Primary Guitars:
I use the "Big Four" for most of my work: Les Paul, 335, Strat and Tele. My Les Paul is a '58 Historic Reissue and my 335 is a '59 Historic Reissue. All of my F-style guitars are made by James Tyler www.tylerguitars.com. I have had many guitars built over the years searching for an elusive feel.
When I played a Tyler for the first time, it was like the neck shape and overall feel had descended from the gods. Really spectacular F-style guitars. And so much personality!
I am honored to be included as a Benedetto Player. Bob Benedetto is a highly acclaimed maker of fine jazz guitars. I had known of Benedetto guitars for many years, but hadn't played many. I had the pleasure of working for Fender at the 2006 NAMM show and, at that time, Bob Benedetto was associated with Fender. I got a chance to spend some time with Bob at the show and to play some of his guitars. I fell in love. I now proudly play his Bravo and Benny models for jazz gigs. More details at www.benedettoguitars.com.
I only play classical guitars made by guys named Greg. I have a spruce-top concert guitar by the fantastic Greg Byers www.byersguitars.com The Byers website has tons of interesting information about Greg's construction methods. Of all of my guitars, the one I have used the most over the past ten years is a cedar-top cutaway made by my good buddy Greg Brandt www.gregbrandtguitars.com Check his website. My quote there pretty much sums up how I feel about this guitar. It never lets me down.
I have used only one steel-string guitar for the past ten years and that is a Standard cutaway made by James Goodall. www.goodallguitars.com Whenever I use this guitar, I get compliments on its tone. Whether playing finger-style or with a pick, this guitar performs superbly. James makes truly wonderful performance guitars!
I amplify my acoustic guitars with Highlander pickups www.highlanderpickups.com because they provide excellent reproduction and no-fuss operation.
I have some other assorted stuff: baritone uke, mandolin, banjo, balalaika, bouzouki, a German Vazquez Rubio flamenco, a Taylor 12-string, a Fender Precision Bass. A bunch of pedals which I never use. A Boogie Formula Preamp which I use for recording direct.
Miscellaneous:
I highly recommend the tech work of Joel Grant at Grant Guitars in Fountain Valley, CA. (714) 434-1201. Joel does great work, especially fret work and is a very, very nice guy. I have also had an extremely fine and complex repair project executed by the wizard, Frank Ford, at Gryphon Music in Palo Alto. His website www.frets.com is a treasure-trove of technical information. You have to see the unbelievable repair he did on my poor Borys' broken headstock. Take a look at the "backstrap overlay" on frets.com. That's what he did and it is incredible.
In general, I use D'Addario strings on my electric guitars and John Pearse on my acoustics. I am constantly experimenting with classical guitar strings and right now favor Savarez.
I have gotten fantastic service at the following retailers:
- Wild West Guitars in Riverside, CA. www.wildwestguitars.com I remember when Mark had a bunch of Baker guitars in a back room. Now Wild West has one of the largest inventories of absolutely world-class instruments and amps that I have ever seen.
- Los Angeles Classical Guitars in Pasadena, CA. www.lacg.net Billy Arcila is the man for sheet music and accessories. He also has some wonderful guitars for both students and professionals.
- Wildwood Guitars www.wildwoodguitars.com in Colorado has some wonderful guitars and are extremely professional and helpful over the phone. I scored my beautiful Les Paul and Tyler there.
- Bill Fender at Legato Guitars www.legatoguitars.com and Jeff Hale www.jhalemusic.com are true gentlemen and I recommend them for all jazz guitar needs.
