27 Feb 2026

February 2026 – Recent New ‘Old’ In at CRAVE Guitars

by CRAVEGuitars | posted in: History, Introduction, News, Observations, Opinion | 0

Prelude

WELL, A HEARTY HALLOO AND AN AMICABLE AHOY dear readers. I hope 2026 is treating you well so far and is all hunky‑dory in your world. NB. ‘hunky‑dory’ is American reduplicated slang generally meaning ‘safe, satisfactory and pleasant’. It first appeared in print in a collection of minstrel songs, ‘Essence Of Old Kentucky’ (1862) by George Christy. ‘Hunky Dory’ (without the hyphen) is also the fourth studio album by the legendary David Bowie from 1971.

It is almost unbelievable to think that we are already six years since the Covid‑19 outbreak and four years since Russia invaded Ukraine but here we are, racing through 2026 at a rate of knots (NB. A knot is one nautical mile per hour. A nautical mile is about 1.15 land miles).

“With your smiling faces round, ‘Tis then I’m hunkey dorey” – Christy’s Minstrels

After a challenging winter for many, it will soon be time to welcome the refreshing renewal of spring (at least up here in the northern hemisphere). It is a time to be optimistic and enthusiastic about life’s opportunities in the spirit of rejuvenation. If only such a prophecy could be self‑fulfilling.

Going against natural tendency, I will be trying to keep this month’s article short and sweet for a change. Included within that brevity is my message to the insane malefactors creating misery and mayhem is simple; repent from your malevolent ways and make a better world for everyone and everything. It really isn’t difficult.

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes…you’re Doing Something” – Neil Gaiman (1960‑)

This Month at CRAVE Guitars…

Believe it or not, there hasn’t been a dedicated article covering ‘what’s new’ at CRAVE Guitars for nearly five years, since, ‘August 2020 – Even More Whazzup at CRAVE Guitars’. How did that happen? That post was immediately prior to ‘the hiatus’ (September 2020 to August 2023).

There was a sub‑section, part of a larger article, called, ‘New’ Old Gear’ at the end of 2023 in the article, ‘December 2023 – CRAVE Guitars: Three Years in Review’ but it was only a snapshot at the time and covered acquisitions over ‘the hiatus’.

While vintage guitar gear is, by definition, the antithesis of ‘new’, this month’s content is all about the anticipation and discovery of finding fascinating ‘new’ old things. The vintage items covered herein may be decades old but they are ‘new’ to CRAVE Guitars and they change the overall dynamic of the ‘collection’. Plenty of images and links this month. No AI at all, anywhere.

“Step through new doors. The majority of the time there’s something fantastic on the other side” – Oprah Winfrey (1954‑)

So… even though vintage guitar gear purchases have slowed down considerably over the last couple of years (as regular readers will know, due to fund and space limitations) it seems long overdue to bring things up‑to‑date.

This month’s ‘quotes of wisdom’ are relevant to the notion of new experiences in life and breaking away from old, possibly restrictive, practices. Bring it on.

“You never know what you can do until you try, and very few try unless they have to” – C.S. Lewis (1898‑1963)

New Members of the CRAVE Guitars Family 2025‑2026 (15)

Included in this article are CRAVE Guitars’ purchases since the start of 2025 to‑date.

Guitars and basses generally cost a lot of money and take up a lot of real estate, so given practical limitations, guitar/bass purchases have been restricted to just two guitars and one bass.

Vintage amplifiers are also space hungry and also tend to cost a lot. Given that CRAVE Amps are a lower priority, none have been acquired recently.

Effect pedals are considerably cheaper and take up little space, so stomp box arrivals have been more abundant. In contrast to other parts of CRAVE Guitars, there has been a significant ‘investment’ in CRAVE Effects over the last 12 months.

For more in‑depth information about each of the instruments and effects, follow the links after each summary to take you to a full feature page on the web site (each opens in a new browser tab).

“I’m always doing things I can’t do. That’s how I get to do them” – Pablo Picasso (1881‑1973)

Vintage Guitars/Basses (3):

Just three vintage guitar and bass acquisitions over the past couple of years. Scant quantity, thankfully, does not equate to compromised quality.

1966 Fender Electric XII (+ case) – This particular guitar was the focus of CRAVE Guitars’ article of June 2025, ‘Challenging Vintage Guitar Snobbery: A Cautionary Tale’. Why? I have tried to avoid refinished guitars but the opportunity to pick up a vintage Fender Electric XII at a price I could afford made me re‑evaluate my view on the practice. It arrived without a case and, because the Electric XII has unique proportions, tracking down a case specifically made to fit it was a nightmare, let alone an original 1966 Fender case. Eventually, I found a dedicated case; not vintage but it provides essential protection. The XII may have been refinished but it is still a very cool guitar.

Article: June 2025 – Challenging Vintage Guitar Snobbery: A Cautionary Tale

Feature – 1966 Fender Electric XII

1966 Fender Electric XII

1984 Guild X‑79 Skyhawk (+ case) – I had been looking for cool Guild guitars for a while now, hoping to find a good S‑300 or S‑100. In 2025, my son and I attended a heavy metal gig. That acted as a catalyst to look for a vintage ‘Made in USA’ Guild Skyhawk and, fortunately, this one came along. It is very characteristic of the ‘extreme’ art of guitar manufacturing during the 1980s. The original case was too far past its sell‑by date, so a similar vintage‑correct case was found to keep it safe (it’s another guitar with unique proportions). The Guild Skyhawk is very distinctive and a very cool under‑the‑radar ‘metal’ axe and a great addition to CRAVE Guitars.

Feature – 1984 Guild X‑79 Skyhawk

1984 Guild X-79 Skyhawk

1983 Kramer ‘The Duke’ Deluxe Bass – I just missed out on a rather sweet Kramer 450B bass with its distinctive aluminium neck and ‘tuning fork’ headstock, so it was while I was searching for Kramer instruments that I came across this interesting instrument, characterising a trend in the 1980s for compact, portable headless basses. At first glance, it might be mistaken for a Steinberger bass but it is actually quite different. The ‘Made in USA’ Kramer The Duke may not be a ‘classic’ but it is a very good vintage bass guitar, very unusual in all respects and quite a relative vintage bargain, which makes it all the better for CRAVE Basses. Cool.

Feature – 1983 Kramer ‘The Duke’ Deluxe Bass

1983 Kramer The Duke Deluxe

“Do one thing every day that scares you” – Eleanor Roosevelt (1884‑1962)

Vintage Effect Pedals (12):

Back in October 2025, the CRAVE article, ‘Vintage Guitar Gear Collections Within a Collection: Part II – CRAVE Effects’ got me thinking about focusing on a brand and its models, rather than the usual diverse way of doing things. Actively creating a ‘collection within a collection’ from scratch is a completely new approach for CRAVE Effects. That is why there are a dozen pedals from only two American brands. To revisit that article, follow the link below (opens in a new browser tab).

Article: October 2025 – Vintage Guitar Gear Collections Within A Collection: Part II – CRAVE Effects

This alternative methodology led directly to buying a number of DOD FX series effect pedals in a buying spree. Previously, CRAVE Effects only had the glorious ‘large box’ DOD Analog Delay 680. DOD was always a reliable budget American brand, releasing large numbers of pedals at realistic prices between 1973 and 1996. Some DOD FX series pedals (1982‑1996) were better than others and this is evident in the initial trawl. I have a feeling that there may be more to come.

1987 DOD FX10 Bi‑Fet Preamp – One of those behind‑the‑scenes pedals that do an awful lot without sounding like it. Originally conceived to boost passive acoustic/electro‑acoustic pickups, the FX10 was widely adopted by guitarists and bass players to boost, balance or buffer pedal boards and/or long cable runs, something it does rather well. While not producing distortion in itself, it can be used to overdrive inputs of other pedals/amplifiers. The FX10 was often used as an always‑on pedal.

Feature – 1987 DOD FX10 Bi‑Fet Preamp

1987 DOD FX10 Bi-Fet Preamp

1991 DOD FX17 Wah-Volume Controller Pedal (+PSU) – Very few people even know of the existence of the FX17. It is nothing like any other DOD pedal or wah‑wah, volume pedal or voltage controller. No pots. No inductors. Clever active electronics. Yup, the FX17 was innovative and, to be honest, it is an exemplary piece of kit that should be more broadly accepted. It can be a bit fiddly to use but it is worth the effort. Its technology hasn’t (to my knowledge) been used since by DOD or anyone else.

Feature – 1991 DOD FX17 Wah-Volume Controller Pedal

1991 DOD FX17 Wah-Volume Controller Pedal

1995 DOD FX25 Envelope Filter – The FX25 is another of DOD’s better pedals. It isn’t necessarily refined but it is effective at producing cool funky, skanky auto‑wah effects. It may also not be the most versatile but its simplicity allows one to focus on playing rather than knob twiddling. It doesn’t shout from the roof tops but neither does it hide its light under a bushel (NB. an idiom from the book of Matthew in the New Testament of the Christian Bible).

Feature – 1995 DOD FX25 Envelope Filter

1995 DOD FX25 Envelope Filter

1990 DOD FX50‑B Overdrive Plus – An overdrive pedal based on its short‑lived predecessors, the DOD Overdrive Preamp 250 and the DOD FX50. While seeming to be a standard overdrive pedal, the ‘Drive’ control features an integral ‘Boost’ function that pushes it clearly into dirty distortion territory, giving it a punchy range of gritty sounds that other overdrive pedals might struggle to achieve. Perhaps it’s not the best overdrive effect out there (Ibanez Tube Screamer?) but some credible crunchy blues/rock tones can be dialled in easily.

Feature – 1995 DOD FX50‑B Overdrive Plus

1990 DOD FX50-B Overdrive Plus

1992 DOD FX52 Classic Fuzz – A relatively understated fuzz pedal from DOD. The intention was to emulate the ‘classic’ fuzzy sounds of British germanium powered effects like the Tone Bender or Fuzz Face. While it doesn’t respond to touch as well as the best, it does produce some nice fuzzy distortion. Not an all‑out mega fuzz fest like the best of the breed (Electro‑Harmonix Big Muff π?) but OK enough, especially with the integral ‘Boost’ on the ‘Fuzz’ control to give it some nicely sustaining bite.

Feature – 1992 DOD FX52 Classic Fuzz

1992 DOD FX52 Classic Fuzz

1991 DOD FX54 Attacker – The name on the box doesn’t tell you what this effect does. It combines a simple compressor with a distortion effect. OK, so it isn’t the most flexible of compressors or the most distinctive of overdrives but the combination of the two is relatively unusual and it does a credible job at sounding different from the offerings of other manufacturers. The FX54 also features the same ‘Boost’ function as some other DOD pedals (see above). Maybe it is not a cultural icon by any means but a good pedal choice for experimental noise rock and out‑there contemporary psych.

Feature – 1991 DOD FX54 Attacker

1991 DOD FX54 Attacker

1988 DOD FX56 American Metal – The FX56 is possibly the best DOD FX series for heavy/hard rock distortion. This is a bit of a brute. Subtlety isn’t its strong point. Unlike other distortion pedals from DOD, it doesn’t feature the ‘Boost’ on the distortion control. Instead, it was the first DOD pedal to feature a ‘Presence’ control to provide treble boost. The FX56 spawned two other distortion variations on a theme, the FX57 Hard Rock Distortion and the FX58 Metal Maniac. Very 1980s MTV ‘hair metal’ and all the better for it. Good one.

Feature – 1988 DOD FX56 American Metal

1988 DOD FX56 American Metal

1988 DOD FX65 Stereo Chorus – Late 1980s and early 1990s recordings were saturated with chorus effects. Chorus was trendy and everywhere. Originally designed to produce a sound akin to a 12‑string from a 6‑sting guitar or to emulate a rotating Leslie speaker cabinet. Chorus works by adding a small delay and a slight detune, making for a distinct shimmery sound that we recognise today as the chorus effect. The FX65 does a reasonable job amongst a sea of other chorus pedals out there but it doesn’t really stand out from a big crowd. Good but not great.

Feature – 1988 DOD FX65 Stereo Chorus

1988 DOD FX65 Stereo Chorus

1988 DOD FX80‑B Compressor Sustainer – In my opinion, the FX80‑B was the real let‑down of the FX Series pedals acquired so far. To my admittedly jaundiced ears, it doesn’t seem to do very much at all compared to competitor compressors like the MXR Dyna Comp. Yes, it boosts the whole signal but it misses the point of boosting a weak signal and limiting a strong signal to even out a guitar’s ADS (Attack, Decay, Sustain) envelope or to provide a blooming lasting sustain trail. I was so disappointed with the first example, thinking that it may be faulty, I bought a second and it was the same. Disappointing DOD. Could and should have done better.

Feature – 1988 DOD FX80 B Compressor Sustainer

1988 DOD FX80-B Compressor Sustainer

This period has also been one of ‘completing the set’ of MXR compact effect pedals. That doesn’t mean it is a comprehensive collection of all the multiple variants. Rather it is representative of the MXR catalogue during the 1970s and 1980s.

