Axes & Artifacts: Rick Turner Model 1 Lindsey Buckingham Prototype

More Axes & Artifacts: bit.ly/AxesandA...

[@KevyNova]

RIP Rick Turner. I had the pleasure of meeting him a few years ago when he came to perform at an open mic I used to host. Afterward, we talked for hours and he told me all about making that guitar for Lindsey.

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

It’s the perfectly unique guitar for such a unique player as Buckingham.

[@DeadBunny69]

It always kills me how Buckingham is most always left off best guitarist lists.

[@jamesrogers2963]

WITH you on that. He is the reason I do not play with a pic- that and the high cost of pics...

[@tennisbum3686]

Pure jealousy, nuff said.

[@tennisbum3686]

This guy really knows his way around a guitar.

[@izzystradlin7794]

DigitalDream Door and a few website actually listed him on top 100 guitarist

[@RichyRich2213]

Even more amazing to me how few people even know who he is. Even amongst my musician friends I'm utterly confounded that so many are ignorant to how bad ass he is.

[@klausschneider1045]

In "Rolling Stone", Lindsey Buckingham ranked on 100 of 100, 96 (ninety-six) below Keith Richards. This IS underrated, period.

[@nikprior8280]

To be fair - and I agree, he's ridiculously good - but he's not even the best guitarist Fleetwood Mac had

[@johncahill3644]

Personally I’d like to see Keith Richards (with his selective tunings and 5 strings) attempt to play a Lindsey Buckingham song, the way Lindsey plays it. And of course Buckingham is great not just for his guitar work, but his writing, singing and music production. The guy is a genius and an autodidactic polymath (sorry, couldn’t resist the wordplay...but it’s true, can’t even read music, plays guitar like a banjo and yet...).

[@duellingscarguevara]

​@@nikprior8280the guitarist people don't know they know?..(albatross used to play on am a lot )..

[@nikprior8280]

@@duellingscarguevara - yeah, purely my opinion, of course. Again, that's to take absolutely nothing away from Lindsey Buckingham, who is phenomenal

[@duellingscarguevara]

@@nikprior8280 RS best work was kinda Mick Taylor era, imo.. hear some funny stories about keef, re-recording ry cooders playing, (he was in the position to do it, I guess).., as the roadie in Wayne's world said, "keef can not be k..l.ed, w ith conventional weapons"..😄

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

This has to be one of the coolest guitars ever presented on this channel

[@HeartbreakerGuitars]

I think you are spot on Bryan... so cool!!

[@nocturnal7312]

I agree, Cool looking/sounding guitar

[@753Jackson]

An amazing progression of the electric guitar. Such a versatile instrument.

[@bretturner3178]

As Rick's son, when he passed away this last Easter, I've been finding myself watching more and more of these videos. Probably, to get to know him a bit better. I'm blown away by these comments. Thank you all for loving my dad. He was a genius.

[@davidmurphy5647]

@@bretturner3178 genius is an understatement. hang in brother...

[@TheBigwillistyle]

Holy crap! Thanks so much for doing this. I was going through high school when Tango in the Night came out and that guitar was in the videos and I thought "That guitar looks stupid. That doesn't look like a bad ass guitar." But after this demonstration, this totally changed my view on it. It's an engineering piece of art.

[@jcx5659]

Lindsey Buckingham is my favorite guitarist for years now.

[@zodspeed]

I’m convinced that he is the GOAT... not many people can do what he does

[@jaash5]

@@zodspeed hard to be the goat when your not even the best fleetwood mac guitarist

[@zodspeed]

jaash5 Peter green is not even close to Buckingham 😂😂😂

[@Russtyman01]

@@zodspeed lol

[@melissas9245]

@@jaash5i disagree! Lindsey and Peter Green are equally talented guitarists.

[@jsmallsawe]

Man, PG is so lucky to have John on their staff! By far my favorite music demo/interview guy on KZbin.

