How much does the guitar influence the way you write songs? This is the bypass switch for the Whammy. Rock and roll without it would be kinda sad, wouldnt it? It didnt take long at all because I went in with everything written. I kind of keyed on the last big tour thing. Plus, I was also below the weight limit, so I got a temporary deferment and never got called back. Some were iconic, on his wish list from his earliest days playing the guitar. Ever loyal to their roots, both Petty and Campbell play through very cool looking Vox Super Beatle amps, jazzed up with Echoplex and MXR Dyna Comp. Theyre very sturdy guitars, with a very nice tone. "Ill maybe do a song here and there, but to do a whole album is really taking on their life.. He seems really keen on getting good songs, I said, And, hes got a really cool vibe. So thats how we started working together. The Calhoun V2 is a collaborative signature pedal for legendary guitarist, writer, and producer Mike Campbell. The basic formula for Campbell's amp rig is to crank up some low-watt amps and let the PA do all the heavy lifting. But this is the stuff that he couldnt part with. Tom played it on American Girl and used it for rhythm parts on several albums. She may not be the best cook. Oh, and of course Full Moon Fever is one of my favorites the first album we did with Jeff Lynne. Next is a recent Fender Custom Shop Tele with a B-Bender used as a backup, then a pair of Rickenbacker 12-stringsthe one on the right is used on "Free Fallin." So I made the neck wider, and changed a few cosmetic things put the gold pickup and gold pickguard on the sunburst, which I dont think they were doing. Amps But my favorite Rick is the semi-hollow blond one I played [on The Tonight Show]. Here are some highlights. The guitar carousel in action, he laughs. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). There were some long friendships made there. She . Its the one Ive used the most, and I bought it because Roger McGuinn played one. How did that happen? 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. $11.15 shipping. Reply . I like everything they do. I liked just the sound of it, and the spirit of what they were doing. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). A lot of bands are like that," says Mike Campbell's guitar tech about the Fender Princeton Blackface Amp. For instance, you played Vox Phantom in the video for Refugee.. I think especially the singing sounded really young, Campbell says when we ask him what, after making so many albums, was different this time around. Well, like the best of us, Campbell is a long-term sufferer of Gear Acquisition Syndrome, and they're running out of storage at the Heartbreaker Clubhouse. I just dont like the way they look never really wanted one. Campbell and Petty connected, and he became a member of Mudcrutch, Pettys band at the time who were part of the burgeoning Southern rock scene (and who reunited for an album in 2008). It was a very collaborative we worked together, wrote together, thought things through, and we were even together when we werent playing. Blair has a different kind of tone very clear. I bought this Rickenbacker six-string bass from the 60s. 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. Well, its an interesting record because theres really only three people playing on it me and Tom and Jeff. It's a mandolin with a whammy bar which tells you all you need to know about Mike Campbell. Have you thought about where you sit in the pantheon of rock songwriters? Mentioned in this March 1983 Musician article. 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. Just lays around the house all day doin' nothing. "Then there were certain songs that were done on a 12-string, so you kind of need the 12-string to make those songs sound special. I find it very interesting to see that he runs both the Princeton and the Deluxe clean, and then uses the Camel Toe for overdrive, and apparently the Fender Excelsior for a soloboost. 24) Mark in GA asked: What kind of guitar, pick-ups, amps, any effects pedals, et Campbell himself mentions the Daddy O in this September 1999 "Spotlight on a Heartbreaker" interview from the official Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers website. Then I got my draft notice, took the physical, and failed the hearing test. I dont buy something unless it works, and I can use it. On the subject of television, you, the Heartbreakers, and MTV kind of grew up together, and your early videos are just chock full of the guitars that fans came to know pretty well through the years. It was a wonderful time, and that was a very good band. He was in the Air Force, and hed come home from work, take off his uniform, and put on an Elvis record. "On I Wont Back Down, I have the Gretsch Clipper tuned to an open tuning that I use for that slide part. We just werent ready to make a record. "This '54 Tele - it's a favorite Tele. It was Georges. Theres a 1956 J-200 acoustic