Feeder’s Grant Nicholas can’t live without his vintage Jazzmasters
The Welsh Jazzmaster fanatic tells us about the guitars he’s loved and lost, Feeder’s most embarrassing onstage moments, and his vintage gear obsessions.
All images: Eleanor Jane
The moment it all started…
“I got my first guitar – a black Les Paul copy by Avon – at the age of 10 or 11 after doing well at school. I remember being inspired by the 6th form band and also my brother’s early record collection. I used to gaze at the musical instrument section in my mum’s catalogues for hours!”
I couldn’t live without my…
“One of my vintage Jazzmasters and a nice old Gibson J-45, or my J-200 or Guild M-20 acoustics.”
The one that got away…
“I sold a great hardtail Fender Strat after recording Polythene. I had a bad re-fret done and it killed the feel and sound of the guitar for me. I decided to trade it in against a vintage ’64 Fender Jazzmaster. I also recently had a lovely Grestch Country Gent stolen from the Feeder lockup, which has never shown up.”
My dream signature guitar…
“It would just be a Jazzmaster with a few GN-specific mods.”
The first thing I play when I pick up a guitar…
“It depends, but usually a few nice open chords or an old school riff. If it’s an acoustic then maybe a bit of fingerpicking.”
The best advice I’ve ever been given…
“It’s all about the tunes!”