GEARED sits down with MONTPELIER’s singer/guitarist DAVE BUTLER at the Stones Corner pub to talk Fender Strats, effects pedals and exceptional Brisbane-made amps over a beer.

GEARED: So Dave, I remember you said you’ll only play Fender guitars.

DAVE BUTLER: I got my first Fender when I was ten years old – it was a Squier and I fell in love with the shape, the look and the feel of it. I’ve only ever played Fender Strats since then  – it’s kind of boring (laughs), but if I play another guitar it just doesn’t sit right with me. If I could buy more guitars, I’d just buy more Strats.

G: Would you like to tell us a bit more about your main guitar?

DB: It’s actually a Mexican Strat – I’ve had it for a long time. My Squier I had as a kid got stolen and I was devastated, so when I was in high school I replaced it – I bought this second-hand Mexican Strat that was the same colour as the one that got taken. I’ve had that for a while and then I was looking to buy a new one, but it was a really solid guitar so I upgraded all the parts: ripped out all the frets, the bridge and the neck, replaced them with high-grade parts and changed the pickups to Kinmans – he’s a Brisbane guy as well. I’m playing AVn Blues now – it’s a really warm sound. I’ve ditched the tremolo bridge: I’ve had it floating for a while, but then locked it down.

G: You’ve also got a locally-made Ratajczyk amp from BJ Amplifiers...

DB: My guitar teacher way back in the day had one of John’s amps and I’ve always known about him, so when it came to looking for a good amp I went out and saw him and had a play – I’ve played other amps before, but they just didn’t compare. That was 2006, so I’ve had it for about four years now. It’s a Dream Reverb and I’ve been in love with that amp – the only amp that I’ve played that I’ve liked as much was when we were recording in the States was the original 1959 Fender Twin. That was pre-Reverb, and it was in pristine condition; I saw them in a vintage shop and they were going for like US$30,000. I was like, holy shit! But BJ Amplifiers I’d recommend to everyone.

G: Which pedals on your board see the most regular use?

DB: I get the most of my basic tone out of the Ibanez TS-808 Tubescreamer. I bought the reissue and I got it modded by Robert Keeley – got the old chip put in there and it made such a difference! The 808 was really cool but I found the midrange was just a bit harsh on the ear, but with the mod it was just unbelievable. That would be the one I use the most. I don’t use too many effects: I’ve got the (Boss) Blues Driver, which I’ve got modded by Keeley as well and use for crunchier rhythm stuff; I use a Keeley Compressor occasionally, a Way Huge Pork Loin, which is a really nice, smooth overdrive, and an MXR Micro Amp for boost. For delays, I’ve got the T-Rex replica, which is a nice basic digital delay, the Maxon AD-999, which gives it a smooth edge, and an Empress Superdelay. It’s one of the coolest pedals as far as the delay goes – it’s digital, but it’s got so much variety and it’s the closest thing I found to tape delay.

G: And your most recent acquisition is...

DB: I’ve recently picked up a new Electro-Harmonix Cathedral Reverb which I’ve just started playing – it’s got really cool, spacey sounds; you can tweak the reverb really well with the filter, delay the reverb trail ... it’s even got the reverse reverb, which you can also delay. I haven’t used it live yet – I can’t fit it on my board, so I might just put it on the side. I run it all through a bypass loop at the bottom of the board – I was finding going through a whole bunch of pedals sucks a bit of tone, even if they’re all true bypass, but when they’re all out of line completely, it’s... awesome.

G: In terms of your playing style, which players have influenced you the most?

DB: That would have to be John Mayer for me – and by association a whole line of guitarists who play Strats. It’s a natural thing for me: Mayer, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Clapton ... that bluesy kinda pop stuff.

DAVE BUTLER provides the warm Strat tone and the vocals in MONTPELIER (who are due to play another Brisbane gig in July). Check out www.myspace.com/montpeliermusic for more info.

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