Together, the two have been the key to an unmistakable rock and roll sound created by one of pop music's longest-lasting entities. To read about how he and Tom felt like going to music college while working with Jeff was something that made me smile. We recently caught up with Petty and Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell, with whom Petty has been working since the earliest days of the band. It has two Gibson humbucking pickups and a normal Telecaster pickup in the bridge.". The thing about it was he was on vacation in Hawaii in thereally late 80s early 90s and just happened to walk into a shop and this was hanging th " '64 Firebird lll, His tech is mistaken; it's not a VII. This is the bypass switch for the Whammy. Hes been a co-producer on some of the most successful albums in rock history. Many of your videos are today considered groundbreaking, in retrospect. Wed build tracks up, usually with acoustics, and overdub the other instruments to finish it off. By the end, I think he was overrun! Used on a slew of recordings, Campbell himself mentions the guitar in this September 1999 "Spotlight on a Heartbreaker" interview from the official Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers website. Sometimes, however, youve got to make some radical home improvements before you can house all of them safely. Id like to give it to you.. Product Description To commemorate over 30 years of Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, Duesenberg have along with Mike Campbell created a beautiful signature guitar brings you classic Doozy tones in a hot rodded semi hollow design. And the songs, like American Girl and Breakdown, still hold up. Any particular songs stick in your mind from back then? Well, whatever we were playing at the time, we were usually playing in a video. We used them on the new record. BA1 1UA. Yeah, Heartbreakers records are a democratic process; everybodys got input and its all shuffled around. Well, that was kind of the first rule of that particular video. We had some Fender amplifiers, they made a pretty cool sound. That Excelsior, because they have the green one and other ones, but Nate White, at Fender, when these came out Mike did something with Danny Harrison at A&M and that Green Fender amp was there and he asked about getting it. Mike says your rhythm playing is so solid that it frees him up to concentrate on fills. The truth is, I could do our whole show with one guitar if I wanted to, he admits. Jonathan Horsley has been writing about guitars and guitar culture since 2005, playing them since 1990, and regularly contributes to MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitar World. Watch Mike Campbell show off his epic guitar collection By Jonathan Horsley published April 08, 2022 The Dirty Knobs frontman sits down with Gibson to talk guitars and reveal some of his favourites, from the Runnin' Down A Dream SG Jr to the obligatory '59 Les Paul Standard I don't hear a fuzz on this track. I think I was 16. "I have another one from the mid-60s that I use on Free Fallin, Roger McGuinn-style [a 360 with single, rear binding]. I could play the whole show with a Tele or a Les Paul or an SG. Here he's playing a late-'60s Dan Armstrong lucite model. According to Leilani Laca, Tazzy founder, the major impetus for Mike and Marcie . You cant just walk away from a dot-neck 335 that nice.. Im really proud of those records. The 64 Strat. On those, I used the older vintage acoustics. Most of the record is acoustic-guitar based. $14.24. On the single, Saving Grace. He used a Vox for that for the slide part, and actually I played the rhythm part on it. This time, he quickly snapped it up. Of course, were skipping ahead to the mid 60s, with the Beatles and the Beach Boys and all that. I love the Fender Deluxe, and I play the Vox AC30 quite a bit. Tom Petty &The Heartbreakers 2014 Hypnotic Eye 2 Guitar Picks &. "It was Toms guitar in the early years for quite a while. Yeah, with a 12-string I need a little more room at the end. Well, I finished the semester, but then we started getting gigs and I never went back to school. BA1 1UA. Rockpalast Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (Live) 1999, Andrew Hendryx on a 64 Fender Mandocaster, George Bowen Guitar Summit to Benefit ALS Research, Guitarist/Producer Yates McKendree Shines on Wise, Vinnie Moores Pandemic Musical Inspiration, Seymour Duncan Sails Into VG Hall of Fame. Princeton Volume 7 Treble 7 Bass 3 Speed 1 Intensity 1 Deluxe Tone 9 Do you consider yourself a guitar collector? I was always tuned into the guitar and what the guitar was doing. Pettys third solo album, Highway Companion, was released last month, debuting at #4 on Billboards Top 200 album chart, and he and the Heartbreakers spent the summer on the road in support of it. When did you and Tom first work with Rick? I have a 50-watt Marshall that I