Ash Maksym

Funky Blues Session Guitarist

Ash Maksym on SoundBetter

Available for remote sessions, all live and studio work, bringing style and enthusiasm to any project!

I play electric & acoustic guitar, having the ability to translate your ideas and vision to tracks. I play for the song, making sure i give you the absolute best performances, tones, and create the perfect vibe and mood for your music, with rhythm and lead specialising in groove and feel. I have a style that goes through the likes of Robben Ford, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King & Josh Smith.

I've 15+ years working experience, performing with the likes of Sister Sledge, Gary Barlow, Rebecca Fergusson as well as X factor artistes, touring UK & Europe with theatre productions and working as a Musical Director for the past 9 years.

My studio has a range of instruments as well as a whole host of amps & numerous pedals and amps for a range of sounds, fully set-up to be able to produce exactly what you envisage.Rhythm & lead specialising in groove and feel. I have a style that goes through the likes of Robben Ford, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King.

I am also fully equipped to record guitars not just at home, but on the road as well with top-of-the-line Universal Audio & Kemper gear.

Experienced in all forms of live & studio work, If you want to send over an email discussing your ideas and thoughts, i would love to discuss ideas. I will always work close together with you and make sure the end result is the absolute best according to YOUR view.

Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.

Interview with Ash Maksym

  1. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  2. A: That i will always give my absolute best in playing, and that i will always be transparent and open in discussion.

  3. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  4. A: If your ears tell you its right, then it probably is. Be creative (that ones for free!)

  5. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  6. A: My biggest highlight would be either between building a theatre show from the ground upwards, and it becoming the largest touring show in Europe, starting a music business in college for media students who needed original music for GCSE's and A-Levels or performing at Sports Personality Of The Year a few years ago. All as guitarist.

  7. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  8. A: A variety of projects. Im musical director for a theatre company, so piecing together some musicals for 2021, i'm writing a musical based on a Russian novel, trying to finish off an album of original material whilst learning how to be a photographer and videographer

  9. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  10. A: Absolutely not, give me all the work!.... Just joking, theres going to be so many great people on this platform, go with who you like and who stands out.

  11. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  12. A: Both, why box yourself in with only one option, they're both great!

  13. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  14. A: Creating art, being part of the process that puts music into the world.

  15. Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  16. A: Client - "Can i request........?" Me " Sure, no problem"

  17. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  18. A: That its easy

  19. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  20. A: No two clients are ever the same, so i make sure we talk about everything, all wants and needs.

  21. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  22. A: Talk, be clear and dont be shy to ask or queries. We"re all in it for the same reason - to make the best music we can possibly make and express ourselves. Own your uniqueness!

  23. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  24. A: 5 acoustics, so when i get bored i can make a raft and sail away. It'd be old Taylors and Martins so id at least know it'd be a quality raft.

  25. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  26. A: I started playing at the age of 16, had music lessons before going to University. At University i was working with bands and then that slowly took over, i became a full-time musician and haven't looked back since!

  27. Q: How would you describe your style?

  28. A: A mixture of blues - rock - funk

  29. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  30. A: Red Hot Chill Peppers, with Nile Rogers and Stevie Wonder a close second a third, but one wouldn't be choosy!

  31. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  32. A: A mix of blues, rock, funk, disco, pop and indie

  33. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  34. A: Feel and understanding what's needed and being able to get it out

  35. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  36. A: I am really into playing for the song, i certainly put as much feel and groove in as possible - if theres no feel, we've got nothing!!! - dynamic playing, a sense of melody mixed with blazing playing. Of course what's more important is making sure the part fits, and the song breathes.

  37. Q: What's your typical work process?

  38. A: * Speak to the client, get as much info as possible and make notes. * Request examples and references - from other artistes to voice notes * A rough version of the piece for the client to listen to and look to tweak * A second rough version with changes made (if any) * Final recording

  39. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  40. A: DAW - Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, Ableton Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 / Universal Audio Apollo Twin Amps - Marshall class 5, Jubilee | Suhr Badger 35 | Wienbrock ME-5 Plexi | Engl Screamer 50 | H&K Tubemeister | Fender Princeton / Kemper floor profiler Pedals - a range of pedals including fuzz, overdrive, distortion, delay, reverb, filter, phaser, flanger, wah, compression, boosts, graphic EQ, pitch shifters Pedal switcher: Boss ES8 | Moen GEC9 | Mark One Audio | Gigrig quartermaster Mics: SM58, SM57 | Senheisser 906 | Sontronics Halo

  41. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  42. A: So many to name, it varies from Stevie Wonder to Vulfpeck, from Prince records to Jeff Beck to Brett Mason to Nile Rogers. Any musician/bands with feel inspires me!

  43. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  44. A: The most common type of work i do is live performance, and session guitar work, so putting down parts - riffs, solos, rhythm work.

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6 song overview

I was the guitar, bass, keys, writer and engineer in this production

Terms Of Service

Im always interested in the song, & happy to discuss ideas to gain a greater understanding of you & the track. More info helps me create the perfect vibe for you.
Revisions are no problem at all.

GenresSounds Like
  • Philip Sayce
  • Doyle Bramhall II
  • Jimi Hendrix
Gear Highlights
  • 1962 custom shop strat
  • Gibson R8 Les Paul
  • Suhr Telecaster
  • old fuzz faces
  • tube screamers
  • Fender Princeton
  • Marshall Plexi's
  • Apollo Audio pre amps plus much more equipment for a range of sounds
  • styles and vibe!
More Photos
SoundBetter Deal

Discount for multiple tracks | Happy to discuss all aspects