Ok Gibson, if you want to make an artist model that I'd buy...

[j45]

....well, I'd probably consider this one before any that has come down the pipe so far. One of the most distinct and recognizable guitar rigs in R&R history for sure. Even though I'm just a casual fan of his playing, I'd pull up a little short of saying John is one of the all-time greats, I will say he was probably as expressive as anyone that ever played. "Happy Trails" is a masterpiece that captured the prime essence of was going on across this country with young guitarists at that time. If I had to pick a single record that best represents the climate, vibe, and the feel of was it was really like in the electric guitar world of 1969, this would be it.

I just saw a pic of his SG and inspired me to post this photo. In this day of the boring "all Jake", "all original" (ho-hum), "investment/collector quality" (yawn) original-down-to-the-solder-joints-and-not-a-screw-turned (gag) vintage guitar market I'm finding myself infinitly more interested and intrigued in the unique, personal designs, player's mods, and other custom features inspired by rock and roll of the 60's and early 70's. For me this captures the spirit of what vintage guitars are about much more than today's retail criteria. Just about the only guitars that get my attention on Ebay anymore are the ones that have some interesting and unique home-brew, custom player's mod... sometimes the more primitive or outrageous the better. J.C.'s SG design has to rank as one of the greatest of 'em all. And how about that amp?!!!!

From the display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:

[jholcomb]

Nice little article about JC in the new Premier Guitar.

[Brown Recluse]

They had this rig and his SG on the Fillmore West stage for the tribute show right after his death. They sampled his Pride of Man solo and ran it through his amps while the rest of the people played along on stage.

[rockabilly69]

That looks like a good reason to stay away from the brown acid!

I remember when my brother brought a Quicksilver album to me for some critical listening, I immediately replaced that with the Allman's "It Ain't My Cross To Bear" and played it over and over so Greg Allman could sing away the blues I experienced from the that waste of time. After that, I listened to Mountain's "Nantucket Sleigh Ride" to remember what I liked in guitar tone.

That SG tone was nails on a chalk board to me, just like the first time I heard Eric Clapton switch to a Strat.

The moral of the story TO EACH HIS OWN

I nominate the Pat Traver's Melody Maker, and I'd use some hotwound Throbaks for the pickups and some RS pots, and some Grovers. They'd have to make it so good that you'd forget about the Joan Jett model soon as you looked at it. This way you could just go buy one, plug in into your Marshall and wank with some authority

[cryptozoo]

I'd like to see a Travers sig as well, but Gibson Custom wouldn't touch a MM. When you can get a real 'buckered 60s MM for $500-800, how would they be able to charge $2-3k for a reissue?

[27sauce]

Originally Posted by cryptozoo

I'd like to see a Travers sig as well, but Gibson Custom wouldn't touch a MM. When you can get a real 'buckered 60s MM for $500-800, how would they be able to charge $2-3k for a reissue?

Joan Jett?

[cryptozoo]

Joan Jett what? Last time I checked her sig is regular ol' USA made and costs about $800. I'm talking about a Custom Shop version.

[Mark Kane]

I don't know, that guitar pretty much epitomizes all the horror of vintage guitar modding that was done in those days. He didn't even use a nice looking set of Grovers.

[27sauce]

Originally Posted by cryptozoo

Joan Jett what? Last time I checked her sig is regular ol' USA made and costs about $800. I'm talking about a Custom Shop version.

True, but so was a vintage Melody Maker. I get what you're saying

[kharrison]

What year is that SG, early 70's

[red59dot]

mmmmm...Standel Imperials. 2-15" JBLs and all solid state. None of that nasty distortion here...

[Mike Shaw]

I'm sorry, but everytime I see that amp rig I bust out in a laugh! Looks like something you'd see at a circus!

[Litcrit]

Originally Posted by Mike Shaw

I'm sorry, but everytime I see that amp rig I bust out in a laugh! Looks like something you'd see at a circus!

Yeah, but it sounds friggin' great! NOBODY came close to that tone, how many guys have a completely original approach to an instrument?

It's funny but I was just catching up to QMS on youtube the other day...Who Do You Love (Happy Trails) was my favorite modal jam for a long time.

Here's some vintage QMS w/ John's SG, a 50's alnico LP custom and a BARNEY KESSEL (Dino??)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D79ujliNh4Q

but this is the shitzel..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7UOR...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-hDx44irSg&feature=related[/url]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhEu1tuIPHo&feature=related[/url]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoKlLrwa4VE&feature=related[/url]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Boz9JV5VsG8&a=GxdCwVVULXeA4slHicLR5wH0IZla JN4B[/url]

[mistersnappy]

DIY, baby!

[Stumbler]

He must have looked at a lot of Dr. Seuss!!


Here they are in their prime: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqVVn...eature=related

[rockabilly69]

He must have looked at a lot of Dr. Seuss!!

