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1994 or so, I got a Polish acoustic guitar from the communist times called Defil. It was terrible, but it was my first.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My CSL gypsy jazz guitar with an internal resonator.
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
An Epiphone archtop from 1940's.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
TC Electronic Flashback Triple Delay.
5: What strings do you use?
D'Addario 11s on electric, Savarez Argentine 11s for gypsy jazz and Martin Clapton 12s for acoustic.
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Phrasing.
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Pacing around as I can't wait to get there.
8: ...And five minutes after?
Mingle.
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
My NI Guitar Rig Kontrol pedal connected to a laptop wouldn't power up. And yes, I gigged with a laptop then. Ended up using the second channel of my friend's amp.
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Learn songs, learn solos, transcribe.
1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Some Squire thing that I really never got on with, tried to play it only a handful of times and gave up quickly not even thinking of trying again for 20+ years
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My current guitar. Epiphone SG Special VE, Heritage Cherry Sunburst
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
The Epi
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Most useful would probably be a looper pedal, probably a TCE Ditto. I'm also starting to think about upgrading from the Epi not because I'm good enough yet to need to but because I've decided this time around I'm sticking with it and spending more on a guitar isn't going to be a waste of money.
5: What strings do you use?
D'Adarrio 10 - 46
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
There are no recordings of me and if they were they would probably be banned by the Geneva convention.
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Wondering what's going on because it will probably never happen.
8: ...And five minutes after?
Running for my life.
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Never going up there.
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Forget specs, that first guitar needs to inspire you to pick it up. If it does that it's worth it's weight in gold.
Washburn bass guitar. I think it was 1988.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Novo Serus T
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
I don't have the washburn anymore so it's 1989 les paul studio.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A two rock amp would be nice!
5: What strings do you use?
D'Adarrio nyxl
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I don't have any recordings.
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
I haven't been on stage yet.
8: ...And five minutes after?
See Q7
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you on stage?
See Q7
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Don't take break from playing for 20 years!
A very cheap AXL Strat copy in a very loud and bright red. I was lucky enough to pick it up when I was just hitting 18. Back in 2003 ish?
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
There was a time when I had many a guitar I couldn't of answered that, however now I'd say my Cort TC Classic. It just surpasses all expectations I have and while it needs a touch of work it's a guitar that I constantly write with and have a connection too.
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
At the moment that would be the 2007 Squier strat I recently picked up for an absolute steal for £10 at a charity shop!
Before that and going back a while I had an old 89' Fender tele plus in a very rare firestorm finish.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Strymon TimeLine, I have been GAS'ing after one for what feels like an age. That and a GCP Infatuator.
5: What strings do you use?
Elixer Optiwebs. 11-52. After changing preference from NY-XLs and Nanowebs these seem to be the happy medium between long life and snappy tone.
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Probably the mixes themselves. Some of them were god awful.
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Making sure I have spare cables, doing a quick pre tune and have a bottle or two of water.
8: ...And five minutes after?
The gloves are off so settling down with a beer after quickly ripping the rig down.
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Not really had any thing terrible happen fortunately but I'd say after playing a song with a band that I wasn't fully invested in having my friend say "you looked depressed playing that" was certainly not too fun.
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Practice and don't believe a word anyone says about not being able to play anything technical. Practice, practice, practice!
I was desperate for a guitar for my 11th birthday in 1955. My parents couldn't afford one, so they gave me a "do it yourself" kit. I had it built by boxing day and it was unplayable - but I persevered and three years later the father of a mate - who was a master carpenter - built guitars for the skiffle group I had formed.
2. The building burning down - what guitar would you save?
Probably my '74 Gibson L5. When my mother died in '97 she left me a few quid, so I wanted to buy the best guitar I could have had in 1955. It had to be a Gibson L5 - I couldn't afford a 55 one so compromised and bought the '74 on instead - it would have been identical (apart from the pickups, possibly?).
