Martin Barre on Jethro Tull and vintage guitars

[@rhmayer1]

Martin Barre's solo on Aqualung is truly one of the greatest rock guitar solos of all time (and should be played with generous volume).

[@Bogie3855]

Martin is by FAR my mostest favorite guitarist. I have seen him play with Ian many times since 1970 and have hours of Tull music on CD. Hearing Ian, Martin and Dave all playing guitar together is unlike any other experience I have ever had. Always a huge delight. Keep on rocking. Thank you for the years of delightful entertainment. My life is richer for it.

[@charris939]

I've always admired Martin, he seems like a lovely genuine guy.

[@rufusdtonebug4049]

What a thoroughly nice bloke.

[@danielfaubert9850]

To my opinion, Martin is one of the most underrated guitarists in the rock industry.

[@gretchenbrice317]

Absolutely, The best lead guitar player I've ever seen, and I've seen most of them!

[@axeman2638]

Oh come on he's not Steve Morse's Or Jeff Beck's little finger.

[@kingconstantinepalaeologue9651]

No one here gives a damn. We love him, for being who he is, and the way he sounds.

[@axeman2638]

Enjoy your echo chamber then Can't even find him mentioned in most of the lists of top 100 players. Do you play yourself then?

[@kingconstantinepalaeologue9651]

Thank you for your kind permission your majesty. So you pick a list, before listening to music? Who makes the list? Royals of your kind?

[@AnchovyRun]

His Aqualung tone is still his best and I'd say it's one of the best tones in all of classic rock!

[@usmcfutball]

Agree 100%.

[@patrickmayersr9623]

Anchovy Run of our lives, can we even say,underrated?wow this is the guitar man.solstce bells,songs from the wood....now with a PRS!

[@DirkJefferson]

Martin got his trademark Tull tone on Aqualung and Benefit (esp. song Teacher) essentially by using a *Hornby Skewes Treble Booster*. These had a single germanium transistor and sold for about $20 back in the day. Many British guitarists used such treble boosters (Rory Gallagher, Brian May, Jimmy Page), but kept it a bit of a secret amongst themselves. Most used the Dallas Rangmaster brand, although Page used a Vox model on the first two Zep albums (Good Times, Bad Times). The term treble booster is somewhat of a misnomer -- it really boosted the upper midrange, giving the guitar a nasally braying sound (which coincidentally complemented Ian Anderson's similar vocal tone on Cross-Eyed Mary.) Vintage treble boosters now cost a fortune, but you can buy good repros by BSM, et al. Enjoy - good luck.

[@markrago7217]

@@DirkJefferson Wasn't Mick Abrahams still guitarist for Tull on Benefit album? I could be wrong.

[@DirkJefferson]

@@markrago7217 - Mick Abrahams was the original guitarist for Jethro Tull, and was on their first album, "This Was". Apparently he held out for the band to stay in a hard blues vein, so he and they parted ways. Tull then acquired *Tony Iommi* (future Black Sabbath guitarist) as their guitarist for about a month! (You can see him play as a member of Jethro Tull in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHaWgpyMfNd3fM0 ) Tony didn't feel it was a good match to be in such a centrally dominated band, so he left Tull, but he carried something essential with him -- Tull's work ethic: he made the future members of Sabbath get up every day at 9:00 AM to rehearse, overriding their protests with, "This is the way they did it in Jethro Tull." Jethro Tull then held another audition for guitarist, which Martin Barre first flubbed, but was given a second chance and won. (Good thing for Tull as he soon gave it their signature guitar sound.) Martin Barre was on all succeeding albums from "Stand Up" on. He starting using his trademark "Hornby-Skewes" trable-booster sound on Tull's third album, "Benefit" (my favorite cut, "Teacher"). That guitar sound is a close analogue of Ian Anderson's voice.

[@DougWJ]

Putting the music and gear aside, what a charming wonderful gentleman.

