clashcaster /klæʃˈkɑː.stər/ (noun)
Specifically – Fender guitars, (or DIY replicas thereof) – based on original instruments, used by members of The Clash…)
A couple of my recent project builds have recently found their way into “service” with “Death or Glory – Tribute to The Clash“. Each “tribute” or “replica” build, offers an opportunity for me to competely re-immerse myself in the music, styling and attitude of a particular artist – as I try to discover what led to particular individual details… particular specifications. How, (and sometimes why), the instruments became personalised… What makes them sound the way they did?… That has all naturally led to me re-visiting and researching many key artists, and music from my youth… and, in terms of The Clash in particular… a whole re-listening… re-assessment… almost virtual re-experiencing… of key moments in musical history. Even a chance to look back on my own musical influences, over the years.
All of the necessary research into, sometimes fine physical and technical detail – encounted a natural counterpart in “Death or Glory’s” stated aim as a band… To “recreate the sound of The Clash… the look and feel too – with equipment, stage antics, clothes and attitudes that match their counterparts. Delivering a sound and experience as close to the spirit of The Clash that you will ever see…“. Instead of merely consigning completed instruments to a storage case, (I can’t possibly play all these things at once!…), or hanging them on a wall for display – with these Clash-inspired guitars, I’d also get a chance to see how they matched up to the originals – in terms of real performance. A chance to further test the particular level of “authenticity” I aim for…
I built a first, early, Joe Strummer Telecaster replica – as an experiment, and as a personal gift to a close friend, (and huge Strummer fan). When I revisited the same source of inspiration, some years later – I found a chance to further challenge myself, by specifically customising a replica for use by Sam Smith, (as Joe Strummer) – in the full, “Death or Glory” Clash-context. That, in turn, led to yet more, specific, Strummer research, and other numerous possibilites… But my fascination with all things Fender, together with my own background as a bass player soon led me towards the matter of Paul Simonon’s, (in my mind equally iconic), basses… It’s all very much an ongoing project, and there’s still so much to look at…
With most replica builds – the whole point is to try and produce a finished instrument which attempts to encapsulate some of the elements which, together, reproduce something of the unique patina, and authentic character of the original. To that end – Strummer’s old, battered and worn, ’66 Tele provides a considerable challenge.
With this early attempt at a “tribute” replica – I made my first experiments into relicing, and tried to work out ways to convincingly age a polyester-finished body. Most of the components used were “generic” – (in order to keep costs reasonable) – and the emphasis was on getting a reasonable facsimile of the general, “received image” of Strummer’s immediately recogniseable guitar.
Joe Strummer replica Telecaster (#1)
A replica of Joe Strummer’s Black Telecaster, influenced mainly by the original’s appearance, circa. late 1990’s – (during Strummer’s involvement with the “Mescoleros”). This incorporates the signature “Ignore Alien Orders” and “Trash City” stickers, with heavily reliced finishes – especially to the body and scratchplate – and considerable corrosion to the metal components. Nevertheless – the guitar is built to be resilient and fully playable – with generic pickups wired into a “vintage” type tone circuit.
Joe Strummer replica Telecaster (#2 Baja)
A second replica of Joe Strummer’s Black Telecaster – also mainly influenced by the original’s appearance, circa. late 1990’s. This time round – curating the build process specifically, to follow custom requirements for live use in a true, “Clash context“.
Again – incorporating the signature “Ignore Alien Orders” and “Trash City” stickers, with heavily reliced finishes – especially to the body and scratchplate – and considerable corrosion to the metal components. Additionally the guitar is built to be resilient, reliable, and fully playable in a live context – with all-genuine Fender components where possible. The Fender Custom Shop “Twisted Tele” neck, and “NoCaster ’51” bridge pickups, are wired into a “Baja”-style, 4-way switchable tone circuit, with a Fender S-1 switch.
In planning this particular “tribute build” – a good deal of the initial planning decisions were simply about “getting the look right“. But those, perhaps, more “cosmetic” decisions also have to be balanced alongside “how the instrument actually sounds“, (another crucial layer of perceived “authenticity”).
