Herman Li (Chinese: 李康敏, Hanyu Pinyin: Lǐ Kāng Mǐn[1]; born March 12, 1975) is the lead and rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and producer in the power metal band DragonForce.
Personal life
He was born in Hong Kong. According to his profile on the DragonForce website, his interests other than music are computer technology and martial arts. He trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu five days a week. He also speaks three languages fluently.Herman Li currently suffers from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, caused by weeks of obsessive videogaming.
Herman Li has played in several bands, including the black metal band Demoniac, the predecessor of DragonForce.
Guitars
Herman Li uses Ibanez E-Gen18 guitars. This new signature model is based on the Ibanez S Series and was released in 2008. It has a bolt-on neck made of maple and walnut with a 24 fret rosewood fingerboard. The upper frets on the guitar are scalloped. The body is made of mahogany with a flame maple top stained purple sporting gold tuners and an Edge Zero locking tremolo. The pickups are also custom-designed signature models made by DiMarzio.
Before Li received his signature model, he had been known to play Ibanez S Prestige guitars, a seven string Ibanez (used in Revolution Deathsquad, Storming the Burning Fields, and the "bridge" section of Operation Ground and Pound), and a decade old Ibanez S540. Herman also has been seen playing an Ibanez S2170FB, an Ibanez S2170FW, an Ibanez GRX20 Electric Guitar, and an Ibanez GRG170DX Electric Guitar.
Playing influences
Li draws influences from video game music and mimics sounds from popular retro games from the late 80s, early-90s arcade, and PC games. For example, Li has been known for making several Pac-Man-type noises in the song "Through the Fire and Flames" on Inhuman Rampage.
Current Equipment
Guitars
* Ibanez E-Gen - EGEN18 Herman Li Signature Model
* Ibanez Acoustics
* DiMarzio Pickups (HLM - Neck, Middle, Bridge)
* D'Addario Strings
* Ibanez Jem 7BSB
* Ibanez 540-S7
Effects
* Rocktron Prophesy II
* Rocktron All Access
* Rocktron MIDI Mate
* Source Audio Hot Hand
* MIDIjet Pro Wireless Midi System
* DigiTech Whammy 2
* Dunlop Cry Baby DCR-2SR
* Ibanez Weeping Demon
* Rocktron Patch Mate
* Rocktron Xpression
* Rocktron Intellifex XL
* Korg DTR-2000
* Fi Dorra Music Box
* DigiTech HarmonyMan
Amplifiers
* Marshall 120 WT head
* Marshall 4x12 cabinets
* Mesa Boogie Stereo 2:Fifty
* Peavey 4x12 Straight cabinets
(from Wikipedia)