1980 MXR Micro Chorus – A diminutive little yellow block with just a single control and a footswitch, following the approach that MXR took with the iconic Phase 45 and Phase 90. Sometimes less is more and MXR proved that point with an effective mono chorus effect in a straightforward package. OK, so it isn’t hugely flexible but there is the large box MXR Stereo Chorus to fulfil that role. In a flooded chorus effect market during the 1980s, the MXR Micro Chorus made a credible and popular contribution.

Feature – 1980 MXR Micro Chorus

1980 MXR Micro Chorus

1975 MXR Noise Gate Line Driver – Another of those behind‑the‑scenes pedals that does its job quietly and effectively but doesn’t make its presence too intrusive. Used last in a signal chain, it is intended to reduce background noise and hum, common in high gain environments. Unusually for a stomp box, it also has a low impedance XLR output for Direct Input (DI) into stage/studio mixing desks. The ‘Threshold’ control is used to eliminate most of the unwanted noise without adversely affecting the musical signal. This example is a very early, rare ‘Bud’ box model, with a hand‑wired circuit and the spidery ‘script logo’.

Feature – 1975 MXR Noise Gate Line Driver

1975 MXR Noise Gate Line Driver

1977 MXR Phase 90 (‘Block Logo’) – A ‘contrast and compare’ pedal for CRAVE Effects. It is a complement to the existing 1977 MXR Phase 90 (‘Script Logo’). Both were made in the same year, both have the same circuitry. The only difference is the cosmetic screen printing on the front of the pedal. Yet, one is more highly in demand and attracts much higher values on the vintage effect pedal market. Why? They are effectively the same great phase pedal with distinctive and discrete aesthetics. You may have seen the ‘script logo’ stomp box before but both are shown here for comparison.

Feature – 1977 MXR Phase 90 (‘Script Logo’)

1977 MXR Phase 90 (‘Script’ Logo)

Feature – 1977 MXR Phase 90 (‘Block Logo’)

1977 MXR Phase 90 (‘Block’ Logo)

There you go. Possibly not the most exciting haul of vintage guitar gear purchases. However, they do help to fill out CRAVE Guitars’ ‘collection’ and to provide a bit more diversity.

“I’m always moving forward and trying new things” – Robert Redford (1936‑2025)

Final Thoughts About Recent New In at CRAVE Guitars

I would much rather have been getting some lovely vintage guitars and basses. Regrettably, I had to miss out on some very appealing vintage instruments over the last two years, as well as a couple of very desirable vintage valve amps. I really do hope to get back to what really matters at some point in the future. I am not downplaying the effect pedals, all of which are an integral part of the vintage guitar gear landscape.

Specifically on effect pedals, the quest goes on. I have a hunch that there are a few more DOD FX series pedals to find while they are affordable and before the ‘collecterati’ discover them and drive the price out of reach of enthusiasts. It’s already starting, so the fuse is already burning.

“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow” – Ralph Waldo Emerson (1802‑1882)

As mentioned previously, the arbitrary cut off of year of 1989 has been relaxed for effect pedals with the most recent addition dating to 1995. CRAVE Guitars currently has a couple of newer guitars and several effect pedals that date to the 1990s, which may make an appearance in due course if the cut‑off is extended to 1999 – the end of the 20^th Century seems a clear enough ‘vintage’ boundary.

For the first time, the number of effect pedals exceeds the number of vintage guitars/basses. This doesn’t really matter, it isn’t a competition.

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths” – Walt Disney (1901‑1966)

Strategic Positioning of CRAVE Guitars

Having reflected on things generally, I don’t think that there is anyone else doing anything out there quite like CRAVE Guitars/Basses/Effects/Amps, which is encouraging. So perhaps a discrete niche has been created after all. Yay! Time to build on it.

The first tangible evidence of a slight incremental change is a refreshed CRAVE Guitars’ logo and avatar, featuring a new‑look stylised faded American flag behind the CR ‘body’ of the guitar part of the logo. I haven’t decided yet whether it is a short‑term ‘special edition’ logo or whether it might become permanent. I like it, although it will take some getting used to after a decade of the clean, plain logo. The high‑contrast logos will still be retained for use where it matters. There may be other variants in the future – watch this space.

I remain concerned that CRAVE Guitars is currently in a bit of a limbo (thankfully not purgatory) where it is what it is and there is only so much one can squeeze out of a static showcase. In order to become something exceptional, it needs to be bigger and more diverse. It isn’t a lack of ambition or enthusiasm on my part, just the real world constraints of time, space and money.

Rising price pressures on the classic ‘golden age’ (pre‑1965) are such that any increase in guitar numbers is likely to be focusing on newer vintage guitars, now that late 1960s and early 1970s guitars have also caught the attention of the heinous and rapacious ‘collecterati’, who prioritise financial ‘return on investment’ over musical integrity. For those who have been part of the CRAVE Guitars’ journey, it gives me no pleasure to report that ‘I told you so’. There is plenty of great guitar gear in the 1980s and early 1990s, which may add to the pressure to flex the arbitrary 1989 cut‑off for instruments and amps as well as effect pedals.

“Life is trying things to see if they work” – Ray Bradbury (1920‑2012)

As every guitar player who experiences G.A.S. (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome), CRAVE Guitars has an extensive ‘Most Wanted’ list of guitars, basses, effects and amps. It grows faster than purchases. At what point this obsession becomes excessive, CRAVE Guitars has to determine. I suspect that there will always be ‘more’ stuff to add to the ‘collection’. Hopefully there will be plenty more to come over the next few months/years.

Shifting the focus a bit, I have no current plans to monetize the enterprise, so there will be no advertising (another anathema) to obscure the content. CRAVE Guitars will most likely remain a modest not‑for‑profit showcase (or whatever else it might be). I am a firm believer that, unless there are unavoidable imperatives, organic development and incremental growth are probably the sensible strategy. It isn’t quick or exciting but it makes for a good strategic fit with my personal perspective on life, the universe and everything as well as my unending quest for uncovering the secret of 42 (thanks again to the awesome Mr. Douglas Adams).

“If we cannot find our account in one world we shall in another. It is a great pleasure to see and do new things” – Voltaire (1694‑1778)

CRAVE Guitars’ ‘Album of the Month’

A double (or should that be dubble) dose of dubby electronica trippiness for you this month. In the 2010s, British electronica duo, Alex Paterson and Jimmy Cauty (The Orb), linked up with Jamaican dub reggae legend, Lee “Scratch” Perry to explore what ‘dub’ means from both perspectives. The result was a pair of albums released a year apart. They are two separate albums but I prefer to think about them as a complementary set of tracks.

The Orb – The Orbserver In The Star House (2012) & The Orb – More Tales From The Orbservatory (2013): The best thing to do here, I reckon, is not to approach these albums from a critical listening point of view. That simply spoils the enjoyment to be found in the resulting soundscapes. Also, it is not a good idea to approach these albums purely from either The Orb’s or Lee Perry’s perspective. The blurring of dub electronica reggae tropes is what matters here. There are 22 tracks covering 105 minutes overall. Perry had largely lost his marbles and his vocals are a typical rambling stream of consciousness, so I tend to think of his voice as an instrument supplementing the instrumental backing tracks. Taking the albums as an immersive musical experience allows the chilled out listener to wallow in the laid back downtempo reggae electronic dub vibes. Groovy baby!

The Orb Featuring Lee “Scratch” Perry

OK, so they may not be either The Orb’s or Lee Perry’s best albums. However, that’s kinda not the point. CRAVE Guitars’ ‘Album of the Month’ selections aren’t intended to be ‘the best’ of anything. Rather they are things that I enjoy listening to at the time. I am usually unimpressed by collaborations or albums featuring a plethora of guest artists. On this occasion though, two offbeat artists combining to push the boundaries of what either artist would do on their own has resulted in something interesting (for once). At least that’s my take on the matter. Critics frequently state that both artists were past their sell‑by date by 2012/2013 and the result of such an alliance was unmemorable (true) and nothing special (debateable). That’s their view and they are entitled to it. I disagree, as I’m entitled to.

BELIEVE IN MUSIC!

“Make your heart bleed! Put your soul into that damn thing. And try new things” – Dimebag Darrell (1966‑2004)

Tailpiece

There you go, back to what CRAVE Guitars/Basses/Effects/Amps is really all about. Admittedly, it feels good to focus on factual vintage guitar gear again after a number of recent fictional diversions (‘The Distortion Diaries’ and ‘The CRAVEman’). I hope you enjoyed it. Let’s hope that there is more fascinating vintage gear to come in due course. In the meantime, it’s onto the next article, whatever that might be. Watch this space…

“Well I think any author or musician is anxious to have legitimate sales of their products, partly so they’re rewarded for their success, partly so they can go on and do new things” – Bill Gates (1955‑)

Truth, peace, love, and guitar music be with you always. The CRAVEman, signing off for now. Until next time…

CRAVE Guitars’ ‘Quote of the Month’: “Your imagination is infinite, boundless and unconstrained. You’ve just forgotten how to use it”

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30 Jan 2026

January 2026 – CRAVE Guitars Articles: The First 100 and More

by CRAVEGuitars | posted in: History, Introduction, News, Opinion | 0

Prelude

GRACIOUS GREETINGS GENIAL GENTLEFOLK. Here we are again. A warm and wonderful welcome to the shiny new Gregorian year of two thousand and twenty six, albeit almost a month old at the time of writing. I hope the lavish lustre hasn’t been tarnished too soon. The ebullient optimism ignited by the prospect of New Year doesn’t last anywhere near long enough, resulting in the inevitable anti‑climax of the dreaded January blues. One might believe that a new year and a new quarter century should hold a whole host of opportunity and potential. The trick is to find where that opportunity and potential can be tapped into, in order to achieve whatever goals one might set oneself. Simple?! No. Not really. Shame. Don’t you think?

So, what objectives does CRAVE Guitars have in store for the start of 2026. To be honest, given punitive previous experience, it makes sense to be selective within an external environment of prevailing global uncertainty and volatility. There are several personal ‘projects’ from which I have selected four priorities. The first and probably most obvious is to acquire some more cool and rare vintage gear to share with everyone. The second is to publish ‘The Distortion Diaries’ at long last. The third is to develop further the stalwart stories of ‘el jefe’, The CRAVEman. The fourth and least likely to succeed is to make some progress on the much‑needed, much‑delayed CRAVEcave – to convert the house’s cold, dark, damp cellar into a warm, lit and dry CRAVE Guitars emporium of sorts (showcase, not retail). So, that is four declared objectives. I think that three of the priorities are achievable and one is a tad over‑ambitious, so I don’t think they are unreasonable as aspirations for the next eleven months.

This Month at CRAVE Guitars…

The subject matter for the first gleaming, glittery article of 2026 is to celebrate an achievement that will have gone totally unnoticed. The topic this month comprises a cursory retrospective of CRAVE Guitars’ articles (a.k.a. Musings) so far and what that might mean for the future. The rationale underpinning this exemplary epic episode is hitting the milestone of 100 articles published on the web site. Even though CRAVE Guitars has been around in some form or other since 2007, blog articles published on the website only began seven years later in 2014. Even then it wasn’t all smooth sailing, as we shall see.

This month’s ‘quotes of wisdom’ are, perhaps unsurprisingly, about the achievement of life’s milestones. For alliteration aficionados, all perfectly present and passionately precise! Very few images this month I’m afraid, as this is another one for avid list‑o‑philes. As usual, no AI was used in researching or writing this article just Real Stoopid (RS) hooman ‘blood, sweat and tears’ (NB. although widely attributed to Winston Churchill’s speech in 1940, the idiom derives from, “’tis in vaine to dew, or mollifie it with thy teares, or sweat, or blood,” appearing in the poem, ‘First Anniversary: An Anatomy Of The World’ (1611) by John Donne (1571‑1631)).

The First 100 Articles

I am sure that it wasn’t at all obvious to readers that CRAVE Guitars’ December 2025 Musing was the 100^th article published on the web site but it was.

It all started so very innocent and naïve, way back in November 2014, eleven years and two months ago at the time of typing. The embryonic web site had just gone live and the first blog was just two introductory paragraphs and a paltry 186 words. December 2014 wasn’t much stronger, still two paragraphs and just 263 words. At that time, I had no idea where this was going, if anywhere. The catalyst for writing blogs was simply a result of the IT platform used – WordPress – which began as a blogging tool before it also became a web site design tool. WordPress required a ‘blog’ post page at the time. One thing that was clear right from the start was that I couldn’t blog continuously, like many others do. In 2014, I was in full time paid employment, as well as an unpaid carer; I simply could not commit to the pressures of a blogger’s traditional online presence.

“Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments” – Rose Kennedy (1890‑1995)

Over the years, the length and complexity of articles grew significantly. There were multi‑part articles, like ‘A Potted History of the Guitar’ (9 parts – March 2018 to November 2018) and the even more ambitious ‘The Story of Modern Music in 1,500+ Facts’ (14 parts – March 2019 to May 2020) – the longest series so far. Both of these series have unfortunately since suffered from the imposed retroactive removal of illustrative images (see ‘Things I Have Learned’ below for more on that).

Some while later, came CRAVE Guitars’ shortest blog in September 2020, the ‘Hiatus’, a heart‑breaking statement at just one paragraph and 62 words. I only intended for there to be a short break but it lasted three years (!) until August 2023 when abnormal service was resumed with, perhaps my favourite article so far, ‘Dub Reggae Revelation’.

