New to me Gretsch

[Cagey]

I'm sure you're right. People wanna play what their heroes play, so they can sound like their heroes.

Unfortunately, that trick never works. But, it's counter-intuitive, so the behavior continues.

There's a story about Ted Nugent being present at a Van Halen sound check, and wanting to try out Eddie's rig. He was somewhat surprised that he didn't sound like Eddie at all, and wanted to know what secret sfx weren't turned on. Eddie told him he was playing exactly what was going to be used that night, nothing missing.

Ol' terrible Ted was no slouch on guitar and had been at it for longer than Eddie, so I question whether he'd be "surprised" at the result, but I don't doubt the scenario took place.

I know myself I've been trying for years to make a Les Paul sound good, and have never been able to do it. At the same time, I've covered lotsa tunes pretty accurately using a variety of other guitars that "shouldn't" work. The LP just doesn't like me  :laughing7:

 

[Seamas]

It is interesting though.
At some point in '66 -/67 a shift happened (in a million ways). Prior to that, you are seeing all sorts of variation of guitars being played by the British Invasion guys. Rickenbackers, Gretches, a Vox here and there. Almost no one payed a Strat or Les Paul. (Townshend preferred the Ricks, but saw advantages in Fenders because he could smash them and rebuild them easier than other guitars).

Then BOOM! No one seemed to play anything other than Strats, Les Pauls, Telecasters SGs and es335s. and it seemed to stay that way until the 80s.

 

[Cagey]

May have had something to do with pseudo-sponsorships. No big noisy deal, just "we'll provide the gear with no strings attached if you'll use it." Might have even been some NDAs involved, lest things smell funny should the MSM get hold of the story.

 

[stratamania]

That is because, in Britain, there were not that many Fenders around, to begin with.

The first one was imported by (now) Sir Cliff Richard for his guitarist Hank Marvin.

Then after Hendrix lots of folks started to use them.