ELECTRIC GUITAR Kevin Schuck
[ WM ] Tell us about how you got started playing guitar?
[ Kevin Schuck ] Hey WM friends! I got started later than most( around 16) playing in my church’ s youth group. I wanted to learn guitar because that was something my late Dad did, and I wanted to be like him.
[ WM ] Who were your main guitar influences?
[ Kevin ] I’ ve always been drawn to records and bands. Like how everything fits together as a group. So, growing up my guitar heroes and influences were ones I didn’ t even know who I was listening to. Later in life I found out the reason I loved Tom Petty was because of Mike Campbell. The reason I loved Incubus was because of Mike Einziger. The reason I loved most pop songs on the radio was because of Steve Lukather and Tim Pierce.
Then once I moved to Nashville the reason I loved the records coming from here were Brent Mason and now Derek Wells. All alongside this every Sunday I loved learning parts by guys like Daniel Carson and didn’ t even know who he was till years later.
[ WM ] You most likely have played worship guitar alongside many other guitarists on the platform. What is your strategy for arranging the guitar parts when two( or more) guitarists are on the team?
[ Kevin ] Oh yeah! That’ s one reason why I love knowing how albums are made. How not only the guitars are being stacked but also all the other instruments fit into the bigger picture. Because even if one guitar is high & chimney and one is low & thick is that still the best fit? Is that still stepping on the vocal? On the main keys part? I always try my best to know the song and my instrument in and out so I can pivot on a dime to fit into the band. In short, my strategy is to be so well prepared that I can keep eyes and ears up so I can fit into whatever situation I show up in.
[ WM ] You play at your local church, but you also play outside the church. If so, tell us about your other guitarist roles?
[ Kevin ] I do! I get hired by lots of different artists to come play live or on their record. Everything from Worship to Pop / Country / Rock gigs. I am currently learning a 90 min set to jump in and help sub a gig for a buddy who can’ t make a festival date this weekend. No rehearsal!
[ WM ] Do you have a home studio setup? If so, what are you using to record with? ProTools?
Plug-ins? Tell us about your studio.
[ Kevin ] I am a big Universal Audio fan. It’ s wild the recorded tones you can get with just the UA Twin, an OX, a tube head and some pedals. But also there is magic in renting a full fledged studio( my fav in town is Gnome Studios) and doing it right. Both have their place and it depends on if I’ m cutting a demo or a master.
[ WM ] Your thoughts on modeling units vs. analog pedals?
[ Kevin ] Both are tools and have their places! Last weekend I played a festival date with the Fender Tonemaster Pro because we needed to fly, play and fly back. It was amazing to just
BUYER’ S GUIDE # 12- 2025 WT Subscribe to [ WM ] for Free... 9