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EC-30
1997 Gibson EC-30 BKE
I chose this instrument in 1997 at the Gibson Acoustics plant in Bozeman, Montana. This was part of an endorsement deal offered to me after my performance at the Memphis International Blues Challenge in 1995. She's a real beauty and has been my main gigging axe ever since.
FAQ's: The pick-up is a West Active Systems unit designed and installed by Sid West who is based in Rosanna, Melbourne.
The black square above the soundhole is just a piece of foam stuck on with gaffa.
The new model name is J-185
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This was actually the first instrument I played when invited to choose my new axe at the Gibson Acoustics plant back in 1997.
It just melted into me but didn't have the required electronics for 'live' performances.(It now sports an awesome Sid West pick-up)
My host at Gibson, Robi Johns said I should take this one to play at home and choose another. I have since used it many times for recording, writing and just plain ol' noodlin'.
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'RED'
Maton - Stage Series
This was my main acoustic axe before the Gibson deal.
I gigged heavily with it between the years '95 - '97 and it is the featured instrument on the Mystery Train acoustic album.
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'Goldie'
1969 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe 'Gold Top'
My favourite guitar in the world.
This instrument has been my main squeeze for the bulk of my playing career.
It was purchased at Clemmen's in Russel st. Melbourne in the mid 1980's. She was mine from the moment I saw her - cost me every penny in the bank but I just had to have her.
I gigged, recorded, wrote songs, toured around the world several times and generally played the bejeezus out of it for 20 years.
She is now sadly retired from active service although ace guitar tech Dave Ulbrick has brought her back to a very playable state. She turns up at gigs once in a while.
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PRS
2001 Paul Reed Smith Standard 22 'Gold Top'
This is the electric guitar you'll most likely see me playing these days.
The personal touches have been swapping the tone & toggle positions, replacing the volume & tone pots with a smoother sweep, installing a simple 3-way toggle switch and regular Grover tuners. The trem kit is locked down.
The Aboriginal artwork is the real thing. It was painted by traditional artist Jangala during a visit to Byron Bay. The plain gold-top finish wound up being the ideal backdrop for Jangala's twig, stick and brush strokes.
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Johnstone
GA001 Custom Telecaster
Melbourne luthier Robert Johnstone built this instrument for me in the mid-90's.
The volume & tone are situated very close to aid sound manipulation. The body is hollow to give the instrument improved acoustical properties. Rob crafted an ultra thin neck and employed a 'Gibson' style short scale at my suggestion. I used this guitar for the best part of a year and recorded my second CD 'Genevieve' with it.
It does have a fabulous tone to it but I eventually decided that I preferred the chunkier neck style of the Les Paul and went back to 'Goldie'.
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GUITAR STRINGS
I get asked about which strings I use all the time.
Like most guitar players I've tried all sorts of brands and checked out various combinations of gauges. I just kept coming back to D'Addario's. They sound great, feel great, stay in tune, last the distance and they even employ environmentally safe packaging - thankyou!
I use a fairly hefty gauge, regular tuning and a Fender Extra Heavy pick.
Acoustic EJ17 : 013 - 017 - 026 - 035 - 045 - 056
Electric EXL145 : 012 - 016 - 020 - 032 - 042 - 054
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ULBRICK
Arena 50 Combo Amplifier
 Dave Ulbrick is not only an amazing guitar & amp tech but an amazing guy too. I've had my gear serviced by Dave since the early '90's. Dave is now building his own range of amps and they are seriously the dog's bollocks!
Check out the Ulbrick Sound website.
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Fender 'The Twin' amplifier
The one with RED KNOBS!!
I bought this old war horse in the early '90's.
It had literally fallen off the back of the delivery truck and was sitting in Jim MacLeod's repair shop with a busted chassis. I was able to get this slightly 'bent' Fender Twin for half the retail price. It held together fine (after Jim whacked a few bolts thru it) and benefitted from some fabulous tonal tweaking from Dave Ulbrick. Whilst it served me well for many years, I'm afraid it's not as reliable as it once was.
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