Inspired by...

Just a few of the artists and bands that have inspired me as a guitar player:

Anberlin

Death Cab for Cutie

John Mayer

Coldplay

Jack White

The Raconteurs

Keith Urban

Switchfoot

John Mark McMillan

Mae

Hillsong 

Led-Zeppelin

I'm inspired by sound. The kind of sound that sends chills down your spine and into your feet. It's kind of like the first time you heard the intro to "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. You just new it was going to be a good song. Or when John Mayer slides into the hook for "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room."

Sometimes I crave to acquire a certain precise, exact tone, or the complete opposite: wanting something completely different. It's rare that I hear a "new" mind blowing sound from a guitar that is completely and totally, originally unique. Legendary guitarists like Jimmy Page, Hendrix, David Gilmour, Brad Paisley, Mark Tremonti, Vince Gill, and John Mayer all have there signature sound. There's nothing new under the sun...or is there?

That question drives guitar players mad. It's like working with probability. There are so many different ways to connect different guitars through different effects in a different signal path through different amps. A same pedal or guitar ABd between a Marshall and a Fender will sound very different. It all depends on what inspires you. 

Lately, I've been missing a pedal that I had for years.

MXR Distortion III

- listen here -

I recently watched a rundown of Keith Urban's guitar rig. His guitar tech said that his rig was constantly changing as far as the set up and pedals. They run through the bradshaw system midi foot controller that feeds back into a rack unit that houses all the effects. The tech went through all the pedals saying Keith is constantly changing out pedals, but he said that the MXR Distortion III has been a staple on the board and has been there since the beginning. Needless to say, I want it back. Great saturated drive that really does an amazing job of maintaining the low end without getting muddy. Check it out.