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 Christopher Appleton (Absolva).
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
I began playing guitar at 9 years old. I showed an interest in music & guitar so my father bought for me a cheap/basic classical acoustic guitar. Then if I stuck to it I would then upgrade to electric guitar.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
I take influences from many musicians. But the ones that made a huge impact on me are AC/DC, Iron Maiden & Saxon. Guitar players I am big fans of Gary Moore, Michael Schenker, Zakk Wylde & Joe Satriani. I believe if you mix these 4 guitar players you have my style. Haha.
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I’m quite a weird guitar guy. I don’t own hundreds of guitars. Because I always end up coming back to one guitar. The Gibson SG. This has been my main guitar for many years. And I believe has always been the guitar for me. I also am not a collector. I use my guitars as tools not as furniture. Guitars I own are… Gibson SG HP Blue Gibson SG Std (1998) Black Gibson SG Std (2001) Black Fender Jap 80s Strat White Dean Cadillac Saxon (Doug Scarrat).
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
Good question. To me, the perfect guitar is the SG. The amp has to be able to do what the guitar player tells it to do. With the power of the fingers. But also practical for me. I always need 3 basic settings. Clean Channel Rythmn Channel Solo boost (increase volume) Engl & Some peavey amps are my favourite choices. Engl Powerballs are perfect for me, and I use Peavey Combos for smaller shows.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
My response is not a popular one. If it sounds good use it. It’s all about being practical. It doesn’t matter if it’s valve amps or modellers. I don’t want to use anything too fragile and then when you are in the middle of a long tour, it breaks. And nobody can find replacement parts. ENGLs are built to last. So are peaveys. And everything has jack plugs or can run off a basic Marshall footswitch which are available all over the world. Simple = Better.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
Gibson SG & my brother uses Chapman Guitars. Also the Dean Cadillac Saxon guitar was used. Engl Powerballs & Engl Plug-ins. For the amps.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
Again it’s how practical it is. If I’m flying to a festival or South America I will take the Gibson SG standard. And normally the beaten up one if it has to go on an airplane. If we are touring on a bus in UK or Europe then my main guitar is the Gibson SG HP guitar.
