THE METAL TIMES: THE AXEMEN SERIES : Brian Platter /The Last Reign

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

THE AXEMEN SERIES : Brian Platter /The Last Reign

1.Tell us your name and the band you play for

Brian Platter, The Last Reign

2. Who made you want to pick up the guitar

Originally I picked up guitar because of bands like Dream Theater and Iron Maiden, but what solidified it was Stevie Ray Vaughn after I watched the Legends story on VH1.

3.Are you self taught or did you take lessons?

I took lessons very early on for about a year and a half, but I

didn’t really take to them very well and was lazy. I feel it helped

springboard me initially, however, I would still say I’m fairly

self taught.

4. Can you read music, Can you read tab?

I can decipher music but I can’t read it and play on the fly.

Although I can kind of do that with tab if I know the song. I do

wish I was more adversed in music theory, but I’m working on it.

5.Do you feel like you have your own sound / tone ?

I have been told that I have my own style of playing which relates to the sound. Tone is a different beast because that depends on your amp and guitar.

6.Tell us about your guitar ( brand ,model . year , color

)

I have two primary guitars that I use on a regular basis. A Schecter C-1 Classic that I bought new in 2004 and a Jackson SH3 Soloist that I purchased used in 2017. Also, I recently took the plunge and order a Vanisher Kiesel.

7.What about pickups? Passive or active ? Tell us about

them

Both of my guitars play beautifully, but they sound so much better with the Bare Knuckle pickups I upgraded them with as well as D’Addario NYXL strings. I am a big proponent of passive pickups. I’ve used a few active ones before and I really did not care for how they sounded.

8.Lets get into amplification, Same drill brand , model , speakers

etc

I have had a 5150 II head and matching cab for basically as long as I can remember. It’s the best fit for me and it always performs. The one adjustment I made on the head was a different pre-amp tube which gave it a great sounding clean tone. Something that 5150’s are definitely not known for.

9.Do you have a pedal board? Tell us about that badboy

I do have a pedal board. I’m a full on analog fan but I keep it simple. Wah, Harmonize, Delay, Boost, Noise gate and Tuner. However, I did recently pick up the EHX Super Switcher and plan to fully automate my board so I don’t have to tap dance any more.