Introducing the Guitar Player Guitar Superstar 2009 Finalists!
Dave Benziger
Naperville, Illinois
Guitars: Tom Anderson Classic, Tom Anderson Drop-Top, Taylor 315.
Amps: Mesa/Boogie Road King IILine 6 AxSys 212.
Effects: Line 6 MM4, Line 6 DL4, Boss Super Octave, Boss Distortion, Boss Super Overdrive, Boss Compressor, Boss Graphic Equalizer, Boss Noise Suppressor, Ernie Ball volume pedal, Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Wah.
Strings & Things: Elixir and D’Addario Strings, .009 sets; Dunlop Eric Johnson Signature and Jazz III picks.
Influences: Tim Pierce, Carl Verheyen, Larry Carlton, Brian May, Tommy Tedesco, Eric Johnson, Steve Morse, Albert Lee, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Frank Gambale, Randy Rhoads, Jeff Porcaro (yes, a drummer!).
Favorite Bands: Queen, Rick Springfield, Toto, Boston, Journey, Van Halen, Eagles, Goo Goo Dolls, Chick Corea Elektric Band, Lance Morrison, HLMP.
Favorite Guitar Solo: “Crazy Train,” Randy Rhoads.
Favorite Album: Beneath The Mask, Chick Corea Elektric Band.
Favorite Song: Sorry, I really just can’t pick just one.
What Made You Decide to Pursue the Guitar?: I picked up the guitar after hearing Brian May play on “We Will Rock You.” Then, when I heard Tim Pierce playing guitar for Rick Springfield, I realized the only thing I want to do in life is play guitar as someone’s sideman.
The Perfect Guitar Tone: I like Eric Johnson’s laid-back tone, Larry Carlton’s fat rock tone, Brian May’s hard rock tone, Steve Morse’s sound, and Randy Rhoad’s Blizzard Of Ozz tone.
Career Dream: Very simple—move to Los Angeles, find work as someone’s guitar sideman, and give the bulk of my pay to charity.
Hercules Castro
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Guitars: Fender Stratocaster American Deluxe, Fender Classic Series Stratocaster, Fender 12-string acoustic, Jackson Dinky, Jackson Rhoads, Carvin V220, Washburn N4 ESA, Ibanez JEM 7V, Ibanez RG520, Ibanez RG421, Ibanez RG7620 7-string, Ibanez RT452 12-string, Ibanez classical acoustic, BC Rich Warlock, Kramer 1984, Yamaha Pacifica, Norma hollowbody.
Amp: Marshall 9100.
Effects: Boss GT-3, Line 6 Pod.
Strings & Things: D’Addario XL, gauged .009-.042; Martin Darco, gauged .009-.042.
Influences: Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Richie Kotzen, Paul Gilbert, Nuno Bettencourt, Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, Billy Gibbons, Stevie Ray Vaughan, George Lynch, Warren DeMartini, Dimebag Darrell, Zakk Wylde.
Favorite Bands: Van Halen, Dream Theater, Racer X, Extreme, Nightwish, The Sounds.
Favorite Guitar Solo: “The Riddle,” Steve Vai.
Favorite Album: Images and Words, Dream Theater.
Favorite Song: “Metropolis Pt. 1,” Dream Theater.
What Made You Decide to Pursue the Guitar?: What made me decide that I was going to play guitar every day for the rest of my life was watching Eddie Van Halen play. He made it look like the most fun thing in the world to do—and it is.
The Perfect Guitar Tone: A bit of Steve Vai’s sweetness for leads, Nuno Bettencourt’s punch for rhythm, Eric Johnson’s crystal clarity, and Dimebag’s brutality.
Career Dream: I want to music for a living. I want to play guitar all over the world. I want to make music alongside my heroes. I want to inspire others to play guitar and make music. I want to write music that others will want to play. I want to write music that people will remember.
Brodie Cumming
Santa Rosa, California
Guitars: Carvin DC200, Peavey Tracer Deluxe.
Amps: Peavey JSX, Fender Ultimate Chorus.
Effects: Boss GT-8.
Strings & Things: D’Addario, gauged .009-.042; Dunlop Ultex 1.0mm picks.
Influences: Joe Satriani, Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony MacAlpine, Vince DiCola, Andreas Vollenweider.
Favorite Bands: Thread, Crash Test Dummies.
Favorite Guitar Solo: “Right Now,” Eddie Van Halen.
Favorite Album: Maximum Security, Tony MacAlpine.
Favorite Song: “Summer Song,” Joe Satriani.
What Made You Decide to Pursue the Guitar?: The “Eruption” clip from Time-Life’s History of Rock N’ Roll series.
The Perfect Guitar Tone: “Brown sound” with “warp.”
Career Dream: To collaborate with talented vocalists on music that makes the listener say, “I want to hear that again.”
Brian Davidson
Nashville, Tennessee
Guitars: Custom models.
Amp: Fender Twin Reverb.
