Readers of this column will recall the 'Quick-ish Connect' system that I recently installed in that big'swimming pool' rout, providing a versatile pickup-testing platform. And so the world is now my oyster - we do like a bit of choice in The Mod Squad, after all. Having been involved in a fair bit of recording over lockdown and out the other side, I seem to have been adopted as the guy that gets different sounds. In the early lockdown months, the first thing I did was borrow my mate's Rickenbacker 620 [pic 1]. I don't own one myself and never seem to be able to justify actually buying one, not least that their specific (peculiar?) feel and sound has never fitted into my usual bluesy, rocky gigs. But on the sort of song-based recordings I've been asked to contribute to, especially ones with those 60s-meets-90s Britpop sounds, that Rickie sound is addictive. I've relearned during these countless recordings, from wonky demos to finished masters, that different sounds and textures really work. I love my (mate's) Rickenbacker.
Another guitar that's had a lot of use is a 1968 Supro Stratford [pic 1]. Even after guitar maker Chris George had refixed the screw-on neck it's still a bit of a wonky ol' ship, but the sounds it produces are glorious - those 'Vistatone' humbucking-sized single coils just evoke the 60s. The point is, these guitars have character, and that's what I need. But you don't need me to tell you this desire to be different can be seriously costly.
Pick A Pickup
Denne historien er fra February 2023-utgaven av Guitarist.
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Denne historien er fra February 2023-utgaven av Guitarist.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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BASIC INSTINCTS
The sophisticated range of Swedish-designed guitars made by .strandberg* has lured thousands of players over to the headless side. But the company's new stripped-back Boden Essential model is its strongest play yet for the hearts and minds of mainstream players
Second String
As PRS's more affordable USA-made S2 line moves into its second decade, the series gets a revamp with - at last - USA-made pickups and electronics. What took so long?
PABLO VAN DE POEL
When a band from The Netherlands describes themselves as 'raw, psychedelic Southern rock', it may take a little cognitive processing to work out what that might mean. One listen to DeWolff, however, and you will be duly transported to the 60s for some fuzzed-out rock 'n' roll
THE BERNIE MARSDEN COLLECTION
With a fabulous collection of the late Bernie Marsden's guitars, amps and other highly collectable music gear going under the auctioneer's hammer on 11 June, we were thrilled to have the chance of a sneak preview
LENNY KRAVITZ
Some 35 years since the release of his debut LP, for his 12th record, Blue Electric Light, Lenny Kravitz is back again with equal doses of vigour and vibes, using vintage guitars and the purest valve amps
GEORGE VJESTICA
You may not know him at first glance, but the work of Stoke-on-Trent native George Vjestica has probably impacted some of your favourite albums and movies
DICKEY BETTS
Emerging from the shadow of Duane to write signature hit Ramblin' Man, the Allman Brothers guitarist was a hard-living pioneer of Southern rock
NICK GUPPY
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our highly valued amplifier guru, who died suddenly in April
Lucky Break
Alex Bishop blends old wood with new in an attempt to fix a severely damaged guitar headstock
Tones Behind The Tracks
Cedric Burnside learnt at the knee of his fabled grandfather, but his latest album is a hill country blues masterclass on his own terms