INTRODUCTION
Hey, Jeff Long here. I'm currently working as a country manager for BMG, taking care of the Production Music business, licensing production music to production houses and broadcast companies. Sometimes, I put on another hat as a freelance composer, writing theme songs for TV Programs (Eg. Code Of Law, Singapore Short Stories, School Bell Rings, just to name a few).
Hey, Jeff Long here. I'm currently working as a country manager for BMG, taking care of the Production Music business, licensing production music to production houses and broadcast companies. Sometimes, I put on another hat as a freelance composer, writing theme songs for TV Programs (Eg. Code Of Law, Singapore Short Stories, School Bell Rings, just to name a few).
As far as I can recall, my first exposure to the guitar was sometime back in 1983, during my early secondary school days... That would basically mean, I've been playing the guitar for almost 4 decades!! I actually started out as a drummer, but decided to pick up the guitar, as it was a lot more mobile than a drumkit, plus, I figured it's much easier to expand one's social circle banging out Hotel California with the neighborhood "kakis" under the void deck.
The two most prominent bands that I've played in, were DNA (Do Not Ask '91 to '92) and RadioActive ('93 to about '96).
Post RadioActive music projects are mostly music production work.
These days, I use my gift to serve the Church.
PLAYING STYLE
MAIN INSTRUMENTS
OTHER EQUIPMENT
Started out with BOSS pedals, progressed to rackmount effects during DNA days, went full circle and came back to using pedals. Owned quite a few classic tube amps as well, but only the Fender Princeton remained to this day.
OTHER LOCAL GUITARISTS YOU FIND INTERESTING
Too many... And I'm not saying it just to be politically correct... But off the bat, Leslie Low comes to mind. I've been intrigued by his works from the first time I heard him play in Humpback Oak... You must be thinking, "but he's not really a killer guitarist what?" For that, I say to you: it's always about serving the song.
PLAYING STYLE
I'm pretty much an 80s Glam Rock guitar player, love fast flashy scale runs, double hand tapping techniques, dive bombs etc. Shred to the max!! I draw my inspiration from guitar players like Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Steve Lukathur and Steve Stevens (just to name a few of my all time favorites).
I've always believed that a musician should focus on serving the song. Play when you need to play, lay off when the song doesn't require you to play. Think of it as a group of people sitting in a circle exchanging conversations, it's only when they each take turns to speak, with the rest listening, then would the exchange be an enjoyable one.
Most of my guitars are Humbucker/Humbucker pickup configuration... I just love thick sounding tones. My go-to pickup position for solos used to be the bridge pickup, plenty of bite, easy to conjure up squeals and pinch harmonics... Strangely, I use the neck pickup a lot more these days.
I don't do warm ups before I play... I prefer to feel my fingers slowly loosen themselves up naturally as I go along.
Favorite guitar exercise? It has to be the notorious "Spider walk".
The Ibanez RG550 (Desert Yellow) was the main workhorse through DNA's and RadioActive's recording sessions and gigs... It got retired soon after RadioActive's recording sessions and was replaced by a Valley Arts (Trans Blue) Super Strat. Many guitars came and went after I sold the Valley Arts to a collector, but for some strange unknown reason, the thought of owning a Gibson never crossed my mind.
My current collection; ESP Snapper (Super Strat), ESP Eclipse (Black Les Paul), Blonde Fender 52 Tele Reissue, Made In Japan Daphne Blue Fender 62 Stratocaster, Washburn Custom with Floyd Rose (built for me as an endorsement deal), Taylor Dan Crary dreadnought and the Emerald Green PRS Custom 24.
For the past couple of decades, my go-to guitar has been the Emerald Green PRS Custom 24. I bought that one from a Guitar Centre located somewhere in San Francisco... It only took about 10 minutes of "try" time for me to know that it's "The One".
OTHER EQUIPMENT
Started out with BOSS pedals, progressed to rackmount effects during DNA days, went full circle and came back to using pedals. Owned quite a few classic tube amps as well, but only the Fender Princeton remained to this day.
OTHER LOCAL GUITARISTS YOU FIND INTERESTING
Too many... And I'm not saying it just to be politically correct... But off the bat, Leslie Low comes to mind. I've been intrigued by his works from the first time I heard him play in Humpback Oak... You must be thinking, "but he's not really a killer guitarist what?" For that, I say to you: it's always about serving the song.