I have used Gibson and Fender guitars almost all my life and always preferred the thickness and grind of the Gibson Les Paul as well as the versatility of the Fender Strat.

I self-engineer all of my songs using a Fostex MR-16 Recording Console. The recorder is a digital unit and has mastering capabilities. The master song files are professional, large, high quality WAV files that are then converted to MP3 format for IPods and Cell phones. Of course, you can burn CDs with both formats as well. I do all of my own recording, mixing and mastering.

Most guitar tracks were recorded on heavily modified Fender Stratocasters. Solos and backing tracks recorded with a modified Marshall DSL 2000 stack and a Boss ME-5 Digital Effects unit and recorded with Shure PG-57 mics in stereo. All backing guitar tracks were double tracked in two takes. I run a Marshall 1960A slant 4x12 cab with four Celestion speakers. I run a Marshall Lead 15 Micro Stack head as "pre-amp" dry and flat out. That's it.

I always have the treble and mid-range on 10 and the bass is always off. Rest of the amp is full out. I have an 80's Boss ME-5 effects controller that I use as a noise gate and for EQ and and old Morley Cry Baby Wah-Wah as well.

I have always used DiMarzio pick-ups and have found them to be the most sensitive to the three G's (Grind, Growl, and Gain) plus they are very articulate in accentuating pick attack. I really like the sound of the pick hitting the string on fast runs and these pick-ups give me total flexibility.