Robert Johnson - Love In Vain Blues (Takes 1&2) (1937) #iloveguitars I wrap up the column dedicated to guitars and their stories with a jump to the origins. This should be a Stella; they are old guitar models with a very small body, which were a cross between a classical guitar and an acoustic one. Once, I strummed one in a shop in Florence... and it didn't sound like that with me. Unfortunately, there's only a photo. Let’s settle for the sound. Blessed be the guitar and those who use it.
 
Allan Holdsworth Band feat. Jimmy Haslip & Gary Husband - Jarasum Jazz Festival #iloveguitars the Steinbergers. Around '79, designer Ned Steinberger, together with luthier Spector, create this innovative headless guitar model. They experiment a lot with the materials of the guitar bodies, which are produced using particular mixtures of chemical resins. (secret recipe) They are especially appreciated in fusion and jazz. I don't like the cut-off guitar.
 
Slash jamming on a BC Rich Mockingbird #iloveguitars the b.c.rich. The factory was established in America in '74. It quickly made a name for itself with its distinctive sharp shapes and powerful sounds. They were designed for metal, and you can tell. Its models have always featured unique innovations both in electronics and construction. My first guitar was a budget b.c.rich similar to a Stratocaster. It was a piece of crap, poorly finished. I threw it off a balcony hoping to hit the guitarist who was playing with me after an intense argument. Fortunately, he moved just in time. Here we see Slash playing with his b.c.rich Mockingbird... which has nothing to do with the one I used (no way I would’ve thrown it otherwise).
 
The White Stripes - Fell In Love With a Girl (Live on Top Of The Pops 2002) #iloveguitars the eastwood. This Canadian factory has been producing guitars since 2001. Their specialty is original models with retro shapes and vintage sounds. They are suitable for blues, garage... and all those genres where you mess around with fuzz. They became famous thanks to the White Stripes and guitarist Jack White, who has always used them. (I don’t know about you, but I really like them.)
 
Ozzy Osbourne - Mr. Crowley Live 1981 #iloveguitars the jackson. It was born in America in 1980. These are guitars for metal virtuosos. Its flagship model remains the jackson rohad, the guitar built for E. Rohad. (a bit too flashy for my taste but definitely a big guitar) the jacksons are the right guitars for those who want buzzy distortion and want to play in a band with mohawked punkers.
 
Pantera - Domination (Official Live Video) #iloveguitars the washburn. Born in the early eighties in Chicago, they quickly stand out for their aggressive sound. ... And worse for the endorsers.
 
The Ramones - Spiderman (Rare Video Clip) #iloveguitars the Mosrite. The factory was founded in California in the 1950s and became known in the 1960s for being the guitar of many surf bands. Over time, it became the guitar of "punk," given its users. MC5, Ramones, Nirvana, etc. Now the factory is producing in the East but makes guitars identical to those from the 1960s/70s... (so they say).
 
Muddy Waters - Copenhagen Jazz festival (October 27,1968) #iloveguitars the guild t-bird. Guild was founded in New York in the 1950s. The majority of its employees came from Epiphone (one of the founders was a former manager). It enjoyed decent success until the 1970s, but then began to struggle against competition, and in the 1990s, it was absorbed by Fender. Guild was famous for its acoustic and semi-acoustic instruments. Unfortunately, under Fender, they did not continue that line, and Guild fell to the level of mediocre guitars. The vintage models are highly valued, and particularly notable is the model used by Muddy.
 
Rokes - Che colpa abbiamo noi #iloveguitars the Eko guitars. Born in Italy around 1960 (made in Recanati), Eko produced models with very particular shapes that were quite popular during the Beat period. The English brand Vox even had models produced in Italy at the Recanati factory. Over the years, they have passed through the hands of many musicians, both Italian and foreign (most of the Italian bands of the 60s used Eko), with the acoustic model Ranger, especially the 12-string version, being particularly appreciated. Today, Eko is overseen by the Italian guitarist Massimo Varini, and it is establishing itself with its innovative models that are well set up right from the factory, along with very affordable prices and an enormous quality/price ratio. The 60s models remain highly sought after, little gems with interesting shapes and a vintage sound. All Italian musicians (famous and not) have probably taken their first steps on an Eko. A little pride of ours.
 
John Lee Hooker - One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer (Official Music Video) #iloveguitars epiphone sheraton 2. Epiphone was founded by a luthier of Greek origins in America in 1932. It was one of the direct competitors of Gibson, which in 1957 decided to acquire it and have it produce authorized copies of its instruments (depending on the period, Epiphone achieved better quality than Gibson on many models). But Epiphone also has and had its own models that have become famous over the years, after being played by many artists. (Lennon used an Epiphone Casino). The most sought-after models are the pre-Gibson archtop models. The most famous remains the Sheraton 2, the legendary guitar of J. L. Hooker. I drool just seeing it in his hands...
 
