We’ve all imagined sharing the stage with our favorite guitar gods. To take this a step further, PG editors enlist the help of Joe Bonamassa to hypothetically indulge in what it might be like to learn new tricks from any guitar player in the entire world.
Andy Ellis -- Senior Editor
What am I listening to?
Trace Bundy, Elephant King. Using radical fretting techniques, altered tunings, percussive effects, and multiple capos, Bundy creates melodic, memorable compositions that eclipse his incredible chops.
If you could take a lesson from any guitarist, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you ask to learn?
I’d ask Hendrix to play “Castles Made of Sand” and explain how he spun soulful phrases from Curtis Mayfield and Teenie Hodges into a psychedelic masterpiece.
Shawn Hammond -- Editor in Chief
What am I listening to?
Sonny Landreth, Elemental Journey. The inimitable slide master returns with a badass instrumental whose only bummer is that the big-name cameos (Satch and EJ) aren’t as satisfying as the vocals he might’ve laid down in their place.
If you could take a lesson from any guitarist, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you ask to learn?
I’d rather try to develop my own style by organically absorbing musical influences than get too inside other players’ techniques or philosophies.
Tessa Jeffers -- Managing Editor
What am I listening to?
I went vinyl digging recently and scored the La Bamba soundtrack (Los Lobos or Bo Diddley, anyone?) and some vintage Dolly Parton.
If you could take a lesson from any guitarist, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you ask to learn?
If it were possible to watch Jimmy Page play without losing my beans, I’d be happy to glean even a single run incorporating his superhuman finger slides and bends à la “Any Led Zeppelin Song Ever.”
Chris Kies -- Associate Editor
What am I listening to?
The Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound’s swirling “Slithery Thing” (with its Stones’ Tattoo You vocal harmonies), Soundgarden’s crushing “Live to Rise,” and JJAMZ’s guilty-pleasure popper “Never Enough” are making me eager for summer releases.
If you could take a lesson from any guitarist, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you ask to learn?
Keef or Dimebag Darrell because they both took the simplest riffs and made them iconic. I’d ask for a crash course in not over-thinking the guitar.
Rich Osweiler -- Associate Editor
What am I listening to?
Sun Kil Moon’s Among the Leaves. While I’m not the biggest singer-songwriter fan, Mark Kozelek’s guitar work and melancholy vocals have yet to disappoint.
If you could take a lesson from any guitarist, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you ask to learn?
Django Reinhardt. I own an amazing Selmerstyle guitar that’s never been done proper justice, so a master class on “Minor Swing” with Grappelli and a bottle of Bordeaux joining us would be pretty cool.
Champ Long -- Web Production Assistant
What am I listening to?
Alex Clare’s The Lateness of the Hour. From the power rock of “Up All Night,” the piano in “I Won’t Let You Down” to the dubstep in “Too Close”—it has a little of everything.
If you could take a lesson from any guitarist, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you ask to learn?
Jack Johnson. I’ve always loved his music and I don’t care what he would teach me because he’d be awesome just to hang with.
Charles Saufley -- Gear Editor
What am I listening to?
William Tyler’s “A Portrait of Sarah” 7” is a tasty side of solo-electric 12-string—like a lazy Saturday riverside shade tree sit with Robbie Basho and Roger McGuinn and a perfect little guitar record for your own shade tree, if you ask me.
If you could take a lesson from any guitarist, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you ask to learn?
I’ll take whatever wisdom Bill Frisell is willing to share.
Jason Shadrick -- Associate Editor
What am I listening to?
Ry Cooder’s Paradise and Lunch. His solo break in “Tamp Em’ Up Solid” is the perfect example of how to turn the beat around and not lose your place
If you could take a lesson from any guitarist, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you ask to learn?
The obvious answer would be Clapton, but I think I would get more out of spending the afternoon with Jim Hall and asking about his comping on The Bridge.
Joe Bonamassa -- Guest Picker
What am I listening to?
I’m listening to a lot
of Freddie King lately. I
was just at the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and
we did “Hideaway.” That second break is
the hardest guitar lick in the world!
If you could take a lesson from any guitarist, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you ask to learn?
I would sit
down with Paul Kossoff and watch his process
of setting up and adjusting his Les Paul.
I’d knick his amp settings, then ask him to
show me the voicings for “Fire and Water.”
