Catalinbread founder Nicholas Harris dies aged 37

Catalinbread founder Nicholas Harris, 1978-2016
Catalinbread founder Nicholas Harris, 1978-2016

Nicholas Harris, founder of Portland, Oregon-based effects pedal company Catalinbread, has died aged 37.

The news was originally shared on Catalinbread's social media accounts, with the cause of death confirmed by a report from Oregon Live, which states that a tree fell on Harris's car, likely due to strong winds.

Harris founded Catalinbread in 2003, and the company is well known for its stellar line-up of pedals, including the Dirty Little Secret overdrive and Echorec delay.

Catalinbread posted the following tribute on its Instagram account: "Our Fearless Leader. We are still in shock of how much our lives have changed now that you are no longer with us."

Our thoughts go out to Nicholas's family, friends and colleagues in this difficult time.

Michael Astley-Brown

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.