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 Gus G. (Firewind, ex- Ozzy Osbourne)
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
I started playing at the age of 10. My first guitar was a cheap classical that my dad got me. Of course I wanted an electric, but I had to wait until I turned 14 to get one.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
My influences are many, they range from classic rock, blues rock to metal. From Hendrix and Santana to Tony Iommi, Al DI Meola, Yngwie, Paul Gilbert, Marty Friedman, to Randy Rhoads, Gary Moore, Michael Schenker etc etc
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I haven’t counted but it must be close to 50 by now. My favorite guitars are definitely my own signature models, as I was so involved creating those. They’re tailor made to my needs.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
For a guitar it’s the neck, the playability, the natural tone of the wood. Every player has different needs and taste so it’s all subjective. Same for the amps pretty much. I love tube amps that are high gain. So I like certain tubes, certain type of tone.
You are mainly known with new guitar models; how do you feel about vintage guitars, and do you have any?
I like vintage guitars, primarily Strats. But I’m not a collector or anything. I got way too many of my own models thru the years. Probably the closest thing to a vintage guitar I own, is a Gary Moore red Fiest 1961 reissue Stratocaster.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album?
Guitar wise – mainly my latest 2 new Jackson signature models. The ivory Star guitar and the San Dimas candy apple red model. Amp wise – I mainly used plugins since I tracked everything in my home studio. I think Dennis re-amped all my rhythm tones with an EVH 5150 III 25-watt amp, but all lead tones are plugins, primarily from STL Tones.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar amp? How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
I’m a guy who loves valve amps. I’ve gotten used to the plugins though, since I do so much work at my own home studio. I wouldn’t use amp modelers live just yet, I’d prefer to use a great valve amp that runs into an IR loadbox to maybe help the FOH guy. But I still love the air from the cabinet, I wouldn’t trade that for a modeler. I don’t use in-ear monitors either, that’s why I prefer the good ol’ volume up on stage.
I’m a fan of tube amps. Modelers have coke a long way too and they make some pretty amazing stuff, but so far I haven’t been convinced to take these on stage. There’s something about a real tube amp that screams through a 4×12 cab that cannot be replicated. At least up till now. In the studio you can do many tricks to fool your ears, especially nowadays that we listen to music thru a phone mostly. But a live show is a different experience.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
Obviously one of my Jackson guitars that I’ve designed. I have a thing for the black random star with the white pinstripes.
https://www.rockland-music.de/
