::Marty Friedman Official Website::

Hi Marty,

I absolutely love your recent work with Aikawa Nanase, not to mention that i like (maybe almost)everything I heard you playing - that kind of shows something, as my music taste seems to be somewhat very picky. Anyway, as to Aikawa, i heaven't heard all of her records, but it's when you hear the songs like That Day+That Moment, Shock of Love, Dahlia or Ai no Uta(btw, i don't get why it's English title is Magenta Rain, whereas Japanese title of that song stands for something like "Love of the Song" or even just "Love Song"...), you have the impression that Aikawa is the girl you'd kill for! =) Of course, that's maybe just figurative speech; that only means that she is a great singer and musician. You must be very proud of playing in her band, as well as she must be proud to have one of the World's greatest guitar players with her! At the end of the day, when great musicians get together for some great music - there's hardly could be anything better music-wise.(Hint for possible Megadeth reunion, too ;-). Speaking of your solo records, the most favorite album of yours to me is Scenes. As you say, you are known for intense guitar playing, and that's fine by me to, in terms that this can always be expected from your guitar work. What I'm intended to say by this, is that someone in general FAQ section pointed out lately that now it's time for a Dragon Kiss-like album, and i couldn't agree more on that.. It's just to ask to put some 'Scenes' mood in the context of next album too, and I just hope that's not asking for too much :)

Ok, back to gear question. I've been 'surfing' on your website's picture gallery lately, and the recent pics are those with Aikawa Nanase. (Aikawa,of course,is hot as hell!=)))))) So i notice some sort of foil cover over the bridge pickup of your Ibanez SZ. I wonder what particular purpose does it serve, and even more - what's under the foil too?! Is it that you put you Seymour Duncan JB jr in there holding in a full-size humbucker pickup ring and cover it by the foil to riddle that all up? ;-) Or that's just electrical shielding measures (though, I don't see it will help too much this way, or does it?..)

Also, if you don't mind answering just another question(not to bother you by putting another post), i think many folks would be interested to know what guitar picks do you use? I know, 'the tone is in your fingers', but it's the pick that is the medium that goes between the fingers and the strings, so it's somewhat important for the overall tone, too.

Hope you haven't been (too) bored by reading all this.

Thank You and keep on rockin'!