Christophe plays a tobacco sunburst Gibson ES335 guitar or most of the BluesTrain set and a Hohner Les Paul Gold Top copy guitar for slide numbers, both plugged into a Peavey Classic 50. He says, “The ES335 is not only the ideal colour but the ideal sound for the band’s music. As everyone knows it’s got that deep warm but sharp-edged bite. It’s delicate and strong for slow blues but hard and driving for fast boogie. It’s just a beautiful instrument. For me, there isn’t another guitar

The Hohner is a Gold Top copy but it’s a special guitar in its own right, with a beautifully crafted inlaid fingerboard. It’s absolutely right for slide playing because it’s P90 pickups give it a real mellow sound and it plays really well, making it easy to swoop up and down the strings

The Peavey Classic 50 amplifier sound is great because it’s strong and versatile, very full for rhythm and sparkling or overdriven for lead. It can do B.B. King, Muddy Waters or John Lee Hooker at a click.

WHISPERIN’ HARMONICA SMITH

Harmonica, Rhythm Guitar

“W.H.” has spent years trying to perfect the Chicago sound made popular by great harmonica players such as Little Walter and George “Harmonica” Smith (no relation). Although the sound is mostly derived from the way that the harp is played, he recently found assistance in creating the authentic sound he wants from ‘fhs Tube Technologies’ in Holland from where he purchased one of their ‘Marble Harpwood’ amplifiers designed specifically for harp players.

These he uses in conjunction with ‘Shure 520D Green Bullet’ and vintage ‘Shure 549 Unidyne’’ microphones.

As well as blowin’ harp with the band, “W.H” can also be seen playing a ‘Fender Stratocaster’ on several numbers linked to a 70’s ‘Fender Twin amplifier.