[@ajciccar3]

Martin Barre is one of the most amazing guitarists to have ever played the instrument. Man, if I could play like that. Damn

[@williamgeorgefraser]

Certainly the most underrated guitarist on the plant. I love that he saved that broken acoustic. Amazing how he has stayed so down-to-earth.

[@bobparsonsartist564]

Tremendously influential guitarist for those of us who followed Tull.

[@ianwilkinson4602]

Such a talented great man, so glad that the original members of Jethro Tull found each other and formed the wonderful band we all know and love.

[@davidfriesen7748]

I love how he is so down to earth.

[@crowhaven200]

One of my very favorite guitarists. And probably the best concert I have ever seen. And I have seen a lot. I Can't remember the year I saw them, 70-71. What a show.

[@doublezero3338]

The Teacher..My God..Locomotive Breath..the guy wrote some great Jamz! EPIC JAMZ ! A genuine craftsman.

[@rdjones97439]

One of my favorite guitarist. I saw Tull on the "Benefit" tour! Incredible.

[@howlindonster6131]

Pure joy he displays as he talks about his treasured instruments .. Brings me joy to hear him talk about em.. I love his work on my favorite lp Stand up and the tune We used to say

[@DirkJefferson]

***Answer to the question most guitarists have had about Tull-tone since 1970 (which was not mentioned in this interview): Q - How on earth did Martin get that trademark Tull sound on the Aqualung and Benefit albums (epitomized by songs like "Teacher" and "Cross Eyed Mary")? A - Martin (and other British guitarists) secretively used rhe ***Hornby-Skewes treble boost*** pedal. (Other British guitarists of the era more commonly used the "Dallas Rangemaster" model). These were $20 germanium transistor units back in the day, which gave an upper-midrange boost, and focused the sound, but most importantly, gave the guitar that *nasal, braying* sound, (i.e. the trademark '70 Tull guitar (and vocal) sound). Other British guitarists using the treble boost pedals were Rory Gallagher, Brian May, and early Page. Vintage Dallas and Hornby Skewes units now sell for a fortune - but you can get good reproductions from BSM. Addendum: Martin used a Les Paul Jr. on Aqualung, and a humbucking-equiped Les Paul on Benefit. When I saw Tull debut "Thick as a Brick" at Cornell in '71 , Martin played a Les Paul through a Hiwatt Stack, using the treble boost pedal. Tip: you can simulate a treble boost pedal with an EQ pedal, arranging the sliders in an inverted V and juicing the gain. Better yet, get a used Vox Valvetronix amp and use the AC30BM ("AC30 Brian May") amp model - gives very credible Tull Aqualung/Benefit tone. Good luck!

[@justgivemethetruth]

That's interesting ... I loved the kind of growly, whining, punchy sound of Tull's guitar solos, but them also such a clean sound too.

[@michaelwertzy9808]

10-Q,Dirk!

[@bluesrocker91]

That's really interesting... You can really hear that pushed upper midrange on those early albums.

[@Greyhound645]

I played the Rhino in their Passion Play video. Dancing in the forest. My first professional acting job. Visible for two seconds. The only was is down after that.

[@tswrench]

You get the feeling that Martin is a wellspring of tone and riffs, and that his creativity will never dry up.

[@ammoalamo6485]

How many musicians would still be down-to-earth even with a wall covered in gold records?

[@frandanco6289]

And 1 Platinum Record !

[@davidweigel2238]

How much fun would it be to sit down and drink a beer and jam with Martin?

[@surfcollector]

The way I see it, when Tull first came on the scene, Martin was another British guy playing blues based rock in the wake of Clapton. What really set him apart was the period starting with Thick As A Brick where he was doing guitar stuff way beyond what most rock fans could comprehend. The guitar parts on TAAB, Passion Play, War Child, etc., are so complex and intricate he just slipped off most peoples radar.

[@yvore1]

I had the pleasure seeing this man play live, an unbelievable experience !! What a great guitarist !!

[@wolfgangmarkusgstrein8522]

The impact of a dominant stage person like Ian Anderson for an extraordinaire guitarist like Martin is enormous, for MB always was way to much ignored as a guitarist.

