History of 5150 Guitar Amps
A detailed look at the development of Eddie Van Halen’s 5150 amplifiers, beginning with the original Peavey models and following the evolution of the 5150 name.
Read the History of 5150 Guitar Amps →
With 30 years of experience in musical instrument retail, Luc Travers has spent most of his working life surrounded by guitars, amplifiers, effects, recording equipment and the musicians who use them.
Luc’s career has included time at Gallins Guitars, Venue Music and SoundCheck Studios, along with more than 25 years at Colemans Music.
A guitarist with extensive live experience, Luc has played in numerous bands and toured Australia many times. This combination of retail knowledge and real-world playing experience shapes the way he approaches music gear: not simply as products on a shelf, but as tools that need to work for musicians in rehearsal rooms, studios and onstage.
30 years Music retail experience
25+ years With Colemans Music
National tours Practical live experience
30 Years in Music Retail
Luc began working in music retail during the 1990s and has now accumulated three decades of experience in the Australian musical instrument industry.
During that time, he has worked with thousands of guitars, amplifiers, effects pedals, recording products and accessories from many of the world’s best-known music brands.
His retail background includes:
- Gallins Guitars
- Venue Music
- SoundCheck Studios
- More than 25 years with Colemans Music
This experience has given Luc a broad understanding of how musical instruments are designed, sold, used and valued by different types of players.
It also provides perspective on how brands, manufacturing standards, product ranges and customer expectations have changed over the past 30 years.
A Guitarist and Touring Musician
Luc’s knowledge of music gear is backed by years of practical playing experience.
He has performed in numerous bands, played extensively around Australia and completed multiple national tours. That experience has involved the realities of rehearsing, recording, travelling and performing with musical equipment.
It has also helped shape the questions Luc considers when reviewing gear:
- Is it reliable enough for regular live use?
- Is it easy to transport and set up?
- Does it perform consistently in different venues?
- Does it sound good within a full band?
- Is it suited to the player it has been designed for?
- Does it represent good value over the long term?
Attending the NAMM Show
Luc makes the annual trip to the NAMM Show in California to stay informed about new products, emerging technology and broader trends within the global musical instrument industry.
NAMM provides an opportunity to see new instruments and equipment, meet manufacturers, speak directly with product specialists and understand where the industry is heading.
This helps Luc identify which developments are genuinely useful for musicians and which new features may be more about marketing than meaningful improvement.
It also gives Colemans Music a direct connection to the wider international music-products industry.
Luc’s Role at Colemans Music
Luc’s primary role at Colemans Music is focused on web development and gear reviews.
This includes developing and improving the Colemans Music website, researching products, preparing detailed product information and creating articles that help musicians understand the history, design and practical use of music gear.
Luc’s work covers areas such as:
- Website development
- Product research
- Guitar and gear reviews
- Buying guides
- Brand histories
- Product comparisons
- Opinion pieces
- Vintage and preloved gear
- Guitar industry news
- Search and educational content
His goal is to make the Colemans Music website more than an online product catalogue. It should also be a useful resource for guitarists who want informed, practical and honest information.
Areas of Experience
Luc’s main areas of knowledge and experience include:
- Electric guitars
- Acoustic guitars
- Vintage and preloved instruments
- Guitar amplifiers
- Effects pedals
- Guitar accessories
- Recording equipment
- Live performance equipment
- Music retail
- Website development
- Product research and reviews
- Guitar and music industry history
How Luc Approaches Gear Reviews
Luc believes a useful gear review should do more than repeat the manufacturer’s specifications.
A good review should explain who a product is designed for, what it does well, where its limitations may be and whether it offers genuine value for the musician buying it.
When researching or reviewing a product, Luc considers:
- Build quality
- Sound and performance
- Playability
- Reliability
- Ease of use
- Value for money
- Suitability for live performance
- Suitability for recording
- Long-term usefulness
- The needs of the intended player
Featured Articles by Luc Travers
Luc writes about the people, products and ideas that have shaped the guitar industry.
Who Was Leo Fender?
The story of Leo Fender, the radio repairman and electronics enthusiast whose practical approach to instrument design helped change modern music.
Read Who Was Leo Fender? The Radio Repairman Who Changed Music Forever →
From Slinky to Stage: The Ernie Ball Story
A look at how Ernie Ball responded to the needs of working guitarists and helped redefine guitar strings through the development of lighter-gauge Slinky sets.
Read From Slinky to Stage: The Ernie Ball Story →
The History of Takamine Guitars
The story of Takamine’s development from a small Japanese guitar workshop into one of the most trusted names in stage-ready acoustic guitars.
Read the History of Takamine Guitars →
Why Aaron Fenech Matters to Australian Guitar Making
An opinion piece exploring Aaron Fenech’s approach to guitar design, Australian manufacturing and the future of locally made acoustic guitars.
Read Why Aaron Fenech Matters to Australian Guitar Making →Advice Based on Experience
After 30 years in music retail, Luc understands that there is rarely one guitar, amplifier or pedal that is perfect for everyone.
The right choice depends on the player, their experience, their musical style, where they play and how much they want to spend.
Luc’s reviews and buying advice are designed to help musicians understand those differences and choose gear that will suit them beyond the initial excitement of buying something new.
Colemans Music South Melbourne
Luc has been part of Colemans Music for more than 25 years and continues to work on the store’s website, product content and guitar-industry articles.
Colemans Music is an independent guitar store located in South Melbourne, offering new, preloved and vintage guitars, amplifiers, effects pedals and accessories.
Visit the store to try gear in person, compare different products and speak with an experienced member of the Colemans Music team.
