Gear Review: Huntress guitarist Anthony Crocamo on his Charvel So Cal guitar

Guitarist Anthony Crocamo of the California-based heavy metal band Huntress spoke to me recently about the one piece of gear he cannot live without. The timing was perfect because the band has just released their second record, Starbound Beast, and are currently one the road in support thereof. Here is how the conversation went.

What one piece if gear do you use to obtain your signature sound?
Anthony: I’d have to say my Charvel So Cal… but quite frankly, tone mainly comes from your fingers.

What about it makes it so important to you?
Anthony: Well it feels great and sounds great so I can’t really ask more from a guitar. Really good sustain as well so you know, I got no qualms with a bolt on… I think the key is to be able to make it sing in a low gain setting because if you’ve gotta add lots of gain and bring up the noise floor to get sustain than you’re fucked.

What are the major pros and cons?
Anthony: It has a great tried and true design and good components so you haven’t got stuff, be it nasty frets causing false harmonics, a chintzy bridge, or inferior electronics, getting between you and good tone. The only con I can think of is that personally I play much better on a fatter Gibson style neck but you can’t have it all… unless you’ve got all kinds of money.

How long have you had it, how do you use it, would you ever change it?
Anthony: I have it for 3 years or so and it is the touring guitar so it takes a bit of a beating. As far as changing it, I guess I could be talked into cleaning it but I figure the next time it needs fret work that will be taken care of for me.

Any final thoughts or comments on the gear?
Anthony: I give it my editor’s highest rating.

Check out the song “Spell Eater”