Player Profile # 2 – Paul Cush!!

Started Playing Guitar at what age? – 10

Your Guitar Heroes?

• Scott Gorham
• Brian Robertson
• Michael Vdelli
• Gary Moore
• John Sykes
• Billy Gibbons
• Slash
• Jimi Hendrix
• Jeff Healey
• Charlie Starr
• Marcus King
• Angus Young
• Dai Pritchard
• Billy Thorpe
• Eric Johnson
• Tommy Emmanuel
• Joe Satriani
• Steve Vai
• Ritchie Kotzen

Current Band? – Proud Mary (Creedence Tribute)

Past Bands? – Hailmary

Favourite Music Decade? – 70s

Any Endorsements? – Nope

Current Gigging Guitars?

• 2009 Gibson Custom Shop R7 Reissue Goldtop Les Paul.
• 1990 Gibson Les Paul Custom Black.
• 2011 Gibson Custom Shop R9 Reissue Les Paul Iced Tea Burst.
• 2012 Gibson J-45 Standard Acoustic Vintage Sunburst.
• 2006 Gibson Montana J-185 EC Acoustic Vintage Sunburst

Favourite Guitars?

• My 1980 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Cherry Sunburst

Next Guitar? – Gibson EDS-1275 Double Neck Black

Is there such thing as too many Guitars or Amps? – Nope.

Favourite Guitar Cases?

• My Dual Road Case, built by CNC Cases (Caseman) in Melbourne.
• My Gator Titan Waterproof Road Case

Current/Favourite Tunings?

• Std – E, A, D, G, B, E
• Eb – D#, G#, C#, F#, A#, D# (Half step down)
• D – D, G, C, F, A, D (Full step down)

String Brand/Gauges?

• D’Addario EXL116 11-52 Guage (Std & Eb tuning)
• D’Addario EXL148 12-60 Guage (D – Full step down tuning. But I replace the 0.60 gauge string with a NW056 to keep even string tention)
• Elixir Nanoweb 80/20Bronze 12-53 gauge

Picks – CG Picks Custom printed 1.14 gauge (Purple Tortex)

Favourite Pickups – Depends on the guitar. But I have a matched set of Custom-made Reuben 50X Pickups in my R9 and they sound HUGE! My R7 Goldtop is a Monster with Gibson Burst Buckers that sound amazing. But I absolutely love the mini humbuckers in my Deluxe Les Pauls.

Gigging Amps – x2 Vox AC30C2X with Blue Alnico Speakers

Favourite Amps – Years ago, I was loaned a modded Voodoo amp that was owned by Jack Jones (Irwin Thomas) The best tone I’ve ever had. I also owned a Slash signature Marshall head from 1996 that I loved but sold to buy my Lp Custom (it was worth it)

Pedals you can’t do without

• Boss DA-2 Adaptive Distortion
• MXR Micro Amp
• Dunlop GCB95 CryBaby Wah 

Best Gig Ever? – Not sure if it’s the best, but probably the first overseas gig, supporting Ugly Kid Joe in the UK. It was hot, sweaty, filthy and loud as @#$%. 400 or so people crammed into this small room. Was just awesome fun!

Worst Gig Ever? – Well, I’ve had a few of those over the years. But I’m sure we’ve all played at least one venue that smells of sex and vomit and your feet stick to the carpet.

Worst Airport/Transit Damage Ever? – Heathrow – Just throw shit anywhere and everywhere!

Favourite Airline? – Don’t have one.

Do you think Australian Radio plays enough Aussie Rock New and Old – Don’t listen to radio.

Is there any “Music” you can’t stand? – Not Really. If I don’t like it, I just don’t listen to it. That’s not to say it’s shit, it just ain’t my thing.

Who are you currently listening too?

• Blackberry Smoke
• Marcus King Band
• King Canyon
• Vdelli

Where do you see the Guitar in 50 Years? – Well, I’ll be in my late 80s by then (if I’m lucky), so hopefully I’ll be around to see where it goes.

Funniest thing you ever saw at a gig? Sorry, but I can’t recall
Weirdest thing you ever saw at a gig? Sorry, but can’t recall

Not mentioning any names – tell us a funny touring/road story?…
Well, I was at The Underworld in Camden, UK. We’d just finished the last support slot of our tour. I was starving, so decided to go across the road and get greasy kebab to soak up all the booze.
I’m standing outside the venue, really enjoying this kebab and just about everyone walking past is staring, smiling, waving at me etc. I’m thinking “hmmm, maybe they all saw the set or loved our band”. That was until I looked down my leg and saw that it was covered in garlic sauce, all the down to the ground.
Ah well, the kebab was great!