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 Nick Layton (Reign of Glory, FireWolfe, Moonlit Masquerade)
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
I started playing guitar when I was 16 years old, and my first guitar was a red and white Squier Strat. Because I’m left handed and the guitar was right handed, a friend flipped the nut around and I played it Jimi Hendrix style! Not long after that I got my first proper left-handed guitar, a Kramer Focus 3000.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
My early influences were Van Halen and Randy Rhoads. Later it was Michael Schenker, Vinnie Moore, Yngwie, John Sykes and Criss Oliva. I still get inspired by those guys along with Gary Moore, George Lynch, John Norum, Vito Bratta, Ty Tabor, Ronni Le Tekro, John Petrucci and many others.
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I think right now I have 11 guitars. Favorite models are Charvel and Chubtone.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
The guitar has to feel good in my hands and what is coming out of the amp must sound good to my ears. When I’m happy with how my guitar feels and the amp is inspiring me to play it becomes easy to play and express myself. On the other hand if the guitar is hard to play or just doesn’t feel good for some reason, and if the amp sounds too harsh, too muddy or just unpleasant to my ears I don’t even want to play.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
I definitely prefer the feel of a tube amp moving air through a real guitar cab, especially live. But over the years I have also used things like modelers and most recently I bought a Kemper which I like more in the studio than I do live.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
For the Moonlit Masquerade and Reign Of Glory albums I used primarily my custom Chubtone guitars, as well as Friedman JEL and JJ amps. I also used the Kemper for some things.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
I’ll take my custom Chubtone with blue stripes!
https://www.youtube.com/@NickLaytonGuitar