[@HeartbreakerGuitars]

John is a class act. From the moment we asked if he would review the guitar he was so gracious. Great dude!

[@luminositymusic3810]

jsmallsawe what! Woo!

[@DarrellQualls]

He truly is a prize among musicians and a good man among Humankind. Here's to John!

[@mrshelley87]

He is the best always comes off very genuine and real

[@SeattleScotty]

He's a celebrity in his own right - great knowledge, enthusiasm, and incredibly smart! He is a really great resource for PG without a doubt!

[@wesmatron]

This guy is a legend. Great interviewer, great gear nerd, great presenter, and to top it off a bloody awesome guitar player

[@HeartbreakerGuitars]

John, thanks for the demo. We got goose bumps the moment we opened the case!! Fantastic job!

[@HeartbreakerGuitars]

Joe Bryant it’s been sold.

[@SketchyEggs]

The strap button is there to simulate a lowered stop tail. This was done to increase the tension/feel on the higher strings when bending. Pretty cool idea.

[@MikaelLewisify]

This has long been my all time dream guitar.

[@johncurcio3621]

What a great video to stumble on. Such a great guitar with it's well known history. I'm writing this from our office in Sausalito. We're a mile away from where the closed down Record Plant is located. And as most everyone knows, one of the studio's used for the Rumors album.

[@akwilson1676]

Playing Lindsey's guitar with a pick? Wait, that's illegal.

[@PedrooFerroo]

Ak Wilson AHAHAHAH

[@ThomasWilliamsMusik]

It's worse than that, man. Playing MARK KNOPFLER on Lindsay Buckingham's guitar, with a pick!

[@MariCornell]

Awww come on guys don’t be too PICKY AAAAHAHAHHAHAHA

[@edub1170]

@@MariCornell that was good lol

[@catboyzee]

I had the privilege of meeting Rick Turner at his then-shop in Santa Cruz, Ca many years ago. Very nice, easy going, and knowledgeable gentlemen. TBH I took that meeting for granted, mainly because at the time I really didn't realize how innovative, influential, and respected he was in the music industry. Respect and RIP.

[@offal]

he is the most undderated guitarst ever, truly amazing, i`ve put a lot of people onto his work....

[@jonrichie6110]

That effing underrated word again. How mant times does that get used to describe band's and player's. I've even seen it getting used for describing Steve Vai,Prince and effing Led Zep, ffs. How can someone who is know by the whole world and a band that is a supergroup selling zillion's of records be described using that insipid frigging word undereffingrated. It's a truly offal word, Offal. haha!

[@MikaelLewisify]

How the hell is Buckingham underrated? He’s one of the most respected guitarists of all time from one of the best selling and most successful bands of all time. Lol

[@offal]

@@MikaelLewisify yes and not enough people know that lol

[@MikaelLewisify]

@@offal seriously? FM have sold over 120 million records. Rumours alone has sold over 40 million. Buckingham is a RRHoF inductee and one of Rolling Stones top 100 guitarists of all time. I doubt there’s a single adult on earth that couldn’t hum at least part of Bucks solo on The Chain. Underrated me arse. He’s one of the most loved guitarists in the world. Lol

[@offal]

@@MikaelLewisify yes i`m not dissagreeing with you, his work not only as a guitarist, singer songwriter, but as an arranger producer are flawless, he gilmour and green are my 3 favourite guitarists, but when i say to people lindsey buckingham they tend to say, who? then i explain and they know who he is from fleetwood mac, WE obviously appreciate him big time but i`m talking about people who don`t lol, jeez

[@MirandaDetailing]

Such an iconic Guitar! I remember watching Lindsey rocking out on this thing finger picking and strumming like crazy! Drove me nuts trying to figure out how it sounds like he playing 2 guitars at once! So awesome!

[@waterwoodguitars6871]

Well wasn’t this just awesome! Damn, John. You did justice to playing that beautiful guitar. Always love to listen to you play.

