"Troy Van Leeuwen identifies that Queens of the Stone Age seems incongruous with Fender Strats, finding them somewhat pedestrian."
In an unexpected turn of events, Troy Van Leeuwen, multi-instrumentalist of the renowned rock band Queens of the Stone Age, has a preference for Fender's Jazzmaster and Telecaster guitars over the more common Stratocaster and Les Paul. This choice, rooted in his pursuit of unique tones and versatility, has significantly contributed to the band's distinctive sound.
During a tour, Van Leeuwen found himself "scrambling to find something that would work," as the Stratocaster "just never felt like it worked" for the band’s sound and vibe. He described the Strat as "a little too ordinary" compared to the Jazzmaster and Telecaster, which he finds "more funky" and offering "a wide range of tones" that provide more interesting and varied colors for his playing style. This tonal variety suits the band's dynamic better and allows Van Leeuwen to bring more texture to their music than the Stratocaster does for him.
Van Leeuwen's love affair with Jazzmasters, culminating in his Fender Troy Van Leeuwen Jazzmaster signature model, began after an unfortunate motorcycle accident that left him with a broken collarbone on the left side, just a few weeks before a festival. With the Jazzmaster's lighter weight and unique tonal qualities, he was able to get through the tour unscathed.
The band's affinity for the unconventional is further evident in their recent performance in the Paris Catacombs for a new live film. Queens of the Stone Age became the first band to play in this historic location, reflecting their commitment to pushing boundaries and creating unique experiences for their fans.
Van Leeuwen's dedication to his craft extends beyond the stage. He is collaborating with Fender on a Squier 12-string Telecaster, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to instruments that offer unique character and playability rather than defaulting to commonly used models like the Stratocaster.
Despite facing injuries during a tour, Van Leeuwen did not cancel the performances. He even resorted to using a saxophone strap to carry the lighter Jazzmaster guitar, a testament to his resilience and passion for his music.
In conclusion, Troy Van Leeuwen's preference for the Jazzmaster and Telecaster guitars over the Stratocaster and Les Paul is a reflection of his pursuit of unique tones and versatility. This choice, combined with the band's commitment to pushing boundaries and creating unique experiences, has significantly contributed to the distinctive sound of Queens of the Stone Age.
[1] Source: Guitar World [2] Source: Music Radar
- Troy Van Leeuwen's signature model with Fender is a Fender Troy Van Leeuwen Jazzmaster, a testament to his enduring affection for this guitar.
- During live performances, Van Leeuwen sometimes uses an unconventional method to carry his lighter Jazzmaster, such as a saxophone strap.
- Instead of the more common Stratocaster and Les Paul guitars, Van Leeuwen finds the Fender Telecaster and Jazzmaster to offer a wider range of funky and versatile tones that better complement the music of Queens of the Stone Age.
- In a bold move, Queens of the Stone Age performed in the Paris Catacombs for a live film, making them the first band to play in this historical location, further illustrating their affinity for unconventional settings.
- In a turn of events, Van Leeuwen discovered the Jazzmaster offered the unique tonal qualities and lighter weight that he needed during a tour when he was left with a broken collarbone, just weeks before a festival.
- Van Leeuwen's ongoing collaboration with Fender on a Squier 12-string Telecaster showcases his dedication to instruments with unique character and playability, setting him apart from those who default to commonly used models like the Stratocaster.
[1] Source: Guitar World [2] Source: Music Radar [3] Source: Ultimate Classic Rock [4] Source: Consequence of Sound [5] Source: Queens of the Stone Age Official Website [6] Personal speculation
