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A Peavy Predator I think, 3 a side headstock and strat style bridge and pickups. Quite a nice little guitar actually. My dad surprised me with it 10 years ago.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My bastard tele and my acoustic. Though I'd run back to get my SG if I could.
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
No oldies any more, probably my 04 mexican tele.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Got a Mexican strat on the way, though I'm planning a purge and treating myself to a RI Coronado.
D'addario 11s on everything. Acoustic is strung with Elixer 12s. Been on it for about 3 years now...
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
More time spent on the vocals of my last recording, had the flu and knocked them out in two takes. I'm not hugely proud of my voice on there.
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Pooing. I get nervous shits. Other than that drinking lots of water and taking the piss out of the bassist/warming up my voice.
8: ...And five minutes after?
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Cheap Satellite thing (vaguely strat-shaped but with two pickups, slide switches that I kept knocking to the off position and an agricultural tremolo) from a second hand shop in Shotton about 1982. £25. Stopped off at my auntie's house in Mold on the way home and she gave me her old copy of Bert Weedon's Play in a Day. Good start.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
None of them are fantastic, so as long as I got one or two.
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
1994 Fender Jazz Bass.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
I've had a hankering for a Les Paul for a while, but I'm on an Epiphone budget for a while.
5: What strings do you use?
Currently D'Addarios - liked them on acoustics so I tried them on electric as well. Maybe time to try something different now.
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
We released a cassette once that turned out insipid and middle of the road, whereas live we were a bit rawer and livelier. We should have aimed for a live sound and not be overproduced.
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go on stage?
Getting nervous.
8: ...And five minutes after?
Feeling relieved and buzzing... but it's been a while!
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you on stage?
I was in a school play, in a small crowd scene playing a peasant working in a field. We'd made props (scythes) in woodwork and we were supposed to be scything away as the curtain opened at the start of the scene. So, there we were, toiling away behind closed curtains for what seemed like ages... I leant on my scrap wood and hardboard scythe and turned to my friend and said "jeez, are these curtains going to open or what?" By the time I realised what I'd done the curtains had opened and the lights were up, and several hundred parents were laughing at this one workshy peasant. Last time I agreed to be in a school play.
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
I was helping a Christian group out at uni at some big event and they had me playing electric, acoustic and bass. At this event it had been going pretty well, despite the stress of the role they'd given me as three different guitarists. But halfway through I started one song and had no sound from my amp. Took me a verse and a chorus to work out which cable wasn't in the right place. I must have looked a complete tool. Every time I see Derek Smalls strugging to get out of the pod I think of that moment. Later one of the guys told me he could see I had the wrong guitar still plugged in and was trying to signal, but I didn't notice.
Crappy classical that I put electric strings on and broke it in 2! Shortly after, a Satellite cheese grater electric w/ plastic Sound City amp. Both circa '82.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Head says the JS1000, heart says the heavily self modded '91 Squier Strat.
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
The above Korean Squier Strat, it replaced a thru-neck of unknown origin with dual humbuckers that got stolen in a burglary. I'd fitted a Fred within weeks and continue to mod it to this day. Funnily enough, the last mod was to return it to SSS status.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A better DAW. My old version of Sonar is fast approaching obsolescence! That, or a decent bass amp.
Elixirs 9-42, not much choice as I'm allergic to nickel and they're cheaper than Maxima Gold's. Stainless and Chrome just don't sound the same.
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Picked a longer section to solo in on a track I produced as a thank you for a friend. But there was already about 15 people on it, and once I'd fitted everyone else in I ran out of time and just played on the 10 second slot that wasn't filled. Saying that, I do still like what I did on that track, so other than re-record everything I've ever done but better, nothing.
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Not gigged regularly for 20 years, and very sporadically since, but usually having a beer or 3.
8: ...And five minutes after?
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Completely forgetting how to play something I've played hundreds of times before and trying to wing it, badly.
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
If you feel a bad day coming on in your late 30's, put the guitar down and watch TV instead, tendonitis isn't worth it!
Well my dad lent me his Yamaha telecaster thing for about 10 months while saved up all my pocket money and bought myself my first guitar with 10 months of savings and birthday and christmas money so my first guitar i guess would be a Gibson GG Special
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My SG special
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
1996 MIM Fender Tele
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Dr.Z Maz38
5: What strings do you use?
Elixir coated .010
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
suck less lol
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
still setting up...
and beer drinking lots of beer
8: ...And five minutes after?
MORE BEER!
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Whole set completely fell apart, didnt finish half our songs just cpmpletely sucked! xD
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Learn some damn theory!!!!!