[@michaelthomas4156]

A very special instrument! Would love to get my hands on one of those. Sure to inspire. Lindsey Buckingham a man with a style all his own. Few musicians out there can say that. Love all is work! And his musical taste.

[@HeartbreakerGuitars]

agreed

[@gollumismycopilot]

Great tour, John! Nice playing-- you really show the versatility of that amazing axe. Keep 'em comin'!!

[@cbfields7342]

Great demo of this multi-versatile guitar ,played by the great Lindsey Buckingham.... what an amazing guitar

[@majiclamp4857]

Simply the best blues/ jazz guitar ever! Quality and clarity in one. Amazing! Want one! Worth every penny!

[@charleswagner284]

Hats off to John, for a great demo and some tasty playing. What a cool instrument! Lindsey Buckingham was both an incredible player and a trailblazer.

[@baronvonchickenpants6564]

Sounds fabulous, reminds me of the red special

[@johnhmaloney]

It sounds amazing. I usually don't like active pickups, they just sound processed and sterile to me, but this one doesn't have any trace of that.

[@DMSProduktions]

That's because the pick up ISN'T active! This is more like a bass set up!

[@StevenEveral]

Or it has some sort of voltage mod.

[@DMSProduktions]

I doubt it. Just an active tone circuit.

[@CarlosVargas-cn7rx]

Isn't active... is a passive pickup But with an active tone control...

[@StringDancerCom]

Rick Turner's a friend of mine (straight up), and I still have the very first Renaissance ever made, which he customized for me (GR-ready). So we're sitting around the shop, and I was playing on a Model 1. The hummer can rotate in the faux soundhole, ya know, a few degrees one way or the other. I ask Rick the purpose of the rotating hummer. He says, "Man, it's just a gimmick I dreamed up... but it's a cool gimmick." Genius luthier by any standard.

[@davidallen346]

Lindsey Buckingham love this guitar to death

[@MuscleDad420]

Rotating hummer? I got one of those last night.

[@paulpoche8440]

Jeff Foster good story!

[@EarlofBaltimore]

I was actually going to mention the rotating pup. I wasn't sure if this was a feature of the prototype, but I knew the later iterations had it. The way I heard it, it was for even more tonal flexibility. If you rotate it it either accentuates the bass or treble frequencies depending on the direction. Sort of like EVH having the cocked pup in his Frankenstrat.

[@chillywilly3009]

Cool story, bro

[@Myokobill]

Great job as usual, John! Knowledgable, interesting.... Thanks for doing these reviews and rig rundowns!

[@guitarofdestiny]

Woo hoo! Amazing guitar, and great demo. It's an awesome piece of history for sure

[@nickbohlinger7518]

Extremely entertaining, and informative. I am jealous that you are able to play, touch, exist and engage with that bit of history and iconic talent.

[@kentuckychromedesign]

Awesome run-through. lots of great insight and information and some pretty fantastic, versatile playing. Well done John!

[@harveydean7952]

I remember Grant Lee Philips from Grant Lee Buffalo using one of these as his main axe back in the mid 90's. He used to achieve some really jaw dropping dynamics shifts when he swapped between clean acoustic and dirty electric tones.

[@rhythmace1]

Oh, great knowledge. GLB were awesome.

[@NebulaStudios1]

I have an Alembic. Turner came out of that shop. Very similar construction techniques with amazing tones.

[@GearGasms]

Definitely one of the most unique guitars in rock! Thanks John!

[@spiffywheel]

Sounds incredible! Sick guitar and great playing.

[@andrewbutcher3391]

That's a great guitar and beautifully demonstrated John......I wish I could afford one....😢

[@mattheweastel129]

Such incredible tones and beautiful playing from JB as always

[@paulsimmons5726]

That's a beauty with incredible tone along with some tasty chops! Great video!

[@allen6924]

I always loved that guitars sound and look. It reminds me of Brian Mays guitar. Handmade with incredible tones.