really like, a little 60s amp in red. In the Wilburys, you were with Harrison and Dylan. I did take it out to one of the local gigs back when we were doing a soundcheck in LA, and [front of house engineer Robert] Scovill came out and said, Whats that? or Best Offer. "Madison Square Garden is a big deal," he begins, ticking off the most memorable shows of their recent 30-date US tour with an almost childlike enthusiasm. Michael Campbell has a legendary guitar collection, and he keeps it interesting onstage. But it wasnt like Tom had this burning ambition to be the guy. I think it was Denny who said, We should call this Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, because thats what its turning into. It just seemed to evolve. Weve been on the road four years in a row. Mike got us a green one and then we brought it in "The Princeton is probably a '63 or '64. Do you have any specific plans or goals for the Heartbreakers for the next few years other than finishing the various projects? Its a big chunk of work. And then I started to move forward. Finally, theres a mid-60s Gibson SG that Campbells been favoring for this tour after recently digging it out of storage. Also LA, because thats sort of our home town, maybe Chicago and, on this tour, Seattle and Fenway Park in Boston. As we begin our nearly two-hour conversation, Mike Campbell admits that even after more than 40 years as the lead guitarist in the venerable Heartbreakers band, the pressure is still on him. He's got three of them. I used a Telecaster and my Vox teardrop. How about the difference from a listeners perspective? Youre joining this band. And thats where everything changed. Sporting just one pickup and a pair of control knobs, it's the guitar Campbell used for his solo on Petty's classic 1989 tune, Runnin Down a Dream. They still make them, and theyre really good, actually. For more details and to sign up for an alert once it's live, head over to Reverb (opens in new tab). The fuzz is a really unique-sounding, different than anything Ive heard. We were band members again. They wanted me to do a Tom Petty model of that guitar, and I did, though I changed it a bit; I made the neck wider because I always thought the neck was a little cramped at the end. Yeah, it does. I have recently. He uses Jazz III nylon picks, 10s during the week, 9s at the weekend, and shamefully still struggles with rhythm figure one of Van Halens Panama. Ours was the first solidbody one. But the 59, theres just something about it, and I think there is a reason why all those guitar players gravitated towards it. But I do still play from time to time. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Early on, I wasnt buying guitars, because I couldnt afford em! My approach to guitar, I think, is probably a lot like his in terms of fitting into the song and not overplaying. Guitar World is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Mike Campell is the curly-haired guitarist who has been knocking off tasty solos alongside Tom Petty for nearly three decades. Absolutely, yeah. I saw Bruce Springsteen had one and I was telling him I invented that! (laughs). COOL !!! So I feel pressure to be at my best. And weve gone full circle back to using them again. I buy a lot of stuff from him. I finally just threw it in the corner and got an electric Kay. And even years before the Beatles played on Ed Sullivan, your aunt took you to a movie set, where you saw Elvis. Not as much the brown ones I like the piggyback ones. Serial: 2023 The tolex is a bit worn and has a fair amount of tears here and there as well as some dirt. Well, I kinda instigated getting Rick into the fold because one time on tour I got a message that he wanted to know if I had any songs that I would want to give to Mick Jagger, who was working on a solo record at the time. It was playable. "That was my guitar for several years until Tom sat on it and broke the neck off of it". If Im showing the band a new song, its based on rhythm guitar, and they fill in around that. The sunburst 64 Strat youre touring with now and have played for years, is that Mikes guitar? Duesenberg Starplayer TV (best guitar I've owned - awesome!) Campbell should be proud. Im always in awe of him, of his talent. They really throw it out nicely onstage. One side of Campbell's guitar arsenal covers all the bases. First of all, I dont have that much time. Listed for sale on Reverb.com on July 21, 2021. It reminded me of Jerry Garcia. Overview A phenomenal reproduction of a great guitar. "Its in your hands. Bath And which electrics can we hear on the album? Although Campbell wrote and recorded with Tom Petty for over 40 yearsthrough Petty . I think the first good guitar I bought was the 64 Stra Tom is playing on the current tour. I think the record company gave us some money when we first got together, and we bought 10 of these big Vox amps. