Did you ever get to a point where your pedalboard has grown so crowded that you look like your doing the Mexican hat dance all night trying to execute pedal moves? Sometimes we get caught up with G.A.S. (gear acquisition syndrome) and try so many flavor of the month pedals, gizmos and gadgets we end up playing the gear instead of the music. I have been guilty of this on occasion.
Every so often I pretty much wipe my pedalboard clean and start over. I go through my pedals and put the ones I need for the gig back on the board. I also purposely limit myself to the bare bones of what I need so it forces me to be more creative on the gig.
Don’t get me wrong…pedals can be wonderful to change up your sound and add some neat effects to songs. I am totally not against them. But I often think about some of the greatest players with their sparse rigs and how incredibly expressive their playing is. A few for example, Danny Gatton, Jimmy Vaughan, Kenny Burrell…heck even Jimi Hendrix only had a half-a-handful of gadgets and no pedealboard..!! What’s up with that..?? Anyway, I have just wiped my board again and have re-loaded it with fewer pedals which will limit my “distractions”.This will keep me focused on my playing and force me to be more creative. Here is a clip of the late, great Roy Buchanan playing Jimi’s classic Hey Joe. Roy’s rig is a Telecaster and a Vibrolux Reverb…can’t get too much simpler. Check out how expressive he is, his phrasing and the loads of tones he gets from a really simple, straightforward rig. All I can say is awesome…!!!
My shop is located at 1 Executive Dr Unit L Toms River, NJ 08755
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or are in need of some tech work.
- Monday: 10am - 5pm
- Tuesday: 10am - 5pm
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 10am - 5pm
- Friday: 10am - 5pm
- Saturday 10am - 2pm. (I am in every other Saturday).
I am also an Eminence, Mercury Magnetics, Mojo Musical Supply dealer.
I do all the tech work myself so you deal directly with me. I am a one man shop and my hours can vary so please contact me to confirm that I will be open.
Email me: billy@300guitars.com
Call or text me: 848-218-0362
Shipping Info for all repair work:
Please ship all repairs to: 1 Executive Dr Unit L Toms River, NJ 08755
I am currently offering all phases of guitar work which includes:
- Set-ups
- Fret dressing
- Re-fretting
- New hand cut custom bone nuts & saddles
- Electronics work
And amplifier work which includes:
- Basic maintenance
- Bias adjustment
- Repairs and restorations
- Modifications
- And more....
Testimonials:
David Nicholas - The 20watt amp is sounding fantastic! Delivered the goods at the gig and I'm finding cool tones all over the place with it. Love the cab w Emenince Tonkerlites too- perfect for my sounds! Makes the 12 string sound like a grand piano!
Peter Lacis - I had an audition for something recently that was all about Led Zeppelin I -- my custom Pennalizer BLEW THE MINDS of the guys I was playing with. They couldn't believe the sounds coming out of that amp. That album was never in my mind when I came up with the idea....so that's yet another testament to the amazing work that you do.
Scott Goldberg - I am very satisfied with the set-up, and the fast turn around. With the "lower" action it feels easier to play. I will definitely spread the word.