innovative in that space . Tell us about your approach to tone and pick-up design ?
[ James ] For years I had other pickup companies make pickups to my specs . After a while it just became apparent that if I was going to get everything I wanted , I was going to have to bring it in house .
I haven ’ t really changed pickup design , but my approach to tone is you can ’ t have too much . I spare no expense on quality materials and strive for consistency . I have my own wire made in the USA to a higher spec than industry standard . Once I develop a pickup and figure out the wire gauge , winding tension , and how the winds are spaced , layered and where they overlap and where they don ’ t , it all gets programmed into computer controlled coil winding machines . That way every one comes out the same . You can ’ t say that for scatter winding or hand winding .
[ WM ] The lead guitarist on my church ’ s worship team plays a Line 6 Variax electric guitar . It sounds great through the PA system . A lot of people don ’ t realize that you had quite a significant role in that “ Swiss army knife ” of a guitar ’ s design . One of my worship community friends Rich Renken worked for you for years , he then went to Line 6 to work and then you both collaborated on the Variax together . Now Rich is back working for you in a significant role . Looking back on the success of the Variax , tell us your thoughts on that season of your life ?
[ James ] It was quite a challenge . Aside from working as an auto mechanic in my early twenties , I had been self-employed most of my life . I had no experience whatsoever in a corporate environment . I had no clue about the politics , personal agendas , the “ cover your bottom ” syndrome and the egos I would be dealing with . It was a very difficult time . I was told initially that it would take about six months , it lasted five years . I had to juggle the work for Line 6 with my own business , which put a strain on my shop and guys . And then in the middle of all that , I had to have brain surgery . Let ’ s just say that if I had it all to do over again , I wouldn ’ t .
But then again , I learned a lot in that situation . I actually gained a lot of confidence in my knowledge and abilities . And if Rich and I didn ’ t work together there , maybe we wouldn ’ t be working together now . So , who knows ? At this point it ’ s all in the past , I rarely think about it .
[ WM ] It is amazing to watch the video tour of your shop . After 40 years you and your team still have 36-42 guitars being built - in different stages – at any given time . You still do a lot of the final set up on your guitars yourself before
Rich Renken with James Tyler