Revolution Distortion

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 4:18 pm

What distortion effect was used on Revolution? As a follow-up, what distortion pedal nails Revolution for you?

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 4:26 pm

Hey Peter, I believe the amplifier used on Revolution was blown-out... I don't know how to play the song very well, but I believe it's going to be on Beatles To-A-Tee 3, so I'm waiting for that so I can be assured I'll learn it accurately.

grinch · Post by **grinch** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 4:42 pm

If I remember correctly, there's a Capo on I. Then, you just slide from the 5th fret to the 7th on the B and E strings.

chingnchime · Post by **chingnchime** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 4:57 pm

I seem to recall hearing that the guitar went direct through the mixing console and turned up to distort the channel as requested by Lennon. I think the vocal was somewhat distorted, too.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 5:07 pm

Ditto, I heard the guitar went straight through the mixing board, redlining it and EMI brass freaked out.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 5:09 pm

(x2)!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 5:39 pm

My old '84 Rat does a great impersonation.

What guitar did John use, the Casino?

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 5:51 pm

He used his Casino (I've read), though I can't get that sound with mine, and it's even called the "Revolution Casino"!
(actually I haven't tried)

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 6:02 pm

How do you like your Revolution Casino, Jerry? I'd like to get an Elitist or a Lennon Casino in the future.

Hmm, now that I think of it, I do remember someone saying the guitar had gone directly into the mixing board. I'm trying to remember where I heard it was a blown out amp??

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 6:17 pm

I was always under the impression that he went straight into the board...Something about "defeating machines" and "running the gauges into the red".

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 6:25 pm

"Defeating machines"! Sounds admirable!

The people from whom I bought the Casino didn't play it, so I don't play it (well, ok, maybe I put 1/2 an hour on it). It's virtually new.

However, those 30 minutes were pure bliss. A fine guitar.

Stuart, I'd recommend an Elitist, or Lennon model if you want to pay a little more. The Elistists I've played in stores were wonderful.

Oh, after you buy all the Ricks you'll ever need!

mark_barnes · Post by **mark_barnes** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 6:28 pm

I recall hearing that EMI tech-types in those days risked reprimand or worse for "abusing" the equipment in such a way.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 6:35 pm

yeah, and they had to wear white lab coats.

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 9:54 pm

Thanks, Jerry.

I just wish I had the chance to play an Elitist, because I've never seen anything other than a Korean Casino in stores. I think that the Elitists are in short supply, and obviously the Lennon models are very much in short (quasi-non-existant) supply. What a sound though!

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:12 am

Stuart: I've got (3) Korean Casinos (Cherry, Ebony, and Sunburst) and an Elitist Casino (Sunburst with Factory Bigsby). I've also got a Korean Sorrento (Orange with Factory Bigsby). I like the Korean Casinos, but my Elitist is better than any Casino I've ever played (including my '66 that I sold last year). I'm planning to get another Elitist and stop shopping for Casinos. By the way, I've never seen an Elitist in a store.