[@tswrench]

I don't feel that way about Martin at all. The first time I heard Aqualung and Locomotive Breath back in the '70s, I asked, 'who's the guitarist,' and I've never forgotten or overlooked the name of Martin Barre. He's probably better known among guitar players for obvious reasons, but anyone with a working set of ears knows it's Martin's playing that really drives their sound. On the other hand, I can't tell you how many times I've heard people--who should know better--refer to Ian Anderson as Jethro Tull.

[@sansocie]

Martin thank you for all the joy you have given me.

[@arthurtrauer5684]

Ten years ago I was looking at local estate sales online for something to do while I was very sick and poor. I used the key word “guitars”. There was an item referred to as my mother’s parlor guitar. The nice lady said it was very old and a Martin. They wanted $80.00 for it. I was very frustrated as I didn’t have $80.00 at the time. I had the feeling that a vintage Martin acoustic guitar for $80.00 was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Oh well. Such is life. I had a nice collection of guitars at the time and had to sell them off to live until I got my disability. I think the Gibson ES-335 was the greatest loss I’ve had to endure, but I know that little Martin Parlor Guitar would have been a real prize. See, I like to play them and never thought about classic guitars as investments. They’re functional works of art and real tools for creativity. At least my old guitars still exist and are in the hands of people playing them. That’s my comfort.

[@johnwhite7320]

I heard Martin on Tour with Tull in Seattle over 20 years ago. The man is a fantastic guitarist.

[@stewartchristie3408]

Had the pleasure of seeing Martin with his band in Kinross in 2017 . Brilliant show met him beforehand and got a selfie and a signed CD. Lovely guy . Looking forward to seeing him in the future.

[@williamheywood9115]

Martin Barre .Thanks for the Tull memories, bless ya, and have a great Christmas.

[@PlanetRockJesus]

"I didn't actually plug it in until I got back to England." HAHAHAHAHAHA!

[@williamtaylor874]

what a nice man could listen to him talk all day ! seen 3 times with tull .

[@markfaris4735]

Thank you for sharing. A fantastic player for decades, I have been fortunate enough to see Jethro Tull in their prime and latter years. Martin's sound and playing has always been powerful, distinctive, and consistently great!!

[@lorispain1]

What a lovely man and a cracking guitarist!

[@JakeSpeed1000]

Awesome! The guitar solo in Aqualung is one of the all-time greatest.

[@lorispain1]

I agree, incredible solo

[@wheelie63]

what a good guy Martin seems to be .......i really like his demeanor and of course his playing over the years.

[@bcuksts]

I have respected this man's musicianship for decades. He was one of the two rock guitarists that i listened to initially....Martin Barre and Terry Kath.

[@BernieHollandMusic]

Fortunately for us, Martin had the good sense not to shoot himself in the head

[@WV591]

one of the most gifted natural and underrated master guitarist of all time.

[@mayito714]

I saw him twice in the early 70's playing an early vintage Cherry Sunburst Les Paul.

[@starshiptrooper7670]

Saw Tull in 73 and 74, Nashville. Martin very underrated. Ck. out Minstrel in the Gallery. Love Tull.

[@pitteddates]

His Hamer guitars were cool as well

[@PlanetRockJesus]

I played in a band with Paul Hamer!

[@davidt4057]

Wow, the Marshall Studio 15 tucked away in the bottom left corner there. The "Crest of a Knave" amp 😀

[@turlaghdarkstone8824]

David Tomkins Yeah I noticed that too. I have one that I bought in 1985-1986(?) Original owner. Martin Barre is my favorite rock guitarist but I didn't know he used them with Jethro Tull until recently.

[@johngaffigan9568]

Martin played a gig in Virginia a couple years back (at the common room of a racetrack) to an audience of maybe 30 people. He gave a solid 2 hour show and hung out to chat folks up afterwards. Very good dude!

