Pic by Damien Steele Scott
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 Stefan Hauk.
Pic by Damien Steele Scott
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
I got my first cheap nylon string when I was about 4 or 5 years old, by the time I was 7 I was playing properly. My first electric was a red Legend „Premium Edition“ Strat copy.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
A big influence on me starting to play was my Dad, he played in bands when he was younger. So I guess part of me wanted to be like him, he taught me some basic chords and I taught myself from there. As far as guitar influences go I’m a massive fan of Ritchie Blackmore, early Clapton, BB King, Albert King, Freddie King, Angus Young, Derek Trucks, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Gales, Joe Bonamassa and many others!
Pic by Leo Hiraga
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I have a pretty modest collection; five electrics, two acoustics and a bass. As far as models go I love the PRS DGT and the Silver Sky. I play the SE versions of these and they’re truly excellent instruments.
Pic by Leo Hiraga
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
In all honesty, the feeling it gives you when you play, because nine times out of ten, the audience aren’t going to hear the difference tonally, but they will pick up if you’re really feeling it or not. And to me the right combination of guitar and amp is crucial with me feeling comfortable on stage.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
I am predominantly an amp guy, my main amp is a vintage 1975 Marshall Super Bass. I do own a Line 6 HX Stomp that I predominantly use with my acoustic, but sometimes for convenience I’ll use it on a small electric gig. The tones I can get with it are really quite good, but it’s never as enjoyable as plugging into my Marshall.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
On both the studio album „Heavy Handed“ and live album „Homecoming – Live At The Gov“ you’re hearing my vintage Marshall Super Bass. Most of the studio record was cut with a 4×12 Marshall cab with G12 Vintage speakers and on the live album I used a 1×12 with an Eminence EM12 speaker. Guitar wise it’s pretty much all PRS; Silver Sky SE, DGT SE and Paul’s Guitar SE.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
I’ve played quite a range of guitars over the years, so I’m equally comfortable on F or G style guitars. For that reason if I can only take one, it’d probably be my PRS SE DGT. It really can cover a lot of ground tonally and it just sounds so good.
