Shads used gear

[Fender Bender]

Hi to all

I'm also new member and want to thank Charlie and everyone that contribute for a wonderful site.I'm from South Africa and a huge Hank & Shads fan.

I want to put the ball on the roll by finding out what happened to all the guitars, amplifiers and effects pedals used by Hank and Bruce from 1959 up to the point when Fender started to make the custom signature strats which Hank are using currently.

I know that Bruce is the owner of the first strat and are aware that most of Hank's guitars[marvin burns] were stolen from a van but will be interesting to know what ever happened to the 1961 strats and the white strats used in 1963.I believe that there were a few fiesta rosewood fretboard strats used during 1961 and 1963 as the necks wore out.That is very interesting to know as I thought that they had only the first ones and recorded and played live with it until the marvin burns era.I know that Hank also had a gretch and Bruce a jazz-master if I'm correct.In the 70's Hank had another white strat with a big headstock and that became the famous black strat if my facts is right used until 1980 or so.I know about the 1957 strat that Hank bought in Paris and was wondering if he still got it.Then their was a sunburst one also somewhere.I don't know,that is why I post this thread.

Is the vox ac 30 that Bruce used for the final tour and most of the Shadow Mania shows, one of his originals ?I saw that Hank went back to his matchless amp on footage I saw when they were performing with Sir Cliff on the Royal Variety Show.He sounded as he did in the sixties and by what I was hearing it sounded if he was also using a tvs 2 or tvs 3 unit because it sounded if he played with a tape echo, fantastic !

Well,that will be all from my side for now,

Keep on twanging

Louis

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Louis,
I think that Hank sold his Gretsch as I remember reading a transcription of a radio interview about someone who phoned in during a chat show conversation with Hank and somehow it came out that this person now owned that Gretsch.
I believe the Cliff and Shadows show was mostly if not all pre-recorded, although going by the vocals you wouldn't think so. I think that Hank's part was done in Australia and that he used a TVS3. No idea about which amp he used but probably a Matchless Clubman.
I am not so sure that Bruce owns that original Strat as I think Cliff thinks that he still owns it. I guess no one will know unless it ever is sold.
I think that the Strat now played by Ben Marvin is the black Strat that Hank used to play. It has been altered a lot.
One old Strat that Hank bought was sold to him by Tony Hicks of The Hollies. I don't know if Hank still has this guitar.
Bruce had two AC30s on the 2004 tour, one was a spare. I think his main one has Celestion G12T75 speakers and the other was restored by someone and given to him by a fan. I did have more detail about this amp but I have forgotten the rest.
The Jazzmaster is interesting as I think many of us originally thought it was the guitar on the records, now long known to have been an acoustic.
Regards,
Charlie

[Fender Bender]

Thanks for your reply Charlie.That solves most of my question.

Regards

Louis

[peterbower]

Louis, Charlie

I do know that Bruce had the original Strat that Cliff had imported and many years later he had it re painted and renovated generally. Rumour has it that Bruce still has it but i've heard a counter rumour that Cliff might have it. I'm sure some one will know.

Peter

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Peter,
Bruce almost certainly still has it but I don't think Cliff would be too bothered until such time as it was sold, if ever during their lifetimes.
Regards,
Charlie

[bor64]

The strat Hank got from Tony Hicks was sold by Hank and Music Ground helped the sale going on.
That strat wasn't a very good one Hank told me,it had some problems pu's etc.....
The 58 red strat he bought form Patrick Bastien begin 80's is still in his possession and again in it's original form. Second half 80's Hank had a neck installed by Roger Grifin.
Black strat the story is a little daft I think...the strat was first white,then black and now sunburst...who does think it shows up in the condition Ben used it ......errrr
The body is routed for 2 humbuckers, extra switches and the rest of the hardware and neck is original Fender and looking like a hotrod strat....and that was for sale new in the stores for lesser than the cost of the building and customizing incl original Fender parts..... so who knows???
The rosewood strats white & reds where given back to Selmer because they owned those guitars and where sold off...
The Gretsch was sold in London and was bought by a bloke who told Hank in a radio interview(by phone) he got the one Hank used to own...
Hank told the guy he used it for A Girl like You and Nivram,the guy was very exited because he knew on the spot his guitar tripled in value, just in seconds....
That interview started the that sound quest and battle among st fans.....



