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Meet the... makers? - Chad & Devin of Jennings Guitars

Meet the... makers? - Chad & Devin of Jennings Guitars

Originality, and familiarity. Often something that's very hard to capture well. But it's something I've always felt Jennings Guitars have managed with their instruments. There's a real sense of familiarity with the aesthetic, they have a classic look but in no means do they replicate. They've always caught my eye for this reason, and have enjoyed following their work for some time now. 

Chad Jennings reached out to me in the early parts of this year and we spoke on the phone a number of times which was great to be able to do with someone on the other side of the world. What struck me was firstly their passion for what they do, but also through discussing methods and ideas that they have an incredibly high attention to detail which shown that the beautiful photos of their instruments, branding and way they present themselves and their work is absolutely no fluke. This is their strong vision on what they want Jennings to be, and it's been a great experience learning more about that. It got me thinking, we need to do a Meet the Maker for these guys! But, being the first 2 man team I've considered interviewing, I thought it was important to involve them both so both Chad and Devin joined me for this and share their thoughts and processes on all things Jennings!
14 October, 2018 by James P Gascoigne
Tags: Blog Californian guitar company Chad Jennings Guitar Guitar blog Guitar maker Guitar makers Interview Jennings Guitar Jennings Guitars Jennings Guitars interview Luthier interview Meet the maker Meet the makers
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Meet the maker - Mike Wiltshire of Odessa Guitars

Meet the maker - Mike Wiltshire of Odessa Guitars

I feel this is an exciting time to be a fan of guitar design. Sure, there have been many pivotal moments in time where the guitar excelled through both technology and music generational influence too. But for me, we should be thankful for what is happening at the moment, with a rise of the 'boutique' guitar maker paving the way for outside of the box thinking which even the big name manufacturers are paying attention too. 

I've highlighted a few through this interview series who have certainly began to make their mark in the modern guitar world, and have helped fueled my passion and excitement for the business and industry currently. I'm happy to say that one of them, Mike Wiltshire of Odessa Guitars, has agreed to an interview here on the Home of Tone blog!

Odessa Guitars are simplistic in their beauty, with great lines, offset inspired shapes and display Mike's obvious love for guitar making. I'm really glad we could do this interview, and looking forward to learning more about his great, UK based guitar brand!
04 October, 2018 by James P Gascoigne
Tags: Boutique Guitar UK Custom built guitar UK guitar blog Guitar maker interview Handmade guitar UK Handmade Guitars UK interview Luthier interview luthier UK Meet the maker Mike Wiltshire interview Odessa DeadBeat Odessa Degenerate Odessa Guitar Odessa Guitar UK Odessa Guitars Odessa Guitars Interview Odessa Guitars Review Odessa Guitars UK Odessa Guitars website offset guitar UK Offset guitars UK UK Boutique Guitar UK Boutique Guitars UK Electric Guitar UK Guitar maker UK Luthier
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The most incredible guitar show around the world? Quite possibly...

The most incredible guitar show around the world? Quite possibly...

I'll be putting together some more in depth coverage of my weekend spent at The Holy Grail Guitar Show held in Berlin, which was a mind opening experience. But in the mean time I couldn't help but post this photo which sums up the weekend for me...

Friends, mutual respect and admiration, energy and passion for the guitar and in particular, the craft of guitar making. That is what I've come away from this incredible show feeling, inspired by it all. There's nothing quite like it and it was pretty inspiring seeing such a vast collection of what makes me excited about the guitar some 20+ years on since first getting hooked.

The incredibly talented, Tom Sands Guitars hanging out at the Millimetric Instruments table, getting to know the insane Baritone version of their MGS3 model. The avid follower of my blog will note there have been 'Meet the Maker' interviews by myself on both of these luthiers, so it was great to all get together.

Stay tuned for my full coverage of the event, over on Instagram, Facebook and of course, here too!

07 May, 2018 by James P Gascoigne
Tags: Guitar blog Guitar show Holy Grail 2018 Holy Grail Guitar Show Holy Grail Guitar Show Berlin Holy Grail Guitar Show coverage Holy Grail show coverage Millimetric Millimetric Instruments Tom Sands Tom Sands Guitars
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Thinking of swapping your pickups? - A handy guide for new tone hunters!

Thinking of swapping your pickups? - A handy guide for new tone hunters!