Here they are in their prime: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqVVn...eature=related

As if that annoying ride cymbal wasn't enough, the poser unison singer with his Gibson hanging over his back just had to add some obligatory 60's tambourine to fatten the mix:!!! Dr Suess is right

[zombiwoof]

Despite all of the cynicism, I think they were a great band, and the guitar interplay was also great. Cippolina was really a different kind of guitar player, he played with fingerpicks and had a very unique chordal kind of technique I've never heard from anyone else. Granted, his hi-fi rig was known to sound piercing at times, but the long jam songs often verged on a jazz-rock thing. Not a style I'd emulate, but I think he was one of the great rock players, and definitely went his own way. You can obviously point to certain videos to ridicule, as you can do that with any band, but much of their work was memorable. And he went out playing, in the end when he was very sick, he was out there playing in a wheelchair.

Al

[MikeSlub]

Different strokes for different folks. The band doesn't do it for me.

[tuberide]

It did it for me...."Happy Trails" was one of my all-time faves.

[zombiwoof]

Originally Posted by tuberide

It did it for me...."Happy Trails" was one of my all-time faves.

I think I like the first album the best, the one with the hit "Pride of Man" on it. To hear the guitar interplay, "Gold and Silver" really shows what they they could do. There's another long song that I can't remember the name of at the moment, it's mostly instrumental but has some lyrics at the end of the long instrumental part, that is also good. I used to hear it on a radio station on L.A. late at night when I was working the graveyard shift. There's a part where he's making some animal growling noises which sounds like he's using a wah and scraping the strings with a plastic comb or something. Some great feedback near the end where you can hear those horns screaming. They must have sounded pretty intense live.

And as I remember, Cippolina actually built one of his SG-looking guitars himself, so I'm not sure that Gibson would want to make a copy of that!. Although they did do a copy of one of Slash's guitars that was really a custom clone of a Gibson, so who knows?.

Al

[Brown Recluse]

Originally Posted by zombiwoof

I think I like the first album the best, the one with the hit "Pride of Man" on it. To hear the guitar interplay, "Gold and Silver" really shows what they they could do. There's another long song that I can't remember the name of at the moment, it's mostly instrumental but has some lyrics at the end of the long instrumental part, that is also good. I used to hear it on a radio station on L.A. late at night when I was working the graveyard shift. There's a part where he's making some animal growling noises which sounds like he's using a wah and scraping the strings with a plastic comb or something. Some great feedback near the end where you can hear those horns screaming. They must have sounded pretty intense live.

And as I remember, Cippolina actually built one of his SG-looking guitars himself, so I'm not sure that Gibson would want to make a copy of that!. Although they did do a copy of one of Slash's guitars that was really a custom clone of a Gibson, so who knows?.

Al

I believe the growling sounds takes place on either Mona or Who Do You Love. I don't recall which.

[roycaster]

I was in a band back in the ‘80s that recorded some demos in Gary Duncan’s studio, and that picture brought back a lot of what Mr. Duncan had to say about Mr. Cippolina. I couldn’t repeat all of the expletives he used, and I could never do justice to all of the adjectives and adverbs he used either.

I guess that picture also reminded me of the fact that the only San Francisco band I ever really got from that era was The Flamin’ Groovies.

[zombiwoof]

Originally Posted by Brown Recluse

I believe the growling sounds takes place on either Mona or Who Do You Love. I don't recall which.

No, those songs are on Happy Trails, the song I'm thinking of is on the first album (although he may have repeated that trick on the live stuff). I'll have to dig the CD out and refresh my memory.

Al

[Brown Recluse]

Originally Posted by zombiwoof

No, those songs are on Happy Trails, the song I'm thinking of is on the first album (although he may have repeated that trick on the live stuff). I'll have to dig the CD out and refresh my memory.

Al

You're right. The song is "The Fool":

http://s0.ilike.com/play#Quicksilver...da31a0cd5467da

The growling starts at around 5:00 minutes. There is also some nice vibrato controlled feedback near the very end of the song.

I should remember all of this stuff. When I was 12 or 13 my brother would come home late after a night of partying and put QSM's first album, among others, on the record changer. Within a few minutes he would slip into a drug and alcohol induced stupor and I would be left lying in my bed listening to the records. It often made me mad back then, however, it did expose me to a bunch of cool music that I probably wouldn't have otherwise heard. I guess I'll thank him for that the next time I talk to him.

[Mahalo]

Originally Posted by roycaster

I guess that picture also reminded me of the fact that the only San Francisco band I ever really got from that era was The Flamin’ Groovies.

The Flamin' Groovies was a damn fine ensemble. Can't beat "Shake Some Action". We still play that now and then.

[zombiwoof]

Originally Posted by Brown Recluse

You're right. The song is "The Fool":

http://s0.ilike.com/play#Quicksilver...da31a0cd5467da

The growling starts at around 5:00 minutes. There is also some nice vibrato controlled feedback near the very end of the song.