[@howlinwolf9448]

2009-10? NAMM Rick let me play this exact guitar. He did say it was set up for Lindsay. It was a bit on the heavy side. But the frets and neck matched the response of the turning pickup. The ergonomics were the best I’ve ever felt. A beautiful work of art. Bravo RT👍🏽

[@chetspoog5736]

Great video! I've always been fascinated with this guitar. BTW, it is nice to hear someone on KZbin who actually knows how to pronounce "piezo" correctly!

[@gonzogourmet]

Actually it's pronounced pee - ay - zo. At least that is the accepted pronunciation in most dictionaries of this Greek word.

[@carlwilson5339]

Really this is the diverse guitar I NEED

[@ryanmiller9999]

Cool axe.... nice Sultans jam too!

[@donniecastleman5701]

HEY JOHN!!!!! You are kicking butt in nashville, very proud of you, this video is tops too!

[@davidfung7902]

I've had one of the original run (a 1980) since the mid 80's purchased at Leo's Music in Oakland. I'm the original owner. Mine is a 2-pickup model, which has a rotary pickup selector on the upper bout. The piezo wasn't added until much later (maybe 2000?). The other pickup was fixed and just in front of the bridge. I"m surprised that he didn't mention that the neck pickup rotates (the entire "soundhole" plate rotates) - maybe it's fixed on Lindsey's guitar. It makes a huge difference in the sound - when the pickup is rotated it's somewhat acoustic sounding. On a stock Model 1 from back in the day, the output jack was front-facing in one of the filled holes. Not sure what the other hole in the top was. And the metal button on the body underneath the neck is the original (weird) location of the strap button. I also had two of the Model 1 basses from the original run (I understand there were only a dozen or so made), but one was stolen. Amazing instruments, as are the new ones.

[@Maharani1991]

Fascinating. :)

[@faunaflage]

They should pin your comment. Lots of great detail in there.

[@johnmitchelljr]

This is the only "one" guitar I would want to have forever. Thanks for sharing.

[@jbuck8338]

It has been for sale recently

[@joeysaucier1]

I never cared for the looks of this guitar but after this demonstration who cares what it looks like. What an amazing tone machine.

[@sandrosadhukhan]

That's actually a very pleasant looking guitar. Not regular pretty like a Gibson or a fender or even a Gretsch, it's got its own thing, but aesthetically it ticks all the right points.

[@averycrawford8771]

I never liked the look of it either

[@jamesrogers2963]

@@sandrosadhukhan I like its looks...

[@stonehaven2289]

I think it is absolutely beautiful.. the one guitar I have always wanted!

[@bobjones2041]

Rainbow colors is what it needs

Genius......I like that guitar even more now.......Thanks for doing this.... its appreciated

[@truce11]

Great job John. Thanks for Sultan strat demo. Had no idea that one pickup setup could do all those tones.

[@questone2715]

Its actually cool to see this guy play. I have always seen him do the rig rundowns and always wondered. I am sure there are many other vids that (John) plays on but this is the 1st one I have seen. Cool out yo!

[@sartainja]

What a sweet guitar. It is a work of art. No wonder Lindsey used it for so long.

[@docbobster]

I can't tell you how many videos I've seen attempting to impress the viewer with the range of sounds out of one guitar. This blows them all away; it literally sounded like 4 very different guitars.

[@andrewbutcher3391]

That’s a brilliant demonstration of this guitar. Great playing....

[@parkerhatcher224]

Oh damn! I love this! I would love a reissued version of this guitar. Absolutely iconic!

[@robertdiehl1281]

WoW what guitar. The richness of the tones are phenomenal. Ya, certainly would like to play it.

[@jgodin312]

don't forget that you can rotate the pickup!

[@stevieboy444]

Wow!! I nearly missed out on this when I saw the intro pic, thought it probably wasn't my thing. What a wonderful instrument. Should it be taken on by a manufacturer & mass produced? Yep!!

