Artist Spotlight :: Jeffery Shell

Bio

Born in Billings MT and raised all over the U.S. I started playing guitar around 17 years old... I started playing professionally in my late 20's with Atlanta based band Mad Margritt. I now live in the Pacific Northwest where I record, perform, and tour with Cable Creek Band and Bret Allen and the Northern Rebels as well as playing weekly with various cover bands. I love to play loud, I live for the road, and I am always chasing tone.
~Twang

What/Who inspired you to pick up your instrument?

Jimi Page inspired me to want to play guitar. I was in high school and started learning how he played from guitar magazine. Bought the "Guitar Hanbook" and read it a few times and learned from friends and older players that I could find.

What piece of musical advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time to the beginning of your musical journey?

Tone Timing Taste. "If you want to become a better guitar player, Take lessons from a drummer..."

What keeps you excited about playing?

Trying to improve each time I play live until I can play what's in my head instantly without thinking. To get to the point where it just flows...and the audience feels it.
Being able to play music for a living.
Going out on the Road.

Desert Island 3 pedal pedalboard (not including tuner)

MXR Compressor, Useful in almost any situation. Can be used as a boost.
Ibanez Tube Screamer Has a great light overdrive sound can get crunchy tight. Adds sustain for chicken pickin. Solo's cut because of the mid hump. Can also be used as a boost.
MXR Micro boost. Before or after OD's they work anywhere in the chain.

When you find yourself in a musical rut, what techniques do you do to break out of it?

Play something besides scales. Listen to intervals. Make up a new exercise that I cannot do until I practice it. Use different metronome settings.

Who is your favorite artist/band today? And who was your favorite artist/band 10 years ago?

I really like Eric Gales out of Memphis. I think he is one of the best players on the planet right now. Plays left Handed upside down and backwards. Check him out.

10 years ago my Favorite was Led Zeppelin. Always has been. Lots of things have changed with the way things are produced and distributed. The way bands tour, How they get signed, paid ect... Even the gear is pretty complex now with all digital pedals and downloads updates, change your settings with bluetooth and things like that.

When you find yourself in a music store - what is your go-to riff when test drive gear?

10 years gone by Zeppelin. I always warm up at gigs with it too.

What is your most prized/charished piece of gear? And why?

My 2020 Les Paul Standard.

Because it's the best playing and sounding guitar I have owned to date.

What is the next big musical purchase you're hoping to save for?

Black Les Paul Custom

Gear Breakdown

Rattlesnake Cables
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Fender 65 Deluxe Reverb
Marshall Silver Jubilee 4x12 slant
Various Pedals

I use this gear because it's simple and always sounds killer. I run from guitar to pedal board to 65 deluxe and into the 4x12. I leave 4x12 a home for smaller gigs.

I run Rattlesnake cables to connect everything because they are bullet proof and sound exemplary. Hand made in Montana and the best service and delivery I have ever seen in any company!

Bands / Projects

Cable Creek Band
https://www.cablecreekband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/CableCreekBand

Bret Allen and the northern Rebels
https://batnr.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BATNR

Listen on Spotify

Social Links

Want to be featured as an Artist Spotlight?

Do you have to be a famous musician to be featured? No. Do you have to be a professional musician to be featured? No. Do you have passion about playing and gear -- oh and a verified Rattlesnake Cable Company cable user. Yes!

All you need to do is contact us and we'll direct you to our submission form. If your submission is approved, it will be in the queue to be showcased!