16 March 2017 | Prince Harry chats with US veteran Ivan Castro and UK veteran Karl Hinett who will run the Boston and London Marathons for the Heads Together Campaign, after he attending a conference at King's College in London, England. Prince Harry attended the Veterans' Mental Health Conference where he led a panel discussion with three veterans on the benefits of having open conversations and getting the right support for a range of mental health issues. (c) Kirsty Wigglesworth/WPA Pool/Getty Images
16 March 2017 | Cooper, an Assistance Dog of Philip Eaglesham, listens as Britain's Prince Harry leads a panel discussion with three former members of the UK and US Armed Forces, Caroline Buckle, Ivan Castro, and Philip Eaglesham, at King's College in London, England, Prince Harry attended the Veterans' Mental Health Conference where he led a panel discussion with three veterans on the benefits of having open conversations and getting the right support for a range of mental health issues. (c) Kirsty Wigglesworth/WPA Pool/Getty Images
The Search for Awesome Tones (and Ramona) with Ivan Castro of Where’s Ramona?
Photo by John Michael Timola
You probably know Ivan Castro as one of the four biggest meme boys in the local music scene (along with Timo Valientes, Jake Masigan of Banna Harbera, and of course, me), but behind all that, he’s a geek with guitar gear, and is one of the creative forces behind Where’s Ramona, an up-and-coming band that’s set to release some new music this Friday, click here to know more about their EP launch at Route 196. Meanwhile, let’s know what he’s collected over the years of playing.
Photo by Angel Agutaya & Josh Trinidad
How did you start making music and playing guitar?
I started playing guitar when I was 12, my mom saw me playing this broken acoustic guitar that was really just a display piece at home then she decided to buy me a proper acoustic guitar and take basic lessons and make music out of it.
Where’s Ramona?
How did your band start out?
Where’s Ramona? Started 3 years ago. We met in an org at UST called Musikang Sikat Ng Mga Tomasino (MUSIKAT), me and Mic were classmates then one time in the org room we were jamming and we met Moti and our attitudes clicked like we all had the same taste in music. From that point we decided to look for a bass player at first we asked Josh Tulagan (Modern Playground) if he wants to join the band unfortunately he declined because he was busy from jazz studies, then we remember that we have a mutual friend Stephen who was currently in a band (Oido) it was a long shot at first cause we thought that he was busy and all then surprisingly he accepted our invite. From that point we practiced our songs then down the line Coco joined and the band’s sound got bigger from that point on.
Who are your main influences? And how did they inspire you to play better?
I have a lot of influences but not it’s like I copy their way of playing, it’s more like a reference of sound. John Mayer, Mark Tremonti, Jason White, Guthrie Govan, Matt Bellamy, Troy Van Leewun and Rabea Masaad.
Tell us about your music.
I had a couple of bands during high school and early college but none of those came through lol. Where’s Ramona? Is technically my first real family. We’re going to release our EP called “The Reckless Romantic” on October 19, 2018 at Route 196.
Tell us about your guitars. Which is your favorite one and why?
I own a couple of guitars, namely:
Epiphone Sheraton II – I’ve always wanted a semi-hollow guitar because of Jason White from Green Day and this one is my first electric guitar that I bought from saving lol. I use this heavily during the early days of Ramona it is all stock and has battle scars and oxidation all over.
1997 – 2001 Epiphone Dot (Korea) – This guitar is owned by Mong Alcaraz of Sandwich/ Chicosci it was really just an impulsive buy since I was really going for a Jazzmaster back then but what the hell it’s a red 335. This guitar has mojo in it, because it doesn’t sound like a typical Epiphone Dot. I don’t know if it’s the age or where it’s made or the pots but this guy saturates more and has a tighter low end. This is the main guitar in the record. Mod/s: Emerson Pots Bacchus Jazzmaster – This is my introduction to single coils. I’ve always been fascinated by the snarly bark of soap bars/ p90s. Out of all my guitars this has the fattest sounding stock neck pickup ever and I was also surprised of the build quality with Bacchus, it’s an affordable guitar but it plays great.
D&D Dayglo – I sold my PRS SE for this guitar because it’s an offset-Tele hybrid. I love the bridge pickup of the telecaster the only problem is that I’m not comfy with the tele body and I love it cuz it’s blue lol. This is my main guitar I use live and it has tons of mods to it.
