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 Henrik Danhage (Evergrey).
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
My first guitar was a red italian EKO Guitar. I was nine when i got it. My dad cut off the strings and i am posing with it in front of a mirror with out strings. I wanted to be Ace Frehley. When i was 12 i started playing and with 15 i get more focused on it.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
When i was growing up it was more the local bands with people that are older than me. Then came the superheros like Eddie Van Halen and Yngwie Malmsteen. Also Mattias Eklund, he was living ten minutes from me. Andy LaRocque lives near me too. I never was the guy that sit down and learn other peoples stuff. And of couse all the Stars like Gary Moore, George Lynch, John Sykes, Vinnie Moore and so on.
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I think between 30 to 40. Charvel was always my favourite brand. Jackson, ESP, Fender are all good.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
I must have fun to play it. The look of it is also important for me. I think the look ist for more important than the sound, i think most of the sound comes from my fingers. Pickups and so helps. I like high string action, because i hit really hard. The guitar sings better i think when you got the strings high.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
I love real tube amps, but for travelling modellers are cool. I use in-ear monotoring.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
My Charvel Signatures. We use Bogner Plugins. I use an Mesa Boogie Poweramp and an old Rocktron preamp.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
Of couse my Charvel Signature Guitar.
Interview 04.11.24 at Rockland Witten
