Went to see my friend's band last night. They do exclusively songs that the Beatles played, whether written by them or covers. And of course in the early days there were plenty of covers. Little Richard, Eddie Cochran, some Motown... In the past few months they have really worked on their set and also on their sound. They're not interested in being a look-alike or sounding exactly like the record. They are trying to capture the energy and fun of the early Beatles, who were almost a punk band in their energy levels.
So my friend recently got a Rickenbacker 330 after playing a Gretsch VS 1953 Duo Jet ad the Ric really sounds good - actually a whole lot better than I ever expected. He's playing it through a Marshall 18W combo I built for him and I can't believe how good it sounds in his hands. Unfortunately I don't have a pic of that amp, but I have posted this one before:
This amp now belongs to the other guitarist in the band and most of the gig he's playing a Gretsch George Harrison Jet through it and I was delighted to hear how how made it sound. He also used an SG and a Rocky Strat, but mainly played the GH Jet and they sounded perfect together.
I have never been to a gig where both guitarists are using my amps and felt like a proud dad! The blend of their guitars sounded absolutely perfect for the material and I was bursting with pride. And it was easy for me - I didn't have to play a note! Their pedal boards also had four of my pedals.
Such a strange experience and one I never dreamed would happen. It's not the same as playing the gig myself of course but weirdly exciting none the less. I guess the fact that the sounds were so distinctive helped. If it had been just generic guitar noise then it might have been different but these guys really know what they are doing. Man I love making stuff.
So my friend recently got a Rickenbacker 330 after playing a Gretsch VS 1953 Duo Jet ad the Ric really sounds good - actually a whole lot better than I ever expected. He's playing it through a Marshall 18W combo I built for him and I can't believe how good it sounds in his hands. Unfortunately I don't have a pic of that amp, but I have posted this one before:
This amp now belongs to the other guitarist in the band and most of the gig he's playing a Gretsch George Harrison Jet through it and I was delighted to hear how how made it sound. He also used an SG and a Rocky Strat, but mainly played the GH Jet and they sounded perfect together.
I have never been to a gig where both guitarists are using my amps and felt like a proud dad! The blend of their guitars sounded absolutely perfect for the material and I was bursting with pride. And it was easy for me - I didn't have to play a note! Their pedal boards also had four of my pedals.
Such a strange experience and one I never dreamed would happen. It's not the same as playing the gig myself of course but weirdly exciting none the less. I guess the fact that the sounds were so distinctive helped. If it had been just generic guitar noise then it might have been different but these guys really know what they are doing. Man I love making stuff.