[@paulfuller8985]

I really like Martin Barre , both as a guitarist and as a very nice guy . Anyone who doubts his ability has never heard the album " Stand Up " . My favorite Tull album . Ok , he's not Steve Morse or Jeff Beck , but so what ? He still plays some very nice guitar and has a great sound . I don't know if he ever auditioned for Deep Purple or anyone else , but I am sure he would have been put on the short list for any band that he may have auditioned for .

[@woofiedog7452]

Apparently, Ritchie Blackmore didn't rate Martin Barre as a lead guitarist. He was a huge fan of John Glascock though.

[@ronsmulevici1099]

this entire video is golden; his tone preferences are so right on, neck pickup, top end...bang on!

[@siskokidd]

50 years of electric guitar theory in a 12 minute video.

[@dockjm]

I've seen some iteration of Tull 17 times since 1975. Saw Martin's band in Worcester, Mass., 2 nights ago. Far exceeded expectations. Martin KILLED IT on Minstrel. We met the band after the show.. got a couple pics with my All time fave axe man. Unbelievably nice man. 70 yrs old... looks 50ish. Hands also one of first things I noticed. As an aside, the drummer has to be minimum 6'-8".

[@rudemood9403]

Martin has the telltale "Birmingham" accent - sounds almost exactly like Geezer Butler (interesting in that Martin replaced Tony Iommi after his brief stint in Tull).

[@tyrssen1]

Thank you, Martin! I had the very great pleasure of seeing Jethro Tull at the 3-day Goose Lake rock festival in Michigan. I don't remember a lot about those three days, for some odd reason, but I sure as heck remember Tull. We brought you guys back for about 13 encores, as I recall.

[@dryrubribs]

where's the junior?? -from a recent interview: Speaking of single-coils, you used a 1958 Les Paul Junior on Aqualung. Why that guitar? We did a tour with Mountain. Back then, bands weren't particularly friendly with one another, and Mountain was the first band that we really became friends with. I just loved Leslie West's playing and they truly were a great “feel” band with the way they fed off each other live. He's probably the only guitarist who has influenced me directly. He played a Les Paul Junior, so that's why I bought mine.

[@kennygardner5041]

The man has ALWAYS been about tone!!

[@kevinsturges6957]

In the close ups his hands look amazing. And what a charmed life!

[@josephbefumo5085]

I have been a fan of his since 'Benefit', and had the good fortune to see him at various points in his Tull tenure.

[@patrickmayersr9623]

What a storyteller? 2017 and I just now saw this clip?....😶...so humble most listened to guitarist of my life.....incredible...thank you MR BARR..

[@terrydonegan1622]

It was great meeting him at Sedgemore Services a few years ago. I had a selfie with Martyn and his lovely wife too

[@johnballs729]

Amazing musician.!!! Saw him first in 69 then every years tours until 82,i stop going after Ian start loosing is voice,to painfully sad to see him struggling to sing.. Martin improved is playing at every tours i saw,he was a very hard working musician you could tell,he played better and better every new tours.! Actually Jethro was the best band on stage,superior by far to others.. We can only thank him for giving us a life time of great musics.!

[@stevenvicino8687]

Martin Barre, my third favorite guitar player after Rory Gallagher and Jeff Beck. What an unsung hero.

[@brucemcdonald1114]

Nice choices.

[@davidjperkins1710]

Never knew he was from the West Midlands- by the first minute I knew he was Brum-sounded like my uncles telling me stories as a lad- looked him up and we were within 10 miles of each other in our youths. Very underrated player and a big part of the band

[@Paul-fb1em]

Riveting! One of my guitar heroes. Excellent video! Thanks so much for the production.

[@pskully57]

My first concert. He was iconic.

[@barrycohen311]

Barre Chord was named after him.

[@dennymcfastlane8530]

And the Martin Gee-tar also! haha. Seen Tull many times, especially early on, and Barre was always truly amazing & on my top 5 favorite Guitarists. Also, i think i remember reading that Leslie West told him about buying Guitars from the pawn shops in the USA. That's where Martin picked up that Les Paul Jr. from.

