Katie Kerkover’s debut CD, Blister, was released July 16 on Big Khaos Music. Kerkover, originally of Rockwood, IL, took off to Nashville at a young age, where she quickly became a touring musician. Her own music, however, is not very Nashville. It is much more rocking that most (and yes, I know, there are rock bands in Tennessee) of the bands in the city that is home to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Kerkover plays a 2007 Fender Jaguar HH.

Tell me about the Jaguar.

I bought the Jaguar in 2007 around the time [the HH series] first came on the scene. I’ve always been a fan of the feel of the Jag but wanted a little more kick out of it and never felt the single coil pickups gave me the tone I needed. What drew me to this model -- other than all of that great chrome hardware -- was the pair of “Dragster” humbuckers. When I sat down and plugged it in, I knew this was the one. It has the feel of a vintage Jag, with the ‘60s style “C” neck, (which I’ve always liked) but it had a thicker, more rockin’, tone, and it's a lot quieter on stage with the humbuckers.

Have you done any modifications?

Does cosmetic count? [laughs]Mine is the only Jag HH you’ll see out there with pink stars, skulls and a Nine Inch Nails flag on it. It’s distinctly Katie Kerkhover! No, this baby is stock!

Why the Jaguar? What is it that you like about it? Tell me about the tone of the guitar and all that.

I’ve always liked the feel of the Jag. Physically it’s a little bigger than a Strat, therefore more comfortable for me to play and as I mentioned before, it comes with the “C” shaped neck, which I really like.

When it comes to tone, the Jag gives me lots of flavors to choose from. The electronics on this guitar can be a little confusing until you get used to it. I normally play in what Fender calls the “Lead” mode engaging the neck pickup with the tone switch in the “on” position. This gives me that classic neck position tone, punchy and bright, but also with a nice round low end. The guitar is so versatile. With a flick of a switch, I can go from my punchy rhythm sound to a more rocking midrange tone.

Lastly, but definitely not least, was the stop tail piece and tune-o-matic style bridge. I prefer this style of bridge and tail piece because it helps the guitar feel tighter and stay more in tune.

What sort of player do you think is going to appreciate the Jaguar HH the most?

You know, this guitar is so tonally versatile that if you closed your eyes and didn’t look at it, you could take it to a Jazz gig or even a Country gig. But because the look is sexy and aggressive, which fits perfectly with what I do, I think it lends it’s self to a more rock or indie rock type of player.

What do you play it through and why? Have you played it through other amps? Why do you use the amp you use?

The amp I currently play through on stage is a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. I love this amp! Again, lots of versatility. This amp has two channels that I can set up to be distinctly different with great, punchy, clean tones and lots of volume in a small easy to carry frame. This amp allows me to find a spot in the mix on stage between two other very large amps. Both of my guitar players play through Marshall cabs with pretty heavy tones.

The combination of the Jag and the smaller combo amp allows me to sneak in and find a spot in their wall of sound. Yes, I have played the Jag through a few other amps -- a Peavey JSX, a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, and a Vox AC 30. I really dug the AC30, it sounded amazing, but I couldn’t afford it. The other amps were too big and too similar to what my other guitar players were doing, so I played through a few other combo amps and found the Hot Rod Deluxe. It gives me a smaller, less over-driven, more defined sound.

Do you use any effects with the guitar. Are there any pedals or effects you think particularly compliment this guitar's tone?

No, I don’t use a lot of effects. I try to let the guitar and the amp do most of the talking. I do use a Vox Valve Tone over drive pedal mainly because I love that Vox tone, and in combination with the bright, punchy, clean tones from the Hot Rod Deluxe, I get the best of both sides of the Atlantic. I usually use the reverb on the amp, but I also have a Holy Grail reverb pedal and in the studio I like to use a (gold version) Klon Centaur over drive pedal with a little bit of the “Drive” dialed in on the Deluxe. You can best hear this guitar tone on the intro to Something Real.

Kervover is excited about the new CD. One of the songs Can’t Handle Me is featured in a Back to School campaign for the Max Rave clothing company (for those of you who scoff at this sort of thing, you will understand better when you move out of your mom’s house).

An In-store tour is in the works and 2010 shows are being booked as well.