No Record Contract, No Big Hoopla, But The Fans Have Kept The Faith For Allan Holdsworth (Guitar World 1982): Difference between revisions
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No Record Contract, No Big Hoopla, But The Fans Have Kept The Faith for Allan Holdsworth | '''''Summary''': Allan Holdsworth, a renowned musician and guitarist, reflects on his career and musical journey in this interview. He discusses his experiences, including his time in various bands and projects, such as UK, and the challenges he faced in the music industry. Despite his struggles, Holdsworth expresses gratitude for his loyal fans who have supported him throughout his career. He also talks about his unique approach to playing the guitar, emphasizing the importance of musicality and innovation. Holdsworth identifies as a rock player who seeks to push the boundaries of music and avoid conforming to traditional genres like jazz or fusion. He discusses his equipment preferences, including custom guitars and DiMarzio pickups, and his use of light gauge strings. Holdsworth's signature use of the vibrato arm and his evolving sound are also mentioned.'' ''[This summary was written by ChatGPT in 2023 based on the article text below.]'' | ||
== No Record Contract, No Big Hoopla, But The Fans Have Kept The Faith for Allan Holdsworth == | |||
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Holdsworth also refuses to be put in that nether region called fusion, though his music has elements of rock and post-Coltrane jazz. "A lot of fusion players sound the same because they're trying to squeeze bebop into a rock context," he insists. "They start out playing the usual old tired rock phrases then they go on to the tired jazz phrases over the rock .There's got to be something else!" | Holdsworth also refuses to be put in that nether region called fusion, though his music has elements of rock and post-Coltrane jazz. "A lot of fusion players sound the same because they're trying to squeeze bebop into a rock context," he insists. "They start out playing the usual old tired rock phrases then they go on to the tired jazz phrases over the rock .There's got to be something else!" | ||
Though for Allan it's "all in the hands", his hardware setup facilitates his playing style. His single-humbucker, Strat-like guitars are set to play easily, to offer almost no resistance with extra-super-light gauge strings and a very low action. He speaks of equipment with precise glee, and since he maintains his own guitars, he knows what he likes: "At the moment I'm using two Charvel Strats that Grover Jackson, of Charvel, did especially for me - they're made out of slightly different wood and the neck dimensions vary slightly. They're wider at the top of the neck, I think it's two and a quarter inches, than at the body end, which is nice 'cause normally Fenders are very narrow there, and the strings pop off the end. So there's an eighth of an inch on either side of each E string all the way up the neck. I hate it when you go off the fingerboard, which is easy to do when you use thin strings." | Though for Allan it's "all in the hands", his hardware setup facilitates his playing style. His single-humbucker, Strat-like guitars are set to play easily, to offer almost no resistance with extra-super-light gauge strings and a very low action. He speaks of equipment with precise glee, and since he maintains his own guitars, he knows what he likes: "At the moment I'm using two Charvel Strats that [[Grover Jackson]], of [[Charvel]], did especially for me - they're made out of slightly different wood and the neck dimensions vary slightly. They're wider at the top of the neck, I think it's two and a quarter inches, than at the body end, which is nice 'cause normally Fenders are very narrow there, and the strings pop off the end. So there's an eighth of an inch on either side of each E string all the way up the neck. I hate it when you go off the fingerboard, which is easy to do when you use thin strings." | ||
And Allan is very particular about his strings: "I use singles, custom gauged strings, not packets 'cause I never get a packet of strings that feels right. I use D'Addario strings 'cause I think they're the best. I like the thin core and the flexible feel they have. The reason for the lightness is the sound. Actually, for the most comfort I'd probably have to go with at. least one gauge higher to get the strings to feel as I'd like them to. The most comfortable strings for me to use for chords and balance are .009s, but I prefer the sound of the .008s - they've got that zing, that little ping." | And Allan is very particular about his strings: "I use singles, custom gauged strings, not packets 'cause I never get a packet of strings that feels right. I use D'Addario strings 'cause I think they're the best. I like the thin core and the flexible feel they have. The reason for the lightness is the sound. Actually, for the most comfort I'd probably have to go with at. least one gauge higher to get the strings to feel as I'd like them to. The most comfortable strings for me to use for chords and balance are .009s, but I prefer the sound of the .008s - they've got that zing, that little ping." | ||
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Allan plans an album of solo guitar, too. His choice to tour with a new band fulfilled his desire to play in a trio, where he could carry the entire weight of soloist and accompanist. From his reception, he appreciated the loyalty of his fans: they kept his memory alive during the hard times, and without them Allan Holdsworth might still be fixing other people's instruments, rather than defining how they'll be used in the future. So here's gratitude for you: 'I'd like to thank all those people who've said all those things about me. It's really nice of them, and to go play for them is an incredible experience. Because I was just about ready to go under. Thanks, people! I'm still doing it!" | Allan plans an album of solo guitar, too. His choice to tour with a new band fulfilled his desire to play in a trio, where he could carry the entire weight of soloist and accompanist. From his reception, he appreciated the loyalty of his fans: they kept his memory alive during the hard times, and without them Allan Holdsworth might still be fixing other people's instruments, rather than defining how they'll be used in the future. So here's gratitude for you: 'I'd like to thank all those people who've said all those things about me. It's really nice of them, and to go play for them is an incredible experience. Because I was just about ready to go under. Thanks, people! I'm still doing it!" | ||
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