Endorsers
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Axel Ritt
It was at the age of twelve that Axel started to play the guitar. The guitar heroes of the seventies as for example Gary Moore, Jeff Beck and Brian May were among his early musical experiences. Only one year later Axel already performed onstage and ever since he has continuously been developing his career as a solo rock guitarist.
As an awardee of the federal contest of young jazz musicians "Jugend jazzt" Axel studied and graduated in music and architecture at the university in Dortmund/Germany.After he finished his studies, Axel completely turned towards music.
International tours and recurring chart positions prove the success of this formation. In the international trade press Axel is referred to as "Germany's fastest fingers". His specific sound, his virtuosic playing techniques and his charismatic stage presence made him famous in the international metal scene. Besides his activities as an instrumentalist, Axel has been working as an audio engineer and producer. For example, the last 5 albums of the band DOMAIN were produced completely under his direction. Axel is managing director of the music production companies HUMBUCKER MUSIC and SOVEREIGN EVENTS, as well as of his own music publishing company and the MEADOW recording studios. |
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Zach Myers
Zach Myers of Shinedown has been going to rock n' roll shows and listening to rock n' roll since he can remember, along with blues and soul music. Having picked up the guitar at age 13, he already had a manager, a record deal and a band at 14, releasing two records under the name Zach Myers Band. After Shinedown's Brent Smith asked him to fill in, playing bass for them, Zach soon found himself again holding his guitar, and a full member of the band at that. Says Zach, "I've been in the band since 2005. And Barry [Kerch, drums] and Brent [Smith, lead vocals] have been like my best friends through the last three years... I also think this band just made the record I've always wanted to hear ANY band make. And I look forward to many years and leaving blood on the stage every night with these four guys... We're all just grateful that you all or anyone is listening...and thanks for listening!" Shinedown.com |
Waddy Wachtel
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Dean Parks
How do you summarize the career of of a studio legend like Dean Parks? From his earliest work with Paul Simon and Bobby “Blue” Bland, through a current crop of superstars like Chris Botti, Josh Groban and Seal, he’s been an in-demand session guitarist for nearly 40 years. Here are some highlights by category:
Pop Music
R & B
Rock Music
Country
Folk |
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George Marinelli
Born in Staten Island, New York. Working class Italian/American family. Family moved to Los Angeles at age 14. Got first guitar on 15th birthday. Stayed indoors a lot. Listened to record. Same year saw The Beatles at Dodger Stadium. Got in bands. Played anywhere, traveled. Various bands and record deals in mid-1970s. Started playing sessions in Hollywood and LA studio scene. Started making living. Played with Billie and the Beaters 1978-1982. Coupla hits. Met with Bruce Hornsby in 1982 and formed Bruce Hornsby and the Range 1985 thru 1991. 3 albums, various hits and tours. Played on Bonnie Raitt's Longing in Their Hearts CD and joined band in 1993. Left LA 1991 for Nashville four seasons, session work, and no traffic. Still record and tour with Bonnie, occasionally tour with others. Built Wingding Recording Studio, "the people's studio, where some of the gear works some of the time" to produce low budget indie records. Fun.
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"Wow, this little Flaxwood guitar packs a big punch, I especially like it when I play slide. Look out big dogs, there's a new puppy on the block." - Les Dudek |
Les Dudek
Les Dudek was born in a Naval air station hospital on the coast of Quonset Point, just north of Wickford, Rhode Island. By the age of 14 Les was already playing in bands all over Florida. Bands like The Steppin' Stones, The United Sounds, Blue Truth and Power. With the latter two, he went to Nashville, Tennessee and Richmond, Virginia to record demos with hopes of a record deal. Then, on October 29th, 1971, the unthinkable occurred - a fellow Florida musician, Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident. A few weeks after returning to Florida, Les was called back to Georgia. As a result, Les was invited to record with The Allman Brothers Band. That's Les you hear playing guitar harmonies with Dickey Betts on "Ramblin' Man" and the intro acoustic guitar on "Jessica", their two biggest hits from the Brothers and Sisters album.
