Spotlight : A PHRED instruments Blog

Dusty Alander, Catfish John

Artist Spotlight: Dusty Alander, Catfish John

Guitars: Liger, Scarlet Wolph Bio In dedication and devotion to the musical adventure of the Grateful Dead: Jeff Orr, Dusty Alander, Scott Tillotson, Wyatt Rakich and Keith Alcantara bring back their own interpretation of music that has inspired for 50 years! Born out of the love and inspiration of their favorite Band, Catfish John is […]

Joshua Nodarse, Left on Wilson

Artist Spotlight: Joshua Nodarse, Left on Wilson

Guitars: DockStar Koa Bio Left On Wilson has been bringing tasty grooves to engage your ear holes and move your feet since 2016. Their well crafted original material spans time and space while carefully chosen covers freckle the soundscape. From catchy dance tunes to their syncopated riffing, Left On Wilson fuses genres and implements emotion […]

DockStar Koa

Performer Magazine Review of the DockStar Koa

Click here to read Benjamin Ricci’s (Performer Magazine) full review of our DockStar Koa. “First thoughts: this guitar is light and a breeze to play. Fretwork has been improved over the years at the Phred finishing shop here in the States (the guitars themselves are constructed overseas and sent back for final setups), and the neck […]

Pedal of the Day

Pedal of the Day

Whether you’re shopping for your first guitar or bass effects pedal or looking to add some new sounds to your pedal board or collection, Pedal of the Day reviews a different guitar or bass effects pedal daily for your enjoyment. On their website you can read up on guitar effects pedal reviews and interviews with gutiar players […]

Patrick Higgins

Artist Spotlight: Patrick Higgins

Guitars: Stratus Natural Ash, Ace, Blade About Patrick grew up outside Washington D.C. in McLean, VA., and started guitar lessons at 12. He played in some garage/high school party bands in his teens. During this time a friend suggested he listen to “the Grateful Dead’s rhythm guitarist Bob Weir, he’s different, I think you’ll like […]

Josh Maxey

Artist Spotlight: Josh Maxey

Guitar: DockStar Flame Maple, Reprise About Josh Maxey is a musician and guitar teacher based in New York City. Josh’s music has been played all around the world on jazz radio and has received dozens of critical reviews. He counts his main influences as John Coltrane, Rodney Jones, Trey Anastasio and The Grateful Dead. Josh […]

OBEL On Board Effects Loop Explained with Video

Using a HubBub Junction Box with an OBEL Equipped Guitar (Video)

Introduction You may have noticed that effects pedals, such as distortion and envelope filters, sound different when you adjust the volume on your electric guitar. You’ve spent hours dialing in distortion and made sure to mark the setting on your effects pedal. And then you lower the volume on your guitar, and the effect sounds […]

Ernesto vs DockStar

Ernesto vs DockStar: What are the Differences?

We are often asked about the differences between the Ernesto and the DockStar, after all, they are quite similar guitars in many ways.  Both guitars are hollow body guitars, and are inspired by the amplified tone of Trey Anastasio’s Languedoc guitars.  The Ernesto and DockStar are not exact Languedoc copy, or Languedoc replica guitars, as […]

Walt Berger

Artist Spotlight: Walt Berger

Guitar: Wolph About Walt Berger has performed onstage and toured with Tom Constanten (Grateful Dead), Vince Welnick (Grateful Dead), Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band), Kenny Brooks (Ratdog), Mark Karan (Ratdog), Scott Guberman (Phil Lesh n Friends), Mark Mercier (Max Creek) and many others. His bands In The Dark and Walt B and Friends toured from […]

Hal Henkel

Artist Spotlight: Harold “Hal” Henkel

Guitar: Scarlet Wolph About Harold “Hal” Henkel is a Los Angeles based Composer, Producer and guitar Fanatic who has performed, recorded and opened shows for many of the biggest names in contemporary music, including Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, The Neville Brothers, Carlos Santana and many others. His “Halcyon Blues” instrumental CD received rave reviews from […]