AN INTERVIEW WITH JOHN JAUNESE

John Jaunese is a guitarist from Washington, not only is he an emerging figure on the guitar scene but he is also a Byrd Guitars Super Avianti player and personal friend of James Byrd.  I caught up with John to ask him a few questions about why he plays the Super Avianti and also to get a little background on his music.

JOHN JAUNESE COLLECTING HIS SUPER AVIANTI FROM JAMES BYRD

1. John, You are currently playing a Byrd Guitar Super Avianti, how did you discover the instrument?
JJ: A friend of mine told me about the guitar, and I was curious to check it out. I knew James Byrd was a virtuoso caliber player, and I had a been looking for a guitar to compliment my technical abilities. Having had a few custom guitars made the previous few years, with everything from scalloped frets to lights in the fretboard. Its funny how many bells and whistles you can put on a guitar. I even had a tuner wired into a customized Ibanez.

2. What guitar were you using previously?
JJ: A customized Ibanez, Fernandez, and a Parker Fly. Each guitar offers something different. The Ibanez has EMG pickups which I like to use for progressive rhythms. The Fernandez has a real midrange sound, and a built in sustainer. I use the Parker fly for classical picking.

3. Why did you change?
JJ: The main reason TONE. Which to be honest was not something I have ever really cared about that much. I heard the tone of that guitar, and I knew it was far more superior to anything I have ever played.

4. What pickups, fretwire etc does your Super Avianti have?
JJ: Frets: #6105 - a tall fret with a slightly narrower width than a #6100, Pickups: Dimarzio Virtual Vintage Series,

5. Has your Super Avianti got any special features that you personally asked for? e.g. pickup wiring etc?
JJ: James had complete control over the guitar features. The only thing I did was pick the wood for the neck Hand selected Grade AAA Canadian hard-rock maple w/ bird's eye. The gold paint color for the body, and I did also request Fingerboard scalloping.

JAMES RELUCTANTLY HANDS OVER JOHN'S NEW SUPER AVIANTI ;-)

6. What if anything do you feel the 'Super Avianti' has added to your playing?
JJ: Tone, and I also noticed an increase in my speed, and accuracy.

7. You released an EP a year or so ago entitled 'The Fastest Guitar On Earth', I believe your are now working on a new project, can you give us any details about this project?
JJ: I am working on three CDs at the same time. THIS IS TAKING SOME TIME TO COMPLETE. THEY INCLUDE - "A TRIBUTE TO BEETHOVEN" CLASSICAL, "SEATTLE LIGHTS" JAZZ, A FULL LENGTH NEOCLASSICAL-no title yet named.

8. Is the 'Super Avianti' being used exclusively on this album? What other gear [amps, effects] are you using for it?
JJ: Yes, except for classical picking, heavier rhythms, or use of a tremolo. I use a LINE 6 POD, with no effects. That's it.

9. Can you tell us a little about your background musically, what inspired you to play etc?
JJ: I began to play guitar when I was eight y/o, and was very much a natural. I started out playing classical on a nylon string guitar. Twenty five years later, and I haven't put the guitar down for a minute. Although listening to a lot of guitar players growing up, none of them really made an impression on me that stuck. By age 13 (1982) I was experimenting with neoclassical style rock. One of my best friends was also a pre Yngwie shredder. By age 15 Eric Slove, and I began working on theory together. Dissecting the music dictionary, Harmony editions, and anything we could get our hands on. by age 17 I had all the technique a rock guitar player would need, and maybe a little more. I played in about 20 bands before I decided to do a solo guitar

10. Where can people get a copy of 'The Fastest Guitar On Earth'?
JJ: If anyone want a copy of the CD, just send me an e-mail. If you want it for review or promotional reasons let me know. There are only a few CD's left, having gone through a few thousand. I am at JJAUNESE@aol.com.

11. John, thank you for your time, is there anything you would like to add about the Super Avianti, James Byrd or music in general?
JJ: James Byrd? A pure genius I would not spend a dime on another guitar again, unless Byrd stopped building the "SUPER AVIANTI". I ordered the second "SUPER AVIANTI" guitar, and cant wait. my new neoclassical CD with truly sound amazing with this upgrade to my sound. You want to hear amazing now? listen to the new James Byrd album "Flying Beyond The Nine". This is his first record using the "SUPER AVIANTI". What an amazing CD! listen for yourself.

Thanks for agreeing to the interview John.

Andy