3. What's the oldest guitar you own?
Ah anorak alert here - its 1932 (guessing) Aristone archtop hand built by George Abbot. Acoustic, of course, guitars weren't electric in those days. And truss rods hadn't been invented..... I had traded my gorgeous (but unplayable) blond Hofner Senator for one at Ivor Mairants in 1963. I subsequently traded it and then spent ten years looking for a replacement. My replacement one had a twisted neck - I had it rebuilt.....
4. And the next piece of gear you'd like to acquire?
Doesn't work like that. I have everything - indeed more than - I will ever need. I don't do pedals and stuff - but if a hand built archtop came across my desk I might be tempted...….
5. What strings do you use?
Horses for courses - mainly super slinkys but flat wounds on my jazz boxes (and basses), 9's on my parker Flys
6. If you could change one thing about a recording you've done
Haven't done any
7. What are you doing five minutes before you go on stage?
Depends who I am playing with. Certainly making sure my guitar is in tune! Making sure my music is ready if it is a big band. With my "Eagles-type" acoustic band making sure the PA is right.
8. And five minutes after?
Relaxing, having a beer if available, but probably packing stuff away before it gets damaged or nicked.
9. What's the worst thing that has happened to you on stage?
PA Failure!
10. What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar
Persevere with all different types of playing - there's a whole world out there from pop and rock to dance bands, finger picking, flamenco, Jazz - learn to be good at them all!
1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Fylde Oberon
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
a new recorder. Tascam SD card maybe.
5: What strings do you use?
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Change the pick I used to solo on 'It Doesnt Matter What I Sing'.
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Trying to find the drummer & singer usually
8: ...And five minutes after?
Breaking down as quickly as I can
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
playing 2 bars sharp of the correct key
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Move to London & get a decent amp.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Not old at all, 2006 RG 2550.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Ive only ever owned combos, would like to try some different head/cab setups
5: What strings do you use?
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Backing them all up on dropbox only to have bandmate accidentaly delete them all just after my hard drive died
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Drinking on the rare occasion my confidence stretches that far
8: ...And five minutes after?
more drinking
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
nothing overly crazy, the usual bumbling stuff
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Play with others more...try out more guitars to understand the differences
a brunswick acoustic hmm 2001
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
cs strat
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
nothing old thats worth mentioning. I did have a 1982 strat which i sold though
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Les paul and maybe blues junior or princeton 65 RI
5: What strings do you use?
For electric, daddario xl . For acoustic, daddario pb
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
the quality
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
I dont gig
8: ...And five minutes after?
Large drink, I think.
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
nothing i can think of
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
slow down
Along time ago it was a Pacifica tele body dual humbucker blonde body thing. Cheap and nasty, I loved it dearly.
Edited to say that I got this in 1998 ish I think.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
These days, my Frankenstein S type that I've been playing and modding for 20 years or more at this point.
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
The guitar I've owned the longest now is the Strat mentioned above. The oldest guitar I have is an 80s aria pro II in the garage but there is now a crack in the join between the neck and the body =(
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
I have a list as long as my arm. My focus at the moment is a G2 and a chase bliss Condor (I watch TPS...)
5: What strings do you use?
D'addarrio XL110s presently, but I'm moving back up the gauges slowly.
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
The last recording I made was a decade ago or more at this stage (not counting audience videos of recent gigs). Looking back I'd just burn them and pretend they never happened...
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Checking the PA/other band members gear or smoking.
8: ...And five minutes after?
Generally smoking and drinking
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Ha! In an ill conceived attempt to 'make an entrance' I once began a set standing on a table in the middle of the venue. I promptly fell off it. The gig went great after that, but still...
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Enjoy it more.
Eko jumbo ranger 12
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Gibson ES339 curly maple
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
1990's Yamaha 12 string
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
perhaps another les paul (but don't tell the wife)
5: What strings do you use?
Ernie Ball or D'ddario
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Get someone in that knows what he's doing
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
SWEATING
8: ...And five minutes after?
