Pic: Andrew Clowater
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 Sean Kelly (Lee Aaron Band).
Pic: Veikko
When did you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
I received my first guitar on Christmas Day, 1984 (I was 11 years old) It was a double cut-away, hollowbody electric guitar with two single cutaway pick ups and no brand name. I started playing about a year later, the first year was just jumping in front of the mirror and pretending I was in Twisted Sister, Ratt, and Mötley Crüe!
What are your influences and which guitar players are your favs?
I have so many influences and favourite guitar players. At the absolute top of that list is Edward Van Halen, but others include Kim Mitchell, Ace Frehley, Joe Perry, Ritchie Blackmore, Rick Nielsen, Keith Richards, Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, Vivian Campbell, John Sykes, Keith Scott, Mick Ronson, Mick Mars. Neal Schon, Scotti Hill and Snake Sabo, Andy McCoy, Slash and Izzy, Gilby Clarke, Richie Sambora, Derry Grehan, Jimmy Page, all the Thin Lizzy guitar players, Warren DeMartini, George Lynch, Ronnie Le Tekro,Vito Bratta, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Marc Bolan and of course Randy Rhoads….basically any 70s or 80s rock guitar player of consequence!
Pic: Donald Gadziola
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I own about 40 guitars, give or take a few…I have been very fortunate to have been endorsed by some amazing companies over the years, including BC Rich, Gibson/Kramer, and Yamaha (for classical guitars). I love my Les Paul Custom and Goldtop (loaded with Pariah Pickups), and my Kramer Barettas are a blast to play as well. I have a 1962 Gibson Melody Maker that was restored by my Lee Aaron bandmate Dave Reimer, who also built me a custom Remier Montreux which has been my main stage guitar for a number of years. The guitar that is closest to my heart is my 1984 Fender Esprit, as it was my first professional model, and it still sounds incredible. I really dig my 1983 Guild X-79 Skyhawk, my Washburn Stage series guitars from the early 80s, and my EVH Bumblebee….oh yeah, I’m also totally in love with my Ritchie Blackmore signature Strat, and I’m anxiously awaiting my new Exquire modelt hat is being built for me by Les Godfrey at Godfrey Guitars. So many guitars, so little time…haha!
Pic: Ali Pickard/1313 Photography.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
When push comes to shove, you really can’t go wrong with a Les Paul and Marshall (JCM 800 or Plexi)…but I also love the Les Paul/Fender Deluxe combo…
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
Nothing beats the feel and sound of a great tube amp…but having said that, I have been touring the last few years with Headrush FX pedalboards, and I LOVE them…of all the modelers out there, they best replicate the feel of a great Marshall plexi, and I love the consistency of tone they offer me.
Pic: Sean Kelly,
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
On the last Lee Aaron album, it was a combination of Les Pauls, Telecasters, Stratocasters, and Reimer model guitars, as well as my EVH bumblebee on a number of leads. The amps were Wizard amps that belonged to our engineer Mike Fraser. In my home studio, I use a number of Universal Audio amp plug ins, mostly the Marshall Plexi and Jubilee models, as well as the Deluxe model.
Pic: Magda
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
I tend to go for either my Reimer Montreux, because it is so responsive to my playing style, or one of my Les Pauls. Usually the Reimer, because I can always backline a Les Paul…and it’s easier on my back, haha!