guitar, a Gold Top Les Paul Standard with coverless P-90s. To follow the signal path, next are the effects. They're kind of hard to find, but they play really well.. I think when I was a teenager, there were probably dozens I wanted but couldnt afford. Pick your selections. Im very much in love with the early-60s Fenders. Theyre tools, and I look at them like colors or paint brushes; each has a different texture or color, and if thats what you need, only that guitar will make that sound. His favorite 12-string is the Tom Petty solidbody, which we did use on the record quite a bit. Premier Guitar features affiliate links to help support our content. Well, nothings written in stone. I want to play good instruments, and I dont have much patience with new instruments. A variety of things, Martins mostly, and some Gibsons. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, That one is actually owned by Mike. We recently caught up with Petty and Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell, with whom Petty has been working since the earliest days of the band. In terms of bass players in the Heartbreakers, is there a way to compare and contrast the styles of Ron Blair and Howie Epstein? 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. How about the difference from a listeners perspective? This, folks, is living the dream. This article originally appeared in VGs November 2006 issue. 9 #5, published March 2008, Mike Campbell states the following: We love them because we love the Beatles and we assumed that they were using AC30s. So Id like the opportunity to live a somewhat normal life for a while; our life has really been either on the road or in the studio, and very little else. The Collection: Mike Campbell Gibson TV 373K subscribers 519K views 10 months ago #thecollection #gibson #mikecampbell The Dirty Knobs' frontman Mike Campbell's unique approach to. Its funny my original 1950 Broadcaster and 64 Stratocaster I always go back to them or it might just be the one I bought this year! BA1 1UA. "That was my guitar for several years until Tom sat on it and broke the neck off of it. I can see it coming down to fewer shows. But if I had a choice, Id probably use my old D-28. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers guitarist and Petty songwriting partner Mike Campbell was recently on tour in Australasia with the new version of Fleetwood Mac, proving to the doubters that the Neil Finn/Mike Campbell combination works a treat as Lindsey Buckingham's replacement. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, 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? Martin SPOM 16 10. Once we started making money, we were just buying them left and right. Those were the only acoustics we used, and they sound beautiful. Amongst his peers today, Petty is revered. Campbell relies on a rare Dunlop Camel Toe for his distortion, a Line 6 DL-4, the Green Meanie switch (which brings his Fender Excelsior amp in and out), a DigiTech Whammy II, Line 6 MM-4, a custom switch for his 1962 reissue Fender reverb tank, a Boss RC-30, and a Boss TU-2 tuner. All those bands that broke up far earlier than we did, or all those bands that are still together but just hate each other thats not us. Guitars, amps, it's all about tone. or Best Offer. That was a nice feeling, like nobody was carrying the whole load. Well, I dont know its over 100, and theyre all really good ones. The acoustics were all Martins the Tom Petty signature models which we had just got. Bath I think I was 16. caniki Additional comment actions. Pictured here is a sort of reissue Firebird V. On pgs. 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. , A Guide to Essential Effects Plugins for Your Home Studio, ESP Announces LTD Kirk Hammett Signature Series KH-V, Epiphone Introduces the 1958 Korina Flying V and Explorer, Building a Pro-Level Home-Studio Mic Closet. 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. One of Campbells most prized guitars in his collection is a white Firebird signed by the doyen of white Firebirds Johnny Winter, and by legendary jazz drummer Philly Joe for good measure. I got it in Florida for $200, which I did not have at the time, but a friend of a friend had been in an automobile accident and got a settlement, so she had some extra money. 