As a result of the hiatus, it has taken much longer to reach the 100 mark than originally intended. Since the hiatus, I have kept up the discipline of publishing monthly articles covering a diverse range of subject matter. I have tried very hard to vary the material over the years to keep things fresh and interesting.

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence” – Helen Keller (1880‑1968)

I haven’t regretted anything I’ve written so far, whether agreeable or not. That is, I think, called integrity. I am certain that I could have done things better but that benefit results from hindsight, evolution and learning (see below). I have enjoyed some articles more than others. I’ve already mentioned, ‘Dub Reggae Revelation’ as the zenith and the extremely short, ‘Hiatus’ (also aforementioned) as the nadir.

Up to now, there has been no comprehensive list of CRAVE Guitars’ articles in one place. The only other way to catalogue them is to wade through nine pages of Musings. In order to correct that particular shortcoming, here – without further ado – is ‘The First 100 Articles List’ (each link opens in a new tab)…

2014 (articles 1-2)

November	Welcome to CRAVE Guitars
December	Hi Everybody

2015 (articles 3-14)

January	Old Versus New Guitars
February	CRAVE Guitars Web Site Launch
March	Last and Next
April	New in at CRAVE Guitars
May	More ‘new in’ at CRAVE Guitars
June	From then to now (and back again)
July	Designs for Life
August	Vintage Guitar Supply and Demand
September	My Top 10 Vintage Guitars (So Far)
October	What’s New at CRAVE Guitars
November	What’s New at CRAVE Guitars (again)
December	What’s New at CRAVE Guitars (yet again)

2016 (articles 15-26)

January	The Guitarist’s Friends: Amplifiers and Effects
February	Why Do You Play Guitar?
March	A Temporary Change of Direction
April	A Matter of Personal Taste
May	New Stuff at CRAVE Guitars
June	What Does the (Digital) Future Hold?
July	Personal Top 20 Most Influential Guitar Albums
August	Guitars are Everywhere
September	Sitting in a Field Listening to Music
October	The South of England Guitar Show 2016
November	Where to Start with Vintage Guitars
December	A Year of Gains, Change, Losses and Optimism

2017 (articles 27-38)

January	Why music affects us in the way it does
February	Favourite Guitarists and Why
March	A Time of Change
April	How Much Music Theory Do You Need To Play Guitar?
May	50 Albums of the Last Half-Century(-ish)
June	At Last… New in at CRAVE Guitars
July	Happy Birthday: 10 Years of CRAVE Guitars
August	A Peak into the Pandora’s Box of Guitars
September	A Map Leads to Some Hidden Gems
October	What Qualifies as a CRAVE Guitar?
November	New In: Underdog Vintage Guitars
December	That Time for Guitar Lists and Stuff

2018 (articles 39-50)

January	The State of the Village
February	Dear Editor
March	A Potted History of the Guitar Part I
April	A Potted History of the Guitar Part II
May	A Potted History of the Guitar Part III
June	A Potted History of the Guitar Part IV
July	A Potted History of the Guitar Part V
August	A Potted History of the Guitar Part VI
September	A Potted History of the Guitar Part VII
October	A Potted History of the Guitar Part VIII
November	A Potted History of the Guitar: Epilogue
December	What A [Deleted] Year That Was

2019 (articles 51-62)

January	Old and New In at CRAVE Guitars
February	A General Update
March	The Story of Modern Music in 1,500+ Facts – Part I
April	The Story of Modern Music in 1,500+ Facts – Part II
May	The Story of Modern Music in 1,500+ Facts – Part III
June	The Story of Modern Music in 1,500+ Facts – Part IV
July	The Story of Modern Music in 1,500+ Facts – Part V
August	The Story of Modern Music in 1,500+ Facts – Part VI
September	The Story of Modern Music in 1,500+ Facts – Part VII
October	The Story of Modern Music in 1,500+ Facts – Part VIII
November	The Story of Modern Music in 1,500+ Facts – Part IX
December	Out With the Old, In With the Old

2020 (articles 63-71)

January	The Story of Modern Music in 1,500+ Facts – Part X
February	The Story of Modern Music in 1,500+ Facts – Part XI
March	The Story of Modern Music in 1,500+ Facts – Part XII
April	The Story of Modern Music in 1,500+ Facts – Part XIII
May	The Story of Modern Music in 1,500+ Facts – Part XIV
June	Whazzup at CRAVE Guitars
July	More Whazzup at CRAVE Guitars
August	Even More Whazzup at CRAVE Guitars
September	Hiatus

The Hiatus – There were no articles published between October 2020 and July 2023 inclusive.

2023 (articles 72-76)

August	Dub Reggae Revelation
September	Adventures in Ambient: Music of Another Dimension
October	Return to and from Obscurity
November	Musical Machinations
December	CRAVE Guitars: Three Years in Review

2024 (articles 77-88)

January	A Brief History of the Bass Guitar
February	Zen and the Art of CRAVE Guitars Design
March	Artificial Intelligence takes on Vintage Guitars: Part I
April	Artificial Intelligence takes on Vintage Guitars: Part II
May	Artificial Intelligence takes on Vintage Guitars: Part III
June	Heavy Metal: A Periodic Table
July	The Fender Stratocaster at 70 and Counting: An Alternative Perspective
August	Get Up and Dance to the Music! Part I
September	Get Up and Dance to the Music! Part II
October	CRAVE Guitars Writing: An Introspective Inquiry
November	A Virtual Decade of CRAVE Guitars
December	CRAVE Guitars 2024 In Review

2025 (articles 89-100)

January	10 Things I Love and Hate about Vintage Guitars
February	Ikigai and Vintage Guitars
March	Eastern Concepts and Vintage Guitars
April	An A‑Z of Vintage Guitar Gear: in 150 Snippets
May	The Compulsion to Collect Vintage Guitars
June	Challenging Vintage Guitar Snobbery: A Cautionary Tale
July	The CRAVEman Cometh
August	‘The Distortion Diaries’: A Teaser Trailer
September	Vintage Guitar Gear Collections Within A Collection: Part I – CRAVE Guitars & CRAVE Basses
October	Vintage Guitar Gear Collections Within A Collection: Part II – CRAVE Effects
November	The CRAVEman Cometh… Back
December	It’s That Time of Year Again: CRAVE Guitars 2025 in Review

This ‘directory’ will probably re‑appear in due course under the CRAVE Guitars’ web site’s ‘Resources’ pages as an easy reference.

“Remember to celebrate milestones as you prepare for the road ahead” – Nelson Mandela (1918‑2023)

Things I Have Learned

After 11 years and 100 articles (and goodness knows how many tens of thousands of words), you’d think I should have learned something, right? I also would hope that my skills as an author should have improved somewhat over last decade or so. Whether my abilities have indeed improved or not, I have no idea. Sometimes, though, it can be productive to take a step back, review, assess, reflect, learn and develop. The general rule is that incremental improvement is better than radical change.

The length and complexity of articles varies considerably. I have learned that more doesn’t always mean more and that brevity is something that I should seek to improve. However, I just can’t help my naïve, inexpert verbosity and tendency for pretentious flowery prose. Sorry.

“It’s when ordinary people rise above the expectations and seize the opportunity that milestones truly are reached” – Mike Huckabee (1955‑)

The content does need to have its prime focus on vintage guitars, although I have learned that focusing more and more forensically can be a rabbit hole down which it is difficult to retain objectivity and interest. There is only so much geekiness in nerd city that one can write about vintage gear before it becomes, well, dull and boring. American philosopher Nicholas Butler (1862‑1947) once said, “An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less until he knows absolutely everything about nothing”. I have regarded that as sage advice, so I try to nurture a broad intellect as a result. The mix of subject matter, I hope, counteracts the risk of dry factual content and inevitable repetitiveness. Did I mention repetitiveness? LoL. Variety also makes things a bit more interesting for me as well.

CRAVE Guitars’ approach has been, and still is, to publish one in‑depth article per month. Many bloggers publish much shorter excerpts far more frequently. My methodology is a personal preference and, therefore, a conscious choice. It is the way I work… and it is serious work as far as I am concerned, albeit unpaid. It is not a trivial hobby and it is not an idle pastime. I would, however, struggle to do anything more prolific.

For high frequency posts, CRAVE Guitars is active on social media, with at least one relevant post every day (except during the 3‑year hiatus). CRAVE Guitars’ social media presence kicked off in December 2014, shortly after the web site went live.

“Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as it is ever so on the road” – Jack Kerouac (1922‑1969)

The multi‑part series approach is one way to present a large volume of material in a digestible format. However, it also takes up a huge amount of time and energy to research, corroborate and write. Internet resources are – surprise, surprise – notoriously unreliable and inaccurate. Sometimes it is easier (but not necessarily better) to write a lot and to split it into a series. The problem with brevity for its own sake is that some potentially interesting material has to be omitted. Balance is therefore important. Duh! Splitting material over several articles is a matter of pragmatism as well as a concern for readers’ patience… and my own sanity.

I much prefer to use images in my articles. It breaks up the narrative and looks far more inviting to prospective readers. However, one component of the perfect storm that resulted in the hiatus was the aftermath of using images from Google Images to illustrate articles, only to fall foul of using copyrighted material. As a result, all non‑CRAVE produced images were removed from the web site and, retrospectively, from all CRAVE articles. This is not ideal but it is a harsh reality of 21^st Century litigatory culture and a key learning point. As ‘they’ say, ‘once bitten, twice shy’. (NB. A phrase that first appeared in the novel, ‘The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless’ (1751) by Eliza Haywood (1693‑1756))

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. It’s about creating yourself” – George Bernard Shaw

Regular readers will know that I also like to use credible quotes from wise people to help illustrate the narrative. I think this works well and adds some colour to an otherwise monochrome palate. Contrary to what you might think, it isn’t just an immature tacky expedient.

Regular readers will also know that each article ends with a CRAVE ‘Quote of the Month’. These are my own original pontifications on life, the universe and everything (thank you Douglas Adams). The first CRAVE quote appeared in November 2015 and one quote has been present in every article since (making 89 in total including this month – another 11 to go before that particular list also gets to 100). I hope that the quality of these amateur observations has also improved over the years. I particularly like this month’s quote btw. Some snippets may be controversial but, then again, aren’t the most insightful observations about the human condition often provocative and potentially divisive? I will continue to poke ‘the hornet’s nest’ (NB. A term first documented in ‘A Compleat History of Europe’ (1705) by David Jones) when I believe that a positive prod is needed.

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit” – Harry S. Truman (1884‑1972)

Arguably, one of my most irritating tendencies is probably my peculiar penchant for pathetically puerile alliteration. It is one of my go‑to literary techniques and I will continue to be childish and silly. Sorry again.

Possibly also irritating are my frequent nota bene (NB. Latin, literally meaning ‘note well’) references, often relating to obscure European literature. I find words and their etymological derivations fascinating, so I try to litter articles with random interesting non sequiturs (NB. from the Latin, ‘it doesn’t follow’). Sic! (NB. from the Latin adverb, ‘so’ and meaning in English ‘intentionally so written’, dating from c.1856). There ya go.

“Learning never exhausts the mind” – Leonardo da Vinci (1452‑1519)

Another irritating tendency for readers is probably my very robust opinions about the need to improve civilisation, society and our environment, which I strongly believe is essential for the longevity and prosperity of mankind and our dependency on the planet’s finite and fragile natural ecosystems. When will humanity come to its senses and establish a civilisation with a strong future that is peaceful, just and sustainable? I cannot come to terms with the utter insanity of destructive global geopolitics at the start of 2026 and, sadly, I can’t see it getting better any time soon. If there is one thing in this irrational world that I could possibly influence, that would be it.

Back to writing; some general structural, presentational and consistency needs improving, such as title capitalisation, blog format and grammatical style. These have evolved over time and are much better than they used to be. Probably best described as work‑in‑progress. My late wife (her passing was another contributor to the hiatus) used to proof read articles before publication. Sadly, that last‑minute check & balance is no longer available to me, so errors may well be present.

“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life” – Steve Jobs (1955‑2011)

I hope that one thing comes through loud and proud is my unwavering passion for music – playing it (badly!), listening to it, amassing music CDs and attending live music events. The vintage guitar gear collection manifested directly from these cravings (sic!). While my main hankering for music collecting is roots and dub reggae, my contemporary musical listening tastes are very diverse.

One thing is for sure, I have learned a great deal from all the in‑depth investigation that goes into compiling content for the articles. That includes the process as well as the outcome. So, even if no‑one else reads anything, I now have a much better understanding of many things that are of interest to me and hopefully to readers. It has also made me think quite profoundly and fundamentally about a wide range of things. The result is that I have become a bit of a ‘jack of all trades’ (NB. an expression dating from the 16^th Century, regarded as a negative abbreviation of the more balanced ‘jack of all trades, master of none but oftentimes better than master of one’, suggesting a more versatile and adaptable skillset – the origin dates back at least to 1592 and Robert Greene referring to William Shakespeare as a ‘Johannes factotum’). I regard ‘generalist’ and ‘expert’ as opposing ends of a continuum and, arguably, the ideal position being at some point along the continuum depending on context – they are not mutually exclusive.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it” – Peter Drucker (1909‑2005)

AI will undoubtedly impact on all forms of creative industry in the future, including writing, music and art, either directly or indirectly, whether we like it or not. I covered the implications of the evolving technology in the 3‑part series, ‘Artificial Intelligence Takes on Vintage Guitars’ (March to May 2024). That is the only occasion where I have used AI narrative to prove a point – AI doesn’t give a flying fig what the subject matter is – it is a process tool but nothing more at the moment. AI, for instance, has no idea and doesn’t care what a vintage guitar is, what it is used for, why it is valued or its relevance to anything else. AI algorithms can manipulate data but it has no real insight – it does not have original ideas about anything at all – it can harvest data and output information but it cannot provide knowledge. All other CRAVE articles are the hard work of my inadequate, fallible, spongy hooman brainium.