Still sweating
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
I dropped my custom 22 PRS 20th anniversary on a rough concrete floor
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Once you decide you want to learn guitar never give up, I eventually got going on my third attempt ,years apart I could have been a better player had I stuck it out first time round
Encore strat copy - around 1992
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My 90s Epiphone Les Paul. Its been with me forever and is irreplaceable, even if it is a piece of Korean driftwood.
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
The Epiphone Les Paul.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Ernie Ball super slinky 9s
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I'd get Satch to ghost play for me
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Bricking it, but in a good way. Nerves help me focus
8: ...And five minutes after?
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Beer down the back of the amp? I can't think of many horror stories. Maybe the worst is yet to come.
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Don't compare yourself to your peers: music isn't a competition, it is a collaboration. Keep expanding your musical horizons through listening and playing, and enjoy the journey.
Squire Stratocaster, red, one of the package deals that comes with an amp and a cable. I got it as a Christmas present when i was 11. Sure to say that mum and dad didn't think it would last long... showed them 17 years on!
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Gibson J 45... it's the closest to the front door.
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Yamaha APX5a... my second guitar bought for me as a present by M&D
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
I sold a Mexican Telecaster which i have regretted ever since, so probably a more refined Tele... Or a more refined Strat once I've sold my Custom Shop
As of recent Elixir 10s... used to be 9s
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I have become a totally different player since the last recording (about 8 years ago), for the better. So everything!
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Peeing
8: ...And five minutes after?
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Forgotten lyrics, burst into a solo in the wrong key. Probably both regular occurrences!
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
A half size classical which my Dad's mate wired a piezo into. Played it so much that the winding came off the strings.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Toss up between the Landscape AR1 and the Gitane D500 (for sentimental reasons)
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
1937 Cromwell G4
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Probably a K&K Definity Pickup to try out with the archtops
5: What strings do you use?
Depends - Thomastik flatwound 13s, Martin Retro 12s or Argentines
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I haven't made many - there's a few times playing that I wish I'd recorded though.
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Chatting
8: ...And five minutes after?
Trying to put the sheet music back in order
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
While working as a sound engineer, was eq'ing monitors for some people from So Solid Crew which were feeding back horrendously. Because I was onstage with "Crew" on my back they encouraged the crowd to boo at me because they weren't happy with the sound. At that moment I was crouching down and my trousers split right down the crotch. How's that?
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Don't force anything - keep plugging away and it will happen. Also, learn your drop 2s for jazz.
It was Raven West guitar. I'm not sure if that company is still in existence, but It's a fun little "wanna-be" Ibanez RG. I got it when I was 13.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Private stock PRS
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Probably the Raven West. I don't have very many old guitars.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Ormsby 7 string or Kiesel A6 Aries
5: What strings do you use?
Ernie Ball Super Slinky 9s
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I'd put more time into layering
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Putting the metal face on
8: ...And five minutes after?
Melting faces. lol
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Hit the rhythm guitarists with my swinging guitar
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Don't practice technique as much and work on song writing more.
A red squire strat that I recently got back! The strings are an inch off the fretboard so I'm pretty sure it mangled my technique from the get-go but I spent many enjoyable years with that guitar
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
The first guitar I bought myself, a 2000 American standard strat
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
A Les Paul Deluxe that I *think* is from the early 70's. Bought from a guy that had put nylon strings on it!
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Would love to get my hands on a Komet amp or a Suhr SL67/PT15
5: What strings do you use?
D'Addario 10s
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Spend more time preparing before hand and go in knowing what I wanted and at least half an idea of how to get there
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Drinking!
8: ...And five minutes after?
Listening to everything around me, trying to take the playing part out of it and enjoying myself!
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Losing time in a very fast 2/4 tune. There's no coming back from that and best case scenario you don't put the rest of the band off!
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Don't disregard music styles off-hand. Give everything a listen to before making a judgement. That and learn more songs!