So following on from another guitar type playlist, I thought the theme could do with some further exploration - we’re not out of ideas, we just like exploiting the ones we have.
Guitars are great aren’t they? I think so, such a distinct thing with its own culture and history, I love playing guitar. So lets have a look at some of the really well known examples of guitar types, some tunes linked to them and see where we can go next.. we can definitely explore some smaller brands or acoustics or basses.. its pretty endless.
Stanley Franc
Les Paul - Solid Body
So good they named a guitar after him, not really, he kind of made it himself. A phenomenal guitar player and inventor, not enough superlatives can actually describe the overall influence he has had on modern music. Married to Mary Ford with whom he sold millions of records, lets have a listen to ‘How High The Moon’.
His riffs and superb command of rhythm is demonstrated throughout this tune as well as a number of little solos, double stops and overall stupidly tight syncopation. Personally, whilst I like the tone of Les Paul’s I find them far too heavy to be practical. I couldn’t play gigs with one standing up, I would also probably struggle sitting down with one for long periods.
335 - Semi-acoustic
Now a Gibson 335 this is a guitar I fancy owning, like the Les Paul the tone is smooth and recognisable but is, mercifully, lighter. Featuring in jazz ensembles but also used in blues and rock, it has a classic look and pedigree.
Whilst there is plenty of more ‘classic’ tracks we could use to identify this guitar I’m gonna go slightly left field and modern - Suede ‘The Wild Ones’. Fabulous chiming lead and rhythm hybrid work from Bernard Butler, a modern, under-rated guitarist on his 335!
Stratocaster
I don’t really like them, too obvious, too cliche and nobody can play one better than Hendrix. Can’t deny their monster influence or clearly distinct look and tone. As I’ve never owned one I don’t really have much more to say about them that hasn’t previously been said.
I’ve tried to pick a song that helps show the Stratocaster to its full range and Jeff Beck’s ‘Goodbye Pork Pie Hat’ wins - not only is Jeff a wicked guitar player but in this tune he utilises all 5 pickup positions in it - sounds like a gimmick but you can really, really hear the clear differences in tone (original tune by Charles Mingus, but you knew that, right?)
Telecaster
Saving the best electric guitars to last, also the ones I own ! I don’t quite know why I prefer tele’s (as they are know to their friends / owners) over strats.. probably something about them being slightly less well known.
The one I own is brilliantly playable and sounds fantastic, I have been in a number of bands where the guitarist (I was playing bass at the time) used one and I always thought they looked pretty damn smart. Over to one of my favourite albums (from a production point of view) and title track - 'Grace' - Jeff Buckley. Big fan of Jeff’s creative chord work, shining through on his Tele on this album and song.. that and his angelic voice, the man was super-human.
Other
Superstrat - Washburn N4
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