Darrel Higham talks and plays through his Gibson, Gretsch, Peavey and Watkins guitars and amps

Rockabilly guitar star talks gear
Gear demos playlist: goo.gl/30cAf Subscribe for more from Guitarist: goo.gl/2PRXE
The rockabilly dynamo behind Imelda May's sound sits down with Guitarist to show us his array of super-cool Gibson, Peavey, Gretsch and Watkins gear. For much more from Darrel, check out Guitarist issue 375, on sale now in print and digital forms.
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[@SuperOlds88]

If I owned a guitar company this is the first guy I would want to endorse my product. A real genuine gentleman.

[@justrockon426]

yes he will change the pickups, refinish it and and sand down the neck. what a dream! XD

[@quirkwoods]

Most underrated British rockabilly guitarist I've ever heard, this guy is the real deal!

[@old65rocker]

What a wonderful 16 minutes of guitar history told by a very underated artist.

[@rogerturner5504]

He just comes across as one of the nicest men on the planet. There has to be something seriously wrong with the mind of someone that would give this positive little video a thumbs-down and, for that matter, someone who would steal a musician's instrument!

[@advancedbookmaptradinggroup]

Was hoping for some Scotty Moore picking on the ES and Cochran riffing on the Gretsch and you didn't disappoint!

[@Blaydrnnnr]

Darrel's a class act no doubt. Always willing to talk and chat about guitars and music, and really knows his stuff about past legends and the history of rockabilly. Great guy, VERY talented, one of the most underrated or at least, under appreciated git players out there. He and Setzer really inspire me. Even after all these years. If you like his playing, check out Darrel and his wife, Imelda in their band, Imelda May do their thing. Seriously hot rockabilly rock n roll baby!!

[@aerial_camera_video_imaging]

I've met Darrel a good few times and he is a wonderful person. Such a great guy and brilliant musician.

[@JohnnyBgood548]

This guy is a class act and wow can he play! Beautiful guitars and watching him play is truly a pleasure!

[@normanjohnson7446]

Darrel, you are off the hook! I am totally inspired by your playing and attitude. Keep up the outstanding work! I learn something each time I watch your videos.

[@Simpleton.6644]

Wow! he didnt even mention the beautiful Gretsch White Falcon sitting in the back, what a great guitar that is.......

[@FyodorD]

Dig hearing people talk so articulately about their guitars. Great playing and stories along with the pieces.

[@aquabot]

That ES-295 is simply gorgeous.

[@groovyhippie1165]

This was awesome! I loved hearing the stories behind those amazing guitars.

[@stevesagar6942]

My uncle Richard Harding (The Cresters) was playing Goofing around and the lead solo from Rock around the clock Francis "Franny" Beecher at the age of 14 in the 1950s. My father was the lead singer of the band. Richard is still alive and still plays hopelessly great rock and roll guitar as it should be played. I enjoyed listening to you play. Thank you.

[@visual33]

Great musician, great guy, I could listen to him talk and play all night.

[@mikebrookfield]

Thanks for this..Darrel is a legend...great to see him doing so well.

[@rukusband]

Great Darrel , Always Enjoy watching Your Tutorials . Thanks

[@davidmcque627]

Nice one Darrel, I am a Telecaster man myself but I love those big old 50's semi acoustics. Great sound.

[@rodolfolarrea8493]

Darrel is talented guitar player and singer and very nice chap ... great to see him in Guitarist

[@keithcarter9396]

Great video I found it very informative. Darryl is a slicker guitar player than I was aware of. I do love his solo on Imeldas's Tainted Love.

[@soundknight]

Awesome interview

[@snerper]

Guitars stolen, wife stolen, feck me Darrel you are unlucky in some ways, but absolutely brilliant in the way you play guitar! One of my favourite guitarists!

[@wickedcrypto6004]

Wow love his expression of the 6120. The world is seems to be a better place when you have the privilege to grab your hands on this guitar.

[@teddyleather9079]

great vid... i have an es295 early 90's with the bigsby and i wore that baby out!! my original 1956 gretsch vixed bigsby still sounded the best w/ de armonds . two greasy thumbs up!!

[@SuperWillie0]

Very nice description of his gear

[@domrh1]

This great & a lovely fella to boot

[@brockpeterson1497]

Beautiful! Sounds great!

[@MyVignoni]

Charlie Watkins of WEM fame the grandfather/father of big rig PA systems. Originator of the world famous 'Copicat' echo unit and other inventions. A wonderful unassuming man whom I love to bits, who had my accordions made for me by Vignoni of Italy. He supplied the sound systems for all the biggest groups in the 60's and 70's. Isle of Wight festivals, Stones in the Park etc etc. Should have been Knighted for his contribution to music. 91 years old 2014.

[@Barracuda007]

Gretsch should do a signature model for Darrel methinks!

[@davidallen346]

Someone offer me the Gretsch Eddie Cochran guitar for 2 grands from Reverb.com during the Covid season of course I don't have the money to buy it

[@m00nsplitter72]

Beautifully clean technique and lovely guitars. I'm always disheartened to hear of players' guitars being stolen and cannot perceive the rationale of someone inclined to theft, especially not of something that someone's art and livelyhood depends on.

