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 Glen McMaster (Figure Of Speechless).
When did you start playing the guitar and do you remember your first guitar?
First picked up a guitar at 4 years old. It was my Uncle’s Maton acoustic guitar, and I learned a couple of chords on that. I got my first electric guitar for my 15th birthday when my mother bought me a 1987 Washburn G-Jnr which I still have.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your favorites?
Bands like Fates Warning, Dream Theater, Psychotic Waltz and Rush have had the most influence on me.
These are some of the guitarists that have inspired me throughout my life: –
Yngwie Malmsteen
John Petrucci
Marty Friedman
Django Reinhardt
Tommy Emmanuel
Jim Matheos
Trey Spruance
Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal
To be honest I only started listening to “Bumblefoot” 2 or 3 years ago with Sons Of Apollo, but I have to say that out of all the guitarists I have listed, Ron is the most insanely talented person of all… What he does is mind-boggling and to have him play on my album was a huge honor and pleasure!
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
Just purchased my 7th guitar only yesterday. I bought a Mayones Regius 7 string. Now I need to wait a week for it to arrive from Belgium! Other guitars I have now are a Schecter Hellraiser 7 string, a Schecter SLS Elite Multiscale 7 string, a Mayones Regius 6 string, a Line6 Variax, my old Washburn G-Jnr and a 5 string Ibanez bass.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
It’s hard to ignore any quality guitar hooked up to a Mesa Boogie amp.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
I love modelers! I used a Line6 Pod Go to write and record my guitars on my album. I have since upgraded to a Line6 Helix which has a lot more power and gives me more control over the tones. Amps are great of course but are heavy and obviously loud, so were not really appropriate for my situation. I wrote and recorded everything in my loungeroom with family life going on around me, so the Pod Go was perfect for me.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
The main guitar I used for the album was a Schecter Hellraiser 7 string. Two of the tracks on the album were recorded with a Mayones Regius 6 string. A Line6 Variax was used for the acoustic parts on one track.
If you could only choose one guitar, which one would you take?
This is a very tough question! Even though I have not yet received my new Mayones 7 string, I would be tempted to say that one, but I think I would take my Schecter Hellraiser. The 7 strings, the Sustainiac pickup and the Floyd Rose would offer me the most versatility.
