DOM MARTIN

A minute’s all it takes to discover what makes a great guitarist tick. Before he jumped into his limo for the airport, we grabbed a quick chat with Northern Irish blues sensation, Dom Martin.

- Dom Martin

GT: Do you have a type of pick that you can’t live without?

DM: Nothing that I can’t live without because I never used them until recently. My fingers have taken a beating over the years so I’ve had to adapt and get used to using them. Anything over 1/1.5mm is grand.

GT: If you had to give up all your pedals but three, what would they be?

DM: The one I can’t live without now is the first one I got, a Hawk Boost by Flynn Amps in Scotland. It was given to me by my late friend Gordon Maxwell and my life has never been the same! That just hits the amp like a brick and I love it. Second would be a tuner and third a good overdrive to go with the Hawk, a Big Tweedy driver, or a Blues Driver. There’s no bling on my board!

GT: Do you play another instrument well enough to do so in a band?

DM: Oh yes, I play everything. I’m only allowed guitars in my house now though so that explains why it’s just that for me.

GT: If a music chart were put in front of you, could you read it?

DM: I wish I could say yes but I’m afraid not, it’s a bit like a foreign menu in a restaurant. I’m completely unschooled in how it works on paper, but I can feel the music and that’s always guided me. I’m happy in the way that it doesn’t restrict my free thinking. It’s rare I play a song the same way twice and that keeps me on my toes!

GT: Do guitar cables really make a difference? What make are yours?