Ariel Bellvalaire

Listed and linked to in Bellvalaire's April 9, 2021 Ernie Ball "Getting to Know" feature.

Gear: Ernie Ball Paradigm Super Slinky electric guitar strings.

Developed in collaboration with Bellvalaire.

The Ariel guitar strap is made with beautiful snake embossed faux leather in deep black, bright white, or fuchsia pink. Originally designed for Ariel Bellvalaire. Made in a fully adjustable 65" length these straps are perfect for guitarists of all sizes! Features welded metal hardware in a pewter finish that is free of heavy metals and poisons.

Pictured and discussed in this July 31, 2013 Guitar Girl interview.

GGM: As for that rainbow guitar you were photographed with, is it a custom-designed model?

Ariel: That particular guitar was actually used in the Broadway show “Fela!” The Gibson showroom in NYC is kind enough to let me borrow guitars and rehearse there. I was walking around the showroom, saw the rainbow guitar, and it was love at first sight! It’s Gibson Zoot Suit Les Paul Model.

A Big Apple in a Shoreline Gold finish, later customized, was Bellvalaire's third guitar. It features in the music video for "Elastic" starting at 0:37 and is discussed in the following sources:

Guitar Girl, "Interview with Ariel Bellvalaire: Shredding From the Suburbs to the Subways" by Steve Byrd (July 31, 2013)

GGM: Among the guitars you currently own, do you have a particular favorite or two?

Ariel: My two main electric guitars are both Fender Stratocasters with double humbuckers. I use both equally, but I think my first one will always be my favorite…just don’t tell that to my other Strat!

Rockin' Interviews, "Interview: Ariel Bellvalaire (Paradise Kitty)" by Shannon Wilk (October 22, 2018)

Shannon – What was your first guitar?

Ariel – “It was a Schecter, it was the Oman 6 series, it was blue and so pretty. I played it for a little bit, but once I got my first Fender, I was sold. That was a Squier. I eventually graduated to a Strat. But I still have the Squier.”

Guitar Girl, "Metal Music Talk with Guitar Shredder Ariel Bellvalaire" by Lindsey Borders (December 30, 2019)

Are there any preferences on which guitars you use while recording in the studio, and while you’re on tour?

Man, I have so many guitars but definitely play favorites for touring! My absolute favorite and go-to guitar is my Fender Stratocaster with double humbuckers and a custom shop neck! There is a Seymour Duncan Jeff Beck pickup in the neck and a Dimarzio distortion pickup in the bridge, so it’s a pretty versatile guitar if you have songs in multiple genres for a show and can only have one guitar. If I have a funk or country gig, I love pulling out my red Tele! She is definitely the prettiest of all my guitars! For studio work, I love to play every single one of my guitars and whatever they have in the studio as well to layer all the different sounds and get a huge wall of guitars!

[...]

Guitars:

I have quite a few but here are some of my favorites:

• Fender Stratocaster with double humbuckers
• Fender telecaster limited edition sandblasted ash
• Fender Paramount Acoustic
• Taylor 316ce acoustic

Guitar Girl, "Tone Talk with Ariel Bellvalaire" by Anonymous (GGM Staff) (February 28, 2020)

Which guitars, amps, and pedals are you currently using and why?

Currently, I use all Fender guitars. My main “go-to” guitar is a custom shop Stratocaster with double humbuckers – a Jeff Beck pickup in the neck and a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge. I’m able to get that nice big heavy distortion sound but also that nice clean Fender tone as well. It’s so versatile and can go anywhere from heavy rock to jazz. I like to pair every guitar with the Fender Deluxe Reverb amp because it has such a great clean channel with the perfect reverb sound and pairs great with all my pedals.

Guitar World, "Meet Ariel Bellvalaire, the Strat-toting pop-rocker who performs stunts while she shreds" by Michael Astley-Brown

A Fender Big Apple Strat with Seymour Duncan JB and DiMarzio Super Distortion pickups provided the track’s sizzling tonal approach, teamed with a Fender Deluxe Reverb amp and Boss DS-1X distortion pedal.

chorus.fm, "Interview: Ariel Bellvalaire" by Adam Grundy (June 24, 2021)

So, I read that you had a lot of love for specifically Fender guitars. What specifically makes you so attracted to this brand?