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. Thanks a lot! Do you have any specific plans or goals for the Heartbreakers for the next few years other than finishing the various projects? Im told your guitar collection includes a Rickenbacker that has so far avoided full identification. It's what he plays on 'Free Falling," says Mike Campbell's guitar tech while talking about the Rickenbacker 360 Electric Guitar. Back in the day, Campbell and Petty used to pair up with the Firebirds. Were you paying attention to guitar tones, or more focused on sounding good as a group? Those few years of collaboration really made me come back to the band with a more experienced, wider scale of music to work with. And speaking of reverence, one listen to Petty and Campbell as they discuss vintage guitars and amps, and its obvious these are two guys who make no bones about what has inspired them. Nobody else wanted to do it (laughs)! In Mudcrutch, you were the bass player. SPONSORED. And I think its really a great group of songs. They were thinking maybe youd like to play guitar on it. Well, the idea scared the s*** out of me, but I went down to the studio with my little Marshall, set it up, and they put the track on. Mike Campell is the curly-haired guitarist who has been knocking off tasty solos alongside Tom Petty for nearly three decades. Once I learned the chords, I graduated to melodies and lead guitar parts, and tried to pick up them off the records. I just like to step out every decade or so. Its been a while since Ive done that, because I realised its really a lot of work, Campbell says with a laugh, though hes clearly serious about his work ethic. Did you hold your finger on the label as it would spin? You guys are doing Handle With Care on this tour. Campbell should be proud. Campbell's guitar tech, Steve Winstead, walks us through every guitar, amp, and pedal and lets us in on Campbell's time-tested formula for great tone. They laughed at me when I walked in and played it, but once I played Johnny B Goode, they quit laughing.. All those albums probably had a whole bunch of guitar licks or guitar parts that jumped out at you? It makes a beautiful sound. Its kind of a Butterscotch Tele. Adds character. God, let me think Were on this quest to find another bass as good as this Hfner Club weve got. Yeah, its about time, you know? Call us at 800-449-9128. It was an f-hole model and it wasnt a good one. SPONSORED. But besides that, he was an incredible bass . Check these guitars out and more in the video above, where you will also find proof if needed that often all you need from a guitar is a single pickup and a slab of mahogany to create music history. Starting with guys who are alive; J.J. Cale has always been an inspiration to me. And no episode of The Collection would be complete without the obligatory 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard the Holy Grail guitar. They made a thousand of them, then kept making them, but without calling them Tom Petty models. CAMPBELL! But I also wont sacrifice [tonal] colour for convenience.. Weaned on Elvis, Johnny Cash and the Beatles, he liked the bright jangle of Rickenbackers and used a Fender Broadcaster in the early days. "They said it was the next guitar off the assembly line after George Harrisons", Thats my original 12-string, he explains. Itd be okay. "Its in your hands. Like Neo., See Eric Clapton make a surprise guest appearance with Jerry Douglas to pay tribute to Jeff Beck and play While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Larry Carlton demos his $641 Sire signature guitar, Nuno Bettencourt explains his secret to playing difficult guitar solos it involves getting his leg up, Music meets gaming in the Beat Machine, the world's first music-making arcade machine. The North East has been good to me! Yeah, absolutely Carl Wilson was absolutely an influence. It reminded me of Jerry Garcia. He plays it pretty much in the set. He came over with Mick it was the first time I met Rick and I gave him a couple of tracks. But I did my best, and I didnt really think it was very good. And of course, the Broadcaster I used on the first two albums, I still use. It was the first one where we broke away from lip-synching altogether. Well, I thought it was kind of a strange call, but interesting. Benmont played a lot of keyboards on it. On a lot of records, you hear certain chords, and thats what makes the record, that tone. The afternoon after the emotional interview at his house, Campbell is at an enormous soundstage at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California. As we wind down, we ask Campbell why he doesnt take to the producers chair more often. There has to be some kind of fuzzbox on the second guitar track. But I dont really buy anything unless I think Im going to use it. His favourite 12-string at the moment is also, of course, a Rickenbacker. But it was a very hard guitar to play. I think its a Supro, but dont know the model it was just some weird-looking thing (laughs). Heres how it works. This guitar looks like the tail of a 1959 Cadillac. Mike Campbell is a personal hero of mine. So I thought, Well, okay. I don't hear a fuzz on this track. And Ive always bought one whenever I had the money. Ive bought many guitars from him, and a lot from Norm Harris. And because it was a friendly situation, it didnt feel intimidating at all? I got it for $120. Its kind of a noble pursuit, in a way. Or this sound has to be a Les Paul because its got that warm crunch, and nothing else will do it. This is where the tornado sequence for The. I try not to (chuckles) because thatll wear you out. For many years, tours were also guitar hunts. But there was no specific discussion when we came to make Hypnotic Eye that were going to draw from a specific part of the well, because each song just comes in from wherever it comes. In the Wilburys, you were with Harrison and Dylan. Yeah, Breakdown, American Girl, I Need to Know a lot of those solos and rhythm parts were on that Broadcaster. My dad was on tour in Okinawa and sent me a $60 Goya electric six-string, he tells us. Guitars Well, they all make a different sound, you know? I studied it quite a bit at slow speed and tried to figure out what he was doing. It was just perfect. 