Herman Li Talks to DiMarzio about his Signature Ibanez Guitar

[nova495]

man he is like a zombie when he plays

[fakematteo]

08:00 LOL

[TheSantanaLee]

@fakematteo got me XD

[kman41000]

Oh man that's a sick sig guitar! I want one!

[2094matty]

herman should use that outro solo for one of his new songs

[Harrysound]

I hate dragonforce but I like Herman, I actually really like the look of his sig guitar, if only he had a better looking headstock



[dannyyoungguitars]

I have a 70's dimarzio Fs-1 which I use in the neck on my Vox. I learned to sweep pick with from herman Li's video a few years ago and as a result, I have been chosen as a top 20 sponsors choice finalist for guitar idol 3!! Big thanks to Dimarzio and Herman Li!!

[akitokuun]

ハーマンの顔www

[goliathcombatwalker]

I was always under the impression Herman Li was just a numbskulled douchebag that could only play fast, but after listening about his warm-up routine, I must admit I was very wrong.

[RSNitsua]

@goliathcombatwalker Yeah he's actually a pretty cool guy that's just having fun.

[randomguitarstuff56]

@yudithdragonforce, just throw in Steve Vai and I'd buy every single album

[randomguitarstuff56]

@yudithdragonforce, totally, just throw in Steve Vai and I'd buy every single album

[J0shuaChristian]

oh man, i love herman li!

[yudithdragonforce]

HO MY GOD, HO MY GOD, HO MY GOD !!!

0:05 HERMAN LI AND JOE SATRIANI TOGETHER !!!!

MY 2 HEROES OF GUITAR TOGETHER !!!!

[yudithdragonforce]

HO MY GOD, HO MY GOD, HO MY GOD !!!

0:05 HERMAN LI AND JOE SATRIANI TOGETHER !!!!

MY 2 HEROES OF GUITAR TOGETHER !!!!

[altumpaul]

but you're larry dimarzio...you can do anything with a pickup

[skylineXpert]

i like herman li for his style and guitar, that axe is like no other but it can never beat the evh frankenstein

[liamzuid]

Is it hard to install a dimarzio pickup?

[LarryDiMarzio]

@liamzuid

It isn't hard, but previous experience with basic guitar wiring is a plus, as it is with anything that requires replaicing and rewiring gear.

[dabenson8r]

Would the Evolutions be the closest thing to the Herman Li pickups, or are there other pickups that would sound closer to the ones in the EGEN? I'm curious, considering I've never played one before.

[LarryDiMarzio]

@dabenson8r

The Evo neck pickup is pretty similar to the EGEN neck pickup. The bridge model is a little closer to the D Activator bridge model.

[dabenson8r]

@LarryDiMarzio Awesome, thank you very much. What would be comparable for a middle pickup? SOmething like the HS-3, or something a little beefier like a Virtual Vintage?

[Desro12]

Herman li ... LOOOL

[BurcolDBZBT4Returns]

@Desro12 Yeah. Lol. That's why he has a signature guitar and you don't. That's why he is famous and you're not.

[altumpaul]

when is dimarzio going to finally going to make some active pickups? all the over the top output that still sounds good and cleans up good...maybe an adjustable eq on it too?

[LarryDiMarzio]

@altumpaul

We're always working on new projects, but it isn't practical to expect a pickup (active or passive), to have "over the top" output and still clean up, because high-gain amplifiers don't clean up very well with hot pickups.

[williamindragunawan]

So this pick-up is exclusive to EGEN18 only....

as for those who wonders about Herman's ring: /watch?v=KCJmKkJqmVs and /watch?v=yokthgg10j8

It is called Hot Hands.

[MegashadX]

I gotta say, the NAMM performance was intense. Herman jamming with Paul Gilbert and Joe Satriani, and they seem pretty impressed! No greater honor exists in the guitar world.

But anyhow, I'm curious... so far, these pickups are exclusive to Herman's signature model, but by chance, are there plans to mass-produce them?

[LarryDiMarzio]

@MegashadX

No plans to mass produce them yet.

[ShadowLancer128]

@LarryDiMarzio

Your site specifically says they're evolutions from Steve Vai, but Ibanez calls them the HLM-N,B or S (obviously standing for Herman Li Model Neck, Bridge, and Single)

I was wondering if you made any specific adjustments to the pickups for herman, or are they really just stock Evolution pickups?

