Conference napalm::guitar

138.0. "Tom Rush at Symphony Hall" by PISCES::KELLYJ () Mon Dec 29 1986 17:23

I was lucky enough to stage manage Tom Rush's Symphony Hall Concert
    this year.  The most noteworthy player was Bo Diddley...the man
    with the square guitar, ladies and gentlemen!  As a guitar player,
    his axe blew me away.  Made by a luthier in Arkansas named Jim
    Holmes, they are rectangular in shape, with rougly the same thickness
    as a Les Paul.  The neck is very Gibson-like, with the keys split
    three and three.  By far the most unique feature is the built-in
    processor system.  By manipulating a total of nine switches, Bo
    gets distortion, flange, and , most bizarre of all, an envelope
    follower.  Bo says he has three of these instruments at homew in
    Florida, but the original doesn't go out on the road anymore.  
    I played it for about 10 minutes before sound check; it felt and
    sounded like a Les Paul (that needed a diet) when the switches were
    in the 'stock' position.  If you turn the guitar over, there are
    two electronics stuffed with loaded PWB's...reminded me of Phil
    Lesh's Alembic.
    
    Bo cranked the audience right up.  He plays with a somewhat primitive
    sound and the band (second guitar, keys, bass, and drums)supports
    the simple R&B approach.  No layered horn parts for this man!  One
    thing that really got the audience going was a guitar/bass
    'conversation' in which Bo made the guitar talk, supporting the
    story with mannerisms and gestures.  Very hammy and VERY
    effective...the crowd ate it up!
                                                
    Just thought you might like to know.
    
    Regards,
    Johnny Jupiter