Guitar Question

[mike butcher]

Hello everyone! This has got to be the best Elvis site ever! I have been an Elvis fan my whole life. Never before have I found a sight with so many loyal Elvis fans. Those who create the alternate Cd covers are awesome!! My question today is why did Elvis quit playing black guitars after 1975? If I ever did know why this was, I have forgotten now. Anyone know the answer? Thanks again to everyone who has made my time at this site so enjoyable!

[Lonniebealestreet]

I certainly don't know the answer to that, Mike, but I just wanted to say I am glad that you enjoy this site so much. We do think we have a pretty good thing going here, thanks to all the great Elvis fans who are a part of it.

I really liked that look of the black guitar as well. It seemed a more appropriate look--a bit flashier--for a guy wearing those spectacular jumpsuits and all the jewelry, etc.

By the way, in case you haven't seen this, check it out. Obviously others feel the same way...probably no one more so than our Big Boss Man. (I think you'll see some similar images in that same forum.) Guitar Swap

[rickster]

great question, i dont know why he changed guitars but i can only assume that elvis wanted the best of everything so maybe he changed it for a better model/make. I know that in 1977 he used a martin acoustic and that one of his guitars was owned by paul stanley from kiss, but the reason for the change , i have no idea.

[Captain Elwood David]

EP had long since given away - both - his Black "Kenpo" Gibson Dove (as seen on OT / Aloha, etc.) & the other well-know Black Gibson (again with "Kenpo" decal) he used after that.

In short, EP needed to choose a new "prop" guitar for touring.

I suspect EP just decided & picked a different kind to continue using thereafter.

It's possible that, unless EP specifically told somebody "why" at the time, ................ the reasons for it (if there even were any) may never be known.

- Capt. "EL."

[U.S. Male]

Mike,
You sound like a man that was cut out of my mold, lol

I think everyone here knows how I feel about the Black colored guitars that Elvis used. In my simple opinion, they made him appear sharper and more ready for business as compared to those loud colored versions he used from August 1975 to June 1977.

Now I also am a big fan of the Gibson signature model he used during 1969 and 1970. That too was a very sharp model, and it seamed to go well with the wardrobe he wore during that period. It just seamed to me that the Black guitars (especially the Black Gibson Signature w/ Kenpo patch model) looked better with the later jumpsuits, even though he mainly used it only as a prop.

Also, I always figured that during late 1976 and in to 1977 that he went back to using the Martin brand of guitar was perhaps because he used them earlier in his career and he wanted to just go back to what got him started?

Speaking of Elvis' guitars, have you ever listened closely on any of the bootleg cd's where Elvis played guitar?

Moody Blue & Other Great Performances
Southbound
Goodbye Memphis

At least to my ears his guitar sounded awefully out of tune. I guess since it was primarily a prop he never bothered to tune it?

Fantastic question Mike, and welcome aboard

[Captain Elwood David]

Also, I always figured that during late 1976 and in to 1977 that he went back to using the Martin brand of guitar was perhaps because he used them earlier in his career and he wanted to just go back to what got him started?

Excellent thought, but .............. consider the following:

Speaking of Elvis' guitars, have you ever listened closely on any of the bootleg cd's where Elvis played guitar?

Moody Blue & Other Great Performances
Southbound
Goodbye Memphis

At least to my ears his guitar sounded awefully out of tune. I guess since it was primarily a prop he never bothered to tune it?

EP can also be heard On-Stage asking why nobody tuned his guitar on the FTD "Spring Tours" ............ and later proclaiming ... "I ain't got time to mess with it ..." (ie: tune it).

EP expected others to do that for him; probably, Hodge.

--------------------------

Given the fact that EP didn't give much foresight into the use of his guitar on-stage by 1977, .... I personally think that the choice to use the lighter colored Martins was a haphazard one.


- Capt. "EL."

[EagleUSA]

Excellent thought, but .............. consider the following:

EP expected others to do that for him; probably, Hodge.

