Axe Banger: The Guitarist Showcase

NAME: Barry Bernhardt PLAYING (YEARS): 25 STYLE: rock w/ a huge dose of fusion, jazz, funk, blues, new-age  GEAR: Warmoth custom-designed soloist w/ Floyd Rose, P.R.S. custom, Fender “fat Tele”, custom maple “strat-type”, Charvel 1-p/u strat-type, Heritage arch top. Rivera 100w 2×12 combo, Fender “ultra chorus” 2×12 combo, Soldano midi preamp, Mesa Boogie 50/50 power amp, Bag End 2×10 […]

NAME: Toby KnappPLAYING (YEARS): 15 STYLE: Metal GEAR: Fender Stratocasters, Marshall Amplification, Boss Effects ENDORSEMENTS: S.T.I. Strings PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Albums marketed, distributed & released by Shrapnel, Wild Rags, Sinbad, Defiled and Century MediaCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Promoting new Onward album “Reawaken” on Century Media Records FAVORITE GUITARIST: Jimmy Page BEST MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER SEEN: Marty Friedman 4 WORDS THAT DESCRIBES WHAT YOU WANT TO GET ACROSS IN YOUR PLAYING:  Freshly shot Breaded […]

NAME: Mattias Ia Eklundh PLAYING (YEARS): Turned to hard core guitar playing around the mid 80s, before that I played the drums. STYLE: Home brewed, mostly insanely distorted, unorthodox Swedish bastard style (read: basically heavy guitar) GEAR: My signature Apple Horn model, manufactured by Caparison Guitars in Japan. Laney amps. Hose-clips/clamps, remote controls and an occassional Chinese dildo. ENDORSEMENTS: Caparison, Laney. Been using it […]

NAME: Chris Matyus PLAYING (YEARS): 14 STYLE: Progressive Metal, Classical GEAR: Ibanez (RG570, S540, RG7420 7 string), Yamaha Classical, BBE 482 Sonic Maximizer, Rocktron Chameleon Preamp, Mesa Boogie 20/20 Power Amp, Mesa Boogie 2X12 3/4 Back Cabinet, Marshall 1960 4X12 Slant Cabinet ENDORSEMENTS: Presently none PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Graduated from the University of Akron in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in Classical Guitar Performance CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Archetype FAVORITE […]

NAME: Andy Timmons PLAYING (YEARS): 33 STYLE: Combination of rock, blues, and jazz…really anything with guitar! GEAR: Main rig: Laney VH100r head with Mesa Boogie Rectifier 4×12, signature model Ibanez guitar, Tube Screamer, Chandler Echo…. ENDORSEMENTS: Ibanez guitars, Laney amplifiers, D’Adarrio strings, Dunlop picks – PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS:As a  solo act: 6 highly acclaimed solo CDs, tours of Japan and Europe, appearances with G3.   With others: […]

NAME: Adam Bomb aka Pink Gibson PLAYING (YEARS): 25 STYLE: Violent GEAR: Marshall Mark II 50 watt Old Gibson guitars with PAF pickups ENDORSEMENTS: Gibson PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS:I have released a # of albums including Grave New World (Rockworld/Sony), Get Animal (SPV) and Get Animal Number Two (SPV), Fatal Attraction (Geffen) and “Pure S.E.X. (Relativity Records) including working with such artist as Michael Monroe and Johnny […]

NAME: Ritchie Roncarolo  PLAYING (YEARS): 11 years.  STYLE: Metal / Fusion  GEAR: Ibanez S 520, Digitech & Boss Fx, ADA Amplifier, home made Celestion speakers  ENDORSEMENTS: None  CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: (1995) Blizzard, (1996) R.A.S Project. We will finish our “Heavy Guitars” album first then i guess i’ll record my instrumental album too.  FAVORITE GUITARIST: Steve Vai  MOST UNDERATED PLAYERS:  Jeff Kollman, Greg […]

NAME: Mike GilbertPLAYING (YEARS): Since I was 13, whatever the hell that adds up to be STYLE: Mostly heavy music, but I play some jazz fusion stuff GEAR: Mesa Boogie tri-axis, its all you really need along with a Les Paul ENDORSEMENTS: PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Flotsam and JetsamCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Five Knuckle Slingshot. FAVORITE GUITARIST: John Mclaughlin.used to be in Mahivishnu MOST UNDERATED PLAYERS:  Neal Schon BEST MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER […]

NAME: Mike Walsh.PLAYING (YEARS): 12 years.STYLE: Progressive/Rock.GEAR: 7 string Ibanez, Johnson Millennium Amp.ENDORSEMENTS: Dean Markely Strings.CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Hess is releasing a new album this summer. Sage will be looking to get signed and do the same.FAVORITE GUITARIST: Steve VaiMOST UNDERATED PLAYERS: David GilmourBEST MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER SEEN: Steve VaiWHAT YOU WANT TO GET […]

