Hello to Modern Guitars readers. Hope all is well, it's been a few months since my last entry. My band, Mambo Sons, starts up next month after several months of inactivity due to the demanding schedules of the three of us. We are looking forward to going out this time, and we'll be adding a few covers to our show of otherwise original music. This time out, we've added "Thirty Days in the Hole", the great Humble Pie track, "Over Under Sideways Down" from The Yardbirds, and "Don't Bring Me Down" by The Animals, in deference to Hilton Valentine, with whom I recently spent the day. All these work well in the trio format, and we are looking forward to playing them with some attitude.

As far as some cool new/old acquisitions, I've recently picked up a great 1960 slabboard strat, with all original electronics. This is my first slabboard and must say that its got a tonality that none of my other rosewood capped Strats have. I am looking forward to playing this alot in the future. I also got a great '72 lake placid blue maple neck strat (see pic) that has a nice snap to it. I think the maple neck really brings out the bite, and this one doesn't have (as much) goopy polyester finish on the neck as some I've seen.

In May, I will be relocating and I am now in the process of breaking down my beloved studio, which I have operated for the past 5 years. To do so, I have gotten rid of some gear that I wasn't using, including some big old Marshall amps and cabs that I just didn't want to move. Not that I'm trying to downsize, but as far as amps go, if I can be covered in the tone department, there is no need for me to have duplicates.

Anyway, thanks for checking in, talk to you soon.

Tom