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 Alastair Greene.
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
I started playing guitar when I was about 15 years old after I’d tried piano, saxophone, and bass. My first guitar was a nylon string classical. My first electric guitar was a black Charvel that was a Stratocaster shape.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
Those will be a 2 very long lists so I’ll try to combine them. Early on I was influenced and inspired by Eddie Van Halen and many of the hard rock guitar players from the early 80s. I got into blues and blues rock in the late 80e. My favorites and biggest blues influences would be the 3 Kings (BB, Albert, and Freddie), Albert Collins, Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan, and Magic Sam. My favorite and biggest blues rock influences would be Johnny Winter, Duane Allman, Gary Moore, and Rory Gallagher. I also love players like Steve Morse and Eric Johnson.
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I have about 3 acoustic guitars and 7 or 8 electric guitars Last I checked. I’ve gravitated towards Gibson guitars but I do have a really nice early 80s ‘57 reissue Fender Stratocaster.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
There’s so many great combinations of guitars and amps. I tend to like Gibson guitars into a vintage sounding Marshall type sound. I’ve been getting great sounds with my Category 5 amplifiers.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
I think modelers are probably good for players who need to get a lot of different sounds for live shows or for the studio. I definitely prefer tube amps for live performances.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
For amps I used an old Rickenbacher and an old Silvertone for the songs we recorded in Nashville. For the songs we recorded in Austin I used my Category 5 amp as well as a Marshall Bluesbreaker and a Fender Blues Junior. For guitars I mainly used my 2009 Gibson Les Paul standard but I also used a couple of Gibson Firebirds and a Gibson SG.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
At this point the guitar I’m most comfortable with that I’ve toured and recorded with the most is my 2009 Gibson Les Paul standard. It has some Seymour Duncan pickups in it and it’s seen me through a lot, so that’s the one I’d take.
