Contributors
Meet Jef Stone
Founder, Editor, & Certified Tone Geek
I grew up in a house surrounded by wood shavings and wiring, watching my father build electric guitars on our family’s kitchen table. My own guitar journey officially kicked off when I bought a 100-watt Marshall JCM 800 and a matching 4×12 cab, squeezing it into a bedroom barely big enough for a bed. At the time, I didn’t really understand just how loud 100 watts of valve power was—but I was hooked.
That early obsession sparked a lifelong career in sound. I started experimenting with recording and MIDI at a young age, cutting my teeth on Pro 24 and Notator on an Atari synced to a Fostex R8. After years of playing in bands and working in recording studios, I eventually became a professional sound engineer.
My career in pro audio has taken me everywhere. I’ve worked for some of the UK’s largest pro audio retailers, setting up DAWs in everything from local college setups to world-famous recording facilities like Air Studios and The Strongroom. I even owned and operated my own recording studio in London, where I learned the dark arts of recording massive guitar tones and getting the best out of bands.
Today, I’m a certified guitar geek and a total hoarder of effect pedals and valve amps. Over the years, I’ve built my own guitars and curated a massive personal collection. From Parker Flys to Klon Centaurs, if it makes a noise, I’ve probably owned it at least once.
When I’m not writing for Guitar Bomb, I run the annual Analogue To Digital music show and the Vintage Guitar Fair in the UK. It keeps me busy all year and gives me the perfect excuse to talk shop with luthiers, manufacturers, and pro players.
Now Spinning: Dinosaur Jr, My Bloody Valentine, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, Troy Van Leeuwen, and beyond.
Martin Delaney
Martin Delaney is a journalist, musician, photographer, and teacher. He writes regularly for Computer Music magazine and plays bass for The Witch Of Brussels.
www.martindelaneyphotography.london