The Tone Shepherd, 3261 Felton Street, Thousand Oaks, CA (2026)

06/11/2026

I'm not one to hide my appreciation for Lambertones pickups but in this video I want to make abundantly clear what I love most about the company—the man behind it.

When you have a million choices in great gear at our fingertips like we do today, the final tipping point might land on the values or character of the builder. In the case of Lambertones, you get legendary tonal clarity combined with one of the best men in the business. Zero compromise on quality or character.

That's what makes Lambertones the resounding pickup of choice for me.

The Crema/Grinder combo in my Jennings Voyager is my primary weapon of choice, followed by my Jazzmaster with Ristrettos, and close on its heels my Tele with Blondies.

If you've never tried Lambertones pickups before, there's always time to repent.

https://lambertones.store/

06/10/2026

Quad Cortex Signature Preset V2 Update:

1 — All V1 owners have received the new V2 presets and V2 captures. Any new purchase has been getting the final V2 resources for over a week now.

2 — My website and Read Me files have been updated to detail what's included and some basics on how to approach the EQ as well.

thetoneshepherd.com/quadcortex

Still working hard on video demos and audio clips. Should have something for you to watch within the next week.

I'm also working hard on a video resource library to help you get the most out of your QC. What kind of things would be helpful for you to know about the QC or the Sig Preset?

06/08/2026

Don't think Jesus' teaching of "turning the other cheek" means for us to be a doormat. Jesus casts a vision of loving our enemies that is much richer and more nuanced. Though we don't match evil IN KIND, we do stand up to injustice in creative non-violent ways that seeks true reconciliation for both the victim and the perpetrator. This is the kind of radical love Jesus displayed for US, after all, since we were all once enemies of God now reconciled through the cross.

Huge thanks to for your podcast and articles on this topic. My sermon was essentially one giant restatement of the truths you unearthed. 🫶🏼 📖 👌🏼

And I hope you all know this, but by supporting Tone Shepherd you're also supporting The Bible Project monthly! Good tone is making disciples!

06/04/2026

Quad Cortex Signature Preset V2 has been transferred to all V1 owners!

(It only took 2.5 straight hours to transfer! 😆…this video is at 40,000% speed)

A detailed walkthrough video is on the way, but in the mean time, here’s some info you should know:

The “CD65 NEVE” capture in all three main V2 presets is a combo capture of a SoloDallas CD65 along with my API 3122V preamp and Neve 8803 EQ. The CD65 provides a little bit of saturation/compression and the Neve EQ is tailored for each preset. This block is meant to be on all the time and act as your global preset EQ. The other EQ blocks are bypassed on purpose. This capture is also being used as a boost in some Scenes.

To EQ the preset for your guitar, use:
1. The Jewel compressor block tilt EQ and/or the Hi Cut (a fairly aggressive 2k cut)
2. The 3-band EQ controls in the CD65-NEVE capture

If you need to EQ the preset further, then reach for the EQ block.

Included with this V2 preset is the following:

6 Playable Presets
⭑ TS SIG PRESET HB V2
⭑ TS SIG PRESET SC V2
⭑ TS SIG PRE STRAT V2
⭑ TS SIG - ACPRO HB V1
⭑ TS SIG - ACPRO SC V1
⭑ TS SIG WASHED STRAT

30 AC30 Captures (V1 & V2)

30 Prosonic Captures (V1 & V2)

31 Drive Captures (Mostly V1)
TS 0 CD65 NEVE - BR
TS 0 CD65 NEVE - WM
TS 0 CD65 NEVE - STRAT
TS 1 CRUISER
TS 1 DAILY DRIVE
TS 1 DAILY DRIVER
TS 1 DAILY DRIVER (SC)
TS 1 GRIT
TS 1 KTR
TS 1 LIGHTSPEED
TS 2 BENSON PREAMP
TS 3 FPT HB
TS 2 FPT
TS 2 FPT (SC)
TS 2 FPT SC2
TS 2 KOT YELLOW
TS 2 PAGE TS
TS 3 ASPEN SECRET
TS 3 DRV MOD 1 - OPA
TS 3 KILT V2 - BLUE
TS 3 KILT V2 - RED
TS 3 KILT X BLU
TS 3 PLUME 1
TS 3 PROTEIN G (MOD&EQ) 1
TS 3 SUPERBOLT V1
TS 4 FOCUS FUZZ
TS 4 FOCUS FUZZIER
TS 4 FOCUS FUZZ SC1
TS 4 KILT V2 - RED (SC)
TS 5 BENSON G BOOST
TS 5 PRICKLY PEAR BOOST

06/03/2026

My wife used to know exactly when not to interrupt me.

