To get an authentic electric guitar sound you need to choose your guitar and amplifier very carefully. Certain guitar sounds can only be achieved with a particular guitar and amp. One combination that comes to mind is the Marshall Stack and the Gibson Les Paul. I am going to outline a classic example of this combination which dates back to the late 1950’s early 1960’s, this particular package is extremely valuable and sort after nowadays.
The 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard
The Gibson Leas Paul was first produced around 1958 and the standard version featured a maple top with a sunburst finish, 22 fret fingerboard with crown inlays. It came with two humbucker pickups and a stud tailpiece with height adjustable tune-o-matic bridge. A three way selector switch and two sets of volume and tone knobs are used to control the pickups. In later models the frets were enlarged and the depth of the neck was reduced.
Marshall JTM45
Jim Marshall and Jim Bran produced the first JTM45 amplifiers in 1962. The circuitry of the Fender Bassman influenced the JTM45 but the unusual combination of components produced a sound unlike any other amplifier of that time. Marshall continued to modify and develop this amp until the late 1960’s when it was replaced by the 100 watt head. The speaker cabinet has four 12 inch Celestion G12 speakers and features a sloped front.
Two common effects pedals of the time were the Colorsound Overdrive unit, produced by Sola Sound and the Cry Baby wah wah pedal produced by Jennings.
An example of this expressive, searing and heavy textured sound can be heard by listening to Eric Clapton’s Cream recordings.
Vintage Reissues
To get your hands on the actual guitar and amplifier outlined here would be quite tricky and no doubt very expensive. A number of vintage guitars and amps are available as reissues, in most cases the circuitry and construction would be similar. Some use modern materials, while others sacrifice hardiness and power for pure authenticity.
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