Most importantly – since, in this case, the instrument will be played in a live “Clash context” – (and not merely hung on a wall as decoration) – consideration needs to be taken for individual player preferences. As such – it’s essentially part “tribute”, part “replica” and part “custom build”.
Currently “on tour” with “Death or Glory – A Tribute to The Clash”
One of a pair of similar Olympic White, Fender Precision basses – this one replicating the stock, 1978 P-bass Simonon used up until the 20th September, 1979.
A heavy ash body, with a reliced, lacquered body, all-maple neck and a “Jackson Pollock” influenced, custom scratchplate – just like the original. All Fender components – period-correct where possible – with the emphasis on visual and sonic authenticity.
Built in conjunction with the “Paul” Precision Bass
Paul Simonon Replica Fender Precision Bass – (#1 “Palladium”)
Pennie Smith’s famous photograph of The Clash’s Paul Simonon, flailing his white Fender Precision into the stage of the Palladium, New York – is about as iconic a Rock and Roll image as they come. As a bass player myself – the instrument itself is an icon.
Whilst I was researching Strummer’s guitars – I found there were so many overlaps, in terms of timeline, and visual styling – that I had to look deeper… The result is a dedicated personal effort to replicate two of Simonon’s key basses:- The “Palladium” instrument, as it was on the night of it’s destruction… together with the bass which would eventually match up, and replace it.
Project in progress…
Joe Strummer Fender Esquire – Olympic White
Strummer’s white, 1959 Fender Esquire evolved considerably, (visually), during the crucial period he relied on it, whilst recording most of the tracks on “London Calling”. Initially decorated with a couple of improvised, “Gaffa” tape racing stripes – at an appearance at The Roxy, Los Angeles – to mark International Worker’s Day, 1980 – he scrawled the slogan, “1st May – Take a Holiday” over the body and scratchplate, with a marker pen.
Although parts of the drawing gradually wore away – more tape, together with a Sandinista-inspired “FSLA” sticker, gradually added to the design. The same guitar would, eventually, be radically re-worked – and it regularly appeared in live shows – right up until the final “Mescoleros” performances.
Since most of the “customisation” involved with this particular replica, involved “stick-on” graphic additions – teh build gave me an opportunity to put together a contemporary, “stock” Fender Esquire, (albeit one custom-assembled, from parts) – and to “style” it accordingly.
Another Clash-inspired guitar, to be used in the “Death or Glory” Clash-context – the added layers of decoration can be cleanly removed, if desired, to leave a “vanilla” instrument, or to restyle in another configuration. Otherwise – emphasis is given to an authentic technical specification – with all genuine Fender components throughout, and a Seymour Duncan “Broadcaster pickup, wired into a “vintage style” Esquire tone circuit.
Currently “on tour” with “Death or Glory – A Tribute to The Clash”
Another Olympic White, Fender Precision basses – this time replicating the replacement P-bass, Simonon used, almost exclusively, from late 1980 onward.
A heavy ash body, with a reliced, lacquered body, black scratchplate and white pickup covers – with a modified, rosewood-boarded Fender Jazz Bass neck – to replicate the original. All Fender components – period-correct where possible – with the emphasis on visual and sonic authenticity.
Built in conjunction with the “Palladium” Precision Bass
Paul Simonon Replica Fender Precision Bass – (#2 “Airborne / Paul”)
Whilst I was researching Strummer’s guitars – I found there were many overlaps with Paul Simonon’s basses. Both in terms of timeline, and visual styling – I had to look deeper… The result is a dedicated personal effort to replicate two of Simonon’s key basses:- The “Palladium” instrument, as it was on the night of it’s destruction… together with the bass which would eventually match up, and replace it…
This, second replica – the “Airborne” or “Paul” bass – eventually replaced the shattered “Palladium” instrument, and went on to become Simonon’s bass of choice, for the rest of his career with The Clash – but also later, with “The Good, The Bad and The Queen” and “Gorillaz”.
Project in progress…
Garageland 