It had a broken headstock (split in two) and a broken heel sent it to Germany years ago, came back after a month and it sounded and played excellently. The solo guitar is my older 1964 SG Standard, that i had bought from a poor man in the USA, who had used it (and abused it) for many years. Not that I didn’t know, but these are further confirmation of my theory and approach: we study history. And it taught me – reminded me actually – that this “cover” thing is very good for learning. Very refreshing experience, it was the same as on the “Gimme a Bullett” solo. You still have to give it some time just like it was someone else’s solo. We come to a point where we “hear” things (and sounds) in our heads, and one would think that since it’s our creativity, it would come as-it is on the instrument. Took me quite a few takes to play what I had in mind! Felt very strange. Tried random stuff and all of a sudden, I had that phrase in my mind, wouldn’t leave me so I played it.
The solo came to mind as I wanted to add something of mine to the song, but something that would still fit. Some trivia about this one: I brought (and played) this very guitar to Air Recording Studios for the training in November 2011, and this guitar was noted and briefly played by legendary guitar player Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music, Brian Eno) who told me “they don’t make them like these anymore, this is a fine guitar”. Butter-like playability, really easy to play. I left it as I found it, since it has a magic vibe. This SG is a 1966 Standard, heavily modified prior to my purchase.
This SG has an original Di Marzio Super Distortion, powerful PU. The rhythm SG was similar settings, but with presence 0, bass 4, mids 4, treble 6 and volume 5. At these settings, the Gretsch is just breaking up from true-clean. The ’63 Firebird (identical to Malcolm Young’s main Gretsch, same production year, all original) settings were presence 7, bass 0, mids 1-2, treble 6, volume 6. It definitely sounds a bit more “modern” in approach (soundwise) with two guitars on the sides, a-la AC/DC. I really wanted to re-capture that flavor ( love the tone of the Strato here) though with the inner characteristics of different guitars, such as the Firebird and an SG. The song is from 1973, so G12-65s didn’t exist. Guitars were both recorded with the 1959 and the G12Ms (pre-rola) cabinet, the one on the bottom. And added a bit more bass boost to it, too. Had to re-EQ a bit the original track, it was slightly dark. But then the idea of “AC/DC-ing” it came to mind, and went for it (added the SG part, same as the Gretsch, same as the original Stratocaster part in the centre position). Initially, I had only played one part with the Gretsch. Had had this song in mind for years (to cover in video, that is). One thing I had never tried was to add more guitars. Always loved this one, used to cover it with the band.
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