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 David Shankle (Manowar, DSG, Feanor, GraveReign, Wings of Destiny).
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
My father handed me a banana-yellow Telecaster when I was about 8 years old to learn to play but I quit because I wanted to be Evil Knievel. My mother thought I would live longer if I played guitar, so I picked it up again when I was around 14 and have played ever since.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your favs?
Growing up, I was always into classical guitar playing, Andre Segovia and Christopher Parkening were my favorites. Early on, when I was learning the electric guitar, Al Di Meola, Uli Jon Roth, and Frank Marino were my favorites. Eddie Van Halen always needs a respectful thank you.
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I own over 30 guitars most of them are custom models. Currently, I have a signature line with Jeff Heitmann owner of Viper Guitars, California. No matter who I’ve been with Robert Daniels, from 3rd Coast Guitar Services in Chicago, is the last man to touch my guitars. He has perfected my shred machines forever. At the moment, Jeff and I have developed my own body style signature DS6, DS7 and DS8 currently slated. See them at www.viperguitar.com. More to come…
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
That is all personal preference. I love real amps, but I am a Fractal Audio guy 100%. Check out their world at www.fractalaudio.com. I have been an artist endorsee for them for over a dozen years. I will never leave my guys, Matt and Andrew, or the entire Fractal Audio team. For me, they are the best and that’s all I would ever plug into – studio and live. In addition, I am faithful to Gary Kahler, www.kahlerusa.com, owner of custom Kahler Tremolo Systems who was instrumental in helping me create the David Shankle Signature Shred Bar; EMG pickups, www.emgpickups.com; and last but not least, Ernie Ball Guitar Strings, www.ernieball.com.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
Again, it’s a personal preference but I am Fractal Audio all the way.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
Fractal Audio Axe-FX III and an arsenal of my signature guitars.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
If it was a matter of life or death, I’d choose my Viper DS6; the Fafnir Bo Pittman airbrushed DS7; and the DS8. I won’t be able to leave any of those behind, so I’ll leave all my other belongings.
FOLLOW THE BANDS: https://facebook.com/wingsofdestinyband/ https://www.instagram.com/wingsofdestinyband/ wingsofdestinyband.com https://www.youtube.com/c/WingsOfDestinyBand . http://feanorband.com/ https://www.instagram.com/feanorband/ https://www.facebook.com/feanorband https://feanor.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/DSGDavid-Shankle-Group-228286120537860 https://www.facebook.com/dave.shankle https://www.facebook.com/GraveReign https://www.gravereignband.com
David Shankle, „The Shred Demon“, of Chicago, IL is one of the most respected and talented COMPOSER GUITARISTS shredding up the metal scene today. To all MANOWAR and DSG fans, he is one of the top 10 shredders and fastest guitarists in the world. He is well known for playing 7 string over-the-neck scales and arpeggios, string skipping, and a master of many guitar techniques. HE IS KNOWN TO PLAY OVER-THE-NECK GUITAR FASTER THAN MOST GUYS PLAY NORMALLY. David was a member of MANOWAR from 1988 to 1994, playing on the epic, certified-platinum album „The Triumph Of Steel“ and co-writing 4 songs including „Master Of The Wind“, „The Burning“, „Ride the Dragon“, and „Demon’s Whip“. After setting out on his own, David attended Roosevelt Music University in Chicago to improve his jazz and classical guitar skills. Check out his signature over the neck style of guitar playing in the video for „Ashes To Ashes“ and on the songs „The Glory of Achilles“, „Metal Warriors“ and „Battle Hymn“ on the „The Day The Earth Shook: The Absolute Power“ DVD, . His incredible technique and blistering speed on the guitar have won him the moniker „The Shred Demon“. Such revered artists as Michael Angelo Batio, Joe Stump, Rusty Cooley, George Bellas, and Tom Hess have testified to David’s prowess. George Bellas has said, „DSG should stand for Dangerous Speed Guitar“. With the first of six instructional videos available through ShredAcademy.com, David continues to make his mark on the guitar world. Fronting his own impressive band, the DAVID SHANKLE GROUP, David introduced the metal world to a new breed of speed while, at the same time, displaying awesome classical guitar and balladry on the band’s debut album „Ashes To Ashes“, which was released in 2003 on Magic Circle Music. Be sure to listen to DSG’s second album, „Hellborn“, which was released in 2007 and is guaranteed to melt your face. David Shankle is one of the most devastating over the neck shredders around and a world renowned guitar instructor and shredder.From Manowar to DSG and FEANOR..GRAVE REIGN.WINGS OF DESTINY.
