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 Jonathan Aagaard Morheim (Screamer).
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
I started taking lessons in classical guitar when I was about 10 years old. First off I had in mind to go for classical spanish guitar but was compromised at the age of 14 by hard rock which made me switch focus to the electric guitar instead. My first guitar was some standard acoustic that I don’t remember the name of. I got a cool minor-label strat-guitar with a skull paint job on it when I was about 12-13 but sadly I don’t have that guitar anymore.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
Well I would say almost everyone of the major guitarists but also people I meet on the road, people I play together with. I think my playstyle is mostly matched with Rory Gallagher but I try to deviate from that path depending on the music I play. Today Dejan Rosic is my fav guitar player.
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I’m trying to keep the numbers down so I think I have 6-7 guitars at the moment. I really want to play them all at least once a month but I don’t think I managed to do that honestly. My favourite guitars thus far are my Gibson Explorer, My Fender strat and the Solar A-model.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
A perfect guitar sounds great, has the right pickups (Lundgren is the best for me) but also it should suit the player both in image and style. I don’t think I would be able to pull of playing a 335 or something like that. The amp depends on what style you play, I have used the Peavy 5150 mark 1 for a long time but recently tried the 6505 mh and some different orange amps. They all sound great! I usually use one set up on an recording and use a headrush live.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
I don’t really care, I’m not a pompous asshole – use what you think sounds best for you. I use tube amps in the studio but pedals and modelers live.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
On SCREAMER’s – KINGMAKER We used the Marshall 800 for rythm and Peavy 5150 (modified) for leads. We went around a couple of guitars on the recording but they had their Lundgren pick ups!
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
The first one available hahaha but I think right now it’s my Solar A1.6 modified with Lundgren The One and Heaven 77.
