Jim has been with The Cheap Shots since 2009 and has twenty years of musical experience. His guitar skills have been used in wide variety of bands playing everything from rock and blues to big band and ska. Jim graduated from UW-LaCrosse with degrees in String Instrumental Performance and Music Education and has participated in orchestral tours throughout North America and Europe as a Violist.

 

From a guitarists standpoint, Jim’s strongest influences include Via, Vaughan, Hendrix, and Van Halen.

 

Just like other TCS members, too much gear is never enough. He primarily uses Fender Stratocasters modified to fit the tonal space in The Cheap Shots. “Nothing is stock and nothing is permanent,” is his guitar tastes.  However, Marshall amplification is exclusive in Jims rig and the JCM 2000 DSL 100 watt head is the foundation.  “It doesn’t matter if it’s a 2x12 or a 4x12 cab, or what’s on my pedal board, that amplifier gets the gig. Period.”