Ready to take your music to the next level? Let me bring my 20 years of experience and killer guitar skills to your next studio session. From high-energy pop and rock to funky grooves and soulful ballads, I've got you covered. Don't settle for anything less than the best - let's make some magic happen!
Hi there! My name is Niels, and I am a seasoned professional guitarist with over 20 years of experience in the music industry. I am a graduate of the prestigious Conservatory of Rotterdam where I studied Rock and Jazz guitar.
Throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of touring with many famous Dutch and foreign artists, including the iconic 70's prog rock band FOCUS, Tito Jackson of the Jackson 5, and the talented actor and musician Michiel Huisman known for his roles in Nashville, House on Haunted Hill, and Game of Thrones. Additionally, I have produced a few records, written and produced my own solo records, and written songs for other artists. My work has also been featured in several commercials, movie trailers, and other media.
As a guitarist, I specialize in high-energy pop, rock, and funk guitar, as well as acoustic fingerstyle and strumming. I am also known for my kickass guitar solos, which I can create in the style of famous players like Joe Satriani, John Mayer, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, Steve Lukather, and more. My melodic approach to playing ensures that your songs will have a unique and memorable sound, with a focus on creating energy and groove that locks in perfectly with your bass and drum parts.
If you're looking for a talented and experienced guitarist who can bring your tracks to life, look no further! Check out my audio compilation!
Send me a note through the contact button above.
63 Reviews - 13 Repeat Clients
Endorse Niels van der Steenhoven
check_circleVerifiedGreat work again with the correct styles for egis song awesome
check_circleVerifiedWonderful job from Niels as always! His guitar always adds value to my songs, even if my songs are already highly developed, and I look forward to working with him again!
check_circleVerifiedSuperb guitar tracks for my prog-rock song. Really added a great dimension to the song. Niels was great to work with, timely, excellent communications. Highly recommended.
check_circleVerifiedExcellent guitar tracks. Went above and beyond as usual.
- check_circleVerified
Wonderful musician who exactly understands what I need / want. Thanks so much!
check_circleVerifiedNiels' style is so fluid and powerful, he is able to soar over the top of an arrangement and create an all-new layer of energy and excitement. I'm thrilled with the result. Highly recommended.
- check_circleVerified
Awesome playing as it sits in the pocket and very tasty licks
- check_circleVerified
Outstanding again. Lots of parts with options, all expertly played.
- check_circleVerified
This is my second time using his skilled musicianship and it has never failed me. He fully understands my needs and open to changes when asked.
- check_circleVerified
Excellent session player who went above and beyond to give me so much choice as well as delivering exactly what I wanted. Highly recommended.
check_circleVerifiedOnce again, top pro work. Love the experience of working with Niels, the man the legend!
check_circleVerifiedI had a track with a fairly dreamy feel, Niels added some lovely tasteful acoustic parts and some nice electric textures to help the track dynamically - Niels always delivers the most musical stems within agreed timeframes.
- check_circleVerified
Great muso to work with. Exactly what I expected and then some.
check_circleVerifiedNiels has been such a vital component of my recent work - he adds depth and interest without ever overpowering. He's a true artist and I'm so happy to have found him here!
- check_circleVerified
I asked Niels for advice on his back catalogue and he furnished me with a full reply of what he has released and where to find it. I am very satisfied with Niels’s response. Thanks!
- check_circleVerified
After so many orders I may sound like a broken record, but Niels inspires and impresses every time with his craftsmanship and musicianship. A true pro with a creative ear. He is also super accommodating.
- check_circleVerified
Niels continues to amaze - after many projects, he still surprises with his creativity and guitar playing prowess. Hire this man!
- check_circleVerified
Niels is a very good guitar player. He gave me what my song needed. I mention that I wanted a more defined part for the bridge and he did it. Very easy to work with. I plan on using his services again.
check_circleVerifiedI've done several songs with Niels. Great guitar player. I will definitely hire him again.
- check_circleVerified
Niels puts the sound better in SoundBetter! Every project he touches instantly is made better and enhanced with his playing, which is skillful and also very deliberate - he is reserved when it is called for and he crunches when appropriate. Such a masterful player and honored to host him on my work.
Interview with Niels van der Steenhoven
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I produced an album for Coby Grant (I was Young), that was a great experience. I also toured around the globe with the legendary rockband FOCUS. That was cool!
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: If I can finish it yesterday ;-) Just kidding, but I try to deliver as soon as possible. Usually within two days.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: A lot of people think that I only like to play solo stuff but I love to be a sideman and play a simple but good guitar part.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What they want to express with the music, and for what purpose the music is. Also which feeling/emotion they want me to put into the track.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A strat, a good overdrive, delay and reverb pedal and an amp. Thats all you need.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Always check your part in the mix to hear if the sound blends with the other instruments and also check it solo with all the other guitar parts. They have to work together and not against each-other.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: A new solo album with instrumental guitar songs.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: There are all kinds of great artists on Soundbetter. It really depends on what your looking for.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both, its 2020! c'mon...
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To make them happy and deliver killer sounding tracks.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Every day is different and every piece of music is different. Its never a dull moment.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Always check if the sound and style of the player fits your music, no matter how good he is.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started in 1995 and never looked back. Only guitar playing and music for a living since then.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Melodic and groovy. I can play loud but also soft.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: John Mayer because he writes interesting guitar parts and songs and has a killer band.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: From pop to funk/fusion and from rock to acoustic singer/songwriter stuff. I'm also really into old blues and americana music.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My timing and sound.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: A lot of character, groove and vibe. I also like to add catchy hook lines.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I first listen to the demo and then contact the client to discus the general approach and his vision. Then I start working and record every part I have in mind. When everything is recorded I send a rough mix to the client. After he/she listened to it we decide if I have to add something else or maybe replace a track for a different take.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have an iMac based setup with Logic Pro X as my main DAW. I use a Universal Audio Apollo as a sound card. I have great onboard plugins like Neve and API preamps. I use a Kemper amp, Fractal audio Axe FX3 and Line6 Helix when I go direct. I also use my good old tube amps. I have a Meyer handwired amp, a Mesa Boogie and a Diezel amp. I use mics and a Suhr reactive load box. For acoustic guitar I use a trusty D-18 with a Neumann KM184 mic.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: As a solo rock guitarist I'm inspired by guys like Satriani, Vai, Lukather, Oz Noy, Guthrie Govan, Eric Gales, Joe Bonamassa, Jeff Beck and Michael Landau. As a sideman I'm inspired by guys like Blake Mills, John Mayer, The Edge, Coldplay, The 1975 and Tom Bukovac.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I play mainly electric and acoustic guitarparts in various styles. From funk to rock and pop to jazz/fusion. I do a lot of commercials, trailers, synch tracks, demos, singles and album productions. Sometimes I play just a better version of what's already on the demo, but most of the time I can add my own vision to it. It's always a collaboration between me and the artist/producer/songwriter so we'll discuss a lot about the best approach for the song.
I was the guitarist, composer and producer in this production
- Electric GuitarAverage price - $150 per song
- Acoustic GuitarAverage price - $150 per song
- Bass ElectricAverage price - $150 per song
I will deliver guitar tracks within 5 business days unless we discuss otherwise. One revision free of charge.
- Universal Audio Apollo
- Fractal Audio
- Kemper Profiler
- Line6 Helix
- Meyer handwired
- Fender Princeton
- Tweed Deluxe
- Martin D-18
- Martin OOO-15M
- Smitty Custom Stratocaster
- Smitty Custom Telecaster
- Gibson ES-335
- Strymon
- Eventide
- Neumann
