the PRS Amp models they produced . I also use Bias FX often ( from Positive Grid ). It works great to really stretch out and try lots of different setups very simply and easily .
The Universal Audio OX Amp Top Box was also a game changer in terms of tone acquisition . If I want to sound most like myself playing through my setup , I go through the OX . It allows me to feel like I ’ ve mic ’ d up an amp without actually having to mic up an amp ! ( And it works great for live , too !)
[ WM ] Your thoughts on modeling units vs . analog pedals ?
[ Jeffrey ] It ’ s all hype ! That ’ s a joke - honestly , if something gets the job done , use it . There are certain products I ’ ve definitely steered clear of in the digital modeling world , but the current things we have available are pretty great . My current pedalboard has a mixture of analog and digital and it all works really well together . All of my drive and comp pedals are analog , then modulation and time-based effects are digital . The Line 6 HX Stomp is a fixture at the end of my board ; in my usual setup with an amp , I can use it to add an effect pedal I don ’ t have or detune without retuning . In a fly date with a terrible backline amp , I can go direct and work around it . Or use the HX for a direct line and send a line to a live amp for stage volume . See ? TONS of uses !
The one word of caution … don ’ t believe the preset hype . So many presets for digital modeling sound great played by themselves but are not a great fit in a band setting .
[ WM ] Can you list three worship albums that inspire your own worship guitar playing ?
[ Jeffrey ] Not really ! Too many to choose from ! I didn ’ t play on it , so I think I can say this , but the Church of the City albums released over the last couple of years have some great playing on them by James Duke and Luke Sullivant . I love that there are so many layers to it . Good lead lines , but also sub-layers of guitar just undergirding the rest of the song .
[ WM ] You are an endorsee for PRS guitars … tell us about that relationship ?
[ Jeffrey ] PRS is a wonderful company , full of great people building some of the best instruments on the planet . I ’ ve had the privilege of knowing them and playing their guitars for 16 years now and it ’ s just home for me . I play almost exclusively PRS ( though there are a couple Fender ’ s for the studio ) - but from my viewpoint , the whole team at PRS is trying to build a great guitar and get it into the hands of players like me . And I try to do as much as I can to support them , because that ’ s part of the relationship too . It ’ s also given me the opportunity to review guitars for [ WM ] Worship Musician magazine , which has been fun over the years . I even got to be on the leading edge and review the John Mayer Silver Sky when it first came out !
[ WM ] Outline your live rig on stage for us . Guitars , amps , pedalboard ?
[ Jeffrey ] My main guitar is a PRS DGT model , with a McCarty as my second , most often . I use a Shure GLX-D wireless into my pedalboard , which is loaded with : Keeley Compressor JRockett Audio Archer Ikon