Desert Island Guitars

Following my last blog when I chose my favourite crime novels, I decided to do the same with my other passion – guitars.

I had a bit of fun on Twitter recently when I asked some people if they could have any other guitarist’s guitar, which and whose would they pick. I got some replies from known guitarists, including James Grant (Love and Money), who is my favourite singer/songwriter and Lloyd Cole.

I then decided to ask five crime writers whom I admire (some who I knew played guitar) and was delighted that they all responded.

Ian Rankin chose Tiny Tim’s ukulele.

Mark Billingham chose Elvis Costello’s Fender Jazzmaster.

Steve Cavanagh chose Jimi Hendrix’s Fender Stratocaster from Woodstock (because it would be worth a fortune)

Luca Veste chose Matt Bellamy’s Manson guitar in red.

Stuart Neville chose a 1959 Les Paul (either Billy Gibbons’ Pearly Gates or Bernie Marsden’s The Beast).

So, would I agree with any of the choices? In no particular order here it is – 

1 – Jimi Hendrix’s Fender Stratocaster. Yes, I agree with Steve Cavanagh on this one, but for the guitar itself rather than the monetary value ($2m when last sold).

2 – Jimmy Page’s Gibson SG Double Neck. Also the choice of James Grant and a good way to get 2 for the price of one. Would also give me a 12 string guitar to play with.

3 – David Gilmour’s Fender Stratocaster serial number 0001. He sold this recently at a charity auction, however, it is a guitar with great history and it would always be good to have a back up Stratocaster.

4 – Bruce Springsteen’s Fender Esquire/Telecaster. Another guitar with a lot of history, this is the guitar of the cover of his Born to Run album.

5 – Bruce John Dickinson’s 1978 Gibson Les Paul ‘Blackfish’. The guitarist of rock band ‘The Little Angels’, I always loved the detail carved into this guitar and the sound is fantastic.

6 – James Grant’s Gibson SJ-200 Acoustic. I would have to have an acoustic guitar and I actually bought the Epiphone equivalent of this guitar because James plays this and I am sure the Gibson will sound so much better than mine.

7 – Phil Collin’s Jackson Dinky Dracula. Def Leppard were one of the first rock bands I got into as a kid and I loved this guitar which Phil used on the Hysteria tour. Known for its low action, this guitar may help improve my playing. Or maybe not!

8 – Angus Young’s Gibson SG. Great guitar player, great showman and someone who makes playing the guitar seem effortless. If I was to have an SG, it would have to be his.

Hope you enjoyed the blog, I’m off now to dream of which one to play first…