I grew up in a house full of guitars, as my father was forever building electric guitars on the families kitchen table. I spent my teenage years trying to tame a 100 watt Marshall JCM 800 and matching 4 x 12 cab in a bedroom, only just large enough for a bed. I’d bought it not REALLY understanding exactly how loud 100 watts is. At this young age I started to experiment with recording and MIDI and cut my teeth on Pro 24 and Notator on an Atari synced to a Foster R8 with an MTC-1.
Playing in bands and working in recording studios for many years, I learned to mix, record and eventually worked as a sound engineer. I also worked for many of the UKs large pro audio retailers, where I helped to set up DAWs in everything from local studios, music technology colleges all the way through to world famous recording facilities like Air Studios and The Strongroom. As I couldn’t help myself, I even owned my own recording studio in London for a while. There I learnt a lot about recording guitars, dealing with bands and getting quality results anyhow.
Over the years I have acquired a very sizeable guitar collection, which includes many guitars that I have built myself. I’m a total hoarder of effect pedals and valve amps and I’m a certified guitar geek. So there are not many that I have not owned at least once. Whether Parker Fly guitars or Klon Centaur pedals, I’ve had them all. Now running the annual Analogue To Digital music show in the UK, plus the Vintage Guitar Fair, I get to be busy throughout the year and also get to rub shoulders with many other guitar lovers, luthiers, manufacturers and pro players.
My tastes in music includes everything from Dinosaur Jr to Squarepusher.
Write him: jef (at) gearnews (com)
Two new ambient noise making boxes of joy. Available later this year.
The company famous for their POD system announce a brand new amp aimed towards the gigging guitarist.
NAMM
Two new effects from Walrus Audio: One is a very simple fuzz, whilst the other has a bit more control than your average chorus.
AUDIO
The metal man mountain and former Norse God in a former life announces to the world the first of his new guitars. Odin, Warhammer and Viking to ship early this year.
"Will it blend?" The new Orange combo with its unique blend control.
Forming a U2 cover band? All you need is this guitar, a delay pedal and a lead singer who thinks he is the second coming…
New signature model bass and electric guitars, a celebration of a landmark album and new mini versions of some '80s classics - w hole lot going on at the Ibanez this year...
Line6 announce a new product for their Relay series of digital wireless transmitters. It's re-chargeable and gives up to 8 hours stage time - and it's a very compact little package.
These new for 2016 Danelectro are inspired by the much loved classic, but sadly now defunct Mosrite guitar range.
A Bass version of the Fly Rig. Includes some useful effects for gigging players in a 12.5" long compact pedal.
Get your shades out. This years new Charvels are looking hot!
The Looking Glass Overdrive is a collaboration between DOD and the boutique pedal company SHOE Pedals, and aims to provide transparent, touch sensitive drive.
Band in a box! No drummer to argue with and the bass player won't run off with your pint.
Looks like GK have come up with a Swiss Army knife for bass players: This new bass preamp/pedal has a lot of features packed into a compact unit.
The Fly 3 gets a very patriotic new livery for this 2016 Special Edition, but no additional features.
TC's Ditto range gets a new model for 2016: The Ditto X4 Looper. The new addition introduces more options without sacrificing ease of use.
Dream Theatre's 'Mr Muscle' announces a new signature wah pedal for 2016. Features include a set of internal controls for tweaking and a very shiny exterior.
Want to sound like Daft Punk? Or maybe do a 'Mr Blue Sky' impersonation...
One for the metal crowd. An acoustic for the quieter moments between those crushing riffs...
A way to get presets using your much loved old analogue pedals. For those that must have ultimate control when playing live.
Bill Kelliher has a new Friedman signature amp! The rumours were true it would seem.
The much talked about Fender Offset Tele is finally announced. All you 'Telemaster' fans can finally get your hands on one it would seem.
Has it been 10 years already? Apparently so... They aren't cheap. but they look very nice indeed.
20 watts of modern high gain in a tiny package. Will it sound like a wasp in a beer can?