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. That palm wah is really cool, and the fuzztone in them sounds great. We think somebody wanted it to look like John Lennons, so they had somebody carve that top horn. They're kind of hard to find, but they play really well.. And he just gave it to me. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Well, they all became my dear friends, you know? And theres something to be said for the aesthetic qualities of a bunch of them, as opposed to one. 8,062. I played that right up until Tom sat on it and broke it off, says Campbell. Thank you for reading 5 articles this month*, US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year, UK pricing 2.99 per month or 29.00 per year, Europe pricing 3.49 per month or 34.00 per year, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. But that broke up, and then I saw an ad that said Mudcrutch was looking for a drummer. But he had this great room in a separate building right next to the studio, with ceilings that are 30 feet high, and wood. This is called Little Ricky. To that end, you can find him on Twitter crowing about whatever great new guitar band you need to drop everything to hear right now. Petersen Concert guitar model A 6. I just dont want to have someone damage it or drop it.. So, when I have time to listen to a song and digest where the spaces are and what it might need, the guitar solo will get some thought. The tour includes a headlining show at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 28 and at the UK's Isle of Wight . COOL !!! They know what works to achieve a particular sound, and there's a little bit of room to see what else might be interesting. Chris Biorkman. Nov 3, 2020. Angus Young, Malcom, you know, whatever, it's just solid as a rock. Here are some highlights. There was a whole different viewpoint for me. Adds character. Its kinda out of control (laughs). Its got so much history. The faceplate has a good amount of scratches on i " '67, 375. Thats a beautiful-sounding guitar, too, but its so valuable now that I leave it at home.. And of course in the late 80s you were doing the Wilburys with some of your personal rock heroes George Harrison, Roy Orbison, and Dylan. Well, I do see them as works of art. I just dont like the way they look never really wanted one. Aug 9, 2015 - Mike Campbell's (Tom Petty's Lead Guitarists ) Gator Guitar . Campbell has been of significant play in the Heartbreakers and has been co-writers with petty for many of the band's hit songs. Advertisement. As artists, they have to go on with their career and live with it, while I can produce it and move on to something else. Two other Rickenbacker guitars in his arsenal, however, are never far from reach. Its my main Gibson. On almost every song there was at least one or two acoustic Martins. Rickenbacker 4003 (love this bass) 8. I think Blair is probably is more locked with the drummer, where Howie played more like a guitar player. Rickenbacker makes mandolins, but they look like this: Attached Thumbnails. I have decided to sell some of the nicer pieces.. So I suggested to the drummer from my band, Go try out. And he brought them over to our house and it turned out they had lost their guitar player, so he said, Theres a guy here who plays. So I sat in, and we both joined Mudcrutch that same day. That was a real exciting time. His reluctance, and his clearly busy schedule, leads to an obvious question: with the Heartbreakers on such a high after Hypnotic Eye and a successful tour, how long does he think it will go on? Do you consciously approach the guitar solos differently on different projects? We think whoever had it filed the horn down to make it look like Johns and painted it black. Its kind of a noble pursuit, in a way. The show runs well over an hour, and features more gorgeous guitars than we have time to tell you about, but you can see the whole episode above. On your solo records, do you do most of the bass playing? Its a really good, earthy acoustic sound. Thats one of my favourites as well, but the Broadcaster is the one. No matter what you hit, it sounds beautiful.. For instance, you played Vox Phantom in the video for Refugee.. Meanwhile, I fell in love with Scotty Moores playing. Its the one Ive used the most, and I bought it because Roger McGuinn played one. Do you remember how the concept was pitched to you? Well, hes right up there. Yamaha SG1000 13. I was considering joining the Air Force, so when Tom asked if I wanted to join the band I said, Well, Im in school and Im thinking about signing up for the Air Force. And he said Are you crazy? So I was looking at my options, not really sure what I wanted to do. The Official Mike Campbell Reverb Store is online from Wednesday, July 21. It worked because everyone knew each other, and were hanging out before there was a band. We go inside Mike Campbell's drool-inducing lineup