NAME: Frank MarinoPLAYING (YEARS): 34 STYLE: Psychedelic Acid/Blues/Rock, Jazz, etc… GEAR: Self Built Pre-Amps, Crown Power Amp (currently), Fane Speakers, Gibson SG Les Paul as main guitar, Many other SGs (customized), various stomp boxes. ENDORSEMENTS: Currently DiMarzio Pickups, Firewire Strings. PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS:30 years touring and recording albums, multi platinum sales worldwide, closed the largest single-day-attended show in U.S. History (Cal Jam 2) (see webpage […]

NAME: Cyril Lepizzera PLAYING (YEARS): 21 years. STYLE: Metal / Neo classical GEAR: Ibanez JEM 10 / Ovation Elite, Rocktron & Digitech fx, Marshall Amps, Marshall Speakers ENDORSEMENTS: None CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: (1985) Anastacia, (1991) Blizzard, (1995) David Hernandez.We will finish our “Heavy guitars” album this year. FAVORITE GUITARIST: Michael Romeo MOST UNDERATED PLAYERS:  Marty Friedman, Joey Tafolla BEST MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER SEEN: Michael Romeo 4 WORDS THAT DESCRIBES WHAT YOU WANT […]

NAME: JD Bradshaw PLAYING (YEARS): 22 years. STYLE: Hard Rock,Heavy metal,Jazz and Modern Country GEAR: Carvin LP 90,Carvin V220,Carvin DC 135,Carvin 60 watt head,Carvin 4×12 Cabinet,Peavey Profex 2 Processor,GHS light gauge strings,Yamaha RBX 260 Bass,Tradition SG and Arbor Randy Rhodes copy ENDORSEMENTS: None yet,but pushing for CARVIN! CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Acacia Entertainment has just released my second instrumental rock guitar cd “The Essence of Existence” […]

NAME: Andy Larocque PLAYING (YEARS): forever  STYLE: influenced by the 70-80´s guitargods  GEAR: live gear: Marshall valvestate 4×12 cabs with celestion vintage 30´s speakers wah pedal, tube screamer studio: the same as above but also:digitech 2120, digitech genesis 3, pod  ENDORSEMENTS: Caparison guitars, Ernie ball strings, Seymour duncan pickups dunlop picks  CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Previously: King Diamond, Death,Illwill, guest artist […]

NAME: Mike MorrisonPLAYING (YEARS): 23STYLE:Metal, ProgressiveGEAR: Digitech effects, Peavey amplification/cabinets, Gibson Les PaulENDORSEMENTS: none at presentCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Shadowcaster (debut CD ‘Freedom’ available now).  Also, Milwaukee Rock Opera Company version of ‘The Wall’FAVORITE GUITARIST: Alex LifesonMOST UNDERATED PLAYERS:  David GilmourBEST MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER SEEN: Toss up between Howe and  Petrucci, with an honorable mention to Fripp.FOUR WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBES WHAT YOU […]

NAME: Metal Mike ChlasciakPLAYING (YEARS): 15STYLE: MetalGEAR: Jackson Custom USA Guitars (Warriors/ Randy Rhoads V’s),Marshall Amplification (Heads, Pre-Amps, Cabinets with Celestions),Seymour Duncan Pick-Ups (59N, JB-4, Invader), D’Addario Strings,Guyatone Effects (Metal Monster), Dunlop Signature “Tortex” Picks,Morley Effects (Bad Horsie Wah), Attitude and Honor. ENDORSEMENTS: Jackson, D’Addario, Marshall, Seymour Duncan, Morley, Guyatone, Mesa/ Boogie, Dunlop. CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Currently recording the new HALFORD studio […]

NAME: Mike CampesePLAYING (YEARS): 17STYLE:Rock Fusion,acoustic and electric.Instrumental and vocal.GEAR: Tom Anderson electric guitars,Ovation Acoustics,Mesa Boogie amps,Marshall cabs and Mesa cabinet.TC-Electronic G-force,etc.ENDORSEMENTS: Mesa BoogieCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Currently performing with my trio.Opening for National acts,etc.Released 2 solo cds “Total Freedom” and “Full Circle”.Working on a 3rd solo release. FAVORITE GUITARIST: I dont really have a Favorite Guitarist but i do like Hendrix,Eric […]

NAME: Lenny SuperaPLAYING (YEARS): 20STYLE:Rock, miscellaneousGEAR:Mitchell Pro-100, Digitech RP-2000, Sans Amp, Jackson and ESP guitarsENDORSEMENTS: noneCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Fool’s Gate (1999), Guitar Stuff 1987-2001 (2001), Further Down (Lenny’s Lunatics-2001).  Coming soon from Lenny’s Lunatics…Snarl (to be released December 2001)FAVORITE GUITARIST: Edward Van HalenMOST UNDERATED PLAYERS:  Brian May, Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy), Mark KnopflerBEST MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER SEEN: Technically:  Allan Holdsworth, Victor […]