Effects: Boss Tuner, Compressor, Graphic EQ, Blues Driver, Distortion, Chorus, Delay, Octaver, Noise Supressor; ProCo Rat, Ernie Ball volume pedal; CryBaby wah; Line 6 Echo Park; ISP Decimator.
Strings & Things: Various brands, gauged .010-.046; Snarling Dog Brain picks, Dunlop nylon picks.
Influences: Luther Perkins, Chet Atkins, Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Dickie Betts, Brian May, Steve Howe, Allan Holdsworth, Larry Coryell, Steve Morse, Albert Lee, Eric Johnson, Robben Ford, Nigel Tufnel.
Favorite Bands: Beatles, CCR, Allman Brothers, Queen, Yes, Gabriel-era Genesis, Gentle Giant, King Crimson, Dixie Dregs, King’s X, XTC.
Favorite Guitar Solo: I honestly can’t answer this question!
Favorite Album: I honestly can’t answer this question!
Favorite Song: I honestly can’t answer this question!
What Made You Decide to Pursue the Guitar?: I started messing around on the drums at age five, started playing guitar at age eight, and, by eleven, I was playing lead guitar in a cover band with my older brothers at various clubs in Cleveland.
The Perfect Guitar Tone: I can’t answer this one, either!
Career Dream: I’ve been “making a living” playing music for most of my “adult” life, so, in many respects, I’ve achieved my dream.
Danny Jones
Pinole, California
Guitars: Maloney Stringed Instruments M2.5s with EMG pickups.
Amp: Hawkins.
Effects: Paul Trombetta Design Overdrive and Mini Bone, CMATMODS Deeelay, DigiTech Whammy.
Strings & Things: Sfarzo, gauged .010-.046.
Influences: Angus Young, Joe Satriani, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Johnson, Albert Lee.
Favorite Bands: AC/DC, Hellcasters, CCR.
Favorite Guitar Solo: “East Bound and Down,” Jerry Reed.
Favorite Album: Texas Flood, Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Favorite Song: “Lenny,” Stevie Ray Vaughan.
What Made You Decide to Pursue the Guitar?: I fell in love with it the first time I tried to play it.
The Perfect Guitar Tone: A good, warm plexi overdrive with a touch of subtle delay.
Career Dream: To be on the cover of Guitar Player.
Steve Langemo
Dayton, Ohio
Guitars: Fender Stratocaster, Gibson ES-339, Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion, Manuel Raimundo classical, Guild acoustic.
Amps: Mesa/Boogie Nomad 55 head, Twister Amplification custom head, Egnater Tourmaster 4212, Acoustic Image Clarus head.
Effects: Barber Electronics Dual Discreet Overdrive, Reverend Drivetrain, Fulltone OCD, Keeley-Modified SD1, Line 6 Modulation Modeler, Boss Delay, Boss Chorus.
Strings & Things: GHS, .010 set; D’Addario Chrome Flat Wounds, gauged .013-.056; Monster cables, Pedaltrain pedalboard.
Influences: Scott Henderson, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Allan Holdsworth, Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, Wayne Krantz, John Scofield, Oz Noy, Pat Martino, Jimi Hendrix, George Benson, Frank Gambale.
Favorite Bands: Steely Dan, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Tribal Tech, Stevie Wonder, Van Halen, Pat Metheny Group.
Favorite Guitar Solo: “Kid Charlemagne,” Larry Carlton.
Favorite Album: Aja, Steely Dan.
Favorite Song: “I Wish,” Stevie Wonder.
What Made You Decide to Pursue the Guitar?: My initial interest was sparked at age 12 by a great guitar teacher named Lynn Quamme, who inspired me to want to know everything about music and the guitar.
The Perfect Guitar Tone: Robben Ford on his Live at the New Morning concert DVD, and Larry Carlton on his Last Nite album.
Career Dream: To perform and record a wide variety of music with great musicians, to be involved in teaching and publishing, and to make some more solo albums that people will dig.
Steve Senes
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Guitar: ESP/LTD EC-1000.
Amp: Marshall DSL100.
Effects: Keeley modified Boss SD-1, Boss EQ, MXR EVH Phase 90 and EVH Flanger, Boss Delay, Boss Super Octave.
Strings & Things: D’Addario, gauged .010-.052; Jim Dunlop Jazz III, Jazz III XL & 1mm nylon picks.
Influences: Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, George Lynch, Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, Zakk Wylde, Joe Satriani, Nuno Bettencourt, Eric Johnson, Paul Gilbert, Ace Frehley, Dimebag Darrell, Slash, Joe Walsh.
Favorite Bands: Van Halen (David Lee Roth era), Kiss, Metallica, Pantera, Extreme, Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, The Mars Volta, Ozzy, AC/DC, ZZ Top, Billy Joel, Elton John, Cheap Trick, CCR, Gov’t Mule.
Favorite Guitar Solo: “Eruption,” Eddie Van Halen.
