Jimmy Archey | Behind the Counter

We hear about the players who use the stompboxes. Sometimes we hear about the people who make them. But rarely do we hear from the people who actually get the stompboxes in your hands – the guitar store sales people. These are their stories.

Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to work at the store?

Jimmy Archey, 52. 30th Street Guitars in New York City.

Started my professional life as a soundman working for Modular Sound Reinforcement / Joe’s Sound (previously known as Joe’s Sound And Salami).  We worked the Trenton/Philly area and were the house sound company for the legendary City Gardens in Trenton during their heyday.

Moved to NYC around 1986. Worked for Gibson as their New York Artist Relations rep from 1989-2003.  Left in 2003 to start the First Act Custom Shop with some pretty incredible luthiers. Left in 2011 and started consulting and working as an event production manager for several Musical Instrument companies. That leads us to 30th Street Guitars.  Spent a lot of time hanging with Matt (owner) at the Shop while I was looking for a Showroom for First Act. When I split from First Act and started consulting, I had a lot of free time so Matt asked me to work when I had free time … and then I never left.

What instrument do you play?

Bass

What’s the name of your band, and what kind of music do you play? 

Stopped playing in bands in the 80s when I worked as a soundman.  The last two bands I played in were Dominatrix and Rev Jim And The Dixie Cups Of

Death.

What’s your favorite pedal?

I have a lot of favorites but two have been with me for a long time — a Pro Co Rat and my Hohner Tri Dirty Booster.

Greatest songs/albums using the RAT pedal …?

Bernard Butler on the first two Suede records

I was at a legendary guitarist’s house and came upon an early Echoplex in immaculate condition.  Asked him where he got it, did he ever use it on recording, etc….  His story was that the company approached him with a product to add delay to the rear speakers of his car and they wanted him to beta test it for them.

What pedal do customers ask about the most? Any sought-after pedals that have proven particularly hard to get?

To be honest, Strymon El Capistan and Blue Sky are always tops with our customers.  Wren & Cuff Tall Font Russian is a big seller.

Hard to get, a great vintage RAT.

What pedal do you sell the most? Has that changed since you began working?

Strymon has sold consistantly but there are many other brands which we carry that make incredible pedals that sell very.  Wren & Cuff, Meris,

Greer, Chase Bliss, Source Audio, Tomkat, Alexander, TWA, Red Panda, Recovery, Hologram, Origin, Pettyjohn, J. Rockett

Is there a pedal or company that’s currently under-the-radar that you think could be the next big thing?

Meris keep out doing themselves.  Each new pedal is absolutely mind blowing

Tell us about your most memorable walk-in?

Walter Becker (RIP) spent many hours with me after the store closed.  Bought a TON of pedals. Great man, amazing storyteller. Many more – Johnny Marr, Chris Stapleton, Angus Young, Andre 3000. Q-Tip is a regular.

Tell us a favorite urban legend.

Not really an urban legend since I heard first hand and never heard anyone else tell the story but here goes …

I was at a legendary guitarist’s house and came upon an early Echoplex in immaculate condition.  Asked him where he got it, did he ever use it on recording, etc….  His story was that the company approached him with a product to add delay to the rear speakers of his car and they wanted him to beta test it for them. He responded to them later that it made incredible sounds when using it on guitar and that they should rethink their marketing.  Hmmmmm….

If you could have any pedal, regardless of price/availability, what would it be?

Maestro Brassmaster

What is currently the most common song for customers to play when they’re trying out a guitar or pedal? Is there a NO list?

I don’t listen.  Would probably drive me nuts!  Have a nice soundproof room so the customers can play as loud as they want and I won’t hear them.

Who’s pedal would you like to see in Stompbox book?

Justin Meldal-Johnsen or David Gilmour

Describe an imaginary perfect day at the store. A euphoric dream.

Real simple. Nice cool day so the Shop is comfortable.  Steady flow of customers but not crowded.  Start the day out setting up a customer’s pedalboard (which always relaxes me. Setting up pedalboards is like meditating to me). Visits from some of our regulars who are always a pleasure to converse with.  End the day with Walter Becker (RIP) showing up at closing as usual and spend a few hours with the Shop closed having great conversation and playing around with a bunch of toys.

When you’re not here, where are you and what are you doing?

Hanging with my lady and my children or at Lodge with my Brothers.

How would your customers describe you?

Grumpy old curmudgeon on the outside but really a big sarcastic pussycat.

What’s your comfort song? The one that always gets you back to the right place.

I Wanna Stay Home by Jellyfish

Favorite guitar player?

Peter Green.  Tone, phrasing, emotion, beauty. But being a bass player, Mick Karn. His phrasing, the passion in his playing. It’s not learned but organic and free.

Most memorable concert you’ve been to?

Too many so let’s go with my first which made me want to be a bass player – Boston / Todd Rundgren’s Utopia / Poco / The Outlaws at Giants

Stadium.  Kasim Sultan was my dude!!

Would you say your parents raised you well?

They knew me well!!  My parents are amazing

The best musical gift you’ve ever received?

A Lucille from BB King (donated it to charity a few years later.)