8 - Kenny Loyd
Kenny currently lives in the Cleveland, Ohio Area but is originally from the California San Francisco Bay Area. He has been playing the guitar since he was 14 and received his first guitar on Christmas of 1994, a Mexican made Stratocaster that he still has. He played pretty regularly in bands doing guitar, bass and drum duties as needed until about 2010, when he just stopped playing as often due to family and work. He finally got back into music around 2019 and has been trying to take it more seriously ever since. He also plays bass and drums. He plays mainly Alternative Rock, Punk, and some classic rock. He plays for relaxation and has an urge to keep learning and getting better after so long away. He makes original music with his current band Hooks For Feet.
Kenny’s guitars:
My first one - 1994 Mexican Fender Stratocaster - It’s been through a lot of visual changes, but I went very classic for its most current look. Upgraded with new wiring, Texas special pickups in the Neck and Mid, Seymour Duncan Hot Rail in the Bridge, locking tuners, and upgraded trem system.
1977(?) Gibson J-50 Acoustic - This was my father-in-law’s guitar. He had a tradition of buying a guitar whenever one of his kids was born. This was the one he’d play for my wife when she was little and we inherited it when he died. It’s a beautiful playing and sounding acoustic. We aren’t sure of the year as the serials don’t seem to go back that far, so we just call it 1977.
2008 Schechter Stilleto Custom 4 Bass - I’ve owned this one for a while, and it’s been a great workhorse when I want to lay down bass tracks.
2019 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro V - I’ve swapped the pickups in this one for a Super 57 bridge/57 neck. A great player.
2020 Gibson Les Paul Blood Moon - This was a limited edition run from Guitar Center. The moment I saw this one, I had to have it.
2022 Reverend Billy Corgan Z-One - I saw the announcement on this one and had to have it. I wasn’t a huge fan of the look of the BC-1, but this one blew me away when I first saw it. Looked around and nobody had one or was on waiting lists to get one. I got lucky one day and saw a local shop about 40 minutes away from me had one, so I went down and fell in love with it. I grew up listening to the Smashing Pumpkins and always loved their sound, so this is a meaningful one for me.
2022 Reverend Warhawk DAW - I liked my Z-one so much I started looking at other Reverend models. The Local GC had one of these in Avocado burst that I really liked, but I called my Sweetwater rep and they had a demo one available in purple. Wasn’t sure if I’d like the purple in person but absolutely loved it when I got it out of the box. My wife has lovingly dubbed it “Purple Rain”. The Humbucker is great and the p90 in the bridge has some amazing cleans. I sent this one off to have an Evertune installed as I rarely use trem. It has been such an upgrade. It just stays in tune and I’m thinking I’ll send my strat to have it installed next.
Kenny’s amps:
Marshall DSL 40 CR - It’s a great amp for those meaty Marshall tones. And this one is a limited edition one in Cream. I had just gotten back into playing and this thing blew me away. I had sold off some gear and it came out to be enough to buy this one outright. It’s been awesome, although a little heavy carting it around which helped push my move to Modelers.
Neural DSP Quad Cortex - I had used and Ampero and Headrush beforehand and was really happy with my tone out of the Headrush models until I changed up bands. I wanted a different sound and wasn’t completely finding it with what I had, so I picked this item once they came in stock. It’s been mindblowing the sounds I can get out of this thing and they sound so much like the real amps, I constantly get people asking about it.
Headrush MX-5 - I keep this one around as a just in case backup. It’s a great modeler and it has all of my rigs ready in a setlist just in case. The screen and setup are the most intuitive I’ve ever used (including the Quad Cortex) and it makes great, realistic sound that’s hard to beat at its price range.
What was your first guitar, and do you still have it?
I still have my first guitar. It is the ‘94 Mexican Stratocaster. I received it for christmas when I was 14. It was chosen by my uncle who has played guitar since the 60’s, is a huge Beatles fanatic, and was a musical influence of mine from a young age. It’s been through a lot with me. It used to be the one I played live with and toured around playing in my bands when I was younger. It’s taken a beating and has had a few different looks but it’s been a great guitar the whole time I’ve owned it.
What's your favorite guitar right now, and why?
By far my favorite is the Les Paul Blood Moon. I remember when I bought it, I was sweating it out that it was too much money and I’d send it back. The moment I opened the case I was blown away by its beauty, and then once I held it, it was like it was made for my hands. If somehow I could only have one guitar forever on, this would be it.
What's your newest purchase?
The Reverend Warhawk. It’s funny as I had heard so many people raving on about Reverend guitars but I’d never played one. I was so blown away by how good the Z-One played and felt, I definitely understood what everyone was saying. I was looking at a crosscut W as well but the deal came up on this Warhawk almost 2 weeks later and I had to jump on it.. It feels very similar to my Les Paul’s on the neck but just lighter and thinner. It’s definitely a great guitar.
How often do you play?
I try to at least pick up one of them every day. I don’t always get to practice a whole lot but I try to make a point of it to do something with them whether it be just keeping my muscle memory up or learning something new.