Favorite Album: Van Halen, Van Halen.
Favorite Song: My preference changes daily.
What Made You Decide to Pursue the Guitar?: I saw the Kiss Alive II tour when I was seven years old. The sheer volume, bombast, and energy flowing through the arena hooked me instantly.
The Perfect Guitar Tone: Heavy crunch for rhythm, and, for leads, clean enough for the sound of the guitar to come through, but with enough gain to carry the tone over the top.
Career Dream: To travel the world, playing my music for every guitar-music fan I can find. The stages, the lights, the crowds—I want it all!
Krisz Simonfalvi
Dallas, Texas (Originally from Budapest, Hungary)
Guitars: Brian Moore i1, Gibson Custom Shop ES-335, Ibanez SZ520QM, 1991 Ibanez Reb Beach, Taylor 814ce.
Amps: Rivera Knucklehead KR100, Line 6 Vetta.
Effects: TC Electronic G-Major, Line 6 Filter Pro, AdrenaLinn 2, Sound Sculpture HeadTrip, ISP Technologies Decimator ProRack G, THD Hot Plate.
Strings & Things: Ernie Ball Skinny (electric), gauged .010-.052; Dean Markley Blue Steel ML (acoustic), gauged .012-.054, Dunlop glass slide, Heet Sound EBow.
Influences: Greg Howe, Richie Kotzen, John Petrucci, Paul Gilbert, Nuno Bettencourt, Steve Vai, Alex Skolnick, Steve Lukather, Paul Jackson Jr., Phil Keaggy, Béla Bartók.
Favorite Bands: Dream Theater, Audioslave, Extreme, Mr. Big, Israel Houghton, Jamiroquai.
Favorite Guitar Solo: “So Many Lies,” Alex Skolnick.
Favorite Album: Audioslave, Audioslave.
Favorite Song: “Sevens,” Guthrie Govan.
What Made You Decide to Pursue the Guitar?: I’m not pursuing the guitar—the guitar is pursuing me. I couldn't get away from it even if I tried! The sonic, technical, and expressive possibilities of the guitar are virtually endless.
The Perfect Guitar Tone: I love to feel the roar of the amp, but without too much fizz or mud. I want to hear the resonance and snap of each individual string.
Career Dream: Write, record, and tour with a band that is known and respected around the globe.
Doug Towle
Vancouver, British Columbia
Guitars: Custom Sigurdson, La Patrie Hybrid CW, Larrivee J-09M.
Effects: Hartke Acoustic Attack, Boss Reverb, Ibanez Digital, Delay, Boss Tuner.
Strings & Things: D’Addario Pro Arte Hard Tension, Jim Dunlop 1mm nylon picks.
Influences: Al Di Meola, Strunz and Farrah, Paco De Lucia, Jesse Cook, Ottmar Leibert, Dave Murray.
Favorite Bands: Strunz and Farrah, Vicente Amigo, Iron Maiden, Gypsy Kings.
Favorite Guitar Solo: “Mediterranean Sundance,” Al Di Meola/Paco De Lucia.
Favorite Album: Friday Night in San Francisco, Al Di Meola/Paco De Lucia/John McLaughlin.
Favorite Song: “Mediterranean Sundance,” Al Di Meola/Paco De Lucia.
What Made You Decide to Pursue the Guitar?: It’s all I ever wanted to do from the first moment I picked one up when I was three. It took me 30 years to make a living at it, but well worth it.
The Perfect Guitar Tone: Any high-end acoustic guitar.
Career Dream: To keep doing what I’m doing—but for more people!
Jeff Zampillo
Valparaiso, Indiana
Guitars: Gibson Les Paul, PRS McCarty Hollowbody.
Amps: Vox AC30, Mesa/Boogie Rectifier.
Effects: Korg Kaoss Pad; various pedals by Moog, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, and Z.Vex.
Strings & Things: Ernie Ball Super Slinky, .011 set; Dunlop Tortex Heavy Jazz picks.
Influences: Bela Bartok, Leo Brouwer, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Zach Hill, Stanley Kubrick, Thomas Pridgen, Phil Niblock, Phillip Glass, Nigel Pulsford, Kurt Cobain.
Favorite Bands: Hella, Cryptomnesnia, Minus the Bear, Genesis, King Crimson, The Mars Volta, Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Favorite Guitar Solo: “Elderly Pair Beaten with Hammer,” Omar Rodríguez López.
Favorite Album: Starless and Bible Black, King Crimson.
Favorite Song: “Tetragrammaton,” The Mars Volta.
What Made You Decide to Pursue the Guitar?: After listening to Al Di Meola’s Land of the Midnight Sun.
The Perfect Guitar Tone: A PRS semi-hollow through a Mesa/Boogie Mark II.
Career Dream: It would be nice to have an outside source fund the recording, mixing, and mastering of my music. The “Big Dream” is to eventually write for orchestra, and to have the works recorded and performed.