[LarryDiMarzio]

@ShadowLancer128

Herman has used stock Evos in the past, but the EGEN pickups are custom designs for his guitar.

[Balistix1Magician]

whats with the glowing ring he is wearing, i see it whenever he plays live, doe it help with blood circulation or something??

[angunies]

i love his mind about warmup

totally different with rusty cooley

[kevinsayahofficial]

3:00 nice

[wildguitaristf5]

i always like Herman ...from the begining....pple who hate him don't know fuck all about guitar....if he was really shit...Joe satiani wouldn't be playing wiht him...in it?? :D

[Mylastdawnofficial]

@wildguitaristf5

Or maybe because Herman Li is an Ibanez endorsee. Much like Vai, Satriani, Gilbert and Friedman. Not that he's a bad player or anything. Wouldn't be commenting on a video if he was crap.

[Chanzilla86]

At 5:16 check out Paul Gilbert's reaction to Herman's whammy bar move! LOL!

[MidnightGIow]

I mean 3:52 lol...

[MidnightGIow]

2:52 lol...

[guitarsuperhero777]

so cool

[guitarsuperhero777]

cool

[Haddockxyz300]

I wonder how the EGEN18 cost?

[LongboardingFox]

@Haddockxyz300 Average online price is $2,699

[maximus0fficial]

omg hes with a god

[The7DeadlyStrings]

he makes a good point but before you try to shred a scale atlease do it the boring way a few times to make sure u know it.

[guitarher3]

Is this guitar worth buying over an ibanez jem 7v?

[aces519]

@guitarher3 It all depends on what feels better to you man.

I'm not much of an Ibanez fan myself, but I do respect that they make quality instruments, and you cant go wrong with either the Jem or the Egen.

You gotta try'em and choose, if not just go with the Jem, the super thin Egen might feel great or totally wierd, so its a bit risky.

[MrBubbles2K10]

Larry you own.

[VeeValter]

Herman is a great player, he has such life. I love the expression Paul Gilbert gives when he lifts up the guitar by the whammy, hes like WOAH!

[BM2341]

3:28

herman li enjoys the pheory.

[lgop2nopz]

Joe Satrani and Paul Gilbert! Pretty good line up

[shuraja7x]

Hey larry can you please tell the name of the bridge in this particular guitar he demoing?cause it looks like a hybrid between an Edge Zero and an Original edge..it doesnt look like an edge pro to me..thanks

[imakazero]

i like herman li, i really do, im not gay, i like what he does with playing it, but i dont like it when he kicks his guitar and pulls it up, i dont like that

[LarryDiMarzio]

@imakazero

Sorry, but I'm not certain. Herman worked with Ibanez on different bridges for his guitar, and the latest EGEN 8 uses an Edge III bridge.

[TheMusiciansFriend]

@LarryDiMarzio Hello Dimarzio, i mainly play jazz, but also play alot of rock metal and classical, could you guys possibly recommend a neck pickup for jazz and a bridge pickup for the other genres, if so thank you

P.S Preferably humbuckers

[ShadowLancer128]

@LarryDiMarzio Larry, would you happen to know at all whether or not Ibanez does Custom guitars with anyone? or is it specifically endorsees with high salary contracts that get signed to do customized guitars?

I'm not looking to get put on a website, or anything special at all. I just think My S series has a few problems that need to be tweaked or changed, and I don't want to buy any signature instruments, I'm looking to differentiate from the norm.

[LarryDiMarzio]

@ShadowLancer128

Ibanez has a custom shop in L.A., but I don't think it's available for customer orders. You might email them for accurate info.

[ShadowLancer128]

@LarryDiMarzio Thank you!

[HGScovers]

That thing is beautiful! I want one! Even though I can't play any Dragonforce songs and probably never will. Herman Li is God! And Dragonforce rules!

[ZomBLord]

0:06 - the Satch.

0:08 - the Satch again.

4:44 - the Satch strikes back.

[Crf250rification]

i want this guitar but its like 2000 quid :( looks like i'll have to go with the baige one that he also uses which is exactly the same only its 500

stupid really

[tekkentool]

haha you wish, the other one has rubbish pickups, isn't made in japan, doesn't have the fret scalloping and has a cheaper tremolo made of softer metal that doesn't stay in tune that great and has great big fine tuners sticking out of it. In fact the neck radius, width and size is entirely different, egen prestige is 18 MM thick and the Egen el' cheapo is 19 MM.

hell there are even different types of magnets in the pickups.

the only thing stupid about this is your comment.

