Geared Up: The Quill guitarist Christian Carlsson on his 1977 Gibson Les Paul Custom

I recently spoke with guitarist Christian Carlsson of the Swedish stoner metal band The Quill about the gear he uses to obtain his bone-crushing guitar sound. The band plays a type of metal that is slow-burning, super-gloomy, and heavy-as-hell. Here’s what Carlsson had to say about his 1977 Gibson Les Paul custom.

What one piece of gear do you use to obtain your signature sound?
Christian: It’s a combination of course. But the guitar I guess is the most important part. It’s a 1977 Gibson Les Paul custom. It’s got that fat, warm and woody sound. It’s very dynamic, which is very important to me because I want the gain and distortion to react on how hard I hit the strings. I also use the volume-controls to increase that range. That kind of playing really needs an amp that responds in the same way. I use Marshall-tube amp JVM 205 and mainly the crunch-channel. I don’t put in on 11, just enough so when I hit the strings very hard I get the gain I need for the heavy riffing.

What about it makes it so important to you?
Christian: First of all The ‘Black Beauty’ is the most beautiful guitar ever made, no comparison. I have been dreaming about one all my life and finally in 2007 I came across a guy that had one and was very interested in swapping it with an old SG that I had. I love the heaviness, the balance is perfect, the neck is thin and I feel unbeatable when I play it!

What are the major pros and cons?
Christian: Only pros. Cons – it’s a fucking expensive guitar! But if you want the best, it cannot be cheap.

How long have you had it, how do you use it, would you ever change it?
Christian: Since 2007 and it will be mine until the day I die!

Any final thoughts or comments on the gear?
Christian: This guitar is me! I wish every guitar player will find ‘The guitar’ the same way I have.

Check out this teaser video of the band’s new music!