A big congratulations to all of my student clientele who passed their Rockschool Bass Grade Performance Exams in Period C.

Grade 5 | 87% Merit | 16/11/17

Grade 5 | 83% Merit | 23/11/17

Grade 7 | 80% Merit | 09/12/17

A massive congratulations to Max Williams for recently passing Rockschool’s Grade 8 Performance Exam – you did it! : )

For this months Rors Recommend I just wanted to briefly review String Swing’s Guitar Hangers! : ) I’ve used this brand for over 20yrs now for my own instruments and they’ve been AMAZING with many of you now owning one or more yourselves.

The quality of the hanger is first class, being finished with a coating that doesn’t damage your instrument and visually looks really nice. The yoke sits on a quality solid hardwood block which when fitted to the wall would compliment any room. The yoke of the String Swing Guitar Hanger allows you to pivot the angle to cradle the headstock of your chosen instrument/s keeping them safe and secure when not in use, whilst also displaying your guitar at it’s best! This product is one of those silent hero’s that does it’s job so well that I thought it deserved a bit of the ‘lime light’ for this month. If you don’t own one yet then make sure you pop it on your list for sure…..

For further details please visit https://www.stringswing.com

It’s been much later than planned this month, but I was determined to get my product review out to you all for July, so here it is guys…and a nice easy one as well – Awe-In-One Picks! : )  I have tried many quality branded picks over the years, but when I came across this brand it was an instant ‘yes’ for me! John of Awe-In-One Picks has managed to design a pick that just does the job REALLY WELL – enough said!  We have found that if you have normal size hands then the Profound 1 Picks seems to be the first go-to choice, and if you have slightly bigger hands then more than likely the Shred 1 is the Pick for you.

If you haven’t used Awe-In-One Picks then please enquire on your next lesson and I’ll be more than happy to demo the brand to you.

For further details please visit http://www.awe-in-one.com

A big congratulations to all of my student clientele who passed their Rockschool Bass Grade Performance Exams in Period B.

Grade 1 | 81% Merit | 15/06/17

Grade 1 | 93% Distinction | 06/07/17

Grade 3 | 83% Merit | 19/07/17

Grade 1 | 86% Merit | 19/07/17

Grade 8 | 87% Merit | 19/07/17

My product review for this month is Comfort Strapp.  The problem with many guitar straps is that they’re generally uncomfortable on your shoulder for long periods of time and tend to fail over time through constant use – not with Comfort Strapp!  I’ve used these straps for many years now both through live use and day to day teaching with about 90% of my student clientele now using this brand as the ‘go-to’ strap for them!  The material is soft cushioned neoprene which feels sooooooooo comfortable on your shoulder, allowing a little flex whilst anchoring safely and securely to your strap button by the additional aid of the ‘douglas connector’ double attach system on these straps.  I then use and recommend as a secondary measure the ‘Dunlop Straplok System’ and you’re ready to go…..this is my Rors Recommend for June and a MUST HAVE! : )

When you are next in for your lesson/s please feel free to enquire and I’ll show you just how good these Comfort Strapp’s are and the benefits first hand…..

For further details please visit http://comfortstrapp.com

My product review for this month is a ‘one off’ purchase that makes REAL sense, the humble Strap Lock! : )  Over the past 28yrs or so that I’ve been doing this now, I’ve noticed how accessories have become more and more accessible to everybody with new gadgets entering our retail sector month in month out and whilst this is great it is very easy to get caught up in buying stuff – myself included….. : ) Strap Locks however are one of those guitar accessories that are a MUST HAVE and so my Rors Recommend for May!  I have honestly caught by sheer chance bass guitars that have fallen off students straps whilst teaching them here at my home studio, so imagine what happens when you start band practising or playing live.  Although a number of you have jumped onboard with purchasing strap locks for your basses over the years, this is just a reminder to ‘all’ – ‘do you currently have a set on your bass’???

Any main brand of strap lock will work just fine, but my personal favourite would be the trusted ‘Dunlop Straplok System’.  When you are next in for your lesson/s please feel free to enquire and I’ll show you just how easy they are to use and the benefits of strap locks first hand : )

For further details please visit https://www.jimdunlop.com

My product review for this month is the super cool GruvGear FretWarp.  I came across these in late 2012 when I did a live show with legendary guitarist Paul Gilbert and have been a fan ever since really!  Ok, so what does a FretWrap do…..GruvGear’s FretWraps professionally dampen your strings to get rid of all unwanted overtones, resonance and open string vibrations that you naturally get with your instrument. This makes it the ‘perfect companion’ in all applications from home practise, live use through to recording. You simply attach it to the neck of your bass just over the nut and you’re job done!  Many of you have purchased them over the years here and just recently they’ve started taking off again as the go-to/must-have for your bass…plus they come in some fantastic colours!  When you are next in for your lesson/s please feel free to enquire and I’ll show you just how good they really are! : )

For further details please visit http://www.gruvgear.com

A big congratulations to all of my student clientele who passed their Rockschool Bass Grade Performance Exams in Period A.

Grade 2 | 92% Distinction | 16/02/17

Grade 6 | 85% Merit | 16/03/17

Grade 2 | 90% Distinction | 16/03/17

Like a car needs a yearly service, your guitar – ‘your chosen instrument’, ideally needs the same kind of attention. Through constant use you’ll find that your neck might well of moved, your frets might be wearing unevenly or just the general achilles heel problems that you encounter on your instrument like your input or vol/eq controls start crackling or your strap locks begin to fall off. With this in mind, I would like to dedicate this post to my brother Ian Randell. Ian of Sphynx Guitar Tech and Guitar Tuition is simply an incredible individual!

Ian is my personal tech and looks after all of my basses. He will tell you himself how fussy I am…..but, I know how I like my instruments to feel and play and Ian delivers on this.

Ian and his tech services are used by guitar shops throughout devon for their clientele, as well as acoustic, electric and bass guitarists all over the country. If you play guitar, Ian should be without doubt your first point of call for all your guitar tech requirements. Please see Ian’s Testimonial page on his website to view the fantastic comments he gets on a regular basis from everyone. If you’re looking for a great guitar tech, look no further.

Ian is also a fantastic guitar teacher with a wealth of experience behind him, and a tuition clientele base going into the thousands now – past and present! Many of his past students are now running their own businesses as guitar teachers up and down the country, as well as locally in Plymouth. Ian’s wealth of musical knowledge in the practical and theory is quite incredible. His lessons are £35 an hour and worth every penny. If you’re looking for a patient guitar teacher with a solid teaching background, coupled with world class ability then look no further. Ian is also the reason why I play and teach the electric bass guitar today – enough said.. :O). Ian you’re an absolute inspiration and I don’t say it enough, thank you bro…

Please check Ian out for yourselves: www.sphynxguitartech.co.uk