2 - Marcus Kimball
Marcus Kimball has been playing the guitar since 2017, though he started taking it more seriously from 2019 into the pandemic. He also plays bass (though he doesn't own one), as well as being an amateur singer and producer. He plays mainly Alternative Rock, Punk, Heavy Metal, and Thrash Metal, but isn't afraid to go out of his comfort zone musically. He plays for the sake of funneling his emotions into music, creating art to be enjoyed. He makes original music, as well as covers. He has an online band called Empty Hallway, in which he makes music through the platform BandLab.
Marcus’ guitars:Â
1994 Peavey Predator in Black, set up for E standard / Drop D (modded with a black pickguard, Fender locking tuners, a Graphtech but, and Graphtech saddles).
2017 Squier Affinity Jazzmaster HH Arctic White, set up for E flat standard / drop C# (Modded with Graphtech saddles and covered in years worth of skate stickers.)
2020 Jackson JS22 SC Monarkh in Snow White, set up for E standard / Drop D (modded with a Seymour Duncan Dimebucker in the bridge, a Seymour Duncan '59 in the neck, Grover Mid Size Black Rotomatic tuners, a Graphtech nut, Fender 500k pots, and a MojoTone capacitor)
Marcus’ amps:
2010's Fender Mustang GT40 (his first amp, gifted to him by his old guitar teacher)
1960's Fender Vibro Champ Amp (Near non-functioning condition, got cheap from his Gramma when she couldn't find a buyer)
2000's Crate GLX120 DSP 1x15 combo (his other grandparents got it for free from a neighbor and gifted it to him)
2010's Fender Mustang GT200 (his most recent amp, purchased used for 300 dollars)
Misc:
IK Multimedia IRig Pre 2 (his main interface for recording)
Cheap SM58 clone by Cobalt (his main recording mic, he "doesn't have anything better")
What was your first guitar, and do you still have it?
My first guitar was a 1994 Peavey Predator that you see pictured in the group photo. I originally got it from a pawn shop in terrible condition, but I played it anyway. Once I got my second guitar (the Squier Affinity Jazzmaster HH) the Peavey became practically unused, and fell into a further state of disrepair. I eventually decided last year that it needed to be restored. I sent it down south with my grandparents who had a Luther friend, and it was repaired and modded for me as a Christmas present. It plays wonderfully now. I decided to keep the stock pickups because they have alot to character, they are brighter and higher output than most strat pickups, and sound great for punk rock, and overdriven classic rock / blues tones, while still having the quacky middle positions a strat normally has.
What's your favorite guitar right now, and why?
My favorite guitar right now is probably the Squier Affinity Jazzmaster HH. Despite having lower end specs in just about everything compared to my Monarkh on paper, the Jazzmaster just has a character and feel that's hard to resist. The neck, despite the lumpy gloss finish, had a great shape and thickness which when combined with the rosewood fret board, makes for a fun and comfortable playing experience for me. It has very snappy response that is evident event when not plugged in, and the bridge pickup has a character that makes him not want to replace it. Also, the Jazzmaster is my favorite shape by far, so it it just has a great mojo.
What's your newest purchase/build?
My newest purchase is a Fender Mustang GT200 amplifier. It is a 200 watt 2x12 behemoth of a combo amp. With the internal modeling, it gives me virtually limitless tonal options, at more than gig ready volumes. Add in the fact it doubles as a stereo auxiliary/Bluetooth speaker, and I don't see myself getting rid of this thing anytime soon.
How often do you play?
I play anywhere from several hours every day, to once a week depending on how busy I am with other things going on in my life (be it work, school, other musical projects, or general life complications). Ideally I would play at a more consistent level.
