Tony Iommi on his Jaydee 'Old Boy' Custom guitar

For the fourth heat of Sky Arts’ new series Guitar Star, the hopeful rock guitarists will be mentored by legendary Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi. We spoke to Tony ahead of filming about one of his oldest Jaydee Custom SG guitars, handmade by John Diggins.
You can watch the footage of Tony mentoring the four contestants in the rock episode of Guitar Star on Tuesday 14 July 2015 at 8pm on Sky Arts.

[@Thomcrib]

Always admire a man who has a picture of his dog on his walls.

[@z.s.n.]

I just lost my 17 year old Czech Sheppard 2 days ago.. I have a photo of him when he was in his prime on my wall now.

[@Thomcrib]

@@z.s.n. my condolences, it's heartbreaking losing your dog...

[@Jimmysage3273]

Respect the inspirational guitarist with no fingers

[@z.s.n.]

@@Thomcrib my life will never be the same. Most people don't understand.

[@warshipsatin8764]

@@Thomcrib agreed. dogs arent pets theyre family members

[@shea_o_keith]

When God speaks you listen.

[@normdeplume9806]

Tony Iommi has performed more miracles than God, Jesus and Satan combined.

[@osorissalgado3831]

Metallion 1,968 Nah.He's a God.A guitar (God).I worship him.

[@bewusstsein3527]

Kneel and give your power to him because he is god? Nah..

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

Let me know when that happens ....

[@UNKNOWNe-wm6zl]

God is never gonna speak bc he made us to live not to go into sum sort of cult or church its still good to pray though i pray everynight

[@freds5520]

We need more Tony Iommi and Geezer Buttler interview's! I believe that we are gonna think that we wanted alot more to see of Tony when he aint here anymore. Everything around Black Sabbath is really focused on Ozzy but man... Both Geezer and Tony are gonna be MISSED. Big time.

[@fhdk227]

+Frederik Eilertsen i wish premier guitar do a Rig Rundown with iommi and his tech

[@hieinh]

True Tony and Geezer always have great stories and jokes

[@volvo1354]

don't forget Bill Ward, the most underrated drummer in history. Tony Iommi guitar playing is going nowhere without his fills

[@srtgrayfrance]

Correct. Bill Ward needs more attention, his ability to match the tempo of the song (which often changed several times) and complement the guitar playing surpasses Keith Moon.

[@Head318Hunter]

There's a lot more "Ozzy's" running around in this world than there are "Tony's, Bill's and Geezer's".

[@JoeGuitar]

How many individuals or bands can actually claim to have created a GENRE of music? A genre of music that has blossomed into DOZENS of subgenres ! Tony and Black Sabbath did just that !! I'm getting old.. I started playing guitar in 1981.. my first guitar was a Cherry 1968 Gibson SG which I got because my Hero Tony Iommi played one. I paid $200 for it with the money I earned from my first job. First song I ever learned on that guitar.. Iron Man ! 2nd song was Into the Void off of Master of Reality. I still play guitar almost everyday. My life has been an amazing journey filled with music and guitars and love. Thank you Tony for all the great music and all the fun times I have experienced.

[@cuauhtemocmorisco3493]

Joe awesome story dude.

[@davesaenz3732]

A lot of people went out to buy a guitar to play iron man and war pigs.

[@alejandroruiz289]

Me too...Iron Man was first. But the year was 1989 and the guitar was a Strat. His inspiration crosses generations. My son picked up my Iommi Epiphone just last year to do exactly the same...Iron Man...Iommi's music is an immortall calling.

[@davesaenz3732]

@@alejandroruiz289 I never liked music till I heard ACDC. Later Black Sabbath. NIB got me hooked. Then I heard everything else. I was blown away. 1988 and I'm still trying to figure out Iommis secret.

[@Arc333Angel]

Awesome story Joe! Thanks for sharing!

[@miaouew]

Its been almost 50 years and somehow War Pigs still has the most desolate, scary and evil sounding intro of all time.

[@davesaenz3732]

I am amazed that to this day no one has ever made a more creepy, gloomy, scary, yet beautifully put together piece of art. 🎸

[@theant9821]

I thought Black Sabbath was the evil, desolate and scary sounding intro and it lasts for 4 minutes or so too before the song gets going. I like war pigs but its never been one of my favourites for some reason.

[@sashasavisha146]

The War Pigs intro is something else I agree.

[@UnlinealHand]

Hail Iommi, Prince of Doom.

[@worstcoversontheplaneteart571]

Doom, Heavy, Stoner + the Father of Metal

[@jakemode]

*king

[@yourmomshouse6984]

The most underrated part of Tony is his story of losing his fingertips and customizing his guitar to adapt. The guy made fake fingertips with soda bottles and still fucking killed it in Sabbath

[@kvdtube2798]

One of the greatest guitar players of all time

[@terrypussypower]

Tony must be the most down to Earth rock GOD who has ever existed! I bet he's EXACTLY the same as he was when he started.

