Geared Up: Twingiant Guitarist Tony Gallegos Discusses His Guitars, Tricks, and Techniques

Phoenix sludge monsters, Twingiant, are on a roll – they recently played an acclaimed set at Southwest Terror Fest and are now set to release their next album Devil Down in December, 2014. The band’s guitarist, Tony Gallegos, recently took time out of his busy pre-release schedule to answer some questions about gear.

What one piece of gear do you use to obtain your signature sound?
Gallegos: Myself. My ears, fingers, arms, body movements… It’s all in how you twist and bend the strings/guitar. I bend my fretboard, a lot. Shake my guitar for that tremolo effect… I use a ton of trills and vibrato… It actually came about from nervousness, many years ago. Now it’s just part of how I play.

What about it makes it so important to you?
Gallegos: Well, my guitars probably wouldn’t make a sound if I wasn’t around.

How was this gear used during the recording of your latest album?
Gallegos: Seated.

How do you recreate your album (guitar/vocal/bass) tones in your live set?
Gallegos: Turn on the amp, after it’s plugged in, and pluck some strings.

What are the major pros and cons?
Gallegos: Pro: It’s me… Con: There’s only one me.

Do you have a backup for this gear, if so, what?
Gallegos: Note “con” above.

How long have you had it, how do you use it, would you ever change it?
Gallegos: 42 years. I use me and abuse me… I see no reason to change for anyone.

Give us your best “gear goes wrong” story.
Gallegos: Any time I was shit-canned drunk was pretty wrong.

Any final thoughts or comments on the gear?
Gallegos: It all comes down to you. You have to make your gear an extension of yourself, otherwise you’re just banging on an instrument, stomping on a pedal, twisting a knob. You have to know the quirks you possess and how to translate them into music. It should be natural and not forced. Like breathing… Always be your favorite and best piece of gear.

Check out the song “Through The Motions”