I've been interested in playing music for many years. I started with a cheap guitar, then took classical guitar lessons for a few years. When I was at Poly I got my first electric and did some jamming, but I've not done much in bands or played what I would call 'proper' gigs. I've made various experiments in recording on computers, but nothing I would want to give to others. Now I seem to have all the hardware and software I need. I need to find some musical inspiration.

In September 2008 I got an audition for a local covers band called Unforgiven, now renamed to The Barking Spiders, via the Muso Finder service. They seemed to like me and so I have been rehearsing with them since then. We don't meet every week and there are no gigs yet, but we are putting together a set. This has got me playing regularly again and learning more songs. I'm also trying to improve my techinique and may take some lessons.

I played with the Secret Bass drum circle and have made a few public appearances with them, but have put drumming on hold to concentrate on guitar.

There are some recordings that include me on my Multiply. Currently these are just jams and some experiments. I may put new recordings there as they don't limit how many files you can upload, but only allow listeners to stream.

Equipment:

• Gordon Smith GS2 electric guitar - Owned for about 20 years, but still in good nick. British-built, no fancy finish or gimmicks.
• Dean Performer E electro-acoustic guitar - A recent addition. I wanted something I could just pick up and play, but still have to option to record easily. Mine doesn't have the built-in tuner that they now include
• Jose Ferrer 3/4 classical guitar - Bought for my son to learn on, but I pick it up sometimes. Maybe I will get another full size for myself one day. I sold mine years ago
• Roland Cube 80x - My new amplifier with lots of amplifier models, some effects and a handy looper. Needs 6 footswitches. Had a double and made a 4-way for it.
• Peavey Backstage 110 65W guitar amplifier. Owned around 20 years. Keeping as a spare.
• Zoom H4 audio recorder. To be used for all types of recording at home and elsewhere. A very capable device.
• Korg Pandora PX2 multi-effects - Versatile little box, but probably outshone by the latest budget gadgets. It's handy for quiet practice.
• Archer Mini-Amplifier - Apparently this little telephone amplifier was used on stuff like early Peter Gabriel. Does a pretty good distorted guitar
• DOD FX80B Compressor/Sustainer - Obtained in a swap. Deciding how to use it
• Casio CTK-530 keyboard - Bought to learn to play piano. Sounds are basic, but it has MIDI and velocity sensitivity, so could play a part in the studio
• Sony TA-1010 stereo amplifier and Toshiba TV speakers for listening to vinyl on an old Technics deck
• Yamaha YST-M20DSP powered speakers. Came with my first PC. Sound okay, but I ought to get something better if I'm going to mix my own recordings
• Cheap microphone stand
• Cheap Sony microphone I bought ages ago, but have not used
• Hohner Blues Harp in C
• Tin whistle in C
• Kambala Djembe
• Assorted small percussion

My wishlist of gear I'd like to have:

• Another electric guitar - As a backup for when I eventually gig and to give me some other tones. I quite fancy a Telecaster of some sort. The Parker P36 looks like a fun modern version
• Pedal board - Need something to get my limited footswitch and pedal collection neat. May buy 2nd hand or build

Previously owner:

• Alesis Microverb II - Probably one of the first cheap digital reverbs. Was given it by a friend, but hardly used it and passed it on
• Yamaha SHS-10 - Crappy little 'keytar' I bought for fun when living in Germany. Sold years ago, but should have kept for the kids. Now selling for silly money on ebay
• Vantage Stratocaster copy - My first electric
• V Amp VR60 Lead amplifier - Bought in an insolvency auction. Can't find any reference to them on-line, but picture of mine with the Vantage here
• Some classical guitar - I started off learning classical on a basic guitar whose name I can't remember. Should have kept it as I like to play some of that stuff now and again. Also had a really basic steel-string acoustic before that

Software available on Linux for free that I may use:

• Audacity - A very capable audio editor that can also do some multi-track recording
• Jokosher - Designed as a quick and simple multi-tracker
• Ardour - I've seen this in action in combination with JACK - It's powerful, but may be more than I need
• Hydrogen - Fun little drum machine
• pure:dyne - A live CD distro for music.