alnico speakers, Alembic-influenced preamp mods, and custom Bryan Sours transformers — and reveals his ambitious new Milkman Alnico speaker project designed to finally replace the unobtainable originals.
MILKMAN JG 40 AMP REVIEW
A Jerry in the Box
By Scott Ulrichs. The Milkman JG 40 is a 40-watt combo built around Fender black- and silver-panel DNA and a JBL speaker, delivering one of the most musical, open, hi-fidelity clean tones available today. Scott Ulrichs puts it through its paces for months and finds an amp that reveals everything your fingers and guitar have to say.
THE MILKMAN ALNICO
A Heart-Driven Journey to a Faithful JBL Reproduction
By Scott Ulrichs. The Milkman Alnico speaker is a faithful reproduction of the coveted JBL K-120, built to the same wattage and sensitivity specs and, to ToneQuest ears, virtually indistinguishable from the original. Tim Marcus' ten-year quest pays dividends for tone chasers everywhere.
JOSH OLKEN OF TERRAPIN FLYER AND JERRY TONES
The Tools For The Trade
By Scott Ulrichs. ToneQuest sits down with Josh Olken of Terrapin Flyer to explore his guitar rigs, signal chain, and the art of channeling Jerry Garcia's tone while finding his own voice in Chicago's long-running Grateful Dead tribute band.
A VISIT WITH MIKE WALD IN 2025
The Gear Guru Sounds Off
By Scott Ulrichs. Gear guru Mike Waldotronics discusses the buffers, Blaster clones, custom pedals, and amp mods he's built and installed for Grateful Dead tribute guitarist Josh, revealing the meticulous craft behind capturing authentic Jerry Garcia tone.
3 LEAF AUDIO’S FOUNDER SPENCER DOREN
The Proton Mk IV Envelope Filter
By Scott Ulrichs. Spencer Doren of 3 Leaf Audio talks about the evolution of his Proton envelope filter — a Mu-Tron III–inspired design now in its fourth version — along with his Octabvre, Doom 2, and the philosophy behind running a thriving boutique pedal company without social media.
3 Leaf Audio Proton Mk IV Review
By Scott Ulrichs. The 3 Leaf Audio Proton Mk IV envelope filter delivers an intoxicating, dynamic playing experience that tracks exceptionally well with your attack — by far the most fun we've ever had with this style of effect.
Did he doubt or did he try? Answers aplenty in the bye and bye Talk about your plenty, talk about your ills One man gathers what another man spills.
— Robert Hunter
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