June 2012 Vol 23 No 09

THE FALL AND RISE OF THE LES PAUL 18

COVERSTORY

These days the Les Paul is an indelible rock icon – but once upon a time it seemed so out of step that Gibson discontinued it. Then came a sea-change in music, and player demand could no longer be ignored…

Interviews

Eric Johnson

28

Eric Johnson has always been a man to whom detail is everything, but times have changed. We find out what turned him

Frank White

32

An unsung hero who played a double-necked Gibson before Jimmy Page, White chose to remain the archetypal big fish in a small pond

Vince Gill

38

He’s won more Grammys than any male country artist in history, but Vince Gill is one serious guitarist with a healthy love of rock

Workshops

Acoustic Workshop

104

Huw Price reveals how a damaged acoustic can be transformed into a serious contender

Play like Duane Allman 110 Douglas Noble unlocks the secrets behind Duane Allman’s licks on Live At Fillmore East

Play like Phil Lynott

119

Lynott’s bass on Live And Dangerous was some of his best. Gareth Morgan helps you crack it

28

ERIC JOHNSON Discussions with a changing man

Regulars READERS LETTERS 8 NEWS 10 TALES FROM THE ROAD 12 ALBUM REVIEWS 14

6 Guitar & Bass JUNE 2012 IN THIS ISSUE Contents

52

WASHBURN Serious bang for your buck

48

FENDER

74

HAGSTROM

60

GARTONE

56

ORANGE

Cover Photo:

Gear

Fender Telecaster Custom FSR 48 Fender’s latest Special Edition is armed with a tasty pair of P90-style soapbars Washburn HB36 Vintage 52 Gorgeous antique looks and very pleasing tone at an extremely competitive price? We’re in! Orange Micro Terror Head & PPC108 Cab 56 Orange take minaturisation one step beyond with this stellar 20W head and matching cab Gartone Regal 45 60 A remarkable UK-built boutique amp based on Clapton’s iconic ‘Bluesbreaker’ combo Source Audio Pedals 64 A colourful array of pedals from a maker at the forefront of digital thinking Pigtronix Fat Drive 69 Pigtronix’s sweet-toned all-analogue noise box covers a wide spectrum of tonal ground Hagstrom Elfdalia 49Eldren & 49Elgracen Acoustics 74 Two great affordable players – a punchy dread and a natural-sounding grand auditorium Vintage VE8000PB-12 & VE800PB Paul Brett Signature Electros 78 Vintage teams up with a 12-string maestro for two smart new signature parlours Lightwave Saber SL5 & Dingwall Combustion 82 Two innovative 5-string basses that offer a truly different playing experience Fender Bronco 40 Bass Combo 87 A value 40w modelling combo with great tonal options – ideal for home recording Rapid Reviews 88 A fun powered-up pedalboard and some top-notch strings to elevate your bass sound

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Vintage

Hooked On Classics

91

There’s a big market for original vintage guitar parts; would you go the extra mile? Phil Harris discusses what the finer details mean to him

The Bishop of Denmark Street 95 Sid Bishop recounts the tale of a little old lady and a particularly interesting Martin acoustic

Private Collection

Skunk Anansie’s Ace is one fully-fledged gearhound with a truly irresistible hoard

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SUBSCRIPTION OFFER 108 READERS FREE ADS 144 SOUNDTRACK OF MY LIFE 146

JUNE 2012 Guitar & Bass 7