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Interview: Meet Brazilian Guitarist Lari Basilio

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By Andrew Catania

Brazil is known for having some great guitarists.  Here’s another one.  Meet Lari Basilio.   A lover of instrumental music, Lari Basilio began composing her songs.   In 2011, Lari Basilio recorded her first instrumental EP, titled “Lari Basilio,” which contains five tracks, released in April 2012, officially marking the beginning of her solo career. Produced by Lampadinha, the work still counts on the participation of Felipe Andreoli (Angra) and Adriano Daga (Malta).

Lari Basilio has stood out for her technique and versatility, innovating the instrumental music with his unique style of playing, proof of this, is the public recognition of his video posted for the 1st Santo Angelo Cultural Contest of Instrumental Gospel Music, which obtained the greatest visualization In record time.

What got you to start playing the guitar?

LB: My dad is a musician (in his free time), and I’ve always seen him playing guitar and singing at home. He taught me my first chords on the acoustic guitar and, from that point on I found what wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Were you self-taught or did you take lessons?

LB:  In my teens, I studied mostly by myself, and later, I took lessons from some private teachers in my home city.

Did you study any particular area of music?

LB: Nothing so specific, but I tried to focus on some techniques that could stand out my melodic approach, such as fingerpicking.

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What was your first guitar?

LB: My first guitar was a Condor (Brazilian brand), the HSS Stratocaster model. I remember getting a job just to have the chance to buy my first guitar.
What was your first band you joined if any?

LB: Back in 2007, I used to have in a band in Brazil. A rock band. We’ve even recorded an album with originals songs.
Did you write any music in your younger years?

LB: Yes. Once I was always practicing. Eventually, some ideas came out, and I started to register them early.

Brazil is known for great guitar players, is their anyone that catches your eye?

Absolutely! Kiko Loureiro is an excellent example of how to build your career. But I also have another favorite like Edu Ardanuy, Juninho Afram.

What style of music do you play?

LB:  I play instrumental music, as versatile as possible. In my albums, you are going to notice this. There is rock, pop, even acoustic songs. I simply love the freedom to be able to play what I want.

How did you get recognized for your playing?

LB:  I think it’s because of its melodies. I never intended to play fast, or in a difficult way. I’ve always wanted to sound melodic and try to tell a story through the song, with a beginning, middle, and end.

Does anyone endorse you?

LB: Yes, I’m endorsed by Suhr Guitars, GNI Music strings and pedals, Tecniforte cables, Creation FD pedalboards and Gutti Guitar Picks. I’m also in partnership with Gibson Guitars.
What does your rig consist of?

LB: I’ve been using a couple of Suhr Guitars (Classic T Antique and a Classic Pro Metallic), and a Gibson Les Paul Traditional. Also, I’m currently using a Suhr Bella Amplifiers combined with some pedals. There is one pedal that doesn’t leave my set, the Analog Tap Tempo by GNI Music.

 

Do you think aspiring women guitar players look up to you?

I think so. At least, that’s what they tell me! (laughs). It’s important to support women in music, and I feel that I’m contributing to it, and it makes me happy! 🙂

What are your plans for 2017?

I’m working on a new album (and probably a new DVD) which is part of my plan to expand my work as much as possible.

Follow Lari @ http://laribasilio.com/

John Suhr and Suhr Guitars

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By Andrew Catania

Back in the summer of May 1999, Guitar Player Magazine confidently asserted that Suhr Guitars “has a reputation for building exquisitely crafted guitars.” One can’t help but keep in mind the one simple fact that as of the date of this statement – the company had only been in existence for a mere 2 years.

Started by John Suhr and Steve Smith in 1997 in California, Suhr Guitars went on to become a coveted manufacturer of electric guitars and basses, guitar amplifiers and effect units.

The circle of success only seemed to come full circle due to John Suhr’s history of focusing on building guitars. The innovative designer had started his career with humble beginnings as a guitar repairman in Ledgewood, where he was actually fired for taking too long to do a grain and polish on the frets. He then went on to work as a repairman at Rudy’s Music Shop in New York City.

Suhr’s level of intense creativity was inspired by being largely self-taught.  He also credits his success to Bob Benedetto who once told him “If you want to do it, you’re just going to do it. You’re just going to have to start taking apart guitars and figuring it out.” It was this advice that led Suhr to explore building guitars from scratch – using nothing but his own common sense and discarding traditional learning methods such as books.

He created his first Suhr custom guitar in 1984 – 15 years prior to setting up Suhr Guitars. This only exemplifies his early focus on wishing to own his very own guitar company someday. During 1991 -1994, Suhr built over 50 custom guitars, mainly by focusing on amplifiers. He then went on to become a senior master builder at Fender’s Custom Shop in 1995 before taking the plunge as an entrepreneur with Suhr Guitars.

With the help of Steve Smith and his vast expertise in management, software and Computer Numeric Control (CNC) knowledge – the company revolutionized the manufacturing process by using CNC routers to produce guitar necks and bodies instead of using the traditional hand-made method. This left them with the complete control of the manufacturing process since they did not require additional human assistance for production, thereby leaving them with the highest level of control over the quality of guitars produced.

Suhr Guitars seems to remind us of a company that values quality over quantity. Rather than diving into producing hundreds of styles, the company focuses on building a select few guitars that are of the highest quality. All the guitar models are based on four distinct body shapes, each with different series of guitars.

They offer a unique touch of individuality by offering customizations based on customer needs (except for the Pro Series.) The fact that iconic artists such as Reb Beach, Scott Handerson, Mike Landau and Ian Thornley use Suhr guitars is nothing but a reflection of the dedication the company provides towards each guitar they create for their users.

We just have to get us one of those, don’t we?

Check Suhr Guitars @

http://www.suhr.com/