“The thing was beat to shit”: The time My Chemical Romance’s Ray Toro got to play one of Jimi Hendrix’s Strats
Not many guitarists out there have the bragging rights to say they’ve played one of Jimi Hendrix’s guitars, but My Chemical Romance’s Ray Toro can, and the experience, he says, was “mind blowing”.
MCR recently put out a teaser post on Instagram in relation to the 15th anniversary of their 2010 album, Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys. The album turned 15 back in November, but now the band have posted a graphic with the roman numerals XV and the famous spider graphic from the album’s artwork.
In a recently republished 2011 Guitar World interview about the album, Toro and fellow guitarist Frank Iero shared what guitars they were playing at that time, when Toro said he’d managed to get hold of a Strat that once belonged to Hendrix.
READ MORE: “You ain’t gonna hear nothing”: Buddy Guy admits that when he first saw Jimi Hendrix play live he thought he was “too loud” – but the Brits were next level
He said, “I’m still a Les Paul player, but recently I had the chance to play one of Jimi Hendrix’s Strats. Totally mind blowing! This guy, Jimmy, from Mates Rehearsal Studios in California, had one. I had shown up at the studio, and I didn’t have a guitar to play, so Jimmy let me play this Hendrix Strat that he got from Jimi’s old guitar tech.
“The thing was beat to shit, but it was the best-playing guitar ever. I played it for a year – Jimmy let me use it in the studio. Man, I loved that.” He added, “Live, I’m still a Les Paul guy, but playing Jimi Hendrix’s Strat really got me interested in Strats and other guitars. In fact, I’m in desperate search for the ultimate Tele to play. If I can find one, I’m there.”
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In other Hendrix-related news, Marshall is marking 60 years since he first played through one of its amplifiers by launching a unique gear drop featuring three items with designs inspired by Hendrix’s style, sound, and interest in science fiction.
The drop includes a reskinned Acton III Bluetooth speaker, a 1959 JMH Half Stack, and a limited-edition Fuzz Face pedal, all featuring nods to his love of velvet, the jewellery he wore, and his unique sound.
More news about MCR’s Danger Days anniversary celebration is set to arrive imminently. Head over to the My Chemical Romance website for further updates, or to check out their full list of tour dates.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