[@theant9821]

The brummie accent makes anyone sound down to earth, but i agree, he does come across as just a bloke who likes playing guitars, not one of the most important rock stars ever which he is.

[@ALV-gs1xg]

Been in John's old workshop a couple of times as he made basses for me. Incredible!

[@batphink2655]

This man is responsible for some of the greatest riff in Rock and Metal, Thank you Tony you are a legend!

[@philkearney0577]

And it was an honour to see you play it live Tony something I'll never forget.

[@andymarin6725]

Philip Kearney Same here

[@kaboom6157]

Forever ill regret not seeing them live

[@endezeichengrimm]

Now that is a vintage guitar I would actually value!

[@octobersun221]

I'd be afraid to touch it.

[@jecos1966]

@@octobersun221 I be afraid to look at it I might wear it out

[@michaelhall736]

@@jecos1966 Spinal Tap reference?

[@patrickteto]

Kinda funny how he placed his words as to not say that he didn't want some thief to walk off with it while not saying it out-rite! Tony's a good frigging guy. ;)

[@kevinfitzgerald4561]

Think everyone finished his sentence before he finished his sentence.

[@sergeyv4908]

I am so proud to live in one age with these guys. Living history!

[@tannermarlow6871]

You can see the joy in his face while he talks about that guitar. Iommi is one of my favorite guitarists of all time.

[@jasoncornell1481]

Tony Iommi is my favorite guitar player of all time!

[@norms3913]

Tony had the most intriguing sound to his JD guitar it's hard to duplicate that awesome sound

[@MasterSumai]

That Old Boy guitar is PRICELESS !!

[@iainholmes2735]

Never been a fan of SG type guitars. But on Tony they look and sound perfect.

[@samiam9059]

And what a history that guitar has. :)

[@lehtjug]

That guitar naturally brings a lot of memories. It's not meant to be restored, that patina have a purpose. Value is priceless.

[@akeeperofoddknowledge4956]

The guitar and player that got me interested in music. Heavy metal music!

[@gmanhirt8818]

“It’s been through the mill”

[@steelersnorth2914]

That guitar needs to be in the Hall of Fame

[@Adamjski71]

RIP John Diggins what a legend of a guitar luthier and the bass he made that Mark King of Level 42 bought

[@aidancuddy888]

That white SG in the back there is my favorite one he owns.

[@mikekopmanis2099]

Anyone know the history on the white battered AT in the back? I know he played Dirty Women on it on The End tour, got JD back out too. Awesome player, tone & vibrato.👍

[@Drakon6956]

Tony Iommi on his Jaydee 'Old Boy' Custom guitar is legendary! :) \m/

[@OneTrueVikingbard]

Which guitar will rule the world: Jimmy Page's double-necked SG, or one old boi?

[@CatAttack6471]

One True Vikingbard good question 😂

[@sotis1756]

One Old BOY for sure

[@elsenordelatienda8940]

Old boy :v

[@DarthEcoli]

Sadly, the doubleneck, though it should be the Old boy. Afterall, metal was invented with it.

[@boofert.washington2499]

Page was a riff thief. His guitars should be burned.

[@jamescole3524]

52 and just started playing...getting into tonys stuff and love it...grew up on it now i can play it after air guitaring to it for 40 years...creative genius...love you tony and so does my wife...we both grew up on sabbath ...well we got older anyway...maybe never grew up which actually looks like it sucks anyway

[@iamalpharius9483]

Had no idea that was a JayDee. Diggins is a freaking badass. He made Mark King and Tony Franklin's basses in the 80s. Nice equipper.

[@davesaenz3732]

This interview is part of history. Iommi has been the most important guitar player in my lifetime. More so than EVH and Randy Rhoads. My two other favorites.

[@dougbrowne9890]

My heart will break, when this man passes from this plane of existence to the next. That guitar IS history. It is far too valuable, unfortunately for us, to go on the road any longer. Perhaps it will end up in a museum, so we can enjoy seeing it. More likely it will be sold (hopefully for charity) to a very rich person. Oh well, won't be me. Tony Iommi is the greatest hard rock guitar player....EVER!

[@Simonize41]

I’ve all the time in the world for Tony Iommi. What a thoroughly decent geezer, err, man he is. Happy Birthday Tony! Cheers!

[@flaviobello11]

Man, this is so beautifull, i can understand his love about this guitar. i have a couple of SGs , because i only play guitar because of him. so, for me, this is gold.

