dave robinson wrote:cockroach wrote:Dave
Without wishing to pressure you to betray any confidences, did you ever hear from Roberto what Hank's response was to his theories?
I helped introduce Roberto to Hank with the help of Warren. Roberto pushed a little too hard and Hank duly ended the meeting.
Incidentally I have been playing some early Shads stuff on my Gretsch 6122 and I get closer to the timbre and sound with that on certain tunes than I can with the Strat. Numbers like 'Back Home' ,' Blue Star' and 'Cosy' seem to sound bloody damn close to my ears. I'll never be convinced that Hank didn't use the Gretcsh for the odd recording, as Malcolm Addey said the Gretsch was often present and the red guitars were only seen less frequently. I don't think we'll ever know because I don't think it fits with the story. Tin hat in place.
Thank you for the response Dave...
IIRC, Hank and Bruce were asked by an interviewer about this (around the time of the Final Tour if my memory is correct?) and they both denied it was a Gretsch.
I presume Hank's reaction to Roberto was always likely...after all, Hank and Bruce had always insisted that Hank used the Strat- wasn't it Bruce who insisted when questioned..'I was there!'), and someone arguing that it was a Gretsch (however passionately and sincerely and well researched) could have been construed as calling Hank a liar...so Hank's reaction was probably predictable..
The only other issue I am curious about is regarding the conditions of the Jennings endorsement when they were supplied with and used Fender guitars and Vox amps...were the Shadows contractually obligated to use the JMI supplied gear in public (TV, adverts, live shows etc) thereby requiring the use of endorsed gear...and if so, did that mean that they were not legally obliged to use the JMI gear when recording?