Tony Rombola

Tony Rombola

Tony Rombola (born November 24, 1964) is an American musician who has been the lead guitarist for the Boston-based hard rock band Godsmack since the mid-1990s. Tony Rombola has been cited as 'an extraodinaire' in the guitar world, by Guitar World magazine, and is cited to be the only guitarist to keep an 'original soloing style' during the nu metal period, earning him the respect of the guitar industry. He's also one of the most influential guitarists of the last decade. Rombola is also a guitarist for the side-project band Another Animal, formed at the beginning of 2007, the band released their self-titled debut album in October 2007, and played shows, whilst frontman Sully Erna did a small solo tour.

History

Born in Norwood, Massachusetts, Rombola is a self-taught guitarist. He first picked up a guitar at age 11. According to his father, the first song Tony learned was a song by Black Sabbath. His first introductions to rock music were the albums Led Zeppelin III, 2112 and We Sold Our Soul for Rock 'n' Roll. Having never taken guitar lessons, Rombola learned everything he knows from guitar magazines such as Guitar World. His first guitar was an SG copy, before moving to custom Les Pauls that he enjoys now. Before meeting up with Godsmack vocalist Sully Erna and bassist Robbie Merrill in the mid-'90s and subsequently joining Godsmack, Rombola played cover bands, funk, rock, classic rock, and metal. The two encountered Rombola performing in a local circuit with some band playing covers of Alice in Chains and Rage Against the Machine. Erna and Merrill knew they needed someone with Rombola's skill to reach the success that they have with Godsmack. They recorded an EP in 1997 which later became their self-titled debut album in 1998. This album went on to sell over 5 million copies (5* platinum) in just a couple of years. The song 'Keep Away' was inducted into the top 100 greatest rock songs, labelled under 'Guitar legends'. Rombola was also a carpenter before he joined Godsmack. Tony says that if not for the band, he would still be working as a carpenter. Tony has a wife, Sue, and three step children: Joe, Trisha, and AJ. Tony enjoys playing video games and golf as hobbies.

Tony recently worked with and Brian Coombes, of Tristan Park and David Pierog at Rocking Horse Studio, on the Prospect Hill Album which was released in November 2007. David and Tony are co-producing his first solo release with bassist Joe Pierog.

Gear

Guitars

• McNaught Guitars
• Gibson Les Paul guitars
• Gibson Les Paul Classic Custom Electric Guitar Antique Ebony
• Ovation Balladeer 6751-CCB. He also performs with an Ovation Elite T 1778T-5
• Ovation 1778T Elite T Series Acoustic-Electric Guitar Black
• Takamine Acoustic guitars
• Gibson J-45 Acoustic
• Gibson Acoustic J-45 True Vintage Acoustic Guitar Vintage Sunburst
• Double-neck acoustic Ovation
• Yahama acoustic

Amps and Cabinets

• Splawn Amplifiers (Splawn QR and Nitro) and cabs
• Diezel Amplifiers (Herbert)
• Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifiers (used to use these) and 4x10" cabs
• Fender Bullet (for practice in hotel rooms)
• 1967 Plexi Marshall Tremolo (used on recordings)

Effects and more

• Boss NS-2
• Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor Pedal
• Ashly PQX-571 7-band parametric equalizer
• Digital Music Corporation GCX Guitar Audio Switcher
• Digital Music GCX Guitar Audio Switcher
• Dunlop Cry Baby Pedals
• Dunlop Original Crybaby Wah Pedal
• Shure U4D wireless system
• Dunlop DCR-1SR
• Dunlop Crybaby Rack Wah
• Boss PH-2 Super Phaser
• Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter Pedal
• Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
• Boss DD-3 Digital Delay Pedal
• Dunlop Rotovibe pedal
• Dunlop JD-4S Rotovibe Expression Pedal
• MXR 31 Band Graphic Equalizer
• Dunlop TS-1 Tremolo Stereo Pan
• Zakk Wylde MXR (studio)

Strings, picks and accessories

• Dunlop Tortex Picks
• Dunlop Tortex Standard Guitar Picks .73MM 1 Dozen
• GHS guitar strings gauges .011 to .054 (drop c tunings) and also .010 to .046 (drop d tunings)
• GHS GBL Boomers Light 010 Electric Guitar Strings
• Franklin Guitar Straps

References

• FRET12.com Tony Rombola Artist Page
• Godsmack: Tony Rombola
• Tony Rombola: Guitar World

External links

• Tony Rombola at IMDb
• Gibson Exclusive: Tony Rombola of Godsmack