<music: performing: more instruments>
"Below are some of the other instruments that I've used on stage and recordings; the primary instruments I use are noted here . Since 2005, I've primarily used Parker Fly guitars unless a project specifically requires me to use another type of guitar. As noted in the descriptions below, I'm not opposed to modifying my instruments in order to accommodate my needs as a performer and composer, though I do try to avoid irreversible modifications if it's possible. Still, some guitars here do function more like breadboards at times. My guitars are serviced regularly by Andy and Eddie Hulse of Hulse Guitars and by the talented people involved in my Electric Guitar Innovation Lab (EGIL). I hope you enjoy looking around." ~V.J.
Other Guitars
Fender Stratocaster '68 Reissue
(1997)
Description: "I was given this Strat in 2000 as a high school graduation gift from a friend who had picked it up in a pawn shop. Neck says Crafted in Japan on the back. This was my go-to guitar before I got into Parker Fly guitars. I've replaced the original stock pickups several times through the years (as one does with a Strat!). Though I appreciate the 'reissue' look of the original tuners, I replaced them with Sperzel locking tuners."
In Action:
Other Info:
Notes: modified; original pickups replaced with a Sustainiac driver (Neck), added sustain on/off and harmonic mode three-way switches, SD Little '59 (Middle), SD JB Jr. (Bridge) and black pickguard from "white". Original tuners replaced with Sperzel locking tuners.
Current Setup: D'Addario EXL110 .010 gauge (10-46) strings with five bridge springs
Finish: Natural
Fender Stratocaster Squier (Hybrid)
(1995)
Description: "My very first electric guitar that received new as a kid for Christmas in 1995! This "Made in Korea" Fender Squier came bundled with a 15-watt Champ-G amp (thought to be as part of an SE-100 "Strat Pack"), which I blew one day by playing along too loudly to Weezer's "blue album" ("Say It Ain't So"). I used this guitar (in my first band "Sunflowers" !) until 2000 when I got another Strat. The body is made of plywood (yup!) and, today, is the only original component left in the guitar other than the vibrato system. I was obsessed with Wayne's World at the time ("party time"), and I referred to this guitar as "Excalibur" given its similarities to Wayne's Strat in the movie (my guitar used to be much whiter than it is now); I used the slightly edgier "Excaliber" spelling—those kinds of details are important when you're 13 years old. My first guitar teacher told me, "That's a nice-sounding guitar; if it were mine, I'd swap the neck on it for something a little better." In 2017, I began modding it, and he was right! This guitar sounds and plays great and I, now, primarily use it on recordings whenever a Strat sound is needed. Strangely, it seems to sound worse to other guitarists after I tell them it's made of plywood."
.jpg){kind=link}
In Action:
Other Info:
Notes: modified; Warmoth Wizard Maple Neck with Indian Rosewood Fretboard. SD Cool Rails pickup (Neck), SD Hot Rails Middle, SD Hot Rails (Bridge). New wiring, jack, pots, knobs, selector switch, saddles. Sperzel locking tuners and Sperzel "D-Thing" drop-D tuner.
Current Setup: D'Addario EXL110 .010 gauge (10-46) strings with three bridge springs
Finish: Arctic White
Instrument Name: Excaliber
Fender Telecaster '52 Reissue
(1998)
Description: "Purchased used for a T4RS project that required an authentic Telecaster. Such an iconic sound (and look and feel). Shown here prior to some modest modifications."
Other Info:
Neck stamped 12/24/97 assembled 1998.
Notes: modified; a T4RS jack installed , original tuners replaced with locking tuners, stock neck pickup, bridge Fender '52 Reissue pickup replaced with Seymour Duncan Vintage for Tele pickup.
Current Setup: D'Addario D'Addario EPN115 Pure Nickel .011 gauge (11-48) strings
Finish: Butterscotch Blonde
In Action:
Gibson SG Standard T
(2017)
Description: "Purchased used for a T4RS project that required an SG. A truly beautiful guitar with a tapered neck; even sounds great when played unplugged."
Other Info:
Notes: modified; a T4RS jack installed ,replaced stock Gibson 57 Classic Humbuckers with upgraded Duneland Labs Blackpole humbuckers; neck damage repaired
Current Setup: D'Addario D’Addario NYXL1149 .011 gauge (11-49) strings
Finish: Heritage Cherry
Godin Multiac Grand Concert
(2015)
Description: "I bought this guitar to address the difficulty of mic'ing a nylon string guitar in a noisy, live environment. I liked it so much that I've used it many times in recording situations in place of mic'ing a traditional nylon string guitar."
