When and/or how did Porter Pickups get started?
I originally started making some handmade guitars in 2005 and began experimenting with different pickups for them. I wanted to do every part of the guitar possible. I was taking on a lot, trying to build guitars and pickups from scratch. I started to really understand what made a pickup work with certain woods, and how to get the right wind to make the pickups sound like I wanted them to.
Where is home base for Porter?
We're located in Boise, ID.
There are a vast array of pick ups out there...what makes Porter stand out from the crowd?
One of the biggest things I wanted to to with Porter was to offer handwound pickups with lots of choices like covers and bobbins etc. Guitarists are picky about tone and looks, so I try to offer something that can achieve both. The background in guitar making helps since I can recommend (or not recommend) Porter models based on their guitars design, wood and the rest of their gear. Our price point is great for custom handwound pickups. I think it offers the customer a great buying experience. The customer can answer a few questions and we can get them what they are after.
Tell us about your relic or aged Pick Ups. We see quite a few guitar makers doing this kind of stuff but not so many pick up makers. What was the inspiration here? Does Porter offer more custom pick ups?
The relics started since we were getting several requests to make the Anthem PAF's aged. People were digging the sound of them, but wanted them to look the part as well. We've also done some pickups with wood veneer or pickguard tops. Those have been fun.
What is your overall vision with Porter Pickups and where do you see it going?
Porter Pickups has grown quite a bit this last year. My first goal was to take care of my family while doing something I enjoy.I plan on building the Porter brand through making a high quality product and getting the customer the tone they are after.
Anything new coming down the line you can talk about?
We did several releases over the last half of 2011. Right now we've been working on a few ideas for 2012, but nothings official yet. We do a have a vintage P-90 to release pretty soon, though.
What guitar companies now build with Porter Pickups?
Flatline Guitars, KLH Relics, Saguaro Guitars, Hamilton Guitars, XXL Guitars, Zero Impact Guitars, Emerson Custom Guitars, Strictly 7 Guitars and Wulffson Guitars
What was your appeal to work with Elevation Boutiques?
I like the fact that Elevation Boutiques is focused on small builders and companies while building their brands together. It's a new and creative way to get the word out about Porter Pickups and a great place for people to discover new and different brands for all types of gear.
Finally, what was your first guitar?
A peavey Predator! It wasn't long before I was trying to refinish it and reshape the pickguard. (Maybe thats where my love of guitar all got started)
Porter Pickups is offering 10% off for all of our readers from now until January 23rd on all Porter Products! Just use the coupon code: "elevation" upon checking out.
No comments:
Post a Comment