All posts in June 2016

Episode 130- Marco Mendoza (The Dead Daisies, Lynch Mob, Whitesnake and many more) Plus, Robert Tillery from Bent

Go to- http://thedeaddaisies.com

The new Dead Daisies record drops 8/5/16-

Marco

Harvey Thomas Guitars- 500 Words with Adam P Hunt

500 Words Harvey Thomas Guitars

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I love kooky guitars like Vox Phantoms, Burns Bisons, Microfret Orbiters. Bring them on.

I like individualistic builders like Bernie Rico, Doug Irwin, Tony Zemaitis, Andy Beech, Dean Zelinsky, and in this segment of 500 Words, I would like to talk about Harvey Thomas.

Harvey Thomas (1920-1987) was a musician and a machinist from Washington State. After modifying some of his own guitars Thomas decided he could easily make his own. Sometime in the early sixties Thomas made his first prototype guitar.

Thomson’s aesthetic was eccentric, to say the least. Perhaps partly inspired by custom car builder Ed “Big Daddy” Roth (perhaps not) Thomson’s guitars wouldn’t look out of place in a Rat Fink cartoon. Angular, outrageous, gaudy, they perfectly evoke the transitional period from the stuffiness of the 1950’s to the libertine 1960’s.

Ever the businessman Thomas heavily courted the likes of Chet Atkins and Hank Williams Jr. to endorse his guitars.

Even though Thomson wasn’t successful in luring in Atkins or Williams one of his Iron Cross themed guitars wound up in the hands of Mott the Hoople’s Ian Hunter.

It is also reported that Deke Dickerson also owns one of Harvey’s guitars too.

Taking a look of at a Thomson’s catalog one gets the sense of the range of Thomson’s work. Thomson produced semi-hollow bodies, solid bodies, double and triple necks. There are also photos of Thomson playing acoustics and reports of him making guitars covered in raccoon fur.

Sadly there doesn’t appear to be any footage of Harvey Thomas when he was playing a triple neck guitar in his one-man band. However, there is some film footage of him playing a 335-style guitar with a thumb pick.

But other than kitsch value why would you buy a Harvey Thomas? Rarity? Artist affiliation? Nostalgia?

Just buy what you like. Either a Harvey Thomas “Riot King” sets your hair on fire or it doesn’t.

I think they would be great if you were playing in a garage rock psychedelic band like Flamin Groovies, Dead Moon, or The Mummies. I’m sure they would produce a satisfyingly lo-fi sound and would look great on stage.

Part of rock ‘n’ roll is image. When Wilson Picket and Aretha Franklin went to Muscle Shoals studios they were surprised to see that the sessions guys looked like shopkeepers and accountants.

Obviously, that didn’t diminish their chops but you get the idea; rock is a visual medium.

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Apparently Thomas’ guitars have the reputation for being quite playable and have been known to have very hot pickups. While larger companies like Gibson, Fender, and Gretch concentrated on making sure every nut and bolt on their guitars were beautiful Thomas took a very “get it done” approach to guitar building.

So far there doesn’t appear to be much of revival effort to revive Thomas’ guitars so if you want one originals regularly appear on eBay.

Episode 129- Van Wilks- 21st Century Blues

For More Van- http://vanwilks.com

From the New record 21st Century Blues-

Live in Austin Texas-

VAN

Tips, Tricks and Licks #4- Scott Gailor

Break out of the practice rut. Scott helps you think outside the box and find new and meaningful ways to play better.

Want more Scott? http://www.scottgailor.com/new-products/scott-gailor-technicolormonochrome-cd

Episode 128- Adam Lopez “Heartache, Time Takes” Plus Adrian Galysh “Into The Blue”

Telecaster Master Adam Lopez joins us to discuss his latest release For more go to- http://www.adamlopezmusic.com

Check out Adam’s set in Austin Texas when he is joined by the one and only Bill Kirchen
https://www.facebook.com/Guitar.Radio.Show/

Plus, we have the Tone Poet himself back for another visit, Adrian Galysh discusses his latest “Into the Blue” for more go to- http://www.adriangalysh.com

Episode 127- Thomas Van Hoose (Author, Collector and Vintage Guitar Expert)

For more- http://www.vanhoosevintage.com

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Mosrite Guitars- 500 Words with Adam P Hunt

500 Words Mosrite Guitars

Quirky.

Kooky.

And simply weird Mosrite guitars are a thread that unifies country, surf, garage rock, psychedilic and punk.

Guitarists as diverse as Joe Maphis, Tommy Bolin, Jimi Hendrix and Nokie Edwards all used one.

As a young man Bakersfield resident Semi Moseley started playing in an evangelical group and that love of the guitar would lead him to a career as a guitar maker. Moseley initially started working at Rickenbacker under the tutelage of Roger Rossmeisl and would later work with another early electric guitar pioneer Paul Bigsby.
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With a $20 loan from a friend, Raymond Boatright, Semi Moseley started making his own guitars. If you hadn’t guessed by now the name “Mosrite” is combination between both Boatright and Moseley’s last names.

While that knowledge may not score you any points with chicks it may help you get a free drink at a bar.

During Mosrite’s early days both Boatright and Moseley approached guitar wiz Joe Maphis about making him a guitar. Joe said yes and soon Moseley produced Joe’s famous double neck Mosrite.

The early Mosrites were boutique instruments and cost nearly twice as much as a Stratocaster of the same era.

And as you may have long suspected the original Mark I design is based on a Stratocaster that’s been flipped upside down but that’s where the similarities end.

With the Mark I you can see both Roger Rossmeisl’s influence with how the top is curved and with the “zero fret” and the vibrato system is an updated version of a Paul Bigsby design.

In addition to the changes mentioned the Mark I further differentiates itself from the Stratocaster by including a 3 x 3 headstock design and two P-90 inspired pickups.

Mosrite would continue to produce custom guitars most famously (or perhaps infamously) the flower power surfboard series of guitars for Strawberry Alarm Clock.

(Additional triva; members of Strawberry Alarm Clock would go on to form Lynyrd Skynyrd)

A little later the Mark I was joined by the Mark II which would later become closely associated with Johnny Ramone.

At it’s peak Mosrite had a crew of over 100 and produced 1,000 guitars a month.

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But the history of Mosrite is a rocky one with frequent location changes, on and off again production, and even bankruptcy. Perhaps most devastating of all Simie Moseley died in 1992.

Today Mosrite still exists but it’s a matter of debate concerning who exactly owns the rights to produce new Mosrites.

Simile’s daughter, Loretta Moseley, however, still makes Mostrite branded guitars and basses.

For more information please check out http://www.mosrite.us

Episode 126- Marc Ford

For more Marc Ford- http://marcfordmusic.com

Marc Ford