B.B. King - Lucille #iloveguitars B.B. King's Lucille. In 1949, B.B. King, during a concert, had to escape from a burning venue (in a brawl, the two contenders knocked over a bucket full of lit kerosene that was being used as a cheap heating method). Once outside, he realized that his Gibson 335 guitar was still inside. Without hesitation, he rushed back through the flames to retrieve the instrument he needed to make a living, and against all odds, he managed to save it... albeit in rough shape. He then decided to fix it up by modifying it, plugging the F-holes to avoid feedback, and putting in different electronics, with a special pickup and a new selector. He painted it glossy black and named it "Lucille" (after the name of the owner of the burned venue), adding the name on the headstock. This is how the Gibson Lucille model was born. As they say... not all bad things come to harm. B.B. King loved Lucille and even dedicated a song to her... listen to that beautiful blues.
 
The Shadows - Apache {HQ} #iloveguitars the Burns guitars. Mr. Jim Burns began his guitar production in England in 1961, and he was the first Englishman to produce English solid-body guitars. His guitars are somewhat reminiscent of Fender but with a sharper and more retro cut. They are endorsed by many guitarists, particularly by the instrumental rock band The Shadows, who replaced their Stratocasters with the models Burns made specifically for them. Later, some people stole the guitars and returned them to Fender. Burns never managed to explode in the market... but nevertheless, the vintage models became a cult of the Beat Generation. I've always been curious about them... they deserved a spot on the list. As you can hear, they handle both country and surf quite well.
 
Van Halen Eruption Guitar Solo #iloveguitars the frankenstrat, or the guitar assembled by Van Halen by mixing a body similar to a Fender Stratocaster and the electronics of a Gibson... plus a Floyd Rose bridge. (a particular bridge that was born in the early '80s and is still considered the most versatile and reliable, though ugly in my opinion). Basically, a DIY with serious flair.
 
Steve Vai - "For The Love Of God" #iloveguitars The Ibanez SV factory was founded in 1932 in Japan. Over the years, it evolved as a musical instrument manufacturer, becoming famous for producing replicas of well-known instruments that were very precise in setup. In the 80s, it began collaborating with top endorsers, developing several models characterized by ultra-thin necks and pickups that deliver a clean and powerful sound. It's very cutting and particularly appreciated in metal and by virtuosos in general. They are often criticized by vintage lovers for having a sound that is too sterile and modern. But others appreciate them precisely for the same reason. This is Steve Vai's signature model... with the typical high grip. (as if it were a handbag... these fucking virtuosos)
 
Led Zeppelin In My Time Of Dying Mhotership #iloveguitars Danelectro. That is, how to have a scary sound and an original design while spending little money!! The factory was established in '41 in America, and over time it specialized in amplifiers and pedal effects, but its guitars remain a little gem in the musicians' world. The construction materials are not the best (they're made of pressed plywood), but its lipstick pickups have a "huge" sound. Their shapes are inspired by 50s household appliances. Recently, the bassist of Måneskin has showcased a special model, the Longhorn bass. But I love their guitars; they all look like "candies"... the feeling is like holding a toy in your hands. Now the dear old wizard will show you what you can do with a Danelectro. P.S. I know it seems crazy... but if you connect a RAT distortion pedal to it... you can even create the heaviest thrash in the world, and they really cost very little (350 euros at base). Try it to believe!
 
The Byrds - Turn! Turn! Turn! (Live) #iloveguitars Rickenbacker 360. Also known as "the frying pan" due to its rounded shape, it’s the guitar of the Beatles and the Byrds. The factory was established in 1931 in America and is highly appreciated for its crystalline sound. Despite being quite wide, it is actually very lightweight. Rickenbacker models cost an arm and a leg... but how beautiful are they??? True works of art (I love the basses).
 
Queen - Another One Bites the Dust (Official Video) #iloveguitars the legendary Red Special by Brian May. Built together with his father, an engineer skilled in modeling, using wood from an old fireplace and modified Burns pickups (an English guitar factory), the Red Special remains a piece more unique than rare. The same Burns made a virtually identical copy (but not only them)... yet many say it doesn't match the original in sound. I tried an imitation, and I must say it was an incredible guitar. I wonder how the original sounds...
 
Eddie Cochran - Twenty Flight Rock (Color) #iloveguitars the Gretsch. Founded in the late 1800s in New York, the company specializes in drums and acoustic and semi-acoustic guitars. Their models are not cheap... quite the opposite, but recently they moved production to the East and now you can find them at "human" prices. Of course, they don't have the same sound quality or materials. Over the years, they have been associated with many famous artists: Beatles, Stray Cats, Rancid... but they have always been the standard for rockabilly sound. Who else could I put as an endorser if not Mr. Rockabilly himself??? Turn up the volume, please... swap the lady.
 