[@HeartbreakerGuitars]

Rick is still building them to this day.

[@YaoEspirito]

If you look up 'Rick Turner Model' guitar, you'll see there are some out there.

[@MrAdamJoel]

Great to actually hear you play John. I have enjoyed watching your rig rundown.

[@chokkan7]

Thanks for both the demo and the explanations. I remember seeing LB playing these on TV in the late '70s, and John Stewart as well, and it seemed a very intriguing design, but I couldn't find out anything about it...

[@unclerudy9797]

I've owned a couple of these... Great guitars and extremely versatile...

[@acousticsong-guitarco964]

Unusual design, but very elegant. Awesome tone and what to say about this skillful demostration

[@buckybeen1]

Excellent demonstration. Dude, you can play! Thanks.

[@veerchasm1]

Excellent guitar playing John

[@henrybadd5866]

A true break through in musical tech. Beautiful piece!

[@RastaSaiyaman]

Turner described the development of this guitar being prompted by the fact that he was urging Lindsey and John McVie to take up Alembic instruments where Turner had a large stake in. McVie eagerly obliged but Lindsey declined because in his opinion the Alembic guitars sounded "Too sterile" and didn't have that power he got from his Les Paul and his souped up Fender strats and teles which had Alembic "Stratoblaster" pre-amps fitted. (To give you an example on just HOW powerful Lindsey liked his sound to be, Turner said that fitting those pre-amps fried Lindsey's Hiwatt stacks on a nightly basis.) Anyway, Lindsey requested a guitar which would have the power of a Les Paul and the Clarity of a Fender and to achieve this Turner looked at a Les Paul Junior since those are well known tone machines and worked out what that guitar had which an Alembic had not. And came to the conclusion that it was the Alembic's "Hippie Sandwich" construction of layered wood which killed the natural harmonics of the instrument. So he made Lindsey a guitar which had a one piece mahogany body, the favored Alembic pre-amp and a pickup in the spot where a Stratocaster's middle pickup would be. Needless to say, he got it right! Because Lindsey told his crew that the Les Pauls and the Fenders could be left at home, the Turner gave him all he needed.

[@mrtyreus0]

Incredible story, how do you know all this? Is there a book I can read?

[@RastaSaiyaman]

It all can be found on Rick Turner's website.

[@FIGGY65]

@@mrtyreus0 Aaannddd.... There is a FANTASTIC YT video around somewhere about the biography of Rick Turner.....I do believe this guitar and its virtues/history are explained in it!

[@HeartbreakerGuitars]

This guitar is now for sale at Heartbreaker Guitars. Also of today, Dec 12 2018 the guitar is available through Heartbreaker Guitars.. Call us for info.

[@etpslick100]

The last time I saw that guitar Frankie Beverly played one way back in the 80’s. Had a nice warm tone. Now I know who designed it.😊

[@TheSourcingSamurai]

John, Demo...nothing but net...description very good. Thank you

[@charlesboyle9223]

Great review/demo of a great guitar by an excellent musician and amenable person. Thanks! I want one now!

[@davidbyerly9846]

I love demos where people can actually play and be versatile. Also, I don't know if this one does but the ones Buckingham uses now allow for the pickup to be easily angled in anyway you want like a tele or strat or even more customed.

[@poppasquat8483]

You don't prefer them to show off the features and then go on to "Now here's a little blues boxing and dad rock soloing with a distortion/overdrive pedal to mask the tone"

[@2121toso]

Fantastic demo and amazing guitar. John is a fantastic player.

[@jorgerodriguez85]

I remember years ago watching a documentary on PBS about this particular guitar being built. Still kinda amused that Buckingham is the only one I've ever seen play this guitar.

[@robertb1610]

Beautiful playing as always!

[@vernonhoover1387]

Great show.very interesting peice.sounds of class!thanks so much.

