Julian (former member of "Teardrop Explodes" along with "Echo and the Bunnymen" founder Ian McCullough) is perhaps now the most prominent user of Shergolds outside of tribute bands - he is certainly the most noticable! The photo above comes from an article in The Guardian the text of which can be found in the Guardian Unlimited archive.

For loads more on Julian search the Guardian archive, and visit his websites Head Heritage, and Brain Donor.

Julian offered me these words on his approach to Shergolds...
"I'm trying to use the Shergold's Hayman and Burns heritage to de-design mine - kind of like returning an MGB with black bumpers to its earlier chrome plated roots. I find Shergold guitars exceptionally rocking, but also great looking once the natural wood and overly conservative details have been slightly re-fashioned. I understand the desire to keep 'em original, but me I need to have over-the-top instruments (even had one of my Mellotron 400s refinished in fluorescent orange!)."

Julian now fronts the band "Brain Donor" which prominently features 6/12 and 6/4 Custom Doubles refinished in a (suprisingly) effective silver/blue and gold sparkle respectively. Julian also has a six string Masquerader finished in the classic L*s P*ul "Gold Top" colour - very nice. The refinishes were carried out by Mick Deering at Classic Finishes, who has also carried out work for us. The refinished bodies are then completed with a single piece pearloid control/scratch plate (tortoise shell on the gold 6/4), using all the original electronics and without any alteration to the woodwork - other customisers take note!

The silver/blue Custom Double 6/12 features large in the inside front cover of the booklet for the "LAMF Ambient Metal" CD and includes a credit the likes of which has not been seen for a long time!




Many thanks to Julian for the pictures that appear on this page, and the spare bits!