Oh, man, I can’t even tell you how much I love my Strat! My first guitar actually was a Schecter though. I didn’t really know much about electric guitars when I picked it out. I just liked the shape of it but never really liked the feel of it much. Shortly after my dad got me a Fender Squire and I loved that guitar. Eventually, after playing in a band, consistently practicing and getting better, my guitar teacher told me I was ready for a full on Stratocaster so I went to Guitar Center with him and my dad, and started test playing every guitar in there. There was one guitar in particular that felt amazing in my hands, and it’s actually the same gold guitar in the video. I hated the color at first because I was the little girl who thought she needed a pretty sparkly guitar (Laughter) but something about that guitar just felt so good. After playing it for a year, it became the love of my life and I was sold on Fender.

Sounds like it has like its own personality! The way you’ve spoke about what made you want to choose that one.

Man, she really does have a personality! She’s like a part of me and has a name too! Originally was it was Tarie but I loved her so much my friends kept referring to her as my “bae” so now her name is Bae. (Laughter)

Installed in the neck position of Bellvalaire's Big Apple Stratocaster, according to the following sources:

Guitar Girl, "Metal Music Talk with Guitar Shredder Ariel Bellvalaire" by Lindsey Borders (December 30, 2019)

Are there any preferences on which guitars you use while recording in the studio, and while you’re on tour?

Man, I have so many guitars but definitely play favorites for touring! My absolute favorite and go-to guitar is my Fender Stratocaster with double humbuckers and a custom shop neck! There is a Seymour Duncan Jeff Beck pickup in the neck and a Dimarzio distortion pickup in the bridge, so it’s a pretty versatile guitar if you have songs in multiple genres for a show and can only have one guitar.

Guitar Girl, "Tone Talk with Ariel Bellvalaire" by Anonymous (GGM Staff) (February 28, 2020)

Which guitars, amps, and pedals are you currently using and why?

Currently, I use all Fender guitars. My main “go-to” guitar is a custom shop Stratocaster with double humbuckers – a Jeff Beck pickup in the neck and a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge. I’m able to get that nice big heavy distortion sound but also that nice clean Fender tone as well. It’s so versatile and can go anywhere from heavy rock to jazz. I like to pair every guitar with the Fender Deluxe Reverb amp because it has such a great clean channel with the perfect reverb sound and pairs great with all my pedals.

Guitar World, "Meet Ariel Bellvalaire, the Strat-toting pop-rocker who performs stunts while she shreds" by Michael Astley-Brown

A Fender Big Apple Strat with Seymour Duncan JB and DiMarzio Super Distortion pickups provided the track’s sizzling tonal approach, teamed with a Fender Deluxe Reverb amp and Boss DS-1X distortion pedal.

Installed in the bridge position of Bellvalaire's Big Apple Stratocaster, according to the following sources:

Guitar Girl, "Metal Music Talk with Guitar Shredder Ariel Bellvalaire" by Lindsey Borders (December 30, 2019)

Are there any preferences on which guitars you use while recording in the studio, and while you’re on tour?

Man, I have so many guitars but definitely play favorites for touring! My absolute favorite and go-to guitar is my Fender Stratocaster with double humbuckers and a custom shop neck! There is a Seymour Duncan Jeff Beck pickup in the neck and a Dimarzio distortion pickup in the bridge, so it’s a pretty versatile guitar if you have songs in multiple genres for a show and can only have one guitar.

Guitar Girl, "Tone Talk with Ariel Bellvalaire" by Anonymous (GGM Staff) (February 28, 2020)

Which guitars, amps, and pedals are you currently using and why?

