James Valentine revels in being one of the "out-of-focus guys" on stage with his band, Maroon 5. The spotlight follows his heartthrob frontman Adam Levine everywhere, but that's just how James likes it. Ever the unassuming type, his melodic, tasteful playing is fuel for Maroon 5's hit-making machine. His riffs have formed the backbone of dozens of pop classics, and his Berklee-honed chops allow him to seamlessly blend rock bombast with Chic-esque funk and Steely Dan-tastic jazz. Now, our friends at Ernie Ball Music man have honored him and his endless capacity for crafting earworms by giving him a signature model guitar. Wildwoodians, we are proud to present you with the Valentine.
James Valentine hates switching guitars during Maroon 5's stadium shows, which is totally understandable. With all the hubbub that comes along with playing for fifty thousand fans, the last thing you want to do is switch guitars every other song. So, James Valentine asked the folks at Ernie Ball Music Man to build him a guitar that he could play Maroon 5's whole set on. But, they had to do it without sacrificing simplicity or ease of use (again, no one wants to have to fiddle with five mini-toggle switches in front of 100,000 people clamoring to hear "She Will Be Loved"). As a result, his signature guitar is supremely versatile even though it only has two knobs and a three-way switch.
Wildwood Guitars: https://wildwoodguitars.com/product/H01802/valentine-8/
'The Greg' Amp: https://wildwoodguitars.com/product-category/amps/koch-amps/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildwoodguitarsofficial
Greg Koch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Y6wPwVr2krTASRASpMLsC?si=qKOaVw0jT5i4Kekbr67W0g
Serial Number: H01802
Specifications:
Brand Ernie Ball Music Man
Model James Valentine Signature
Finish Color Pink Champagne Sparkle
Finish Type High Gloss Polyester
Weight 6.66 lbs.
Body Wood Ash
Neck Wood Figured Roasted Maple
Neck Finish Gloss Gunstock Oil and Hand-Rubbed Special Wax Blend
Neck Dimensions .800 1st - .900 12th
Fingerboard Figured Roasted Maple
Fingerboard Radius 10"
Scale Length 25.5"
Width at Nut 1.625"
Frets 22 Stainless Steel High Profile Medium Width
Pickups 1 Custom Music Man Humbucker, 1 Custom Music Man Staggered Polepiece Single-Coil (Bridge)
Preamp Custom Music Man Active Preamp; Push/Push Volume For Gain Boost, 500kohm Push/Push Passive Tone for Custom Spilt Pickup Configurations - .022µF Tone Capacitor
Controls 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 3-Way Selector
Hardware Chrome
Bridge Music Man Modern Hardtail with Vintage Bent-Steel Saddles
Tuners Schaller M6-IND Locking
Pickguard Black
Case Molded Plastic Hardshell