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 Johan Murmester (Vittra).
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
It was at the age of thirteen and my first guitar was a blue Aria Pro.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
I started playing learning the “…and justice for all” album by Metallica, and since then James Hetfield is definitely one of my main influences, especially his work on “Master of Puppets”. I mainly see myself as a rhythm guitarist and then I would add on Dave Mustaine and Jeff Waters. I have also combined the thrash influences with more “funky” stuff by Nuno Bettencourt and John Frusciante. When it comes to lead, I would say Jeff Waters again but also Marty Friedman, Alex Skolnick and Dimebag Darrell. A current favorite guitarist is Kiko Loureiro, he is just amazing!
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I need more guitars! I only have two electric guitars; my main guitar is an Ibanez RGA-121-NTF with Lundgren M6 Pickups and then an Ibanez RG770 (keeping the original pickups). Then I have a Yamaha steel string semi-acoustic and a Warwick Rock Bass that I use for writing bass lines.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
To me it’s something quite clean and stripped down that brings forward what you have in your body and hands.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
I guess modular amps can be of help, but I really prefer tube amps. I have a Peavey 5150 Mark I that I’ve had for ages.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
I played all rhythm and lead on my Ibanez RGA-121, then some additional acoustic guitars using my Yamaha SGX720SCA. I intended to use my Peavey 5150 (or a 6505 that I know is in the studio) but then I got the opportunity to use an EVH 5150 III 50 W EL34 amplifier instead, need to get one of those! For the leads I used a Bogner Ecstasy 25, great amplifier but not allowing any mistakes when playing. Have to admit that I’m not fully sure what cabinets were used for what part, but a Mesa 4×12, a Framus 4×12 and I think a Vox ac15 for the acoustic parts.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
I’m actually trying to find my next guitar now. Most likely another 6-string Ibanez Prestige 24 frets with a fixed bridge. Just don’t know which one yet.