Currently, I use all Fender guitars. My main “go-to” guitar is a custom shop Stratocaster with double humbuckers – a Jeff Beck pickup in the neck and a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge. I’m able to get that nice big heavy distortion sound but also that nice clean Fender tone as well. It’s so versatile and can go anywhere from heavy rock to jazz. I like to pair every guitar with the Fender Deluxe Reverb amp because it has such a great clean channel with the perfect reverb sound and pairs great with all my pedals.

Guitar World, "Meet Ariel Bellvalaire, the Strat-toting pop-rocker who performs stunts while she shreds" by Michael Astley-Brown

A Fender Big Apple Strat with Seymour Duncan JB and DiMarzio Super Distortion pickups provided the track’s sizzling tonal approach, teamed with a Fender Deluxe Reverb amp and Boss DS-1X distortion pedal.

Bellvalaire's first guitar, as stated in this 2018 Rockin' Interviews interview and in this 2021 chorus.fm interview.

Rockin' Interviews, "Interview: Ariel Bellvalaire (Paradise Kitty)" by Shannon Wilk (October 22, 2018)

Shannon – What was your first guitar?

Ariel – “It was a Schecter, it was the Oman [sic] 6 series, it was blue and so pretty. I played it for a little bit, but once I got my first Fender, I was sold. That was a Squier. I eventually graduated to a Strat. But I still have the Squier.”

chorus.fm, "Interview: Ariel Bellvalaire" by Adam Grundy (June 24, 2021)

My first guitar actually was a Schecter though. I didn’t really know much about electric guitars when I picked it out. I just liked the shape of it but never really liked the feel of it much.

Featured in this March 6, 2024 promotional Instagram reel sponsored by Guitar Center and discussed in this 2024 Guitar Girl interview.

Instagram, arielbellvalaire, March 26, 2024 (Audio with Captions)

Hey guys, I'm Ariel Bellvalaire. I'm a lead guitarist, singer, and artist and I am so excited to be doing a collab with Guitar Center as they have been my number one spot for all music equipment since I first started playing guitar. One of my favorite products from Guitar Center is the Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb Amplifier. This is a solid state amp which means it's about half the weight of a tube amp. You never have to change a tube. It's so easy to bring to and from gigs. And the best part, you still get that rich Fender Deluxe Reverb tone just like the tube amp, but half the weight, which is incredible. I love this amplifier. So check out this amazing amp at Guitar Center's website using the link in my bio and happy playing!

Instagram, arielbellvalaire, March 26, 2024 (Post Caption)

Hey guys! I’m SO excited to be partnering with @guitarcenter as they have been my go to music store for all equipment since day one! One of my favorite products you can get from @guitarcenter is the Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb Amplifier! It’s my favorite amp of all time and comes with me everywhere! Check it out on Guitar Center’s website using the link in my bio!

Guitar Girl, "In Conversation with Guitarist and Singer Ariel Bellvalaire: She’s More Than Up for the Challenge" by Steve Byrd (May 16, 2024)

Finally, Ariel posted on her Instagram about one of her most recent amplifier acquisitions, a Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb, which she enjoys because of its size and solid-state technology. But she wouldn’t have used this unique amp were it not for certain circumstances.

“I had the Fender Deluxe Reverb amplifier with tubes previously and absolutely loved it,” Ariel said. “In my opinion, the clean sound of a Fender amp with their reverb is unmatched. Unfortunately, I had that amp stolen out of my car after a gig and had to get a new amplifier! After talking to Fender about what amp I should get, my rep recommended trying the Tone Master and thought it would be a great fit as it’s half the weight with the same sound as the tube! I can honestly say I don’t hear a difference between tube and solid state, and this amp sounds incredible at shows! I feel like since it doesn’t have tubes, it will also be easier to maintain in the future! It’s most definitely my favorite amp of all time!”

Known from the following sources:

Guitar Girl, "Metal Music Talk with Guitar Shredder Ariel Bellvalaire" by Lindsey Borders (December 30, 2019)

Amps: Fender deluxe reverb

Guitar Girl, "Tone Talk with Ariel Bellvalaire" by Anonymous (GGM Staff) (February 28, 2020)

I like to pair every guitar with the Fender Deluxe Reverb amp because it has such a great clean channel with the perfect reverb sound and pairs great with all my pedals. [...] All these sounds plus the clean channel of amp work great live and are very versatile.