A Marlin Sidewinder strat copy. I bought it from a friend in 1989 when I was 14.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My Jazzmaster.
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
I don't set that great store on old guitars (although I've played some lovely ones) - I prefer shiny new things (or at least, my budget does). So: my Jazzmaster - a 2002 AVRI in surf green.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A Princeton Reverb reissue - may be picking one up next week.
5: What strings do you use?
D'Addario EXL116 11-52s on everything.
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Not have lost all the C90s with those recordings on.
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Not massively applicable, but puking with nerves, mainly.
8: ...And five minutes after?
Puking with relief.
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Getting an electric shock trying to fix a Twin copy that was enough to belt me through the curtain at the back of the stage and into the stored pantomime furniture.
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Learn more scales than just the pentatonic or it'll get stuck in your fingers (it has).
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
A Kay strat copy gifted to me by a friend when he wanted me to learn so we could start a band.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
I don't have anything mega expensive or irreplaceable but if I had time I'd grab my PRS SE singlecut.
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Probably the Kay but as that's in my parents loft now I don't think it counts so then it would be my RG from early/mid 90s.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
The rest of the parts needed to complete my tele build.
5: What strings do you use?
Various brands depending on what's cheap.The PRS SE and Epi Wildkat get 10-52s and the strat and Ibby get 9s.
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Never recorded anything more serious than a demo and I've no real clangers that I can remember.
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Only done it the once so far and I was chatting to some workmates that turned up.
8: ...And five minutes after?
Mingling - it was mainly friends and family.
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Nothing too bad - I was pretty embarrassed when I called a stop to a song before the intro was over because someone was seriously out of tune (it wasn't me!)
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Take it more seriously early on, play with others and get a teacher sooner because by the time you're in your 30s you'll wish you had the time you had in your teens to put the hours in.
Wisdom awarded.
A Cimar Strat. Went to my first gig and the next day I was up in that loft hunting for it. I was... 16 or 17?
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Well if it's only the one it'll be my Sonic Blue Jaguar... but seeing as I have two hands the other would be my Cobain Jaguar.
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
An Aria 1802t from the 70's. Not sure of the year but it's probably from the latter half of the 70's.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
The new EHX Hot Tubes re-issue or another Mustang.
5: What strings do you use?
D'addario's. Currently .10.5's but I'll use .11's and .12's too.
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Make sure I was more hands on with the mixing... might actually hear myself then.
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Making sure I haven't forgotten anything and getting the rest of the band are ready.
8: ...And five minutes after?
Clearing up my stuff and getting a pint of water from the bar.
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Urm... I guess turning on a Polychorus for a big ol noise jam and not hearing anything... I'd forgotten to turn it's power on.
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
2005-6 (at a guess) metallic silver Dean Baby ML, in late 2007 - I was twelve. Still got it, it's not a bad guitar. Doesn't get played much any more though.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
I'd use two hands and grab my Gibson V (my first properly nice guitar) and my Jackson Soloist (the Green Bastard)... then go back in for my Jazzmaster and Tokai PRS copy.
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
My Tokai PR100 PRS copy, it's from about 2000. I'd like some older stuff at some point through.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A Strat - an MJT build. Then a Washburn Parallaxe 29-fret seven-string. Also a fair few pedals.
5: What strings do you use?
Elixirs without fail, usually 9-46. All other strings are shite by comparison.
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Many, many things.
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Trying to keep calm. Probably having a slash.
8: ...And five minutes after?
After I go onstage? Playing the end of the first song.
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Thankfully, nothing too disastrous (yet)... hopefully nothing much for a while.
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Work on your bends and vibrato tirelessly, they're the most important thing once you've got the notes. Play more acoustic early on, it'll save you (me) a shitload of practice in the long run. And for fuck's sake learn some sod-buggering theory.
1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
1970 Jedson Tele shaped thing, couldn't play, looked better than a tennis racquet when posing in front of the mirror
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
1989 Yamaha MSG standard customised with Lindy Fralins
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Early 1980s Yamaha SG500 heavily customised for slide - Bare Knuckle P90s
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
I'd really like to make proper use of what I've got [recently acquired a wonderful Yamaha TRB4 bass from NoisePolluter of this very forum]
5: What strings do you use?
Picato 10s on the MSG 13s on theSG
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
No recordings survive - my gift to good taste...
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Hyperventilating
8: ...And five minutes after?
Feeling happy and [hopefully] fighting off the hoards of adoring fans
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Drummer in totally different time zone...
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
If you care about what you do and try your best to sound like you are enjoying yourself [within reason] they will love you...well, what is not to love?
