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Q: Being a
minor guitar collector, I recently purchased a Charvel Eddie Van Halen
"Art Series" model. I thought that the guitar felt really good to play
and sounded good unplugged as well. Only thing I noticed when I got
back home was that the low E and G strings buzz in open position and
in certain frets. I went back to the dealer (a major chain) and after
checking the guitar, the in-house tech said that rock guitars which
are designed for fast-playing are almost always buzzy due to the low
action. The tech said he was happy to adjust the neck but that would
ruin the great feel / playability of the guitar. I felt like I was
getting an honest view (not just the tech being too lazy to adjust the
neck) but in any event, wanted to check with a real pro since the
guitar is somewhat of a major investment on my part.
A: Don't
worry about the buzz. My '62 Strat does the same acoustically but you
never hear it when it's plugged in. I am sure you have a great guitar
you can feel proud of.
Q: I was
wondering which guitar you used on all the demo pieces for 'Fourth
Wall'? Was it the all maple wood Kazafumi? I absolutely love your
arrangements on Marcello & Villa Lobos' pieces and the way you blended
in Iguazu. The different tones/colours and sustains that are produced
on these pieces makes me feel that it's not the usual solid body
nylon-string guitars being played. If I'm right ...I want one of those
Kazafumi guitars BIG TIME!!! - from Paul
A: You are
right about the guitar. I am addicted to this instrument and can't
seem to put it down. The difference in recording with this one (hollow
body) and a solid body guitar like the Guild, P-Project or any other
similar guitar is in the overtones. Being a real acoustic the pick-ups
are responding to the instrument as a whole rather than just what is
coming off the bridge. I hope this makes sense.
Q: When you tour with Sting on various stages you have used the solid
body nylon and or acoustic steel string for the applicable song. On
his future dates,.. will you continue with the Guilds or go with your
newer Flamenco? I also noticed that the P-project was used on the
Third World disc. Do you ever pick up this guitar anymore. - from
Andrew
A: I
always keep an open mind with the guitars and change them at different
times for different reasons. They all have different characteristics
which are important to me. Currently my guitar of choice is the
Kazafumi. When I am on stage with Sting I prefer to use the Guild
Paloma. This will most likely change at some point.
Q: Is
there any chance pick up your Fender Stratocaster again or are you
going to be playing the Les Paul for a while? I also read in "Ask
Dominic" that you like Telecasters so is there a chance we will see
you with one of them? - from Branden
A: I will
certainly pick up the Strat again but at the moment I favour the Les
Paul. This will eventually change and maybe I will be getting a
Telecaster as I am very interested in learning how to play one. We'll
see.
Q: I'm
just curious about the Strat that you used on the Sting DVD (Live at
Universal Amphitheatre). Can you tell me more about it? It is a newer
one (custom shop?) or is it a vintage one? what colour is it? - from
Richard
A: This
was a fake custom shop vintage white Strat.
Q: I saw
you on TV playing live with Sting on MuchMusic in Toronto. I loved the
Taylor guitar you were playing. Would you please tell me the model you
were using? Do you still use it and what is your opinion of the
instrument? - from Ken
A: I had
forgotten that I played a Taylor for this show. It belongs to Sting so
I don't know its model number. I am more of a nylon string player.
Q: Why are
you playing a Gibson Les Paul Custom on the broken music tour and not
your Strat? - from Robert
A: I use
the Les Paul to make me feel like I am new in the band. I love it! Of
course the Strat is my main instrument but it's great to change it.
Q: I was
just wondering what version of Rodriguez guitar do you use, and what
one would you recommend to someone starting to play the classical
guitar? - from Demitri
A: The
Rodriguez I use is made in Cordoba, Spain. It is a 1986 and they only
make about ten a year. There is another Rodriguez make which isn't so
serious. The best guitars to start out with are Yamahas because they
are not too expensive but sound really good. Plus, they stay in tune
really well.
Q: I was
wondering what you think of, or perhaps describe, the Peregrine. Do
you think it does a good job of getting the real sound or actually
does it have a sound of its own? Also is it a very playable guitar. -
From Julian
A: I am
not familiar with the Peregrine. But I will say it is all down to the
individual. It doesn't matter how good, bad, expensive or cheap a
guitar is as long as you feel comfortable with it and find you can
express yourself with it then it's fine by me.
Q: I am
inquiring about information on your Fernandes P-Project Nylon string.
I have long admired the design and sound of this guitar. Unfortunately
little information is available on it. I personally called Fernandes
in California for info only to find out, sadly, that the luthier in
Japan who made the guitars had passed away around 3 years ago. I see
you are using Guild Paloma electro/nylon string guitars as well.
Another very sweet guitar. - From Andy
A: I
didn't know that the luthier passed away. Sad news. I love the
P-Project (I have four of them). The shape is of course based on the
Telecaster. The concept was introduced my Godin guitars I believe
(i.e.. electro acoustic nylon, semi hollow etc). But I think P-Project
made a better job of it. It has a very crisp sound which is easier to
control than any other guitar of its kind. However I do like the
Paloma too. The Paloma is slightly more reliable for bigger shows
because of its consistent intonation.
Q: I've
heard wonders about Linda Manzer's guitars, specially baritone and
nylon string ones, but I've never been able to play one of them. Could
you tell me what do you think of them (if you ever played one)? - From
Julio
A: I am
not familiar with the Linda guitars.
Q: I'm a
big fan of your work, and being a guitar player myself I have to
inquire about your beautiful sunburst Fender Strat. Can you tell me
what year it is? I'm also curious, do you set the trem to sit on the
body, or do you allow it to float? - From Brian
A: My
Strat is a '62. The trem sits on the body as it was intended. I have
taken two of the springs off.
Q: I am
also interested in knowing what kind of guitars you play since I am a
guitarist. From Manno
A: I use
all kinds of guitars for different projects. Fender Strats, P-Project
and Guild acoustics, and my favourite is the Rodriguez classical
guitar. I use various different effects and processors at different
times with the electric guitar which always goes through two Mesa
Boogie MK 3 amplifiers.
Q: I
recently acquired a P-project classical and absolutely love it!!! I
had been playing my Gibson Chet Atkins for some time now and find the
P-project to be much more versatile in many respects. Wondering how
frequently you still use yours vs. your Guild Paloma and peregrine
models. I guess my question is do you ever pull out these instruments
and favour one over another? - from Andrew
A: I am
exclusively using a Japanese nylon now. It is custom built by Kazafumi.
He is one of Japan's (and the world) leading makers. I still have the
others but only use this one now.
Q: I
notice that you have a photo of an Ovation on your first album sleeve
'First Touch' and on your website banner. Have you ever recorded any
material with the Ovation, if so what? I am a real convert - I have
two collectors editions - and I know that players either love 'em or
hate 'em. Which category do you subscribe to? - From Rick
A: I have
the 1983 collectors, limited series and love it. I also have the 25th
anniversary model which is great. I do like them but find the sound to
be an acquired taste. For some tunes they work well and for others
they don't. You can hear an Ovation on a track called 'Last Dance' on
my 'First Touch' album.
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