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 Michael Olivieri (Leatherwolf, HailMary).
When did you start guitar, and do you remember your first guitar?
I started playing when I was around 12. I remember getting my first guitar. It was the older brother of a friend of mine who was selling a Rickenbacker with a vox amp. Of course my dad had to check it out first (as he knew nothing about guitars). We walked into this guys bedroom and he’s in the process of blowing a bong hit out the window. We had to wait a couple minutes for him to stop coughing before he pulled the guitar out from under his bed…
What are your influences, and which guitar players are your favs?
So many influences. From Priest to The Eagles and guitarists. From Michael Schenker to Al DiMeola, to Don Felder
How many guitars do you own, and what are your favorite models?
I have about 9 guitars. My faves are my Frankenstein wine red tele (with a hotrails pick-up) And my black Gibson ES135. Then I have a black Les Paul custom, a few strats and a few more teles. I am also digging on my Gretsch resonator.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
For me it depends on what style I’m playing. Can’t go wrong with a Les Paul through a Marshall.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
Modeler amps have come along way. But I’m still a fan of a tube amp. They cut through better in my opinion
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
I used my Les Paul through a Helix
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
My Franken-Tele.
Michael and his band HailMary have a new release called “Disturbing The Peace” coming out on Eonian Records July 8th