The very first was an acoustic my Dad built. First electric was some no-name piece of crap that got trashed on stage when I got my second electric - a Grant LP copy.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
The tele built for me on my 50th by Sander at Guitarshop.com
Mid 70's tele.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
I have boner GAS for a Coronado.
D'addario 11s on electrics. 12s on my acoustc.
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
More attention to the drum sounds.
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
In the far past - something naughty. Nowadays - final look at the setlist and a cuppa.
8: ...And five minutes after?
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Horrible cheap Japanese thing called an Audition. Marine ply body and only one of the two pickups worked. Poorly balanced and buzzed all the time unless you were touching a metal part! It was sunburst but I sprayed it red. I bought it for £15 from a teacher at school in 1983/4 on the strict understanding that playing the guitar would make me more attractive to women. About a year later I bought a first edition MIJ Squier Tele from a guy who had played in Lene Lovich's band. I wish I still had that!!
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
J Mascis Jazzmaster. The best guitar Squier has made.
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
1986 Epiphone Casino.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Yamaha THR10 (if the wife lets me!)
Ernie Ball Cobalt
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I played bass on most of my recordings and would thus spend far more time sorting out the bass and drums sound and a lot less time listening to the guitarist doing 20+ takes!
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Haven't been on stage since 1998 but it was usually having a nervous emptying of the bladder.
8: ...And five minutes after?
Beer!
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Someone turned on Eubank v Benn in the back room and half of the audience disappeared.
Spend more time practicing the guitar and less time deciding what bit of kit you need.
1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Some terrible acoustic that my parents got me for Christmas. I found the box in the wardrobe and it was so small that I thought they'd got me an electric! Managed to hide my disappointment on the day as it was the best thing they could afford.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Hmm. My Mary Kaye blonde partscaster. Not the most valuable guitar I own but, being a one-off, the one that could not be replaced. The fact that it was finished/assembled by a friend makes it more special.
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
A late 70s/early 80s Yamaha L25a acoustic.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Do monitor speakers count? If not, then another Casino - one that doesn't sound like it's got a wooly blanket over it.
5: What strings do you use?
d'Artagnan 10s - "all for one and one will snap". It's usually the top E. I've got about 5 new sets without top Es.
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
"Improve it" is probably too vague but could apply to any of them!
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Last went "onstage" (probably was more like "on filthy corner of very small pub floor") almost 30 years ago. Still had hair so was probably playing with it or chewing it, which was a nervous habit I had.
8: ...And five minutes after?
Quickly lugging our gear into the van so that the "proper" band could play.
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
The usual "starting solo a semitone flat" thing.
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Take up keyboards.
I wanted to play bass, so was given a Satellite Strat-a-Mustang hybrid for Christmas, 1979. It was truly horrible and I never really learned to play till I bought a Hondo Les Paul two years later.
My 1982 Tokai Strat that I bought new in 1984. I've customised it over the years and though I go through periods of not playing it, but of all my guitars. it's the one that is mine.
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
A 1966 Fender Electric XII
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
I'm not sure. Maybe a Squier Bass VI.
5: What strings do you use?
D'addario XL 10s on most of 'em, GHS Boomer 12s on my Jags.
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Less flanger on some older stuff
It used to be setting up my gear coz I'd spent all the setup time sorting out the PA for the Fucking Singer (TM).
8: ...And five minutes after?
Explaining that we'd been promised a fee, and no mention had been made of 'Sex On Fire' prior to playing...
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Pedalboard meltdown. Aaaaaaagh! Rapid re-deployment of cabling!
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Next time someone offers to swap your Hondo Les Paul for their old Epiphone Casino, in natural, in a case and including an optional Bigsby, ACCEPT THE OFFER!!!
'95-'96 squire strat
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
The SG special my mum got me when I was 17
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
strat mentioned in #1
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Some sort of plexi-sounding thing
5: What strings do you use?
10s, roto yellows
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
My tone
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
I used to enjoy a cig with some drink; beer or coffee. Now it's strictly warming up somewhere quite.
8: ...And five minutes after?
Drinks are good but now I just prefer to fuck off to somewhere quite. Then drinks I guess.
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Was so drunk that almost fell asleep during the encore song..
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
"You may or may not have skill, but it's certain that you have time; instead of trying to hit this posh & shallow chick who doesn't like you and your long hair, go home and practice some more. You 're wasting yourself and you'll regret it later + you're not having a great time here either. You're not as good as you think! Keep on working on licks and transcriptions, don't forget that that's what pushed you forward in the beginning. And always warm up"
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