Chicago Guitarist Nate Van Allen (The Tossers, Siderunners) took some time to talk about his favorite guitars. We asked that he compare these guitars to something he also knows a great deal about—booze.

Van Allen is also putting together a new band, The Egrets and working on solo material.

What are your three favorite acoustic guitars?

I like older Martins and Gibsons. I think Martin probably makes more consistently good guitars that have nice balance and a good classic sound. I have had a few Gibsons, and always admired the Martins. I have this unfinished Washburn acoustic that I love the shape of the neck on and the string spacing, but it has been a little wonky as far as inconsistencies on the neck.

Why?

Older Gibsons can really have a lot of character; they tend to really improve with age. Some 60s and 70s models have this huge booming sound with overtones that I don’t hear in other guitars. They can sound good recorded all by themselves. Martins seem to me to be good for recording with other instruments, but I do have to say I have never had a really high end Martin to work with, so I just don’t know.

What kind of booze would you compare each to?

I guess it depends on what model you are using – Gibson is a little more t-shirt and jeans and bourbon. Somebody had a quote about that very thing. I think it was somebody. Ask them, they probably know.

Martin if you have a really nice one I wouldn’t wear buttons on my shirt and might be a little more finessed with it – again bourbon – whatever decent booze I can afford or you will buy me.

What is the worst piece of crap acoustic you can think of and why?

Ovations – A guitar you can use as a mixing bowl and not mess it up. Do you really need a big cutaway for those hot acoustic solos? Does the world really need a double-necked acoustic? I admit they play easy and are convenient as far as the electronics go but I can’t get past it – Every Rose Has Its Thorn – and pick all the other metal ballads of the 80’s and 90’s – enough said.

Again, compare to a kind of booze.

B to the e – that Budweiser beer energy drink…. Something that ends in “tini” while not wearing deodorant. Dumping cans of beer on your head while the cameras are rolling, then immediately showering with a lufa when they are off.

What about electrics? What are your faves? And what kind of booze would they be if they could be liquefied?

I love Gibson 335s in particular – hollow body guitars in general. I love Telecasters – that Don Rich Bakersfield sound. Danelectros are fun guitars and are made of space age material or at least I tell myself that. Teisco Del Ray – get one – they are too much crappy fun.

Gibsons and Teles deserve a nice sipping whiskey or something with character. My mood will change tomorrow, its whatever works that day. You don’t always need to drink. Sometimes you can have a nice energizing fruit smoothie and listen to some motivational tapes. ok now I am lying. Don’t ever do that.

What are some electrics you think are absolute crap? What kind of booze would these atrocities be?

Metal guitars confound me – they are fun and easy to play for a few minutes and you can sound all noodly fast, but who cares? No one I have ever wanted to listen to or who had anything to say had to put it through 10 racks or show off how fast their arpeggios were. I guess they are good for wrestling intros. And when do you think boxers are going to catch on to what the WWF is doing? You hear some of that bullshit they play when they come into the ring? Last two boxers with wussy intro songs I watched lost, De La Hoya and Lamon Brewster. I would buy a metal guitar if boxers would hire me to do their intro music.

Van Allen will play solo for the first time on July 20 at the Horseshoe (4115 N. Lincoln) in Chicago.