I have, however, used AI for images, particularly for The CRAVEman articles, as this is the only way that I can bring him to artificial ‘life’ and produce artwork about him, even with all its inconsistencies and errors. Also, copyright currently resides with the end‑user (‘the creator’) inputting prompts that are then interpreted by AI algorithms (‘processing’) to produce static images, video, text, audio, etc. (‘output’). So, for the time being at least, I am on safe ground copyright‑wise. Once again, I have learned that judicious balance is the key here.

While on the subject of The CRAVEman; he has become the outward looking face of CRAVE Guitars while the author’s identity remains private and intentionally enigmatic. Who I am matters not. No‑one wants or needs or cares to know who I am.

Wow! That is quite a lot of learning. I hope, though, it gives a bit of an understanding into the process of bringing content to the customer. So, will these learning points change CRAVE Guitars’ articles going forward? Probably not a great deal because of the inescapable, finite, common constant and constraint – the human element, i.e. me. That, I am afraid, you are stuck with, like it or not. Apologies again.

“Sometimes milestones are not measured by the accomplishments of society, but by those of integrity” – Tamara Ecclestone (1984‑)

The Next 100 Articles

When it comes to future articles, I usually try to work on ideas about three months in advance, if possible. I also try to get around to drafting at least one article ahead of schedule while still editing the imminent article to be published. This takes a lot of the deadline pressure off writing. Sometimes, I run into a blank and have to come up with something I wasn’t expecting, often at short notice, which can actually prove to be quite satisfying. Sometimes, the material prescribes an agenda, for instance, the aforementioned 14‑part ‘Story of Modern Music’, which effectively dictated subject matter for more than a whole year.

One of the problems of not buying much in the way of ‘new’ vintage guitar gear recently is that I don’t have a great deal of topical vintage gear acquisitions to write about at the moment, which is a shame. Writing a web site feature is one thing. However, it tends to take things out of context and sometimes it is nice to write about vintage gear within a broader canvas.

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today” – Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882‑1945)

I have stated on many occasions that the work involved in writing comprehensive articles means that I do not have sufficient time to write/edit, ‘The Distortion Diaries’. I still haven’t been able to balance the workload to enable both in a way that I feel comfortable about. The pressure of deadlines mean that monthly articles tend to get priority over the novel, which is very, very, very frustrating. I must try to simplify and streamline article writing, so I can finally publish the fictional novel. Unfortunately, temporal manipulation (time travel) isn’t within my skill set to affect.

Some regular thematic content will prevail, such as alliteration, quotes, campaigning for a better world, musicology, etc. Some subject matter will prevail, such as The CRAVEman adventures and annual end‑of‑year reviews. When there is some vintage guitar gear to write about, that will take absolute top priority.

“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try” – John F. Kennedy (1917‑1963)

I still have a question, which I kinda covered in my October 2024 article, ‘CRAVE Guitars Writing: An Introspective Inquiry’, so apologies for the reprise. Does anyone read the articles and are they worth doing? Now that is a very difficult pair of questions to answer. As far as stats go, it seems as though the volume of readership is very, very small. So, if the audience is so tiny, why bother? Ultimately, I do it because I want to write about these things, not because I want other people to read them (believe it or not) – there is a distinction, honest. As for the perceived intellectual or entertainment value deriving from the process, that is really not up to me to judge. I am self‑critical and I set myself very high standards but that doesn’t mean that what I write has any merit. Fundamentally, whether the content is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ has absolutely nothing to do with numbers reading something and, ultimately, valuing it. I don’t believe that there is an undeniable correlation.

Article writing is not ‘fun’ and it requires a substantial amount of work for zero return but, for some unknown reason, I feel compelled to do it anyway. I have tried over and over again to fathom where that compulsion comes from and, so far, I have failed to quantify the subjective cost/benefit attributes of doing it. I view writing in all its forms as work, regardless of whether the output is woefully under‑appreciated (Ed: a bit like paid work then!).

Will I run out of material? Yes, I will. Eventually. At which time, I will admit scraping an empty barrel (and mixing metaphors), accept it, and stop writing, rather than labour the point with disappointingly diminishing returns. Until then, it is business‑as‑usual. Whether the famine of inspiration dries up before article 200, we’ll just have to wait and see. At the current rate of one article per month, 100 articles takes 8 years, 4 months. That equates to mid‑2034 for article 200 ceteris paribus, so you might have to wait awhile to be certain. Having just passed one milestone, it is time to move onto the next goal; the journey starts here folks, with article (not room) #101 (NB. Room 101 was the torture chamber within Oceania’s Ministry of Love in which a prisoner’s worst fear was manifested, as described in the classic dystopian novel, ‘1984’ (1949) by George Orwell).

“Without a plan, even the most brilliant business can get lost. You need to have goals, create milestones and have a strategy in place to set yourself up for success” – Yogi Berra (1925‑2015)

Final Thoughts on the First 100 Articles

I want to stress at this point that I am not in any way an ‘influencer’ and I do not want to be whatever one of those is. I am not trying to be clever or to influence anyone and have zero ambition to be thus labelled. Unlike many is such a role, I do not have the right to preach. Just to be clear.

So then, one might ask, what am I? Just a regular nerdy old dude is the answer. Oh, and with the hurly‑burly The CRAVEman as my alter ego, guitar god and all round superhero. Duh! (NB. Hurly‑burly is an English ‘reduplicated phrase’ originating in the 16^th Century, as in the translation from Latin of, ‘The Despisyng of the Worlde’ (1532) by Christian theologian, Erasmus (1466‑1536)).

I believe I have two fundamental contrasting outputs. One is diligently researched factual objectivity regarding vintage guitars, basses, effects and amps, as well as a passion for contemporary musicology. The other is subjective flights of fanciful fictional escapism. ‘The CRAVEman’ and ‘The Distortion Diaries’ both fall into the latter category.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” – Laozi (6^th Century BCE)

The writing process varies considerably depending on what is being covered. Frequent short social media posts, infrequent long monthly blog articles, feature pages for vintage gear on the website and, of course, the long-gestating fictional novel. I strive very hard to be adequately competent at all four, which can be quite challenging while also attempting to eke out an everyday existence in this inexplicably irrational world. Ever the idealist.

Some of this I’ve mentioned before; so please forgive the repetition. So, what is my motivation? Why do I work SO hard at CRAVE Guitars et al? It certainly isn’t for pecuniary reward – there is none. Nada. Zilch. Rien. Nichts. Well, I’d like to be remembered for something, in terms of a lasting legacy. Such a legacy, however, requires sufficient numbers of people to recognise something to differentiate someone from all the other someones, who are possibly seeking similar somethings (if you get my intentionally convoluted drift!).

Will CRAVE Guitars ever realise some recognisable measure of success? I’m not getting into a definition of ‘success’ here. It hasn’t yet. Nothing happens overnight, right? Well CRAVE Guitars has been around for nineteen years and online for twelve. I don’t think it’s going to take off now, so I am resigned to a modest profile, which is OK, as I don’t actually sell anything. I am ambitious but I also recognise when something has reached its practicable equilibrium. Ever the optimist.

“We are what we do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit” – Aristotle (384‑322BCE)

I am, sadly, not privileged with an abundance of wealth, which is something that so many worthless people rely on to make themselves visible (and vacuous). It is SO hard to be good at something different, as there is SO little original thought or action these days. Hard work does ≠ appreciable success. I do not seek fame and the idea of ‘celebrity’ status is a total anathema to me. It would be nice, though, if there is some hard‑earned recognition for my efforts. I certainly do not want to be like everyone else and I am content with my harmless and unique misanthropic deviance from societal norms. However, all that is simply not enough in 2026, with nearly 9 billion souls on the planet, all wanting ‘more’ of everything. Greed and avarice are repugnant traits of innumerable immoral individuals. Ever the humblest.

One thing is for sure, I have every intention to carry on writing articles until the time comes when I can no longer do so, for whatever reason. I hope you’ll find that encouraging. I would like to understand what readers would like to see in terms of content. If anyone wishes to suggest relevant material, I would welcome it and, perhaps, even see whether I can do a good job at it, as a challenge.

I don’t usually believe in coincidences but publishing the 100^th article just happened to coincide with publishing the 200^th page on the web site.

“Listing your personal milestones is like storing a pocketful of sunshine for a rainy day. Sometimes our best is simply not enough…. We have to do what is required” – Winston Churchill (1874‑1965)

A Short Update on ‘The Distortion Diaries’

Reflecting on the past decade of article writing for CRAVE Guitars got me thinking again about my work‑in‑progress side project. With ‘The Distortion Diaries’, (TDD for short – not the International Airport Code for Trinidad), I have only latterly come to realise just why the novel is dissimilar from my other writing and why it has become so important to me. It may be blooming obvious but it simply hadn’t occurred to me.

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished” – Laozi (6^th Century BCE)

Until now, excepting all my past writing as part of my paid profession, my unpaid amateur writing over the past decade or so has been available entirely via Internet‑based channels, such as web site features, blog articles and social media. Surprise, surprise, they are all digital media, only accessible on that thar hinterwebby thingummy. Thus far, nothing actually tangible.

‘The Distortion Diaries’ is, I believe, different. I want TDD to be read (primarily) in traditional physical book form, something palpable for people to hold, printed with ink on paper, one of mankind’s oldest means of widely sharing ideas, imagination and knowledge. TDD has the potential to become an expression of my creative spirit. Somehow, more ‘real’, genuine and authentic simply because of its physicality. Perhaps, this explains why I do not want TDD to become just another random record of an online opus made up entirely of binary ‘1’s and ‘0’s. How very ‘old school’ (NB. The term, ‘old school’ may originate from a pamphlet, ‘The Reply of the Country Gentleman to the Answer of His Military Arguments’ (1758) by Thomas Potter).

“The goal, and the ultimate achievement, is to make people feel as well as think” – Saul Bass (1920‑1996)

I desperately hope that someone, somewhere may (eventually) get to read The Distortion Diaries and it may even have the power to change their life, just a tiny little bit. This is an earnest wish. This epiphany is very recent and quite illuminating (and possibly a touch conceited). Apologies (again) for the soul bearing.

As final editing of TDD edges closer, any external assistance guiding me through the self‑publishing process that results in an actual physical book would be very gratefully received. A production run will be very low numbers, at least initially.

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us” – Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803‑1882)

CRAVE Guitars’ ‘Album of the Month’

Much has been said in CRAVE Guitars articles about my predilection for reggae, particularly roots and dub reggae. Most of the genre derived from the small Caribbean island of Jamaica during the 1970s. However, the ‘Windrush Generation’ (NB. named after the passenger ship HMT Empire Windrush in 1948) resulted in immigrants from the West Indies arriving in the UK from the 1940s to the 1970s. This influx meant that a significant Caribbean influence was present in the communities of major British cities such as London, Birmingham and Bristol. This vibrant culture led to a surge in British reggae built on the back of Jamaican popularity and the global phenomenon that was Bob Marley. Often overlooked, British reggae at its best was on a par with reggae from further afield. Consequentially, this month’s accolade goes to…

Pablo Gad – Trafalgar Square (1979):

Pablo Gad was born in Jamaica (date not known) and moved to the United Kingdom in 1974. He toured regularly with the London‑based reggae band Black Slate, becoming one of the most socially conscious and often outspoken UK‑based roots reggae singers. In 1979, he released his debut solo studio album, ‘Trafalgar Square’. The current CD release of the album on Secret Records comprises 11 tracks over 50 minutes including his most well‑known track, ‘Blood Suckers’ in both vocal and dub versions. It’s not a challenging listen and it may not be an exemplar of the genre but it stands out to my ears.

Pablo Gad may not be a familiar name to those whose interest lies mainly in mainstream pop reggae. However, ‘Trafalgar Square’ is, in my opinion, a hidden gem of the effervescent British reggae movement in the 1970s and 1980s. There are plenty of UK reggae artists and bands to discover, should you be so inclined. There is a growing interest in conserving the important musical heritage of that period with several homespun record labels dedicated to the task. Great stuff, worth checking out as complementary to the wealth of authentic Jamaican reggae.

BELIEVE IN MUSIC!

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” – Eleanor Roosevelt (1884‑1962)

Tailpiece

Well, that’s the first article of 2026 done and dusted. For next month, I think I will be returning to a back‑to‑basics article. That will rely on some preparatory work to be done before I can confirm. I hope you’ll come back to visit at the end of February to find out what’s in prospect. In the meantime, the nagging ‘call of stuff’ beckons.

