Guitar Special Vol.163 with Dario Parente (Headless & Geoff Tate Band)

Bildnachweis: Marcin W Photography

This article series is about the tools of popular guitarists and bassists. What are their favorite guitars or basses and how is it related to them? This time with Dario Parente (Headless & Geoff Tate Band).

I have always played Les Paul and Stratocaster models, especially the latter I noticed that it fits perfectly to my body and my hands. One of my first Stratocasters when I started playing in 1988 was a 1986 Japanese Fender equipped with a Kahler bridge. Unfortunately, I no longer own this instrument. Lately as both session player and guitarist of Headless and Geoff Tate I also used a 2006 Fender Stratocaster with maple neck and Seymour Duncan JB pickup in the bridge.

Anyway, the guitars I mainly use with both the mentioned bands are Michael Wilton’s two LTD signature models (MW 600 and MW Demon). I’ve been heavily influenced by Wilton and for obvious reasons with both the aforementioned bands I sought that clear and precise Queensryche guitar tone. LTD instruments are not overly expensive so I can easily take the guitars with me on tour and they can also travel in the hold, these are not instruments that cost 3000 euros, you know what I mean? The two LTD’s are equipped with original Floyd Rose and both have Seymour Duncan JB’s in the bridge. The Alnicos in the neck have an amazing sound as well, very close to an original Fender Stratocaster.

Pic: Riccardo Cimino

Both guitars have maple necks that give a trebly, ringing tone that easily fits into any mix. The Demon’s neck is also very thin and has great playability. I have only recently been assembling parts from different ESP’s & LTD’s to build a custom guitar that I’m going‘ to take on tour and in the studio with me as soon as possible. This guitar can be seen in the official video clip of the single „Misdirection“ by Headless. I love the neck of this instrument and I think with a few „brushstrokes“ from my trusted luthier it will become one of my main guitars both in the studio and live.

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