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 Alexandra Lioness (Frozen Crown, Jenner).
Photo by Katalin Hunyas
When you start guitar playing and fo you remember your first guitar?
I started playing bass in 2011 when I was 15 years old, but I never actually owned a bass guitar. A year later, I switched to electric guitar after getting the opportunity to buy a cheap one. It was a white Fender Stratocaster copy called Rooster.
Photo by Alex Wahl
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
My influences are mostly oldschool heavy metal guitarists such as Dave Mustaine, Alex Skolnick and Andy LaRocque. I also can’t forget to mention my female influences, especially Jody Turner and Lita Ford.
Photo:tzeetzah photography
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
Right now, I own two Jackson guitars (Jackson Pro Plus Series Rhoads RR24 and the Jackson JS30) as well as two Harley Benton models (Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR EB FCH and Harley Benton R-456FR BK Progressive Series). I also own an Enya Nova Go Sonic and a Behringer Metalien. I love all of my guitars because each one has its own purpose and story. The RR24 is the guitar I use for Frozen Crown live shows. The JS30 was used for my very first recordings, and I still play it sometimes even though I’m not a big fan of its active electronics. The Fusion-III is the guitar I play the most at home and also use for JENNER live shows. The Progressive Series is tuned to D standard, so I mainly use it for playing and recording in that tuning. Enya Nova Go Sonic is perfect for guitar lessons thanks to its smart features, but it’s also great for traveling.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
It’s all a matter of personal preference, and I don’t believe there’s such a thing as a perfect guitar or a perfect guitar tone. The most important thing is finding the instruments and amps that make you feel comfortable, inspired, and satisfied with your sound. For me, the ideal guitar has to feature 24 frets and a Floyd Rose system.
Photo by Alex Wahl
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
To be honest, I didn’t have much experience with modelers until I joined Frozen Crown. In JENNER, I always used high-gain amps and cabinets with little or no effects because I like to keep my sound simple and raw. I think modelers are a great and practical solution for traveling and for adjusting your sound more easily, so I might definitely get one in the future, even though I recently bought an Ibanez TBX150H.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
My most recent album with JENNER, “Prove Them Wrong”, was recorded using a Jackson Warrior. We used a Peavey 6505 paired with a Mesa Boogie cabinet. When I record guitar videos or covers at home, I usually use my Harley Benton Fusion-III, equipped with a Blackfire Pickups Immortal Set. For recording, I mainly use virtual plugins, most often Neural DSP Soldano.
Photo by Vasilije Dulovic
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
I’m in love with my Jackson Pro Plus Series Rhoads RR24. It was an endorsement gift from Jackson Guitars, which makes it even more special to me. I’d love to spend more time playing and exploring it, but to avoid constant traveling and the risk of it getting lost or damaged during transport, I decided to keep it in Italy with my Frozen Crown bandmates while I’m based in Serbia.