[@HeartbreakerGuitars]

Got to agree Vernon

[@peterm3964]

I think that is the best guitar review I have seen. Great anecdotes and great playing .

[@chrisbartoloni112]

Love the way it looks and plays

[@dwtn81]

Beautiful sounding guitar! Only other person I’ve seen play that guitar was Frankie Beverly of Maze. I like the demo!

[@LazloRolka]

THE GUITAR IS BEAUTIFUL. BUT JOHN What did you do to get in such amazing shape? Sign me up. You look younger and healthier than ever

[@tungtobak]

He lives on only guitar mojo.

[@acebrockton1828]

What a unique beast! Great menu of sound choices...

[@JdWitr]

That particular guitar is very special 😍

[@Ry666]

interesting to hear how Lindsey's guitar sounds with a pick. Lindsey always plays that guitar fingerstyle / without a pick as far as i know.

[@CarlosVargas-cn7rx]

Not in studio... check songs like "Everywhere"... is weird, but he uses picks sometimes

[@meatwad1]

There's a clip of Fleetwood Mac on Midnight Special in 1976 and he's playing a Strat and using a pick. At one point a cameraman was shooting him from below where the guitar body and Lindsay's hands are in the foreground and close up and you can clearly see a pick.

[@Chuffin_ell]

Yeh, I saw a recording of a live FM show on TV back in like 78 or 79 and LB rocked that guitar so hard I never forgot...

[@chrisorth]

Damn John. Your playing is awesome!!!

[@johnstitt2615]

John....I stole one of your blues turnarounds....it is my repertoire now. 🎸😎

[@emilygraham1153]

John Stitt Well, you share the same name, so fair enough! 😁 Emily Liberty

[@ChristopherRudolph-n9l]

Wow oh awesome guitar 🎸

[@peterk8909]

Saw Buckingham at a San Ash guitar seminar about 25 yrs. ago in Cherry Hill, NJ. Bought the Mesa Boogie he used. That guitar would work well with my amp (I can dream, can't I?). Thanks, great post.

[@iggypower2672]

I want expecting to have the coolest slide guitar demo ever. thank you.

[@FC-cz6zd]

Ya know, I've seen a bunch of your Rig Rundowns but this is the 1st time I've seen you play. Man, you are a fantastic guitarist, that slide work was top shelf! Oh yeah, cool guitar...

[@brentdhedrick]

John, you killed the slide on that jam man.... love it

[@fransb8543]

That is one beautiful guitar. And amazing how versatile the sound ia. Of course, it helps a lot that you obviously know how to play. Great demonstration!

[@wolfie316781]

Awesome run down as always bro. Wow what an awesome axe!!!

[@emilygraham1153]

What a gorgeous guitar - that sound!! Just divine 😁 Emily Liberty

[@chuckduzzie8529]

When this guitar was delivered to Lindsey Buckingham he played it for three hours straight

[@MrPrimitiveman]

Great sound and just a beautiful guitar!

[@colindamo]

Sweet guitar sweet licks! John rips on the GIT!

[@michaelc2528]

I've always thought I would love to own one of these, because it's abilities are obvious when both you and Lindsey play it. When I first saw it when FM were playing a concert, I had to do some digging to find out what is was. Of course, when I saw the priceI I knew it was out of my league! Thanks for the demo John, and your aways awesome playing and back stories!

[@bensonstein3993]

Amazing guitar. Hell yeah!

[@277southtombob]

I spent years looking for something with the warmth of a Les Paul and the clarity of a Strat. I ended up playing a Les Paul Deluxe with mini humbuckers. The minis are really underrated. Next I want a three pickup Tele with minis in the neck and bridge and a Firebird pickup in the middle.

[@thomasrobinson182]

Awesome axe. Love the sound.

[@Mechanicthing]

Stunning guitar

[@willdenham]

Having only seen it in photos, I thought he was playing an electric acoustic onstage till' I actually heard him play and that thing rocks.