AL DI MEOLA

A minute's all it takes to find out what makes a great guitarist tick. Before he jumped into his limo for the airport we grabbed a quick chat with picking legend and "true fusion player", the Elegant Gypsy himself...

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GT: Do you have a type of guitar pick that you can’t live without?

ADM: It’s a normal pick shape, it’s extra heavy. It delivers me the right sound for the type of music I play.

GT: If you had to give up all your pedals but three, what would they be, and why?

ADM: I would keep my chorus and a little bit of delay, as I like to have a slight bit of repeat. And also my reverb, so those three.

GT: Do you play another instrument well enough to do so in a band? If so, what, and have you ever done it?

ADM:Percussion. And no, I’ve never done it. But I think I would be a better percussionist than a guitarist.

GT: If a music chart were put in front of you, could you read it?

ADM:Always.

GT: Do guitar cables really make a difference? What make are yours?

ADM:Technical people say they make a difference, but I’ve never heard a difference.

GT: Is there anyone’s playing (past or present) that you’re slightly jealous of?

ADM: I admire Ralph Towner and Egberto Gismonti. They play both guitar and piano at a high level and are great composers. But it’s more admiration than jealousy.

GT: What’s your favourite guitar amplifier, and how do you set it?