Job: Aircraft Technician
Started playing: When I was 12 or 13. For Christmas one year my brother got an Antoria "Les Paul" Deluxe and an amp for about £25. Being a typical younger brother, I poached his present and played it all day! By February, my folks made me buy the stuff off him with my Birthday money!
I remember the first thing I learned was the bass line to Iron Maiden's "Running Free". I kept playing that line for *hours* - I was hooked. Other notable early pieces were Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger", and "Dee" by Randy Rhoads (obviously after a year or two!)
Dee was one of those pieces that I just *had* to play. No amount of crap technique or lack of understanding would bar me from learning it - I guess it's the beauty of learning in your teens - no-one can convince you that you can't do something. I got there in the end, and still play the piece regularly.
Main gear: 1991 PRS Custom 24: The finish has been removed from the neck, and it's been well used - but it's a fabulous guitar. Charvel Model 6: My Charvel has been in pieces for maybe five years - one of my sons will probably rebuild it when they're older! Ovation Legend Acoustic: A lovely guitar that called to me for months before I bought her (blasted interest free credit!). Martin Backpacker: Rarely played these days - but I do enjoy the sound and convenience of it.
Mesa Boogie MkIV (wide-bodied version, with a 1x12 EV loaded extension cabinet) T.C. Electronic G-Force effects unit, Kenton GS-8 Switching unit, and Nobels MF-2 Floor controller, Ernie Ball Volume Pedal, Morley Wah. More details at my website.
Favourite music: Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen, Satch and Vai, Eric Johnson, Adrian Legg, Neil Finn.