Category: Tools Of The Trade

The Hammond B-3 is an electronic organ first introduced by the Hammond Organ Company in 1954. It used mechanical rotating tonewheels coupled with electro-magnetic pickups to create its signature sound. It quickly became popular in jazz, blues, and gospel music, and was eventually adopted by many classic rock musicians in the 1960s and 1970s.

Its unique sound has contributed to some of the most iconic songs in rock history. Many notable rock musicians, including Jimmy Smith, Keith Emerson (Emerson, Lake & Palmer), Gregg Allman (The Allman Brothers Band), and Jon Lord (Deep Purple), have used the Hammond B-3 organ.

One of the most famous uses of the Hammond B-3 in classic rock is on the song "Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum. The song features a prominent organ riff that is instantly recognizable and has become one of the defining sounds of the era. The distinctive organ riff played by Al Kooper on Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" is another memorable example.

One of the reasons why the B-3 organ is so popular in classic rock is its ability to produce a wide range of sounds. The organ has two keyboards, or manuals, and a set of pedals that are played with the feet. The B-3 has two sets of nine drawbars that allow the player to adjust the sound of the organ by controlling the levels of the different harmonics. This gives the player a lot of flexibility to create different sounds and textures.

In addition to its versatility, the B-3 organ is also known for its warm, full-bodied sound. The organ's rotating tonewheels produce a distinctive vibrato and chorus effect that gives the instrument a rich, lush sound that is perfect for rock music. When paired with a Leslie speaker cabinet, with its rotating speakers providing a variable tremolo effect, the B-3 produces the signature sound familiar to fans of classic rock.

In the 1970s, the Hammond Organ Company abandoned the use of tonewheels in favor of integrated circuits. These organs were less popular, and the company went out of business in 1985. The Hammond name was acquired in 1989 by the Suzuki Musical Instrument Corporation, which then manufactured digital simulations of the most popular tonewheel organs. This culminated in the "New B-3" in 2002, a recreation of the original B-3 sound using digital technology. Other companies such as Korg, Roland, and Clavia have been successful in producing more lightweight and portable emulations of the original tonewheel organs.

The Gibson Modernist Series is a group of electric guitars that were designed and released by Gibson in the late 1950s. Gibson president Ted McCarty led a team of designers to come up with guitars with futuristic appeal. The series consisted of three models: the Futura, the Flying V, and the Moderne.

The Gibson Futura, designed in 1958, had a a unique angular body shape with long, sharp horns. It was originally intended to be a futuristic-looking guitar that would appeal to young players. Only a handful of prototypes were allegedly made, and it was eventually rebranded, with some modification to the body proportions, and released as the Gibson Explorer. However, the Explorer was not well received at the time and only a small number were produced.

The Flying V, which was also introduced in 1958, has a distinct V-shaped body. The guitar was said to be inspired by the tailfins of 1950s automobiles. Like the Explorer, the Flying V did not sell well initially and fewer than 100 were made. Dealers who stocked them were seen using them as pointing arrow store window display props. It was reissued in the 1960s in a slightly different configuration, and has since become an iconic instrument, known for its distinctive look and powerful sound.

The Moderne was intended to be the third model in the series. However, the Moderne was never actually produced at the time and remained a mystery for many years. Perhaps the oddest shape of the three, the upper body was like half of a Flying V, with the lower half having a small horn and an atrophied tail. In the 1980s, Gibson finally released a limited run of Moderne guitars, but these were not true replicas of the original design. The original patent application shows the Moderne with the "Gumby" headstock seen here.

The Explorer and Flying V have become iconic instruments in the world of rock music. They are often associated with heavy metal and hard rock, and have been used by many famous guitarists over the years, including Jimi Hendrix, The Edge of U2, and Kirk Hammett of Metallica. Both guitars are highly sought after by collectors and players alike, and original examples can command high prices on the vintage market.

In recent years, Gibson has released various reissues and custom shop versions of the Modernist Series guitars. Despite their initial lack of popularity, they have become an important part of Gibson's history and have influenced guitar design for decades.

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The Fender Twin Reverb is an iconic guitar amplifier that has been a staple of rock, country, and blues music for decades. The Twin Reverb was first introduced by Fender in 1963 as a high-powered, two-channel amplifier with a 2x12 speaker configuration.

The Twin Reverb's signature sound is characterized by its bright, clean tone and its ability to produce a high level of volume without distortion. This made it a popular choice for guitarists who wanted a clear, powerful sound that would cut through the mix in a live performance.

Over the years, the Twin Reverb has gone through a number of changes and variations. In the 1970s, Fender introduced a new version of the amp with a "silverface" cosmetic design, which included silver control panels and aluminum trim around the speakers. In the 1980s, Fender reissued the original "blackface" Twin Reverb design, which had a black control panel and gold trim around the speakers.

Today, the Fender Twin Reverb remains a popular choice for guitarists who value its clear, powerful sound and its versatility. It is used by a wide range of artists in many different genres, from Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton to The Edge of U2 and John Mayer.

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The Fender Stratocaster, commonly referred to as the "Strat," is an iconic electric guitar model introduced by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation in 1954. The Stratocaster was designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares, and was intended to be an improvement on Fender's earlier Telecaster model.

