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)
This week's deals include Universal Audio Del-Verb, Xsonic Xtone, Jackson DK3XR, Epiphone Dove Studio and AER Compact 60 IV
The Way Huge Stone Burner Sub Atomic Fuzz offers a fuzz combined with a sub-octave effect, perfect for desert rock
Harley Benton CST-24, CST-24T and CST-24T LH left-handed models add new Purple Burst, Amber Stripes and Vintage Sunburst finishes
ROSS Electronics are back with help from Josh Scott of JHS Pedals. Five new effects, one of which never officially existed in the original run
The Cure bassist Simon Gallup has three new Schecter models, each loaded with EMG pickups and a new red finish with a lion graphic
This week we check out the Patrick James Eggle-designed Shergold Telstar, plus Millimetric 100th build and the Gibson Les Paul Supreme
The Fender Limited Edition Mike Kerr Jaguar Bass comes in a striking Tigers Blood Orange and comes with twin humbuckers
Deals include the Squier Affinity Tele, Marshall Studio Vintage SV20H, EHX Soul Food, Boss RC-500 Loop Station and Darkglass Microtubes X 900
The new Friedman JEL-20 Jake E Lee signature amp has two voicings and comes in a fantastic red finish and there is a matching 1x12 cab
The Fender Juanes Stratocaster is an HSS model designed to cover many genres of music and comes with a Custom Voiced 12 dB Mid Boost
TC Electronic Ampworx High-Gain adds new models with the new Dual Wreck, JIMS 800 and V550 pedals. Based on classic amps for heavy rock tones
The Echo Fix EF-P2 Spring Reverb Pedal is a 100% analogue, three-spring, studio-grade reverb and offers classic spring reverb tones
The EHX Pico Platform offers studio-style compression and limiting, and it won't colour the tone of your guitar.
This week we check out the new Peavey HP2 Poplar Burl. Plus the Akira Takasaki signature Cry Baby and the all-new Boss AC-22LX acoustic amp
Origin Effects' Halcyon Gold Overdrive is the company's take on the Klon Centaur overdrive and comes with a few added tweaks to the original
Great Deals on the EVH Frankie Striped '78 Eruption Relic, Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM NT, Line 6 Helix, Roland JC-22 & Markbass Micromark 801
EarthQuaker Devices' Ledges Tri-Dimensional Reverberation Machine offers Room, Hall and Plate reverbs, plus six presets and control over all effect parameters
G&L Espada HH and Espada HH Active offer guitarists two twin humbucker versions of Leo Fender's lost design. Which one would you choose?
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The Sunn Amplification range has been revealed. Including 100s, 200s ultra linear amps, full range amps, new speaker cabinets and more
KHDK has released a limited edition pedal for Avenged Sevenfold's Zacky Vengeance. Plus,Milkman Sound Amp Stereo and Nembrini Audio's Cal Axis
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Sunn Amplification is back and it looks like we could see new amps this year. It has been confirmed they will be partnering with Mission Engineering
Great Savings on the PRS SE P20E Parlour, ESP LTD M-201HT Black Satin, Harley Benton SC-550 II FTF, Fishman, Boss, Roland and more
Fender has partnered with Loog on a range of 3-string guitars for children. Are they value for money or an expensive step to the School of Rock?
The all-new and handsomely styled Marshall Studio JTM ST20 series features vintage tube amp tones and low volumes, perfect for modern guitarists