Magnus Paterson

Job: UK Programme Manager for the Gemini Telescopes project; two 8m telescopes, in Hawai'i and Chile. I used to have a proper job as a realtime software engineer.

Started playing: '67. My first part-time job paid for a crappy f-hole archtop with 15mm action at the 12th. Good for finger strength, though.

Main gear: Currently restrained to a Rob Armstrong acoustic (as in picture), a 1982 Sigma DM-18 doing splendid service as my Nashville guitar, and a '76 custom SG-style 6/12 twin-neck. A Northworthy parlour is next on the list... (The picture is with my Armstrong. Spruce top, Indian rosewood sides, back & fingerboard. Mahogany neck. EMG pickup. It's Ken Nicol's rig behind me.)

Favourite music: Well, after 33 years of playing, there are loads, but current acoustic heroes are Adrian Legg, Michael Hedges, Tony McManus, Pierre Bensusan, Bruce Mathiske, Ken Nicol and Richard Thompson. Electrically, Page, Beck, Vai, Satriani, all the Hellecasters, SRV and Richard Thompson! Away from guitar, Mahler rules!