Origin Stories Vol. 1

JD Simo

In this series of Blog posts, I will talk about some of the artists I have had the pleasure of working with over the years…So there will be some name dropping in here, something I am not always keen on, but obviously, there is no way around it…only through it! So please excuse anything in here that may seem braggadocious, that is NOT my intention, well maybe a little?

Let’s start with the most current artist and then in the next “Origin Story” I will go ALL the way back to one of the first.

JD Simo and I had been following each other for a year or so on Instagram and I would chime in on his posts and content from time to time and admire/support from a distance. I have always made it a policy to not try and sell amps to people, but rather, build something for someone who wanted a Headstrong. If you have talked to me on the phone, maybe you are familiar with my approach. In the early days I had to be a bit more assertive, but the last 15 years or so, I have preferred to take a more laid back approach. SO with JD, I assumed that he was covered on the gear side of things, and I was more of a fan of his music, gear, and honestly, his prowess on the guitar and knowledge of roots and blues music (something I think may be unrivaled in the world today). There is a reason he is a “first call” guy to some of the most revered producers today. So I was fine with that, I would support indirectly rather than directly.

One day I had made a comment on a post he put up, and a few minutes later he emailed me directly asking about an amp…Turns out, he had been checking out the amps and he was looking for a change in his amp line up on the road and at home in his studio. I was thrilled to be in contact and asked what he was thinking…He said, Lil King…They almost always say that…

I didn’t realize at the time he was looking for something ASAP, but he let me know the sooner the better…I knocked out an amp and sent it away. I am a confident guy, especially when it comes to that amp and circuit…I have built close to 1000 LK and LK-S chassis combined…I am not sure any ONE man can claim that in the world today…I am proud of that one…(see above statement about me bragging a bit), but I was a tad nervous about his reaction to the amp. A few days passed and he had the amp when I received a text…

“Bro, this thing is amazing! It’s like the best I’ve heard! Except no weird noises hahahaha, GOD this is Awesome”

A few days later he said it is the only amp he had been using since getting it and it was his new favorite! Also, that he had used it on several recordings at that point…The next tour it was the Lil King and his trusty old Deluxe Reverb (btw the plate voltage on his DR is insanely high…like 470vdc on the plates @ 120v!) but the two amps worked great together and some rooms/stages were small enough to use just the LK alone. I was OVER THE MOON! We all crave validation at some point and even though I had heard similar things from customers and endorsers alike, this one really meant a lot…This guy has played everything at some point…probably dozens of vintage and replica PR’s along the way. Not to mention his killer guitar collection…His words carry some serious credibility

After a couple of runs with the amp in tow, we arranged for me to come down to a show for some hang time. I used to do these things more often, but things have obviously changed over the past few years, so there has been less and less of this scenario and I miss this part of my job. Getting a chance to hang out with musicians (at any level of success or notoriety) is something I miss about playing music on a regular basis and the years of doing it as an amp builder have helped fill that hole.

When I got to the venue, the gear was already set up on stage but the band was actually having a meal in the back. When I walked up, I was greeted with the biggest smile and handshake I can remember. This is a guy who has played with/for/on countless records and projects (Dolly Parton’s new record, the Elvis soundtrack, the list goes on) and he greeted me like a brother who he hadn’t seen in years. Over the years I have met many people, most of which have been in this category, but JD is one of the most down to earth cats I have had the pleasure of meeting. We sat and talked about blues, guitars, amps, food, life, family…everything. He has such a positive attitude about his music and career. You really see this in people that are doing EXACTLY what they want to do! Something we should all try and capture…even if it is for small portions of our week. Find that thing and commit time to it. It changes the way you see everything around you in my experience

The show was on a level I rarely see. This is a guy who has gigged so much over there years, everything about what he does is a science…Helping the sound guy get set up, how he sets up his amps, the guitars he uses for backing people up vs his own shows…It was a pleasure to see how he treats people, how he knows exactly what he wants things to sound like, and how he gets that with seemingly little to no effort. It is instinct at this point.

This was just the soundcheck. 


I had a chance to talk with the band and with Patrick Sweany as well on this gig. You can tell JD’s attitude rubs off on everyone. He makes people around him happy and he pushes them musically to new heights…Side note, three songs in to Pat’s set (JD and band backed him on this run) he looked over at JD and mouthed, I love you man…I knew what he meant…JD and the Band (Adam Abrashoff and Todd Bolden) laid down a pocket the size of the Grand Canyon and Pat was free to go where he wanted. It was a magical performance! He is one of the most unselfish players I’ve seen!

JD’s set was on another level. The control and command he has on his instrument and the stage, it is really something you need to see live. The band goes to places with instinct and confidence, pushing each other….MAN! You really need to go see this to know what I mean.

I was beat and thought I may duck out early, but two songs into JD’s set, I knew I was there for the night! After the show I said goodbye to all of them and headed out to the hotel….By noon the next day I was back in Asheville, in the shop building another Lil King. It was a 24 HOUR there and back, and I was still buzzed from the show!

We basically text or message on a weekly basis and I cannot wait for the next hang we have. There is talk of more amps, but regardless, I know I made a friend on this one and that is better than any amp, ever!

Stay tuned for the next “Origin Story” as I will go all the way back to one of the first big name guys I managed to meet and build several amps for over the years! I hope you enjoyed this story, I have a few more in store!

Wayne