styles of music, (We have only about 30 seconds to switch between, say, The Who and Evanescence.) But while the show. I’m sure that, like I was checking out amps I knew I most of you, I pretty much wanted something that not only had its love most guitars, but there own vibe but would respond well to are a few go-to models whatever I put in front of it. Also, that I rely on frequently. I because of the volume issues that have a ‘58 V.O.S. Les Paul we’re presented with at the soundstage that is great for many rock and in the rehearsal studio, we really applications. I’m also a big have to be mindful of overpowering the fan of hollow-body singers. I needed to have a huge tone Gibsons. I use a 335, a 336 that wouldn’t blow people away with and an Epiphone Casino. volume. I also really like the LP Deluxe with mini-humbuck- Thankfully, the HC-30 has a Hi/Lo ers. I have a vintage one power switch that really comes in from the ‘70s as well as a handy. I can switch from 30 watts to newer one, and they have a 15 watts and still have the tone I real bite to them. Still, one want. As far as pedals are concerned, of my favorite guitars is a I’m a big fan of the Fulltone stuff. I vintage Tele that I bought in probably use the FullDrive 2 about 80 Chicago when I was on percent of the time. I also frequent the Hey, everyone. My name is Jim tour with Poison. (Admittedly it was a Soul Bender, Deja Vibe and Supra McGorman, and I’m in the house guilty pleasure, but hey, it was a gig!) I Trem. Occasionally I’ll kick on the OCD band on the CBS TV show Rock frequent that on Stones tunes. I also for a little extra kick, but I’m usually Star. Last year we helped INXS find use a ‘62 Relic Strat. For acoustics, I holding down the rhythm. I use a a new singer, and we’re back again use a Gibson J-200, a J-45 and a J-185 Tube Screamer and the Menatone this year with Tommy Lee, Jason 12-string. Red Snapper (this pedal sounds huge) Newsted and Gilby Clarke of for the heavier stuff. For Leslie and Supernova. If you’ve seen the show, Normally I like to use vintage amps. chorus effects I use the Arion Chorus. you know that we have the task of However, with the sky- Rock Star: Supernova playing cover songs from the 1950s rocketing prices and to the present. This requires a reliability factor, I’ve tremendous amount of preparation… opted for something not to mention tons of gear! new.After checking out a bunch of amps, I I’m not going to lie to you: One of the decided to go with best things about doing a show like Matchless. I use three this is the undeniable excuse to different models, but research and use equipment, and I’ve my main amp is the taken full advantage of that. As the HC-30 (built in 2006). I rhythm guitarist (the utility guy, really, also use a Phoenix. I since I also play keyboards and sing), I run them through two felt that my main responsibility would ESDs, and run an be to capture the original tone of Independence through whatever song we were doing. So, first a 4x12. All of the tubes let’s talk about some of the guitars. are Tesla J&J’s. The Because the amount of musical land- EF86 is a Svetlana. Still, scape to be covered is fairly substan- I rely on pedals a lot in tial, I use quite a few guitars through- order to achieve the out the season. Let’s put it this way: If vast range of sounds I own it or can borrow it, I’ll play it on needed for different 36 MUSICIANS HOTLINE AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2006.