Sit.Look.Listen.

I used to buy guitars based on their price tag. An expensive guitar must be a great guitar right? I then realized that amazing tone and playability can come from guitars without the marquee name on the headstock. This leads me to what will undoubtedly be my next major instrument purchase, Washburn‘s HB30.

I’ve long been a fan of the Gibson ES-335, mainly because it was Nick McCabe’s main guitar for the early Verve recordings, but it was also in the arsenal of legends like Chuck Berry, B.B. King and Eric Clapton. It’s also been a large component in the sound of another of my favorite bands, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. However, a new Gibson ES-335 costs $4,000-$7,000 which makes me want to look at it a lot more and play it a lot less.

I’ve played the Gibson ES-335 and the Washburn HB30 is a serious rival at a much lower price. All of the elements are there; thick maple semi-hollow bodied sound, extremely comfortable neck and great diversity in tone. However, the HB30 comes with a $700 price tag making the inevitable scratches and dings that come with regular use a little bit more bearable. Although it may not have the glory or prestige of the Gibson, it is a great workhorse guitar that will sound amazing for many years to come and I can’t wait to use it on the projects I’m currently working on. Stay tuned, demos coming soon!

Most American’s had never heard of Verve until after they became The Verve and “Bittersweet Symphony” became a hit in 1997. However, their most defining and creative work, in my opinion, came years before in 1993. At a time when aggressive and angst-ridden alternative rock (ie. Nirvana and Soundgarden) were ruling American airwaves, this band from Wigan England was journeying through soundscapes and swells completely unique and mind-blowing.

As anyone who knows me can tell you, A Storm In Heaven is my favorite album of all time. From the opening chord of “Star Sail” to the last trailing reverb soaked sounds of “See You In The Next One (Have A Good Time)” I always find myself mystified and lost in the sea of tones and grooves that weave their way through this LP.

The way Nick McCabe’s amazing free form textured guitar work layers over the top of Simon Jones and Peter Salisbury’s rhythmic grooves lays a perfect foundation for a pre-ego driven Richard Ashcroft to truly explore his mind lyrically and let his voice become an instrument.

The way the songs rise and fall takes the listener on a journey that isn’t complete until that final chord. This was (The) Verve at their very best and most creative and it blows my mind every time I hear it.