The news spread quickly about this young guitar talent. Dudek was offered a guitar spot with Boz Scaggs. He accepted. At the end of this tour, Steve Miller invited Les up to Seattle, Washington to record some tunes that turned into classic hits on his Fly Like An Eagle and Book Of Dreams from which Les co-wrote "Sacrifice". Miller invited Les to join his band, so Les moved to California. At the same time, a manager called Les about joining a group to be called Journey. The same day Les was invited to the first Journey rehearsal, he was offered a solo recording deal from Columbia Records. Les decided to be a solo artist. |
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Clint Strong
Clint Strong is considered by many to be one of the best of a new generation of jazz guitarists. His incredible improvisations pay tribute to jazz guitar and sax players of the past, yet are filled with youthful modern explorations. Clint has performed and recorded with numerous jazz and country artists, from his ground-breaking work with Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson, to his association with fellow guitarists like Howard Roberts, Herb Ellis, Tal Farlow and Red Garland. Clint is truly one of america's finest guitarists and Flaxwood is thrilled to have him on our Artists roster. ClintStrong.net |
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Phil Palmer
Phil Palmer (born 1952 in London, England) is a notorious veteran session guitarist in both jazz and rock with a truly extensive resumé. Having come to the limelight as a part of Paul Brady's band, he has gone on to work with many of the world's foremost artists and groups, including Lucio Battisti, Pet Shop Boys, Wishbone Ash, Eric Clapton, Roger Daltrey, Dire Straits, Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, Pete Townshend, Paola e Chiara, Chris de Burgh, Bryan Adams, Eros Ramazzotti, George Michael, Alejandro Sanz, Robbie Williams and Melanie C. |
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"These guitars are f***in' amazing in every way - the way they feel, the way they play, the way they sound and even the way they look."
- Bugs Henderson
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Bugs Henderson
Guitar Player magazine says, "Bugs Henderson should be declared a national treasure." Guitar One calls him," the world's greatest unknown guitar player." Blues professor Dave Rubin adds, "the best kept secret in Texas, a pastel of original blues and rock." No doubt about it, Bugs Henderson is a bona fide living legend. His fans adore him, his peers applaud him, and Texas blues-rock wouldn't be what it is today with out his influence. Bugs Henderson discovered his first love - the guitar - at the age of 6. Beginning his own band, the Sensors, at age 16, he soon joined his friend, Ronnie Weiss, in a band called Mouse and the Traps. Mouse and the traps charted its first song, "Public Execution" in 1966. This is where he earned his name "Bugs" over shadowing his real name Buddy. By the end of the decade, Bugs had made the transition from fan to musician.
Bugs' signature sound was beginning to define itself during the 1970s with the blues. Henderson went from small clubs to playing on stage opening for artists such as the Allman Brothers, B.B King, and Leon Russell. Henderson described it as "a big change." Bugs and his love for blues got tired of the wide-open riff-oriented rock, and friend Freddie King began pushing for Henderson to start his own band. Bugs the assembled his first record At Last released on succession of 14 albums spanning over four decades.
His mixture of searing blues, jazz ability, swing, funk, and just about everything else that can be played on six strings; Bugs has the ability to give his audience a sense of true musical art, applying enormous control over his tone and coloration. Bugs has played with guitar icons such as B.B. King, Freddie King, Eric Clapton, Ted Nugent, Roy Buchanan, and James Burton. To this day, Bugs' guitar hangs in Hard Rock Cafe' in Dallas along side instruments donated by Lee Ritenour and Chet Atkins.
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"It's great to have a guitar that plays so well and sounds fantastic. All you have to think about when playing a Flaxwood is the music!"