[@frankkolton1780]

The barre for training ballet dancers and the dry cleaning method (Martinize) were also named after him.

[@gitpa1]

One of my fav guitarist.

[@JamesLaFleur]

One of the best guitarists

[@johnconnors1112]

His tone on J Tull. Benefit was Legendary

[@brucemcdonald1114]

Yes Benefit was a beautiful classic album. Maybe my favorite Jethro Tull release.

[@davidpage8154]

Aye. My favorite electric player

[@robertfoster1339]

Brilliant Muscian, l have been playing guitar for about 50 years, wasn’t any internet when I first started. Martin was the biggest influence and inspiration for me as a young man and if I ever get to meet him in person? I’m going to have to apologize for steeling some of his guitar licks

[@maxw-h]

What a tone! Brilliant.

[@doukdouk2550]

Wow that second guitar sounds so good!

[@arniemax1]

yeah, Jethro Tull. early work was more interesting, complex, and killer. Guitar work extraordinaire.

[@markhorton3041]

I could listen to Martin Barre talk about music 24/7.

[@OU8121ST]

Absolutely martin is my favorite

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

I enjoyed this video. It would be great if there was a video where Martin showcased the various guitars (Les Pauls etc) that he played on the individual albums and on specific songs.

[@josephtravers777]

Wonder if he still owns them?

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

I wonder if he still remembers the individual guitars that he recorded those songs with ? Maybe he would need to play the records again in order to refresh his memory because there must have been many different guitars that Martin used throughout his Tull career.

[@jonesy2111]

Way underrated

[@frantisca]

Very nice interview ! I remember Martin during a Tull gig in Paris with a simple Gibson Melody Maker, back in 1972: he already had a very distinctive sound. And following Mick Abrahams wasn't an easy task... !

[@Edward681]

One of the all time greats.

[@bobravenscraft5376]

As someone bored with shred metal. Your ear starts searching for the pentatonic done well Aqualung was waaaay ahead of its time. Want to test it. Be at a party. And watch people reaction when it comes on. The opening riff holds up to anything Now. THAT my friends is how you judge if it stands the test of time almost. Uncanny. Bravissimo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@njuham]

What a thoroughly nice chap, very pleasant character.

[@starwars095]

Hey there: Great stories and tone. My mom turned me on to Jethro Tull many years ago and I think they are cool. They get a bad rap for winning the first metal grammy ,but it's the peopel at the grammy's that vote on that sort of thing that should be taking the heat for that. Thanks and Rock On!!!

[@rareform6747]

Damn this guy has had my imagination for over 40 years . His phrasing and seen Tull Do a Hole Hard Rock Show in a hollow big room in Denver late 90's . Wow!

[@christianboddum8783]

Great stuff, words of experience, and that PRS!! - whew!

[@JamesBond-uz2dm]

That is amazing, there is an old hippie living in Jackson, Mississippi.

[@gregcrabtree5398]

I understand that Martin toured the new Songbirds Guitar Museum at the Chattanooga Choo Choo complex in Chattanooga during his concert visit on March 22, 2017. The Songbird museum features the largest collection of vintage guitars in the world. The Choo Choo is a old train station restored and adapted as a hotel and features vintage train cars and an old locomotive. The Martin Barre Band played in the Revelry Room at the Choo Choo complex. Martin stated, during the show, that he had a heavenly day in Chattanooga, as he was surrounded by the things he loves the most: Guitars & Trains!

[@BernieHollandMusic]

That is why he is held in such high esteam !

[@colinmcquade]

I bought the Telecaster in this video from Martin in 2021. I can't make it sound the way he does but, it really is a special guitar.

[@jacquelineanderson4958]

Love martin, one of the greatest guitarist ever!

[@rickblackers88]

One britsh genius of rock guitar and a nice person!

[@zyzzyvacation]

BARRE - What a perfect name for a guitarist 🤔

[@davelogan9221]

Platinum and Gold..well done Martin..