If she walked into the garage and saw a pencil tucked behind my ear, she knew I was in "project mode." Whatever I was building, fixing, or improving had my full attention, and not much else could get through.

The problem is, I'm realizing that same mindset can follow me into my spiritual life.

In Luke 18, the disciples repeatedly try to shield Jesus from interruptions—children, a blind beggar, anyone they deemed less important than the mission at hand. But Jesus seemed to operate differently. He never treated people as obstacles to His work. More often than not, they were the work.

Maybe discipleship isn't just about following Jesus in the big moments. Maybe it's learning to recognize Him in the interruptions.

A few thoughts on pencils, projects, and the Kingdom in today's devo.

06/01/2026

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Gal. 2:20

The gospel isn’t just about making bad people better—it’s about bringing dead people back to life!

The fully surrendered Jesus follower is no longer bound to a code of laws that enslaves them to earning. Instead, through death to self and rebirth in Christ, their desires are transformed from the inside out to think and live like their King.

But this surely doesn't happen overnight.

It's a daily, moment by moment, surrender that accumulates to a freer and freer life. And once you've tasted it it's hard to stomach the blandness of the world.

Crucify me, Lord Jesus, if that's what it takes
To see You and know You and walk in Your wake
Remind me my striving and earning is done
My old life has died, and Heaven's begun

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

(Turn phone sideways for stereo goodness)

Took the Gretsch G6131T-62 for a spin for the first time on Sunday and really enjoyed it. It was my first time playing live with a non-Electromatic Gretsch!

Running my Quad Cortex Signature V2 HB preset with just a few EQ tweaks on the Jewel block (Hi Cut Off, Tone to 6, Volume to 9)

I love playing this guitar with the two different filter options…guess it's called a "mud switch"?

I used the down position (the less extreme of the two, kinda feels like a mid enhancement setting) on EG1 and really dug the focus it gave that Chorus lead line especially.

All you Gretsch users, what are your favorite things about your guitar!?

05/18/2026

Do NOT buy the Era 30 captures YET…unless you’re impatient…

thetoneshepherd.com/era

OVERVIEW
* 48 Captures V2
* Voiced for Humbuckers and Single Coils
* Two Different Speakers
* All Three Channel Configurations
* Analog API Preamp and Neve EQ
* Extended Training for ToneX
* Head Captures Provided for NAM Only

MICS & PREAMP
For these captures I used a Shure 545 with a Royer R-121. An API 3122V preamp and Neve 8803 analog EQ were used to sweeten the captures.

CABINET & SPEAKERS
The stock Bad Cat Ceramic speaker was captured alongside a Celesiton Alnico Cream speaker in the matching Bad Cat Era 2X12 oversized open back cab.

GAIN STAGES
* 1 -Clean
* 2 - Edge of Breakup
* 3 - Crunch
* 4 - Driven

05/08/2026

“Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” wrecked me this week.

I went to Hume Lake for a fisherman’s retreat with my boys (Isaac is 11 and Levi is 9) who are at the most precious age ever. Isaac’s been dying to go fishing and has been waiting for this retreat quite impatiently for 6 months. We had a great time. I got 3rd place in the longest fish contest. Isaac hit the long range .22 target. Cinnamon rolls at 5am with rolling fog over the lake. Bald eagles catching fish. It was rad.

But by FAR the best part of the whole trip was simply worshiping beside my sons. As the guy on the stage all the time, it’s an extremely rare occasion where I get to put one arm on my child’s back and raise the other in the air in adoration of Jesus, wholly untied to “leadership” other than showing my kids that I actually do the same thing in the seats as I do on stage.