- Marty Rifkin
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Marty Rifkin
Marty Rifkin is a multi-instrumentalist and producer living in Southern California. Playing guitar, pedal steel, dobro, bass, mandolin and numerous other instruments, Marty has recorded with such notable artists as Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Jewel, Dwight Yoakam, Glen Campbell and Elton John, to name a few. |
Ric Hall
Calling Chicago, IL his home, Ric Hall aka "Ric Jaz" currently tours and performs around the world with Blues legend Buddy Guy. Ric's 30 year plus resume includes a surreal list of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Grammy Award winning artists (B.B. King, Albert King, Eric Clapton, John Mayer and many more). |
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Dave Young
Hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, Dave Young has been playing music ever since he was a child. Beginning on the piano, and moving onto classical and electric guitar playing, Dave quickly joined as many bands as he could handle. In 2003, he joined up with the legendary Devin Townsend, playing keys on the records Accelerated Evolution, Synchestra and Ki, as well as the record Alien by Strapping Young Lad. In between playing for Devin's various projects, Dave also plays guitar in prog rock band Ten Ways, as well as playing on the self-titled debut from Terror Syndrome (with Ryan VanPoederooyen, also of the Devin Townsend Project). Dave also plays keys for roots rock band The Matinee, and many other side projects/sessions. When Dev began the Devin Townsend Project, Dave switched to guitar duties, and has had the opportunity to perform live all over the world. Dave has a strong passion for writing, playing and listening to as much music as he is able to get his hands on. |
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"I have now officially been spoiled by my [hybrid series 2HM-T]! I have used it on several projects im currently producing, a few live performances and it is blowing my mind... I hope everyone at Flaxood is proud of what you guys have put together here. I am truly a fan!"
- Alan Price
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Alan Price
Alan Price is a guitar player, songwriter, producer, teacher, and as he puts it, "a music fan first and foremost". Born in Charleston, South Carolina USA, Alan started playing guitar at the age of 13, after being inspired by the music of the great blues groups his parents exposed him to. Soon after discovering that his true calling was Rock and Roll, he spent his next years touring the country in various rock bands, getting his start in the hardcore punk DIY scene with East Coast-based band Unjust, through the 2000's with Quench and Number One Contender and most recently, playing guitar alongside fellow Flaxwood player Zach Myers and platinum selling Atlantic Records artists Shinedown. Says Alan, "Touring with Shinedown was an incredible experience that took my ideas and my playing to a new level." You can see Alan on stage with Shinedown on the internationally released DVD/CD Somewhere In the Stratosphere. Whether on the road or off, Alan works as a writer and producer at Collective Recording Studio . He has made contributions to numerous films, TV shows and video games and has worked with many aspiring groups and songwriters such as the Shaniqua Brown, Rachel Kate, John Thomas, Samuel Johnson & the Remains, and Souls Harbor. "I fell in love with the Flaxwood hybrid as soon as I strummed it the first time. Any good guitarist knows that a great guitar just calls out to its rightful owner and that's just what happened. It's been on stage with me and on just about every single recording I've done since i got my first one."
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Evgeny Ryakhovskiy
Evgeny Ryakhovskiy was born in St. Petersburg, Russia on October 2nd, 1984. His parents have pushed Evgeny to music since when he was in a womb of his mother Maria, and the guitar and his father Alexander's other musical instruments surrounded Evgeny since his birth. In 1995 Evgeny started playing the electric guitar.
In 1999 Evgeny met the musicians of his future band Animal Jazz, who started their way into music world in 2000. The music of Animal Jazz is guitar-based on romantic harmonies, also incorporating a symphonic sound. The name of the band reflects its essence - it's correctly eclectic. The word "animal" shows that music is of natural origin. In fact, one of the definitions of the word "jazz" is vanity, chaos. Such a cocktail of styles mixed with animal energetic makes the very original sound of Animal Jazz. Animal Jazz was nominated repeatedly on Russian Alternative Music Prize (RAMP) in 2006-2009. The band is now one of the best touring rock bands in Russia that plays around 50 gigs every year. In 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 they played at the biggest Russian open-air rock festival "Nashestvie". Now you can find ANIMAL JAZZ every summer on other big Russian festivals such as Kubana, Nashestvie and Sosedniy Mir. In the fall of 2011, Animal Jazz was nominated for the most known Russian radio award "Chartova Dyuzhina" in 7 nominations. |
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Timo Kämäräinen
Born in Savo, Eastern Finland, Timo Kämäräinen is one of the busiest guitar players on the Finnish music scene. Having spent his early years listening to music and banging his mother's piano, his first guitar was bought in 1988 and soon after that, guitar-playing became definitely the biggest part of Timo's life. He had gone through a wide variety of musical styles before going to the high school in 1995; Charlie Parker and Pat Metheny were important influences in those days. Since then, Timo has relocated to Helsinki and has been playing in many top Finnish groups, whose styles have varied from experimental rock (Ismo Alanko Säätiö) to free jazz (Pepa Päivinen Quartet) and modern classical music (RSO/UMO). After working as a freelancer for a couple of years, Timo wanted to aim his energy towards his own projects, and his solo album Unea and Beagon's debut Countryside were released in the spring of 2005. Beagon’s second album Traffic was released in August 2007. He also remains active with the groups of Pepa Päivinen, Lauri Porra, Tuomari Nurmio, and the Turga Trio. Beagonhttp://www.myspace.com/timokamarainen
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Doron Zor
Toronto-based session and independent artist Doron Zor has been creating a new sound and a new buzz in the smooth jazz scenes.
