Pic: C.Asanov
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 Ron „Bumblefoot“ Thal (Sons of Apollo, Guns n’ Roses, Figure of Speechless, Art of Anarchy, Asia)
Pic: Mick Rock
When did you start playing the guitar and do you remember your first guitar?
I started playing at age 6, after hearing the KISS Alive! album that had just been released. I heard the album and knew that this was what I wanted to do with my life. I got a kid-size acoustic guitar and started writing songs, taking lessons, formed a band, made recordings, played concerts, and never stopped.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your favorites?
My influences started with ’60s/’70s rock, punk, then prog, metal, classical, jazz, funk, hip hop, everything… my guitar heroes were Angus, Brian May, Page, Hendrix, Claption, Vai, Yngwie, but the biggest inspiration was Eddie Van Halen. 🙂
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I don’t collect a lot of guitars; I own what I’ve played. I have maybe 20 guitars, including the ones I’ve built as a teenager. My favorite guitar is the Vigier brand “DoubleBfoot” signature guitar, the fretted / fretless doubleneck. It’s my main guitar I use for everything.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
If the gear allows you to express yourself exactly how you want to, then it’s all good 🙂
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
I love a good tube amp 🙂 But modelers have gotten better & better. To have hundreds of amps, speakers, microphones, effects, routing, consistently and reliably there always, that is hard to beat. And when I started using my Line 6 Helix modeler exclusively on recordings and shows and have gotten more compliments on my tone than I ever did before. 🙂
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
I use the Line 6 Helix plugin on recordings and the Helix floor pedal live, using my own custom presets – this is what I used for my guitar solos on the Figure Of Speechless album
If you could only choose one guitar, which one would you take?
Definitely the Vigier “DoubleBfoot” signature doubleneck fretted/fretless guitar… 😉