[@rarerockk]

Darrel Higham is one of the greatest guitarists!

[@speakertreatz]

fantastic, thanks for uploading :)

[@housecraig]

I'd be speechless if i sold a guitar on ebay and Darrel Higham turned up to collect it.

[@VintagesingerclairelouiseUk]

I love how they all sound so different

[@alangoldstein6767]

I love my Gretsch hollow body and Peavey Classic 30.

[@JohnnyFriendly]

A really cool articulate guy. Dug this.

[@champ10ns08]

What piece of music does Darrel play on his ES 295 from 4:12 into the video? It is cool as. Sliding from the A up to the F9 down one fret to the E9 and then down to the A on the fifth.. Love it. This man can play!

[@blondegretsch]

Toujours un plaisir de te voir jouer sur de superbes guitare Darrel . Mes meilleurs pour l'année 2014 à toi et à Imelda May et à ta petite fille . Always a pleasure to see you play great guitar Darrel. My best for 2014 to you and Imelda May and your little girl.

[@yuliboevatser7955]

Ummmm Darrel. I am a bit disappointed you did not mention or play that White Falcon I can see in the back. To me the White Falcon is THE Guitar. One day I am going to have 4k to spare and you can bet I'm gonna buy me a Gretsch White Falcon!!! On the other hand, you have some amazing chops, man. God bless you and keeps your hands healthy.

[@andre-michelgoulet6933]

Such a gentleman, that's a musician you can really look up to. Great taste in instruments too. Now, if I was getting all these expensive gits stolen all the time, I might be inclined to keep them chained down, or at least plant GPS trackers in the body cavity or something...

[@somdoquarto]

What a nice idea, great!

[@James-hb6ee]

Nice guy and that was some tasty rockabilly!

[@crazyade9556]

One of those Peavy's just popped up for 450 euro's and I so want a semi in the Rock n Roll genre

[@desy2478]

Hi. I have the Electromatic version of that Gretsch and I'm looking for advice on an amp. I play mostly in the house but might get into some jam sessions. I'd like a retro sound and I play a very varied selection of music but mainly 60's and rock, blues, indie. Thanks.

[@auntjenifer7774]

That Peavey guitar he played sounded way way more powerful than all the others he played !

[@ricomarcetti6040]

Thank you, this video was wonderful! By far, the Gretsch sound the best, but I'm biased!

[@Elvis20101]

Thank you

[@thechetpicker]

Any problems with feedback with the hollow bodies Darrel? Any tips? James

[@paulwhiting1648]

Hi Darrel I have just brought a Peavey Rockingham can you please recommend a cheap amp and delay pedal for original 50s Rockabilly sound?

[@Jeremy-yr8yg]

Darrel is just cool!!

[@jimmypinch]

That Rockingham sounds good

[@rpmblues7018]

Nice gear and great playin...

[@5150show]

Amazing guitar player

[@markashdown1314]

Great player.

[@HMJohnsonGuitar]

Very cool video!

[@johnwedeles5384]

Are those flatwounds on the first Gibson?

[@philgarwood4712]

Great great player

[@Zavilk]

どのギターも素晴らしいですね。 文句のつけようがない。

[@Trombonology]

Excellent!

[@strayanvoyager1373]

CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHAT SONG IS PLAYED AT 4:12 PRETTY PLEASEEEEEEEE?

[@MrCopperthwaite]

No man should have two Gretsches until every man has one! ...arf arf

[@frankkrank3970]

and no man can eat 50 eggs!

[@kewldude72]

Have my one G 5421..........love it!!

[@kevintarry9090]

Great guy keep rockin mate.all best .kev tarry Croydon ted.😊😊😊😊😊

[@cyberprimate]

Why a Dynasonic in the bridge and not a P90 as well?

[@issarakoat]

Awesome!!!

[@fivethumbsfrank]

I like this guy.

[@alexgordonepic]

very cool dude

[@nighthawk6298]

Superb!

[@markanthony653]

Daryl are you kidding that's one of the most beautiful gold tops I've ever seen I filled my pants when I saw that, OMG

[@davewoodley3716]

I had an original Watkins Dominator 17 watt amplifier in 1965. I got it for £25. I didn't like the turquoise/ cream livery, so I carefully sprayed it satin black. I sold it in 1970, so somebody out there may still have it.

[@mechanicalapple]

legend!!

[@vicke9210]

Can't say anything bad about this; the guy is a genius!

[@Patsik]

3:01 I have one from 1990. Don't know the difference between the early and later versions either. :) I'm not even sure what mine is named originaly? Historic? Reissue? Or what? How can you play a fixed arm Bigsby? I'd hit it all the time while strumming. Acces to your pot meters must be a pain too.

[@fedup3449]

Well he played Ronnie Scotts with Jeff Beck. What more do you want to know about him without prying?

