[‘Droff] Probably the guy that comes to mind
actually is the guitarist who used to play with us
here at Church, a guy called David Moyse. As
a young, freshly saved if you like, church player,
I saw him on one of the earliest Hillsong DVDs
back in the 90’s actually. He was playing a White
Falcon, and I saw him, and I was like, that’s a
sound that I’ve never heard before because I
was a PRS guy, I was a Gibson Les Paul guy
and I didn’t know much about Gretsch. And
when I heard him and saw him play on that
early DVD I was like, “What is that sound?” So,
he is the guy that actually initially inspired me to
Gretsch… funny enough.
DANIEL CARSON
[WM] What about Gretsch guitars makes [‘Droff] Goodness knows I’ve played dozens guitarist and as someone with a platform.
them great for Worship? of tracks with Gretsch guitars, but probably my Thank you for trusting me with your brand.
favorite one was “Mighty to Save”, and it was
[‘Droff] I would say the versatility, obviously. with that first guitar I bought, that Duo Jet. I DANIEL CARSON
Regardless of if you’ve got the single coil think it was 2004 or 2005, I remember work Right around the time that Hillsong was turning
diatonic pickups or the FilterTrons or even shopping the song and helping to come up with into a worldwide phenomenon, an unknown
the PowerTrons (you know the TV Jones that part. And that was on the Duo Jet, and I singer-songwriter named Chris Tomlin was
ones) or any of the different pickup types or just remember the sound, I remember the gear about to embark on his first major tour, opening
configurations, I feel that you can get a sound I was running into, I remember hearing it on the for Delirious? In need of a guitar player, Chris
for any style of music. And it particular Worship, recording the first time and seeing it back on reached out to Daniel Carson’s Dad to see if
because they’ve just got that glossiness, that the DVD, and just hearing that Gretsch sound. there was some way Daniel could take part
chime, that mid-range tone to them that I think And what probably means more to me actually of his senior year in high school off, and the
just cuts through the mix really well. Whether is what that song has gone on and done in rest as they say is history. Daniel has crafted
you’re playing clean sounds, or flipping two people’s lives, and it’s such a big song. To be a guitar style and sound that has become part
overdrives on… running through a big pedal able to play on the initial recording for that, of the fabric of modern Worship guitar. While
bard or just straight into the amp. I think you with a Gretsch Duo Jet (laughs), is absolutely he’d never sing his own praises, in the last
can get whatever sound you need for whatever awesome. It’s memorable. installment of Worship Guitar Talk, Chris went
song and whatever section of a song. Whether
to great lengths to speak about Daniel’s playing
it’s the big power chords, or if it’s the ambient [WM] What would you like to say to the folks
tones, or the chimey high parts up on the at Gretsch in honor of their 135th anniversary?
twelfth or fourteenth fret, you can get whatever
and character…
[WM] When did you get your first Gretsch,
sound you need. That’s why I play Gretsch. [‘Droff] Thank you for making absolutely
That’s why I own eight of them. (laughs) phenomenal, beautifully crafted, and pretty
what model was it, and do you still own it?
guitars. Keep making them! And also thank [Daniel] My first model was a Duo Jet. Don’t
[WM] What are some of your favorite tracks you for your generosity toward me and for even know the year but I believe it’s 90’s era. Got
that you have cut using a Gretsch? believing in me as a guitarist – as a Worship Hillsong // “Mighty to Save” The Beatles // Cavern Club Rehearsal,1962
December 2018
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