Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Strange Phenomena Jacket

Here it is in all its glory, the jacket cover for my newest release, "Strange Phenomena." It was designed by my friend Phil, the proprieter of Kore Creative, one of the most inovative advertising/design companies in the world and located in England. I like it; It looks a little mysterious (perfect considering the title) and for once it isn't a big photo of me! Soon to be released so be on the lookout.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

NAMM 2008

Spent January 17th through the 20th working at the NAMM show in Anaheim. I was demonstrating at the KTS/Xotic booth. KTS was showing their new tremolo blocks and saddles and Xotic, their guitars and brand new BB Plus pre-amp. A bunch of people came by to hang out and check out the new stuff; here I am with Andy Timmons (ex: Danger Danger) and Vinnie Moore (UFO). A lot of noise but it is always good to catch up with old friends and new gear.

My take on the gear shown: Vintage (type) guitars, effects and amps are in as well as seven and eight string basses. Kind of funny I thought, bassists are going for more and guitarists are shooting for less. Low watt amps are the rage now and everything for guitar is labeled as new-old, new-vintage and/or relic. Bass is over the top, meaning loud, long and strung with nothing less than seven strings. Bassists must be going through the stage guitarists went through in the 80's which tells me that within the next ten years vintage (type) basses will be back in style (meaning four stringed) and guitar will be back to shred (yikes). As usual, Drums are the same.