[@jerryyeaaah15]

why the heck is Tony Iommi so loveable everytime I see him on video😂 so cheerful and charming of a man

[@Numlocq]

It's weird to think that Toni Iommi own's / plays something other than an SG

[@kristopherdavis5824]

he did use a bc rich iron bird st one point

[@Numlocq]

Kristopher Davis and where did you read that?

[@dominicbottaro]

Ed Gein He also used Stratocasters until in the studio his pickup wasnt working on his Stratocaster so he picked up one of his SG's and loved it, that's why Tony Iommi always uses SG's.

[@MrShadowofthewind]

Dominic Bottaro He has used les paul's and stratocasters on alot of albums, not exclusively sg's.

[@johndrake2729]

MrShadowofthewind What albums did he play Les Pauls on?

[@lucastoritto1133]

I really like the white one in the background

[@aquabot]

My thought, exactly.

[@StMoritzGuitars]

One of the most nicest and down to earth guy you'd ever want to meet. I can say that from experience.

[@fives.]

King Riff's weaponry is some truly invaluble kit, that fucking guitar rack could take somebody's soul

[@iwansetiawan3314]

That dog, Tony & VH pictures on the wall 😍, all hail Tony 🤘

[@Eingelos]

the equipment in this shot outvalues the sum of my entire organs...

[@iggyfritz7150]

Toni has always been my biggest influence playing guitar. For God's sake the Man invented His own Music! NOBODY on this planet can do what Toni does. One of the greatest guitarist ever!! His live solo's just are some of the most blazing amazing guitar work you will ever hear. Much Love and respect. Thank You for all you have done. You and Sabbath will always be the Family i never met. 😄 God bless

[@JamesMoore-un3cu]

Tony and Geezer were who made me want to become a musician. I play bass, but Tony's playing is the most unique out of many, many guitarists that I've heard. As others have said, he single handedly INVENTED a genre. Who else can say that? Black Sabbath's sound has been copied constantly but never duplicated. They used instruments on their albums that no other metal has ever used, before or since. Truly stunning musicians. I only wish I could meet them before they pass on....

[@user-pv6oz9vx9w]

Россия,410040,Саратов,а.я.3092. Филофонист-меломан. ...СПАСИБО Tony Iommy за мистическую тяжёлую гитарную атмосферу в группе BLACK SABBATH ♡!

[@j7cc]

Love Sabbath, Love you Tony. 🤘💀🇬🇧

[@DRCRANKNSTEIN]

very great to hear ans see Tony, and his iconic guitar.

[@isveryniceyes]

I like to imagine the intro to War Pigs is just constantly playing in the background wherever Tony happens to be at the time.

[@GibboEmcee]

Bro lost fingertips and still became one of the best guitarist out there 🔥

[@robertdeleon5889]

Damn right it's a part of history!

[@Is..4110]

He's such a soft spoken man....

[@Hans-PNis]

I love this guy.

[@crazeyjoe]

Mr Iommi knows best! Unfortunately, there have been numerous artists that have had their instruments and amps stolen on the road. The worst of it is when the most revered gear of these artists are gone for good. So it is smart to bring very good quality gear for live shows that are considered replaceable. Just keep the one of a kind, favorite,impossible to replace gear at home and use in the studio or at home!

[@theant9821]

His first SG 'monkey' that did the first 5 albums went missing for 6 months or so, luckily it was found again.

[@kennyrogers3919]

It is definitely a part of history!!!!!

[@sercastamere9853]

Can't wait till we get a custom shop rendition of this someday

[@richardhincemon]

John Diggins custom guitars and John Birch custom guitars Tony Iommi SG

[@Slagdar]

Old Boy, Rory's 1961 Strat, SRV no.1 and Trigger are just chilling to look at. the life those guitars had wasn't an easy one.

[@sebastianfitzptraick7395]

The King of the SG

[@TheRicokilla]

He seems to be the kind of person you’ll be really comfortable talking to with.

[@octobersun221]

Just fucking love this man. Riff God. King of Metal. End of story.

[@jbenedict967]

what a great voice

[@xhannesx8881]

I fkn love tony. Tony and randy rhodes are my top 3 guitarist!!

[@tarektumia3287]

Tony iommi is very gentle man .

[@allendean9807]

As a left handed player, if i go to anyone’s home who has a guitar, 9.995 times out of ten, I’m screwed. At Mr. Iommi’s home, we could have a proper jam!! You sir, are my hero, and a national treasure Let me know when it’s safe to fly out again, and we must hang out!,

[@joefox9765]

Yep. Bows to that guitar

[@RTOneZer0]

I'm ordering a replica of the 'Old Boy' from Jaydee Custom Guitar. It takes 16 months to build one. There are still about 9 months to go. It's a long time but it'll be worthwhile to wait.

