Builder Questionnaire: Widdershins Guitars
Please introduce yourself.
Widdershins Guitars
What do you make?
Guitar Pickups mainly at the moment.
But I also make custom guitar parts and started out by making full guitars, and am hoping to get back to doing that.
Why do you make what you do?
I’ve always tinkered with things from a very young age, taking things apart and putting them back together.
I’ve also been woodworking since I was a little kid too, and when I started playing bass and guitar when I was 12, it all naturally blended together, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. I got started repairing and restoring every kind of guitar I could.
I’m also determined to show people there are alternatives to the big players and that just because we aren’t large, small businesses can give you better products with more care and attention paid to them.
What was the first piece of guitar gear that excited or inspired you?
Other than my first bass and guitar, I think it was probably working and saving up for my first guitar I bought with my own money, which was a sunburst Epiphone Les Paul standard.
I got that and a crybaby and thought I was Jimmy Page.
What’s your current favourite piece of guitar gear?
My OR15 amp. I’ve played a lot of amps in my time, but it’s actually my first real tube Orange. The sound is exactly what I’ve been searching for all my life. It’s really reinvigorated my guitar playing and my ideas for pickups and other gear.
Close second goes to my Fuzzlord FET120 overdrive pedal. That thing is magical whether you use it as a preamp, a subtle overdrive or for full blown saturated Matamp Dopesmoker sounds.
What have you been listening to lately?
Lots of independent doom bands at the moment. I’ve been trying to listen to label compilations like the Weedian country compilations to find great new bands. (Shoutout to the recent a Canada one, it’s amazing)
Some bands also heavy on rotation right now
Im also always listening to the latest Last Podcast of the Left.
Ideally, where do you see yourself/company/brand in 5 years?
I’d like to be back making guitars again if I can get a space to do that. I’d obviously love the brand to grow and have the opportunity to reinvest in it and bring new products out.
I’d just honestly like to be able to do this as a living as comfortably as I can, show my kids value in using your own hands to build things, contribute to something you feel passionate about, and know that I’ve put out quality products that inspire musicians to create.
Anything else you’d like to add?
It’s just really nice to see more Canadian representation in this market. It’s not easy for us, especially when we already take a hit sourcing parts as anything quality generally comes from the states and we are already taking a hit on shipping and customs. But we have some amazing craftspeople up here and I’ve noticed more Americans taking note of that and having a real interest in gear coming from up North!
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