Hi, my name is Simon. I live on the Wirral in England (Carcass country).
I've been playing guitar since I was 14 (Nirvana's "Nevermind" is what got me seriously into music, like a lot of people my age, then Metallica's "Black Album" etc). As I'm now racing to towards being 34, I "should" be as good as Steve Vai. But sadly, I'm not. I've had periods in my life without a guitar and no real practice regime.
I currently have an Ibanez "Xiphos" 300FX (I did try the more expensive ones, but this one felt the best), a Line6 X3 Live, and a Ibanez BTB 5 string bass. I have owned more guitars than I can recall, and always struggled to find that "one" guitar. But hopefully that'll change soon, as I'm after a Ibanez RG350 or a bargain RG550.
I mostly listen to metal, but I think I have a pretty open attitude to music. I find there is always good music to be found in any genre.
My influences as a guitarist I guess would be; Dimebag, Zakk Wylde, Jeff Loomis, Jack Owen, Rob Barrett, Dino Cazares & James Hetfield.
I play music for a hobby, as I am a web designer by career. I joined this site as I want to improve my playing as I have hit a wall with it. Hopefully this site and it's teachers (and members) will help me achieve what I want to achieve.