Guitars and Gear

I drove from Tucson to Los Angeles to buy a new classical guitar. Had heard about this great shop, owned by a luthier. Think his name was Masterson.

Walked in and there's this guitarist playing "Canarios", flawlessly, on a fantastic guitar (built by Mr. Masterson). Turns out he was the head of the guitar dept. at USC. I played it. I wanted it. I couldn't afford it.

"What about that guitar hanging on the wall, over there?" I ask, pointing to a beat up old thang which I'm thinking might be a deal.

Laughter all around. It's an old, original Rodriguez. Literally priceless.

"Wish I could give you mine...but, if you've got an open mind about the new Japanese builders; check this Fernandez handbuilt out. It's beyond a deal. They've been hiring the best Spanish luthiers to teach them how to build them and this one sings." says Mr. Masterson.

Didn't take long to make that decision. Beautiful guitar. It's gotten better and better through the years. To show you how much I loved it: I sold my Martin D-18 (wonderful ax) to get the money up. Bittersweet regret which, after many years, was extinguished when I recently bought the OM-21 shown further down.

My National Radiotone (born 6/94)

I like to use National steel fingerpicks and a John Pearse Thumbpick. Very, very BIG sound.

Mandolin Brothers is an excellent shop for guitars and amps. It can get pretty pricey, as they have some real collector's items there. Keeps some people away...which I like, because that leaves the less expensive gems that are usually there for people like me.

That's what happened with this resophonic. I went there just to check out vintage Strats and classicals, early one Saturday morning. Was playing a '59 Strat and in walks this guy with a long black beard.

"Nice Strat", he says. And then walks into what was then the reso/banjo room.

The last thing I was thinking of was a resophonic guitar. Didn't know a thing about them. But the music that started to flow out of that room just completely captivated me. I followed the sound...

His name was (and still is) Pete Smith. If you haven't heard him play, you should. He's beyond awesome. He knew I was hooked...so we strummed down the two rows of resos, without looking at price or brand. When we hit the National Radiotone, we said "ahhhh" in unison.

Put down $100.00. Went to the New York Guitar Show (last one) the next day, with some of my "vintage" special effects gear and made up the balance. A week later and the Radiotone was mine. All MINE!!!! HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!

Martin OM-21

Can't believe my good fortune in getting this guitar.

Selling my Martin D-18 was very difficult for me. I ended up with a great classical...but the Martin was very special. I didn't really focus on a new steelstring for decades afterwards; choosing to write and play on the nylon string and electrics, instead.

One night I went to my friend's house. Richard can PLAY and he wanted me to check out the OM-21 he'd just picked up, used. It sounded great coming out of his hands. Then he let me play...

I'd never played an OM before. The wider fingerboard (closer to a classical) was perfect for the fingerstyle I love to play. And the sound was (and still is) magnificent. I left his house wanting a steelstring. THAT steelstring.

A year later and he's selling it. Too wide for his style of play (lots of 9th chords and strumming). I did not hesitate. The void from selling my D-18 has finally been totally filled and I absolutely love this guitar.

Schertler "David" Acoustic Amp

Captures and projects your instrument's sound beautifully.

When I decided to start performing on acoustic again, I figured I needed an acoustic amp. I read some reviews on harmonycentral.com, talked to people, and checked out different models.

There are some really nice ones. It came down to an AER or this Schertler "David". To my ear, they're equal. But the AER is more expensive. Soooooo....

This amp is very light (about 20lbs) and can be carried in a padded case, over your shoulder. Most importantly; it sounds great with all of my acoustics. The sound is very true to the instruments and it's plenty loud enough, on it's own, in most bars and clubs.

ELECTRICS

'57 Custom Shop Fender Stratocaster

Sweet Screamer

As with my Radiotone; I wasn't planning on buying this guitar. I had a '77 Strat which was doing me just fine...though it had never REALLY lived up to what I thought a Strat should be.

I went to my local shop for strings. My friend, Jake, tells me: "Check out this Strat that's on consignment", as he's hooking it up to a nice Tech 21.

"Don't need a Strat", says I.

Jake knows Bob.

Forty five minutes later and I'm still playing the darn thing. Immediate downpayment. Put my longtime '77 Strat up for sale. Guy I sold it to kept asking: "You really want to do this"?

It was the proverbial "no brainer". The '57 could do everything the '77 could and more. Especially in the treble settings. It came with the original pickups in the case. Guy had put in some DiMarzio Vintage Noiseless ones which sound incredible. I know this was Buddy Holly's model...and I like him a lot. But that's not what I play on it at all.

1969 Les Paul Deluxe

"Sorry" to the purists...but this guitar is incredible

When I bought this monster (back in the Middle Ages), it was a Gold Top with all original parts. My second electric (first was stolen). But nobody was thinking "vintage" or "collectibles" back then. I've stripped it and put different finishes on it over the years.

Then my friend, Ray Chesna (who I used to play folk gigs with at the time), got seriously into guitar repair/building. Worked at Umanov's. Did this one on the side. It's got a preamp (with on/off switch)/coil splitters/gain conrol/two volume controls. DiMarzio humbuckers. He put this cherry sunburst finish on it. Called it a "Clark Kent" guitar. Not flashy looking but it can fly. I even had him carve the back so that it was like a Strat body. Much more comfy.

Many, many people act like I killed the poor thang...but after playing it, they change their tune. It's an awesome ax that can sound like a Paul or something you've never heard before. From jazz to blues to metal to fingerstyle.

1995 MusicMan Silhouette

Light and Versatile

I was playing in a four man band (guitar/bass/drums/vocalist) with lots of pedal/tone changes involved. Needed a guitar that would have the funk rhythm possibilities of a Strat and the super thick lead possibilities of a Les Paul. In one tune. (Plus: I liked the idea of just bringing one guitar to those 45 minute showcase gigs).

Keith Richard swore by this one. Checked it out and was immediately sold. VERY light and versatile. Very fast neck. Funky rhythms. Sounds great. Floyd Rose bridge opens up all kinds of experimental possibilities.

1980 Mesa Boogie Mark-IIB amp and satellite speake

Just a beautiful electric guitar amp

Yes: it's very, very heavy. And I really don't need all that power (60W/100W switch). But I love this amp.

Bought it new. Mainly for the "legendary, blistering lead tone". What I got was an unbelievable clear tone and a dark, muddy lead. Used a bunch of stomp boxes for the crunch until I found a techie who did a great mod for me. I've still got the boxes, which work nicely along with the amp. But this Boogie can do anything on it's own, now.

The extension cab broadens the tone nicely. Feedback's easier to create and play around with, too.

I've got the original tweed brown grills down in the basement. I like this look, lately.
I keep thinking I'll pick up one of the newer, lighter solid state amps that really do sound so good. But, when push comes to shove, this Mark-IIB is still my amp of choice.

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