September 2008 \ Features \ Premier Collector \ Premier Collector #6: Custom-Built Strats and Fender Tube Amps

Premier Collector #6: Custom-Built Strats and Fender Tube Amps

Roger Jackson builds his own Strats and loves Fender amps, but gives Gibson a fair shake as well


Premier Guitar September 2008

(2 of 2)


"A late '67 Fender 'drip edge' Bandmaster: dead-stock, matched set, one-owner (I'm the second)."

Who needs a singer, anyways?
"Some years back on the eve of an important audition for a house band gig, our lead singer found himself jailed on a drunk and disorderly charge. The night before his arrest our mixing board had crashed and burned during rehearsal. What to do – pay the bail or buy a new PA? We opted for the new board, re-arranged our demo set that afternoon and – to our collective surprise – got the job. Our front man never forgave us and went on to a lucrative solo career in the food service industry."


"My 'Fillmore' rig: a 1978 vintage Fender Twin Reverb with factory 'orange basket' JBL D-120F speakers, with a '65 re-issue version (also equipped with JBLs). Both amps poised on a pair of vintage Fender Bandmaster cabs for the ultimate in festival/outdoor stage projection."


"The porch weasel from hell: Fender Stage 100 DSP with matching DT112 extension cab. Not quite as toneful as a Fender with vacuum tubes, but this little critter is capable of causing seismic events and eats Crate half-stacks for lunch!"

Other gear in my stash: Fender Stratocaster 12-string, 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior, Ibanez PF-120 acoustic

Roger's Tone Philosophy
The best gear in the world is only a small part of the equation; the lion’s share of what emanates from your amp comes from your fingers. The nuance of your picking style, a credible vibrato, an articulated hammer on/off technique, and a symbiotic relationship between the vibrations of your strings and that of your speaker(s) is a more significant factor to your overall sound than your choice of guitar, amp, cabinet, or stomp-box effect. There’s a world of difference between a “Mastercard Maestro” who runs a monthly tab at the local music merchant in a rush to buy the latest and greatest “widget du jour” and someone who practices his craft four or five hours a day (beyond normal band rehearsals and/or play dates). Money only buys you gear – but practice yields your tone.

To join Roger as a Premier Collector, send an e-mail with photos and a description of your gear to rebecca@premierguitar.com

Premier Collector #5: The Vintage Room
Premier Collector #4: Oddballs
Premier Collector #3: Vintage Fender Amps and Guitars
Premier Collector #2: Gibson Customs and Modded Marshalls
Premier Collector #1: Kramers, Coronados and More


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Comments

(6 comments) display by
UsernameComment
Sean
on 12/03/2008
Beautiful, I have this years strat and I love it, I can only imagine what those might be like. I also have a gibson les paul supreme, just your like drunk friend, an idiot, but he cost me, he cracked the headstock and never paid, trashed my place many times too. I'm looking into a 59' bassman, anyone have one ? Curious to know if its worth the 1 grand for a new one.
Carly Frost
on 10/23/2008
I also have my own mongrel Strat built from an early 90's J Beck Sig. I don't like off the shelf anything but I like for the toys to look as if they are. It keeps people off balance.

I hope for people to PRACTICE! Find your OWN TONE! Stop trying to mimic someone else's.

Carly
gypsy
on 08/29/2008
I'm getting tired of seeing everyone's old crap, everybody get new stuff, it's time to get up-to-date
Guy
on 08/18/2008
Great collection, .... the Bandmaster... I had one for years when I was a kid, but got rid of it so I could get an amp w/ reverb! ...reverb, schmeeverb, I wish I still had hat amp!
Victor
on 08/18/2008
I'll take one of each! Beautiful Strats1
Chris...:)
on 08/18/2008
Very Nice....Guitars4Stars.com - You rock bro!!

Chris....:)



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