Guitars & Amplification
For live performances Charlie uses a Martin HD-35 fitted with a Fishman Prefix Premium Blend pick up. This features an onboard blender and microphone, to combine the sound directly from the pick up itself and the natural sound picked up from the microphone. This gives you the beautiful, earthy tones from the guitar with a crisp, clear edge. The guitar is also fitted with a very practical chromatic tuner. Charlie likes to use her Martin JC-16GTE as a spare.
The Fender Nashville Telecaster is a beautiful Mexican-made guitar which can have a very bright electric sound or a more subtle acoustic-like tone. It's also a very well made and beautiful instrument. And finally, Charlie occasionally uses a 12 string Yamaha APX-5-12A, to give songs a much fuller and brighter sound.
The guitars are fitted with D'Addario phosphor bronze strings in standard gauges starting at .010 to .047 inches, with the exception of the Martin which is fitted with Martin strings starting at .011 to .052, to suit the guitars set up and for better acoustic volume and tone. For picks, Charlie uses 'anything with a good grip!', mainly Jim Dunlop (.60mm and .73mm), she also uses Jim Dunlop and Shubb capos.
For most venues Charlie uses a 300W Yamaha EMX312SC mixer amp and a spare Yamaha amp with Peavey Messenger Series, Pro 12 speakers. We find this system durable, solid and reliable when travelling. For vocal amplification Charlie uses AKG condenser microphones. For guitar effects she uses a Boss CH-1 chorus pedal, a Boss DD-6 digital delay pedal and a chromatic tuner.
At gigs and her own open mic nights Charlie is accompanied by her sound engineer, who has worked with her for over 6 years on the professional circuit. We take great pride in our reputation for acheiving a high quality acoustic sound.
© Charlie Barker Music 2008