“The moon is the first milestone on the road to the stars” – Arthur C. Clarke (1917‑2008)

Truth, peace, love, and guitar music be with you always. The CRAVEman, signing off for now. Until next time…

CRAVE Guitars’ ‘Quote of the Month’: “I don’t pray for a miracle. I pray that we become wise enough that we do not need miracles”

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31 Dec 2025

December 2025 – It’s That Time of Year Again: CRAVE Guitars 2025 in Review

by CRAVEGuitars | posted in: Event, News, Observations, Opinion | 0

Prelude

FESTIVE FELICITATIONS FINE FAIR FOLK. Maybe it is just a little too late to celebrate Christmas (or alternative) and just a little too early to celebrate New Year but generous greetings nevertheless. To be honest, I don’t like winter and I’m definitely in the humbuggian camp (NB. “Bah! Humbug!”, an exclamation uttered by the character Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ novella, ‘A Christmas Carol’ (1843)). A brief lull in activity at the end of an arduous calendar year (atrociously called ‘Twixmas’ by some) is, though, an opportunity to take a temporary time out from seasonal periodic pecuniary profligacy and reflect on things that really matter.

So, you may ask, what really matters? The answer to that thorny little question is probably different for every soul on the planet. For me, it is a determined attempt to improve our shared communities and to reject all that is wrong with our society. We all have a duty to sustain the good and to dispel the bad. We must not abrogate our responsibilities by assuming that it is up to others to benefit us. Humanity definitely needs better humans and it is the duty of all (well, most) of us to realise that hope. How long will good people look on and do nothing?

I also cannot let this article or this year slip into history without the usual earnest plea to work relentlessly for a better world. We should look after our ecological environment by respecting nature in all its precious diversity. It’s the only one we’ve got. We should look after our crumbling civilisation through renewed integrity, honesty and by securing a determined path to peace, security and harmony. You may think these ‘big picture’ aspirations are pretentious hogwash or maybe not. They are, though, what I believe. Didactic sermonising over… for now.

All the quotes (bar the usual CRAVE quote at the end) this month are all drawn from the vast well of wisdom that is the teachings of the Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama – c.480‑400BCE). After more than two millennia, there is still a great deal that we can learn from the Buddha to help us cope with the modern world. NB. Buddha literally means “the awakened one”. The quotes used are some of those that resonate with my personal cultural frame of reference and which suit the tone of the article. These words are not about religion or faith; they are messages of wisdom and truth.

Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama c.480-400BCE)

“I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act” – Buddha

I know it’s predictable at this time of year and some may see it as an easy article to publish. However, it still takes a fair amount of time and effort to produce. As with previous years, the format of the article remains relatively static. If it ain’t broke ‘n’ all that. This is probably one for the list‑o‑philes out there. No AI was used in researching or writing this article. AI was, however, used to prepare The CRAVEman images – it is the only way I can bring him to an audience.

As the shutters of 2025 draw to a close, the door of 2026 is opening. Our friendly neighbourhood guitar god, The CRAVEman recognises that this is a time for change with, “The End (of the Year) is Nigh. Grunt!”

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly” – Buddha

Some of those that left the building in 2025 (41):

It is that part of the annual review that is always a sobering and melancholy section. My goodness what a shockingly bad year 2025 has been for those departing this mortal coil. A horrendous amount of loss. Not only the sheer number of souls but also the immense contribution they made to our culture and society while alive and rocking.

“Even death is not to be feared by one who lived wisely” – Buddha

The inevitable obituary list comprises too many artists that have provided humanity with some truly great music over many decades. They were all with us at the start of the year and are sadly no longer with us at the year’s end. Our thanks, respect and admiration go to the following, may you Rock In Peace (RIP).

Date Died	Name	Of…	Born	Age
1 January	Wayne Osmond	Osmond Brothers	1951	73
10 January	Sam Moore	Sam & Dave	1935	89
15 January	David Lynch	Film director and composer	1946	78
30 January	Marianne Faithfull	Singer and actress	1946	78
24 February	Roberta Flack	Singer and pianist	1937	88
28 February	David Johansen	New York Dolls	1950	75
11 March	Cocoa Tea (a.k.a. Calvin Scott)	Dancehall reggae singer	1959	65
5 April	Dave Allen	Gang Of Four	1955	69
6 April	Clem Burke	Blondie	1954	70
11 April	Max Romeo (a.k.a. Maxwell Livingston Smith)	Reggae singer	1944	80
15 May	Junior Byles (a.k.a. Kenneth Byles Jr.)	Reggae singer	1948	77
26 May	Rick Derringer	Guitarist The McCoys	1947	77
9 June	Sly Stone (a.k.a. Sylvester Stewart)	Sly & The Family Stone	1943	82
11 June	Brian Wilson	The Beach Boys	1942	82
20 June	Patrick Walden	Babyshambles	1978	46
23 June	Mick Ralphs	Mott The Hoople/Bad Company	1944	81
26 June	Lalo Schiffrin	Film & TV composer	1932	93
11 July	Vic Savage (a.k.a. David Kaff)	Spinal Tap	1946	79
13 July	David Cousins (a.k.a. David Hinson)	The Strawbs	1940	85
16 July	Connie Francis	Pop singer	1937	87
22 July	Ozzy Osbourne (a.k.a. John Michael Osbourne)	Black Sabbath/solo	1948	76
24 July	Cleo Laine (a.k.a. Clementine Bullock)	Singer and actress	1927	97
20 August	Brent Hinds	Mastodon	1974	51
6 September	Rick Davies	Supertramp	1944	81
8 September	Allen Blickle	Baroness	1983	42
16 September	Tomas Lindberg	At The Gates	1972	52
23 September	Danny Thompson	Richard Thompson/John Martyn	1939	86
25 September	Chris Dreja	Yardbirds	1945	79
28 September	Steve Whalley	Slade/Sad Café	1950	75
10 October	John Lodge	Moody Blues	1943	82
16 October	Ace Frehley	KISS	1951	74
18 October	Sam Rivers	Limp Bizkit	1977	48
22 October	Dave Ball	Soft Cell/The Grid	1959	66
20 November	Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield	Stone Roses/Primal Scream	1962	63
24 November	Jimmy Cliff (a.k.a. James Chambers)	Singer and actor	1944	81
3 December	Steve Cropper	Booker T. & The M.G.’s	1941	84
15 December	Joe Ely	Country singer/songwriter	1947	78
19 December	Mick Abrahams	Jethro Tull/Blodwyn Pig	1943	82
22 December	Chris Rea	Pop/blues singer/songwriter and guitarist	1951	74
24 December	Perry Bamonte	The Cure	1960	65

Also, notorious convicted paedophile Ian Watkins, former member of Lost Prophets, b.1977, was murdered on 11 October while in prison, aged 48.

These are just a few of the more famous/familiar names. There have been many other deaths in the music industry, far too many to mention. CRAVE Gutiars’ thoughts go out to all who have been affected by loss during 2025.

“Life is uncertain; death is certain” – Buddha

CRAVE Guitars Vintage Gear purchased in 2025 (11)

It hasn’t been a great year for CRAVE Guitars’ acquisitions. The cause was partly threefold. The first was a general lack of funds in a challenging economic climate. I think most readers will have been negatively impacted to some extent by the on‑going economic ‘cost of living crisis’, low growth, high inflation/interest rates, etc. The second was simply a lack of space at home in which to keep the extended family of guitars, basses, effects and amps. The third is a limited supply of interesting candidates keen to obtain the CRAVE Guitars badge of honour.

“Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have” – Buddha

However, there was a modicum of ‘new’ old gear to celebrate in 2025 (with links to existing features where applicable at the time of writing – each opens a new tab).

Guitars & Bass:
1966 Fender Electric XII
1984 Guild X‑79 Skyhawk
1983 Kramer ‘The Duke’ Deluxe Bass

Effect Pedals:
1990 DOD FX50‑B Overdrive Plus
1992 DOD FX52 Classic Fuzz
1991 DOD FX54 Attacker (compression/distortion)
1988 DOD FX65 Stereo Chorus
1988 DOD FX80‑B Compressor Sustainer
1980 MXR Micro Chorus
1975 MXR Noise Gate Line Driver
1977 MXR Phase 90 (‘Block Logo’)

Plus:
Non‑vintage guitar case for the 1966 Fender Electric XII
Vintage guitar case for the Guild X‑79 Skyhawk

“An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea” – Buddha

The keen sighted among you may notice that there are three additions to the CRAVE Effects family that date from 1990‑1992. This prima facie undermines one of CRAVE Guitars’ ‘rules of attraction’ that has, to‑date, relied on an arbitrary cut‑off of 1989 as ‘vintage’ for many years. This ‘rule’ is basd on the manufacturing techniques used for guitars, basses and amps, as well as to effect pedals. Automation introduced increased levels of consistency and accuracy that tended to dilute all the quirks and idiosyncrasies that make vintage gear so fascinating and desirable. In some ways, the ‘1989 rule’ has already been broken by many of the modern guitar cases that protect genuine vintage guitars in the absence of original hard shell cases.

However, as we move into 2026, I feel more and more inclined to re‑assess and stretch that 1989 rule, starting with the effects listed above. The ‘1989 rule’ still applies to guitars, basses and amps, although I anticipate that the rule may well be relaxed there too in due course. I certainly have some gear from the 1990s that feel ‘vintage’ to me. If one takes the 25‑year baseline for describing ‘vintage’, then everything from the 1990s could now be included. However, if one takes a 30‑year baseline, it would include gear from the first half of the 1990s but exclude the latter half of the decade. Both baselines are widely publicised as a means of determining what is or isn’t ‘vintage’. Irritatingly, there really is no definitive answer and this isn’t the place to resurrect that particular debate (yet again).

I think the answer to this particular conundrum is for CRAVE Guitars to evaluate the validity of ‘vintage’ gear on a case‑by‑case basis. This means that there will be no absolute ‘1989 rule’ going forward but it is way too premature to introduce a ‘1999 rule’. Personally, I detest such a lack of clarity, however one also has to be pragmatic and realistic. Let’s see how things go in 2026. I think that passing the milestone into the second quarter of the 21^st Century is an appropriate time to test CRAVE Guitars’ fundamental operating principles.

In the meantime, the feature articles accompanying the five DOD FX series effect pedals mentioned above aren’t on the website… yet. The features should appear under the CRAVE Effects part of the website early in 2026 when all the content has been prepared. Only some links to follow at the moment (see above). Keep an eye on the website in due course.

“Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind” – Buddha

2025 album releases purchased (6):

There seems to be a trend to this article. Too many passed away, too little vintage gear and it continues with too few 2025 album releases purchased.

One of the weird outcomes from COVID‑19 (2020‑) is that there was a surge in creativity that seemed at odds with the pandemic’s effect on social and cultural affairs. That inspirational ingenuity lasted until last year, give or take a few months. This year, though, seems to have been the trough after the peak. Either that or I’m missing something important. The tangible result is that I only bought six 2025 albums. Of those, one was a remix album and another was a compilation of tracks from c.1970.

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared” – Buddha

I keep looking for new music but this year, that search has been a bit of a thankless task. Perhaps you’ve fared better. I hope so. Anyhoo… the measly six were:

The Cure – Mixes Of A Lost World Deluxe
Cymande – Renascence
Dub Spencer & Trance Hill – Synchronous
The Mighty Rootsmen – The Mighty Rootsmen
Omar Perry – Channelling Lee “Scratch” Perry
Various Artists – Lee “Scratch” Perry & Friends – Land Of Kinks: The Jamaican Upsetter Singles 1970

Of course, quantity does not necessarily equate to quality. However, a healthy equilibrium is undoubtedly a preferred state of affairs, I think you’ll agree. I sincerely hope that 2026 is a more productive and fruitful year for new recorded music.

“Fashion your life as a garland of beautiful deeds” – Buddha

2025 Gigs (2)

Well, this is getting tediously repetitive. It was also a bad year for attending concerts with only two notable gigs in 2025. Like many, I enjoy live music and it is generally being regarded as the saviour of creative music amid the blandness of corporate commercial crap put out by ‘the industry’. The choice of artist was largely down to my son, a die‑hard metalhead. I am always open to new music and new experiences so I happily went with the flow.

Cattle Decapitation (support: Shadow Of Intent, Revocation, Vulvodynia) January 2025
The Birthday Massacre (support: Lesbian Bed Death, Diamond Black) November 2025

The sentiment about new recorded music is reiterated here about live music in 2025. It is such an important component of the vitality and vibrancy that underpins the musical landscape. We need to support it, as well as enjoy it.

KEEP MUSIC LIVE!

“Through zeal, knowledge is gotten; through lack of zeal, knowledge is lost” – Buddha

CRAVE Guitars’ Web Site

During 2025, there have been many changes to the web site. The visual aesthetic has not changed and I think the look remains fresh and stylish. The overall structure also hasn’t really changed either. However, the content is continually updated or new material is added when there is something new to include, improve or amend. Many visitors may not notice the changes but they are there. More to come in 2026.

