Pic by Tony „TT“ Helander
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 Maria Hänninen (Mount Mary).
Pic by Timo Happonen
When you start guitar/bass playing and do you remember your first guitar /bass?
As a kid I always dreamed of playing electric guitar. I read a lots of comics and in one strip there was Donald Duck playing an electric guitar, and I found that really fascinating. Brother of my friend managed to get an electric guitar and I remember staring at him playing it in his room, not getting a word out of my mouth. And I was shaking when he handed it to me, barely daring to touch the guitar . Managed to get couple of notes out of it. At the age of 15 I was at a summer camp. One guy played guitar at the campfire. I got to try it and he teached me couple of chords, so that gave me a burning desire to learn to play more. After the camp I got my first guitar, a small nylon string Finnish Landola . It was perfect for learning the first little songs and I even remember trying to copy some solos with it-for example Tommy Bolin’s solo in Red Baron. Ha! Well, I had gotten familiar with string instruments earlier in my life, started studying classical violin playing at the age of 9, continued studying it ’till almost 17. So it has helped me getting into guitar and bass playing, self-taught. Bass playing is also in my repertoire, started playing bass in a band 1990, with Fender Musimaster Bass owned by Ari Taponen, who’s acoustic Kasuga guitar I also played on the streets of London as a busker. Bass has always given me the feeling of power and it always felt familiar, maybe because of the four strings like in violin. I am also a singer/songwriter and play some piano and percussions, too. I Started making my first own songs already at the age of 8. Learning all those instruments grew a very important part of my songwriting/home demo recording . I wanted to make my demos sound like a band , so there was no other choice than learning to play all those instruments, at least a little bit, to get something decent on the tape. So the ”work teached its creator”
Pic by Pasi Rytkönen Photography
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
I have always loved riffs, dirty burning sounds. Mostly concentrating to the feeling the guitar playing brings to me. It can be a one dirty significant note that gives me shivers. My pedal board is simple, only a tuner and ”Box of Rock” by ZVek. Thanks to Custom Boards Finland https://www.customboards.fi/blogs/pedalboard-gallery/maria-hanninen?_pos=1&_sid=f43d2366d&_ss=r
Finnish iconic rock band Hurriganes was the first one for me, that really made me love the electric guitar sound, their album ”Roadrunner” (1974) blew my mind, as many other minds of the kids in the neighbourhood. Our family didn’t have a record player at home, but I hanged around at friends’ homes listening to the music like Santana, Eric Clapton, Frank Zappa, ,Jimi Hendrix etc. Finnish singer/songwriter /guitar player Dave Lindholm has also made a huge impact , he was the first one that really blew my mind when I got a permission from my parents to go to my first rock festival ever. Naturally radio was important-waiting for the music programs , fingers ready on the rec&play buttons. Tommy Bolin, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Mick Box, Leslie West, Keith Richards, Bonnie Raitt, Rory Gallagher, Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page..just to mention few of the great guitar players that give me the FEELING. Talking about bass- I love Larry Graham, Bootsy Collins, Felix Pappalardi
How many guitars/basses do you own and what are your favorite models?
At the moment I have 6 guitars. I mostly use my 1994 Gibson SG Special. It’s been my favourite for few years now, bought it from my band mate in MOUNT MARY, Petri Majuri. It is amazing, feeding me with riffs. Most of the Mount Mary songs and riffs I have written with that guitar. Earlier I used to play my Ibanez AS73 (from early 2000) a lot. My best acoustic ”workhorse” is handmade K.Yairi DY62 (1994), bought it 1995 and I have played it on my every solo record, in addition of electric ones, and on countless gigs everywhere.
First electric one I played in a band was an old Hofner from the mid 60’s, with built -in fuzz and potentiometer for stepless selecting of guitar pickups , got to borrow it for years from Finnish guitarist Petri Peevo. That one I used especially when playing in Dave Lindholm’s band. The bass I have had for 20 years is is Tokai EB3, Cherry Red. I have played that one a lot, it is rocking. Guite heavy but I can still handle it. Recently I have had a chance to try out a real jewel, Tony ”TT” Helander’s amazing Gibson EB-1.
Pic by Timo Happonen
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp? How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
My selection is very clear. I have had my Custom Hiwatt 100 (1975) since the beginning of 90’s and it has been travelling with me , both for bass and guitar playing. Now, for years I have played my Gibson SG 1994 Special via that Hiwatt only at gigs. Well, few exceptions – for smaller gigs I have used Vox Pathfinder 15, with different guitars. I prefer tube amps. Naturally for quick home demos I use the plug-ins, for the sake of saving the nerves of my neighbours.
Pic by Pasi Rytkönen Photography
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
For our upcoming Mount Mary album ”Diamonds of a Fool” (release date Aug 18th, 2023) we played Gibson guitars, as well as for our debut. My SG, and Petri Majuri, who is in charge of recording, mixing and mastering of the album, played his Gibson Les Paul and SG Reissue 61 Maestro Vibrola. Amplifiers were Custom Hiwatt 100 (1975), Marshall JTM 45 Reissue and Fender Vibro King. For the debut in addition Orange amps, too. As a bass amp for several recordings, where I play bass, I have that same old Custom Hiwatt 100, as well as at gigs.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
My black Gibson SG 1994 Special.
