Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • "She knew what she'd created": Back to Black
  • Trower's '80s supergroup
  • Music theory tricks
  • Stage Tour game
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Artists
  2. Guitarists

Me and my guitar: Tom Williams (Stray From The Path)

News
By Total Guitar
Published 29 October 2015

History, politics and humour - all on one guitar

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

Morello-sized riffs and political fire; this souped-up Strat does an awful lot with just one pickup.

YouTube YouTube
Watch On
Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Pickup

Pickup

“I got rid of practically everything between the input jack to the saddles.

“I have an EMG 81 pickup, and a lot of people complement the tone because they think I’m using some crazy pickup. EMGs are solid, the sound is key to my tone.”

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Body damage

Body damage

“This is from where I smashed it on a TV in our Badge & A Bullet music video.”

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
#1 sticker

#1 sticker

“Myself and Andy Williams from Everytime I Die call ourselves Team Williams.

“We thought it would be funny to put a number one sticker on our number one guitars. So if you see Andy rocking one you know it’s his main one.”

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Origins

Origins

“It’s been my go-to guitar for probably eight years now, and it looks like it.

“It’s a 2001 Mexican Fender that I bought from a guy on a messageboard who unfortunately seemed to be on the drug side of things and needed money. I was able to get this for $180.

“I bought it because it’s all I could afford at the time and now it’s been with me for a lot of records and tours. I own a lot of guitars and this is still the one I use… it doesn’t look pretty but it’s got good personality and that’s why I love it.”

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
KYAnonymous

KYAnonymous

“This was a sticker that said ‘KYAnonymous’, he’s someone [real name: Deric Lostutter] that in America outed two high schoolers that raped a girl.

“The people [were convicted] and now because of the computer hacking, he is facing more jail time than all the people that raped the girl combined.

“That guy put himself on the line to help someone else, and it’s cost him money and distress and possibly jail time. When I found out about the story I donated some money to him, just to help with his legal fees.

“His actions inspired a lot of the meanings for the songs on the last record we wrote, and for our new record, Subliminal Criminals.”

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
CATEGORIES
Guitars
Total Guitar
Total Guitar
Social Links Navigation

Total Guitar is Europe's best-selling guitar magazine.

Every month we feature interviews with the biggest names and hottest new acts in guitar land, plus Guest Lessons from the stars.

Finally, our Rocked & Rated section is the place to go for reviews, round-ups and help setting up your guitars and gear.

Subscribe: http://bit.ly/totalguitar

Read more
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up July 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s July 2026 guitar gear roundup: featuring Orange Amps, Harley Benton, Epiphone and more
 
 
MusicRadar monthly guitar gear roundup, ft. Lzzy Hale's signature Epiphone Explorer Custom, plus new gear from Hotone, Gibson, JHS Pedals, Death By Audio and more
Guitars “His effects are bonkers in the best way possible”: The MusicRadar guitar gear roundup Aug 2026 edit
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
Jackso Pro Series Phil Collen PC1-E
Artists Phil Collen on why you can play anything on his new Jackson, and even nail those Hysteria tones
 
 
Bruce Springsteen sits in with the Gaslight Anthem at the 2024 Sea.Hear.Now Festival
Artists Brian Fallon on the Roy Buchanan trick that Bruce Springsteen taught him on guitar
 
 
Epiphone Marcus King El Dorado Limited Edition
Artists Marcus King’s signature Epiphone is a stunning dreadnought acoustic inspired by his first-ever guitar
 
 
Latest in Guitarists
Brian May
Guitarists “It blew me away so badly”: Brian May says that hearing Jimi Hendrix made him question whether he should be a guitar player
 
 
Jackso Pro Series Phil Collen PC1-E
Artists Phil Collen on why you can play anything on his new Jackson, and even nail those Hysteria tones
 
 
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 22: Ella Langley performs onstage at the 9th Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 22, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.  (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Artists How a Nashville session legend and a pet kangaroo helped Ella Langley to create Choosin' Texas
 
 
Hayley Williams of Paramore (L) and guitarist Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory attend the 2014 Gibson Brands AP Music Awards at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum on July 21, 2014
Guitarists “His influence and attitude guided the genre forward”: Hayley Williams pays tribute to her ex, guitarist Chad Gilbert
 
 
PRS Silver Sky Defender in front of a matching Defender 4x4.
Guitars Who knew classic Land Rover Defender paint jobs would look so good on John Mayer’s Silver Sky?
 
 
Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield of Metallica with Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, inductee, 2006
Guitarists “He is the one that has inspired me the most”: James Hetfield hails Tony Iommi as “the riff lord”
 
 
Latest in News
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK - MAY 05:  Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood pose backstage during the exclusive launch event of The Rolling Stones new album “Foreign Tongues” at Weylin on May 5, 2026 in Brooklyn, NY. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for UMG)
Artists Andrew Watt says he kept thing loose when he produced the Stones, but also added a surprising synth sub-bass
 
 
Brian May
Guitarists “It blew me away so badly”: Brian May says that hearing Jimi Hendrix made him question whether he should be a guitar player
 
 
Paul McCartney
Artists Paul McCartney remembers showing Elvis how to bass like a pro
 
 
Prodigy
Samples Want to sound like The Prodigy? Download this free pack of Prodigy-style samples
 
 
(EDITORS NOTE: A special effects camera filter was used for this image.) Olivia Rodrigo at Daisy Chain Fields Festival 2026 held at Great Park on August 29, 2026 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)
Artists Olivia Rodrigo on how being a "novice" guitarist led to a happy accident when she was writing The Cure
 
 
Jackso Pro Series Phil Collen PC1-E
Artists Phil Collen on why you can play anything on his new Jackson, and even nail those Hysteria tones
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...