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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!
The reason I'm obsessed with Baritone guitars recently...

The reason I'm obsessed with Baritone guitars recently...

Aside from playing Millimetric Instrument's beautiful MGSB3 baritone guitar at Holy Grail Guitar Show in May, which has really stuck with me. This track by Bibio has been a sound I've come back to time and time again. Wonderfully interlacing guitar parts, and here played beautifully in a live session. Enjoy
James P Gascoigne
UFO TAKEOVER Shirt update!

UFO TAKEOVER Shirt update!

Just a quick update on our fresh fundraising shirt for Mind Charity! Over half of all shirts arriving have been pre-ordered which is amazing, so thank you to everyone so far!
The shirts are due to arrive this week! (Week beginning 1st October) So I'll be dispatching all pre-orders first, and orders from then on will be dispatched as soon as orders are placed.

THE UFO TONE TAKEOVER! - Our 2018 Mind Charity Official Home of Tone shirt is now available for Pre-Order!

THE UFO TONE TAKEOVER! - Our 2018 Mind Charity Official Home of Tone shirt is now available for Pre-Order!

After the brilliant success of the first Mind Charity fundraising shirt, raising a total of £500 for the charity. The brilliant shirt designed by ODFU Clothing went down so well and I received so many requests to release another, so here we are with the 2nd ODFU x HoT Charity shirt.

Continuing the story of our little UFO, it's taking over your home and rig!
James P Gascoigne
Home of Tone Record of the Week - Deftones' Diamond Eyes

Home of Tone Record of the Week - Deftones' Diamond Eyes

Deftones were a band that emerged to many in the 'Nu Metal' era around the late 90s/early 00s, with their albums Adrenaline, Around the Fur and White Pony. Their sound, for me anyway, separated them from the pack. Chino's vocal lines following unique melodies over the commanding guitar parts. I loved their sound and were one of the very few bands to stand the test of time through that era without sounded dated or defined by that breakout metal era.

Diamond Eyes, released in 2010 absolutely floored me. Hypnotic guitar parts from guitarist Stephan Carpenter armed with his array of 7 & 8 String guitars (to name a few, Stephan is known for using an array live and in the studio) simply had me hooked from the first listen and I still binge on this record until now. I've had this record in my car solidly for the past few weeks and it's such a good metal record. For me it's so much more than that, which Deftones have the habit of doing!

James.
James P Gascoigne
Home of Tone Record of the week - Seth Lee Jones' Live at The Colony

Home of Tone Record of the week - Seth Lee Jones' Live at The Colony

You may remember a little while back I shared a go fund me campaign set-up by incredible musician and luthier, Seth lee Jones, to help raise the funds to make his first record possible. Well due to the great following he has, he soon smashed the required target and was able to produce and release his first record! Live at The Colony is as the name suggests, a live recording from one of his regular residencies at The Colony, a Tulsa based music venue. This is a 6 track record packed full of the most incredible slide guitar work you're likely to hear, not just in the blues genre. Seth's voice is authentic, soulful and suits his unreal guitar playing perfectly. The back cover shows his trusty SLJ Telecaster, along with it's McNelly Stagger Swagger and Duel Blade pickups and monstrous Hipshot bender tailpiece. Seth is the master of this B-Bender style tailpiece, which has three levers situated on the A, G & B strings.

He's an absolute monster of a guitar player, and I'm so glad to have it on CD now after spending so many years enjoying his instagram, facebook and YouTube clips. 

James.
James P Gascoigne
Home of Tone Record of the week - Ariel Posen's Fade

Home of Tone Record of the week - Ariel Posen's Fade

I've decided to feature something a little different to my usual album of the week, as this just got released and it sounds wayyy too good to not share! Friend of the Home of Tone, the incredible Ariel Posen has been woo-ing us for quite some time with his work in the Bros Landreth band and he's here with the first of his solo singles, Fade.
'More than' Yellowcake Fried Gold overdrive demo from 15 Second Gear Demos

'More than' Yellowcake Fried Gold overdrive demo from 15 Second Gear Demos

I'm not sure whether I've shared this great video on the blog before, so here it is! Dan Hall from 15 Second Gear Demo who does some superb video demos of pedals and gear, featured the Yellowcake Fried Gold Overdrive that I stock in the UK, on his 'More Than' video series. This is a superb representation of what the pedal can do, with rhythm and lead playing and a few different guitar/pickup types. Exactly what you want from a demo!
Home of Tone Record of the week - Kurt Vile's b'lieve i'm goin down...

Home of Tone Record of the week - Kurt Vile's b'lieve i'm goin down...

Kurt Vile's seemingly free falling guitar parts, meandering vocals and country-indie esq sound is something I've fell completely in love with. I was pretty late to the game with his music, but have truly been making up for it ever since particularly with b'lieve I'm goin down.. being right up there as one of my most listened to albums of recent years.
James P Gascoigne
How to Guide - Fitting a Pre-Wired Harness to a Stratocaster!

How to Guide - Fitting a Pre-Wired Harness to a Stratocaster!

With every pre-wired harness I ship out, I supply a handy fitting guide with tips and key points to follow to make the install go smoothly as well as a simple to follow wiring diagram. But, understandably of course, sometimes translating that info to the real world when the soldering iron is smoldering away can be a little daunting if you're not used to it. So I've wanted to create a step-by-step guide to fitting one of my Home of Tone pre-wired Stratocaster harnesses! 
Seb from Ground Control Audio on The Guitar Knobs Podcast!

Seb from Ground Control Audio on The Guitar Knobs Podcast!

This is a great way to learn more about the world of Ground Control Audio direct from Seb himself, as he was featured on the latest Guitar Knobs Podcast!
NPD! - I finally own a Zvex Instant lo-fi junky!

NPD! - I finally own a Zvex Instant lo-fi junky!

I've been lusting after this pedal for quite some time and I'm very happy indeed to say I finally own one! So, if you're unfamiliar with it, I'll explain a little more and also share why I wanted one on my board.

Having enjoyed the music of Boards of Canada and Bibio for example, I've found myself captivated by some of the guitar sounds across their album catalogs. Beautifully hypnotic, warbly lo-fi guitar tones which I've fancied attempting to re-create at home for some time but not really known how to achieve it...