[brandon5pennies]

there are some difference one being an edge 3 tremolo instead of edge zero i don't like either tremolo i'd either have an edge or lo pro edge and i would do away with the grip he has on it and the sculpted horn and would have it more like an older s540 body but keep the 24 fret neck it's a nice guitar but i think it could have been a lot better

[brandon5pennies]

especially for $2000 dollars

[zicfryd]

Chequen la exprecion de "Paul Gilbert" En el Minuto 5:16 exelenteeee!!!

[m0j0101]

egen doens't have a gloss finish? that looks like a satin finish

[jestsumguy]

I love the color on that guitar. I'd get one but I don't play metal. I love Dragonforce though. But damn their songs are impossible.

[betteroffshred]

woops, my mistake. I meant Foxy Lady.

[betteroffshred]

Even though I'm not a fan of Herman Li, I respect him as a musician. I think musicians should have respect for other musicians. But please Herman, PLEASE stay away from Voodoo Chile. YIKES! But he does play the best pickups in the world. For that, I tip my hat.

[nicolasgeldhof]

Which song was it in the begin

[8CrisisCore8]

Prepare for War =]

[guitarshredder1134]

Hey Larry Em Isnt That Joe Satriani And Paul Gilbert With Herman Li And Btw I Want Pickups Like That But Not The Same As Herman Li's Any Suggestions On What Pickups I Should Use For An Ibanez RG350DX Series Guitar I Cant Decide Because The Pickups I Have On It Are Rubbish And I Was Hoping That You Would Tell Which Ones Are Best For My Guitar Thanks :D

[myownse1f]

was that joe satrani next to herman?

[LarryDiMarzio]

Hi,

Yes, that was Joe Satraini. The footage was shot at the Ibanez NAMM party a few years ago.

All the best,

Larry DiMarzio

[myownse1f]

@LarryDiMarzio hes a really big influence my playing so is paul gilbert i like to use the tone zone and air norton

[l1ttleg1ant]

Wow what is that ring with the blue led in hes finger while they show the playing video. I want one :D

[bingefeller]

I think it's called a Hot Hand and it's made by Source Audio. It's used to control effects.

[madbrahmina]

wow, great advice

[64GIO]

golden things are great with purple/black ^^

[guitar4evr24]

hey, ive got the egen as well ive spent 5 hours tryna figure out how to get the god damn locking nut off!! it came with the little plastic pocket thingy with all the parts and screws andive tried all of em and none work. help please!

[LarryDiMarzio]

I'm sorry to say there's not much I can offer in the way of help without seeing the guitar. My experience with Ibanez is that they include the correct wrenches for the Floyd and the locking nut. Trying to force the locking nuts loose with the wrong size wrench could cause damage, so the best thing you can do at this point might be to take the guitar to a tech who's familiar with locking nuts & bridges to discover what the problem is.

[mrphilly727]

thats not a fender strat he uses a purple ibanez e-gen.

[bloodyfool23]

kewl, paul gilbert

[thojyout23]

i like his take on the warm ups, those instructional warm up vids are so boring.......

[crazy7gamer]

........

[joey1364]

i love that guitar

[Metalstrix]

That's really awesome. I did what he said long b4 i saw this video. Get your favourite tracks or something and play along with it. xD Works for me. Herman RI!!!!

[wisesatyr72]

I was I didnt have hyper palmer hydrosis

[wisesatyr72]

Ive got a purple american standard fender strat too..purple!!

[wisesatyr72]

I shouldve been this guy...go dragonforce!

[snapascrew]

wat

[TheHOBOnextDOOR]

The ring is a hot hand its a motion controlled wah. lol... ring that reflects light...lol according to the colour of his guitar...

[vampire28]

That guitar would look even more awesome if it had black hardware...for me anyway.

[snapascrew]

i love black hardware but purple and gold is better then purple and black for me

[JohnBloodhawk]

Some people need to learn to chill. What if he never knew eh? If everyone thought like you, everyone would act like you, a prick who makes fun of people on youtube. No life lol

[slimshady3562]

u fools...thats not a ''ring that reflects light'' u retard..

its the hot hand.....google it retard

[HighZombiesRule]

Dude, really, you didn't have to call him a retard.

