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 Paul Gilbert (Mr.Big, Racer X).
All Pics: Chris Strieder/ darkstars.de
When you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
I started playing when I was nine. My first guitar was a Stella acoustic. It had a 3/4 scale neck so it was a great beginner’s guitar.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
The Beatles, the Osmond Brothers, and Elton John were my early favorites. Then I got into music where the guitar was more featured: Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Rush, Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower, Frank Marino, and so many others from the 70s and 80s.
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I have around 100 guitars. I am really proud of my signature models with Ibanez over the years. Plus I have some unique models that the Ibanez Custom Shop built for me. The Ibanez FRM350 is my current favorite. It has a built-in slide-magnet!
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
For me, the set-up of the guitar is really important. I prefer very light strings with high action. The light strings make the guitar easy to play. And the high action keeps the notes nice and clear with a lot of sustain. For an amp, I like an amp that will stay clean even at a louder volume. Then I use my pedals to get distortion and other effects.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
I really like to have an amp with a guitar speaker close to me onstage, and in the studio too! Of course, tubes are wonderful, but lately I’ve tried some Fender Tone Master amps that are digital, and they sound great. They still have speakers and move air, so I’m happy!
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
For guitars, I used: Ibanez FRM350, Ibanez PGM50, Ibanez IC200,Ibanez 70s Doubleneck, Ibanez RS530, Ibanez PGM Pink Custom Shop
I use three amps: Fender 60s Vibrolux Reverb, Fender 90s Vibrolux Reverb Custom (into a Randall isolation cabinet), Victoria Club Deluxe (only turned on for solos).
All my amps were set to be very clean, so I got all my distortion from my pedals. My main distortion pedal is an Xotic Effects AC Booster V2.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
That’s a hard question! I’d probably take my Ibanez Custom Shop “Kikusui” Fireman. It was inspired by the design of a Kikusui sake bottle. The neck is super thick, but is still somehow easy to play. And the tone is beautiful!
