Pic by Charlotte Wellings
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 Ashley Sherlock.
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
I recall getting my first guitar around age 9 it was a mini squier Stratocaster. It came with a little amp also! I didn’t start picking up the guitar until I was around 12/13 though!
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
I’d have to say Mark Knopfler and John Frusciante would be my top two influences. Knopfler has the touch and technique which just seems so effortless, his style of picking and sense of melody, similar with Frusciante but they’re completely different players but you can feel everything they play.
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I own about 5 guitars, which really isn’t that many haha! I have a 68’ les Paul custom reissue, 2 Gibson 64’ ES345 reissues, a custom built Stratocaster that was made for me and an old 61’ Gibson LG1 acoustic. I figured that was all I needed!
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
I’m quite simple when it comes to this stuff, the less buttons and knobs the better. For me the amp has to be able to break up quite quickly and I can’t go anywhere without reverb! Again with guitars, I find one I like and stick with it, I think it’s important to be able to know your instrument inside out!
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
This is an interesting question, I’ve spoken to lots of my friends who are guitarists and some love it and some hate it! Personally, I think the fender tonemaster series is quite remarkable but then again if you really want to move some air it has to be tube!
Pic by Charlotte Wellings
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
I think I only used 3 guitars on this new record, my dads Gibson J200, my les Paul and my strat, we wanted to cut the record live for the most part so there really wasn’t that many overdubs, we wanted to recreate our live sound!
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
I think for versatility I’d have to say my Black es345 I got from Gibson a few years ago, it’s based on a 64’ but not technically a reissue, it’s quite a rare one I believe, made in 2019 for a very short period it was one of the last out of the Memphis factory!
