27 - Reid Armstrong
Reid Armstrong is a song-writer and producer from Toronto, Canada. Reid has been playing guitar since the age of 14 inspired by the then popular Tony Hawk soundtrack and Blink 182. A graduate from Music Industry Arts at Fanshawe College in 2009, has been working on small indie projects ever as a producer. Playing in both cover bands and original projects Reid has been honing his skills for close to 20 years as a songwriter. Recently Reid has taken 2 years of jazz guitar which has helped add new voicings and a better technical understanding of structure and composition to his work. With an eclectic taste in music, Reid’s taste ranges from melodic punk rock (Hot Water Music, Idles) to ambient soundscapes (Tycho, Bonobo). G.A.S (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) has recently been an issue with trying to maintain a solid collection of instruments with a limited space living in a small Toronto condo. Reid’s focus has been to try and build a collection with a variety of tones covering the standard sounds of modern music. Used gear, trading and searching all classified and local guitar shops is where Reid has acquired the majority of his gear. For the last 2 years has been working in the helix environment with his ‘hybrid’ pedal board built around the HX Stomp while moving away from traditional tube amps entirely. You can hear Reid’s newest project, a 90s alternative cover band around the Greater Toronto Area this summer.
Reid’s guitars:
Gibson Les Paul Custom Lite Ebony
Gibson Les Paul Classic Ebony
Gibson SG Standard Ebony
Gibson Acoustic G45
Epiphone Les Paul Classic Ebony
Epiphone Sheraton Pro II Ebony
Fender Stratocaster Contemporary Olympic White - Made in Japan '85
Fender Telecaster Standard Black
Fender Jazz Bass
Jackson Dinky w/EMGs
What was your first guitar and do you still have it?
My first guitar was a left-handed Hondo strat strung right handed. I hated it. My first ‘real’ guitar was a Fender Telecaster I purchased at 16 after a number of different guitars. I still have the tele shown in the pictures with a couple upgrades like a SD bridge pickup and upgraded saddles.
What's your favorite guitar right now and why?
I recently found a Gibson Les Paul Custom Lite for a great price at a pawn shop and having always wanted a custom I had to pull the trigger. It plays like a dream and looks even better. I feel like it will be a guitar for life.
What's your newest purchase?
My newest purchase has been an Epiphone Les Paul Classic that I use as a jam guitar as I prefer to not take public transit with my more expensive guitars. The guitar is an exact copy of my Gibson Les Paul Classic so it feels right at home without any of the concern of breaking or theft.
How often do you play?
Everyday at least as I often play in front of the TV. I live in a small condo and having 10 guitars is both a blessing and curse. They take up a lot of space but on the bright side a guitar is never far away.
What's the music you are creating, what's the mission behind it?
I have been working on some more heavy D standard tracks in the style of Russian Circles and Caspian. Heavy riffs with big soundscapes. My projects rarely get shared but hoping this project can maybe manifest to something I can work on with others.
