Khan Manuel is a musician on the up. The Sydney-based guitarist was recently endorsed by global giant Ibanez, an achievement which follows the international success of his debut solo album The Knight. I caught up with this rising star to chat about the Ibanez deal, teaching the next big stars, and Guitar Hero.
You’ve just been endorsed by Ibanez guitars. What does that deal mean for you?
It has always been a dream of mine to be endorsed by Ibanez. And after thousands of hours studying, when things like this happen it really does give you a sense of accomplishment. It will help open doors that would normally be shut and I am so grateful for this endorsement. Many thanks to Kurt and Adam at Australis for helping make it possible. Australis look after Ibanez, Tama (drums) and also Ashton here in Australia.
What do you love about Ibanez guitars?
I have played the Ibanez Jem 7v white for around 11 yrs. Personally I have not found another guitar that caters for all my needs. The neck is very important and needs to have speed on it without losing its tone. Dimarzio have been with Ibanez as long as I can remember and always make top-notch pickups, which has to blend well with the body. My Ibanez has an alder body and resonates beautifully with the combination of the dimarzio pick ups and the fast neck. Overall its perfect for me, and also covers a wide range of genres. The Knight was recorded in its entirety with the Ibanez 7v white, which is interesting as there are blues, rock, metal, fusion and funk styles on the album. I have tried almost every other model of guitar you can think of and have stayed with Ibanez because I haven’t found anything better.
Who are your guitar heroes?
Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan were the first guitarists that I studied and listened to. Still to this day I marvel at their genius. Its almost as if they knew something that all other players failed to put into their own voice, and I am not talking about technique or playing ability. I think all great players are like this: Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Santana, George Benson, Larry Carlton, Tommy Emmanuel. I could name 100 more but ultimately for me there is only really a top 1% that has really made an impact for the guitar to evolve, and these players I could only count on two hands. I have studied well over 100 guitarists since I was a youngster and will continue to study anyone I think has a good energy that can be added to my own voice.
What inspired you to start to play?
All I can remember is sitting next to the stereo when I was around six and listening to my dad and sister’s albums over and over again. I listened to everything from Michael Jackson, Chubby Checker, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Phil Collins, Bob Marley, The Beach Boys and heaps of others. There were no guitarists that interested me, it was just the way that the music made me feel. I remember getting shivers down my back when I heard a song that I liked and that made me feel good, so I kept going back for more of that same feeling.
My dad was playing the guitar one day (he was playing “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix) and I walked in and saw this guitar that he was playing. Then on the odd occasion I would walk in and pretend that I was playing it. Then he started teaching me to hold chords and to start playing tunes at around 9 or 10. So I guess it was a combination of already loving the feeling that music gave me, and my dad introducing the guitar to me.
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