Post by fenderplucker on Feb 23, 2009 13:44:45 GMT
Sorry, I forgot to include the title of the thread!!
the following was recently posted by Jim N on Shadowmusic. I hope I haven't broken any laws by copying it, but then they can't send me to the Colonies, I am already there!
In order (as far as the photographic trail shows), Bruce's early electric guitars with The Drifters/Shadows up to mid-1961 were:
a) a Hofner/Framus styled non-cut cello guitar with one pickup (this is seen in a pic in the Mike Read book) until early 1959 - this being the most mysterious of Bruce's Drifters guitars;
Hank's discarded late-thirties Vega (USA) cello guitar with one Rickenbacker pickup mounted near the bridge (this presumably after Hank bought the Antoria - he had owned the Vega since Newcastle). The Vega was used by Bruce in "Expresso Bongo", so it is very well-evidenced - used until late 1959; the same model was at one time played by jazz guitar pioneer Charlie Christian;
c) the sunburst Jazzmaster, which appears to have been a gift (rather than a loan) from Jennings - used until the summer of 1960 at least;
d) a blonde post-1959 Telecaster - which evidence suggests was loaned by Jennings - it was seen in use on stage (and TV) 1960/61; it may or may not be the same example seen in the cover shots for the "Shadows To The Fore" EP and "The Shadows" LP/EPs; the fact that Bruce was seen with a Telecaster elsewhere does not of itself prove that the "photographic prop" Telecaster was not exactly as described;
e) the Fiesta Red r/n Strat from March/April 1961, as already explained by Alan McK.
Occasionally during that era, Bruce was seen with a sunburst Strat (eg, on the rear-cover of the "Me And My Shadows" LP - and possibly even on the rear-cover shots of the Shads' own first LP). It now seems that this belonged to Chas McDavitt and was used as a loan guitar whenever a string broke - if Chas happened to be on the same bill.
Regards,
Paul.
the following was recently posted by Jim N on Shadowmusic. I hope I haven't broken any laws by copying it, but then they can't send me to the Colonies, I am already there!
In order (as far as the photographic trail shows), Bruce's early electric guitars with The Drifters/Shadows up to mid-1961 were:
a) a Hofner/Framus styled non-cut cello guitar with one pickup (this is seen in a pic in the Mike Read book) until early 1959 - this being the most mysterious of Bruce's Drifters guitars;
Hank's discarded late-thirties Vega (USA) cello guitar with one Rickenbacker pickup mounted near the bridge (this presumably after Hank bought the Antoria - he had owned the Vega since Newcastle). The Vega was used by Bruce in "Expresso Bongo", so it is very well-evidenced - used until late 1959; the same model was at one time played by jazz guitar pioneer Charlie Christian;
c) the sunburst Jazzmaster, which appears to have been a gift (rather than a loan) from Jennings - used until the summer of 1960 at least;
d) a blonde post-1959 Telecaster - which evidence suggests was loaned by Jennings - it was seen in use on stage (and TV) 1960/61; it may or may not be the same example seen in the cover shots for the "Shadows To The Fore" EP and "The Shadows" LP/EPs; the fact that Bruce was seen with a Telecaster elsewhere does not of itself prove that the "photographic prop" Telecaster was not exactly as described;
e) the Fiesta Red r/n Strat from March/April 1961, as already explained by Alan McK.
Occasionally during that era, Bruce was seen with a sunburst Strat (eg, on the rear-cover of the "Me And My Shadows" LP - and possibly even on the rear-cover shots of the Shads' own first LP). It now seems that this belonged to Chas McDavitt and was used as a loan guitar whenever a string broke - if Chas happened to be on the same bill.
Regards,
Paul.