INTRO INTERVIEW
A minute’s all it takes to discover what makes a great guitarist tick. Before he jumped into his limo for the airport we grabbed a quick chat with founder member and guitarist of New York punksters, Goo Goo Dolls.
GT: Do you have a type of guitar pick that you can’t live without , including make, gauge, and why?
JR: Any kind of medium pick is fine. As a rule I use orange Dunlop picks.
GT: If you had to give up all your pedals but three, what would they be, and why?
JR: First would have to be my Klon -it’s just a great overdrive pedal, although there are some really good clones out there, so I may sell it and buy a car! Then my Mr Black Eterna Gold which adds just a little bit of cool texture. I leave it on most of the time. And finally my Caitlanbread Echorec which adds a bit of texture to the sound, makes it slightly bigger than life.
GT: Do you play another instrument well enough to do so in a band? If so, what, and have you ever done it?
JR: I can fake playing a bass but sitting in a room with a great bass player, I quickly realised that it is a totally different animal compared to a guitar. Much respect to all the bass players out there. It’s certainly not as easy as people think!
GT: If a music chart were put in front of you, could you read it?
JR: I couldn’t even line a birdcage with it!!!
GT: Do guitar cables really make a difference? What make are yours?
JR: A decent Mogami cable with Neutrik ends works just fine for me. I don’t really hear any difference from cable to cable, unless it’s broken.
GT: Is there anyone’s playing (past or present) that you’re slightly jealous of?
JR: David Gilmour, The Edge, Pete Townshend. These guitar players are so innovative and original.
GT: Your house/studio is burning down: which guitar do you salvage?
JR: That would have to be my 1965 Fender Stratocaster -it’s just a great guitar and it’s my favourite guitar to play.
GT: What’s your favourite guitar amplifier, and how do you set it?
JR: An original Naylor SuperDrive 60, one of the Detroit-era examples. I like to drive it pretty hard because it doesn’t get squishy. I just love the tone, it’s the best!
GT: What kind of action do you have on your guitars? Any particular quirks?
JR: I like all my guitars set up with .009s and I like the action as low as possible. I like them to play like shredder guitars but not look silly and pointy!
GT: What strings do you use? JR: GHS, 09-42.
GT: Who was your first real influence to play the electric guitar?
JR: Probably Johnny Ramone, Steve Jones and Pete Shelley -lots of powerchords and very little soloing!
GT: What was the first proper guitar that you really lusted a
