Pic: Jean-Sebastien Desilets
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 Steve Hill.
Pic: Scott Doubt
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
My first guitar was a Norman b20, an acoustic guitar made in Canada that my big brother had and never used. A few months later I got my first electric, which I paid for with all the money I had earned as a newspaper boy, A Westone.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
My first influences were Hendrix, Cream, Zeppelin, Johnny Winter, Jeff Healey, Eddie Van Halen…There have been many others since then, Robert Johnson, Duane Allman, Roy Buchanan, the Vaughan brothers, Jerry Garcia, Hubert Sumlin,Waylon Jennings, Otis Rush, the list never ends!
Pic: Jean-Sebastien Desilets
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I have no idea how many I own but its more than 40. I love Telecasters. Got a 57 and a 66 that are quite special. I’m into Les Paul Juniors. Got a 55 and a 59. In the past couple of years I got into Jazzmasters, Got a 61 and 3 Squire J.Mascis. I changed everything on them! Used it as the basis for the ultimate one-man band guitar, which I call the Offender! It has the drumstick holder, the added offset Goldfoil pickup that I use for bass. They’re fantastic.
Pic: Jean-Sebastien Desilets
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
Personality. I don’t want a guitar or amp that tries to do everything. It’s impossible. I like guitars that have one pickup. Amps that have Volume and tone! For me, a Fender tweed amp is unbeatable. Give me something simple, well made, road worthy and I’m happy.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
I’m not into it. I know that they keep getting closer and closer to the real thing, but I own the real thing, so I prefer to use that. That being said I bought a UAD Woodrow not long ago and I’m really impressed.
Pic: Scott Doubt
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
There are many. The 59 Junior,66 Tele, 61 Jazzmaster, 55 Junior, D’Angelico Bedford on one track, I forget what else. As far as amps, the main one is a 56 Fender Tremolox. There’s also a 63 Super Reverb, a 67 Marshall Plexi, A 62 Fender Bassman, 1957 fender Princeton, 61 Champ and A Magnatone.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
If you need one guitar, a Tele will do it all!