Epiphone EJ-200CE – This guitar was given to me by my parents for my 21st birthday. This is my dream guitar ever since high school I just love the sound, the pickup calibration, and the look of it. It’s the only acoustic guitar that’s fits me meaning it’s the only acoustic guitar that doesn’t look like a toy when I’m holding it lol.
Let’s take a look at your pedalboard. What effects do you use live?
Line 6 POD HD 500X - I use this during the early years of Ramona, it’s a very versatile unit, it has everything my only concern is the set up time. It takes a lot of tone shaping to get everything right and it’s pretty beaten up that’s why I only use this as my interface for school and during rehearsals.
All my pedals are mounted on my Custom LDR Pedal Board check them out! I have an input and an output on both sides, a power out and an on / off switch. I wish I ordered it with wheels cuz it’s so heavy.
TC Electronic Polytune 3 – First in the chain is always the best sounding effects pedal ever.
Electro Harmonix “Pumpkin” Big Muff RE – I was using a Russian Big Muff before but it was just too bloated and this one is just right. This was not used in the record, I mainly use this live for Empire and Universe.
Mooer Yellow Comp – I got this from Josh Villena and this pedal made playing easier. It’s the only compressor pedal that is small, cheap and sounds good ‘coz it is very transparent in a good way, you’ll only notice it when you turn it off, and it doesn’t squish your tone unlike other comps.
Ibanez TS808 – No need for a description.
MESA BOOGIE Flux Drive – I got this from Neil Tin. This is basically a Tube Screamer on steroids. It has this sweet sounding mid hump supported by 2 active tone controls, safe to say this is kinda like the Mark V in a box form.
Fulltone OCD – It’s been on countless boards, the “Marshall” in a box sound. This pedal instantly makes your guitar sound bigger. I use this as my primary lead boost depending on the song.
TC Electronic Spark – the most versatile boost pedal ever. I usually toggle between clean and fat mode depending on songs.
1981 BOSS CE-2 (Japan) – before this I was using an Arion Stereo Chorus but the plastic enclosure just gets to me I felt like I can break that damn thing in a couple of months so I sold it. I was eyeing a Providence Chorus back then but there was this guys who liked my Earthquaker Devices Disaster Transport, like he kept on offering different pedals for it. Then one time he posted the CE-2 for sale then that was my trade moment.
19** BOSS PH-1r Japan – this was lend/given? to me by my high school friend. I saw it lying around their music room together with a broken PH-1 and he said I can have it if I wanted it, so technically I’m just borrowing this from him? I love the tone sweep it gives it is very gritty especially when stacked with chorus and fuzz.
BOSS DD500 - The Strymon killer lol. I’m not really a big delay guy, I’m more like of a guy who sets and forgets. My fave delays however are analog, standard, dual and tera echo.
TC Electronic Hall Of Fame 2 – Why two reverbs? Because I treat the HOF 2 as the always on basic reverb I cycle between hall, room, church and shimmer and the mash function is fun as well.
TC Electronic T2 – This is my favorite pedal of all because of its unique reverb types. The ambient space this pedal creates is just amazing. I usually stack this with the HOF 2 and I’m in heaven.
Audio Technica System 10 Wireless – I only use wireless on big stages and I got this one for quarter of the original price so it’s worth it.
What amps do you use at home and live?
At home I use an Orange CR20 and for live I only rely on the amps on the venue but I do prefer any high head room amp that takes pedals well.
What are you listening to right now?
Right now I’m listening to Plini, Mark Lettieri, Muse, Mayday Parade, Neck Deep, Snarky Puppy and Toska.
What advice can you give to your fellow guitar players and musicians who want to play like you do?
For guitars who want to play like me ummmmmmm I don’t know why anyone would want to play like me hahaha best advice is PRACTICE because I don’t practice that much.
Catch Where’s Ramona! Meanwhile, here’s their song, Together Soon:
Prince Harry gave Ivan Castro a warm hugs as he attends the Cycling Criterium time trial during the Invictus Games 2017 at High Park | September 27, 2017
Wounded Combat Veterans Running for Military Mental Health
Wounded Combat Veterans Running for Military Mental Health
Major Ivan Castro, 49, a US Army veteran, and Karl Hinett, 30, a British army veteran, have something in common: they are running marathons together to bring awareness to military mental health. But they aren’t just any runners. Major Castro was blinded when a mortar exploded near him, and Karl Hinett was burned in a tank fire. They will be running together in the Boston Marathon on April 17, and…
