"Examining the enigmatic appeal of hard-to-play guitars, Dean DeLeo elucidates their seemingly ideal yet intricate charm."
Cracking the Secret Behind One More Satellite's Sound
Here's the skinny on Dean DeLeo's new project, One More Satellite, and their debut single, Paper Over The Cracks. The man himself has spilled the beans about his gear choices for the upcoming record, set to drop later this summer.
When queried about the six-strings that stole the show in the studio, DeLeo, famed guitarist of the Stone Temple Pilots, revealed his unconventional approach to selecting guitars. He's no snob chasing after the most expensive hardware, oh no. Sometimes, a little kid's toy guitar will do just fine - it's all about that signature sound, baby.
"Robert and I are fans of those toy guitars that smell like glue and tear your hands up," he confessed. "They've got a certain sound to 'em. Sometimes those high-end guitars, they're almost too good, too polished. Something's missing there, y'know? A little struggle, a little grit, that's where it's at."
So, what weapons of sonic destruction did he employ for Paper Over The Cracks? The guitar on the right, according to DeLeo, was a humble Kay - a budget build from the Kay Musical Instrument Company, founded by Henry "Kay" Kuhrmeyer in 1931. You might recognize the Kay name from the gear-wielding arsenals of rock titans like Aerosmith's Brad Whitford, Jack White, Mark Knopfler, and Eric Clapton.
"I've got a knack for knowing what gear will deliver that sound I'm chasing," he boasted. "Before we hit the recording studio, I've got an image in my head, a sonic adventure I want to embark on."
The gear list for One More Satellite makes for an exciting read, so you best hold onto your hats. DeLeo's name-dropped a 1960s double-cut Danelectro and a Gibson J-50, and he doesn't seem afraid to flaunt his custom builds courtesy of luthier Bruce Nelson.
"Bruce's guitars play like a dream, no matter where I am on the fretboard," he raved. "And let me tell ya, when you start layering tracks with vintage guitars, there's always that tuning battle. But not with those Nelson guitars. Oh boy, everything's perfect!"
Stay tuned for our full sit-down with Dean DeLeo coming soon.
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- Known for his unconventional gear choices, Dean DeLeo uses a variety of guitars for One More Satellite's debut single, Paper Over The Cracks.
- Apart from the Gibson J-50, DeLeo also employs a 1960s double-cut Danelectro and a Kay guitar for the upcoming record.
- DeLeo confidently selects his gear, stating, "I've got a knack for knowing what gear will deliver that sound I'm chasing."
- Bruce Nelson, a skilled luthier, has custom built guitars for DeLeo, which he finds play exceptionally well.
- With his unique approach to guitar selection, DeLeo also appreciates affordable guitars that can deliver the right gritty sound, like toy guitars or budget builds from companies like Kay.
- Both the technology and entertainment realms of gadgets and music continue to evolve with the ever-changing landscape of guitars, amplifiers, and other music equipment.
