Dudes,
I know how important personal experience plays in determining which equipment sounds good to everyone. For myself, I have mentioned here what is then a hobby is now a passion and as much as there are a lot of talented and experienced musicians here, there are people more talented and experienced beyond these shores. Nowadays, I rely on these people to make equipment decisions for me because they are more exposed and more knowledgeable. For example, before my Baker arrived, I and cliff cultreri were discussing which amp would bring out the best out of the Baker. He said that it should not be a problem and he even suggested that what I felt was sucky sounding clean channel on the Bogner Uberschall was a channel that the Baker could drive. I was skeptical but when the Baker arrived and I plugged in I could get cleans and jazzy sounding stuff.
So who the hell is cliff cultreri? ( I apologize for having to repeat this post again)
"Cliff brings to the table 30 years of music industry experience, during which he was responsible for producing and executive producing primarily guitar-driven music. Cliff was responsible for signing and executive producing such artists as Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Alan Holdsworth, Peter Frampton, Warren Haynes and GOV'T Mule, Steve Howe, John McLaughlin, Scott Henderson, Slash's Snakepit, Opeth, Megadeath, C.O.C., Exodus, Anthrax, Slayer, The Cure, My Bloody Valentine, Our Lady Peace, and too many more to mention. During that time, projects involving Cliff had received 18 Grammy Nominations and 27 Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum awards. Cliff was also privileged to work alongside of some of the greatest producers in rock history such as Glyn Johns (The Who, Rolling Stones), Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin), Jim Gaines (Stevie Ray Vaughan), Butch Vig (Nirvana), Bob Rock (Metallica), etc... He has been recording guitar driven rock records since 1975 and has thus gathered a wealth of knowledge in that arena. It is this knowledge that he brings to the table to share with all who work with him at DestroyAllGuitars."
Some quotes about Cliff:
"I was discovered by Frank Zappa but Cliff Cultreri gave me my chance in the music business and if it was not for his instincts, support and encouragement, it's unlikely I would have had a successful music career. When you hear about music business folk lore you hear the fairy tale stories of the one guy that made a difference but was more or less an unsung hero. Cliff was my guardian angel. After countless refusals from virtually every label, Cliff was the only one to take the chance and release my music, giving me a deal that is to this day unequivocally unprecedented in the music business." - Steve Vai
"Back in the 80's when Cliff was with Relativity, he signed my band Tribal Tech, and also helped us get our first three records released. He also really helped us in our first attempts at touring in the US. The music that I play isn't very commercial and I knew it was Cliff's appreciation for what we do that influenced him to help us, more than just trying to make money. Thanks Cliff!" - Scott Henderson
"Cliff is my tone guru. He knows amps and guitars better than anyone, and I trust his recommendations when it comes to equipment. I've known Cliff since '85 and he's always been on the new frontier with both music and gear. He signed me to Relativity back in '86 and since then has continued to help me develop as a solo artist. Now with DestroyAllGuitars on the web we all have a place to go when we need Cliff's advice!" - Joe Satriani
Now, I dont have to be a gigging dude in any situation to know what sounds good if I have Cliff who helps me make equipment purchasing decisions. And believe me, he knows about stuff that he is not even selling on his website and at the same time honest enough to say if he does not know. If you guys are looking to musical credentials, I am telling you that this is the MAN. Who here locally can match his achievements? But you know what? Anybody can write to him and ask for advice. I don't have a monopoly on him. In fact, more than just selling me a Baker, he has shown me a guitar that I never thought would exist in terms of sound character kaya ako bilib sa kanya maski na wala akong tinanungan na gigging musician dito. Between that Aegis guitarist who gigs alot with [gooey brown stuff] sounding equipment or Cliff and Ken Volpe, I would put my trust in Cliff or Ken.
Now if you claim to know more about good sounding guitar than Cliff Cultreri just because you are gigging musician on [gooey brown stuff] equipment, then you are full of hot air.
