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 Roni Lee.
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
I started at the age of 12. I lived in a very conservative family – raised by grand parents who thought rock and roll was bad for you!! I listened in my room on my record player in secret and thought the guitar players had the most fun!! I borrowed my brother’s classical acoustic guitar and learned everything I could! Eventually, I made him give it to me (since I was older and bossy!) so I guess that was my first one! My first electric was a strat style Music Man.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
Heavily influenced by Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen but my all time ever favorite player is Jeff Beck. I was so impressed by the way he could make the guitar “sing”. He still has that ability and he is still my favorite. I have spent many hours learning his songs and in fact, I recorded Situation and it is on this vinyl as a tribute to him.
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I am not a huge guitar collector. I play the ones I have and tend to gravitate to my favorites. I own a Takamine acoustic, a Gibson Standard Goldtop (tapered neck), a Fender Strat and a Gibson 335 1961 re-issue. My main guitar is my PRS Custom 24. So I guess that is 5!
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
I have been playing Soldano for years and an amplifier and recently have acquired his 30 watt SLO mini. 4 lbs of power!! I also have the Hot Rod 100 made for me specifically by Mike Soldano. His amps are the best! I pair them with either a 2 or 4/12 vintage Orange cab. This sounds great with my PRS so that’s my usual rig.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
I love what some players do with modeler amps however, I am a tube amp lover. Having said that, the 30 watt mini is obviously not analog tube but Mike and his team have found a way to create the sound which is what matters. It is also great that it has 24V universal-voltage so it can go literally anywhere is is made for travel. Give me a guitar an a cord and an amp and I am happy. My pedals are very limited. I run a Carbon Copy delay through the effects loop. In front of the amp I run a boost, tuner and a wah. That’s it.!
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
Even thought the album is a compilation, my sound and gear has remained pretty consistent. The 70s recordings (I Wanna be where the boys are and Lonely Girl), I used a 100 watt Marshall and my original 1973 Gold Top. The rest of the recordings were all done with Soldano and Orange cab Mic’d (not direct). I used the PRS for most of the solos however, I usually use the 335 and sometimes the Fender for rhythm guitars as well as the Les Paul. I love the sound of the layers of guitar.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
My PRS goes everywhere and has never been in the belly of an airplane!
