The Band - Rowbi - Guitars

Question: Rowbi, when did you start playing the guitar?

Answer: I first picked up an acoustic when I was about 6 years old.  It was a Christmas present from my mother, and although at the time it was more of a toy than a musical instrument, it certainly started the ball rolling.  I don't play it much now, but I still own it, but it's given way to electric guitars now.

Question: You seem to be using one combo amp, but your tone is so varied.  How?

Answer: My amp may look like a guitar amp, but it's actually more like an active PA speaker.  I then use a LIne6 POD X3 Live for all my tones, and it's great.  the guitar and pickups have a lot to do with the sound though... there's no point spending loads of money on a a guitar and an amp if you neglect your pickups and strings!  change your strings every 2 months (or more often if you play for many hours every day) as old strings can sound dull.  Some decent pickups will also help a lot.

Question: So what guitars/strings/pickups do you use?

Answer: I have a liking for Ibanez and Epiphone.  Some people say that Gibsons are much better than Epiphone, but that's not true all the time, in my experience.  An Epiphone Les Paul Custom with some decent pickups fitted, will easily sound and play as well as a Gibson Les Paul if you set it up well.  I use GHS Boomers (10-46) on my Les Pauls, and Ernie Ball Super Slinky (9-42) on my Ibanez's.  I've used a lot of different pickups, EMG81/85 and Seymour Duncan JB's in my LP's and they work well.  In my Ibanez's I've used Dimarzio Evolutions, Breeds, PAF Pro's and Super Distortion S pickups.

Question: What advice would you give to anyone just starting on the guitar?

Answer: Stick at it, and play what you want to play.  I've never had guitar lessons, but some friends who did, used to have to play music that they didn't like.  Maybe it made them a better player?  Maybe it hacked them off and they stopped playing the guitar?  Who knows!  But what I can say is just play the songs that you like playing.  Then if you run out of new songs to jam to, get onto Myspace, you'll find some great music on there from unsigned bands... It amazes me how some of them aren't signed!