When it comes to incredible musicians, believe us when we say we have seen plenty and continue to see a plethora of talent, none more-so that in the digital age where access to world class musicians can be found via YouTube on your phone. However, now and then certain players pop up and rise to the top, players who just have that special something, Josh Smith is one of them.
Josh has been on the road nearly all his life as a touring musician, picking up the guitar at age 6 and playing his first gig at age 12, now, 20 years later he has gone from the blues clubs of Florida to global megastardom, now a grammy nominated producer and often seen touring with his long-time friend Joe Bonamassa.
This week sees Josh take to the stages around the UK at GuitarGuitar stores, delivering some incredible insight and knowledge from a life of playing guitar at the highest level. From sessions to clinics, gigs to grammy’s and everything in between Josh wowed the sold-out audiences at GuitarGuitar Birmingham, Newcastle, Epsom and Camden all whilst playing his gorgeous signature Ibanez FLATV1, a change of direction for the legendary brand toward a more traditional style instrument, however still with that killer Ibanez reliability. You know this guitar can handle a hot gig, go into a trailer and then back out and be absolutely fine. The roasted maple neck will help with reliability, ensuring the neck stays as straight as a die, something we are all used to with the incredible Ibanez AZ and AZES range of guitars.
Josh’s guitar derives from an AZES, however with some clever, brilliant and practical tweaks. Pickups designed and wound by Seymour Duncan, nickel frets, vintage tuners and a simple but effective aesthetic, this guitar has the eyes and ears of all who came to see.
Josh ran his clinics with a Lionheart L20T-112 behind him, usually a 6L6 valve man, he found the EL84’s in the Lionheart had a certain character and quality that he hadn’t usually felt on stage, certainly something with potential…
Josh’s newest record ‘Live At The Spud’ is available now to stream, download and purchase over on his website: www.joshsmithguitar.com
Photos: Dudley Ross.