Gear 3

Martin D-18

Gibson SG Junior

Gibson SG Junior

"Post Bankruptcy Gibson" 2019 Model

This guitar is a hot-rod.  It's great for slide, as a result.  I used it for The guitar solos on Singin The Blues, and for solos on Singin The Blues.  The stop-bar tailpiece, hard-mounted dog-ear P-90, and mahogany body combine to create a solid feeling and playing guitar.  The pick-up is hotter than the P-90's in the Special.  In addition to using this guitar on the I Can Shine Album, I've used it live, with The Pretty Ugly's, and with TruckerBomb.  I produced a video for the Two Kinds Of Light YouTube Channel which features this guitar, called "SG Junior Live".  Like the 2019 Special, Gibson got the necks on these guitars right.  They are more stable than SG's I've played in the past.  The neck on this particular SG is probably the best one I've ever played.  Click on the photo to see the video, or listen to it on Singin The Blues.

SG JR with TruckerBomb Live

Squier P Bass

Squier CV 70's Precision Bass

Squier

CV 70's Precision Bass

I'm one of those old dogs who remembers when the Squier line was introduced in the 80's. They were price-pointed at beginners and novices. I never gave them a second look.

Last year I tried all the various Fenders at my local shop, looking for a back-up for my (real) 1974 Jazz. Couldn't find anything that didn't feel 'too new', cold, or heavy. I decided to try a Squier and there it was- that warm, light, smooth, resonant feel I was used to in my old J-Bass. I knew I'd own a Squier soon.

Well, here's an ISS-serial (Sammick), Surf Green CV70's P.  The block inlays, narrow nut width, and thin neck are more reminiscent of a 70's J-Bass.  (The P-Bass had Dot Inlays in the 70's).  It's very Jazz Bass like, and maybe that's why I like it so much.  I read somewhere that the CV70's are arguably as good as a real 70's Fender. As a lifelong 74 Jazz player, I have to concur. You'll get to hear this guitar soon, on The Big Sky album.  You can hear it now on my recording of The Big Sky.

hear it on: "the big sky"

Marshall Artist 30

Marshall 3203

Marshall Artist 30

Model 3203

Built in the 80's presumably as a cost effective alternative to the 2204 and 2203 amps. Channel switching was in its infancy and this amp was one of the first to get it right. It was arguably the perfect gigging amp for Rock & Roll. Paired up with a Les Paul and a Strat, with the boost function, the sounds of most of the Hits of the day could be approximated with this rig. A little smaller and a little lighter than it's big brothers made it more gig friendly on those late night load-outs. At the same time, this amp could hang with the big boys and it'd roar in a way that could make any head banger proud. Then, when you got to the theater stages with the prima donna sound man telling you to turn down, this hybrid amp could do insane gain levels at practically a whisper.

Sligo Tweed Pro Amp

Sligo Amps Fender 5E5A Tweed Pro Clone

Sligo Tweed Pro Amp

Fender Clone of the 5E5A Circuit

This was an Ebay score.  Sligo was listing his builds there.  I contacted him (Steve Clark aka Sligo) and he built me this amp.  Mercury Magnetics Iron, some old tubes, and a 1966 Jensen Concert Speaker round out the package.  I did two Tweed Pro Amp video's featuring this amp, and you can hear Tex Burbank (aka Glenn Sherba) play some ripping slide thru this amp with my R8, on the songs:  Last Song, and Coming Home.  Nick Bracamonte (aka Tonewolf) looked it over and called it a "faithful clone", and pointed out that the components aren't your generic kit-build stuff.  Sligo put some good stuff in this amp.

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