A: I like to do it myself. That way I can change it anytime I want to, and you get the latest news directly from me.
A: OK, a brief history of amps I have used...
1986 -1987- early RACER X - 70's Marshall 50w head w/Lee Jackson mod
1988 - Live RACER X albums - stock ADA pre-amp into Ampeg V-4 head
1989 - MR. BIG first album - Metaltronix head and Ampeg/ADA system
1991 - MR. BIG "Lean Into It" - All of the above!
1993 - MR. BIG "Bump Ahead" - Ampeg VL1002 head
1995 - MR. BIG "Hey Man" - Laney VC50 combo
1997 - 2005 Paul Gilbert Solo CDs - Laney VC50 combo or GH100L head
2006 - "Silence Followed by a Deafening Roar" Marshall Vintage Modern combo (2266C).
So it's been a long search for the best tone, starting with Marshall and ending with Marshall. Playing on the "G3" tour and making guitar instrumental records really inspired me to focus on the details of a guitar tone, and I love the feel, the sound, the look, and yes, even the smell of Marshall amps.
A: Sometimes I do seminars and private lessons at MI Japan and GIT in Hollywood. If you aren't a student at one of these schools, please check out my guitar instructional DVDs.
A: I like to get vibrato with my fingers. And I like the simplicity, sustain, and tone of a fixed bridge. Check out an Ibanez PGM301 and you'll feel the difference.
A: Practice all the time. Learn one new thing every day. And try to learn these songs:
1. "Circumstances" by Rush (from the album "Hemispheres")
2. "Mother Mary" by UFO (from "Strangers in the Night")
3. "Little Dreamer" by Van Halen (from "Van Halen")
4. "If I Fell" by The Beatles (from "A Hard Day's Night")
5. "Riff Raff" by AC/DC (from "If You Want Blood You've Got It")
6. "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker" by The Ramones (from "Rocket to Russia")
7. "Gettin' Betta" by Pat Travers (from "Live! Go For What You Know")
8. "Day of the Eagle" by Robin Trower (from "Bridge of Sighs")
9. "Majestic" by Journey (from "Evolution")
10. "No Matter What" by Badfinger (from "The Very Best of Badfinger")
After that, you should be ready for anything!
A: I'm sorry, I play mostly by ear, so I don't write things down.
Sometimes you can find tablature books on ebay.
A: Many of the PGM models were limited editions, so they are not currently available. You can sometimes find them on ebay. I highly recommend the current Ibanez PGM model, the PGM301. It is identical to the one I play!
A: No. That's an old ADA Flanger pedal with the "Enhance" knob turned all the way up.
A: YES. What could more fun than playing the ELECTRIC GUITAR??!!
A: I was so happy to go to a guitar school and do nothing but study music!
I practiced more that year than any other year of my life. It was fantastic.
A: I spent a lot of time in Japan and even had an apartment there for a while.
I was hoping I would learn Japanese just by living there, but I realized it still takes a lot of studying! Still, I had a fantastic time! Now, I live in Los Angeles.
A: I am really happy making my solo records and working with RACER X, so I have no plans to join Mr. Big. Still, I am very proud of the work I did with the band, and please check out the new Mr. Big Greatest Hits.
A: Expect the unexpected.
A: "Gilberto Concerto" is the Harpsichord Concerto in A major by J.C. Bach.
"The Jig" is the Gigue from the English Suite No. 2 in A minor by J.S. Bach.
"B.R.O." is Prelude in D minor from "Nine Little Preludes" by J.S. Bach.
"G.V.R.O." is the Goldberg Variation No. 1 by J.S. Bach.
"N.F.R.O." is the Goldberg Variation No. 5 by J.S. Bach.
"W.T.R.O. is the Prelude in C major from Bach's Well Tempered Clavier.
"Whole Lotta Sonata" is a Mozart Piano Sonata in C.
A: No. I am not Buckethead.
But in 9th grade I was Pete Willis from Def Leppard.
