Frank Iero is known for playing a wide variety of guitars, but he’s most commonly associated with the signature Epiphone Frank Iero Model. This custom designed guitar was created specifically for him and his musical style. It has an unusual shape, and it is constructed from mahogany wood in order to deliver a deep, warm sound. The neck also features jumbo frets for better playability. To further customize the sound, there are also two EMG humbucking pickups with coil-splitting options. This guitar comes with a GraphTech Ghost piezo bridge system that allows Frank to combine acoustic tones with electric sounds.
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Frank Iero’s Early Guitar Choices
Throughout Frank Iero’s long and successful career as a musician, he has used a wide variety of guitars. In the early years of his career in punk bands such as My Chemical Romance and Leathermouth, Iero typically favored Fender Telecasters or Squire Jaguars for their bright sounds and durability. Though these two electric guitars were far from expensive, they still offered him the clear tones and sharp edge that he wanted to create with his music.
When looking back at those formative years in his musical journey, it’s clear that the simplicity of these guitar models had an immense influence on his playing style. Even during his time with My Chemical Romance, where Iero often utilized multiple amplifiers to craft lush walls of sound within their songs, he could always depend on the Stratocaster or Jaguar model that he started out with to give him just the right blend of attack and sustain that was required for each song.
Iero soon realized how much control these more basic instruments gave him over shaping soundscapes in performance and studio settings alike. After parting ways with MCR in 2013, Frank found himself drawn towards Gibsons Les Paul models; solid body guitars known for having “thicker” sounds than any other type available on the market at the time. As evidenced by live performances since then, this change was indicative of how his attitude towards creating music shifted over time: from being content with “rough around edges” tones to aspiring for something bigger and fuller sounding – regardless if it is through practice or production techniques.
The Shift to Gibson Guitars: Frank Iero’s Favorites
Frank Iero is one of the most iconic and influential guitarists of the last two decades. His unique sound has won him countless fans, and he’s been known to experiment with different types of guitars. For a long time, Frank favored his signature Epiphone Les Paul Standard, but recently he’s shifted towards Gibson electric guitars. He now prefers to use Gibson Firebird Studio models for their thinner necks and distinctive tone.
While Frank used to love the versatility offered by his Epiphone, he was often frustrated by the bulkier feel when playing live or in the studio. After trying several different options, he realized that Gibson’s electric offerings were best suited for his needs. The slim profile makes it easier for him to reach all parts of the fretboard with ease while still maintaining a powerful sound.
His shift towards Gibsons has become increasingly evident as more people have seen him perform live over recent years; this is especially true when it comes to their iconic SG model which provides a classic rock vibe combined with modern features like multiple pickup configurations and improved intonation tuning machines. Whatever song Frank plays on stage you can be sure that it will be heard loud and clear thanks to these well-crafted instruments – proving yet again why they are such a popular choice among guitar players everywhere.
Frank Iero’s Unique Guitar Modifications and Customizations
Frank Iero is known for his unique and creative guitar modifications. The customizations he has made to his instruments are often seen as a signature style of playing that set him apart from other artists. He typically uses an Epiphone Les Paul Standard, with the neck pickup removed and replaced with a Seymour Duncan SH-1 ’59 Humbucker. He also adds a push/pull coil split to the tone knob which allows him to switch between single-coil and humbucking tones on the fly.
To further customize his sound, Frank replaces the tuning machines with Grover locking tuners and cuts off some of the frets in order to facilitate easier bends when playing lead lines. Frank likes to use different types of strings on different songs so he can change up his sound quickly during live performances or studio sessions. This allows him to maintain a consistent tone while still having enough flexibility in his sound to experiment with new ideas.
Iero adds several visual modifications including covering almost every inch of exposed metal parts in colorful tape and adding stickers for even more personality. His penchant for personalizing each instrument gives him an instantly recognizable look when performing onstage or in music videos; not only does it make for great visuals but it also helps reinforce Frank’s unique musical identity as one of modern rock’s most innovative guitarists.
Live Setup: The Amps, Pedals, and Accessories That Accompany Frank Iero’s Guitars
Frank Iero has crafted his own unique sound over the years, a sound that is unmistakably his. While there are plenty of things to consider when it comes to achieving Frank’s distinctive tone and playing style, one cannot overlook the importance of his live setup. The combination of amps, pedals and accessories he uses in concert plays an integral role in delivering Iero’s signature sound.
On stage, Frank prefers tube amplifiers for their warmer sounds and more organic tone compared to solid-state ones. He currently endorses Mesa Boogie amplifiers; he’s been known to use various models from the company including the Rectifier, TransAtlantic TA-30, Express 5:50+, Dual Rec 2×12 Combo and Lone Star Special. On occasion he’ll bring out a vintage Fender Princeton Reverb II or Delux Reverb amp depending on venue size.
When it comes to effects pedals used by Frank during shows you’ll likely spot him using different stomp boxes from Boss – specifically overdrives such as the DS-1 and SD-1 Super Overdrive plus a couple of delays (DD-3 Digital Delay/DM-2 Analog Delay). As far as other accessories go expect to see him with Ernie Ball strings (10s & 11s) along with locking tuners so his tuning stays consistent throughout each set without having to manually adjust string tension while onstage.
Frank also favors Gibson Les Paul guitars both in studio recordings as well as live performances – often seen wielding an array of classic model variants like those made famous by Jimmy Page (’59 Burst), Slash (’87 R8) or Gary Moore (’69 Standard). Other Gibson guitar types like Firebirds have also been spotted in pictures taken at concerts throughout recent years indicating that Iero likes to switch things up every now and then depending on how they fit within certain song arrangements.
Influences and Inspiration Behind Frank Iero’s Choice of Guitars
Frank Iero is a passionate and talented musician who has been playing guitar for years. His love of music can be seen through his choice in guitars, as they often reflect the many influences that have inspired him over the course of his career. While there are some signature pieces he has made popular, it’s clear that he draws inspiration from a variety of sources.
The two main types of guitars he uses are electric and acoustic models. He tends to favor classic Stratocaster-style electric guitars, especially Fender Strats which were used by some of his early influences like Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton. He also likes Gibson Les Pauls as well as other models from brands such as ESP, Gretsch, and Rickenbacker. On occasion, Frank has been known to play vintage instruments such as Harmony Silvertone’s or various hollow-body jazz boxes.
When it comes to acoustic tones, Frank favors Martin Dreadnaught style guitars due to their warmth and resonance when strummed with vigor. He usually plays these unplugged but will occasionally plug them into an amp or effects processor for added textures and dynamics. Many fans also recognize the bright blue Dean acoustic six string that Frank uses on stage regularly – no doubt inspired by his love of punk rock bands such as The Misfits, Social Distortion and The Dead Milkmen.
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