[@monstersince]

my sister wont let me buy a Gretsch until i sell some of the strats. beautiful tone lovely purchase. suits you well sir

[@eeyunopper1050]

"and that is why I don't eat pork pies...". What a great bloke..

[@johnnyfrisco5354]

For a few seconds I didn't get this... then it twigged and made me laugh... very funny

[@Santaheckler]

That ES295 is the best of the lot from my perspective! 🤓

[@sb-vy8cw]

When discussing the Watkins amp you can see the headstock of a Danelectro Dead on 67 guitar. Why didn't he show that! 😣

[@davitofarito]

I love Bigsbys, but I'm not sure I would like a fixed arm.

[@bubbabigschlong6277]

I'm glad U can afford something like this cause I sure can't. It is a nice guitar though but personally, I would have got either a cherry red or black.

[@atomicflash1753]

I have a 1951 bacon Belmont blonde maple made by gretsch it's the same as the gretsch electromatic of that year with 2 DeArmond pickups.. fat neck..has a heavy warm tone to it but it lower strings are a little muddy , not getting the twang I want out of it.

[@MrTupeloFlash]

4:51 - yes the greatest guitar ever made & played

[@Kylerjguitar]

What is that technique he uses around 4:20?

[@Twangabilly]

Basically a combination of a 3 string banjo style roll along with a walking bass line in A

[@The170460]

Darrel is the best

[@kemalnottaturk2500]

How much would you have to pay Steve Stern to get gun and arrow on a Western?

[@36richard1]

That Rockingham really has that wicked Eddie Cochran vibe! And quite getting your guitars stolen!

[@darumaleo]

nice video

[@insaneshane2049]

Stick a tracking device inside the f holes of your guitars! 😂 Great video. Keep up the good work.

[@TheWGLOVER]

Darrel is addictive.

[@zoofeather]

Wonderful how Mr. Higham relates to his guitars like beautiful women….the touch, the feel, the look, that one of a kind and the heartbreak if to lose….

[@linclink]

Darrel, you are breaking my heart... sell off a couple of the guitars you love less & get a spare Cochran 6120 to take on the road Brother!!! Problem solved, solution lived forward!!! But I understand, having a guitar stolen is a terrible trauma to go through... and a terrible fear of mine, I practically keep them glued to me when playing out... I lost all of mine once, when I had to sell all instruments once (2 6-strings, an acoustic, an electric 12, bass, drums & keyboard) back around 2000/2001... Tragedy struck after I left NYC & an injury knocked me out of work & I lost my ability to play (pretty much at all) for a couple of years... happily, everything has come back around- playing better than ever & all the instruments have some back to to me & then some indeed (many, many times over what I once had... ( including a Gretsch 6120DC, my preferred Gretsch... had a 6120 I just didn't bond with... might try one again in the future, but it'll be my second Gretsch, as the 6120DC is THE Gretsch for me... love the Billy Bo Thunderbird a lot too... not to mention the Country Gentlemen and the Black & White Falcons... but I, happily digress... )...

[@AthelstanEngland]

He's a Bedford lad like me, he's got an Epiphone ES-295 like me.... unfortunately the comparison stops there!

[@-_AjB_-]

"that's why I know longer eat pork pies" Brilliant

[@rgjmce666]

Not a rockabilly fan at all but still fun to watch.

[@habitualmasticator]

Mr. Imelda May is the luckiest bastard on the face of the earth.

[@neorich59]

Oh, I don't know. I'd say that Mrs Imelda May is the luckiest bastard on the face of the earth. He's very tasty and very talented, but then, so is she.. What a team and totally down to earth with it. Love them both :O)

[@bartonseagrave9605]

When he said his guitar got stolen in Melton Mowbrey I thought of food, chefs, Gino D'Acampo. I have no logical explanation why.

[@googo151]

GRETCH 6120 EDDIE COCHRAN VOS. P90 AND FILTERTRON PICK UP.

[@gretscher]

Beautiful guitar. Must have cost him a lot of money to have it stripped down from sunburst to natural and then put in those pickups. Those pickups are about $250 a piece. Really nice.

[@bigjohn75]

does any body model the peavey is ?

[@pinkio2]

It's a Peavey 'Delta Blues' . Great amp.... very versatile..... all valve. Unusually it has a 15 inch speaker. Lovely reverb and tremolo. I've had mine for 10+ years. Very reliable.

[@bigjohn75]

Thanks geoff

[@davidgraham2413]

If you meant the Guitar it's his own signature model the Rockingham I have the Blonde one myself sweet

[@bigjohn75]

@@davidgraham2413 thanks 👍

[@billplaney2585]

If Jeff Beck played with this guy, that's good enough for me.

[@flowerdoodle2438]

The 6120 is great but it's a little too country-twang. I like the es295s warmer, woody, cluckiness.

[@jakereed7799]

what kind of peavey is that?

[@toddbronnert5816]

delta blues part of classic series got one they are awesome

[@jakereed7799]

thanks!!

[@stutty1400]

The guitar is a Peavey Rockingham