of vintage guitars and amps he brings on the road. 5. But I didnt know any better! Wed love to stay in touch, sign up for The Pick team to contact you with great news, content and offers. I used it on Fooled Again [(I Dont Like It)], Strangered In The Night, even the solo on Listen To Her Heart is doubled on a 12-string with this underneath to make it thick. But theyre also both inspiring in their own way. So what age were you when you asked for a guitar? But we also draw from what weve already done, and we try not to repeat ourselves. Many of the axes he has are used have a one specific purpose, so we'll only be looking at his main guitar, which is the Duesenberg Mike Campbell signature. I tell you one guitar I want to find; Mike has a couple of different Vox guitars that have the built-in repeaters and fuzztones, and a palm wah. $4.99 shipping. Guitarist Mike Campbell spent four decades as Tom Petty's co-captain, co-writing hits like "Refugee," "Runnin' Down a Dream," and "Here Comes My Girl." The Florida-born musician also co-wrote "Boys of Summer" with Don Henley, "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" for Stevie Nicks, produced Roy Orbison, recorded with Bob Dylan, and in 2018, became a . Mike Campbell is also in my opinion one of THE most tasteful guitar player ever alongside George Harrison. And I asked him, Are you high? Of course, I didnt have an acoustic, and was dying to get one. As we wind down, we ask Campbell why he doesnt take to the producers chair more often. I dont know if it was an homage to the guitar, but we thought there should be at least a token instrument. Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs have unveiled a new track from their forthcoming album External Combustion. He came over with Mick it was the first time I met Rick and I gave him a couple of tracks. I like to be able to just pull them out and use them on impulse if I need to. But no, I dont think its the last tour. So I started playing it, and youre right, I played it for years. I want to play good instruments, and I dont have much patience with new instruments. I was about 11 years old, and the music was five or six years past its prime, but I started finding old records. But for recording, I like the smaller Fenders Deluxes and Princetons. But I love em, ya know? Fenders doing a reissue of that Broadcaster. Michael Campbell (Guitar/Harsh vocals) Hail the Sun - Wake. This is really solid and it's for W "It's an original Camel Toe. When I play it on another guitar it sounds okay, but it just doesnt have the same magic". George was the leader, for sure. Holding the groove down and a sense of melody, tone all of those things. You look up after 30 years of being on the road, and youve never done anything else. Well, typically, a Heartbreakers record will be the whole band setting up and tracking at the same time. "The Clipper had one pickup in it; a bass pickup. I like both of those guys a lot. The Dirty Knobs frontman sits down with Gibson to talk guitars and reveal some of his favourites, from the Runnin Down A Dream SG Jr to the obligatory 59 Les Paul Standard. My dad put that all together I didnt have much to do with it. But I liked that book because it had chord diagrams, along with his hands showing how he actually made the chords. Mike has been using a small collection of amps with his rig for a while. I told her that Id seen this guitar, but couldnt afford to get it, and she said, Yeah, Ill buy it for you. Mike Campbell is a personal hero of mine. I havent quite got that far, but I do have a list. As for the infamous Rickenbacker that accompanies Petty on the cover of 1979s Damn The Torpedoes, Campbell says its as important to him as it is to every guitar lover whos stared at it over the years. But I also wont sacrifice [tonal] colour for convenience.. And it included something of an homage to the guitar. Rick said, I got this track of Mikes. He then gave it to Tom, and I dont think he remembered it. Actually, I did form a band before that a three-piece sort of blues-jam band. Heres how it works. Guitarist plays $40 Harley Benton on arena tour, Marshall pedal reissues finally confirmed. I wanna give you my guitar. I thought he was crazy on drugs or something. Its completely different from the 58s and the 60s, different necks, different feel. It was frustrating because it was it didnt have what youd call easy action (laughs)! Tom Petty and Mike Campbell both know what a good guitar sound is, so the guitar sound they end up with is the one they wanted. (November 18, 1999 -- Please note: Mike looked over the questions and answered the ones he could. Theyre not in cases, theyre actually in a hallway where theyre visible and easily accessible. "Sherwood green Strat. He uses Jazz III nylon picks, 10s during the week, 9s at the weekend, and shamefully still struggles with rhythm figure one of Van Halens