With such unique originality in his playing and compositions, it is no wonder why Doron has been working with some of Canada's heaviest producers and players such as Terry Brown, Chris Hall, Paul DeLong, Anthony Panacii, Calvin Beale, Michael Fonfara and many more. During downtime from his own projects, Doron writes music for film productions, commercials and performs on sound clips for musical equipment companies around the world.
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Harry Orlove
Harry Orlove started playing guitar at age 10 and did his first paying gig at age 11, where he made an astonishing $2.00. Needless to say, he was hooked. Having been on the road playing and recording since 17, soon Harry’s interest in the 5-string banjo and bluegrass music had become an obsession, and he worked in several ground breaking “new acoustic music” bands including Bottle Hill and The Monroe Doctrine.
Moving to Los Angeles in 1979, Harry landed a job in the house band of the World Famous Palomino Club where he got to work with music legends such as James Burton, Jimmy Bryant, Thumbs Carlisle, “Sneaky Pete” Kleinow and Jay Dee Maness.
In his 27 years on the West Coast, Harry has recorded with a wide range of artists like Lawrence Juber, Billy Swan, Lee Greenwood, Albert Lee, Paul Young, Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Felix Cavalieri (The Rascals), and has also done a great deal of commercial studio work including spots for Coca-Cola and Gateway Computers, as well as work on various major films and television series.
After years of working as a sideman with countless front-row artists and musicians, Harry finally got around to producing an Indy released CD titled Back From The Dead, which is available at CD Baby.
It should also be noted that Harry was named Time Magazine’s “Person Of The Year” in 2006.
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"The Flaxwood Rautia is a great all-around axe, it has served perfectly in all the ever-changing band situations I've come across!"
- Petteri Sariola
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Petteri Sariola
Petteri Sariola is a 24-year-old virtuoso who's been playing since he was 7, and is a 5th generation pro. Now, with 500 gigs under his thumb at home in Finland and abroad, he's developed a fierce, intense and energetic presence that draws a crowd to any stage, large or small. He loves to play. Throw in some sweet soul and delta blues vocals, add a sprinkling of laidback humour, and you get a unique act that never fails to get people on the edge of their seats.
PetteriSariola.fi
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Costello Hautamäki
One of Finland's most well-known guitar virtuosos Costello Hautamäki (born September 11, 1963) is the fast-finger of the rock band Popeda. The Finnish equivalent to the Rolling Stones has topped the charts in both record sales and live success for an unbelievable 30 years. Costello's track record also includes bands such as Sleepy Sleepers, Neropatit and Sensuuri, and he toured the Japan and Europe with the internationally acclaimed rock legend Hanoi Rocks.
Costello has released two solo albums; A Little Bit Crazy in 1988 and 13 Reasons to Rock in 2003. Alongside Popeda, he also plays solo gigs and composes music for television productions as well as for other artists. His recent creations are showcased in the 24th Popeda album, Täydelliset Miehet. Costello Hautamäki is the conductor of a musical based on the life work of the songwriter Vexi Salmi, featured in the repertoire of Hämeenlinna City Theatre's fall season 2008. |
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"My Rautia impressed me from the moment I held it. Imagine how I felt when I heard the clarity! Truly some of the cleanest humbuckers I've come across, quickly making it a studio favorite."
- Vindell E. Smith
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Vindell E. Smith
Given the name "Guitorganist" during a rehearsal when the organist failed to show, 25-year-old Vindell E.Smith has been gaining the reputation of the guitarist who knows the organ chords for the past eight years. Growing up in church and gaining the skills to play both the guitar and organ parts while playing alone with a drummer since the age of 17, Vindell knows when to step out or blend in like a seasoned veteran.
