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In conversation with ... .. Peter van Weelden
By Andre White Pants
Now many readers are likely thinking: Who has the white pants are now cackling?
That's right: Peter van Weelden so, have you read his name still good!
Who is this guy doing? Well, one of the best guitar amp builders in the world. As any loyal reader of Blue Magazine is known, all done interviews with the artists themselves. A small change seemed highly desirable and so the idea arose to have an artist to ask someone else. Now Peter was no stranger to me since we met several times already met and spoken at shows (sorry Heino) Joe Bonamassa. The more we were talking, the more I became interested in people and technology behind the musician. So I had during Freischladershow Henrik at Wuppertal has a very entertaining conversation with his guitar tech and a world opened up to me. Since signing any instrument can play, really a big fan 40 years of guitar music, a discovery because I had no idea of all.
So Peter called and made an appointment for an interview in his office in Apeldoorn. He also liked to try to show what he is doing so, a few days later on the road to Valhalla in amp building!
Arriving at his office I thought at first to be wrong. A rather dreary building from the outside seemed to me an icon from the workspace. Check with neighbors! I stepped inside to have been reached as yet the workspace. Peter was already waiting for me and led me inside to a cozy and well equipped workshop with storage, sitting area and office.
- We have know each other, Joe Bonamassa. How did you come into contact with each other?
At one point I was called by his manager if she could come visit us to see what I like doing, they had serious interest. It appeared that Joe, when he was 15 years old, I had read an article in Guitar World magazine in which I was called a sort of quack. Joe that was already cut and always kept. Maybe it's still useful! A small 15 years later, he was on the sidewalk. Result: he always plays with my amps, even at the Royal Albert Hall! I am rather proud to hear!
- Which guitarists are more customer of yours?
The first known was Eddie Van Halen. He also asked if I wanted to look at his broken amplifier. Of course I wanted, was in Los Angeles to stand! So I flew soon afterwards (never flown!) To LA, according to Eddie did a very good job and my career got a tremendous boost. Then came Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi), Tony Spinner (Toto), Tony Mc Alpine (Steve Vai), Michael Katon, Paul Croke (Anthrax, Meat Loaf) and the Netherlands the guitarists from Normal, Kane and Talk Talk, Vandenberg
- How did you ended up in this business, there seems no training?
In my youth I discovered the passion for guitar and talent for electrical engineering and was logically an electro-training. After the training have completed the guitar and the technique remained around me fascinating. I worked for a living as a repair technician in household appliances. In my spare time I was already busy with repairing guitars and so slowly it got more and more about my name in that circuit. After contact with Van Halen I decided to set up a small business not only for professionals but also for the amateurs. That was more difficult than I thought because there is money being asked for a repair and my customers were not so accustomed. Many then went into another friend, neighbor, who did it for free, or lower quality of course.
- What are your trademark amplifiers become?
Let me first state that you are not I buy the cheapest amps. All construction and hand myself! (Here let me an example of Peter the labor intensity: a wire to connect the amplifier to have a total of 7 actions are required and that many times). About an amplifier wiring I do about three days so work it out. I did a short time since the record company that makes cabinets for me. It was too time consuming to do even that. In the beginning I made them yourself, many saw, measuring, sanding, etc. So now no more. I design the cabinets to the computer with the lettering, to be yet another knock millimeter else fits together not later. The TWINKLE COUNTRY is my best and most famous amplifier and build the most, the GAIN LAND is a known but is probably out. Repairing other people's stuff I regret to reduce too much time and employing people I'd rather not. As your own boss, I have the freedom to go directly to a customer if somewhere in acting problems!
- What will the future bring for you, there are special plans?
Hush. ... Secret, but I can reveal that there are two projects in the pipeline, which in the not too distant future should be completed. Then he shows them to me but I can not say and did not shoot. Very understandable if you know how much work it in and sit there with your ideas off other people always want to go!
- Dear Peter, thank you I want you received in your domain, and certainly we see each other again at a Joe Bonamassa show.
Thank you also for your visit and interest and we both hope that the readers of Blue Magazine also found an interesting article!
