Lee Wharton   Doug Long   Ann Batty

Originally from the City Of Manchester but now residing near Preston, Doug has been playing music in one form or another since leaving school. He has played in many different genres, from a solo performer on the folk circuits through to bass in a punk band!

Starting as a keyboard player, when he left home at the age of 16 to join the Royal Air Force, he decided it was bit difficult getting a double manual Hammond organ on the train, so picked up an old acoustic instead to learn on. Being influenced by the folk boom of the seventies, and then sharing a room with a friend who was really into old acoustic blues like Robert Johnson and Big Bill Broonzy, he soon found himself playing in Folk clubs, as a solo performer and as part of various folk and bluegrass bands.

The High point of his folk career was winning the 1981 BBC Local Radio/ BFBS Folk competition in the solo category.

From the mid-1980s Doug spent a lot of time working in the middle east, and has been primarily a bass player for the last 20 years, (mainly ‘cause no one else wanted to, and drums looked too much like hard work) playing in R&B/ Soul /blues bands, for the large ex-pat community on the Middle East.

In 1996 Doug had returned to the UK and joined a working rock/covers band in the Blackpool area. But by 1999 the fun had gone out of it and it had turned into a job, rather than a pleasure, so Doug quit the band. For the next few years Doug more or less stopped playing, just the odd private function gig with friends, and one memorable night at The Winter Gardens in Blackpool playing for a massive re-union function and raising funds for Children In Need.

Then in early 2007 he was asked if he fancied coming along and having a jam with a blues band that had recently lost their bass player (careless). So one cold Sunday afternoon in January 2007 Doug found himself at The Mill in Preston, and knew within minutes that this was what he had been looking for. No air and graces, no egos, no wanna be rock gods, this was purely about the music. The old blues interests came flooding back and his time with After Hours began.


Guitars
2009 Warwick Corvette $$ NT 5

The neck-through variation of the successful Corvette family: the first Corvette with a multi-layer, neck-through 4 layer Maple neck which gives the sound of the Corvette new qualities.

I've always been a fan of Warwick basses, and amplification, having used Warwick Combos since 1996. Finally in 2009 I got my hands on the Corvette 5 NT pictured left.

I use the Swamp Ash body wood version with the Honey Violin Oil high gloss finish. The Swamp Ash version delivers a growling rock sound, stable and with much low-mid sustain. Equipped with the two separately configurable MM-style humbuckers by MEC with large open pole-pieces, thus being usable in an extremely flexible way.

Warwick

2010 NS NXT 4 Upright

I've always wanted an upright bass. Trouble is acoustic ones are just too darn big to get in the car. So over the years I've been looking for a decent quality electric upright, that would not break the bank. But without sucess; they either sounded really good, but cost a fortune, or were really affordable, and sounded like a plank.

Then in 2010 whilst on holiday in Edinburgh I just wandered into a guitar shop for a mooch, and found this. A Ned Steinberger design built in the Czech Republic.

It sounds absolutley fantastic, with its solid Maple body and neck, and an Ebony fingerboard. The passive electronics are nice and simple to use. And it all goes into a gig bag that will fit in the back of the car. Simples!

NS NXT

1996 Status Energy Artiste

Bought this bass new in 1996 when I returned to the UK. Heard a lot about Status basses but wasn't sure if I liked the graphite guitars they are better known for. Then I found this in a shop in Birmingham.

Birds Eye Maple body with Ash neck fitted with graphite truss rods and active electronics. It is extremley light, easy to play and LOUD!.

I had not gigged with it for a couple of years (having loaned it to my son at Uni). But having just got it back, professionally serviced and set up, it is and absolute delight to play.
2008 Ovation 4 Acoustic

Been looking for something to use to practice at home, without having to get all plugged in and everything. Good quality bass, that also sounds good when amped up. Might get round to doing a few acoustic ones if I can convince Lee!
1992 Ovation 6 String

Bought new in 1992 as a birthday present to me from the boss. Always liked Ovation acoustics, and particularly when they are plugged in.

Don't get around to playing it that much these days, but every so often the urge comes along to try a few of the old acoustic blues things . Need to do more!
1994 Takamine EF 365 12 String

Used the twelve string a lot in bands in the early 90's. Traded in a Yamaha 12 string for this in 1995 and it is a beautiful guitar. Like the Ovation I don't play it nearly enough anymore, but every once in while I'll hear something on the radio that brings me back to it.