Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android: bit.ly/1NQOana Total Guitar catches up with Opeth's Mikael Åkerfeldt and Fredrik Åkesson at the Download festival 2014 to take a closer look at their PRS SE signature models.
I don't know a great deal about Akerfeldt, but something that stands out to me is how he makes a point to downplay his musical abilities. He says he knows nothing about theory and composing. He may not be classically trained, but he is absolutely masterful in his arranging and compositional skills.
He probably just doesn't know how to pronounce it talking in English as no one outside Finland/Sweden knows how the å is pronounced so they just say it like an a.
Layne Javel But that'd be a good reason to say it the right way. The sound can be found in English words anyway; it's just the letter that is unfamiliar. I think it's just his humor. He exaggerates the "ACK" every time he says it, as if to underline how wrong everyone gets it.
skypjuh I've seen a swedish interview with Mikael and he pronounced his name in both ways, the English way [Micheal Akerfelt] and the swedish way [Mikel Okerfelt]. Sorry, but I tried my best to give the "pronounciation spelling"
This is probably one of the best SE models out there. Jumbo frets, bird inlays, looks beautiful, satin finished neck, ebony fretboard. PRS guitars from Korea are very good. PRS is in control of every aspect, the people there in Korea are skilled, just cheaper from an economical point of view. Quality control is still very high. And yes, Mikael played it a lot live, Heritage and Watershed tours I believe. Actually, Steven Wilson also played SE guitars on stage with Porcupine Tree.
Am i the only one who loves the logo on the guitar. I just wish he would start the signature guitar again. I would love to buy it, just cant find it anywhere :(
The Opeth logo is just beautiful. I'm not sure if I think that because I associate the logo with the greatest band ever or because the logo is actually beautifully
This was one of the first videos that I ever watched related to Opeth. The glasses and the fancy guitar gave me the wrong first impressive of Mikael xD
No. Not really. 24 frets tend to be on guitars that have longer scale lengths. I prefer 24 frets because they accomadate the lower tunings I tend to use better than a standard 25.5in 22 fret strat would.
Mike Scanlan fret number has nothing to do with scale. You can find classical guitars that have a 650mm scale but only 17 frets. To me it just makes more sense because you have the full octave with 24 and you're not sacrificing anything in particular (the neck pickup might be a little lower, but who cares?)
I just like how both of them gave a very simple reasons on why they choose their guitars. Like those guys dont really know many things about the guitar but both of em is amazing at playing it
I've played both of these outstanding (and no longer available) guitars. I bought the Akesson model. The range of tones the Akesson covers is amazing...from crystal clear Tele/Strat chime to deep, dark moody lows. Freakin' brilliant; heavy as hell; fast fretboard; subtle looks; sustain for days; metal to jazz to whatever. Best deal I've ever made on a guitar.
I've already got the Åkesson and about yo buy the Åkerfeldt. I'm not an Opeth fan I love these guitars for their features not for the Opeth connection . Fat necks, jumbo fretwire, great playability . Also incredible value for money, all PRS SE models are great in my opinion and surpass brands like Epiphone tenfold in all aspects. Try one you won't regret it !
I have the SE Tremonti Custom ltd. edition,it actually has a maple cap with a quilted maple venner,it has also a full thickness mahagony body(modern american Les/Paul Standarts doesn't have it anymore,they're all chambered),like the Akesson.The guitar has the characteristic ''full'' singlecut tone doesn't sound bright at all,with sustain for days.If you're looking for an affordable SC-style axe the SE B.Marsden,SE 245,SE Akesson and the SE Tremonti Custom are great.Upgrade the stock pickups(I know both of them have american PRS pickups in their SE's) and the nut/tuners,you will have a great sounding guitar for under 900 Euros.
I really like the "Tortoise shell" finish and the mechanics are sound... The logo doesn't have to mean anything, just some cool looking design, if you're gonna insist on taking it personally, go buy something else!
Don't know what happened, but I can't seem to find any stores that sell the Mikael Signature guitar. (all out of stock) Can any 1 help me find a store that still sells these ?
Lmao "da fuk iz de wud?" Nice gits, I like the no BS approach. Personally I would like a cross between the two: Mikael's carved shape, finish (minus logo), and hardware color, but with Fredrik's config (hardtail, 2x2 controls).
from what i understood, he plays the actual guitar that is on retail? i always thought that signature guitars sold to customers is a tuned down version of the artist's actual guitar, which makes sense cause the artist wants to have top notch components for live performance!! anyone can shed some light?
10 лет назад
It has been awhile since I saw Opeth live but Akerfeldt was and still is an avid Custom 24 fan. Last time I saw them, it was still his main guitar for live performance. Additionally, he uses in lots of them a Seymour Duncan Full Shred as his bridge pickup..
Back when the se models first came out artists just endorsed them. Now I know the guys in opeth, Mike mushok (staind), zakk Myers (shinedown) and Clint Lowry (sevendust) all use their se models on stage as main guitars. Most do have usa prs guitars for different tunings/songs. However their mains are their respective se models. Kinda crazy because se actually stands for student edition marketed for guitar teachers.
+Stefanofazio98 Why though? Mike & Freddie both still play PRS...lately they've been using the P24/P22 though, at least Mike has. I've seen Fred playing a few different ones, mainly a CU24 though.
+Stefanofazio98 It's possible :P Or maybe they have new ones coming out for 2016? That would be sweet. Mike's sig. is probably the best PRS SE -- it's a 24 fret single cut -- they don't even offer a USA version of that; all the single cuts are 22 frets only! But that Opeth logo on it is so lame; I dunno why they did that. I bought a Custom 24 back in 2012; I love it, but I wish I had known about the Mark Holcomb model that just came out recently...I would have got that instead; wow is that one sweet. The Duncan pickups on that one alone are worth the whole price :)
+surgeyX that would be awesome! and i'm a big fan of Holcomb and Periphery too and damn, the PRS MH is one of the most beautiful guitars i've ever seen
We're about the same age, started playing at about the same age. He's done a lot of cool and great shit, I've done nothing. He's a winner, I'm a fucking nobody. And now for some more wine, cheers.
Uh huh! Liar. I'm sure these are awesome as fuck but you don't play these anymore hahaha and that's ok! I don't blame you. I nearly shat myself when he said he played an all black CE for the recording of Blackwater Park because... I bought a 2016 CE in Trampas Green like three nights ago. No wonder my cover on Bleak sounds on point. Ugh, guilt
it is a nice guitar but the Opeth logo could go....no offence Akerfeldt but after paying the money, I don't want to have to advertise your band but then again it is a nice guitar. I'll deal with it. Opeth and Mikael Akerfeldt are relatively obscure. I mean not exactly a Hendrix or Page so not sure why PRS would feel a need. Most wouldn't know what the logo is anyway. I didn't when I bought it....though it is nice artwork ..
I had a guitar custom-built some years back, and to be honest, I don't remember that stuff either. I do know it plays like a dream, though. That's the important bit.
Christoffer Kiilerich Nielsen Nah, being his SIGNATURE model he should know everything about it, and everything about his gear also. A man should know his instruments just like his craft.
Jeeroy Jenkins Well, yeah.. I kind of felt that this interview was a bit spontaneous though, so they were probably more busy playing than brushing up on specs. :)
jagrblood Really? His playing sounds perfectly fine to me as it is, to be honest.. He's got wood, that's the important bit! What kind is an altogether different kind of priority..
