April 2012 Vol 23 No 07

BEST IN SHOW

COVERSTORY

16

The world’s biggest guitar expo opens its doors once again. We uncover the treasure trove of treats unleashed at NAMM 2012

Interviews

Michael Schenker

48

He’s the ultimate hard rock guitarist. Matt Lamy chats to the man who’s got 40 years and three truly iconic bands under his belt

Richard Thompson

54

Thompson’s an enigmatic master of the live arena and now he’s released a spectacular live Blu-ray disc that proves it Brian Ray 58 Lars Mullen sits down with the lucky musician who’s been filling both guitar and bass duties for the legendary Sir Paul McCartney

Workshops

Play like Steve Vai

112

Douglas Noble explores the finer details of the album that defined Steve Vai as one of the planet’s most incredible guitarists

Play like Roger Glover

120

Fancy turning your bass skills to one of heavy metal’s greatest-ever albums? We show you how to nail Deep Purple’s Machine Head

48

MICHAEL SCHENKER Conversations with a hard rock hero

Regulars LETTERS 8 NEWS 10 SOUNDTRACK OF MY LIFE 12 ALBUMS 14 TALES FROM THE ROAD 15

6 Guitar & Bass APRIL 2012 IN THIS ISSUE Contents

64

FENDER Graham Coxon’s double-edged signature

82

MARTIN

88

GIBSON

72

DR. Z

76

T-REX

Cover Photo:

Gear

Fender Graham Coxon Tele 64 Half smooth and warm, half unhinged beast, this is the Jekyll and Hyde of Telecasters

Fret-King Black Label Elise GG & Corona GW 68 Two new Black Label models endorsed by name players – one offering perfect P90-powered hi-fi twang, the other a great all-rounder

Dr. Z Maz 8 Studio Combo 72 This hand-wired combo aims for a tone to be proud of but at a much more civilised volume

T-Rex Hobo Drive & Gull Wah 76 Two new pedalboard fillers, a canny boost/ overdrive and an auto-inspired wah

Martin 000-15SM Acoustic & DC-15ME Electro-Acoustic 82 Two new solid mahogany beauties from Martin’s 15 Series get the once-over

Eastman E20D Dreadnought 87 This new dread offers the specs and sounds of a top-spec guitar but without the pricetag

Gibson Krist Novoselic RD Bass 88 Gibson toasts Nirvana’s 20th anniversary with a slick-looking signature that’ll bring the noise

EBS Reidmar 250W Bass Head 93 Ultra-portable single-channel bass head with a myriad of tonal options at a reasonable price

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PAGE 110

Vintage

Hooked On Classics

96

The player in your heart says one thing, the collector in your head says another. Phil Harris, who’s been there and done it, waxes eloquent on the perils of restoring vintage gear

The Bishop of Denmark Street 99 During Sid Bishop’s time serving the guitarplaying community at the legendary Top Gear on Tin Pan Alley he sometimes found himself in slightly bizarre circumstances…

Private Collection

102

James Deane’s been under the bright lights since he was a teenager. Now it’s time we put his enviable collection under the spotlight

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APRIL 2012 Guitar & Bass 7