Doug Seven *DS
AMG interview
04/01/2007

AMG: How long have you been playing the guitar?

DS. I could strum G-C-D when I was 7 years old, but I really started getting the drive when I was sixteen. That’s when I heard Albert Lee and Ray Flacke on the early Ricky Skaggs stuff. From there, I went further back and found guys like, Redd Volkaert, Roy Nichols, and the other players that made Chicken Pickin’ come to life.

AMG: You use a telecaster guitar in your training videos, what kind of pick ups do you use?

DS. I don’t even know. They’re the same one’s that came in the Guitar. I’ve always had to use whatever was there; I never have upgraded or modified any of my instruments.  

AMG: How many guitars do you own, years makes and models?

DS. I have two American Fender Tele’s (nothin’ special) one Parsons Green B-bender (all stock) one with Fender lace sencor pickups, Tele style hollow T Classic. I also have a Stratocaster style (handmade JSL Guitar), and a cheap Takamine.

AMG: Do you prefer the Telecaster guitar over all others?

DS. Mostly Yes… But I love the Stratocaster tones too for a lot of things.
I recently purchased a Tom Anderson Guitar. I’m extremely impressed with his work! Of course it’s a Tele style hollow T.

AMG: What makes the Telecaster a good choice of guitar for you?

DS. I do think that the Telecaster style Guitar helps me say what I want to say. I like the “voice” and tone of the Tele better than others.

AMG: What kind of strings do you prefer and why?

DS. I really don’t think they make a “good guitar string” I may get some emails over this but its how I feel…
I’ve used D’Addario 9’s for years. To me, they’re the best for staying in tune after destroying my axe for 5 hours. I do have to change them every two nights of playing.

AMG: What else do you do for a living or are you a full time musician?

DS. I just play out and do some recording (nothing major). I have instructional Dvds and downloads on my website. It hasn’t made me rich by any means but I truly love interacting and helping players develop their style and get better! I believe it was what I was born to do… At least for now.

AMG: Who are some of your musical influences?

DS. My influences range from:
Brent Mason
Danny Gatton
Albert Lee
Ricky Skaggs
Ray Flacke
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Steve Vai
Eric Johnson
And too many others to mention here.
I get so much out of listening to everybody!
What to DO and what NOT to do!

AMG: Who does your guitar work?

DS. I have a couple friends here in Town (Columbus, Ohio) that work on my Guitars.
Jack Roach is a good friend and a great Guitar man when it comes to fret work and building Guitars.
Eric Sanson is one of my best friends and he builds custom guitars for a lot of players professional and personal. JSL guitars is the business name in Groveport Ohio.

AMG: Have you worked with anyone famous yet?

DS. I’ve always been a “behind the scenes” kind of player. I’ve done a lot of independent recordings in Nashville with band members who play with famous people.
So I’ll say that I’ve worked with a lot of “famous Bands”.

AMG: Do you have any success stories from people who are using your videos to lean your guitar style that stick out? Explain.

DS. I receive so many emails every single day (too many to count) from folks who have learned great things from my videos and other materials. I have thousands of testimonials in a folder on my computer. It helps me stay focused and keeps me inspired to keep learning new things myself.

AMG: What is your favorite chord progression?

DS. 1-6-2-5, and anything bluesy and Jazzy. 

AMG: What are your favorite three scales, any mode?

DS. The County Chicken Pickin’ style mixed with jazz is my favorite. Anything with major, minor Pentatonic, Chromatic scales are the vital beginnings of the style.

AMG: What kind of effects do you use, pedals, and rack mounted stuff etc?

DS. My setup is fairly simple. I mostly use my B-bender Tele with very few mods. The only mods I've made would be the Sperzel tuners, graph-tech saddles, and the pickguard. 

For effects, I use an ancient Digitech RP-1 foot unit. I actually don't recommend using that unit, I've had it for 10 years and can't seem to break away from it.
I also, have a BOSS tuner and Tremelo on the side.

I play through a 1968 Fender Twin that I have had so many modifications to I can't even remember all that's been done. I use a 15' Black Widow speaker in it's own cabinet. It has a lot a "balls". More than you'll ever want.

AMG: What kind of amp do you prefer, any customizations?

DS. I love my 1968 Fender Twin of course. My newest purchase and favorite amp is a Mesa boogie Trem-O-Verb Rectifier. The Boogie amps have that pre gain for that perfect “crunchy bite” sounding overdriven just a bit.

AMG: What’s on your wish list?
 
DS. I have everything that I need!

AMG: What videos do you have available for people to learn from and what is coming out in the future?

DS. I have 3 Dvd-Video Volumes at this time. They mostly teach the Country Chicken Pickin style and all the methods and techniques that you have to know. They also teach many Nashville, Brent Mason, Danny Gatton Guitar Licks and Guitar Riffs that made these players and the style famous.

AMG: How can someone purchase videos from you?

DS. You can go to the site at; http://sizzlingguitarlicks.com for all the details on the videos and other materials.
There are free guitar videos and clips of the new stuff that I’m doing.
The Videos are doing very well right now and many guitarists are enjoying them from every Country in the world.

AMG: Other than guitar playing what kind of recreational activities or hobbies do you participate in?

DS. I love to fish. My dad and I have always been into camping and night fishing for Catfish.
I spend time with my family when I can. I have the most wonderful wife. We just had our first child September 18th, 2006. YUP, it’s a Boy and his name is Austin Douglas. He’s my new love!

AMG: What’s the very first thing a beginner guitar player should learn to do?

DS. Listen…

AMG: Who in your opinion is building the best guitars right now?

DS. Tom Anderson. http://www.andersonguitars.com

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