Leaderboard

Hey there. Really a bassist but over the years have amassed a collection of lovely guitars. Just count myself as a dabbler. I’ve a Fylde Gordon Giltrap acoustic and a Gordon Smith G90 prototype - both of which I won in competitions and which were presented to me respectively by Gordon and Steve Howe. I know, I know... Lucky bar-steward! Ive got another Gordon Smith - a semi solid, a Brook Tamar acoustic guitar, a Brueko ukulele and a Fylde Octavius Bouzouki. And my Mrs has a lovely Norman folk style acoustic.

My 1991 ES175, neck break courtesy of my son. Bless him, he still apologises about it to this day, even though the accident was ten years ago and I’ve forgiven him. I think that’s what he finds hard. I didn’t get cross about it, said “Accidents happen, it’s ok” and got it repaired. It’s as old as he is. The amp is an early sixties Gibson GA100, all original. Amazing sound when cranked and paired with some P90 equipped beastie. Then there’s the custom shop tele (custom artwork on the scratchplate) and a Squier JV strat with ...50s spec Tonerider pickups, CTS pots, switchcraft jack, 5 way selector, full cloth wire, an original 1950s Astron Hymet wax/paper capacitor, on a custom shop mint green pick guard, strung with flat wounds - sounds and plays fab at a fraction of the cost of an original. I use the Fenders with the funk band and my Gibson R9 Les Paul with the swing blues band. I’d like to use the 175 as well but often find I don’t have enough space on stage! Main amp - Fender Blues Deluxe That studio of Octatonic’s is SO much tidier than my music room!