Barking Spiders

Cheltenham's lost its two main guitar-led music shops. Soundhouse closed down its branch here in the early 00s to focus on its Gloucester store. Aroundaboutsound on the Lower High Street died a slow death, finally succumbing to the impact of Covid. Two other music instrument stores, both on the same street, also disappeared several years ago; Millennium Music and one mainly specialising in pianos and acoustic instruments. Then again Chelt's been one of the worst hit towns in the UK viz shop closures. Across the rest of Gloucestershire we've got 4 guitar shops left but it remains to be seen if they can survive the current energy crisis.

Geordie Walker of Killing Joke comes to mind straight away. Not heard anyone else with his style and tone. Nile Rodgers has a very recognisable sound as well that's very hard to copy just right.

Leo Kottke is probably #1 for me esp before his hand injury when he'd play fingerstyle with fingerpicks on a 12-string. Had a really muscular but clear tone. Tommy Emmanuel very close behind though LK edges him because I prefer his material. TE is most definitely best experienced live as he has great stage banter as well as fantastic skills. Two other brilliant fingerstyle players are Scottish celtic folk specialist Tony McManus and the late Pete Huttlinger who used to play with John Denver Electric wise I lean heavily towards inventive and distinctive post punk players like John McGeogh (Magazine and Siouxsie & the Banshees), Terry Bickers (House of Love), Keith Levene (PiL), Andy Gill (Gang of Four) and Geordie Walker (Killing Joke). Hard to separate out these five.

Pictures speak louder than words so here are several. The body, sides and neck are mahogany and the top is spruce. It's very light but still has a rich deep tone. The neck is thin and the action low so would suit those that are cursed with small hands /short fingers. I split my time between the Stroud area of Gloucestershire and Leamington Spa but am prepared to travel up to 20 miles to hand over in person. However, I won't post it as it the case is large and quite heavy and robust while courier firms require cardboard packaging to contain it and no guitar box is large enough.