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August 2011
Vintage
endorser James Bell scoops 'Young Guitarist Of The Year' award
Every year, thousands of budding young six-stringers compete
for the fabled title of Young Guitarist Of The Year, in a competition
run by Guitarist Magazine.
This year, the coveted award was taken away by 13-year-old James Bell
from Audley, near Stoke-On-Trent. James won by playing his track A New
Hope using his main guitar – a cherry red Vintage ReIssued Series
VS6.
The competition, which took place at the prestigious Royal Festival
Hall, Southbank Centre, London as part of the London Guitar Festival
2011, was judged by a panel of industry professionals – headed
by Guitar Techniques Editor Neville Marten – who had the tough
task of picking just one winner from the five extremely talented and
capable young players performing that day.
In the end, it was James's confident virtuoso performance, coupled with
a technique and feel well beyond his years, that swayed the very close
voting. “When I won I felt amazed – I thought it was a dream!”
James said. “I cannot thank my teacher Brian Viggars enough for
telling me about the competition and helping me with the mixing of my
backings! Brian is absolutely amazed at the tone of my Vintage VS6,
by the way...”
James has a busy YouTube account with more than 50 videos uploaded (including
one of his award-winning performance) and spends a lot of time busking
and attending jam sessions in his hometown. "I think jam nights
are great," explains James. "I went to one earlier this month
and ended up playing with half of the original Climax Blues Band!"
As part of his prize, James has also won a place at the 2012 International
Guitar Festival in Bath, which features the likes of Guthrie Govan,
Andy James and Martin Goulding. “I can't wait!” he says.
And to top off the win, John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd., worldwide
trade distributor for Vintage guitars, decided to gift James with a
new Vintage guitar of his choice. He plumped for a Flame Maple Green
Vintage Rock Series VRS100.
James said: “The feedback on the VRS100 is amazing and the whammy
just makes things even better! My fingers just glide across the 24 frets.
I am truly amazed at this great guitar, and my thanks to everyone at
JHS.”
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