CRAVE (Cool & Rare American Vintage Electric) Guitars

“Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others” – Buddha

I have been pushing CRAVE Guitars relatively hard for a part‑time amateur and that shows in the web site statistics. Visitors struggled to show an increase in traffic over the previous year (2024) but this year (2025) has shown a significant increase in visitors. I am not certain why this may be. I don’t think it is down to the many minor changes or new content on the site. I don’t think it’s because of the monthly articles, as they haven’t changed in frequency. I don’t think it’s because of social media activity, although that has been consistent and focused over the last 12 months.

“In the sky, there is no distinction between east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true” – Buddha

The total number of visitors (at the time of writing) in 2025 was 70,333, while in 2024 it was 43,176, an increase of 27,157 (38.6%). The number of visitors hasn’t changed significantly year‑on‑year but the number of views has. From my perspective, I don’t know if this is good or bad – it is just a number without comparable context. While 70,333 seems high to me, it only equates to just over 192 visits per day. I am, however, encouraged by the growth of interest in CRAVE Guitars as a ‘thing’ and what it stands for. I am also encouraged by unsolicited feedback, for which I am extremely grateful. One thing is certain, 2025’s achievements will be very hard to beat in 2026, especially without a lot more content and different ways of looking at it.

“I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done” – Buddha

CRAVE Guitars’ Social Media

As mentioned above, social media output has been consistent across most platforms (Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Bluesky Social and Flickr). I vehemently refuse to use TikTok on political security principles. I post content most days with at least one each day. The exception is that I haven’t posted much on Tumblr during the year. Due to issues over copyright that arose in 2020, I now only post my own material and nothing off Google Images as others do. This is limiting but manageable.

“The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows” – Buddha

The newbie in CRAVE Guitars’ social media output is Bluesky Social, chosen as an alternative and competitor to X. I still post to X despite my anathema for its owner, simply because that is where CRAVE Guitars has its largest following. That following on X has remained largely static or even declining slightly, hovering at just over 6,500 all year, which suggests that social media interest isn’t growing in the same way as the website and there is little or no interdependence between the two. Bluesky Social, on the other hand is building followers from scratch on a relatively under‑used platform at the time of writing – CRAVE has less than 100 followers at year’s end (88 to be exact). There is also not a great deal of vintage guitar content generally on Bluesky Social as at the end of 2025, something that I’m working to improve.

CRAVE Guitars Blue Sky Social

“Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule” – Buddha

Contact Update

The web site e‑mail address is constantly inundated with innumerable prospective messages from all sorts of ‘businesses’ offering the world. My blanket policy is never, ever to respond to such egregious unsolicited communications, even if I wanted such services – which I don’t! Their e‑mails are usually lazy and amateur at best. Even worse, they keep contacting me back, seemingly somewhat surprised and querying why they haven’t heard from me. Then, they start chasing me, like I owe them something. What the…?

The ‘contact’ page on the website is absolutely clear about my position…
“Please note that I will not respond at all to any unwanted spam or unsolicited messages from web design, SEO, sales or job speculators. While I am tolerant, I will not be taken in by such a crude and blatant lack of professionalism and respect. I won’t hassle you and waste your time, so please don’t do it to me.”

Judging by site stats, CRAVE Guitars seems to be doing very nicely without their questionable ‘expertise’. If they took just a few seconds to check my website (which they often suggest has been thoroughly evaluated and audited), they would be aware that I will not give them the time of day. If they can be bothered to get my e‑mail address, my contemptuous silence should be expected without question. To each and every one of these abhorrent time wasters, RTFM (of sorts) and [deleted] off!!! Genuine contact only, people.

“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth” – Buddha

The Distortion Diaries Update

There has been little material progress since the August article. Follow the link below for the most recent published update (opens in a new tab).

August 2025 – ‘The Distortion Diaries’: A Teaser Trailer

Having said that, there is certainly a very strong determination to bring Terry Wilder’s story to the world, as well as that of his band, The Imaginary Transtemporal Affair (TITA) and the Women in his gravitational field. Terry really wants to jump off the page and meet y’all.

Work on the book’s narrative is on‑going, not necessarily as a coherent approach. I write notes every day for possible inclusion in the final version. I am certainly not short of ideas or material. It just needs sustained intense focus, which is not very easy fitting in on a day‑to‑day living basis. However, I am resolute to undertake a major edit/rewrite of The Distortion Diaries in 2026 and, hopefully, get it out there for everyone to judge. All two of you! Lol! Still, the point is that I must try harder.

“The secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes, but in liking what one does” – Buddha

State of the Music Industry and the Vintage Guitar Market

Commensurate with other observations concerning 2025, I am sad to report that there appears to be a continual and irrevocable decline overall. Well‑known retailers in the UK have gone to the wall and the outlook for those that remain looks bleak. Almost every week, some relevant business goes to the wall. Many sellers seem to have abandoned physical outlets and have retreated to the Internet for sales in order to cut the operational costs of bricks and mortar retail property. This trend is deeply disappointing and potentially terminal for many businesses trying hard to eke out a living. Tragically, the best one might hope for in 2026 might well be a low plateau of stagnation. Not a good place to be.

“There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting” – Buddha

One recent stark example: Long‑standing guitar manufacturers are not immune to the harsh times. Sadly, the German company Höfner recently filed for bankruptcy. Höfner was founded in 1887 by German luthier Karl Höfner in what is now the Czech Republic. Unfortunately, longevity doesn’t ward off inevitable decline. Sigh.

In the UK, names like Professional Music Technology (PMT), Guitar Amp & Keyboard Centre (GAK) and Black Dog Music all went out of business in 2025 and that’s just the tip of the very precipitous iceberg.

“Everything changes, nothing remains without change” – Buddha

The state of the vintage guitar market remains unpredictably volatile. Over the last decade, there has been very little in the way of supply and what there is attracts undeservedly high prices – the unfortunate consequence of economic supply and demand. Collector interest seems staunchly conservative with the safe ‘classics’ attracting constant value (and therefore investment) increases, while the rest (i.e. the ones in which CRAVE Guitars is most interested) vary significantly with quality and values all over the place. It looks like 2026 is going to be another unpredictable year.

It isn’t just vintage guitars affected, the impact also covers vintage basses, effects and amps, as well as for parts and accessories. Not only have I been forced to buy less due to funding constraints but also there is less good quality product available at a reasonable price to tempt buying activity. I cannot see this changing any time soon.

“Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace” – Buddha

The UK market has shrunk into insular isolation. Disastrous Brexit consequences have pretty much prohibited purchasing anything from the EU. Trade uncertainty and restrictions (yes, you, USA) mean that transatlantic purchasing is simply no longer economic. So the story goes onward. If the negative effects impact CRAVE Guitars, it is far, far worse for businesses trying to make a living.

As mentioned above, the recording and performance side of the industry seems to be going through a patch of post‑COVID creative doldrums. No‑one wants another pandemic.

Clearly a ‘perfect storm’ of global trade instability, pointlessly destructive military conflict, political mayhem, social insecurity and cultural conservatism are just some of the interweaving impactful influences going on here.

Strategically, businesses will face a very challenging operating environment as we move into 2026. Moreover, it is going to be difficult to evaluate and implement options for a successful medium‑long‑term future strategically, tactically and operationally. I know that sounds depressingly negative. I don’t want it to be. However, it is hard to see much in the way of light at the end of the current tunnel.

“Change is never painful, only the resistance to change is painful” – Buddha

Seasonal Greetings from The CRAVEman

The CRAVEman wishes all readers a belated Merry Christmas and a premature Happy New Year. The CRAVEman has issued two portraits for you to end the year, one for each seasonal celebration. Grunt!

“Teach this triple truth to all: a generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things that renew humanity” – Buddha

Final Thoughts on 2025 and Looking Forward to 2026

While many of my layman observations seem negative, it is with deluded confidence that one has to look forward to the New Year and the potential opportunities it provides. If only irrational optimism and positivity was a self‑fulfilling prophecy, then we’d all be in a much better place. Hope springs eternal (NB. An idiom that derives from the poem, ‘An Essay on Man’ (1733) by Alexander Pope (1688‑1744)).

I would like to take this opportunity to say a big “Thank You” to everyone who has had anything to do with CRAVE Guitars over the last 12 months. If it wasn’t for y’all, there wouldn’t be a CRAVE Guitars, there’d be no point. So, it seems, we must now welcome in the New Year. We can’t avoid it, so we might as well go with the flow and take 2026 as it comes. As American poet Ogden Nash (1902‑1971) once said, “Duck! Here comes another year!”

Given the tonal balance that this yearly review has set out, I shall not make things any worse by continuing with the negativity. Nuff said then. Bring on 2026!

“Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little” – Buddha

CRAVE Guitars’ ‘Album of the Month (and Year)’

Last year, CRAVE Guitars’ ‘Album of the Month’ was also the ‘Album of the Year’. Despite the paucity of material from which to draw, I am going for the ‘sequel’ to last year’s pick. This year’s Blue Riband award (NB. An accolade given to the passenger liner that achieved the fastest recorded crossing of the Atlantic Ocean from Europe to America – held by the SS United States (1952). Now a term more widely used to signify distinction and excellence) goes to…

The Cure – Mixes of a Lost World: After far too long without a studio album, 2024 saw the long‑awaited release of ‘Songs of a Lost World’. While it wasn’t quite up with ‘Pornography’ (1982) or my favourite all‑time studio album, ‘Disintegration’ (1989), it was a monumental achievement for Robert Smith and the band.

While many decry ‘remix’ albums, I actually appreciate the best of them, albeit being a mixed bag overall. The 3‑CD deluxe edition of ‘Mixes of a Lost World’, released in June 2025 on Universal, comprises 24 remixes of tracks covering 148 minutes. The original album tracks have been remixed by a wide variety of credible artists including Four Tet, Paul Oakenfold, Orbital, Daniel Avery, Craven Faults, 65daysofstatic, The Twilight Sad, Mogwai and many others. Some of these are traditional variations on a theme, while several take a more radical approach of genre‑shifting immersive soundscapes. To be honest, it was a far better album that it could have been, so kudos to The Cure for being bold and not resting on well‑earned laurels.

In addition, all royalties from the sale of the album, go to War Child, a charity supporting children directly affected by war and conflict. They also challenge the unethical and unscrupulous tactics of ‘dynamic pricing’ for live concert tickets and despicably immoral scalping outlets. Thank goodness there are still some sincere philanthropic artists in the industry. Well done The Cure.

There is also a live version, ‘Songs of a Live World’ and a cinematic version of the live concert, ‘Show Of A Live World’. The album goes to prove that The Cure is a band still innovating, challenging preconceptions and delivering the goods. Thanks Robert.

BELIEVE IN MUSIC!

“The world indeed is like a dream and the treasures of the world are an alluring mirage like the apparent distances in a picture. Things have no reality in themselves but are like heat haze” – Buddha

Tailpiece

Well, I think we can all probably agree that 2025 was generally a mix of ups and downs for everyone, so let us bid adieu to it. It seems that the worst of the Covid‑19 pandemic is behind us; largely gone but not forgotten. Hopefully, though there has been an opportunity to value and appreciate the good fortunes that we are able to enjoy. We should not underestimate just what the benefits of peacetime and freedom mean in our culture.

“Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace” – Buddha

Let us look forward to 2026 and make it the best 2026 that we can achieve. To build a safe, secure and prosperous civilisation, we have to unite to eradicate hatred, conflict and division. Nobody is saying it is easy but it is worth it and good only comes from unwavering endeavour. For me, I’m already thinking about CRAVE Guitars’ article content for next year. No peace for the wicked (NB. A phrase derived and adapted from the Book of Isiah in the Christian Bible). Rock on 2026!

“What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: our life is the creation of our mind” – Buddha

Truth, peace, love, and guitar music be with you always. The CRAVEman, signing off for now. Until next time…

CRAVE Guitars’ ‘Quote of the Month’: “Great music cleanses one’s spirit, washes away one’s pain and removes the dirt that obscures one’s harmony with the universe”

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30 Aug 2025

August 2025 – ‘The Distortion Diaries’: A Teaser Trailer

by CRAVEGuitars | posted in: Event, Fiction, Introduction, News | 0

Prelude

HEYYY, YO, WASSUP, HI Y’ALL, G’DAY, SALUTATIONS, howdy‑doody, henlo, aloha, Namaste, how’s it hangin’, salut, top o’ the morning, salaam, hey there, ahoy, ‘ello, ciao, greetings, etc. One hopes you’re all chipper this late August 2025 (NB. The first documented use of the noun ‘chipper’, meaning upbeat and cheerful, is from the ‘Boke of Keruynge’ (1508) – The Book of Carving – by publisher Wynkyn de Worde, a Tudor handbook for how to behave at court). Nowt to do with contemporary man‑eating wood chippers a la the film, ‘Fargo’ (1996) or even, ‘Tucker & Dale Vs Evil’ (2010)! I digress, as usual. Good to know some things never change. I bid you welcome, once more.

I was tempted to rant on (again) about the dire state of global politics and conflicts. However, I felt another polemic could disproportionately and negatively affect the overall tone of the article, so I will refrain. Regular readers will already know my views, so there is little to be gained from restating them here (again). Peace & Love, people.

