Niels van der Steenhoven on SoundBetter

Ready to take your music to the next level? With over 20 years of experience as a professional guitarist, I’m here to help bring your vision to life. Whether you’re working on high-energy pop and rock, funky grooves, or soulful ballads, I’ll make sure the guitar parts serve your song. Let’s create something great together!

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.

I’m excited to share that I’ve just reached my 78th five-star review here on SoundBetter! It’s been an amazing journey so far, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with so many talented artists from all over the world.

Over the years, I’ve recorded guitar tracks in a wide range of styles — from acoustic singer-songwriter material to blues, soul, R&B, Americana, Britpop, electro pop, Jazz, Fusion, Rock, and Hard Rock. Whether it’s a full arrangement or just a single guitar solo, I love diving into each track and helping shape the sound.

Along the way, I’ve had the pleasure of working with musicians who have played with legendary artists like Steven Wilson, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Dream Theater, Van Halen, Prince, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea — just to name a few. It’s been inspiring, and I’m proud to be part of such high-level productions.

Thanks to everyone I’ve worked with so far — your trust and support mean the world.
Looking for guitars on your next track? Feel free to reach out — I’d love to hear about your project and see how I can help bring it to life! 🎸

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

Credits

79 Reviews - 15 Repeat Clients

Endorse Niels van der Steenhoven

by Robert C.
Verified
Niels provided another 5 star guitar part for my song. The feel and sound were just right. Communication also excellent.
by Colin T.
Verified
Another great job. Lots of parts for a song in a more rock style than previously. Sounds great and responded to my description of what I wanted with creativity and musicality.
by Rye C.
Verified
Niels delivers the perfect tracks every time - I've lost count of how many projects I've hosted him on, and that is my greatest endorsement: a repeat customer who looks to Niels first for banger tracks!
by Adrian S.
Verified
In reality the only way to describe what I am feeling at the moment would be in listening to the music we have managed to create together over long distances. Niels is just one of those amazing musicians. He somehow knows the right tone, the right vibe...the right note, played the perfect way at the perfect time to help get the songs point across. Unbelievable man! Thanks!!
by Ziggie
Verified
Niels and I have now worked on a full EP and he's always beyond expectations!
by Ziggie
Verified
Always the same super high standards! A pleasure to work with
by nonviolenze
Verified
Another excellent guitar performance by Niels.
by nonviolenze
Verified
Brilliant work by Niels. Thank you.
by Ziggie
Verified
Top muso as always! Highly recommended.
by Adrian S.
Verified
Niels did a fantastic job providing guitar parts for Wishful Thinking. He seemed to know instinctively how to get the perfect sound to match the vibe and provide exactly what the song needed. His performance was truly exceptional, and he accomplished all this very quickly and efficiently while keeping me informed throughout the process. I look forward to doing more work with Mr. Niels Van Der Steenhoven.Highly recommend!
by nonviolenze
Verified
Fantastic guitar work. Much appreciated Niels.
by Rye C.
Verified
Niels is a true pro and a monster musician. If the work calls for something up front and center - Niels will deliver. And, if the track calls for something more complementary, Niels will also deliver work that is highly creative and apropos so that the song is always accentuated perfectly by his excellent work. The man is a craftsman and I am always more than thrilled with his work.
by James K.
Verified
Niels' contributions to my song were spectacular. His note and tone choices were spot-on. He is fantastic to work with, and I look forward to collaborating with him again.
by Constantin G.
Verified
Great sound, attention to details, professionalism and versatility.
by Kevin Dennis
Verified
Niels has worked on several of my songs and always gives a stellar performance. I highly recommend working with him.
by Colin Tyler
Verified
Excellent guitar work. I've used Niels' services often and I find every reason to go back.
by mark n.
Verified
Great work again with the correct styles for egis song awesome
by Thomas
Verified
Wonderful 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!
by Steve W.
Verified
Superb 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.
by Colin T.
Verified
Excellent guitar tracks. Went above and beyond as usual.

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.