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Dec 2010
Stars
just can't resist Italia
Photo: Nicky Wire (Manic Street Preachers), Chris Donohue
(Emmylou Harris) and Dave Roe (Don Kelley Band)
Nicky Wire
The jaw-dropping designs and full-on tonal explosions of the
range of Italia guitars and basses (distributed exclusively
in the UK and Eire by John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd.) are
seducing more high-profile musicians by the day.
As the flamboyant bassist and mouthpiece for the chart-topping
Manic Street Preachers, Nicky Wire is one of the UK's most
respected musicians. Over the course of twenty years, eight
top ten albums and fifteen top ten singles, Wire and co. have
inspired a generation of music fans with their politically-savvy
brand of catchy alternative rock.
In recent years, Wire has favoured Italia Maranello basses,
including a custom-made acoustic model for the band's 2007
acoustic sessions. “I chose them initially because they
look truly beautiful and unique," Wire says, "But
they are also utterly solid in terms of tuning in a live context.
As someone who throws his bass around, this is vitally important!”
And Wire says the Maranellos hold their own when recording
too. “In the studio they are deep, thick and rich and
an absolute joy to play.”
Often seen with his flashy silver, red and gold finished Maranellos,
Wire has recently taken delivery of a specially commissioned
Black Sparkle Maranello with gold back to complement them.
“I love playing my Maranello!" he enthuses. "They
are a beautiful workhorse that won’t let you down live
or in the studio.”
Chris Donohue
Chris Donohue is a multi-instrumental session musician, producer
and songwriter from New York. As a very much in-demand session
player, Chris has recorded and performed internationally with
a variety of artists, including Emmylou Harris, Dave Matthews,
Elvis Costello, Robert Plant, Ben Folds, Lyle Lovett, Steve
Earle, the Nashville Chamber Orchestra, and many others.
As well as this, Chris's tracks, compositions, and original
music have been heard on various film and television projects
by the ABC and USA networks, for the likes of Burger King,
Opel, Vodafone UK, Mattel, and General Motors.
Recently, Chris has been using the Italia Mondial bass (model
ITMCBBK), whose undersaddle piezo pickup at the bridge makes
it ideal for gigs that require an acoustic as well as electric
tone. "I find it very warm and punchy," says
Chris, "and I love how it responds when I dig in."
And although he is another who was taken in by the Italia's
ravishing looks, Chris says that his bass also plays like
a dream. "The Mondial's retro-cool look is obvious, but
what makes it most impressive is how its punch and swampiness
are perfectly in balance. I've also found some chiming, baritone-type
tones lurking near the bridge that go very well with a tremolo.
It's an incredibly useful instrument both live and in the
studio that I always keep very close at hand!"
Dave Roe
Dave Roe is another high demand session player who has toured
and recorded with some of the greatest names in music, including
Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakam, Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins, Vince
Gill, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Lee Lewis and many more. He
has also played on four Grammy winners and has toured the
world on a number of occasions.
Dave has recently added the Italia Rimini bass (model ITR4CSB)
to his arsenal, and finds its unique tone and stylish looks
a real winner in both studio and live situations. Currently,
Dave still has a pretty busy studio schedule, and is a regular
in the legendary Don Kelley Band, one of the house bands at
Robert's Western World on Broadway. Dave says "Man, if
you are ever in town, come and see me there. I promise you'll
have fun and hear some great old school honky tonk!"
www.jhs.co.uk/italia.html
Manic Street Preachers:
www.manicstreetpreachers.com
Chris Donohue:
www.cbdonohue.com
Dave Roe:
www.daveroe.net
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