Guitar World, "Meet Ariel Bellvalaire, the Strat-toting pop-rocker who performs stunts while she shreds" by Michael Astley-Brown

A Fender Big Apple Strat with Seymour Duncan JB and DiMarzio Super Distortion pickups provided the track’s sizzling tonal approach, teamed with a Fender Deluxe Reverb amp and Boss DS-1X distortion pedal.

Guitar Girl, "In Conversation with Guitarist and Singer Ariel Bellvalaire: She’s More Than Up for the Challenge" by Steve Byrd (May 16, 2024)

Finally, Ariel posted on her Instagram about one of her most recent amplifier acquisitions, a Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb, which she enjoys because of its size and solid-state technology. But she wouldn’t have used this unique amp were it not for certain circumstances.

“I had the Fender Deluxe Reverb amplifier with tubes previously and absolutely loved it,” Ariel said. “In my opinion, the clean sound of a Fender amp with their reverb is unmatched. Unfortunately, I had that amp stolen out of my car after a gig and had to get a new amplifier! After talking to Fender about what amp I should get, my rep recommended trying the Tone Master and thought it would be a great fit as it’s half the weight with the same sound as the tube! I can honestly say I don’t hear a difference between tube and solid state, and this amp sounds incredible at shows! I feel like since it doesn’t have tubes, it will also be easier to maintain in the future! It’s most definitely my favorite amp of all time!”

Known from the following sources:

Guitar Girl, "Metal Music Talk with Guitar Shredder Ariel Bellvalaire" by Lindsey Borders (December 30, 2019)

Pedals:

My favorites:

• Fulltone OCD distortion
• Boss ds1x
• Electro Harmonix Canyon pedal delay
• Shure wireless guitar system
• Morley bad horsie wah

Guitar Girl, "Tone Talk with Ariel Bellvalaire" by Anonymous (GGM Staff) (February 28, 2020)

I like to pair every guitar with the Fender Deluxe Reverb amp because it has such a great clean channel with the perfect reverb sound and pairs great with all my pedals. Currently, my pedalboard has the BOSS DS-1X, Fulltone OCD, Electro-Harmonix Canyon delay, and the Morley Bad Horsie 2 wah. All these sounds plus the clean channel of amp work great live and are very versatile.

Guitar World, "Meet Ariel Bellvalaire, the Strat-toting pop-rocker who performs stunts while she shreds" by Michael Astley-Brown

A Fender Big Apple Strat with Seymour Duncan JB and DiMarzio Super Distortion pickups provided the track’s sizzling tonal approach, teamed with a Fender Deluxe Reverb amp and Boss DS-1X distortion pedal.

Known from the following sources:

Guitar Girl, "Metal Music Talk with Guitar Shredder Ariel Bellvalaire" by Lindsey Borders (December 30, 2019)

Pedals:

My favorites:

• Fulltone OCD distortion
• Boss ds1x
• Electro Harmonix Canyon pedal delay
• Shure wireless guitar system
• Morley bad horsie wah

Guitar Girl, "Tone Talk with Ariel Bellvalaire" by Anonymous (GGM Staff) (February 28, 2020)

I like to pair every guitar with the Fender Deluxe Reverb amp because it has such a great clean channel with the perfect reverb sound and pairs great with all my pedals. Currently, my pedalboard has the BOSS DS-1X, Fulltone OCD, Electro-Harmonix Canyon delay, and the Morley Bad Horsie 2 wah. All these sounds plus the clean channel of amp work great live and are very versatile.

[...]

How do you keep your sound consistent onstage?

I try to bring all my own gear whenever I can but sometimes I’ll fly out to a venue and be given a different amplifier than I’m used to so I’ll try and get the clearest clean tone I can, add some reverb from my Electro-Harmonix pedal to my OCD distortion, and keep adjusting the levels until it sounds as close to my normal rig as I can get it.

