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 John Mitchell (Arena, Lonely Robot, It Bites, Frost).
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
I was 12 years old when I first started playing the guitar. Before that, from the age of 6, I had played the piano and the violin. However, I thought that playing the electric guitar would give me a better chance with the girls. Unfortunately, I decided to join a progressive band, and that dream was crushed. My first guitar was a Frontline 301, which is essentially a very cheap version of a Charvel. I still have it to this day, but unless I plan on joining an AOR metal band like Whitesnake, I guess I will never play it again.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
Musically I am very influenced by a guy called John Barry. His very strange sense of melody and modulation between major and minor keys really appeals to me. Plus, the James Bond theme sounds cool. In terms of guitar players, as a kid, I really liked Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden. And then as I grew up, I started to like Trevor Rabin from Yes and Ty Tabor from King’s X. I did also use to like Francis Dunnery.
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I used to own 42 until fairly recently. I now probably own 17. As for favourites I have a very cheap white Squier Stratocaster which I enjoy playing live. Although, I am endorsed by the Korean company Cort.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
To quote Data from Star Trek: „To think something to be perfect is the first sign of a delusional mind“. However, you should be asking what makes the perfect fingers because the guitar is just a lifeless plank of wood. The fingers bring it to life.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
In the dim and distant past, there was a group of people in England called the Luddites.They were so appalled by the invention of the mechanical press that they destroyed them all. I am no Luddite. If you enjoy lifting a heavy amplifier up and down stairs and having to change valves every six months, then by all means, use an amp. I certainly won’t use one ever again.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
On the last Lonely Robot album called ‚A Model Life,‘ I used a Squier Telecaster and an Epiphone Les Paul Goldtop with Alnico pickups. For the amps, I used a GT1000 modeler.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
My red PRS Classic. I’ve never played it, but it’s my 18th birthday gift from my mum.
