Armando E. Moreno was born in Tucson and raised in Ventura, where loud guitars and raw energy would eventually shape the course of his life.
Music hit early. His father played bass, and even before Armando understood the difference between a bass guitar and an electric guitar, he knew he wanted in. Something about the volume, the attitude, and the emotion pulled him in from the start.
Everything changed when he was 11 years old. One day, the radio blasted Van Halen’s version of “You Really Got Me” by The Kinks. Then came “Eruption.” The chaos, fire, swagger, and unreal guitar work completely stopped him in his tracks. That moment lit the fuse. From then on, the electric guitar became an obsession.
Armando’s sound was forged from a wide range of influences — from the arena-sized hooks of Van Halen and Led Zeppelin, to the melody and songwriting brilliance of The Beatles and Jellyfish, mixed with the aggression and emotion of Poison the Well and Thrice. Add players like Jeff Beck, Ian Moore, and Extreme to the mix, and the result is a style that balances feel, melody, power, and fearless guitar playing.
Today, Armando is an accomplished singer, songwriter, and guitarist known for blending soul, groove, melody, and high-voltage rock energy into his playing and songwriting.
His weapon of choice: Gibson, Fender, and Charvel guitars roaring through Marshall and Fender amps.
"Tone is a personal thing, and working with Jeff at Donovan Pickups has been special because he genuinely understands that. From the beginning, he took the time to listen to what I hear and feel in my playing, and brought that to life through his craftsmanship. The pickups sound incredible, but beyond that, it’s the heart, passion, and respect he gives the artist that really means something to me. I’m grateful and proud to officially be endorsed by Donovan Pickups". - Armando Moreno
