Greg Dulli has fashioned himself into an indie rock icon with the Afghan Whigs. Albums like 1992’s Congregation, 1993’s Gentlemen and 1996’s Black Love explore his vision, as does their latest record, Soft Control.
“I write songs the exact same way I did when I was 15,” Dulli tells Guitar World. “I might bring other things in, but it’s all about coming up with a riff, putting a melody on top, and then writing the words.”
He’s also remained in his comfort zone when it comes to playing guitar. “I started very late,” he says. “My playing had nowhere to go but up! I’m still very remedial, but I can play better than when I started. But I’ve had excellent taste in guitarists along the way – I’ll employ a ringer when I need to!”
1. What was your first guitar?
It was a Hagstrom 12-string with six strings taken off, and I played it as a six-string. I got a Tele in the mid ’80s that had a sort of swirled pattern, and then I got a rosewood Telecaster. For the last 20 years I’ve been playing a Gibson ES-335.
2. What are the quirks or habits that define your playing style?
I lived in Phoenix for the summer of ’86, right before I went back to Ohio and started the Whigs. This dude named Ryan, who I had a band with for a couple of weeks, taught me a couple of tricks that I use to this day.
He was like, “I can show you how to play five notes by moving one finger.” He did, and I still do that. So I owe it all to Ryan. I don’t remember his last name, but that’s still in my trick bag!
3. What’s your number-one tone tip?
Know what sounds good. If you can get a guitar, an amp and pedals you like, dial that in. I’ve been using Mesa/Boogie since 1996 – that’s my tone. And with pedals, it’s the silver one, the red one and the black one!
4. You can only take a Strat or a Les Paul to a gig. Which?
I wouldn’t wanna play a gig with either of those! They’re great in the studio, but I can’t make them work for a show. It’s like saying, “You can either use a Marshall or you don’t play.” I’d just rather sing then!
5. What’s been the hardest time you’ve had in music?
I come from a blue-collar background and I’ve seen tough times. My times as a musician haven’t been as tough as times I’ve seen, so in that regard, I wouldn’t say it’s been any tougher than it’s been for any other human.
I sort of always did music; it was my constant companion. Even if it wasn’t feeding me physically, it was feeding me in other ways.
6. Is there a philosophy that’s stuck with you?
Dare to fail – try anything, man. Don’t be afraid to do something because you’re worried about how it’ll come out. Just let it come out and react to it then.
7. What’s the best guitar tone of all time?
Listen to any Prince record – there’s your tone.
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I’ll say the same thing I’ve said for 40 years: Jimmy Page. And he could play the Les Paul at the gig! First of all, he’s a songwriter. Like Prince, when you’ve written and produced the song, you know how it’s gonna sound in your head. It’s called a vision, and both those guys had it.
Vision is something you can’t learn. You have it; you don’t develop it. On top of being phenomenal guitar players, they’re both phenomenal songwriters, live performers and producers.
9. What makes you pick up the guitar over and over?
Because I can, and because I can put something down that wasn’t there two seconds before I picked it up. I can make a sound.
10. What appeals to you most when you pick up the instrument?
I can comfort myself. I can entertain myself. I can drive myself crazy. As soon as I pick up a guitar, possibilities are at hand. That’s always tempting.
11. What’s your number-one guitar?
That would be my 1946 Martin acoustic that I bought in 1994. It’s the guitar that I write on. I bought it at a place called American Music in Seattle – I walked in the place and saw it like you’d see a pretty girl across the room.
I was just drawn to it. I sat down with it, started playing, and I felt like I’d known it forever. It’s either in my bedroom or downstairs with me. If the house were on fire, it wouldn’t just be the one guitar I’d take – it would be the one possession I’d take. I love it that much.
- Soft Control is out now.