Changing your guitar's pickups can prove to be a brilliantly cost effective way of transforming the sound of your guitar, and also a way of bringing out the best in your instrument. For so many it has been the first port of call in modifying their guitar and changing their sound. Perhaps you're planning on tweaking a more entry level Squier for example, chances are that you love how the guitar feels and plays but it's low quality pickups just don't quite do the job. This can sometimes even be the case with higher value instruments and it's existing pickups just simply don't fit the bill for you, be it personal tastes etc.
06 March, 2017 by James P Gascoigne
Tags: Beginners guide to guitar pickups Blog filterton Pickups UK Fitting Guide gearnerds Geartalk gearwire Gold Foil Guitar Blog Guitar magazine Guitar Pickup Guitar Pickups handmade Handmade Filterton Pickups Handmade pickups Home of Tone Blog Humbucker Humbuckers James' Home of Tone James' Home of Tone Blog McNelly McNelly Bass Pickups McNelly Pickups McNelly Pickups Review McNelly Pickups UK McNelly UK P90 P90 Pickups PAF Single Coil Single Coils Soapbar Pickups Upgrading my guitar pickups Upgrading pickups
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Vintage Guitar Feature - Ben's 'Birth Year' Prized Jazzmaster

In chatting to a few players and fellow gear heads like myself over the years, the idea of owning 'birth year' guitars has cropped up a few times. Finding a guitar made the same year as yourself has a pretty cool appeal, especially if it's still affordable to do so (Sorry to those born in 1958/59!! Not so cheap for yourselves!). But for friend and customer of ours, Ben, something cropped up for sale which simply had to come home with him. 
15 October, 2016 by James P Gascoigne
Tags: 1970s Fender Jazzmaster 1970s Jazzmaster 1977 Fender 1977 Fender Jazzmaster Fender Fender Jazzmaster Fender Jazzmaster Parts UK Guitar blog Guitar Magazine Guitar Restoration Guitarists Anonymous Home of Tone Home of Tone Blog Home of Tone Jazzmaster Jazzmaster Jazzmaster Parts UK Jensen Capacitors Offset Corner Offset Fender Offset Guitars Round Core Strings Stay Trem Vintage Jazzmaster
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Meet The Maker - Social Distortion to Luthiery, a chat Drew Walsh of Walsh Guitars

Meet The Maker - Social Distortion to Luthiery, a chat Drew Walsh of Walsh Guitars

I began to notice a bit of a transition in the guitar market over over the last few years. One that saw guitar buyers yearning for something a little different to the norm. Instrument designs that perhaps break the conventional molds, and I think the times we are in at the moment, those alternative choices available have never been better. 
02 September, 2016 by James P Gascoigne
Tags: Boutique boutique guitars Guitar Blog Guitar Build Guitar Mag Guitar magazine guitar maker Guitar Talk Guitarists Anonymous Home of Tone Home of Tone Blog Home of Tone Doxa Home of Tone Walsh Guitar Home of Tone Walsh Guitars James' Home of Tone James' Home of Tone Blog Japanese Guitar Les Paul Les Paul Custom Live Music luthier luthier interview mcnelly McNelly Pickups UK Music Blog Product Test Relic Strat Stratocaster Sunburst Telecaster tonemob Walsh Walsh Demo Walsh DOXA Walsh Guitar Walsh Guitar Demo Walsh Guitars Walsh Guitars Doxa Walsh Guitars Review Walsh Tele Walsh Telecaster
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Guitarists Anonymous - Semi-Hollow but full of life, my old Heritage H535

Guitarists Anonymous - Semi-Hollow but full of life, my old Heritage H535

The response from fellow 'Guitarists Anonymous' members about my trusty No.1 Strat blog post was incredible. Thanks to everyone for checking it out. I figured it'd be nice to follow it up with a spotlight on another of my guitars which lies close to my heart, one that is continually a fighter for that No.1 top spot. My 1995 Heritage H535.
14 August, 2016 by James P Gascoigne
Tags: 335 Blog british blues guitarist ES-335 Gabriel Strings Gabriel Tenorio Gabriel Tenorio String Co Gabriel Tenorio String company gabriel Tenorio strings UK Gabriel Tenorio Strings UK Dealer gearnerds Geartalk gearwire Gibson Gibson ES335 Guitar Blog Guitar Talk Guitarists Anonymous H535 handmade Handmade Guitar Heritage Heritage Guitars Heritage H535 Home of Tone Home of Tone Blog Kalamazoo McNelly Pickups UK
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