IN-FLUENCE

There was a time in the history of the electric guitar when new technology was good. Forward-thinkers set about curing all the ‘problems’ of the electric guitars of the 50s and 60s using plastic, metal and laminate wood construction, complex – occasionally modular – electronics, improved locking vibratos, high-output and active pickups. Plenty of designers certainly took the instrument too far and forgot just how good those early designs were. But fast-forward to today and it seems that if a guitar or guitar part – improved or otherwise – strays too far from ‘vintage’, well, we’re just not interested.

“Not only do they look a little more conventional but that third voice means 50 per cent more tone!”

When Fishman entered the electric pickup market in 2014, many such vintage-inspired players and makers probably had a bit