[@drummerboy1390]

Listening to Martin Barre and thinking his voice sounded familiar, but couldn't figure out who he sounded like. When it came to the Mandolin part he mentioned Dave Pegg. That's who he sounds like. It's uncanny. They're from the same part of the country. Same accent. Great guitar player. Right up there with the very best.

[@TheSterlingSound]

Very nice guy!

[@snowline8935]

That mandolin sounds GREAT!

[@patrickmccutcheon8860]

Listen to those licks he’s playing on the 225T. That’s quintessential Jethro Tull right there.

[@bishlap]

Loved Barre live (1970's) much more than on record...it was as if he saved his talent for the live shows.

[@PlanetRockJesus]

I loved his comments on using pedals. I use about twelve pedals, so I'm a bit embarrassed.

[@bryanmannoia8410]

a true legend. thanks, great video.

[@kudgeond755]

Gibson didn't start making the ES-225T until 1955 so he either remembered wrong or 1952 is a typo. Mine is from '59. Plays great and sounds good plugged or unplugged. I'm sure that's why it spoke to him at Gruhn.

[@lorenzo6mm]

In the British vernacular ( I've lived among them) , Martin Barre is my kind of cunt. His low key delivery, his humour and mannerisms are all how I would conduct myself If I we're a genius level Rock Jazz Fusion lead and rhythm guitar player like Martin Barre. He is extremely insightful. Jethro Tull ......is in my opinion the first and still the best Progressive Rock band (with vocals) of any era. The musicality of Ian Anderson's songs and Martin's guitar playing are off the Richter scale of musical style(s) meets intellectual rocked out ideas. Mr. Barre's ideas of tone and style of play are pretty much identical to my own. He is an excellent rhythm/lead guitarist with strategic use of ultra cool crunched out chords and awesome riffs in between. Just a few minutes of listening to his kak and tone, I find myself immediately wanking energetically along with his riffs. Thank you so much to this poster and Mr. Martin Barre. And, his lovely use of his cool guitars & mandolin !

[@marksolarz3756]

What a legend..........................most Excellant!

[@mikelouthan4175]

I especially like his comments on pedals and pedal boards

[@franklinwilson3783]

I am also a neck pickup guy. I have even gone so far as to mount bridge pickups in the neck position to get rid of the excess bass....as crazy as that sounds it works for me

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

The acoustic guitar at the beginning reminds me of a vintage model that belongs to an old friend; it’s a haldsize Gibson from the WWII era, which he says he just uses for writing. I would think “fat fingers” would be better suited for mandolin playing than guitar playing. I appreciate what Martin says about not liking top end. I like high range myself, but as a Boston, Elton John and Queen fan I appreciate what he says. Could someone identify Martin’s Keyboards for me? The channel may be “Guitarist”, but I’m a synthesizer fanatic.

[@JFK1180]

Wonderful stories. Every guitar has a life of it's own and travels through time like the rest of us. And built from a material that lives and breathes long before it becomes a instrument.

[@roygonzalez4367]

Seen Tull in the early 70's , Sound Great live and on Record , when I first heard their albums , was quite intriguing to hear the blending of Old Time British Menstrial with Rock Music , totally unique and great rocking sound , great band and song writing thanks to Ian's Flute and Barr's Rock Sounding Guitar

[@russellparratt9859]

Agreed! I saw them in Australia when they were touring Thick As A Brick. Between the beginning and ending of that song, they played everything else. A great show.

[@GIBKEL]

In a different world this might have be Tony Iommi telling a similar story. Blew my mind when I heard that story, although brief as it turned out to be. One gig and he shows up to a BBC The Rolling Stones’s Rockn’Roll Circus and runs into Keith Richards and John Lennon. Just fun money and taste of the day. That little 3/4 LG guitar has quite a throaty voice.

[@jeffdell9472]

I saw him play with Tull in the mid-80s. I agree with his philosophy about 'no effects'; one effect on one song and you're married to the bloody thing. I spent most of my life as a player learning to sound like me with no effects, so years later I'm ok with a bit of slap back or echo which can be used on more than one song. The technique in your hands comes first.