I should remember all of this stuff. When I was 12 or 13 my brother would come home late after a night of partying and put QSM's first album, among others, on the record changer. Within a few minutes he would slip into a drug and alcohol induced stupor and I would be left lying in my bed listening to the records. It often made me mad back then, however, it did expose me to a bunch of cool music that I probably wouldn't have otherwise heard. I guess I'll thank him for that the next time I talk to him.

Thanks, that's it!. Lots of cool instrumental stuff in that song, with just a few hippy-dippy lyrics at the end about love, but it's a nice trippy song. Don't know why I spaced out on the title, but oh well. That one and "Gold and Silver" show the kind of jazzy jams they did. I finally found a remastered CD of the album a few years ago, but I think they could remaster it again with the newer technology to make it even better. Anyway, John Cippolina was for sure one of a kind, and to me he was far ahead of many of the other San Francisco guitar players at the time in terms of style.

Al

[j45]

Originally Posted by roycaster

I guess that picture also reminded me of the fact that the only San Francisco band I ever really got from that era was The Flamin’ Groovies.

Good band but kinda like saying the only band I ever really got out of the British Invasaion era was Duran Duran.

[roycaster]

Originally Posted by j45

Good band but kinda like saying the only band I ever really got out of the British Invasaion era was Duran Duran.

The British Invasion implies the mid sixties, and Duran Duran was formed in ‘78.

The Groovies were formed in ’65 which put them in the same time and place as Quicksilver, the Airplane, and Big Brother. It is just a subtle way of saying that the the limitations of rock and roll are far more interesting then the expanses. All of the horns, extra inlay etc etc just seems like a prequel to the excesses of the 70’s. Don’t get me wrong, museum pieces are fine and dandy and have their place, but I find player pieces far more interesting. But if everybody had the same opinion things would be pretty flat and very boring.

[j45]

Originally Posted by roycaster

The British Invasion implies the mid sixties, and Duran Duran was formed in ‘78.

The Groovies were formed in ’65 which put them in the same time and place as Quicksilver, the Airplane, and Big Brother. It is just a subtle way of saying that the the limitations of rock and roll are far more interesting then the expanses. All of the horns, extra inlay etc etc just seems like a prequel to the excesses of the 70’s. Don’t get me wrong, museum pieces are fine and dandy and have their place, but I find player pieces far more interesting. But if everybody had the same opinion things would be pretty flat and very boring.

I can dig it... not trying to argue, just saying that yes, the Groovies were alive in '67, had instruments and did record something. Nevertheless, they had nothing to do with the SF movement of that time and really didn't 'hit" until the late 70's. The contribution they made to music really didn't come to much later and was ultimately, when they finally became a force more about power pop than the psychedelic jam bands of '67. And yes, my analogy reaches a bit but much like Simon Lebon was also of age and probably starting in music in the late 60's, to say that the Groovies were a legit force in music at that same time as QMS is a reach as well.

I'd also like to be clear that I'm not a big QSM fan either. I do think Cippolina in more ways than one represents Every-Kid-USA at the time he was playing. In the way he played and also with half baked,pipe dream, gear ideas. I knew guys that used to climb the poles at high school football fields to get the broadcast horns down to integrate in their rigs...anything really to try and get loud when you're 15 years old with no money and no gear. I was so desperate to get my little kay amp louder that I took a guard rail from a bunk bed and mounted four little 5" radio Shack car speakers in a row on the the little wooden bars going across, no box...just speakers screwed to the cross bars of a bunk bed guard rail...

His approach to playing really does sound like the best of the local American guitar players you would hear across this country in hippie jam bands on college campuses and flat bed trucks at block parties across the country. Much more so than Clapton or Hendrix. To me he is the essence of what electric guitar sounded like in 1967. It's a very dated style but one that you had to have been there or listened to quite a bit to understand where it is coming from and emulate it.

Cippolina was not a technician in the least but played expressive rhythmic phrases with facility not more than a noodler to my ears. No matter what anyone think of his playing the synchopated vibrato (mixed with frantic trem arm) and slight relaxed swing against the bands straight, jerky pocket is very unique to his playing. Even though I can't make it through listening to much of anything else that they recorded, I place the opening solo on Who Do You Love in the top 20 solos of all time as far as things falling into place rhythmically, melodically, and the speaking-like conversation of phrases that took place. Was it piss-in luck?...judging from a lot of his other playing, probably. But, I think he is well worth a quick but focused study to any student of rock and roll guitar.

...And if I would have had that rig in 1967 I would have been the coolest kid at my school and got lots of chicks.

[mistersnappy]

I kinda dig it. It remids me of Robby Kreigers' Coltrane-esque modal thang. Which I like.

[tooold]

Originally Posted by j45

...And if I would have had that rig in 1967 I would have been the coolest kid at my school and got lots of chicks.

With you on that one...

[D'Mule]

QMS reminds me of every bad 70's movie that I watched as a kid. The movie soundtrack always sounded like QMS on a "bad trip".