■ Strings:
■ Strings are Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky (9-46) for all my electrics. I like the feel of the heavier gauge on the low end, but prefer 9's on the top for string bending.

■ I've been an endorsee of Ernie Ball guitar strings for years now. They're fab!

■ I usually put on a fresh set of strings for every gig, the night before, or sometimes at the gig if I'm running late!

■ By the end of the first set, I can deaden a complete set of strings as I play quite hard live! Grr! 

■ Picks are custom made by Jim Dunlop from the USA. They are made of Delrin500, 1.5mm, in white, with my name on. 

The reason I have them in white is I usually lose them at gigs, and it's almost always dark, so as white is naturally luminescent, I prefer that colour.

■ Having them with my name on is no big ego thing,  it was free to have it on, so I decided, what the hell! 

■ I pick quite hard when I play, as I believe that you get a better tone that way. The downside is the Delrin plastic wears out very quickly. I can get through several picks in one gig!