Gear Gallery page 2

More Gear Experiences

Dobro

Super Lead

50's Thinline Rosewood Telecaster

Ampeg PF50T

Blue Floral Tele

Marshall Power Brake

Another Gear Story

Gear Geeks #3. Vintage Reissue Perestroika & The Rock 'n Roll Arms Race.

Now this being for all intents and purposes a music blog, lets talk more about those guitars. 1970's Gibsons and Fenders were more often than not, as heavy as boat anchors. I've seen Les Paul Guitars from the Norlin era that weighed up around 12 to 14 pounds. I had a 70's CBS Fender Telecaster that weighed almost just as much. They were back breakers. I don't know if it was just a symptom of corporate mass production, or?

Here's The story

Dobro Hound Dog

Dobro Hound Dog Round Neck

Resonator Guitar - 11/28/20

Here's the Dobro Hound Dog. It's a fun little guitar. The stock pick-up leaves something to be desired, in the volume department. That said, this guitar does have it's uses, the main one being- it's fun to play.

The resonator guitar was originally designed to help guitarist's be heard in band ensemble situations, prior to the widesoread usage of electric guitars and amplification. The main design feature is an aluminum cone underneath the bridge, inside the body of the guitar. The idea was the cone would act as a 'speaker'. Not being around in the 1920's and 30's myself, I'm not sure that the design ever really succeeded in it's intended roll.

The enduring aspect of these guitars is the tone. They seem to have found a permenent home in bluegrass and the blues, and slide players love 'em!

Salty's Dobro Video

“There are all sorts of cute puppy dogs, but it doesn't stop people from going out and buying Dobermans.”

— Angus Young

Marshall Super Lead 100. The King of Rock n Roll.

Marshall Super Lead 100w

1994 Marshall Model 1959SLP Re-issue. 12/3/20

This is the 1959 Super Lead Plexi. Used with the Rosewood Thinline Tele for the cleans on Ferguson Hodges. You can also hear it cranking with Goldy, on the title track of The Big Sky album.

In the amp-kingdom, this is the King of Rock n Roll. It's a beast. With the Marshall Power Brake, this amp sings like a tom-cat in heat.

In 1994 Marshall/Celestion developed the G12-C speaker, for the "Hendrix Stacks" they put out that year. This cabinet is a later model 'Vintage-Modern' 425A cabinet, loaded with the imported version of the G12-C speakers. Guitar players will forever debate the merits of real-vintage vs re-issue. I say, if you ever get a chance to plug into any of these beasts, regardless of it's provenance... do it.

1959SLP on: 'The Big Sky'.

Fender Telecaster

Fender Custom Shop LTD Edition 50's Thinline Telecaster Relic

Fender Telecaster

LTD Edition 50's Thinline Telecaster Relic. 12/4/20

A fantasy guitar. Never existed. Well, this one exists, but a rosewood Tele was never actually built by Fender in the 50's.

The relic thing is also like a fantasy come true for guitar players who never actually stood up on a stage, up in that cloud of smoke that always hung up above the dance floor (remember smoking in bars?). Not really a fan the relic thing. Or of neer-beer or de-cafe coffee, either, for that matter.

All that said- it's a great guitar.

Interesting feature is the lacquered rosewood neck. This guitar has a super bright sound, which I attribute to the lacquered fret board. Maple-neck Fenders have a reputation for having a bright sound. They also feature lacquered fret boards. I believe that lacquer is key in making this guitar so bright. This guitar, brings the conventional wisdom of "rosewood being warmer sounding than maple", into question...

Here it is in the Ferguson Hodges video-

Ferguson Hodges Youtube Video