The Philosophy:
We want to build products with no compromises. We want to push the limits of technology in music. We want to redefine what is possible with music gear. We want to use exceptionally great components and ridiculously powerful processors. We want to make gear that sounds better than anything you’ve ever heard. We want to make our customers happy.
We want you to be inspired to create amazing music.
The People:
We’re a small company and we’d like to stay that way. We do this because we want to create gear that is fun to design and fun to play. We want to experiment and try new things. We don’t want to work for the man. We don’t like authority. We don’t want to grow up. We want to work hard and have fun doing it.
Here’s a quick Q&A to give you a little glimpse into the Strymon family:
| Gregg Stock Senior Analog Engineer / Baseball Aficionado |
Pete Celi DSP Algorithm Genius / Movie Quote Encyclopedia |
Dave Fruehling Firmware Architect Genius / Jeep Repair Expert |
Ethan Tufts Marketing Director / Terrible Race Car Driver |
Terry Burton Engineer, Founder / Part-Time Indie Rocker |
Jorge Aguila Sr. Manufacturing Engineer / Underground DJ |
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| What was your first guitar? First guitar was a el cheapo steel string acoustic. First electric was a wine colored Les Paul Custom. Top 3 concerts you’ve been to? Kiss in the Paramount theater 1974 Led Zeppelin in the King Dome 1977 Van Halen opening for Black Sabbath in the Arena 1978 What was your first invention? When I was about 8, I wanted to make a wrist watch voice recorder with a loop of wire and a hover craft out of a vacuum cleaner. Needless to say, those projects are still on the drawing board. # of baseball games you’ve attended (estimate)? I’ve been to about 400 games at every possible level for the 11/12 year old group and at least 1000 from t-ball to college. I still have not seen my oldest play professionally. How long are you going to wear that USC sweater? Sweatshirt, real men don’t wear sweaters. As long as it is one piece. An engineer never throws out a fully functional item of clothing – ever. This was the problem that plagued aerospace engineers in the 60′s and 70′s. Their polyester wouldn’t wear out and were forced to wear it for waaaay too long. Favorite Southpark episode? Imagination Land How many subwoofers do you have in your living room entertainment system? Four 15" so far. Favorite all-time flick? This is Spinal Tap |
How do you pronounce your last name? Sounds like Chelly – it’s Sicilian – arrivederci Favorite horror flick? Does Young Frankenstein count? Actually, the one that freaked me out the most is The Exorcist. Most random job you’ve ever had? I worked a temp job for the board-game maker Parker Brothers where I sorted thousands of little plastic game pieces into giant bins labeled GOOD and BAD. # of times Tammie said to you, "What?" Due to my tendency to mumble, the answer is in the tens of thousands. Seriously. Favorite quote from which movie? “Where is pancakes house?” from the movie Fargo. Current favorite amp? Vox hand-wired AC15. Highly recommended. Your best cocktail drink? I make a mean Bloody Mary, and get many requests for Margaritas. Cheers! |
What was your first science project? The classic Volcano project. Baking soda, vinegar and food color. I got in trouble for staining the carpet. # of countries you’ve visited? Thirteen that I recall. Guitar you’re most ashamed of having owned? An Ibanez RG550. Sounds like nice guitar, right? It was florescent nuclear yellow. If you could rescue one person from the office during an earthquake, who would it be? Terry, he’s the nice one. Well maybe Gregg, he’s the clever one. Possibly Ethan, he’s the talented one. No, definitely Pete; he’s the accountant. Do you believe in the devil? Yes, he lives in South Park. Worst ever movie you’ve seen? Just saw it recently, Midgets vs Mascots. # of times you’ve seen CaddyShack? Let’s just say it’s on par with what I shot the last time I played a round of golf. |
# of guitars you own? Just a few. I usually stick with my el cheapo Fender Toronado and my Gibson J-30 acoustic. Your favorite gear that you constantly use? Two Gibson Echoplex Digital Pro’s for live looping. I also use the crap out of Line 6 POD Farm. # of dogs you’ve rescued Two doggies from Los Angeles shelters, Edison and Emma. How old were you when you made your first song? First song, or first good song? I recorded several hundred terrible vocal and casio keyboard ideas when I was 10. My first not entirely terrible song came about when I was 16. Who are 3 people / bands who have highly influenced you in music? Radiohead, especially during the OK Computer era. Fugazi and Drive Like Jehu are also pretty big influences. What was the first CD you ever bought? Pretty sure it was either Public Enemy Fear of a Black Planet or Yes 90125. How much are you willing to pay for an awesome t-shirt? I like my shirts cheap. Dumpy thrift stores is how I roll. # of cars you’ve owned? I must get bored too easily. In the last 18 years I’ve owned 19 cars! |
Your main ax? Gibson SG Standard (Natural Burst) What was your first job? I was SUPER lucky. When I was 16 the owner of a small music repair shop in Ventura, CA gave me a job as a technician fixing Guitar Amps, Keyboards, Mixers, etc. If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Tacos Your favorite movie? Episode IV. Ok, now come on, what is really your favorite movie? Ok, even more nerdy: TRON. # of times you’ve dropped and broken cups? Too many, I’ve lost count. Out of a set of my favorite tumblers only 1 remains, and it is chipped. Many cups died to bring us this information. Your occupation in an alternate universe? Artist or male underwear model Strange pets you happen to own? My wife and I have 2 hamsters: Oskar & Polly. Top 3 people you look up to? Bob Moog, Albert Einstein, Gregg "the analog guru" Stock |
# of birthday parties you’ve attended in 1 year alone? I’ve lost count. I would have to approximate two a month on average. That’s not counting all the parties my wife goes to alone. What’s your dream car? An Audi R8. Kobe or Gasol? “The Black Mamba” What is your dog’s name? (and stop blaming your wife Memory!) Munchkin, came with the package. Musical weapon of choice? My cheap acoustic guitar I play for the kids. Aaaaand, what was your first instrument? The Accordion. Played the accordion from age 9 -12, was forced by parents. Nicknames you’ve had growing up? Dad called me Rey (means king in Spanish). The craziest sneakers you’ve ever owned? During the breakdancing era, I owned several colored Converse All Stars. Some colors are too embarrassing to mention! |
The History:
Damage Control was founded in 2004 with the release of our line of tube-driven effects pedals, which earned critical acclaim and became favorites among guitarists across the globe. Strymon was founded in 2008 with the release of the SVpre tube preamp for Line 6 Spider Valve. In 2009 we all teamed up and began co-developing products. Now we’re one happy family!
