GT: Do you have a type of pick that you can’t live without?
A: Yes, I use Dava picks. When I was first starting out playing, I bought every style guitar pick I could find. Every size, thickness, and point type. I stuck with the Jazz 3’s for a while, and of course I used the Brian May sixpence, but I latched onto the Dava picks. I love the grip, as I am not a hard grabber with my right hand. The delrin tone is smooth, not too bright, and they have a break in the middle that allows you to have the feel of a medium pick or hard depending on how you grab or choke up on the pick. I recently found out that the founder, Dava Dave who was a genius in his own right, recently passed away. Heart-breaking to say the very least, but he invented my favourite pick that I truly couldn’t play without
GT: If you had to give up all your pedals but three, what would they be?
A: I only use three anyway! My favourite pedal would be my 80s TC Electronics chorus/flanger. Eric Johnson got me into those. The next one would be my J Rockett Animal. Killer Dumble style pedal that I use if I can’t crank my amp as loud as I want. I suppose the last one might just be a wahwah. A simple Crybaby is fine. This is all I have on my rig, at this point. I suppose an A/B/Y switch too, but that doesn’t really count as a pedal, does it?
GT: Do you play another instrument well enough to do so in a band? And if so, have you ever done it?
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Guitar Techniques.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Guitar Techniques.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE MOODY BLUES
This month Stuart Ryan delves into the picking style of this British prog legend whose acoustic guitar has powered many a Moody Blues song.
WAYNE KRANTZ
This issue Nick Mellor provides an insight into this brilliant jazz stylist, focusing on his approach to improvising over static chords.
OPEN G TUNING
Open tunings are great fun and can help create exciting new ideas. Simon Barnard shows how to incorporate open G tuning into your playing.
RODRIGO GOUVEIA
Last month we featured Mateus Asato, and mentioned the importance of the neo-soul style in his playing. Here we turn to his fellow Brazilian, the master of neo-soul fusion.
MARK KNOPFLER
Our topic this month is a master craftsman as both guitar player and songwriter. His style is unique and his influence spreads far and wide.
U2
Martin Cooper checks out the chiming pedal delay tones of this stadium-filling band from Dublin, Ireland, and guitarist The Edge.
LUTHER ALLISON
It’s blues with a touch of soul this month, as David Gerrish explores the dynamic, expressive style of an often overlooked Chicago bluesman.
JOHANN KASPAR MERTZ Capriccio
This month Declan Zapala explores the music of Austria at the turn of the Romantic period with a fiery caprice to level up your fingers and unlock your inner virtuoso.
THE CROSSROADS Michael Landau
John Wheatcroft explores the playing of a session ace _ and blazing blues-rock maestro who graces the top-flight m band of singer-songwriting legend, James Taylor.
VIDEO MASTERCLASS Troy Redfern
This month GT welcomes this slide guitar virtuoso. If you've been wanting to take your slide playing to the next level then this is one's for you. With Jon Bishop.
