A couple of weeks ago I was invited to join one of my favourite internet friends Adam Levy (Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman) to watch John Mayer in solo concert supported by Madi Cunningham.
It was an absolute joy to…
Read moreApr 12 2024
A couple of weeks ago I was invited to join one of my favourite internet friends Adam Levy (Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman) to watch John Mayer in solo concert supported by Madi Cunningham.
It was an absolute joy to…
Read moreApr 5 2024
I've been thinking this over - but I believe I may have a solution
Until next time, stay tuned
Michael
Mar 29 2024
I find the idea of alternative approaches to acoustic guitar design and construction methods to be absolutely fascinating. While most of my experience over the years comes in the form of alternative woods
and cool designs
The idea of a…
Read moreMar 26 2024
It’s been fascinating to get some quality time with an Emerald Guitars X20 model - AND here is a no-talking demo for you to enjoy. The track is Between Streets and it's all one take.
As always there is no…
Read moreMar 26 2024
James Collins makes beautiful electric solid and hollow body guitars from his workshop in East Sussex and I had the pleasure of spending time with his Sapphire GTO model - a semi-hollow guitar made from flame maple and featuring a…
Read moreMar 22 2024
Some time ago I borrowed a superb Casimi guitar from a friend. While it was with me I filmed several videos and during one of them an improvised idea popped out.
I had forgotten all about this little idea until…
Read moreMar 22 2024
When people ask me to recommend a versatile acoustic guitar my mind always goes to the slope shoulder dreadnought design.
From the Gibson J-45 and J-50 models to their equivalents by Bourgeois, Collings, Santa Cruz Guitars and others - these…
Read moreMar 13 2024
I’ve been spending some time with a Taylor 314ce LTD - a strictly limited edition guitar that Taylor Guitars have launched to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Sapelle and torrified spruce - very nice too.
Taylor are no longer the young…
Read moreMar 5 2024
I have a lifelong fascination with fuzz pedals and I always welcome the chance to try a new one - especially when it comes as highly regarded as the KING FUZZ by Bigfoot Engineering.
While the controls couldn’t be simpler…
Read moreFeb 29 2024
I’ve always been fascinated by the slightly wild classic acoustic guitar sound from live sessions by Yusuf/Cat Stevens
Bill Withers
David Bowie
A lot of what I’ve seen in these recordings goes against everything I’ve been taught about sound engineering…
Read moreFeb 22 2024
I love getting the chance to share a beautiful vintage guitar - and this Martin D28 from 1951 is a wonderful example!
Despite my love of luthier-made modern instruments I do have a lot of affection for early 20th century…
Read moreFeb 21 2024
Gibson have revamped their London HQ and it was a pleasure to attend a private viewing prior to the official launch.
Join me for a look at the acoustic room
Murphy Lab wall
Made to measure area
And more!
Until…
Read moreFeb 16 2024
Welcome to The Dusk Session - as I got more familiar with this new instrument I decided to leave the cameras rolling while I played through single take performances of three original pieces.
The light was fading and the wind…
Read moreFeb 15 2024
It was a joy to catch up with my friend Derek Gripper while I was in Cape Town. Derek is a sensational guitarist who plays the Cora music of Mali on a vintage Hauser classical guitar.
I visited Derek at…
Read moreFeb 8 2024
Join me and Matthias Roux and Matthew Rice of Casimi Guitars for an in-depth chat about the creation of my new instrument at the Casimi Guitars workshop in Cape Town South Africa.
We talk about the first time we met…
Read moreFeb 7 2024
The first full piece on my new Casimi guitar was Birdseye - I don’t know why, it just felt right. My hands were shaking and there are moments where I have to pause for a second to try and understand…
Read moreJan 19 2024
Cape Town South Africa January 2024.
The first notes on a new instrument that has been 3 years in the making but represents a decade of friendship with Matthew Rice and Matthias Roux of Casimi Guitars.
The guitar is still…
Read moreDec 15 2023
I have been in full rehearsal mode following the news that my new instrument by Casimi Guitars of South Africa is now ready!
In this video you can get a behind the scenes look at some fascinating parts of the…
Read moreDec 15 2023
I’ve been practising intensely recently and during one session I decided to keep my cameras rolling - sometimes it helps to see what you’re doing after you’ve done it.
I managed to capture this performance of a newer piece Three…
Read moreDec 2 2023
It's been over 10 years since I got my Kostal Modified Dreadnought and since the arrival of my Signature model - The MDW - some years later I have had lots of requests to do a comparison of the two…
Read moreNov 22 2023
I’ve had a lot of requests to look at some of my approach to harmonics - thank you to everyone who has been in touch.
The reward for your patience is this new video where I look at the harmonic…
Read moreNov 22 2023
Archtop and flat top guitars - what are the sonic differences? I get this question a lot and what better way to answer it than with two instruments by one of the world’s finest luthiers - Kim Walker.
There is…
Read moreNov 10 2023
Early 20th century Gibson acoustics with dead strings? I know many players have found timbral nirvana with the combination of a guitar that is around 100 years old and uncoated strings that were last changed during the Reagan administration. This…
Read moreNov 10 2023
It’s a little bit Nick Drake, a little bit John Martyn but mostly Michael Watts - this is a run through of a new original piece - it may not be the definitive version but I like it and I…
Read more