During my recent visit to Maui I managed to get some time with grammy-award winning musician Garrett Probst for an introduction to the wonderful world of Hawaiian slack key guitar. 

Fully equipped with a pair of Grimes Beamer model guitars…

I’ve really enjoyed exploring high-strung guitar as a texture in the studio. So much so that I’ve managed to sneak it into some unlikely places!

The time had come for me to get this guitar back into standard tuning but…

I had reviewed Sascha Greuter’s beautiful pedals for guitar.com a while ago and it was a real pleasure to get to know his Vibe pedal a little better.

This is a proper Univibe style pedal with an internal light…

Following on from the Grimes Beamer model I showed you last time, here is another beautiful guitar design - the Grimes Freehand Parlor. This one is made from Brazilian Kingwood and Cedar. 

This asymmetrical body with a 14-fret neck makes…

A guitar belonging to the late, great Jeff Beck went under the hammer at Bonhams Auctioneers in London this week and it was a thrill to be invited to see this important instrument up close. 

This Graffiti Yellow Strat was…

What a way to start my time in Hawaii. The Grimes Beamer model is a twin-soundhole full-voiced instrument originally based on a guitar that Steve Grimes repaired for Hawaiian slack key legend Keola Beamer in the 1980s. 

The Beamer is…

Yes, I admit it, I buggered off to a tropical paradise with scarcely a look back. 

Honestly, it doesn’t take much - an email from one of the world’s greatest luthiers with the subject Come To Maui will do the…

Episode 2 of my podcast for Fretboard Journal Life On The Fretboard is now live and my guest is the sensational acoustic guitar talent Jon Gomm!

Jon and I first met in 2001 and a lot has happened since then…

Quite frankly it's a relief to share after carrying this secret with me for so many years. I do try and keep this to myself but every so often it hits me and it's hard to shake. 

I am obsessed…

I am often asked how to create a huge acoustic guitar sound in the studio - in particular for full band mixes. There are several tricks that I employ and I reveal them in this lovingly crafted video just for…

Continuing my exploration of unfamiliar musical textures here is a moment with a 1931 Gibson L-00 in original factory black. What a spectacular guitar!

There is so much to talk about in this new series - I’m still formulating my…

I’m going through an exploratory phase at the moment - seeking out different sounds and textures, expanding my range. This is an ongoing process and I would recommend that all guitarists spend time getting to know different guitars. 

I have…