This month’s article bears no direct relation to last month’s introduction of ‘The CRAVEman Cometh’ spinoff. However, there is a tenuous parallel in the pure imaginary creations of the contorted cavities of CRAVEs creative cerebellum. The subject matter this month is not entirely new but it is an expansion of previously hinted at material. It is also only tangentially relevant to vintage guitars, which means I am continuing on a fictional summer sabbatical at CRAVE Guitars for the second month running. Apologies to vintage guitar aficionados.

For this article, I return to the subject of the draft novel, ‘The Distortion Diaries’. Given that the potential book is the focus of this article, there deserves to be quite a bit of new material to explore. Expect a plentiful portion of pompous prose.

“For aren’t memories the true ghosts of our lives?” – Stephen King (1947)

Previously… on ‘The Distortion Diaries’

Several times now, I have intimated in the public domain that there was the potential for a fictional vanity side project. This was first implied at, way back in December 2023. At that time I wrote… “I felt an irresistible urge to write a fiction novel. Its status is currently work‑in‑progress. It will be called, ‘The Distortion Diaries’ (remember, you read it here first).” So, here we are, some 20 months on and the evolution of the tome is probably best be described as slow but steady.

However, while the novel has been referenced in subsequent articles, it has not yet been the main focus of a blog. So, I thought this month I would set the matter straight and take another brief diversion from the world of vintage guitars and put this long‑gestating idea centre stage. Why? Because I can.

In order to give the book’s narrative a bit more authenticity, I embarked on writing my own journal (well over 600 days into the real thing and counting). While there are some notable differences between a journal and a diary, ‘The Distortion Journals’ doesn’t have an alliterative ring to it (and you know how much I like to alliterate). The process of writing about events and random thoughts on a daily basis gives a valuable insight into the fictional diary of the novel’s main character. The rhythm, reflection and routine of writing the real thing helps with the introspective compositional style of the fabricated story. Very method! Pretentious? Most probably but not deliberately.

Back in 2023, I was very used to writing in various forms but, as I quickly found out, a fiction novel is a completely different proposition. Everything I had learned counted for very little. After an intense period of inexperienced book writing during the first half of 2024, the first draft had been completed, if not finished (there is a subtle difference). Then things were put on hold for a considerable period due to other things going on in ordinary life that took priority over writing. It was in October 2024 that I took the bold step to reveal the idea as part of the monthly article published that month. If you want to revisit that article as a preamble to this month’s update, click on the link below (opens in a new tab). In fact, I would recommend reading the relevant part of that blog in order for the rest of this article to make sense, as I don’t want to repeat material from 10 months ago here, unless absolutely necessary for coherency.

October 2024 – CRAVE Guitars Writing: An Introspective Inquiry

For once, all this month’s quotes from here on in are not attributed to real people. Rather they are some of the main character’s observations about life. They may or may not make the cut for the finished product. He likes to think he is wise but an innate creative conceit may mask fallible foolishness. You decide.

In order to make a little bit more time for writing the novel, rather than write about writing the novel, I will try to keep this relatively brief (for me).

“Humans are hopelessly self-destructive. No matter how hard we try, we are addicted to those things that will ultimately destroy us” – Terry (The Distortion Diaries)

Brief Update on ‘The Distortion Diaries’

Back in October 2024, I suggested that the author’s real name will not be used if the novel ever gets published. Instead, it will be credited to a pseudonym. The nom de plume (NB. literal French for ‘pen name’) has been carefully selected to conceal my identity, gender, location and genre. I am reluctant to reveal my unique pseudonym at this time in case someone else appropriates it before publication. Paranoid? Me?

In last month’s article, I introduced the front man for CRAVE Guitars, The CRAVEman. The objective for CRAVE Guitars is that it is the instruments that deserve the attention, not the proprietor, hence the alter ego. The same applies for The Distortion Diaries – it is the fictional characters that should have all the attention, not the author. In case you were wondering, the book will not be credited to The CRAVEman, although I must admit that I was tempted for a very short moment. Given that his vocabulary extends only as far as “Grunt!”, it didn’t seem appropriate for authorship.

Even though I am writing about it here, my intention is to ensure that CRAVE Guitars and The Distortion Diaries are discrete entities and fully independent of each other, if only to preserve the integrity of both, hence my diffident anonymity. I do not care for either fame or fortune. I just want to be the best me that I can be (d’ya follow?) and that means making CRAVE Guitars and The Distortion Diaries as successful as they can be, even if that success is measured only by the unassertive existence of both, irrespective of me (the only common denominator between the two).

“What mysteries lie in the names we are given? How would our lives be different under another name, another identity?” – Terry (The Distortion Diaries)

The book’s cover art has also been prepared in early draft and not finalised. Last time I wrote on the subject, the main narrative was just a standard Microsoft Word document (for functional convenience). The fonts have been chosen, the layout firmed up and the whole thing has now been reformatted in book form. These are all minor but essential administrative tasks.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has NOT been used in any way for the book’s text – it is 100% my work, for good or bad. For once, though, I concede that AI has been used to prepare the basis for some of the draft images for The Distortion Diaries. Furthermore, AI did not produce the final images, just as a basis for further graphic manipulation. Whether the AI artwork makes it to the final product, we’ll have to wait and see.

So what has or hasn’t changed since October 2024? Fundamentally, not a lot. Sigh. Progress has, however, been made. If it hadn’t, there would be little point in writing this article. Enough expositional preamble. To business…

“The abundance of social company does not prevent the aching loneliness of the individual without a Girlfriend” – Terry (The Distortion Diaries)

The Main Premise of ‘The Distortion Diaries’

As a reminder, having said that I don’t want to repeat the October 2024 article, the synopsis is an exception to that particular rule. To reiterate, the summary was (and still is):

“The Distortion Diaries

Terry plays in a band. He doesn’t have a Girlfriend. He hasn’t had a Girlfriend for some time. Terry has a dreary job in IT. He lives alone with his feline overlord. One day, Terry decides to document his wretched existence in a journal. Rather than the journal reflecting and recording Terry’s lacklustre life, the journal begins to change it. A Lot. Is Terry’s life pre‑determined by fate or is his destiny in his own hands? Only his journal knows.

Based on a false story”

The synopsis remains relevant and unchanged (bar one word), even after a long period of reflection and having survived its first serious edit in April‑May this year (2025). That alone, is encouraging – that the original core idea remains largely unaffected. Thank goodness for small mercies.

I suggested in last year’s article that the book’s genre leaning is “a rom-sex-com-music-bio-mystery-drama-thriller-fantasy about contemporary man’s eternally favourite tripartite – sex, drugs and rock & roll”. Like the synopsis, that also remains unchanged. It is definitely not one for the politically correct woke crowd out there. I reserve the right to express free speech. Don’t agree with it, go read something else.

That’s really all you need to know at the moment. On the surface, the premise seems straightforward enough (a coming‑of‑middle‑age drama) and the structure (a chronological record) is a well‑worn story telling mechanism. So if the proposition and arrangement are (admittedly) clichéd, why bother? What makes this special or different? Why should it stand out from every other decidedly dreary ‘dear diary’ diatribe? Well, it’s the execution of the plot that I hope will entice, amuse, surprise and satisfy.

“I don’t want to be a character in a story, I want to be the storyteller” – Terry (The Distortion Diaries)

The Main Characters of ‘The Distortion Diaries’

Essentially, the concept revolves around eight individuals living in a fair sized town in the English West Country with the nearest large city being Bristol. The time period covered in the novel is 200 days over the summer of 2012.

The main character, as mentioned above, is Terence Wilder, aged 32. Wilder by name, not by nature. He is an IT specialist working in a dead end job for an anonymous company. Music is Terry’s major motivation in the absence of anything profoundly diverting – like a Girlfriend. He knows that something has to change, so he decides to start recording his life and thoughts in the titular diary. It is only a small change of routine but one that has major repercussions for Terry and those around him.

Terry is a founding member and guitarist with his band called The Imaginary Transtemporal Affair (TITA for short). The band’s name deriving loosely from a line in ‘The Peripheral’ (2014), a novel by ‘cyberpunk’ author, William Gibson (1948‑). The band has been together for a while and the bonds between the members is strong. Terry’s band mates are Xavier (guitar), Hector (bass) and John (drums). The band eschews the easy route of a cover or tribute band and battles with integrity to make their own multi‑/cross‑genre musical style they call HMSPGSALFGGSR (for short!) – you’ll have to read the full narrative to know what it stands for. Their debut studio album, ‘TITA Om Fyah’ is in incubation, as of 2012 (see ‘album of the month’ below).

“I thought of going full mullet. However, I don’t think it would be a good strategy for attracting a Girlfriend” – Terry (The Distortion Diaries)

The other three main characters provide the gender counterpoint to the band and, possibly, the catalyst for change. They are Olivia, Dakota and Alley. If you spotted that that only totals seven, you win a gold star. The eighth key character is Terry’s possibly supernatural ginger comrade and confidante, Kwat with whom Terry shares those things he can’t divulge to other humans. If you haven’t already guessed, Terry is Kwat’s human. Kwat exercises total dominion over Terry, just as it should be in the natural order of things.

After undertaking an in‑depth deep FBI‑style psychological analysis of the main characters, I can share with you a detailed profile of each of them. Apologies that the descriptions are so lengthy – these are inherently complex people:

Terry – unexceptional
Xavier – ambitious
Hector – debauched
John – mellow
Olivia – introverted
Dakota – intense
Alley – promiscuous
Kwat – numinous

OK, so I lied. Sue me. If you want to know more about them, then you’ll just have to wait. Soz. The dynamic interplay between these eight and the tertiary cast provide the core foundation of the yarn. You may get to like them. To say any more at this stage would be to provide too much of an insight into the concept and to render the actual narrative moot. Again, I want to tease you and dangle bait on a proverbial hook, not give everything away for nothing.

That’s really all I want you to know at the moment. The only other miniscule hint I will give away is that I will be manipulating the reader intentionally to subvert expectations (hopefully). All may or may not be what it seems. Beneath the surface, the tale could provide a profound existential observation, it all depends on how you want to approach it.

“I don’t want to be famous, I want to be good” – Terry (The Distortion Diaries)

The Plot of ‘The Distortion Diaries’

Nah! Not a chance! For the actual details of the storyline, you’ll have to wait and see when it’s completed and, hopefully, published. In the meantime, I will have to keep you on tenterhooks (NB. Not the literal meaning – hooks used to fasten cloth on a drying frame, called a tenter – dates from c.1633. The metaphorical meaning applies – to be in a state of uncomfortable suspense, anticipation or impatience). Let’s hope it will be worth the long wait.

Funnily enough, the conclusion of the story came easily, early on in the process, so I didn’t have to try too hard to fabricate a ham‑fisted finale. Maybe I’m not clever enough to pull off a successful denouement but one has to try, hopefully not in vain.

“Life is not a loser competition” – Terry (The Distortion Diaries)

Some brief excerpts from ‘The Distortion Diaries’

A special treat for you. The following three brief extracts were taken from relatively early in Terry’s journal entries. I don’t pretend that these are representative, they are just passages taken at sort of random. Due to liberal profanity and potential spoilers, there wasn’t that much that could be used in this article. I hope, though, that you get a sense of the style. Please bear in mind that these are from the first post‑edit draft and may well change (considerably) by the time the completed novel has been put to bed. After this article has been published, I intend to focus on the next substantial edit.

Excerpt from Day 1:

“Nothing happened today. Nothing is going to happen today. Nothing always does. This is my life. My real life. Not some made up life. Well, my life from today onwards. For however long that may be. The future has to start sometime and this journal will testify to my part in it. It is MY unique account, not anyone else’s. What went before is undocumented, available only from a fragile memory residing somewhere between then and the here and now.

This story is my mediocre, futile and fleeting folly of a presence on this small sapphire sphere floating in infinite black nothingness, with just our small saffron sun to warm and illuminate our existence. The 30 trillion or so cells that represent my entire body occupy an infinitesimally small place on this infinitesimally small space pebble.

…

“Hello Diary” (there, major cliché dispensed with). I bought you a few months ago, intending to fill your vacant leaves with exciting and interesting news about my run‑of‑the‑mill, mediocre life, mixed with the inevitable moments of whimsy, melancholy and pathos. Add oodles of hopefully hilarious humour. Ha‑ha. Don’t forget the counterpoint of joy, that of inevitable tragedy. I wouldn’t be into music if I wasn’t one of those sensitive animals with a severely damaged heart that pours their emotional baggage into the waiting cup of enchanted music.

It’s taken a while to get around to this because, well, that’s just me. I take time to get around to things. It’s not like I’m a professional procrastinator. Honest. I may dawdle a little on occasion but that can conceivably also be a virtue. Possibly.

‘They’ say the best things come to those that wait. That, of course, is bollocks. The best things come to those that go out and grab the great stuff first. The derisory dregs of detritus get left behind for the likes of me, one of the ones that wait. Adult real life, it has to be said, has turned out to be a big disappointment after the false promises of youthful expectation.”

Excerpt from Day 19:

“It was with irrational anticipation that I crawled out of bed feeling decidedly enervated in the outlandish world that is pre‑noon on a werkend. Why? The vain hope of seeing or even meeting the attractive young Lady I sort of ‘encountered’ at Everwax Records last week. As the veil of consciousness lifted, I became increasingly alert, as unheralded adrenalin flowed through my bloodstream. My pulse accelerated, my pupils dilated, my skin tingled and I felt jittery. The innate impulse for fight or flight didn’t seem appropriate. Contrary to my usual cynical demeanour, I was actually looking forward to going out. This is what the lack of a Girlfriend feels like.

