Drive Time

This issue, Guitarist’s Tone Lounge meets That Pedal Show as Neville Marten hits the studio for some quality loud-time

Last week (as I write this) I spent a really interesting and enjoyable day over at the That Pedal Show headquarters in Somerset. As I had just reviewed the Murphy Lab Les Paul and ES-335 in this issue, Dave Mead suggested it would be a great idea to see how they sounded when played in anger. And why not try them alongside my own Tom Murphy Les Paul (which Mick Taylor of That Pedal Show has had for the past year), and Mick’s blonde ’58 Custom Shop 335?

I cleared it with Jamie and Mick rang me the day before the shoot to discuss what amp would be a good vehicle for all this noise. He suggested a dual rig, comprising a Marshall 1987x head and 4x12 cab, and a Victory V140 The Super Duchess sitting on a 2x12. He arranged a small ’board of pedals that would provide a sensible array of drives, reverbs and delays – the kind of ‘classic’ sounds at which these guitar models excel. It had been ages since I’d sat in front of a trouser-flappingly loud setup, and I have to say it was an exhilarating experience.

We had no intention of saying which of these instruments was ‘better’, because at that level it’s daft to even think of it. Mick and I both expressed the opinion that my Les Paul sound is not necessarily your Les Paul sound. We all look for different things. He and I prefer the lighter-toned variants over the thick and middle-y ones that many other players prefer.

When it comes to ES-335s, it’s a slightly different story. On my ’63 Cherry Red Reissue I’ve kept the white nylon bridge saddles, as I prefer the softer tone they seem to impart; Mick likes the brighter metal ones. But his ’58 and our review model feature nickel-plated brass ones, which sounded great, making me think I might try a swap.

Anyway, by the time you read this our little video (which Mick very kindly edited into a watchable programme) will be online. Head to the link above to find out more and let us know what you think. Remember, it wasn’t a comparative review with a ‘this one was better’ conclusion, more an appreciation of the fine instruments we were privileged to be able to play.

Strat Chat

Mick told me it was exactly 25 years that we’d known each other, so suggested we film another video, where we discuss our long history and perhaps compare our respective Strats – his famous Sonic Blue one and my Custom Shop Faded Fiesta one. That was fun, too. Mick said mine sounded more “Stratty’, but you’ll have to wait until that’s edited down from the hour and a half we spent nattering.

One slightly strange thing was that, despite having gigged with Mick on countless occasions in bands, duos and trios, and us knowing each other’s styles inside out, I got a bit nervous. Not ‘red light fever’ as such, but a feeling that my confidence had suddenly evaporated – even while I was playing a lick I was thinking, ‘Any second now I’m gonna screw this up,’ which I inevitably did. He, on the other hand, is such a confident player that it was a pleasure to watch him make my Strat sound better than I ever did!

I will say, though, that I’m really pleased that, after years of trading in and trading up, and spending (wasting?) ridiculous amounts of money, I’ve arrived at the best Strat, Les Paul, ES-335 and Tele that I’ve ever owned. Including vintage. Probably. Possibly…

Anyway, do watch the videos, and please let us know what you think. I’ll see you next month.

“It had been ages since I’d sat in front of a trouser-flappingly loud setup, and I have to say it was an exhilarating experience”