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 Ghalia Volt.
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
I started playing guitar when I was just 11 years old. It was a slow process as I was more excited about writing my own songs then properly learning. First guitar was one of those deal packages “ stagg guitar + amp“.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
I found my influences and various styles of music from blues to garage to surf music. But also Rn’R and Rnb. Guitar players that influenced me most are Fred McDowell, Son House, Elmore James, Hound Dog Taylor, RL Burnside and Junior Kimbrough.
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
Answer is: „TOO MANY“… I have a bunch of guitars I found on the road. Silvertones, Kay’s, Old Kraftsman, Harmony’s, Teisco.. Then a bunch of man-built cigar box guitars + ONE GIBSON (studio les paul). When I’m in Europe I play slide on an old 60’s Framus
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
There’s no „one“ perfect guitar and amp combination. It all depends on the tone you’re looking for. In general, I like a raw sound. Which I will eventually polish depending on the songs and project I’m playing.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
I always play through Tube Amps. Crank a small tube amp and get that natural distortion to me is the Basic! Usually I will do that, and then I split the signal of my guitar into a clean sounding amp. I play both simultaneously and get a big fat tone.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
Used mainly a 60’s Supro, A 60’s Silvertone and a Super Reverb
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
I definitely need two. One for standard tuning – usually use a Gibson – and a Harmony (or Framus in Europe).
