Founded in 1926, RG Jones has specialised in sound equipment, rental, sales, and installation for 98 years. Its journey has evolved with the evolution of audio equipment over the decades and has witnessed a longstanding alliance with Shure.
Delving into its rich history, a look back on some of the fundamental events RG Jones has supported over the years is crucial. Simon Honywill, RG Jones’ Sound System Designer and FOH engineer, boasted a 44-year tenure with the company. His earliest memories with the rental house include Shure SM58 microphones. “There was a lot of varied work, a lot of work in broadcast, some light entertainment stuff including Summertime Special and TV music shows. From my first tour with Shirley Bassey, driving the van with the mic stands in, it’s come quite a long way,” he reflected.
“There are other microphone brands available, obviously, but I was certainly introduced to Shure as a brand, probably on my first day at RG Jones,” Honywill continued. “I believe that Shure is a year older as a company, so it looks like they’re going to pip us to the post on the hundred years thing, a pretty incredible achievement, and something that’s well worth celebrating.”
Reflecting on the industry transformation, he commented: “It’s like continents drifting,” emphasising the seismic shift from analog to digital audio. It is just better than analogue, sorry for the cliché everybody, it works, it doesn’t buzz, and the loudspeaker systems are just so much more powerful. Expectations are much higher these days, and any sound system is only ever as good as what you put into it, the microphones are obviously really important… Technological advancements, from miniaturisation to RF improvements and significant innovations like Dante, have revolutionised the industry, no need for massive flight cases of 96 pair analogue cable.”
Having worked on historic productions such as Charles and Diana’s wedding fireworks, the Papal visit, and the Three Tenors’ performance during the 1990 World Cup, Honywill’s journey reflects RG Jones’ tenure. He added: “Rather uniquely, I cut my teeth on a lot of that stuff, I’d like to think I learned my mixing craft with orchestras and opera, it was a very different affair altogether. I ended up doing a lot of work with Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carreras. Up until relatively recently with Carreras, actually and now with Katherine Jenkins.”
Honywill acknowledged the impact of microphone technology on the industry, he commented: “The introduction of dedicated instruments mics and reliable, solid, dependable wireless systems like Shure Axient Digital Wireless Microphone System has made so much more possible; it’s made a massive difference to the way West End productions are designed.”
RG Jones has also worked on Glastonbury’s four stages, Radio 2 in the Park in Leicester and Radio 1 Big Weekend. In the early 2000s it was involved in some events celebrating the arrival of oil from the Caspian Sea piped from Baku to Turkey, with rock and roll shows in Baku, Tbilisi and Kalkan to celebrate.
Looking to recently, Honywill praised Shure’s Axient Digital technology, especially its role in productions such as Jeff Wayne’s live touring show. “Since that album came out, which was in ’77 or ’78, he’d always wanted to perform it live, but the technology never existed to do it justice,” said Honywill.
Honywill’s son also works amongst the industry, and he acknowledged the lessons he is able to learn from him, “Harry’s early industry experience is from a very different world with so much to discover, and now there are so many more possibilities about what’s possible with system design.”
Harry attended a Shure Wireless Workbench Software and Axient Digital Wireless Microphone System training session, giving him all the baseline skills needed to be able to go out and coordinate RF and deploy it with confidence on site and on gigs. “The reason I choose Shure products is for reliability, I’m comfortable with it and have had the best results with it, and it’s very well received by the artists” he said.
RG Jones extended its expertise beyond music events to various sports like tennis, cricket, football, rugby at Twickenham, and athletics nationwide. Opting for Axient Digital system, particularly in athletics, due to its user-friendly nature and impressive range, Harry noted its performance in covering the entire event, from presenters to starter’s mics.
Working alongside Honywill and his son is Jake Lapworth, a System Tech, RF Technician, and overall Sound Engineer at RG Jones. Lapworth emphasised the choice of Shure products for their reliability and sleek design.
RG Jones recently acquired the Shure Axient Digital AD600 Spectrum Manager, enabling on-site scanning and subsequent import to Wireless Workbench 7 back at the warehouse. Sharing the scan file with broadcasters allows coordinated, intermod-free, and RF management.
Committed to environmental responsibility, RG Jones values Shure’s rechargeable battery system, it aligns with the rental house’s green initiatives and contributes to its SSIP registration.
As RG Jones approaches its centennial celebration due to take place in 2026, the partnership with Shure continues to define the company’s commitment to delivering sound experiences.