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. Guitar Center 1.03M subscribers Mike Campbell's guitar playing and songwriting come from a place of joy from his long career with Tom Petty & The Heartbreaks, to joining Fleetwood Mac in. As the setlist starts to take shape, though, I try to minimise the number of guitar changes as much as I can. Just paring it down to a song and a story. But no, I dont think its the last tour. Bath So I always use that guitar on that song. Its a really good, earthy acoustic sound. What are you waiting for. 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. I met him years later and told him I had that book, and he said, Really? All Mike Campbell Photos: Andy Tennille. Heres how it works. Yeah, well is was back in days of the Vietnam draft, and I had drawn a really low number, so I knew I was going to be called if I dropped out. Note: Epstein replaced Blair in 1982, and passed away in 2003. Its a big chunk of work. Own a piece of Heartbreakers history as Campbell clears out some super-collectable guitars, amps and effects. R "Rich Robinson had this out, or had a new Mason from Duesenberg. So it has the same wiring and sound as Georges. We grew up doing this (laughs)! Next, the video moves onto a '80s - '90s-era white Firebird V Campbell picked up while on tour with Fleetwood Mac. 3-4 of this interview in Tone Quest Report Vol. All rights reserved. Those are our main ones. Theres so many. Whose idea was it? I didnt have an idea of playing until I saw the Beatles, and then I thought, This might be something I can do.. A pair of 50s Teles follows those as well as a Gretsch 6186 Clipper tuned to open-G for "I Won't Back Down." It saw plenty action, too, before meeting an untimely end. Its also a very quick way of working Highway Companion was three months. Maybe a cranked Princeton or Deluxe? 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. Together, the two have been the key to an unmistakable rock and roll sound created by one of pop musics longest-lasting entities. Together, the two have been the key to an unmistakable rock and roll sound created by one of pop music's longest-lasting entities. 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. That guitar has the tone. But thats how I hooked up with Rick, and the good thing about working with him is that wed just done a couple of records with Jeff, which is a really fun process, but is a lot of building tracks as opposed to playing rock. And maybe I learned a couple of other Dylan songs. "I believe strongly that you just take whatever the gift has given you that day. Love all those guys. But I havent been able to find one. If Im going to produce something, Im trying to make it the biggest hit Ive ever made. Mike Campbell Roles Guitarist Genres Rock Pop Groups Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Fleetwood Mac show all ALL 84 Guitars 32 Amplifiers 12 Effects Pedals 22 Studio Equipment 8 World Instruments 2 Cables 1 Microphones 3 Strings 1 Bass Guitars 1 Studio Monitors 2 Sort by: Most Relevant Hide incorrect submissions All rights reserved. I havent quite got that far, but I do have a list. The stuff no one in their right mind would part with, and it offers a fascinating perspective from which to trace the career of a guitarist and producer who has worked with Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, Don Henley, and now of course fronts The Dirty Knobs. And speaking of the Heartbreakers as a band, in the 80s you guys backed Bob Dylan. Im not sure what year that is, exactly, but its late-70s model. In this source video Mike Campbell is playing a Rickenbacker 325 Capri in black. It has two Gibson humbucking pickups and a normal Telecaster pickup in the bridge.". And I said, You gotta get this! The sound textures. Get the latest and greatest Guitar news with one of our guitar magazine subscriptions. Ive only bought things that I actually play. Its so good. So in my spare time, I would just try to invent them. Tom Petty &The Heartbreakers 2014 Hypnotic Eye 2 Guitar Picks &. Which contemporary guitarists grab your attention? I was telling somebody the other day, the only place I feel pressure when we tour is the Garden. This is really solid and it's for W "It's an original Camel Toe. Two other Rickenbacker guitars in his arsenal, however, are never far from reach.