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)
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The master of muff gets into the wonderful world of repetition and ambience with the Hypocenter Delay.
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A renowned amp designer announces a new budget range of ever-popular boutique Marshall inspired amplifiers. Cutting costs and not tone? Lets hope so!
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This box of dirt aims to give you lots of silicon-based fuzz tones associated with the '70s; the androgyny, glam makeup and excess hair are all optional.
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Odd contraption that allows just about anyone to play the guitar. Instant gratification or just plain madness?
The ex-Ozzy Osborne guitarist has moved onwards and upwards since parting ways with the Sabbath front man. This new range is full of Iron Man spirit and definitely not one for the Paranoid.
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Limited edition? The ultimate digital delay? Well maybe or maybe not, Mr Black. But they do know a thing or two about making good delays, though, so possibly worth a punt?
