This article series is about the tools of popular guitarists. What are their favorite guitars and how is it related to them? This time with Intrepid (Simo Atso – guitar & Siim Soodla – bass)
Who am I interviewing?
Hi, I’m Simo Atso, guitarist for Estonian death metal band Intrepid.
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
My parents got me my first guitar when I was 5, it was a Samick Greg Bennett Cobra shortscale guitar. I didn’t really get into playing it that quickly, as I was much more interested in drums, but there came a time in my life where I didn’t have access to a drum kit for a few years, so my interest went back to guitar when I was about 13 years old.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
Iron Maiden is the reason I wanted a guitar when I was 5 years old, but when I started playing more seriously, my first real idol was definitely Dimebag Darrell. I discovered death metal for myself at age 15, at about the same time Intrepid started, so in terms of my playing in this band, I’m most influenced by Chuck Schuldiner, Trey Azagthoth and Erik Rutan. I’ve always loved Eddie Van Halen as well, he is the greatest of all time without a doubt. If we go outside metal, I’d say Allan Holdsworth, Frank Zappa and Steve Vai
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
Counting that Samick guitar I have somewhere (don’t know where exactly, unfortunately), I have 5 guitars. After I did the first few rehearsals with Intrepid with the Cobra, I realized that it will look extremely goofy if I start playing live with a short scale kids instrument, so I convinced my grandma to buy me a LTD EX-50 for 100€ from a guy selling it online. I still use that as a spare guitar to this day. My dad got me a 1998 Washburn 333 Dimeslime when I was 16 years old, that was my main instrument between 2017-2022. The first guitar I bought with my own money was the 2013 Ibanez Universe UV70P, which is still my only 7-string guitar. My newest guitar is actually the oldest in my collection, a Late 80’s BC Rich Platinum Series Ironbird, tuned to C# standard. I use both the Universe and Ironbird extensively with Intrepid.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
A clean, not too over-distorted tone is really important to me, so Marshall’s are my go-to. But I think perfection can only be achieved through blending amps, because Marshalls have qualities that for example the Dual Rectifier doesn’t have, and also vice versa. There really doesn’t exist a brand that I dislike, but for what I want to achieve tonally, the Marshall JCM series is the best all-around amp. I prefer the 900, but the 800 and 2000 are amazing as well. As for guitars, I’m not a believer in “tonewood”, so all you need is something that stays in tune, quality pickups, a quality setup and most importantly, quality playing. Some people have their preferred necks and such, but I think it’s important to feel comfortable with whatever is thrown into your hands, so I don’t really care too much about those details.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
Modelers are an amazing tool, but ultimately it started from trying to copy tube amps. The modern metal tone has progressed into something much different from that classic tube sound, and frankly I have no interest in that. The tone I want is in tube amps, and I feel it’s just much less of a headache to just go and get yourself a good amp and a good tube screamer than try to imitate it. Also, I just talked to our sound engineer about this – for the love of god, if you are using a modeler, please design your tone through quality speakers or a PA system, not your cheap headphones at home. This is the shortcut to sounding terrible live, even if you’ve spent loads on a Quad Cortex or Helix or whatever. If you skip this step then you might as well buy a Line 6 POD.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
For the new album I used my aforementioned 2013 Ibanez Universe and Late 80’s BC Rich Platinum Series Ironbird, together with a Marshall JCM900 and a Marshall 1960 Lead cabinet. I used the Maxon ST-9 Pro+ to push the Marshall and the Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor for all my noise suppressing needs. For effects, I used an Aria AFL-1 Flanger, a MXR Phase 90 and the Morley Bad Horsie 2 Wah.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
It has to be either the 1998 Washburn 333 Dimeslime or the Ironbird I’m currently using. I think if you put a gun to my head I’d go for the Washburn, because it’s rooted further into my playing and Intrepid’s history.
Who am I interviewing?
Siim Soodla, the bassist from Intrepid.
When you start bass playing and do you remember your first bass?
I started playing bass around the time I was 17-18, when I joined Intrepid. My first bass was a Dean Razorback and I have been using the same axe ever since.
What are your influences and which bass players are your favs?
There are too many to count here, but I would say Iron Maiden, Morbid Angel, Deicide, Misfits, Cancerslug, Lordi and early Metallica. My favourite bassists would probably be Steve Harris, Alex Webster and Lemmy.
How many basses do you own and what are your favorite models?
Just one, I’ve tried several others though. I would say that I am more accustomed to the classic V and ML shapes, but I would love to own and play a BC Rich Mockingbird or Beast someday.
What do you think makes the perfect bass and amp?
It’s more about how well attuned you are to your instrument, and knowing you’re playing style and role in the band. Of course, fresh strings and a reliable amp help (I use Ampeg and I love it), but I would say the overall “secret ingredient” is the synergy between the player, the instrument and the playing style. So, I don’t know what makes the “best bass” or “best amp” in that sense.
Which basses and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
The bass I used was my Dean Razorback and the amp was an Ampeg SVT-3 Pro with a 8×10 Ampeg cab.
When you only can choose one bass, which one will you take?
As I said, I would love to own a BC Rich Beast or Mockingbird. But since I get to pick just one bass, I would still pick my Razorback. Because it’s mine 🙂
