Fans often wonder how the Jefreys acheive their trademark sound. After much contemplation, they have decided to reveal their secrets on this website, with photos of selected equipment.
Acoustic Guitar: Probably the key to the Jefreys' songwriting, this Arbor acoustic/electric guitar was purchased at Mozingo Music in 1995. Interestingly, it has only been played through an amp twice. Once immediately after being bought, after which Bryan thought he had broken it. Almost a full four years later, he realized that he simply had the volume knob turned off.
Electric Guitar: The oldest piece of equipment in the Jefreys' collection, this Fender Squier was bought used at Fazio's Frets and Friends in 1994. The guitar is plastered with stickers, including a Tin Man sticker which Bryan discussed in a recent interview: "You know, I went through this whole 'Wizard of Oz' phase, I think everyone does, in my junior year of high school. It was kind of related to some incidents at school, specifically in the gym locker room, but, you know, lawsuits pending and whatnot, I can't really talk about it and I don't really care to anyway. So, I was going to actually get a Tin Man tattoo on my chest, but on the way something was calling me into Michaels craft store where I found these stickers for two dollars. And with the money I saved I bought a copy of 'Dark Side of the Moon' and got really into the whole synchronization thing. You know, I just watched it over and over to the point where Margaret Hamilton started to resemble David Gilmour, in my mind anyway. That's where we got the idea to sync our song 'Sweater Lovin' to 'Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure'. You know, there's a line in that song that goes 'late in the day, I head straight for the mall'. Well, if you fast forward to that part and stop it right before that line, then you hit play when, in 'Bill and Ted', they're taking the famous figures to the mall. Then, you know, we're singing about the mall and they're going to the mall in the movie. It's really quite creepy; we did that on purpose."
Bass Guitar: Affectionately referred to as "Black Beauty", this Ibanez TR bass was purchased at Fazio's Frets and Friends in 1997.
Utility Instrument: The Jefreys' "Secret Weapon", the keyboard serves as the band's drumset, synthesizer, organ, clavi, etc. The band actually owns two keyboards. Bryan's, named "David Casio", was rescued from Venture's going out of business sale, while Matt's, "Steven Yamaha", was found at Best Buy and bought without a manual as it had been the floor model.
Microphone: The Audio-Technica ATR20 represents not only the model number, but also its price. The Jefreys bought this mic for 20 bucks at Radio Shack. Although not a top of the line model, it has served the band well, amplifying Matt's voice with relatively few complications. The purchase of the mic was necessitated after Bryan got the cord for the old one stuck in an amp at the ill-fated high school talent show tryout and ultimately pulled the plug clean out of the mic.
Microphone Stand: This stand, from On-Stage Stands, is almost brand new, bought in the summer of 1999 at Macmurray Music. This replaces the old stand which was destroyed in the now infamous riot in Binghamton, New York. During a concert there, the Jefreys performed (for the only time) their song, "(I Wanna Be) Dennis Rodman's Girlfriend", inciting a chorus of boos from the audience. When Matt invited a pair of audience members to come onstage and "try to do better", the entire crowd rushed the stage. Matt and Bryan scrambled to save all the equipment they could before making a hasty exit, but, sadly, the mic stand was ripped in half before they could reach it.
Four Track Recorder: This Tascam four track has been a boon to the band since they found it at Fazio's Frets and Friends in 1996. All of their early demos and some songs from the upcoming album, Sold Out! were recorded on this machine. Since the band rarely cleans it and never demagnetizes it, their recordings take on a sound unlike any other, even those produced on the same model of four track. Thus, the G-fi sound is born.
Tuner: Regarded by some as a crutch for the lesser talented, the Jefreys maintain that they could not obtain their sound without this Matrix tuner, which they have had since 1995. One key to their sound is that the batteries in the tuner have only been changed once in the last four years. Therefore, the tuning of their guitars is slightly off. This insures, however, that the Jefreys guitars definitely do not sound like anyone else's.
Cables: Neither of the Jefreys can remember exactly what kind of cables they use, but they must have gotten them at Macmurray Music, because that store's name is on them. These cables produce a sharp crackle in the amplifiers when used, a signature of the G-fi sound.