Dave from led worship for the retreat and their band was perfect for Isaac. They change up the style of the music a lot and taught us some originals that rocked.

For session 2 they ended the set with “Yet Not I”. As I was taking in the lyrics I was truly overcome by just how perfectly they were telling my own story back to me. The sermon I preached last week about my Huntington’s diagnosis and the fear that bound me all those years and the freedom I’ve received recently letting my weaknesses be my boast…all of that is intricately represented in this song. I began to weep in a way I haven’t wept in a long time. While I was holding Levi tight, tears streamed down my face in gratitude for all that God promises to do in and through us when we truly let go and let Him shine through. I want that so badly for my life. I want so badly for my kids to see Him in me. I know they do, but I’m just praying for more and more of Him to replace every part of me.

So as I was practicing the set this week, I legit forgot the camera was on and I got caught up in the moment again. This time no ugly tears, but a heart consumed with the Lord nonetheless. I kept it in there.

————

Gear:
Voyager
Crema (neck) / Grinder (bridge)

Quad Cortex

04/29/2026

One of the most coveted and carefully refined Tweeds in existence can now be yours to enjoy. The Lazy J J20 has received the highest praise from players like Joe Bonamassa and Pete Townshend and countless others who’ve been fortunate enough to play one. If you’ve been looking for a Deluxe Tweed-esque capture that’s solidly “different” yet still fits the bill as a rock solid pedal platform capable of many different styles, then this could be the one you’ve been waiting for.

The J20 is a boutique take on the classic 5E3 tweed Deluxe circuit, designed by Jesse Hoff. It keeps the core feel and character of a vintage tweed amp, but with added clarity, balance, and usability.

Where traditional 5E3-style amps can feel a little loose, flubby, or mid-heavy, the J20 opens things up. The low end is tighter, the mids are rich but more defined, and the top end has a smooth, musical chime that never gets harsh. Clean tones have a natural compression and bloom that feel responsive under your fingers, and as you push the amp, it transitions into a warm, singing overdrive that stays articulate and controlled.

One of the standout qualities of the J20 is how it reacts to your playing. It’s extremely touch-sensitive—responding to pick attack and guitar volume in a way that makes it feel alive rather than static. It’s equally at home in clean, edge-of-breakup, and driven tones, making it a versatile platform for a wide range of styles.

Overall, the J20 isn’t just a vintage-inspired amp—it’s a refined version of that circuit, built to deliver the feel and character players love, without some of the limitations of the originals.

Available for TONEX, Quad Cortex, and NAM (Proxy is on the way)

thetoneshepherd.com/laz20

Full demo video on YouTube (link in bio)

P.S. Thanks again to for helping with the video! Go check out his website and snag his Mercury X and H90 presets!

04/23/2026

Tone Herd, this message is for my church fam, but also my extended church fam (you) as well. This Insta community has been way more than a marketplace of tones, it’s been a fostering of real relationships with real people struggling with real issues. I’ve been blown away by all of the actual ministry done on this platform. And so I’d like to invite you into one of the deepest, most intimate parts of my personal story. You can catch my message this Sunday at my church or stay connected to my socials the week after for more info. Much love to you all 🫶🏼

————————————

This Sunday, Pastor Devan is going to share the most consequential piece of his story through a special message titled, “Lessons From My Thorn”.

Please make every effort to attend to support Devan as he vulnerably shares how the Lord has shaped him through this trial.

But our prayer is that we’d all come hungry and thirsty for the Kingdom to be manifest in our lives and in our church as we invite the “upside-down blessing” Jesus calls us to adopt. We believe this weekend can mark our church with power—not in the world’s way, but with Jesus’. So set aside any mask or pretense you’ve been carrying and prepare your heart to be open to a move of God.

April 26th, 2026
8:30a & 10:30a
Newbury Park First Christian Church
801 Knollwood Dr.
Newbury Park, CA 91320

Website: npfcc.org
Livestream: YouTube.com/
Podcast: npfcc.org/podcast

The Tone Shepherd

06/11/2026

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06/08/2026

06/04/2026

06/03/2026

06/01/2026

05/18/2026

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04/29/2026

04/23/2026

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