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 Eliana Cargnelutti (Strange Kind of Women, 3Play, Living Dolls).
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
I started to play guitar at the age of 9, my first guitar was a classical guitar, that I still have at home! My brother listened to a lot of rock music at home, so he saw me very into it, very passionate and he decided to play guitar too and when I was 11 he bought an Ibanez for both of us. Then when I was 14 my father bought me my first electric guitar, a Fender Stratocaster made in Mexico, and a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
I’ve always been very influenced by rock guitarists like Slash, Ritchie Blackmore, Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Joe Perry and a lot of bluesmen of course, like Albert King, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Jimi Henderix, Joe Bonamassa Ana Popovìc and my favorite SRV, of course. Than I also admire a lot Scott Henderson, Ritchie Kotzen, Mike Stern, Jeff Beck, Tora Haggard, Enrico Crivellaro…
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I have 4 Fender Stratocasters, one Gibson, one Cort acoustic guitar, one semi-acoustic Ibanez guitar, a Jackson RR5 and an ukulele ahah. Fender Stratocaster are my favorite guitars.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
The guitar player!! By the way Gibson Les Paul + Marshall is the best „music couple“ that I know! Every kind of Marshall, every kind of Les Paul!
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
I always prefer to play a real amp, to have a great real power coming out from the amp behind my back, but I have to say that I have a Kemper Stage and I’m open to try new sounds and to use this new digital systems, also because they are very light and my arms and my back are happier!
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
Fender stratocaster, Gibson Les Paul and PRS as guitars, about amps, I remember I used really a lot of them: Diezel, Marshall, Bogner, Vox, Fender and Custom Audio.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
My satin white Fender Stratocaster HSS, that I always have with me, it was the last gift of my father when I was 29 years old. Her name is „DIVA“ !