Panama. Campbell digs into a '67 Rickenbacker 360. Well, I have complete control of a solo album; the democratic process is gone. Mike was pretty happy with the dot-neck Gibson ES-335 he picked up, Yeah, I have one, too I think I have the only black one ever made. And of course Mark Knopfler, who I think sounds like he soaks up a lot of J.J.s thing. He was a huge inspiration to me, and fortunately, I got to be a bit of a friend with him. Yeah, because Id been a bass player before the Heartbreakers, I didnt really have an electric guitar. Its a 67, which I actually bought a couple of tours ago in New Jersey, Campbell says. Is there anything in particular you look for, in terms of collecting acoustic guitars? Thats how I learned how to bend strings, by hearing him do it, slowing it down and thinking, Oh you have to push this down to get the string to make that sound. I learned a lot of phrasing and scales I just love the way he played on that record. But I dont think there were any vintage acoustics, per se. And one day, we looked up and there were hundreds of them! Explore Mike Campbell's incredible vintage guitar 'carousel' in new episode of Gibson TV's The Collection By Jackson Maxwell published April 12, 2022 The Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Fleetwood Mac guitar legend tells the story of his '59 'Burst Les Paul, the '62 SG Junior he played on Runnin' Down a Dream and more "[Out of] all these guitars, [the 'Burst] is the only one I put back in the case when I'm done with it.". Kept in immaculate condition, the guitar was used by Campbell to write the riff for Tom Petty's Good Enough. In 1970, Campbell was two years out of high school and living in. On a lot of records, you hear certain chords, and thats what makes the record, that tone. Ill maybe do a song here and there, but to do a whole album is really taking on their life.. I want to get back and finish those things. Still Thrilled. As soon as I got the guitar and knew a few chords, I tried to write songs, because I didnt know a lot of songs. It's the epitome of picking a niche theme, going all in, and nailing it. Guitar lesson on playing with dynamics and using a motif to build interest into your melodies and improvisations Guitar lesson exploring voice leading, alternate picking and a TrueFire jam track Guitar lesson on using sequences to gain the 'wow' factor and beyond the Pentatonic box Campbell's melodic sensibility and guitar tone have helped to shape the sound of American rock, and there are some super-collectible pieces in his collection. We were out of control!Over the years, Campbell has picked up a laundry list of dream instruments. Released via BMG, the band's latest studio effort is due to land on March 4 this year and was recorded during the Summer months last year. Pick up an astonishing new guitar with this Duesenberg Signature Series Starplayer TV Mike Campbell Guitar at Andertons! "The Garden has always been one of my favourite places. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Thats where the 62 Gibson SG Junior and Runnin Down A Dream comes in It also just goes to show that sometimes you can pickup the best guitars in the weirdest places. I just woke up the other day and realized that I have been collecting guitars and amps my whole life and I just don't have room for a lot of them anymore, said Campbell. From the left side we have "Little Ricky," which is a Rickenbacker-style mandolin with a whammy bar. Product Description To commemorate over 30 years of Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, Duesenberg have along with Mike Campbell created a beautiful signature guitar brings you classic Doozy tones in a hot rodded semi hollow design. MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Other guitars include a 1980s Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty '55 Reissue, bought as a road dog to spare his '56 original, a 1950s Kay Barney Kessel Artist and an Italia Monza with a built-in amplifier. So every lead on those first two records is probably that Broadcaster? So weve got to have a Gibson on this one. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. It looked good and I liked the way it felt and I didnt have a white one.. Or why not treat yourself? But I really concentrated on being I guess, because Id been a bass player, I wanted to play rhythm in a real solid way. Mike from Indianapolis Good interview! (Specs Below). I wasnt playing guitar yet, but I just loved the sound of it, Scotty Moore stuff, and of course Buddy Hollys guitar playing. Campbell reveals to Agnesi that he had been offered a 'Burst for $50,000 in the '80s, but declined, due to the guitar's darker tone conflicting with the trademark jangly and bright sound of the Heartbreakers. So, the next time I talked to Tom, I told him about this guy we might want to work with. Ive only bought things that I actually play. The guy