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 Ursula Zanichelli (All for Metal).
When did you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
I started at 16 (not so young, indeed). I used to play the piano a little bit before. I was living in a small town and when I was little basically the local guitar teacher suggested me to start playing the piano instead of the guitar, because he said I was “too young for the guitar” (I have the suspect that he wanted to redirect me to his son, the piano teacher, because being too young to play the guitar is clearly not something that makes sense). My first guitar was an acoustic one, I don’t remember the brand. Unfortunately the owner who sold it to me died very young in an accident and I returned it to his mother to keep it as a memory, so I don’t own it anymore. The second one was a Fender Stratocaster copy, from the brand Slammer. I still have it and I actually had a really good time with it!
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
When I started learning how to play the guitar I didn’t have any idea of who the great guitarists could be. I was basically only listening to Italian pop music, soon after, though, I started to play in a small local band and really got into Progressive Metal and Death Metal. My first influences were John Petrucci, Alexi Laiho, Chuck Schuldiner, but thanks to my teacher’s suggestions also Van Halen and Nuno Bettencourt (with whom I’ve had the luck to play recently in a festival in Germany). As of today I could say that having played a lot of AC/DC and Metallica, my personal style has been hugely influenced by Angus Young and James Hetfield/Kirk Hammett, but maybe a little more heavy, since I come from the Death Metal scene.
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I have tried and owned many guitars: Jackson Randy Rhoads, B.C. Rich Virgin, Ibanez (several models). At the moment the two guitars that I use are both Music Man, Axis model. I fell in love with those and until I’ll find a worthy replacement I will stick to them.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
For me the perfect guitar should have a reliable tremolo bridge, a perfect shaped and sized neck for my small hands and it should never fail to keep the tuning, even for an entire show. These are the perfect features for me. Concerning the amplifier, I have discovered the profilers only recently and I own a Kemper Stage. I must say that being able to use any sound, any amp, any effect and change the tune just with a knob is priceless. I have to play in 4 different tunes on every show and these features make the Kemper the best choice for me. I would say that nowadays these are the features that I consider a “must have”. This being said, I will always stay in love with Peavey 5150, but since I can use that sound on my profiler, then it’s perfect!
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
I have answered this partially in the previous question: modelers for life if you need to play abroad and need to travel! I can’t bring 3 guitars with me and I have to fly very often to reach the venues. Having a very light equipment is key. Of course if I could have 5 amplifiers and 3 or 4 guitars with me…then I would say TUBE FOREVER.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
I always use my Music Man Axis and then the Kemper for reamping the guitar sound. I do believe, though, that using VSTs could be the best option sometimes. Anyway I always record my guitar without effects and choose the best sound for the song or album I am recording case by case. Right now I basically have one band (All For Metal) and a couple other projects (rock and metal). I have used different sounds for each. But I have found my Music Man to be the most versatile guitar in general, even if it doesn’t have active pickups.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
As stated before I actually have to only choose one guitar most of the times for real, due to the fact that I don’t play near my home (not even close, ever!) and I have to travel by plane. Even on tour I have to be light. My guitar of choice is my Music Man Axis and it never failed me.
