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Q: I have a question regarding your signal path, specifically your Boss Compressor, on your pedalboard. My question is, where have you found your best tone for the CS-3 in your signal path and what setting do you find work for you? Right now my Dyna-Comp, is used to hit the front of my amp more than anything else, and it's the first pedal in my chain immediately after my wah. Was going to try the CS-3 near the end of my chain - before my Adrenalinn II and my Fulltone Fat Boost...btw, if you haven't played through the Roger Linn Adrenalinn II, it's the bomb... too much fun for a guitar player to have!!! - From Dennis 

A: The way I do it is to have the compressor as the first pedal in the chain (or last, depending on which way you look at it). The guitar plugs straight in to the compressor etc. I feel this gives the best tone for what I am doing. You sound like you have a good selection of pedals. Try this! 

Q: Do you use the same jack to plug in your electric guitar and your acoustic guitar when you do live shows with Sting? If so, do you have an A/B box that splits your signal? What kind is it ? I am making my pedal board for the next Corneille tour and I am looking at different A/B boxes. - from Andy

A: I go DI for the acoustic so it is on a different system. But it also goes through the pedal board so I can use the tuner. Good luck on the tour.

Q: I'm a pro muso in Sweden doing about 200 gigs a year. My current setup is a Gibson Black Beautie 53 with a Boss GT5. I know... I should have an amp with stomp boxes but the current situation I'm playing with/in doesn't support that so what gear do you recommend with my Gibson? I'm playing everything from hard rock to country & western. - from Torbjörn 

A: It all depends on the sound you want to get. The least amount of pedals the better. I do find that Boss make the best ones. They are reliable. In the end it's all a matter of personal taste. 

Q: I am a touring professional guitarist/writer in Australia playing pop/funk who has bought endless amps/pedals to get "that sound". It was with great pleasure that I saw your board consisting of mostly Boss pedals and resulting in a fantastic sound. I was so impressed that after suffering the theft of all my equipment I have basically used your gear set-up as a shopping list and bought a 100w Mesa MK III, Korg G1, Boss HM2, etc... My question is (and I know it's "all in the fingers") how do you utilise these otherwise average pedals with your amp to get such a great sound? Specifically the dist./overdrive pedals - do you run these against the clean signal on the amp or the dirty? Individual settings would be incredibly helpful... - From Ruairidh 

A: A lot of people ask me about my sound. There are many factors involved. One of the most important is the order you use the pedals. It's all down to personal taste and experimenting. I am left footed so I have the volume and wah on the left. But with this board I am free to change the order at will without moving the pedals. It's all in the wiring. Another important factor is the amp settings. Sometimes I use the amp grunge and for more 'produced' sounds I use the Boss pedal. I am always experimenting with different pedals. There is also a huge difference with live and recording. But ultimately it's in the choice of guitar and of course one's touch. For instance, Jeff Beck always gets the same sound regardless of what he's using which is often just a guitar and an amp. I hope this helps. Stay with it!

Q: I really enjoyed your set Sunday night in Chicago. Beautiful arrangement of the National Anthem. Loved the Bach as well. Incredible technique, you make it look so easy. Just wanted to let you know how amazing your guitar sounds out in the audience. It's huge, much bigger than any regular 'classical' guitar I've heard before. My wife insisted there was a keyboard playing with you but I know that it was all you. What is the red nylon string guitar you used in the solo set as well as with Sting? Anything effects you are running it through? - from Michael 

A: Yes it is an amazing guitar. It's a 'Paloma' Guild electro-nylon acoustic specially made for me so I am happy with it. I did use a keyboard sound to fade in a chord during the set. I used a volume pedal. That was the only 'gimmick'. 

Q: What kind of pedals are you using? I'm building my own set of pedals... ! need some advices, please. - Tiago

A: I am careful with pedals because I believe you can get the best sound with your fingers. But I do use Boss pedals because they sound good. The compressor sustainer is a really good one. I like the tremolo pan (especially in stereo) and the flanger is great!

Q: Having listened to some of your solo album on classical guitar, I was wondering if you use any effects with the classical guitar sound like delay or reverb or is that just the natural sound of the guitar you play with? - From Alan

A: For classical guitar the only effect I use is reverb. Compression is definitely a no no. The best effect with acoustic is expression which is in the fingers and takes time but well worth it.

Q: I recently saw you at the White River Amphitheatre near Seattle Wa. You play one hell of a beautiful guitar. I'm interested to know the brand/type of reverb your using with your classical playing. It almost sounds like synth strings in the background. - From Mike

A: Thanks Mike. I only use minimal reverb from the front of house desk (at his discretion) for the nylon guitar. I did have a volume pedal fading in a synth chord for two of the tunes. That was my 'gimmick'.

Q: Do you use a tap tempo function? - from Ehsaan

A: I use the Line 6 delay unit which I can tap the tempos in. Very useful! 

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