out of all the instruments I’ ve dabbled with, pedal steel feels like one I might go deeper on. I’ ve also got a soft spot for old Hawaiian and Tiki music, so tuning it to C6 and exploring that lap steel vibe has been a fun rabbit hole too.
[ WM ] What was it like touring in support of Kim Walker-Smith?
[ Eli ] I’ ve known Kim for years- played with her on Jesus Culture records, solo albums, tours, events … I think it’ s been close to a decade now. She’ s one of my best friends, and honestly, I can’ t imagine anything better than her tours.
No one leads worship like Kim. She’ s locked into what Holy Spirit is doing in the room, and that means every night is different- which keeps things really fresh and challenging in the best way as a musician. After playing together for so long, there’ s this unspoken connection where you start to pick up on each other’ s cues and musical instincts without even thinking about it. It’ s such a gift. But beyond the music, it’ s really awesome to travel with people you genuinely know and love. It’ s never just a gig- it’ s family. That makes all the difference. It makes being away from home worth it when you believe in the purpose of it all.
[ WM ] You are offering lessons now. Tell us about those and how can folks get in touch with you?
[ Eli ] Yes, I started offering lessons locally and realized how much I enjoy it. I’ ve also done some consulting with worship teams, which has been really fun- helping players grow in both their playing and their confidence. I’ m always open to connecting, whether that’ s lessons or online consulting. I genuinely love teaching.
You can find me at elischweyer. com or connect with me on Instagram @ elischweyer. I’ m usually pretty active there!
GEAR LIST:
Electric Guitars
• Veritas Mini Master Custom( early model)
• Gretsch G6636T Players Edition White Falcon
• Squier J Mascis Signature Jazzmaster( rosewood fretboard, older model)
• Fender American Standard Telecaster( early 2000s)
Acoustic Guitars
• Martin OM-28
• Gretsch Jim Dandy Parlor
Amps, Live and Studio
• 2001 Vox AC30 / 6 TB
• 1997 Fender Prosonic
• Stereo TONEX Pedals with custom amp captures
• Matchless DC-30( turquoise, part of regular backline with Kim’ s tours— wish it was mine though!)
Effect Pedals
• Goodwood Audio TX Underfacer
• TC Electronic PolyTune 3 Noir Mini
• Jackson Audio Bloom
• RJM Mastermind PBC / 6X
• Electro-Harmonix Micro POG
• Benson Preamp
• Browne Amps Protein
• JHS Kilt V1
• GFI System Synesthesia
• Lehle Mono Volume Pedal
• GFI System Specular Tempus
• Strymon Timeline
• Strymon BigSky
• Strymon Ojai power supply
Strings
• D’ Addario NYXLs( 10s and 11s depending on the guitar)
In-Ear-Monitors
• Alclair RSM Quad Driver
Any other gear you use that we left out?
• G7th Performance 3 ART Capo
• Silica Slides
• D’ Addario American Stage cables
• Herdim Blue Heavy Nylon Picks
• Dunlop Tortex 0.73 picks( yellow)
• Mono Case Vertigo and Dual
• The Fender Mustang Micro. It might sound crazy, but this little thing has been a lifesaver in green rooms and hotel rooms. My Dad gave it to me, and I wasn’ t sure about the tone at first— but it’ s actually an awesome tool. You can connect it to your smartphone via Bluetooth and jam along silently with just your guitar and headphones. It’ s not“ the tone,” but it’ s perfect for warm-ups or last-minute prep.
A guitar or piece of gear you are interested in adding to your set up?
• I’ ve got my eye on a Korg SDD-3000 digital delay rack. I borrowed one from Jeremy( The Myriad) for some sessions and absolutely loved it- especially the preamp and delay character. I’ ll probably pick one up eventually.
• Also … a Gretsch Duo Jet. Its so iconic. I can’ t believe I don’ t own one yet! Haha …
• And I’ ve been loving the pedal steel so much lately, I’ d like to get my own and dive even deeper into that world.
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