The Tech 21 Paul Landers PL1 Signature Fly Rig is a pedal-style multi-effects unit designed in conjunction with Rammstein guitarist Paul Landers, announced in October 20181. It packs two SansAmp channels, Tech 21's signature amp emulations, plus delay, vibrato, boost and a tuner into a rugged all-metal housing small enough to fit in a guitar case23. Guitar World called it "truly a professional-quality amp and effects rig for the stage and studio"3.
The two SansAmp channels carry German names: Wasser (water) for the clean channel and Feuer (fire) for the dirty one42. Landers told MusicRadar where each sound came from: "The main [Feuer] sound is based on the SansAmp GT2, which I've used for a long time," and "The other channel [Wasser] is based on my [Roland] Jazz Chorus, which is what I use for my clean sound on the records"1.
- Weight: 20.7 oz2
Wasser and Feuer: two SansAmp channels
The PL1's core is its pair of SansAmp channels, Tech 21's signature amp emulations: Feuer for dirty sounds and Wasser for clean2. Each channel has its own footswitch, and Guitar World's review notes a key limitation for players who stack gains: "Separate footswitches for each channel allow uses to select either the Wasser or Feuer channel (but not both at once), o[r bypass both]"3. You switch between clean and dirty, or turn both off, rather than layering them.
Each channel carries its own controls:
| Channel | Character | Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Wasser | Clean, based on Landers' Roland Jazz Chorus1 | Compressor knob, Bite (bright) switch3 |
| Feuer | Dirty, based on the SansAmp GT21 | Drive (gain) knob, Mid Shift switch3 |
Beyond the amp channels, the PL1 includes a delay that Guitar World's reviewer described as vintage tape echo, a custom-designed vibrato effect with tap tempo control, and a dual-mode boost23. The review's sound impressions: "the Delay sounds spacious and warm; and the Vibrato effects are thick, chewy and trippy"3.
Controls, inputs, outputs and power
The control surface follows the Fly Rig layout: five clickless pro-quality footswitches along the lower edge and 14 illuminated control knobs along the top surface3. The footswitches cover tap tempo/tuner, delay, dual-mode boost and the two SansAmp channels2. A display for the tuner function sits about dead center3. The case is black with illuminated red knobs2.
Connections and power:
- 1/4-inch input and output jacks on the back3
- Male XLR jack on the left side3
- XLR ground lift switch, which eliminates hum problems when connecting to an external mixer3
- Headphone switch that boosts the output level for headphones3
- Center-negative jack for the included 9-volt power supply3
Guitar World gives the height as about 1 inch3, while Delicious Audio lists it at 1.25 inches with a weight of 20.7 oz2.
Designed with Paul Landers
The PL1 is a signature collaboration between Landers and Tech 21, one of several signature Fly Rigs in the company's line alongside units for players such as Richie Kotzen15. Landers' choice to work with Tech 21 produced, in Guitar World's words, "a signature version of one of the smallest rigs known to guitar-kind"3. At the October 2018 announcement, MusicRadar reported the PL1 would be available soon for $329, with prices of 399 euros and 359 pounds outside the US1; Guitar World later listed the street price as $3293.
Guitar World's overall verdict was enthusiastic about both sound and range: "The sound of the Paul Landers Fly Rig is simply phenomenal," with the reviewer finding it could do blues overdrive, classic rock and aggressive modern country tones beyond Landers' own clean and distorted styles3.
Where it sits in the Fly Rig line
The PL1 belongs to Tech 21's Fly Rig family of compact multi-effects units, which includes the Fly Rig 5 v2, the Richie Kotzen RK5 and its v2, the SansAmp Bass Fly Rig V2 and the Cali Fly Rig 55. What sets the PL1 apart within the range is its two-channel Wasser/Feuer design voiced to Landers' own rigs, a Roland Jazz Chorus clean and a SansAmp GT2 dirty sound1. Players comparing compact multi-effects units more broadly can also read the multi-effects pedals overview.
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Questions
What does Wasser and Feuer mean on the Fly Rig PL1?
They are German for water and fire, the names Tech 21 gave the two SansAmp channels. Wasser is the clean channel, based on Paul Landers' Roland Jazz Chorus, and Feuer is the dirty channel, based on the SansAmp GT2 he has used for a long time.
Can you use both channels at once on the PL1?
No. Separate footswitches for each channel let you select either Wasser or Feuer, but not both at the same time, or bypass both. Switching between them is how you move between clean and distorted sounds.
Does the Fly Rig PL1 have an XLR output?
Yes. Alongside the quarter-inch output on the back there is a male XLR jack on the left side, with a ground lift switch that eliminates hum problems when connecting to an external mixer.
How much does the Tech 21 PL1 cost?
Guitar World listed a street price of $329 in its February 2019 review. At the October 2018 announcement MusicRadar gave the same $329 figure, along with prices of 399 euros and 359 pounds for other markets.
Does the Paul Landers Fly Rig have a tuner?
Yes. One of the five footswitches handles tap tempo and tuner duties, and there is a display for the tuner function located about dead center on the unit.
Sources (5)
- Tech 21 announces signature Fly Rig pedal for Rammstein's Paul Landers, MusicRadar, 2018-10-02
- Tech 21 Unveils The Paul Landers PL1 Signature Fly Rig, Delicious Audio, 2018-10-16
- Review: Tech 21 Paul Landers PL1 Signature Fly Rig, Guitar World, 2019-02-15
- Tech 21 Unveils New Fly Rigs & Geddy Lee SansAmp, Premier Guitar, 2019-01-23
- Tech 21 announces V2 versions of Fly Rig 5 and Richie Kotzen RK5 multi-effects pedals, MusicRadar, 2019-02-14
