Home of Tone Blog

Home of Tone Record of the week - Covet, effloresce

July 19, 2018 — James P Gascoigne

This week's record choice was a simple one indeed, Covet's Effloresce. With the CD dropping through my letterbox after eagerly placing my pre-order a few weeks ago, I was really looking forward to diving into this new release from creative three-piece and it didn't disappoint. A somewhat short album featuring 6 tracks and kicking off with a personal obsession, Shibuya. The whole band is a joy to listen to, but you can't help as a guitar player but be in awe of guitarist Yvette Young's somewhat piano like playing, blending fingerstyle, tapping, chord and lead work beautifully together from the start to finish of this record.

Home of Tone Record of the week - Gareth Hardwick, 'Sunday Afternoon'

July 13, 2018 — James P Gascoigne

Tagged: Gareth Hardwick Home of Tone Record of the week

Ambient music is something I really enjoy listening to. The soundscapes giving your brain chance to clear, yet also chance to think, but I also find it quite inspiring and always intriguing how something so seemingly simple can be so hard to get 'right'. One record that most definitely has been beautifully done is Gareth Hardwick's Sunday Afternoon. I first came across this record by chance, as a record store website I used to frequently visit happened to show it on the front page and I was drawn in by the photography on the front sleeve. After reading a little more into it, new to Gareth Hardwick, I was sold upon reading it was two parts recorded live as a sole take only with his lapsteel. Absolutely un-rushed, with beautiful overtones which despite it's simplicity which may be too simple for some, create a sound of a record I come back to time and time again. Great for giving the brain some space to breathe a bit!

New Squier Bronco bass upgrade kit!

July 9, 2018 — James P Gascoigne

Tagged: Bronco bass bronco bass pickup bronco bass pickup mod Bronco bass upgrade Bronco bass upgrade kit Bronco bass upgrades bronco bass wiring bronco bass wiring harness McNelly bass pickups McNelly bronco bass pickup Squier Bronco Squier Bronco bass Squier Bronco bass mod Squier Bronco bass pickup Squier bronco bass pickup change Squier Bronco bass pickup mod Squier bronco bass upgrade kit Squier bronco bass wiring Squier bronco bass wiring kit Squier Bronco mod Squier Bronco modding Squier Bronco upgrade

My wife recently expressed an interest in learning bass, and like many of us, I certainly couldn't turn down an opportunity to hunt for new gear! There has been a bass in our home before, in the form of a beautiful Shoreline Gold Squier PJ bass which was a lovely thing but was sadly sold during a cull. We did recall that she realy didn't like picking that one up though due to the size, being a 'full' scale P bass at 34", so perhaps a short scale would be the way to go...

Home of Tone record of the week - Khruangbin, 'Con Todo El Mundo'

July 6, 2018 — James P Gascoigne

Tagged: Home of Tone record of the week Khruangbin Music

Firstly I'd like to welcome you the first of a new little blog feature I'll be doing weekly, sharing my favourite office sounds from the week. I've decided to do this for a number of reasons, the main one being that sometimes it's just really nice to truly take in what we're listening to, how it inspires, relaxes or guides the mood we're in.

Meet the maker - Nicolai of Schorr Guitars

June 27, 2018 — James P Gascoigne

Tagged: luthier luthier interview Meet the maker meet the maker interviews Nicolai Schorr Nicolai Schorr guitars Nicolai Schorr interview Schorr Schorr Guitars Schorr Guitars interview

In recent years, I've really craved the unique. The guitar is a wonderful tool and outlet for musical creativity, but as the years go by and I see more and more of the same iconic guitars hanging in shops and at guitar shows, my desire to seek out 'different' is really becoming an obsession. The guitar has become more than just a tool for musical creativity to me. I was introduced to Nicolai's guitars by Florian of Millimetric Instruments, and I was captivated by the design and unique approach to every detail. It was clear there was more than just a guitar based background in Nicolai's designs and after being lucky enough to attend the Holy Grail Guitar Show this year and seeing his guitars in person, I knew I had to get him involved in my 'Meet the maker' series to learn more. So I welcome Nicolai Schorr of Schorr Guitars!

Jennings luthier stories...

June 22, 2018 — James P Gascoigne

Tagged: Jennings Jennings Guitars Jennings Guitars UK

Jennings Guitars have a really interesting couple of new videos out, of both Chad and Devin talking through their love of building guitars. These guys show real passion for what they do, and ultimately that comes through in their instruments. For those in the UK keen to try a Jennings Guitar out for themselves, then you're in luck. As two guitars from the guys will be arriving soon and you can come and try them out! If you're in the London area too, we'll be at the London International Guitar Show after the summer, and if they haven't sold already I'll have them with me at the show!

