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 Parker Halub & Stefan Bailet from the Band WINGS OF STEEL
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
Parker: For as long as I could remember, there was a cheap nylon string acoustic guitar lying around the house, and I would just sit there strum it for hours, without knowing how to actually play anything. But I got my first electric guitar (fender squire) and began to take a few lessons at age 10.
Stefan: I started fooling around with a guitar when I was around 6 years old. My dad, being a guitar player, saw that I was showing interest in playing guitar, so he bought me a mini fender strat and I still have it to this day (somewhere!).
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
Parker: Always a tough question because for me I feel there are too many to list. Additionally, my favorite guitar players have always been in bands that I really liked; (they are more than just “technicians” and typically are also part of a band that writes great music). But that said, here are a few; John Sykes, Michael Schenker, James Hetfield, John Norum, Estas Tonne, Tony Iommi, Neal Schon, Joe Satriani, Vivian Campbell, Gus G, Marty Friedman, and many more.
Stefan: My first biggest influence when I was a kid was Angus Young/AC/DC. I watched the live in Donington 91′ tape and was immediately amazed by his stage presence and how he played everything so effortlessly while doing Chuck Berry’s duck walk. Throughout the years I got into bands like Iron Maiden, Dio, Ozzy, Sabbath, Queensryche, Judas Priest and many more. Many more genres as well ranging from Black Metal to Jazz. In terms of fave players, my top 3 at the moment would be John Scofield, Jeff Beck and Glenn Tipton. Ask me again next week and my answers will be different!
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
Parker: 6 total; 4 electric, 1 nylon string acoustic, and 1 bass. For Wings of Steel, the guitar I primarily use (as seen in the “Wings of Steel” and “Leather and Lace” music videos) is a Jackson SL-27. This is probably my favorite axe and it does the majority of the work live and in the studio. The other main guitar I have is a Jackson Dinky. Super cheap guitar. I bought it when I was 13 years old and have modified just about every last detail on it, and at this point I feel like it plays like a much nicer guitar. Almost like my own version of “Frankenstein.” This one has also been used a good amount in the studio and is my back-up guitar for live shows. It was featured in the “Garden of Eden” music video. The other two electric guitars are a Caparison C-2 and a Charvel San Dimas, and they are used primarily for non-Wings of Steel stuff. Just like the Jackson’s, they both have a Floyd so to avoid the hassle of constantly resetting I keep these two in standard tuning and keep the Jackson’s in Eb. The nylon string is a Cordoba GK studio Negra (used on the solo of “Stormchild” and “Khamsin Riders”) and the Bass is a cheap Ibanez Geo that I only use for composing or demos.
Stefan: I own a total of 9 guitars including accoustic and nylon. My favorite one is the one I’ve been using on this tour which is the Charvel 1888. If I’m playing anything other than heavy metal such as rock/funk/jazz etc, I’ll pull out my semi hollowbody Ibanez AM153QA. Very versatile guitar!
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
Parker: Pretty simple, if it sounds good, feels good, and looks good, it is the way to go. I will say, part of the fun of being a guitarist and musician is always trying new things and experimenting. But fundamentally, getting a good sound doesn’t need to be a complicated process.
Stefan: I’m honestly very far from being a gear head so for me, if it sounds good, feels good and looks somewhat cool, I’m sold!
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
Parker: Both! Honestly the technology with modelers is so good nowadays, (given it is set up correctly) in many instances it’s very difficult to find any difference. I have personally experienced a few times where the sound I got with the modeler was better than what I got from the amp. Plus, being able to have a full rig and pedalboard in such a tiny unit with excellent sound consistency between shows is a blessing to have on tour. That said, electric guitars were designed to be played thru amps, and especially live, I personally feel it’s important to have the look on stage and to get the feeling of the air and feedback from the cab in order for everything to feel right. So typically when playing live, I will just run my modeler thru the fx return of an amp, and I have the best of both worlds.
Stefan: I used to be against the way technology was going with all these fancy modelers because I didn’t think it was authentic, but I’m totally cool with them now. If you know how to tweak them then you can have an excellent sound and it’s so easy to travel with them. We literally brought ours in our backpacks in the plane on our way to Europe. I have no problem with one or the other.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
Parker: For the gates of twilight album; Almost all rhythm guitars and some of the leads were done on the Jackson SL-27. Some of the leads and clean parts were done with the Jackson Dinky Some leads were done with a Gibson LP Custom (borrowed from a friend) Some clean parts were done with a Fender Strat reissue (not sure what year, also from a friend) Bass was recorded with a Fender P-Bass borrowed from our mixing engineer.
Stefan: That’s a question for my man Parker Halub who recorded everything on his own but I know he primarily used his Jackson, a Les Paul and Strat. For the amp he used a Mesa Boogie Mark IV. On stage I use my Charvel, he uses his Jackson and we both run through our Fractal fm3s.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
Parker: As of right now, the Jackson SL-27. I’m sure my answer may change as I get older and acquire more axes, but for now that is my answer.
Stefan: If I could only choose 1 it would be the Charvel for sure. I really love that guitar in terms of sound and feel. Even if I had to play a different style on it, I would make it work!