Known from the following sources:

Guitar Girl, "Metal Music Talk with Guitar Shredder Ariel Bellvalaire" by Lindsey Borders (December 30, 2019)

Pedals:

My favorites:

• Fulltone OCD distortion
• Boss ds1x
• Electro Harmonix Canyon pedal delay
• Shure wireless guitar system
• Morley bad horsie wah

Guitar Girl, "Tone Talk with Ariel Bellvalaire" by Anonymous (GGM Staff) (February 28, 2020)

I like to pair every guitar with the Fender Deluxe Reverb amp because it has such a great clean channel with the perfect reverb sound and pairs great with all my pedals. Currently, my pedalboard has the BOSS DS-1X, Fulltone OCD, Electro-Harmonix Canyon delay, and the Morley Bad Horsie 2 wah. All these sounds plus the clean channel of amp work great live and are very versatile.

[...]

How do you keep your sound consistent onstage?

I try to bring all my own gear whenever I can but sometimes I’ll fly out to a venue and be given a different amplifier than I’m used to so I’ll try and get the clearest clean tone I can, add some reverb from my Electro-Harmonix pedal to my OCD distortion, and keep adjusting the levels until it sounds as close to my normal rig as I can get it.

Known from the following sources:

Guitar Girl, "Metal Music Talk with Guitar Shredder Ariel Bellvalaire" by Lindsey Borders (December 30, 2019)

Pedals:

My favorites:

• Fulltone OCD distortion
• Boss ds1x
• Electro Harmonix Canyon pedal delay
• Shure wireless guitar system
• Morley bad horsie wah

Guitar Girl, "Tone Talk with Ariel Bellvalaire" by Anonymous (GGM Staff) (February 28, 2020)

I like to pair every guitar with the Fender Deluxe Reverb amp because it has such a great clean channel with the perfect reverb sound and pairs great with all my pedals. Currently, my pedalboard has the BOSS DS-1X, Fulltone OCD, Electro-Harmonix Canyon delay, and the Morley Bad Horsie 2 wah. All these sounds plus the clean channel of amp work great live and are very versatile.

Visible in press photos of Bellvalaire (including this one at least three by Jack Lue (here, here and here)) and discussed in this December 30, 2019 Guitar Girl interview.

Are there any preferences on which guitars you use while recording in the studio, and while you’re on tour?

Man, I have so many guitars but definitely play favorites for touring! My absolute favorite and go-to guitar is my Fender Stratocaster with double humbuckers and a custom shop neck! There is a Seymour Duncan Jeff Beck pickup in the neck and a Dimarzio distortion pickup in the bridge, so it’s a pretty versatile guitar if you have songs in multiple genres for a show and can only have one guitar. If I have a funk or country gig, I love pulling out my red Tele! She is definitely the prettiest of all my guitars! For studio work, I love to play every single one of my guitars and whatever they have in the studio as well to layer all the different sounds and get a huge wall of guitars!

[...]

Guitars:

I have quite a few but here are some of my favorites:

• Fender Stratocaster with double humbuckers
• Fender telecaster limited edition sandblasted ash
• Fender Paramount Acoustic
• Taylor 316ce acoustic

Listed in this December 30, 2019 Guitar Girl interview.

Guitars:

I have quite a few but here are some of my favorites:

• Fender Stratocaster with double humbuckers
• Fender telecaster limited edition sandblasted ash
• Fender Paramount Acoustic
• Taylor 316ce acoustic

Listed in this December 30, 2019 Guitar Girl interview.

Mics:

Shure SM58 – can’t go wrong with that one!

Listed in this December 30, 2019 Guitar Girl interview.

Picks:

Dunlop Ultex picks 1.14

Included among the plugins in the Ariel Bellvalaire Bundle.

Included among the plugins in the Ariel Bellvalaire Bundle.

Included among the plugins in the Ariel Bellvalaire Bundle.

Included among the plugins in the Ariel Bellvalaire Bundle.