who ran the shop said they had a really ugly one in the back, and then brought out this red, three-pickup Firebird. The first song I ever played on guitar was Baby Let Me Follow You Down. A friend had the Bob Dylan record, and he taught me the chords to that. Ive played on several things over the years with Rick most of his acoustic records, and on the new Johnny Cash record, American V, I played on the whole thing. I just would never part with it.. Was this in the days of strumming chords, or were you picking out the solos at the same time? Great great, I've been waiting a long time for a Premier Guitar rig rundown of Campbell's rig. And Tom pretty much made you join, as opposed to asking you. Oh, and of course Full Moon Fever is one of my favorites the first album we did with Jeff Lynne. I studied it quite a bit at slow speed and tried to figure out what he was doing. We may earn a commission on any affiliated purchases. No, I like em both. I dont really care as long as it comes out good! It's what he plays on 'Free Falling," says Mike Campbell's guitar tech while talking about the Rickenbacker 360 Electric Guitar. And my first acoustic was also given to me it was a Gibson J-45 I got after a gig when some kid came up and said, I loved how you played. . But my favorite Rick is the semi-hollow blond one I played [on The Tonight Show]. Malcolm Young more influential than EVH or Clapton? I use that on American Girl because its got the right tone, and we lowered the key on that song a half step over the years. I love playing with them theyre the best rock and roll band there is, I think. We have an Ovation 12-string that we made into a high-string we took off six regular strings and just kept the high strings its called Nashville tuning. And then, you know, I learned stuff off records, slowing them down to try to hear the guitar parts and stuff. It sounds better than any of your other guitars! I told him I leave it at home but I use it in the studio. How did that happen? Campbell himself mentions the Bassman in this September 1999 "Spotlight on a Heartbreaker" interview from the official Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers website. This is 'Free Falling.' Your parents bought your first guitar, a Stella acoustic. Well, I think that has been exaggerated I think I said that in a very tired moment one day, and its become something thats hounded me all year (laughs)! With more than 80 million albums sold worldwide, and countless anthems from Refugee to American Girl and Free Fallin to Mary Janes Last Dance under their belts, the Rock And Roll Hall Of Famers are in the DNA of an audience that encompasses all ages and walks of life. The series is currently premiering exclusively on TomPetty.com for members of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' Highway Companions Club Plot summary Add synopsis Genre Documentary Parents guide Add content advisory Details Release date Martin SPOM 16 10. And I pulled it out for this tour and said to Tom, Why dont you try this? And he said, Theres the sound. All the other guitars theyre all good, but that guitar just has that tone. Aug-16-2009, 3:58pm #4. Campbell himself mentions the Rat in this September 1999 "Spotlight on a Heartbreaker" interview from the official Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers website. He knows when I come in that its going to be hard for me to walk out without buying something. They do make some good ones, but this was not a good one. I didnt have an idea of playing until I saw the Beatles, and then I thought, This might be something I can do.. I like Wildflowers, which we did with Rick Rubin in 1994, because he was fun to work with. As Campbell reveals to Gibsons Mark Agnesi, his first Gibson was a red triple-pickup Firebird he picked up for a 100 bucks. Mike Campbell Reflects on His Long Career as the Rock Guitarist's Guitarist By Joe Bosso published April 23, 2020 From his 40+ years as Tom Petty's right-hand man to his current roles in Fleetwood Mac and his own group, The Dirty Knobs, Campbell looks back on an incredible career (Image credit: Kevin Scanlon) Well, I get to do a solo record about every 12 years (laughs). On days off, wed go to pawn shops and guitar stores, and buy anything good. And all of those Beatles records always have beautiful solos, with good tone and not much noodling; every note serves a purpose to the song, not to the players. Talk about your red Rick 660/12, the guitar thats very closely associated with you and is pictured on Damn the Torpedoes. So, many of the solos are on a tiny amp in a big room. In your view, what makes a good bass player? There has to be some kind of fuzzbox on the second guitar track. Hed put a little blackface Fender Champ with two microphones out there, and most of the time wed just plug in and move the mics around to find a sweet spot in the room for a particular song.