In my other life as a classical conductor, I have made over 50 albums, which have received accolades including Sunday Times Best of the Year, Gramophone Editor’s Choice, Forbes Best Recording of the Year, Diapson d’or and Classic FM Recording of the Month among others.

Here in my home studio, I can create and record parts and solos to help your musical vision to come to life. In addition to an extensive collection of electric and acoustic guitars, and vintage and modern amplifiers, I can overdub a wide range of other instruments. And I can help connect you with instrumentalists from outside the rock world, including a network of classical virtuosos I have developed over 25 years in the industry.

If you’re looking for these, I can probably help

  • Lead and rhythm playing with a strong blues, Americana or rock vibe
  • Comfort with complex meters and advanced harmonies
  • Part creation in a huge range of genres
  • Pretty serious funk chops
  • Comfortable in all sorts of classic rock, heavy, yacht rock and progressive styles

If you’re looking for these, I’m not your guy:

  • Traditional bebop and jazz standards playing. I can fake it, but it’s not my bag
  • Proper classical guitar playing. See above – I can fake it, but……
  • Complex acoustic fingerpicking, Travis picking, etc. See above….
  • 80’s-style metal/shred playing. Don’t get on with slinky strings and locking trems.
  • 80’s-style chorus/delay jangly stuff. Still recovering from the 80’s.

Recording Framework

Logic Pro (recording up to 96khz/24 bit)

Microphones

Shure SM57s
Shure SM58s
Audio Technica  AT2035
Audio Technica AT2040
Beyer Dynamic M160 (on loan)
Rode NT5 small diaphragm condenser mics (matched pair)

 

Instruments

Electric Guitar

  • 1989 ESP Traditional Strat (1957 specs)
  • 2014 Fender Stratocaster (1957 specs)
  • “Mahler” Stratocaster (1963 specs)
  • Fender Telecaster
  • Gretsch Bo Diddley with TV Jones Billy Gibbons and Brian Setzer signature pickups
  • Gretsch 6120 with TV Jones Classic and Classic + pickups
  • Gretsch Round Up
  • 1962 Gibson ES-335 with PAF pickups
  • Les Paul Custom 3-pickup
  • Les Paul Gold Top 1956 re-issue (2017)
  • Eastman SB 59/v LP (59 specs, Lolar Imperial pickups)
  • Eastman 7-string hollow body jazz box
  • 1977 Ibanez Artist
  • 1982 Ibanez Roadstar II
  • 1976 Ibanez Double Neck (SG copy)
  • Custom build PRS copy with Bare Knuckle P-90 pickups
  • Custom build Explorer copy with Seymour Duncan Jazz and Dimarzio Super Distortion pickups
  • Custom build Brian May Red Special copy, re-wired by Red Special Conversions in New Jersey

Acoustic Guitar

  • Classical nylon string (custom build)
  • Seagull Acoustic 6-string
  • Gretsch Rancher 6-string
  • Gretsch Resonator 6-string

Baritone Guitar

  • Gretsch Electromatic Baritone

Bass Guitar

  • “Mahler” Jazz Bass
  • Ibanez Gio 5-string

Piano

  • 1910 Blüthner Grand Piano, 190cm in concert condition. Includes legendary “Aliquot” resonating string technology and original Blüthner action
  • Barret and Robinson upright
  • Honkey Tonk upright

Other Keyboard

  • I work with Logic Pro’s library of keyboard sounds, including high quality organ, clavinet, electric piano and other sounds

Mandolin

Banjo

Cello

  • Italian cello believed to be by Mariani c. 1690