Pic: Rich Ward
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 Henry James Schneekluth (Robert Jon & The Wreck).
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
I started playing guitar when I was about 13. My first guitar was a cheap electric OLP brand that was bright red and had flames on it.
Pic: Phil Honley
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
Too many to count! I’m honestly really into a lot of psychedelic and progressive music. Currently taking a lot of inspiration from Reine Fiske (Dungen) and Mark Speer (Khruangbin). Jimi Hendrix has always been a huge influence for me. As far as far as classic rock I take a lot from Allen Collins (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Eddie Van Halen, Steve Howe (Yes) and Frank Zappa. Derek Trucks is a big influence as well.
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I own about 16 guitars currently (including one bass guitar). My favorites are a 2020 Epiphone Firebird, the Eastman Juliet, a reversed Strat that I built and a really special ’62 Gibson Les Paul SG that I’m currently borrowing.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
Anything that makes you feel inspired and makes you come up with ideas and want to play is perfect. I’ve always liked playing small amps like my Supro but I’ve had the opportunity to play some pretty insane stuff like a Dumble Overdrive Special or a 1965 Marshall JTM 45. Those are some really special and I would argue „perfect“ sounding setups. An old SG or Strat into either one of those is absolutely drool worthy.
Pic: Iain Smith
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
I think the modelers definitely have their place. I’ve seen them incorporated more & more into live rigs and I totally get it. Personally I haven’t had the opportunity to even try them so I’m not sure it’s fair to make a statement on it. I’m sure it’s super convenient to downsize and I know how much of a pain it is to take stuff around on tour. But I do love interacting with a real amp or real pedals. Everything is automated and digitized these days so to get to have the real things and use your hands and knobs to make the sound in real time is really cool and getting increasingly rare.
Pic: Marty Moffatt
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
I have A LOT of new recordings out! I play in two bands as well (Robert Jon & the Wreck AND King Tree & the Earthmothers). Both have released brand new albums in the last few weeks. For recording guitars I always bring my Firebird, my Strat, and the ’62 SG. I’ve grown to identify a lot with the sound of the Firebird especially and I’ve found more and more that it’s the most often the closest to whatever sound I have in my head. Sometimes I’ll bring a tele as well as this old Eko 12 string electric. I always bring a Nashville tuned acoustic guitar as well. As far as amps go I have a little vintage National 2×8″ combo that always gets recorded. It’s tiny and sounds huge when you put a mic on it. My other go to is my Supro 1600 Supreme 1×10″ combo and for the a big rock sound I always bring my vintage Traynor Custom Reverb 50 watt head and plug in into at least a 2×12″ cab.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
I’d probably have to go with my firebird. It just feels so comfy to me and it’s always the sound I’m looking for!
