Description
Jimmy Page – 1959 Fender Telecaster
About the Guitar
As with all my guitar sculptures, I start by transferring my scale drawing onto a wood base. I make sure to accurately mark out all the features of the guitar; pickups, volume & tone knobs, jack plugs, bridges, fret position, headstock features etc.
I then lay out the outline of the body shape using an appropriate material that best fits the guitar characteristics. For the Fender Telecaster I used heavy weight motorcycle chain to shape the body and headstock.
Furthermore, I have used a common technique of super heating metal and then quenching with motor oil. This results in the rainbow/purple effect on the fret boards and pickups.
The guitar sculpture also comes with its own unique guitar stand. This is specifically tailored to the needs of the guitar with respects to its look, balance and body shape.
About the Artist
James Patrick Page (January 9, 1944)
Rolling Stone magazine described Jimmy Page as “the pontiff of power riffing”. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential guitarists of all time.
Jimmy Page is credited with playing session guitar with bands such as The Kinks, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker and Van Morrison.
In 1964 Jimmy was asked to replace Eric Clapton in The Yardbirds, but he politely declined out of loyalty to his friend. One year later after Eric Clapton had quit The Yardbirds, Jimmy joined the band alongside another guitar legend Jeff Beck.
By 1968 and after various line-up changes, Jimmy Page relaunched the band as the New Yardbirds, with new singer Robert Plant, drummer John Bonham and bass guitarist John Paul Jones. Their sound was darker and more heavy. This sound would become Led Zeppelin.
With hits, such as “Immigrant Song”, “Stairway to Heaven”, “Kashmir”, and “Dazed and Confused”, Led Zeppelin is credited with selling over a reported 300 million records worldwide, becoming the second bestselling band in American history.
Interesting fact – In 1966 Jimmy Page had an idea to form a supergroup alongside Keith Moon and John Entwhistle (both from The Who), however the lack of quality singers and contractual problems put paid to the idea. During this time, Keith Moon suggested to name the band “Lead Zeppelin”, after John Entwhistle commented that the proceedings would take to the air “like a lead balloon”. When Led Zeppelin was eventually formed, the “a” from “Lead” was dropped to avoid mispronunciation.
Equipment Used
Jimmy Page’s trademark 1959 Fender Telecaster guitar was given to him by Jeff Beck of The Yardbirds and was used on the solo of Stairway To Heaven. It was the only guitar the Jimmy Page used to record Led Zeppelin I. Jimmy Page repainted the originally blond Telecaster with dragons, and it became known as the Dragoncaster.
Other guitarists that also made the Gibson Les Paul their guitar of choice include:
Francis Rossi – Status Quo
Rick Parfitt – Status Quo
Jeff Beck – The Yardbirds
Keith Richards – The Rolling Stones
Syd Barrett – Pink Floyd
