[ WM ] What is your main stage and songwriting guitar you use ?
[ Chris McClarney ] I like guitars with a pronounced midrange and with the ability to take a beating . I wanna play hard and hate when a guitar feels like it clamps up when you dig in . My two favorites at the moment are my 1964 Gibson J-45 , and my Waterloo WL-12 . With an honorable mention to my favorite new guitar , a Martin “ Super D ” - A custom shop dread that ’ s like 20 % bigger than normal and is unbelievably balanced !
[ WM ] What brand / model vocal microphone do you use on stage ? In your home studio ?
[ Chris ] Live : I love the Neumann KMS 105 . Studio : a vintage u67 is my very favorite , but I ’ ve used my Bock 251 on most of my most recent projects .
[ WM ] What pick-up system is on your guitar ?
[ Chris ] L . R . Baggs makes incredible pickups , and they ’ re my first choice . BUT having said that , I hate changing batteries , so sometimes I opt for the passive K & K pickup . L . R . Baggs makes a great DI too , but I can ’ t be bothered to travel with mine so I just use whatever the venue has .
[ WM ] What brand capo ?
[ Chris ] G7th are my jam ! I love the Nashville model ! I got to know the guys from the company on my travels to the UK ( after I had started using them ) and they have been such wonderful people to work with and I have literally never had one break . And I abuse gear .
[ WM ] What guitar strings do you prefer ? bodies guitars . I do like how Elixirs feel and everytime I play a new Taylor I think “ why don ’ t I play these on every guitar ?” Then I remember they cost a fortune and just tell people I prefer the feel of non-coateds .
[ WM ] Are you using a clip-on tuner ? A floor pedal tuner ? Which brand ?
[ Chris ] Petersen makes the best tuners , but it ’ s just a tuner . The tuner I use most often is the one on my Shure wireless unit . I say tune with whatever . Just remember to actually tune ! The exception being the Polytune . I hate that pedal so much .
[ WM ] For In-Ear Monitors what brand are you using ?
[ Chris ] I ’ ve tried them all . And they all make wonderful in-ears ! I prefer the ones with less drivers . I think my brain hears it weird when there ’ s all this stuff happening in the crossover and with the drivers . Simple is better for me . The last two pairs of ears I ’ ve picked up have been Alclairs . Jonny ’ s my dude . Tell him I sent you and he ’ ll probably hook you up a lil .
[ WM ] What do you use to capture song ideas down with ?
[ Chris ] I ’ ve got a full studio , but most often use my phone . Memo demo , baby !
[ WM ] What is a current Worship record you enjoy listening to right now ?
[ Chris ] Oh man . Go check out Bailey Hager ! It ’ s so good !
[ WM ] What is your current or upcoming music project and / or tour ?
[ WM ] What is the next piece of gear you would be excited to have ?
[ Chris ] I need a vintage u67 so bad . Dear reader … if you feel so led … for less than a cup of coffee 3 times a day for 5 years you could provide a worship leader in need a microphone .
[ WM ] What advice do you have for our worship leaders , bandmates and tech teams reading this magazine ?
[ Chris ] Relationships are what matter . Scripture talks about how good it is when we join together . Hang out with your team . Goof off . Have fun ! And worship people please start friendships with the audio guys . You ’ re the same team , and yet I see it so much where there ’ s this animosity . You need each other . And to the worship leaders : you can and should push your church forward inch by inch every week to deeper connections and more engagement . The secret is when the head pastor talks about worship . Then everything can change overnight . Build that relationship with your lead pastor , tell them what you want to see , ask them what they want to see in worship . Darren Whitehead has a wonderful book on the 7 words for praise in the Bible . I ’ d see if your pastor would be willing to help the church move forward in one or more of those things backed up with scripture .
[ WM ] Tell us how we can stay connected with you ? Your website , FaceBook , and Instagram ?
[ Chris ] @ cmcclarney on most everything , but I rarely post and when I do it ’ s usually something dumb .
@ cmcclarney
[ Chris ] D ’ Adarrio mediums on my dreads and jumbos , and lites or extra lites on my smaller
[ Chris ] Releasing a new tune called “ Empty ” in a couple weeks !
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