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 Mike Kremastoules.
I believe guitarists are on there own personal journey and I play from the heart – so I always lean towards what you might call guitar players that can project feelings and a sound of feeling through their guitar work. So to me, I was influenced by early 70 players like Bill Nelson of BeBop Deluxe, Santana, Gary Moore, Dave Gilmour and Richie Blackmore. Everyone mentions the big names but there’s lots and lots. Too many to mention. Camel’s guitarist Andrew Latimer is one and so is Mick Ronson. There are so many great guitar players that have at some time created a piece of remarkable history
My first guitar was a Zenta Telecaster bought in early 70’s by my Grandma for Xmas. I self taught from that day at the age of 14. As as teenager being brought up on a council estate, money was tight and I was always selling to upgrade to better guitars and equipment. I wish I still had them all but here are my favourites from my long standing collection.
1) Epiphone Les Paul Standard 2004
Finished in Autumn burst. The colour was what attracted me initially, I think it’s such a beautiful looking colour. This was made in Korea which gives it a solid Mahogany body and a good weighty guitar. I’ve added an additional tweak of twin EMG pickups helping it to deliver a more sustainable deeper tone . This is my favourite guitar and I use it on most studio recordings and live performances.
2) Gibson Les Paul Traditional 2017
Finished in Cherry Burst with Burstbucker pickups. Great solid feel and ideal for live and studio. As it states it has a ‚traditional feel and sound‘ with a solid Mahogany body giving it a good weight with the vintage keystone tuners. Love it!
3) Yamaha C40 Classical
What a great budget classical guitar. Does a great job for me and sounds great in the studio. This is my recording classical and to say it comes in at around just £100-. Amazing results!.
4) Squier Strat 2018
Finished in Dark-burst with Maple neck. I changed the pick guard from white to black and volume/ tone controls and changed pickups to AAA . Nice looking guitar with a really nice feel.
5) Seagull S12 Cedar
12 string acoustic guitar. Canadian made and delivers a lovely tone and feel. I have used this for studio work on my forthcoming album ‚CALLING‘.
I run my guitars through Positive grid /Spark /Marshall rigs. I am not a pedal effects player. Don’t use any pedals at all. I just go straight in the amp and out. Basic and standard.
https://www.mikekremastoules.com
