I'm thinkin of buying a new guitar soon and I wanted to get one that sounds good on Smiths songs. I already have an acoustic so I'm thinking i might get either an electro/acoustic or electric. My point is that i want the guitar that sounds "jingle jangley" like on This Charming Man and Paint a Vulgar Picture. Is there anybody who knows what guitar Marr used on these songs?
Johnny Marr and his guitar
- Thread starter gaz217
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SouthpawGlamour
Slum Mum Peace Corps
The 'jingly-jangly' sound is most associated with Rickenbacker guitars.
Bassist-In-A-Tutu
New Member
He used a Rickenbacker a lot - 6 string semi accoustic. He also used a Gretch, but you can't allways tell which one he is using on which tracks. I pretty certain, like 99.9% he was using the Ricky on This Cahrming man and Paint a vulgar picture! It's my favourite guitar, and has a very distinctive sound. Another reason I love The Smiths so much.
Unfortunately, Ricky's are usually quite expensive... Have a look on E-bay for an 80's 330/360 there is often something there.
Unfortunately, Ricky's are usually quite expensive... Have a look on E-bay for an 80's 330/360 there is often something there.
SouthpawGlamour
Slum Mum Peace Corps
I would only buy Gibson, Gretsch, Epiphone, anything with P-90s or 100s, so I can be a rockabilly guy
SouthpawGlamour
Slum Mum Peace Corps
The cheapest good guitar I know is the Ibanez Artcore AFS75T, it is considered a 'jazz' guitar, but Marr plays similar guitars, the Gretsch for example. Try one at a shop.
http://www.shanzuguitars.com/guitar-gear/Ibanez-guitars/Ibanez-Artcore-AFS75T.asp
CharethCutestory
Active Member
I'd go telecaster if I was you. The Squier range start at around £130, they're the best budget guitars.
lilikoi posted Johnny Marr interview of 1998 Total Guitar magazine which is very interesting article:
http://forums.morrissey-solo.com/showthread.php?t=68124
http://forums.morrissey-solo.com/showthread.php?t=68124
SouthpawGlamour
Slum Mum Peace Corps
Sir Alec
Anorak
I agree to a point, but I do enjoy Jazzmasters and Telecasters.
Guitars I'd suggest:
Rickenbacker 360
Gibson ES-345
Gibson Les Paul Customs
Gretsch Nashville
Gretsch Chet Atkin's Models
Fender Jazzmaster
CharethCutestory
Active Member
I disagree, what I'd say is that Fender's quality control sucks, all that means is that you should play the actual instrument that you're going to buy before buying it, however I'd say that about any guitar they either "feel right" or they don't. I've got a Fender USA Highway 1 Telecaster in three colour sunburst, it's amazing.
SouthpawGlamour
Slum Mum Peace Corps
All good. But most Fenders are overpriced thin sounding wrecks.
SouthpawGlamour
Slum Mum Peace Corps
Amazing if you want a thin sound, try a real guitar, an archtop with p-90s and hear true tone!
danielearwicker
Re-issued, Re-packaged
Telecaster is a fine first electric guitar and the cheap copies are as good as the "real thing" (because the real thing is nothing special, I've got one). You can get the jangly sound on most electric guitars by picking the strings close to the bridge. You also might want to try a "chorus" effect (Boss do a cheap pedal) but don't overdo it or you'll sound like Bryan Adams.
If you ever can scrape together the money for a Rickenbacker from ebay, go ahead and buy one without hesitation.
If you ever can scrape together the money for a Rickenbacker from ebay, go ahead and buy one without hesitation.
SouthpawGlamour
Slum Mum Peace Corps
the Telecaster is the only good Fender. Yes, they are overpriced and a copy is worthwhile.
CharethCutestory
Active Member
Meh, I disagree, an archtop with P90s is lovely (I have one minus the P90s, with humbuckers) but I don't find them as versatile. A decent Telecaster combined with a Vox amp is my favourite mainstay sound, got to remember that a lot of the tone is in the amp. Telecasters can sound thin, if you want them to, but on a decent one theres a huge amount of tone variance in that little silver dial.
Bassist-In-A-Tutu
New Member
Don't buy a chepo guitar you will be dissapointed. Save up for a Ricky or Grtch youwill thank yourself for it.
There are some very good Japanise copies of Ricky's arround, they come up on ebay occasionally - they were made in the same factory that made Ibanez and Fenders later on I beleive. Thay sound good and are half the price. I'd at least try to play one before parting with your cash though!
There are some very good Japanise copies of Ricky's arround, they come up on ebay occasionally - they were made in the same factory that made Ibanez and Fenders later on I beleive. Thay sound good and are half the price. I'd at least try to play one before parting with your cash though!
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