The Fretboard Journal - Interview with Florian of Millimetric

June 10, 2018 — James P Gascoigne

Tagged: Millimetric Millimetric instruments Millimetric Instruments UK Millimetric UK dealer

I always enjoy reading interviews with luthiers, and it's always great to delve into their world especially when their work is offered here in my store. I've just read through this great interview with Florian of Millimetric, one of our latest brands to join the Home of Tone, with the brilliant Fretboard Journal!

Well worth a read. Check out the interview HERE

Jennings Guitars 2018 video teaser

June 5, 2018 — James P Gascoigne

Tagged: Jennings Guitar Jennings Guitar UK Jennings Guitars Jennings Guitars UK Jennings Guitars UK dealer Jennings UK dealer

I've just caught this teaser video from the guys at Jennings Guitars and it has only further increased my level of excitement about the two guitars they have built for us here at the Home of Tone. It won't be too long before they arrive, so this teaser couldn't be more apt for me!

A new name to the Home of Tone family, Ground Control Audio!

June 3, 2018 — James P Gascoigne

Tagged: Blood Oath Pedal Boutique Guitar pedals UK Boutique Pedals UK Ground Control Audio Ground Control Audio UK Ground Control Pedals Ground Control Pedals UK Locust Pedal Pedal Pedal Shop UK pedal show UK Pedals Serpens Pedal

Ground Control Audio caught my eye after seeing a few videos over on one of my favourite demo channels, Living Room Gear Demos, and I had to learn more about these beautiful looking enclosures.

Turns out the owner of GCA, Sebastien, is good friends with another of the brands we represent here at the Home of Tone, Florian of Millimetric! So the connection was a natural one, and after some browsing I ordered Sebastien's 'Blood Oath' low/mid gain overdrive pedal for my own pedal board. After speaking with Seb, we decided to work together in business meaning the awesome GCA pedals are now available here in the UK, at James' Home of Tone!

Rumblings from California...

May 31, 2018 — James P Gascoigne

Tagged: Jennings Jennings guitar for sale UK Jennings Guitars Jennings Guitars UK Jennings UK Jennings Voyager Jennings Voyager UK

I've been super excited about the Jennings Guitars builds that Chad and Devin have been working on for us here in the UK, and today saw the first teasing glimpse of one of the guitars at the final stage. Oh my! It's a stunning semi hollow Voyager model, with a pair of McNelly 'StaggerTron' and 'Sparkletron' pickups, mastery bridge and trem and a wonderfully finished guitar in a mid stain with binding. I'm in love already. Keep posted for more information about this guitar, and Jennings in general!

Holy Grail Show Feature - Millimetric Instruments

May 20, 2018 — James P Gascoigne

Tagged: Holy Grail Holy Grail 2018 Holy Grail Guitar Show Holy Grail Guitar Show Berlin Holy Grail Guitar Show coverage Holy Grail Show Holy Grail show coverage millimetric millimetric guitars Millimetric instruments millimetric interview

I think I can quite comfortably say, that the Holy Grail Guitar Show is the one true home to the boutique guitar world. Every one of the 130+ luthiers exhibiting over the course of the two sunny Spring days in Berlin were providing a masterclass in quality craftsmanship and innovative design. To me, one of those luthiers helping provide a fresh take on guitar design and building techniques, was Florian Schneider of Millimetric Instruments.
Back in March I interviewed Florian for my 'Meet the Maker' series and it only further deepened my intrigue into his work. To many, the guitars look like the hybrid of simplistic Scandinavian furniture, Travis Bean guitars and to some I've heard say, Danelectro too. But the natural instinct to 'pigeon hole' the aesthetic style of these instruments is almost overshadowed by Florian's incredibly well thought out design and attention to detail in every aspect of the build. We talked about his techniques and influences in the interview back in March, so perhaps now it's time to look more specifically at the instruments themselves, and after quite some time adoring these guitars online, it was finally my chance to hold one in my hands. What did I think? Well, let's get to the details and find out.

Holy Grail Show Feature - Schorr Guitars - Defying convention.

May 14, 2018 — James P Gascoigne

Tagged: Guitar Holy Grail Holy Grail 2018 Holy Grail Guitar Show Holy Grail Guitar Show Berlin Holy Grail Guitar Show coverage Holy Grail Show Holy Grail show coverage Schorr Schorr Guitar Schorr Guitars

I love Nicolai's opening sentence on the 'about' section of his website. "I have a strange affection for guitars. Schorr guitars is my way of dealing with it.". I think that is a perfect introduction to delving into his creative instruments and way of approaching the guitar. Nicolai's designs are inviting. I think they ignite curiosity, be it the simplistic shape, petite sizes, exposed wiring components or sliding pickups. This is surely something that can't be passed by, and to me anyway, are as much a work of art as they are a playable instrument, combining almost industrial aesthetics into such a clean style. Heading towards the Holy Grail Show, this was a luthier I was really looking forward to meeting.

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