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 James McBain (Hellripper).
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
I can’t remember exactly when I started playing guitar, but it was the early 2000’s sometime when I was around 8-10 years old maybe? I didn’t start taking it seriously though until I was around 13 or 14 when I first got into metal. I remember having one of those plastic kids guitars that you get from the supermarket when I was really young, but of course I just made noise on it without really knowing what I was doing! My first “real” guitar was a dark blue Ibanez RG that I got from my cousin’s boyfriend at the time. I had that for a few years and learned some basic things on that before acquiring a gold Epiphone Les Paul.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
I am influenced by so many different players of different styles! When I was young, I was inspired to play guitar by people like John Frusciante, Angus Young, SRV, Jimi Hendrix, Mark Knopfler and that sort of thing. Of course, as I got into metal I became heavily influenced by the likes of James Hetfield, Jeff Waters & Dave Mustaine. Until I started Hellripper, I had never really played lead guitar and was always more interested in playing rhythm and so that’s why I like a lot of thrash guitarists. But there are so many more guitarists that I’m a fan of, and I think you can learn something from almost everyone!
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I’ve had quite a few over the years, but right now I own 5: Gibson Explorer, Epiphone Flying V, LTD V-500, an Epiphone EJ acoustic guitar and an Epiphone Thunderbird bass guitar. My favourite from these is my Gibson Explorer – I’ve had it for around 12 years or so now and have used it on every Hellripper recording to date.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
It’s difficult to say! Different equipment works for different sounds! For me, I love the old “British” tone of a crunchy guitar amp and a guitar with humbuckers. Early AC/DC would be a prime example of that sound.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
If something sounds good then that’s all I care about!
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
The new album was recorded primarily with my Gibson Explorer, and some parts were recorded with the LTD V-500. I used my Epiphone Thunderbird for the bass parts. I used a mixture of amp sims (Fortin & Bias Amp) and my Marshall JCM900. Mixing these gave me a guitar sound that I was very happy with!
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
Based on guitars I currently own, it would have to be my Gibson Explorer! There are a few other guitars that I would love to own someday. A Gretsch White Falcon would be one of them, though I’m not sure how useful it would be in Hellripper!
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