Gina Gleason of Baroness Reflects on 75 Years of the Fender Telecaster
As Fender marks the 75th anniversary of the Telecaster with five innovative designs, they have enlisted prominent musicians to share their personal connections to this legendary guitar. Among them is Gina Gleason,known for her electrifying hybrid-picked solos on her Olympic White Telecaster. However, her journey with guitars didn’t always include Fenders.
when Gleason joined the metal band Baroness in 2017, her equipment was a reflection of her background in thrash, death, and black metal, as well as her time with the tribute band Misstallica and Cirque Du Soleil.
“At that time, Baroness had just wrapped up their Purple album and were touring with the G&L ASAT Classic Bluesboy,” she recalls. ”I brought along my beloved late-’90s Jackson DK2M, but I was uncertain if it would mesh well with their sound.”
“I was looking for a guitar that could showcase the subtleties in our music.The two guitars would complement each other, often playing diffrent parts. I had always admired Telecaster players, and this was my chance to dive into that world.”
“I experimented with a ’92 ASAT Classic equipped with a Fender noiseless pickup for a while, but eventually, I transitioned to the American Professional model.”
New Musical Ventures: Ecliptor
Before delving deeper into Telecasters,Gleason was eager to discuss her latest project,Ecliptor,which was just days away from their inaugural performance. “We’ve been developing Ecliptor for nearly two years,” she shared.
“Nick Roskow, one of the founding members, is my best friend. We always enjoyed each other’s company but never considered collaborating musically until a few years ago when he expressed his desire to form a band inspired by Swedish death metal. I was instantly on board when he suggested the name.”
“We’ve just completed tracking drums for our debut album. Ecliptor leans more towards traditional metal, and Nick is one of those guitarists who can just shred. it motivates me to step up my practice game!”
Comparing Telecasters: The Anniversary Models
“I’m a huge fan of the american Professional series. We started using them around 2017-my Tele and John Baizley’s Strat. There’s something truly special about that era. The Pro II is also impressive, featuring a contoured heel and S-1 switch.”
Among the anniversary models, the Liquid Gold American Ultra II notably caught her attention. ”I loved the compound radius of the neck. In Ecliptor, I play a Jackson with a 12-16 inch radius, which I enjoy for its speed. The ultra II has a similar feel with its 10-14 inch radius,and the Fastlane pickup paired with the noiseless pickup sounded fantastic for high-gain situations.”
“Fender excels at creating classic guitars, and their modern upgrades are exciting to explore. they continue to innovate, but the timeless butterscotch ’51 Tele will always be a classic.”
Inspirations Behind the Telecaster
“I had an unbelievable guitar teacher in my teenage years, Yanni Papadopoulos, who introduced me to remarkable Tele players beyond the rock genre, like Jimmy Bryant. His alternate picking technique was both chaotic and effortless, which fascinated me.”
“While I’m not a country player, I admire manny country guitarists. Danny Gatton and Jimmy Bryant possess a unique quality that resonates with me, similar to the styles of Dimebag Darrell and Randy Rhoads.Their playing is magical and fluid, filled with chromaticism.”
The Future of Metal Tone
“I believe there will be a trend towards simpler setups in metal.The standards are incredibly high, which is both inspiring and daunting. Sometimes, I just crave the simplicity of an E chord and a solid chug!”
“I’m not well-versed in amp modeling since Baroness maintains a traditional approach. I tour with a fender Princeton, a Bassman, and a variety of fuzz pedals. My goal is to keep it rocking!”
Gear Discoveries and Technical Breakthroughs
“I’ve been really enjoying the big Muff Op Amp pedal for solos and boosts. I recently acquired a Big Muff 2; our tech,Jesse Anderson,modifies Big Muffs,and we use them frequently on tour.I also got my hands on an EVH 5150 EL34, which I used for the Tele demos and thought, ‘I need one of these!’”
“This year, I finally grasped the concept of economy picking. I’ve watched countless YouTube videos on downward slant picking, but it clicked for me this year.I’ve matured enough to remind myself to take it one measure at a time and not get overwhelmed.”
baroness and the Evolution of Songwriting
“Nick in Ecliptor is an exceptional player, and John is another brilliant musician who crafts beautiful chord progressions and melodies. I enjoy collaborating with such diverse creators, constantly pushing myself to improve.”
“Being part of Baroness for nearly a decade has taught me the importance of simplicity in songwriting. John has shown me how to eliminate unneeded elements and focus on the core message. In production, removing certain parts can enhance the impact of what remains.”
“With the Telecaster, there’s no doubt. It cuts through the mix with a brightness and clarity that’s unmatched.”
Guitar’s Enduring Appeal
“Despite the rise of AI music and the challenges of touring, people continue to buy guitars and form bands.The guitar possesses a unique allure. It looks fantastic and seems effortless, yet the complexity behind it is captivating. It appeals to those who enjoy solving puzzles, offering the rewards of looking cool, having a fulfilling hobby, and connecting with like-minded individuals.”
“I also teach guitar, and one of my students, Bill, mentioned that pedals appeal to his collector instincts-‘This one’s a different colour!’ Guitars are akin to classic cars: ‘Well, this one is red!’”
The Timelessness of the Telecaster
“The Telecaster has a distinctive sound that stands out. If you have a trained ear, you can associate various sounds with specific gear.The Telecaster is unmistakable; it has a bright, cutting tone.”
“The players who embraced it-like Danny Gatton and Jimmy Bryant-exude a sense of virtuosity. The iconic sound is so clear that it’s linked to a high level of skill. There’s nowhere to hide; Danny Gatton truly knew his craft!”
Looking Ahead
“It’s been three years as baroness released Stone. Over the past year, we’ve been touring the Red and Blue albums, which I adore, especially Blue. We’ve also been working on new music for about a year and a half. The challenge now is refining it and defining the album’s identity before we head into the studio around July.”
- For more information on the 75th anniversary Telecaster Collection, visit Fender.com.
