Home of Tone Blog

For some offset players, the 'rocking' or tilting style traditional bridge style just doesn't suit their setup or playing style. This could be for a number of reasons, such as using lighter gauge strings resulting in reduced tension over the bridge, heavier strumming style, or simply due to intonation reliability depending on the exact bridge you use.

Like so much in the guitar world, what suits one player won't neccesarily suit another. That's especially true with how the controls function on your guitar, and you'll find that a certain taper will better achieve what you're looking for. But how do you know which taper that would be?

With volume pots, you can ultimately use linear or logarithmic (audio), there's no firm rule so in this article I want to look at why you would choose either spec and what to expect from their results.

The Telecaster is an iconic instrument that defined a brand, inspired so many musicians and set the bar for the solid body electric guitar moving forward. Thanks to the likes of Keef, Andy Summers and many more, 'HS' (Humbucker/Single Coil) configuration Teles have been incredibly popular for many years too.

But mixing pickup types highlights a particular issue when it comes to wiring, the pot choice compromise! Do you opt for the more traditional Tele choice of 250k pots, which can lead to a dark sounding humbucker position. Or 500k pots which could lead to an overly bridge Tele single coil sound. Some players may well prefer either of those anyway, but if you'd rather do your best to reduce the compromise and try to help each pickup sound it's best, then this harness may be of some help to you!

UPDATE: All of my stock for this limited edition release, is now sold out I'm afraid. Many thanks to those who kindly purchased their set through my shop!

Last week I became a very proud new owner of a set of beautiful ceramic slides handmade by my pal David Hicks (David & The Devil). I'm loving the personality these posses, super cool details throughout, right down to the croc pattern.

Well, it's another EU change update I'm afraid. This only affects orders being shipped from me, to a customer based in the EU.
This change specifically relates to how they are going to be charging DUTY on goods, so not taxes, but duty specifically. 

2015 sees the Home of Tone turn 10 years old, so I decided to mark the ocassion by putting together a fancy spec Telecaster build, mostly done in house but also using and supporting some of my favourite other skilled people within our little music world too. 

You may recall the incredibly SparkleMaster build I put together for a customer a while back that made use of the incredible services of RF Custom so I couldn't resist including Rob in this project too. I know Rob makes and supplies bodies and necks to some superb brands, and have seem some of the beautiful materials he has used to make those bodies and necks too. So I reached out to Rob to ask if he would be able to help me source a really nice grade of flamed maple and hondoras Mahogany too. He graciously helped do so, and sent those my way ready to shape them into a Telecaster. 

Seymour Duncan Custom Shop, and Mr vintage guitar himself, Joe Bonamassa have teamed up to recreate a pickup set from one of the most well known 'bursts', the Bolin Burst! A guitar with a great history, heard across countless records in the hands of Tommy Bolin, and now, Joe too. 

In stock at James' Home of Tone!

This article details how I need to manually process orders for customers in the USA in light of the tariffs. 

Seymour Duncan have long cemented themselves as the leading aftermarket pickup brand in the world, offering a staggering selection of models. Throughout their range they have created iconic models that stand the test of time, popular for a variety of guitars and music styles.

Their Custom Shop and Shop Floor Custom offer customers the chance to create their own pickup design or aesthetic that isn't otherwise available in the standard production range. As a UK main dealer, I can assist customers in ordering their own Custom Shop and Shop Floor Custom SD pickups, and sometimes I will spec out my own custom stock too, like this batch of Invaders!

I’m pleased to share that I’ve been able to secure a second, small batch of the limited edition Seymour Duncan Custom Shop, Philip Sayce ‘Mother’ Strat pickups.
The moment I saw these announced I knew I had to snap up some sets, and happened to be the first UK dealer to do so! As such, my first secured sets were reserved almost immediately. I put in a request for some more, and thankfully have had confirmation that my second (and last) batch are due to arrive with me Monday 2nd May.

I'm a big fan of the work that Neil of NRG Effects does. If you have ever attended a guitar show where Neil has exhibited, I'm sure you'll know that his enthusiasm for the circuits he creates is infectious, which reflects in his work too! 

Alongside PedalPatch, Neil is hosting a 'Build YOur Own Effects Pedal' experience! Which when I heard about it, I felt it was well worth sharing on my blog/site in case any readers fancied signing up. Neil has specifically designed a pedal circuit for the class, and you'll be building alongside his guidance in person, with the first event being held on SATURDAY 14TH JUNE 2025 in Newhaven, East Sussex.

Knowing Neil, you won't just be making a pedal, you'll be learning vital information about how and why the components were selected and the overall process too. Much better than just buying a kit I'm sure of it. If it sounds of interest, be sure to click HERE to learn more about the workshop, and any upcoming workshops too!