[Zeldaman007]

anyone know what he's using for picking when they show those 2 second live scenes? that ring with the little blue light inside it.

[DAvidgzzgggg]

i think its just a ring that reflects back the light as blue

and he uses different ones according to the color of his guitar

[Hiipatch3]

the ring controls some effect. When he waves his hand around the effect (maybe its a wah) is heard .

[guitarfanatic300]

herman li's signature model is amazing!

[minikola95]

Best guitarist ever live'd

[Smashbro408]

herman li is awesome!!!!!!

[Rain593]

His thoughts on warm ups is really deep

[jasonxdd]

how much is the guitar?

[UnholyCrusada]

About $2000 to $3000

Yeah, I know, ouch. But it really is one of the greatest metal guitars ever made.

[zmh24]

Greatest guitarist alive.

I saw DF Perform at the Roseland Theater in Portland, OR last night.

Actually seeing this man play the guitar like that in person (as well as the rest of the band) is something that will be forever imprinted into my mind... amazing doesn't even begin to describe it.

[Rain593]

I totally agree! When I saw DF live, it just blew my mind!

[garra1231]

ithink u r the worlds best guitarist and u r my idol

[Fluffypopcicle]

herman li is so underrated. its not that he sucks its that his equipment does. plus hes got much better equipment since guitar hero 3 lol. oh yeah dimarzios rule. i take them over any other brand of pickups :)

[TheDukeometal]

hes guitars were always S series which all rock the ZR trem is kickass but i dont know what amp he use to use some sort of laney i think lol

[skaterocknroll]

i agree I dig dimarzio

[rocknrolf6]

he use the evo of steve vai

[ed781]

i finally know why herman waves his hands atound when hes playing

[SergioSchwarzebizzL]

yo, what's the song of dragonforce at the beggining of the vid?

[benjohk]

song: Once in a Lifetime

album: Sonic Firestorm

[BSPdelta09]

it's prepare for war oO it is even said in the end of the video oO but it's also from sonic firestorm

[AJSOLO666]

hahaha fail.

It's prepare for war.

[ReturnOfRey]

LOL, you got the same problemas me, when you download the album that says Japan Bonus Track or something like that the names are all mixed up XD, thats why we now it as Once in a Lifetime, LOL

[SynysterSte]

makes me wanna go out and buy this guitar

[TaishoJapan]

Will HML pick ups are on sale ??

I have an E-GEN and I like this pick ups. I wanna get it for the other my guitars.

[Mkemcz]

Great vid.

[MoonmanJR]

I like how thin it is and how it is probably pretty light.

[Junnage]

On the DiMarzio Website (love the new purple themed look), when you scroll the cursor on Herman Li, it says "DiMarzio Custom Pickups."

Will there be a Herman Li DiMarzio Pickup sometime soon?

If this comment became posted twice, I'm sorry.

[agugugachu]

wait... was herman li on the g3 tour?

[LarryDiMarzio]

Hi,

Regarding a G3 tour ... not yet. This was shot at a NAMM show about a year and a half ago.

All the best,

Larry

[MetalJacksonRR3]

Where can someone watch that specific show? Is it on youtube or downloadable somewhere?

[DH31701]

Are Herman's pickups available

in any music shop?

[brosaguitar]

Herman used the Evolution picups a lot recent years.

[SidVicious10101]

I got a pair of Dimarzio's on my Ibanez. They sound amazing!!!! Even with my bad amp!!! The INF pups are amazing.

[amast3rMind69]

was thay a fxy lady cover at the end because the backtracking was the same

[TronicSpeedsta]

That was that the Joe Satch show, it wasn't a backing track, they were actually playing Foxy Lady.

[amast3rMind69]

you would play the scales on stage (BLUES)

[lmaessedai]

blues scales are not chromatic scales tho, but they are used on rare occasions

[Andrexthor]

OMG is the perfect guitarrr!! *drools*

...huh? who's that dude talking?...mmm never mind

perrrrrrfect guitarrrrr!! *drools*

[ems81ar]

Hi Larry, love your pups! ;-)

[LarryDiMarzio]

Hi,

Thanks for your kind words and support.

All the best,

Larry

[jalbertochavez]

Are his humbuckers going to be put into production? Come on Larry! Don't tease us!!!

DiMarzio \m/

[nstrikefromnerfhaven]

Nice!

[Botdra]

Thanks for this great video Dimarzio!

[ibanezbloke]

Cool looking guiar