Other Info:
Current Setup: La Bella 413P Studio Professional Recording Strings
Finish: Natural
In Action:
.jpg)
Ruben Flores 500 Cedar
(2002)
Description: "This was my first better-quality nylon string guitar, which I bought in 2003 when I was in college. It's a decent classical guitar that I happily used live and in my studio for many years. Now, I use it primarily for composing and live performances where amplification isn't necessary."
In Action:
Other Info:
Notes: all original; 500 rosewood back and sides, ebony fingerboard, solid cedar top.
Current Setup: La Bella 2001MH Medium-hard tension strings
Finish: Natural
Takamine G Series (EG523SC)
(2010)
Description: "I bought this guitar new in 2010 for live performances with Second Contact and have used it live through the pickup and mic'ed in the studio. It's an all-around good-sounding guitar through both the internal pickup and mic'ed."
In Action:
Other Info:
Current Setup: D'Addario EJ26 Phosphor Bronze .011 gauge strings
Finish: Gloss Natural
Switch Vibracell Wild I Custom
(2004)
Description: "The perfect guitar for outdoor gigs with questionable weather; unaffected by temperature and humidity changes because...well: it's made of plastic (it's fantastic!)! I purchased this guitar used to explore the novelty of its innovation: a one-piece injection-molded guitar made from a new, resonant material the manufacturers, Switch, invented called Vibracell; very unique! You might think this guitar would sound cold and thin, but it doesn't; it sounds like a normal guitar with a completely abnormal (in a good way) amount of sustain! After a setup and a fret-level, this guitar was ready to be left in direct sunlight on an outdoor stage in the middle of the summer and still hold tune (though, to me, it vaguely resembles a partially-melted Parker Fly). This is a custom version of the Wild I guitar with an Ebonol fingerboard instead of rosewood, so, in short: it's made entirely of synthetic materials."
Other Info:
Notes: all original; solid one-piece Vibracell body and neck with Ebonol fingerboard.
Current Setup: D'Addario EXL110 .010 gauge (10-46) strings
Finish: Tequila Sunrise Fireburst
Fender Precision Bass
(2004)
Description: "Technically, this bass belongs to my wife who had been using it in her band back in the mid-2000s, but it lives in my studio. This Made in Mexico (MIM) P-Bass sounds terrific, especially if you're going for a vintage sound (with flatwound strings). Everybody loves a P-Bass!"
Other Info:
Notes: all original.
Current Setup: LaBella 760FS Stainless Steel Bass Guitar Strings (45 - 105)
Finish: Brown Sunburst
Godin A12 12-String Guitar
(2014)
Description: "For some live performances, I needed an acoustic 12-string guitar with greater tuning stability, and this guitar does that very well. Like my Godin Multiac nylon string, it is very easy to play and sounds great plugged in; I run this through a Fishman Aura for a more realistic acoustic 12-string sound. Not particularly well-balanced in terms of weight, but it is very stable with very low action and, for not having to retune it continually between songs, I can handle having to hold it in place."
Other Info:
Notes: all original.
Current Setup: D'Addario EJ38 12-String Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
Finish: Natural
Other Instruments
Gretsch G5700 Lap Steel
(2019)
Other Info:
Notes: modifiedstock bridge replaced with Duesenberg Multibender, nut replaced with Hipshot roller nut for dobro, tuners replaced with Sperzel 3x3 long-post locking tuners, Lace Ultra-slim acoustic pickup routed and installed at 24th fret, bridge pickup replaced with Vintage Vibe CC-Rider AlNiCo-V pickup.
Current Setup: Morrell JMLS-E E-Tuning 14-58 Lap Steel Guitar Strings
Finish: Tobacco
Roland AX-7
(2002)
Description: "In 2010, when I was first asked to join the 70s and 80s rock collective Second Contact , I bought two identical AX-7 keyboards (a.k.a keytars) because...why not?! Is it the ideal instrument for playing difficult and sophisticated keyboard parts in a live performance? No! Am I capable of playing difficult and sophisticated keyboard parts in a live performance? Also no!! Are all eyes on this simultaneously futuristic and retro instrument when I play the keyboard lick on Tom Sawyer? You know it! Play one-handed keyboard parts in an unusually inefficient but fabulously ostentatious way with a Roland AX-7! I even did this Q&A interview with my publisher about my keytarist experiences!
In Action:
.jpg)
Other Info:
Notes: all original.