The Stratocaster featured a distinctive double-cutaway body shape, with three single-coil pickups, a tremolo bridge, and a bolt-on neck. The new, "Original Contour Body" meant relief from angular body edges pressing into players' forearms and ribcages. The guitar is known for its bright, clear tone and versatile sound, which has made it a favorite among guitarists in a wide range of genres, from rock and blues to country and jazz.

Over the years, the Stratocaster has undergone a number of design changes and variations, including different pickup configurations, finishes, and neck shapes. Some of the most notable versions of the Stratocaster include the "Hendrix Strat," which was designed to replicate the guitar used by Jimi Hendrix, and the "Eric Clapton Strat," which features special pickups and electronics designed to replicate Clapton's signature sound.

The Stratocaster has been used by countless famous guitarists over the years, including Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Buddy Holly, Stevie Ray Vaughan, David Gilmour, and many others. The guitar's versatility and distinctive sound have made it a favorite among players of all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals.

Today, the Fender Stratocaster remains one of the most popular and iconic electric guitar models of all time, and it continues to be an essential tool for guitarists in a wide range of genres.

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Often, in reading about classic rock, you'll see phrases like "a Strat through a Marshall" or "a 'Burst through a Marshall". Translated, they refer to the sound of Fender Stratocaster or 1958-1960 Gibson sunburst finish Les Paul electric guitars played through a Marshall amplifier.

Marshall Amplification is a British company that produces guitar amplifiers, speaker cabinets, and other related products. The company was founded in 1962 by Jim Marshall, who began building guitar amplifiers in the back of his drum shop in Hanwell, London.

Marshall amps quickly gained a reputation for their powerful and distinctive sound, and became popular among guitarists in the emerging rock and roll scene of the 1960s. In particular, Marshall amps were favored by guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Pete Townshend of The Who, who used Marshall amps to create the loud, distorted sound that became a hallmark of rock music.

One of the most iconic Marshall amplifier configurations is the "Marshall stack," which consists of a "head" amplifier unit and one or more speaker cabinets stacked on top of each other. The classic Marshall stack typically includes a 100-watt head unit, paired with one or two "4x12" speaker cabinets, each containing four 12-inch speakers.

Over the years, Marshall has continued to innovate and expand its product line, introducing new amp models and speaker cabinets designed for different genres and playing styles. The company also produces a wide range of other products for guitarists, including effects pedals, guitar strings, and accessories.

Today, Marshall amplifiers are still considered some of the best in the industry, and the distinctive "Marshall sound" remains a staple of rock music. The company's legacy continues to be celebrated by guitarists around the world, and Marshall amps remain a symbol of the power and excitement of rock and roll.

The Fender Rhodes piano is a musical instrument that was first introduced in the 1960s by the Fender Musical Instrument Corporation, named after its inventor, Harold Rhodes. It is an electric piano that uses hammers to strike metal tines, which are then amplified and played through a speaker system.

In 1959, Fender began by marketing the Piano Bass, a cut-down version of Rhodes' invention consisting of the 32 bottom keys. The full-size instrument was not produced until after Fender's sale to CBS in 1965.

The Fender Rhodes was a popular instrument in many genres of music, including jazz, rock, and pop. Its warm, mellow sound and expressive capabilities made it a favorite among keyboard players. It has been played by a wide range of artists, including Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, and Chick Corea.

There were several models of the Fender Rhodes electric piano produced over the years, each with its own unique features and sound. Some of the most well-known models include the Rhodes Suitcase Piano, the Rhodes Stage Piano, and the Rhodes Mark I, Mark II, and Mark V. Each model has its own unique features and sound characteristics. The Mark I, for example, has a brighter, more percussive sound, while the Mark II has a more mellow and rounded tone.

Despite its popularity, production of the Fender Rhodes electric piano ceased in the early 1980s due to financial troubles at Fender. However, the instrument has continued to be used by musicians and can be found in many recordings to this day. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the Fender Rhodes, and some companies have even started producing new versions of the instrument.

The Fender Rhodes electric piano has become a classic instrument, and its unique sound has been widely imitated by digital keyboards and software synthesizers. However, many musicians still prefer the original instrument for its authentic sound and feel.

Trivia: While considered an electronic instrument, the sounds are produced mechanically by the tines and tone bars. As such, the instrument can still be played, albeit very softly, without being powered, similar to an electric guitar.

The Gibson SG is an electric guitar model that was introduced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1961. It has since become a popular guitar among many different styles of music, from rock to blues to metal.

The SG has a solid body with a double-cutaway design that allows easy access to the upper frets. The body is typically made of mahogany, and the neck is also typically made of mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard.

The SG is known for its bright and punchy tone, thanks in part to its dual humbucking pickups. These pickups use two coils to cancel out noise and produce a fuller, warmer tone than single-coil pickups. If desired, the SG could also be had with the earlier P90 pickups, popular for their bright-but-thicker tone than other single-coil pickups.

The SG was originally designed as an update to the moderately successful Les Paul model (1952-1960), and one for which Paul had no input. Paul disapproved and subsequently requested his name be removed from the guitar which, although officially renamed the SG, were still seen with the Les Paul name on them as late as 1963.

The SG has gone through a number of different variations and updates over the years, with different models featuring different pickups, neck profiles, and other specifications. Some of the most famous SG players include Angus Young of AC/DC, Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, and Derek Trucks of the Tedeschi Trucks Band.

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