Vindell has worked with artists like Cheryl "Coko" Clemons, Troy Taylor, James "JJ" Hairston & Youthful Praise and Doobie Powell among others, and appears on various records including Doobie Powell's 4 Zoe and Can't Be Stopped, Deon Kipping & The New Covenant's Real Life, Real Worship, and Rev. Timothy Wright & The NY Fellowship Mass Choir's Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Vindell is currently a part of Deon Kipping's Love & Life Entertainment production team, which involves production, songwriting and arranging; his own production company Soul Strum Society is currently preparing instructional materials for future guitorganists. Vindell recently played for Oprah Winfrey and is currently touring with grammy-nominated group Mary Mary. |
David Carr
David Carr is a 'near 40' guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and record producer from Melbourne Australia. His professional guitarist career began in 1987 as a member of JANZ, a band which went on to win the world final of Band Explosion '88 in Japan out of 18,000 unsigned bands world wide. This lead to worldwide recording deals and recognition as an outstanding musician. To date he has toured internationally with many Australian acts and has appeared as a session guitarist on countless albums. His 'indie' sound has always seen him appear on songs where a distinctive and tasteful guitar part was preferred over that of a clichéd session player. His love of classic, retro and bizarre equipment reinforces his reputation as one who can pull a great sound from virtually any equipment and in any situation. He chooses equipment based on tone, functionality, simplicity and beautiful design.
As a producer, David's "big" guitar and drum sounds were first recognized in the post-grunge 90's scene. His production, sounds and mixes are now acknowledged as those that give an album an international sound, from intimate organic acoustic through to the hardest rock. He also loves cats.
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Lasse Sakara
Lasse Sakara is a Helsinki-based Finnish guitarist who among others plays in Samuli Edelmann's band and jazz drummer Olavi Louhivuori's group Oddarrang, the latter of which received the Finnish Jazz-Emma award for their album Music Illustrated in 2007. Lasse has also appeared on Finnish national television on many occasions, playing in the house band of Finnish Idols among many other programs. On record, his versatile playing is showcased on albums by the likes of Jippu, Mikko Leppilampi, Husky Rescue, Miami, Lasse Mårtenson Remix, Essi Wuorela and Sansa.
http://www.myspace.com/oddarrang |
Richard Lundmark
Richard Lundmark is a 30-something guitar-equilibrist, heralding from the deep forests of Northern Sweden. His style ranges from rock to jazz, from metal to fusion and something in between. Richard has both released a critically acclaimed instrumental album (FretDance, 2003), and held popular guitar clinics in both Sweden and Japan. He is currently working on a full-length guitar instructional DVD entitled Electric Guitar Concepts.
Fretdance
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Bobby Ensminger
One of the guitarists of the American alternative/metal band No Scope, Bobby Ensminger was turned on to Flaxwood guitars by their ingenuity and ability to produce a fine clean tone while having a super articulate crunch for high gain. http://www.myspace.com/noscopetheband |
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Paul Reid
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, guitarist and driving force behind progressive/alternative rock band Sadhana, Paul Reid was instantly enamoured and impressed by Flaxwood guitars' unbelievable tone, ambitious style and their ground-breaking sound while recording the band's first EP Vicissitudes.
Sadhana have been tremendously busy since coming together in late 2008. With their first EP Vicissitudes (available through iTunes and CD Baby) being recorded and released in February 2009, they have been gaining national recognition and playing to sold-out audiences and festivals around the country. Playing with some of biggest acts in the scene, getting national and international radio play, and having just finished recording their second EP release The Real (due for release soon), their future is looking extremely bright.
Now using his Flaxwood Rautia for the band's new EP The Real and all live performances all around Australia and overseas, the Flaxwood Rautia will define the sound of Sadhana for years to come.
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"They say that first impressions last... I remember the first time that I played a Flaxwood, I was hooked. I've owned and played a lot of guitars over the years and while I was intrigued about the construction, what got me was the feel, sound and sustain. My Flaxwood has become an integral part of my live and studio rig."
-Kris Petersen |
Kris Petersen
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