Groetjes Rob

[Fender Bender]

Thanks to Peter, Charlie and Rob.I think if you stuck a spade with strings in Hank's hands he will manage to get a good sound out of it.I can now share this useful info to the rest of my Shads buddies in Cape Town and once again thanks to a wonderful site and quick responses.

Greetings

Louis

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Louis,
If you have ever played someone else's guitar either through a different amp or your own amp, the chances are that you would alter some settings until you were reasonably happy with the sound. I believe that everyone would be much the same and Hank would be too. This thought might help to understand things from a different perspective.
This is a video on YouTube of Hank, Bruce and Brian playing Move It with Marty Wilde.

Hank did not use his own guitar or amp. I know that he played a vintage reissue Strat belonging to Roger Newell (who, by coincidence, happened to phone me this morning about something else) so this might give yet another perspective.
Regards,
Charlie

[Fender Bender]

Hi Charlie

Yes,I have that DVD and what a great show and band.I think I know what you are trying to say and it is the truth.Every guitarist have his/her own sound in their mind and fingers.Playing with the right combination of gear will only enhance your basic sound that is in your head.

This I did experience over the years of playing live.I used my share of different guitars,amps & pedals over the years but always ended up with my basic sound in my head.

Saying that,to me there is a handful of guitarist that you can identify amongst all the millions of players and our man Hank is one of them,alongside David Gilmour,Brian May,Mark Knophler,Chet Atkins to name a few.

I will always have a special spot for Hank,afterall,he is the "Superstar's" Superstar.Have a good one.

Regards

Louis

[jay]

"I think that Hank sold his Gretsch as I remember reading a transcription of a radio interview about someone who phoned in during a chat show conversation with Hank and somehow it came out that this person now owned that Gretsch."

Referring again to Roberto P. and his book "That Sound"....in the book
there is a CD of RP's work with the Gretsch and track one is a recording of that radio interview/phone in.

In case anyone may be interested.........

Jay.

[jacques]

What kind of Gretsch would that be?

(just asking, as I am sort of attracted lately by Gretsches (the country gentleman that is)... And suffering GAS (Gear Acquire Syndrom)..

[jacques]

Found it: Gretsch 6122 country gentleman...
Fine guitar!

[perky1202]

Hi Charlie and the guys, I was under the impression that Hank was using a Matchless Chieftain amplifer, on one of the Royal Variety Shows and on the last Royal Variety Show Hank, turned back to his KCP Marvin amp, although I think he may have changed the lower cab? On that particular show, Cliff And The Shadows performed 3 numbers, The Young Ones, Willie And The Hand Jive & Move It (The New Version). Also as I understand things, Ken,Peter and yourself designed and built the KCP Marvin amp for Hank?

I was looking at the Matchless web site a couples of months back and they were advertising their Chieftain amp as a artist featured amp and that Hank's name is featured for that amp model.

Regards
Kevin

[fenderplucker]

Hi Kevin,

As mentioned above by Charlie, the backings for the three songs performed at the last RVP were pre-recorded in the studio. Hank used a 70's AC30 and TVS3 to record his parts in Perth.

Regards,

Paul.

[Charlie Hall]

Hank last used the KCP Marvin amps for the Shadows 2004 tour. After that we were told that the amps would no longer be needed so they were sold.
Regards,
Charlie

[perky1202]

Charlie,
Are you in the process or able to reproduce more of the KCP amplifiers? I would be grateful if you could email me, with a price for one please fender kev at yahoo dot co dot uk, (Please replace the "at" with @ and "dot" with "." thanks

Regards
Kevin

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Kevin,
I have sent you an email.
Regards,
Charlie