INTRODUCTION

2009-07-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

Hello! This being my first blog, I thought I'd share a little anecdote about the time I met Peter Stroud, guitarist for Sheryl Crow and co-founder of 65amps.

I've been bringing in 65amps gear since 2007 and I make no secret about the fact that they make some of my favourite amps on the planet. I can still recall the first time I plugged in a 65amps London head into a 65amps 2x12 cabinet - with the amp's volume set to 3, I strummed out a single D chord and listened to what is still one of the best tones I've ever heard! Cheesy as it sounds, even thinking about it now still gives me a little shiver. I've had many, many stellar amps in stock since, from many talented builders, but I've never quite experienced "that" moment again.

Fast-forward to December 2008 - I've been exchanging emails all day with Sam at 65amps (their awesome sales and customer service guy) about my next order, when he casually mentions "oh, Peter's in town with Sheryl - do you want to go along?". Less than an hour later and I've got an email from Peter letting me know that Martin (my co-conspirator at C.A.B) and I are on the guest list for the show and have backstage passes to come meet him afterwards.

I've played enough big shows in my time with Sommerset and Luger Boa to not get too gushy about being backstage (as most of the time it's sweaty people in their underwear and grumpy security), but the experience with Peter was pleasantly different. He'd literally just come off stage, came straight to the room where we were sitting, offered us a beer and got right down to talking about gear! I'd expected a nice short, perfunctory meet'n'greet with a guy I do business with - instead, we had relaxed chat about touring with Sheryl's band, his formative years as player, starting 65amps with Dan Boul, and of course, the amps themselves. More than 45min later he had to make a move back to the hotel and as we moved down the hallway Sheryl and her band introduced themselves.

Peter's been at the top of his game as a session guitarist for many years now, and after seeing him play and talking with him - his cool, relaxed but professional approach is probably just as much a key to his successes, if not more.

Thanks Peter! And thanks also to Dan, Sam, Mike and the crew at 65amps!

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INTRODUCTION