Pete Townshend "why he stopped using Gibsons"

[Hiwatt]

Here;s Pete saying he stopped playing Gibsons becuase they started falling apart in his hands
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nSdqmdXFLE

 

[Cogswell]

No kidding? They do that sometimes when you slam them on the ground

 

[chasenblues]

Can anyone confirm his comment about "all" of the seasoned/dried wood being bought by and shipped to Japan in the mid/late 70's effecting the construction of Gibson's being made then?(Tail end of the Norlin era?)

 

[Hiwatt]

Can anyone confirm his comment about "all" of the seasoned/dried wood being bought by and shipped to Japan in the mid/late 70's effecting the construction of Gibson's being made then?(Tail end of the Norlin era?)

This is the bit I found interesting too!
I actually meant to post this in the Sunburst/Gibson USA Pub section.

 

[Cogswell]

Moved

 

[Big Al]

That is an old myth that was in regards to Sitka Spruce being bought up for chopsticks. Pete used SG Specials until the model changed. He then used Les Paul Deluxes. His switch to Shecter for a moment followed by Fender guitars and amps may have more to do with endorsements more than that speil for Q&A.

 

[Hiwatt]

Pete used SG Specials until the model changed. He then used Les Paul Deluxes. His switch to Shecter for a moment followed by Fender guitars and amps may have more to do with endorsements more than that speil for Q&A.

That's right!He's also said in the past that the reason he switched to the Shecter Tele's from the Deluxes is because they were too heavy.Typical Pete giving conflicting information :hee

 

[Joewildbonsai]

THAT's the reason why: :dh







have a nice weekend!!!
:hippy

 

[jb_abides]

Would love to see the ol' man give up some of those Strats for an ES Paul or Cloud 9 now that he doesn't whack things against the stage floor. :salude

 

[roycaster]

Typical guitar player, it is the guitar’s fault not his. Funny I’ve never heard of any Les Pauls coming apart in anyone elses hands, and after listening to crappy guitarists bash Norlins for the last 40+ years this is a first…

 

[Art Werck]

I love Pete Townsend and his music but he's full of BS. I've owned a Norlin era Les Paul and SG for 20 yrs. and neither of them are going to 'fall apart' in my hands. I'm with you roycaster.

 

[Big Al]

Exactly, Pete has been known to stretch the truth in more than one interview. I think he was playing up to the crowd.

 

[Ed Driscoll]

That's right!He's also said in the past that the reason he switched to the Shecter Tele's from the Deluxes is because they were too heavy.

I think I'd go with that explanation. Not to mention the Schecters with a bolt-on neck were likely easier to salvage when he smashed one, and the modified Deluxes were sort of overengineered with the third pickup and extra switching toggles. All he really needed was a decent humbucking-equipped guitar to plug into his Hi-Watts and bang on.

(That being said, I did think the Deluxes looked a lot cooler, not to mention being associated with those incredible numbers bookending The Kids Are Alright.)

 

[sonar]

I think a lot of it depends on what day you catch Pete. I still believe his early musical output is borderline genius, so I give him a pass on his MANY contradictions in interviews. If you think his gear Q&A is all over the place, read up on his seemingly daily opinion swings over former bandmates.

All said, Live At Leeds is still one of the top recorded guitar tones of all time.

 

[Hiwatt]

All said, Live At Leeds is still one of the top recorded guitar tones of all time.

Yep.SG with P-90's into a cranked Hiwatt = Tone Heaven.

 

[Progrocker111]

Yep.SG with P-90's into a cranked Hiwatt = Tone Heaven.

Yeah, signature Hiwatt/P90 tone. And btw. do you own Hiwatt too? la

 

[Hiwatt]

Yeah, signature Hiwatt/P90 tone. And btw. do you own Hiwatt too? la

I used to play through Hiwatts.They're just too big for what I need now.I'm playing through Boogie combos at the moment.(Mark II)

 

[Ed Driscoll]

I used to play through Hiwatts.They're just too big for what I need now.I'm playing through Boogie combos at the moment.(Mark II)

You're in good company there:

 

[au_rick]

I think a lot of it depends on what day you catch Pete. I still believe his early musical output is borderline genius, so I give him a pass on his MANY contradictions in interviews. If you think his gear Q&A is all over the place, read up on his seemingly daily opinion swings over former bandmates.

All said, Live At Leeds is still one of the top recorded guitar tones of all time.

a lot of drugs and booze will affect anyone's memory, and as for playing to the audience Pete is a consummate performer and a typical Brittish larikin to boot (take everything with a grain of salt) :biggrin:

 

[au_rick]

"wiring invented by Eric Clapton" ??? anyone got anything to add on that comment ?