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Show Time
With blazing August melting everyone’s minds like a lollypop, it’s hard to think forward to the cooler climes of autumn but everyone at Guitarist and our sister mags Guitar Techniques and Total Guitar are doing just that as we gear up for hosting the UK Guitar Show in London on 29-30 September (see page 28).
There’s some top-drawer attractions planned for the show, including an exhibition of Rory Gallagher’s guitars, a pantheon of big-name guitar makers from Fender to PRS all showing off their
latest goodies, plus live performances from stellar players including Martin Simpson, Misha Mansoor, Simon McBride and many more besides. For us mere mortals here at the mags, it means a return to the rehearsal rooms as Nev Martin, editor of Guitar Techniques, Mick Taylor of That Pedal Show and I gear up to play a live homage to Cream and Hendrix at the event. Please do come and join us –we’d love to see you and while we can’t promise to equal the godlike genius of Jimi and Clapton we always have a good time when we gig this classic material, and we’ll enjoy saying hi to any of you who mosey down for a beer and a chat afterwards.
Once that’s done, I’ve promised myself I’ll lay down the 335 for a bit and bone up on my acoustic technique as we head into autumn proper. That’s partly inspired by Guitarist’s recent visit to Martin, of course (see page 56), but also because there’s something really satisfying about unplugged playing – nothing distracts from or flatters what you play, the music is simply what comes out of the wooden box at the bidding of your fingers. I’ve been getting lost in the recordings of the late, great John Renbourn recently and marvelling at the sparkling stream of music that sprang from his acoustic guitar. Sometimes it’s important to just set the GAS to one side and re-connect with the pure melody that got us all into guitar in the first place. If you want a good place to start, Richard Barrett’s Zeppelin-style acoustic lesson in this month’s Blues Headlines (see page 146) is a beauty. Hope you enjoy the issue and see you next time – or hopefully in person in London!
Editor’s Highlights
Flying Saucer It’s about time the psychedelic guitar sounds of early Floyd got a live outing once again – and who better to lead the band than drummer Nick Mason? p74
Anna Calvi Crackling with creative energy, you really should check out Anna’s Tele-toned music if you haven’t already. She tells Rod Brakes all about it on p50
JamieDickson Editor
Plain Lazy Highly rated amp-maker Jesse Hoff is celebrating 10 years of Tweed-inspired Lazy J amps this year. David Mead takes a look round his workshop on p120
September 2018 Guitarist
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