Johnny Winter- "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" Backstage Jam 1971 (Reelin' In The Years Archive) #iloveguitars gibson firebird. Born in 1963, it was designed drawing inspiration from some car prototypes. (The guy who designed it has signed numerous car models.) Its unique shape hides an innovation... the mixed wood body; in fact, the "wings" are made of a different wood than that of the central body and neck. It features mini humbucker pickups that at first glance look like chrome single coils... but they're not. It has a powerful sound, but rather "nasal." It didn’t have much success at the time... but someone used it... and boy did they use it!! Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Johnny Winter, the whitest blues you can get!! Turn up the stereo, thank you.
 
Europa-Carlos Santana live iloveguitars paul reed smith golden eagle. Born in the 80s with a production, this brand quickly became famous worldwide, thanks in part to its endorsers, most notably Mr. Carlos Santana, who, having ditched his Gibsons, fell in love with the instruments of this luthier. PRS guitars are suitable for doing a bit of everything. They resonate with fusion lovers but also with the new metal movement. They boast stunning craftsmanship and are flawless in detail (in fact, serious models cost a fortune). One of their features, in addition to the warm sound, is the incredibly long sustain, which makes them amazing for bending. If you didn't understand a damn thing I said... just check out what Uncle Carlo does with his PRS.
 
Ten Years After - Good Morning Little School Girl - 8/4/1975 - Winterland (Official) #iloveguitars gibson es 335. Born in the mid-50s, it is the ultimate blues guitar. Its peculiarity lies in being a blend between a hollow-body semi-acoustic and a solid body guitar. This particular structure of the soundbox makes it particularly "resistant" to feedback triggers (compared to normal semi-acoustics that can become a flute in certain situations). Visually, it is simply beautiful, and the same goes for playing it. The specific size of the top makes it perfect for "cuddling" for all guitarists in need of affection. The gentleman above has a version he modified himself over the years (electronics and pickups) and shows you that you can play fast even without having an ultra-thin neck... great uncle Alvin.
 
Metallica Seek And Destroy Live at The Metro 1983 #iloveguitars gibson flying v. Probably the most loved and hated guitar at the same time. It was born in the 50s (who would have thought?) inspired by the first jet planes. Initially, it had little success, along with its sister, the Explorer, but it made a comeback in the 70s. A guitar designed to be played standing up since it's a bit uncomfortable sitting down, it is especially loved by metalheads for its shape. A beautiful, thick sound and its "tacky" design make it perfect for the worshippers of Satan.
 
Nirvana - In Bloom (Live at Reading 1992) #iloveguitars the fender jaguar. Born in the 60s, it was developed as an improvement of the fender jazzmaster, which turned out to be a flop in the jazz guitarist market. The jaguar was enhanced from its predecessor in terms of electronics but also aesthetically with the addition of chrome parts (unlike most fender models that are more sober and spartan). Its sound is very "sharp" and has a strong presence in the mid-high range. It’s perfect for punk, garage, and surf. In the 90s, it became the quintessential guitar for grunge and noise bands. In terms of shape, it’s my favorite in the fender lineup, but it's also a guitar to use if you're looking for "alternative" sounds. It’s definitely not suitable for everything, or at least not if you use it “pure,” since now with the advent of digital systems, you can make any instrument sound a bit however you want (but you often risk having a sound that resembles a "video game"). Anyway, aside from my personal tastes... this remains a stunning guitar that has made history. And then this cute blonde one arrived to drive us crazy with three damn chords... but that’s another story.
 
AC/DC - Beating Around The Bush (Madrid, Spain 09/02/1980 on "Aplauso" TV Show) VHS. #iloveguitars gibson sg (the little devil). Born in the 60s as a response to the Fender Strat, it was initially presented as a Les Paul with a double cutaway, but Mr. Les Paul, after seeing it, said it was a "dangerous" guitar because of the horns that could hurt musicians. So Gibson dropped the Les Paul name and simply called it the S.G. (Solid Guitar). The S.G. is a "bad" guitar made for hard rock; if you want to play "clean," get a Fender; if you want a warm sound, get a Les Paul... but if you want to bring the saints down from heaven, you must have an S.G.!! When I chose my first serious guitar, I was set on a Les Paul, but as soon as I walked into the store, she was there waiting for me... she was shiny black, and she looked at me as if to say, "Come on, silly, take me away." For me, it remains the sexiest piece of wood in the world. It’s no coincidence that I named her "Eva"... and if she gets on stage, everyone better move aside… the leading lady is her. Ladies and gentlemen, the legendary "little devil."