NAME: Jack StarrPLAYING (YEARS): 30STYLE:MetalGEAR:Fender Strat, ESP Strat, Fernandez Strat and custom made Conklin.  2 100 watt Marshall lead heads, 4×12 bottoms with green back speakersENDORSEMENTS: noneCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Will be releasing a cd of my new band Guardians of the Flame on the British Label Neat Records and then I want to hit the road until I […]

NAME: Douglas OdellPLAYING (YEARS): Fourteen (electric bass)STYLE: Blues, rock, funk, metal, progressive GEAR: SSD NS2000 5-string, ESP Horizon 4-string, Fender Jazz 4-string (all left handed), GK Amps, Hartke Cabinets ENDORSEMENTS: None CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Member of prog rock band Ice AgeFAVORITE GUITARIST: Jake E. Lee, fave bassist Geddy LeeMOST UNDERATED PLAYERS: Tom Hamilton, Bob Daisley, Neil Murray, Marco MendozaBEST MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER SEEN: King’s X FOUR WORDS THAT BEST […]

NAME: Don MancusoPLAYING (YEARS): 26 yearsSTYLE:Rock,Hard Rock,Blues & CelticGEAR:Fender Strat, Les Paul Std, Marshall 50’s an old Plexi an an SLD2000 Leslie 122 tine cab Custom Nau Eng. 30watt class a 2X12 combo. Custom Nau Eng. pedal  board with various FXENDORSEMENTS: NoneCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: “Now You See It” Don Mancuso. “Crime Don’t Pay Yet” Johnny Smoke Guest appearance […]

NAME: Chris ShryackPLAYING (YEARS): 15STYLE: RockGEAR: (Effects)- Ernie Ball Vol Pedal, Bad Horste Wah, Lexicon MPX-G2, Sansamp PSA-1, Voodoo Lab Analog Chorus, Electric Mistress Flanger, Lexicon MPX-1 Foot Controller (Electric Guitar)-PRS Custom Z2 (Amp) VHT 100 Watt Combo (Acoustic): Martin 1949 0-18 six stringENDORSEMENTS: VHTCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS:My band UTS is always what I’m busy doing. Currently, we are playing […]

NAME: Christopher Herin  PLAYING (YEARS): 20  STYLE: Rock  GEAR: 1990 Paul Reed Smith CE24, 1976 Gibson Les Paul, Mesa/Boogie Tri-Axis Pre-Amp with Simul-class 90 power amp, Marshal 4×12 Cabinet, Yamaha SPX90, Rocktron Intellifex, Rocktron Pro Q and Alesis 3630 Compressor/limiter  ENDORSEMENTS: Mesa/Boogie  CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: Working on the 4th TILES release, due in 2001  FAVORITE GUITARIST: Alex Lifeson MOST UNDERATED PLAYERS: Martin Barre […]

NAME: Gus G.PLAYING (YEARS): 12STYLE: Heavy Metal!!GEAR: Washburn Explorer CP 2003 guitars, Randall full stack: 2 4×12 cabinets and 200 Watt head, DR Strings: 10-13-18-28-38-50 ENDORSEMENTS: I use Washburn Guitars,Randall amplifiers and DR strings exclusively PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Participated on Yngwie Malmsteen tribute album “A guitar odyssey” in 1999. Released debut album with German power metal band MYSTIC PROPHECY in 2001,entitled “Vengeance”.(B.Mind/Crash Music) Released […]

NAME: Tommy Sims PLAYING (YEARS): 23 STYLE:Heavy, straight forward rock. GEAR:Gibson Les Paul loaded with an EMG-81 bridge pick up and an EMG-85 neck pick up. ESP Custom Shop Strat style body loaded with an EMG-81 pick up. RIG: Pre-amp: ADA MP-2, Processing: BBE Sonic Maximizer 462 + Lexicon MPX-G2, Stomp Boxes: Lexicon MPX-R1 Foot Controller + […]

NAME: Paul Nelson  PLAYING (YEARS): Quite a few!  STYLE: Metal, Jazz Rock Fusion, Blues, Progressive and many more.  GEAR: It is hard to keep track of what is used on a regular basis because of all the different musical situations involved but here is a description of some of the gear for studio and touring work. PEDALS: CE-3, (2)DD-3’s, TS […]

NAME: Patrick LachmanPLAYING (YEARS): 19 yearsSTYLE:PunishingGEAR:LotsENDORSEMENTS: Jackson Guitars, EMG Pickups, D’Addario Strings, Planet Waves Accessories, Mesa/Boogie Amplification, Line 6 Amps, T.C. Electronic, Guyatone Pedals, Morley Pedals, Shure Wireless Systems, Dunlop Signature PicksCURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS: (new record called Torture Test and corresponding video), Rob Halford (2002 spring release)FAVORITE GUITARIST: impossible to pick one (but if I had to, it would […]