[@offbeatbassgear]

And did you receive the Jaydee Custom SG yet?

[@daveh9335]

History goes on

[@hchoe741]

Man loves his sg's

[@sean1121970]

When I was 13 I scored a poster of Tony playing this on the born again tour. I've built two replicas of it with the exact bevel shapes and angles cause every time someone shows a replica it has the gear, the crosses etc. but never the same deep, sharp bevels. That added to the whole evil look of the thing. Jaydees new ones don't seem to have it either.

[@emgex]

This guitar is special becausew its an imporant part of musical history biut it made him a milliionaire aswell..

[@itwontcomeout5678]

I like how they timed his dialogue to match the war pigs intro riff

[@ryanwilliams4223]

For a man who is humble as fuck,its crazy to think he has no idea just how influential Sabbath really were,influenced more bands than Zep/Stones,Metal lives and breaths stronger than ever even today.

[@fostexfan160]

I have a two octave SG built by john diggins when he worked for john birch. Lovely guitar, all maple with a brazilian rosewood fingerboard. I'd buy any guitar made by john diggins!

[@alienautopsy9326]

We need to figure out a way to keep Master Iommi alive forever

[@DavidMorley]

I have an old Jaydee Flying V. Stunning guitars..

[@CatAttack6471]

David Morley did you get it custom ordered? Or did u just find it somewhere online

[@DavidMorley]

CatAttack 6471 I bought it used on ebay quite a few years ago

[@gradypurtilo8863]

I wonder if the picture is one of Tonys past dogs.I had one too my Dad carved an image of his head and his ashes now hang underneath. Great dogs those Rottweilers!

[@tytantyphlosion2910]

I still want to meet Tony iommi. he would be a great advisor on giving advice on staying metal yet staying so damn bluesy....the way I like it

[@leonidastheking7830]

underrated guitar hero

[@marksolarz3756]

Lord of the riffs!

[@user-jq7oq1is3r]

Lord Iommi👑🤘

[@michaelweaver824]

Who the hell hit dislike on this? Seriously?

[@davesaenz3732]

17 Rappers!

[@imransuhaimi3522]

Led Zeppelin fans

[@dolphinboi-playmonsterranc9668]

Old Boy looks sick as all hell. Won't see that in guitars nowadays.

[@patrickteto]

Sure you can.Make one,it's not as hard as you think the older stuff is crazy cheep to purchase.The only difference is it has non of Tony's DNA on it.

[@dolphinboi-playmonsterranc9668]

Patrick Teto That's the problem. I don't have his DNA, and I suck just as bad at craftmanship as any instrument.

[@goncalo6847]

Roses are red Violets are Blue I love Tony Iommi And so do you

[@rjc7289]

It would be awesome if Gibson or Epiphone made a replica of the Jaydee. Their current Iommi model is kick-ass, but this would be even better!

[@shaneshane2896]

His makes me smile

[@RTOneZer0]

I've put an order for an Old Boy SG Standard from Jaydee Custom Guitars. The only problem is they're so busy and it takes 16 months to deliver. But it's well worth the waiting.... I'm counting on the weeks and months for the guitar to show up.

[@miky8788]

History man..

[@anaalmeida5137]

Best riffs, into the void, Master of Reality, 😃

[@ayoutubechannel1499]

i want a replica of that SG with exact same size color smell presence and power

[@rexmasters1541]

Such a humble guy!!! I saw him with Ozzy and without.

[@mrdeanv4414]

I am 10 months in on a Tony Iommi build...the "OLD BOY RELIC"

[@erictoniaschwab1009]

In my book Tony Iommi is up there with Hendrix, Page, Beck and Clapton. Top tier innovator. Everyone from Blackmore, James Hetfield, Dime and all the 21st century metal guys have been influenced by Tony.

[@ziggylayneable]

Generals gathered in their masses Tony iommi's wearing glasses

[@mistersmith3986]

Iommi created Metal Guitar period!

[@rockdogs3972]

I've just arrived at JD guitars in Birmingham to pick up my Les Paul. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@sid35gb]

Toni is a monster guitar player with a hand of doom that has produced some crushingly heavy riffs. But his playing is a bit yin and yang ☯️ because if you listen to tracks like Orchid the guitar playing is absolutely beautiful.

[@lancashirebomber9744]

as far as english guitar riffs go iommi is king.

[@michaelmendillo4614]

You can leave it too me Tony ! I will make sure she stays Safe & Sound ! 😁🖒✌🕆💕

[@VideoNash]

I'll bet the fret board "action" is really Awesome.

[@MrQUASAR90]

respect

[@dentalsurgeon5591]

Guys a fuckin gem