Home of Tone Blog
A new name to the Home of Tone family, Ground Control Audio!
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!
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...
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
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.
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.
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.
Holy Grail Show Feature - Deimel Guitarworks - Creating the next generation of luthier?
I've been to a lot of guitar shows in my time, both as a customer and as an exhibitor, and you think you've seen it all. That is until I walked up to the Deimel table at the Holy Grail Show. What makes it different you ask? The artist painted offsets, vivid colours and crazy pickups? To an extent yes, but ultimately it was the Deimel family that made me smile first. Involving their kids in what the husband and wife team do, came across to me as if it was as important as the guitars themselves. After chatting with them both about it, it would seem this is very much the case. Even giving them their own 'jobs' over the weekend, like official photographer etc, so great! This is more meaningful than just doing cool stuff with your kids, to me this is getting a younger generation excited about the guitar. It's showing them that handmade is important in this day and age, and teaching them what can be created with your hands, tools, materials and probably most recognisable to kids, your imagination. Which clearly is something Frank and Kora at Deimel rely strongly on judging by their creative designs.
Holy Grail Show feature - Tom Sands Guitars - Apprentice to mentor.
The world of high end steel string luthiery is a deep pool of almost unfathomable talent. The bar has been set so high that it's difficult to imagine how you could even begin to be unique, how you could float to the top of that innovative and highly skilled pool. But Tom Sands has managed it, and set about proving it by launching his latest two designs at this year's Holy Grail Guitar Show, both of which wonderfully different to one another only tied by Tom's distinct style coming through and seemingly infinite abilities in luthiery.
Holy Grail Show feature - Jghg - Meeting a Jersey Girl, from Japan
Jghg (Jersey Girl Homemade Guitars) describe their instruments as compositions, and now I have had the honour of holding them in my own hands, I can see why. They're as fluid and creative as a beautiful musical composition, and executed with absolute finesse and perfection. I've been following this 4 luthier team from Japan for a while, out of pure awe for their unique looks. But upon finally seeing the three 'compositions' they had on display at the Holy Grail Guitar Show '18, I don't think I was quite prepared for just how exquisite their work truly is. This is the next level surely?
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!
Home of Tone interview by 'Squid Guitar'!
Hal from Squid Guitar reached out about doing a written interview, was nice to share some more about the Home of Tone! Hope you enjoy reading some further insight into what I do here, and why I love doing it!
Click HERE for the interview
Click HERE for the interview
Geeking out...with The Guitar Geek!
Just before the Guitar Show I was messaged by Andrew, who runs the brilliantly informative and varied YouTube channel, The Guitar Geek. I was really humbled to be asked to be part of his new series of videos named 'Geeking out', not only that but to be the first!
After getting chance to speak with Andrew, learn more about his channel and also now be part of his facebook group, I learnt that he has created a brilliantly supportive community for those of us that suffer with mental health issues. A place to be open, have a support network of understanding people all whilst sharing our mutual love of the guitar. It was an honour to be part of his new video series & talk about what I do here at the Home of Tone!
After getting chance to speak with Andrew, learn more about his channel and also now be part of his facebook group, I learnt that he has created a brilliantly supportive community for those of us that suffer with mental health issues. A place to be open, have a support network of understanding people all whilst sharing our mutual love of the guitar. It was an honour to be part of his new video series & talk about what I do here at the Home of Tone!
Meet the maker - Tom Sands
This series is somewhat self indulgent of me, I love discovering brands and guitar makers I've not come across prior, including that of the aspects of guitars I'm perhaps not familiar with either. I enjoy hearing about all the different luthiers approaches and influences, from a guitar geeks perspective it's really quite insightful. But one thing the series was lacking so far, was an acoustic guitar maker's thoughts.
Rewind about a year, and Nick Pourfard of Prisma Guitars asked me if I knew Tom Sands, an acoustic guitar maker friend of his. I hadn't sadly, and to my surprise he was UK based, and I was hooked instantly after a look at his website and media content. You could tell there was more than just guitars that Tom was influenced by. Super clean designs, that seemed to balance beautifully between pure functionality and getting the very best from each aspect of the instrument, to being incredibly aesthetically pleasing and unique. Over the course of the time first hearing of Tom's work, to speaking with him a little over social media, I knew he had to be the first acoustic guitar maker to join the Meet the Maker series and luckily he was keen too! So let's find out more about Tom, his influences, processes and work...
Rewind about a year, and Nick Pourfard of Prisma Guitars asked me if I knew Tom Sands, an acoustic guitar maker friend of his. I hadn't sadly, and to my surprise he was UK based, and I was hooked instantly after a look at his website and media content. You could tell there was more than just guitars that Tom was influenced by. Super clean designs, that seemed to balance beautifully between pure functionality and getting the very best from each aspect of the instrument, to being incredibly aesthetically pleasing and unique. Over the course of the time first hearing of Tom's work, to speaking with him a little over social media, I knew he had to be the first acoustic guitar maker to join the Meet the Maker series and luckily he was keen too! So let's find out more about Tom, his influences, processes and work...
Meet the maker - Florian Bouyou of Millimetric Instruments.
The work of Florian Bouyou first came to the attention by the tip off from a friend via the visual social world of Instagram. I wanted to note this in particular as the visual aspect of that media platform is reflective of what perhaps demands your attention when first gazing upon a Millimetric Instrument. Handbuilt in Canada by Florian, A hypnotically simplistic style and design greets you, and it is clear that there are so many more influences than just the guitar world behind these instruments and the Millimetric brand aesthetic.. I was really keen to learn more about that. I've personally been infatuated ever since, keen to see more of his work and to learn more of the brand, so I knew at some point I had to get Florian involved in my Meet the maker interview series. Luckily for me, Florian was happy to speak with me! So let's delve in, as I'm itching to learn more!