- Capt. "EL."

Hodge?!?!? Are you serious?!?!? Hodge tune a guitar??!?! Have you ever heard Hodge?!?!?!? The man was positively tone deaf.

Elvis would have had better success asking Colonel for help tuning his guitar.

[U.S. Male]

Elvis would have had better success asking Colonel for help tuning his guitar.

Does that mean that the colonel would have gotten 50% of the guitar?

[Captain Elwood David]

Hodge?!?!? Are you serious?!?!? Hodge tune a guitar??!?! Have you ever heard Hodge?!?!?!? The man was positively tone deaf.

Elvis would have had better success asking Colonel for help tuning his guitar.

"He said it, not me ....." - EP (to Hodge, when Hodge's 'musical talents" were commented on).

-------------------

As for The Col. --------> He did get 50%, but it would have been a greater 50% on both sides (EP & The Col.) had Parker ever got his way; Parker's way would have been to have only EP up on stage with only his guitar in the 70's.


- Capt. "EL."

[Captain Elwood David]

Mike -

Hang on to your seat, and take a journey to this link:

http://scottymoore.net/epguitars.html

Enjoy! I know I did. It will also put to rest many of the "fuzzy" stories (that I suspected were not quite right all along) with a number of EP's guitars / history.

Knowledgeable collectors will spot a few very i-n-t-e-r-e-s-t-i-n-g details that should clear a few things up.


- Capt. "EL."

[FrankieRider2]

Mike -

Hang on to your seat, and take a journey to this link:

http://scottymoore.net/epguitars.html

Enjoy! I know I did. It will also put to rest many of the "fuzzy" stories (that I suspected were not quite right all along) with a number of EP's guitars / history.

Knowledgeable collectors will spot a few very i-n-t-e-r-e-s-t-i-n-g details that should clear a few things up.


- Capt. "EL."

I have to agree... that was fantastic reading. I was kind of shocked to see my '72 concert recollection posted. But surely there had to be an additional black Dove guitar in the wings, since the MGM cameras rolled the next night again in San Antonio, and Elvis had it on.

But the TTWII Gibson will always be my favorite. Just a really cool looking guitar.... I believe I read one time that the pickguard on that guitar was a custom creation for Elvis, and has never been used on any other Gibson guitar, before or since?

[Captain Elwood David]

Hey "Frankie",

That's pretty cool, ............. you being referenced in the black Kenpo Dove discussion.

If I were you, I'd contact the webmaster of that site, ...... I'm sure he'd love to hear more & can answer your additional questions.

--------------------------------------------------

IMO, the black Gibson Kenpo Dove handed to Mike Harris (the guy, incidently, also has pics. of E handing it to him from the stage) in Asheville - Summer of '75 - is THE same as seen in OT / Aloha / Etc.. (Have also heard "stories" of multiples, but honestly remain unconvinced).

Generally speaking, .......... high-profile / high demand pieces (such as the Black Kenpo Gibsons & others) ............. always ....... have multiple-original shadows floating around out there. Far too convenient, though, in my opinion. Definitely other "stories" for another day.


- Capt. "EL."

[T_J]

Mike -

Hang on to your seat, and take a journey to this link:

http://scottymoore.net/epguitars.html

Enjoy! I know I did. It will also put to rest many of the "fuzzy" stories (that I suspected were not quite right all along) with a number of EP's guitars / history.

Knowledgeable collectors will spot a few very i-n-t-e-r-e-s-t-i-n-g details that should clear a few things up.


- Capt. "EL."

For those that didn't read through that site, an interesting point is that the original 1956 Gibson J200 was refurbished. A lot of people assume that the acoustic guitar Elvis used in the 1968 sit down shows was the Loving You guitar and that the J200 with the flashy scratchplate and 'Elvis Presley' embedded in the neck was a newer version. This version was in fact the same guitar, refurbished. The version used in 1968, which looks identical to the Loving You guitar, was a 1960 J200.