Firstly, She might not even go to the record store at all. I have no idea whether She’s even local or not. Secondly, She might go to the shop when I’m not there. Thirdly, even if all the stars aligned and She is there at the same time as me, there is no guarantee that we will engage in any sort of meaningful interaction. Fourthly, and possibly finally, even if that unlikely linear sequence of events actually occurred, there’s no guarantee that such an interaction would prove positive. Having studied logic, probability, statistics and the science of BIG numbers as part of my degree, the odds were stacked heavily against me. However, irrational random anticipation overrules any sort of calculated common sense. Good job I don’t gamble.

And so it turned out. We, the band, dutifully deposited ourselves in Everwax Records at the usual time – the same time that She was there last week – and… She wasn’t there this week.”

Excerpt from Day 32:

“Yay! BIG gig day at The Lost Inn’s ‘dungeon’. I really don’t know why I’m making such a BIG thing out of it. We’ve done loads of gigs before, thirty or forty or so over the last couple of years. By the time we felt that TITA had potential, we already had a few public performances under our collective belts. We hadn’t documented our beginnings very well, which is a shame for my late life autobiography. Best laid plans of hindsight, eh.

I think the reason that this particular gig has gained some extra significance might be because writing about it in my journal helps me to focus and put everything in context. Articulating my thoughts provides me with some clarity previously masked amidst the dissonance of day‑to‑day disorder. Whatever it is that is happening, I am not complaining. Maybe this Diary thing has some motivational value after all.

…

As usual with gigs, once you get on stage, everything becomes an automatic blur. I can’t remember anything about our playing other than the odd bum note sticking out like a sore thumb (to us). It felt like we executed the whole set list in about five minutes. Actually, it was just over an hour but it felt like five minutes. There was no room for self‑indulgent virtuoso showmanship, it’s all about telepathic togetherness and sonic synergy. The feedback from the audience was pretty good and spurred us on. That’s what it’s all about, the reciprocal energy loop. We were stoked. TITA rules, at least in the moment.”

There you go, three snippets for the price of none. Just for clarity, the misspellings and capitalisation of the excerpts are entirely intentional and are a running theme throughout the full chronicle. You may well recognise the similarity of florid flair when comparing the book extracts with CRAVE Guitars’ articles.

That, I am afraid, is all you’re going to get for now. My motive is to provide a teaser with no obvious giveaways to spoil anything. I can only hope this modest modicum of extracts has marginally piqued your curiosity.

“The unpleasant astringent miasma permeated the empty concert hall at The Lost Inn; sweat, stale beer and a mix of other best-left unidentifiable fluids, saturated every pore” – Terry (The Distortion Diaries)

The Good News about ‘The Distortion Diaries’

Being positive, the general premise has hardly changed at all. The synopsis hasn’t changed in the slightest. The protagonists have been fleshed out. Also, the first edit proved that the first draft was pretty much on point, a fact that genuinely surprised me.

Another positive is the strength of the character development and the interrelationships between the main characters. Being hopelessly deluded, there is also a decent ending, a problem faced by far too many novels (and films). All too often, everything is very neatly tied up rendering the resolution unbelievable. Also, far too many stories/plots have a weak ending because decent conclusions are not easy to concoct. No cheap tricks here. When it comes to real life, a person’s experience starts and ends long before and after the period over which the story has been told. The Distortion Diaries covers a defined short period of time in the much longer lives of these 8+ defective characters, so don’t expect perfection. You’ll have to work for satisfaction and fulfilment, but not too hard.

Again, being vain and conceited, I was very surprised that it actually seems to work as a whole and I actually enjoyed reading it while also working on it. I hope that’s a good sign.

“I want to get better at life and then maybe life will get better for me” – Terry (The Distortion Diaries)

I also have far more material than the story warrants. This provides a great opportunity to ‘overdo’ it and then to execute a brutal edit to leave the strongest core possible. Only then, I hope, will the final cut be robust enough to stand up to scrutiny.

Another positive is that it doesn’t seem to be overly derivative. Yes, there are universal truths about the human condition that have been covered in infinite variety over centuries (and therefore unavoidable here), so it cannot possibly be classified as original or unique. However, I believe it is a fairly fresh approach that doesn’t stick to every storytelling rule that has been complied with before.

While there is little scope for a sequel (or prequel), there are opportunities for a couple of spin‑off stories with which my feeble grey matter has been toying. These ideas are not about Terry but other strange and very different fables. I won’t contemplate putting finger to keyboard on any of those until this one had been done to death. The curse of a fickle creative mind. A lot will depend on how ‘successful’ The Distortion Diaries is, when it has finally been concluded.

“The second best thing that can happen to a man is a good woman. The best that can happen to a man, however, is a bad woman. The worst thing that can happen to a man is no woman” – Terry (The Distortion Diaries)

The Not So Good News about ‘The Distortion Diaries’

Principally, the project has taken far too long to bring to fruition, which has been a constant frustration over the months. The gestation period has become tiresome, as it isn’t my ‘day job’. This isn’t because of lack of enthusiasm or interest; it has been a purely practical failing on my part to prioritise it sufficiently in the face of other unavoidable responsibilities.

I have now accepted that it is a slow process and have become less anxious about progress. It will take its own time and it will probably be better for it. I cannot afford the mental stress of pressuring myself to do it quicker. Better late than never, as ‘they’ say.

Then there are the practical hurdles. An independent editor would no doubt improve the end product. However, I do not want anyone else to change anything. I do not want it to be perfectly polished. I actually want it to be rough around the edges. I don’t want it to be like every other highly processed piece of prose. I want my own mistakes to be present in it; the many apparent flaws are an integral part of its charm, just as a genuine journal would be. These are imperfect people and they should be seen distorted through Terry’s defective lens. I want it to come across as if Terry had actually lived to tell his tale his way. I do not know of a single genuine diary or journal that has been crawled over by editors and proof readers to eradicate inconsistencies and errors. It is a bit like museum grade vintage guitars, something can be ‘too good’ to enjoy.

Another hurdle is self‑publication. I have absolutely no idea how to go about it. I have limited funds, so I cannot pay for someone to do it on my behalf. I also do not want to go through the ordeal of pleading to agents for attention with the associated high risk of rejection – my fragile ego couldn’t cope being subject to the critical whims of others not invested in the project. Neither do I want the end product to be managed beyond my ability to influence the outcome. As a bit of a control freak (Ed: No kidding!), I don’t appreciate being beholden to anyone else. Such interference is simply unacceptable to me. I really do not give a damn about what agents, publishers and editors think. They can make their parasitical living off someone else. I only care what I think and what genuine readers might think, warts ‘n’ all.

So, even if I get over the hurdle of writing, editing, agents and publishing, then there are the formidable challenges of printing, marketing, distribution, sales and promotion. Everything about the whole process is set against this being any sort of success, regardless of any literary merit. Even if it is a worthy story, it could fail at any of these key points.

The Distortion Diaries is a personal folly and commercial success is not a prerequisite for a satisfactory outcome. If only one or two people read it and get some ephemeral pleasure from it, I shall be content. My aspirations in this regard are very modest and humble. A bit like my ambitions for CRAVE Guitars as an undertaking.

As previously mentioned, I did toy with the idea of serialising The Distortion Diaries on the CRAVE Guitars’ web site. However, it wouldn’t really work and it would blur the lines between the two discrete ‘projects’. The novel’s material is also not appropriate for a vintage guitar showcase. So, that is not gonna happen. Decided.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had my heart broken. It really doesn’t sound like it’s something I’d want to try out” – Terry (The Distortion Diaries)

Final Thoughts about ‘The Distortion Diaries’

You may have gathered that I remain excited about this particularly narcissistic venture. The fact that the enthusiasm has endured since December 2023 without waning in the slightest suggests that there is something worth pursuing. I remain concerned about two things. The first I have mentioned many times, which is making sufficient time and space to complete the writing process. Put simply, the more time I spend on article writing, the less time there is for The Distortion Diaries. The second, as mentioned above, is the complications of getting the final product out there for people to judge. In these technological days, it really should be simpler.

One thing I am absolutely certain about is that this is not a literary masterpiece. It will not be ‘a great British novel’. Neither will it be a monotonous churning out of tedious, derivative drivel (Ed: Are you sure about that?). It was never intended to be an exemplar of literary excellence and that has not changed. However, it is a heartfelt and genuine attempt to be a bit different and to produce something that may be of moderate interest to others. While it breaks many rules, it isn’t revolutionary. It is what it is, an earnest first attempt.

I have mentioned before, and need to reiterate now, that this dedicated ‘labour of love’ (NB. an idiom that has been used to describe various forms of artistic expressions. Its first appearance in English was in the King James Bible, published in 1611, although it may have originated in pre‑medieval times), is NOT autobiographical. It is, though, impossible not to draw, and to isolate the final product, from one’s own life experiences.

Another thing about writing this month’s article was, once again, to test the waters, to challenge my own notions and to reinforce my beliefs about whether this is something I want to dedicate a serious amount of time to. The act of writing about it is, in itself, a reality check and I am pleased to say that it has passed scrutiny without serious mishap (so far). I am still reticent and uncertain about how to turn a good intention into a great reality.

One might wonder why I want to publish a fiction novel in the first place. That’s a difficult question to answer. None of the oft‑used reasons – and there may be dozens of them – resonate with me, such as a desire for storytelling, personal growth, confidence building, compulsion, social impact, sharing, competitiveness, proving something, self‑learning, self‑aggrandisement, income, attention seeking, legacy, etc. Quite simply, it is something that I would like to do. Simples.

Bottom line. Will it ever see the light of day? I hope so, ceteris paribus, but probably not. This article is intended to commit myself to completing the process to the best of my ability or I will look like a complete dumbass for boasting about it and then not delivering. Wish me luck.

If, perchance, it was ever made into a film, the location could conceivably be relocated to somewhere, say, in New England (comprising, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont).

“The confusing interplay of human emotions and motives – when you think about it – is magnificently messy and chaotic, not at all organised or logical, it is an unreality existing in an artificially real world. There is no universal harmony in life’s experience” – Terry (The Distortion Diaries)

CRAVE Guitars’ ‘Album of the Month’

Given the subject matter this month, we have to delve into the creative aspects of Terry and his bandmates aspirations. During that fateful year of 2012, The Imaginary Transtemporal Affair (TITA) was working hard on live performance and recording ideas for the first of many albums that they intend to define their career. Entirely a fictional construct, this month’s distorted accolade goes to…

The Imaginary Transtemporal Affair – TITA Om Fyah (2012): The ill‑fated debut studio album from The Imaginary Transtemporal Affair has never been released on TITA Records, although the material exists and the artwork completed (see below). Comprising eight tracks over 72 minutes, the atmospheric aural adventures of unrealised potential evoke a mantra of melancholy and a more than a trace of transcendence. The epic ‘everything lasts for never’ (track 5, running time 6:41) is a firm band and fan favourite. File under HMSPGSALFGGSR music.

If only I had the talent, motivation, drive, skills and time to concoct this album for real, I would do it without hesitation. I wouldn’t change the band name, album title or track list one iota (NB. No, not the 9^th letter of the Greek alphabet). It would be great – I have to believe that. For now, progressing the novel is the main focus. One day, maybe the music behind it will be realised. I have a futile fantasy that someone will pick up the book and make it into a film and this album would become the original soundtrack to the movie. Now, precisely where is that fateful Crossroads that blues guitarist Robert Johnson famously made a deal with the devil? In the meantime, while I still have a soul, I can dream.

BELIEVE IN MUSIC!

“The earworm rented out the vacant lot in my brain’s auditory processing, easier to put on repeat than shuffle” – Terry (The Distortion Diaries)

Tailpiece

Once again, I have regressed into writing about writing, for which I apologise post hoc. While I am genuinely enthusiastic by this egocentric recklessness, I can readily understand why it might be too far off the well‑trod vintage guitar topic to be of interest for CRAVE Guitars’ readers. Further obsequious apologies. Even I need a break from vintage guitars once in a while.

As Terry remarks in, ‘The Distortion Diaries’, “I am only superficial on the surface after all”.

For now, I seem to have run out of ideas for next month’s article but I’m sure I’ll come up with something to distract me from reality for a few minutes. In the meantime, a final word or thirty from ‘The Distortion Diaries’ sagacious hero…

“Engaging with Women of the opposite Sex is a bit like engaging an enemy in strategic warfare. It seems I don’t have even a modest grasp of basic battlefield tactics” – Terry (The Distortion Diaries)

For once, CRAVE Guitars’ regular ‘Quote of the Month’ (see below) is extremely relevant to the ambitious subject matter of the main article. I do hope you’ve enjoyed this minor detour in the course of unreal life and that you will come back and ‘see’ me again sometime soon.

Truth, peace, love, and guitar music be with you always. The CRAVEman, signing off. Until next time…

CRAVE Guitars’ ‘Quote of the Month’: “The finish line may be in sight but is it within reach?”

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