Terry Kath's Telecaster

PraiseCaster · October 26th, 2006, 02:02 AM

Does anyone know who has Terry Kath's Tele?

Is it still around?

Anyone else but me think it would make a great Fender Artist Series Guitar?

ChurchPlayer · October 26th, 2006, 07:27 AM

I would imagine it's in the hands of his wife and/or daughter.

Terry was my first guitar hero. Don't know why the others slipped through the cracks. Maybe because I played trumpet in school and was drawn to Chicago?

There are a lot of folks out there that love Terry's playing, but I don't know that it's widespread enough that they'd jump on a signature guitar. It's an odd one besides. Essentially a pickguard-less mongrel w/ PAF neckbucker, a chopped in half Tele bridge front joined to a Strat bridge and a bunch of stickers all over it. Has anyone ever seen the back of that guitar? I've never seen a picture of it with a whammy bar on it so I've been curious as to whether or not the strat bridge was fully functional.

I'd thought about maybe making one myself one day (sans the strat bridge), and I did find a page from a guy who's in the process of doing it himself. I'd want to find some vintage Pignose stickers to use on it (Terry had all he needed, obviously).

http://www.geocities.com/pdga14567/terrykath.html

Dang, the more I think about it the more I wouldn't mind having Fender do something like that. As long as it didn't cost an arm and a leg.

fierce_carrot · October 26th, 2006, 07:38 AM

It's sad to think that probably 90% of guitarists don't have a clue who Terry was or how great a player he was.

Telemarkman · October 26th, 2006, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fierce_carrot

It's sad to think that probably 90% of guitarists don't have a clue who Terry was or how great a player he was.

You're probably right when we speak about today's young players, but I guess most guitarists my age knows him well enough. Great player indeed !

dh · October 26th, 2006, 09:48 AM

A year ago I bought a new turntable. I then went to a used record store to pick up some old gems to drop on it. Found a couple of old Chicago albums in mint condition, stuff I haven't heard in decades. TK's guitar solos were chilling. Now that I could finally afford a good turntable, I got to listen to some of the subtlties... his playing in the background was also excellent.

Clearly, we lost a gret one way too early.

PraiseCaster · October 26th, 2006, 11:49 AM

Yeah, Terry in my opinion, was an unseen giant too many.

He was one of the two guitarists that inspired me to wanna play. That lead from 25 or 6 to 4, still, wow.

51tele · October 26th, 2006, 12:38 PM

I remember years ago when he died----was it russian roulette?--that's what I heard .

PraiseCaster · October 26th, 2006, 12:44 PM

It was stupid. He was at a get together with friends, and he was a gun collector. he started twirling a revolver, then put it too his head and "click". Freaked the other guests out. He laughed and said, hey, its unloaded.

He then started playing with an auto load pistol. Twirled it around, pulled out the clip, put it too his head and bang! He didnt clear the breach.

Stupid.

What a loss, for such a stupid thing. No, I am not commenting on guncontrol, and dont want the thread to go that way. Wont give you my opinions either way on the subject. Just stating what had happened.

ChurchPlayer · October 26th, 2006, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PraiseCaster

That lead from 25 or 6 to 4, still, wow.

It's even funkier on a Telecaster...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0g_Df0j-fw

Gotta love YouTube. Here's some more worth watching...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whE99j-jqto (he even kicks it on a Strat - and was there a better wah player?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kMT4m8QKT4 (on the ever funky Les Paul Recording Model)

loudfast · October 26th, 2006, 03:29 PM

A few years ago there was a mail-order only CD released by the band callled "The Guitar Genius of Terry Kath," where they collected what they felt was the best representation of his playing. It's worth trying to track down...

Bob Mc · October 26th, 2006, 04:57 PM

As kids we were huge CTA fans. I'm hot and cold on brass intruments these days, but man some of those horn parts were just awesome.
RIP TK

ChurchPlayer · October 26th, 2006, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loudfast

A few years ago there was a mail-order only CD released by the band callled "The Guitar Genius of Terry Kath," where they collected what they felt was the best representation of his playing. It's worth trying to track down...

Here you go. And shipping is FREE!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/CHICAGO-presents...QQcmdZViewItem

PraiseCaster · October 26th, 2006, 05:49 PM

Wow. I just cant justify payin out almost 140 bucks for a CD, even that one.

I'd love to hear whats on it though............

PraiseCaster · October 26th, 2006, 05:59 PM

Ya know what? I've always wanted a Fat Tele, so I may just have to save up my nickels and buy another Affinity Butterscotch Tele, and make it a Fat Tele/TK Tribute. It wont be as precise as thisa one guy on the web did ( http://www.geocities.com/pdga14567/terrykath.html ), but I would be happy.

bobbyswamp · October 26th, 2006, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Ya know what? I've always wanted a Fat Tele, so I may just have to save up my nickels and buy another Affinity Butterscotch Tele, and make it a Fat Tele/TK Tribute. It wont be as precise as thisa one guy on the web did ( http://www.geocities.com/pdga14567/terrykath.html ), but I would be happy.

Dude, that is a great idea! I may try that myself...

rmielech · October 27th, 2006, 12:27 AM

Loved Terry's playing, but that is a godawful ugly guitar. He made it sound a lot prettier than it looked.

lewis · October 27th, 2006, 07:43 AM

Quote:

It's even funkier on a Telecaster...

The infamous Caribou studio. I live about an hour away, every once-in-a-while you still hear stories about what went on up there.
What an unpleasant video (being pc), videos of motorcycle riding and fishing during the solos.

ChurchPlayer · October 27th, 2006, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewis

The infamous Caribou studio. I live about an hour away, every once-in-a-while you still hear stories about what went on up there.
What an unpleasant video (being pc), videos of motorcycle riding and fishing during the solos.

I vaguely remember seeing this as a TV special in the 70's before I knew who or what Chicago was. I'm convinced James Guercio didn't know what to do with the band. Were they a rock and soul band, or were they a hip pop band that he could make the darlings of American television? Or were they both? It's typical '70's "music video" with men being men and good looking men strolling with their babe in arm. Makes me naucious too, but if you just let it play without looking at the monitor it'll be OK.

Durtdog · October 27th, 2006, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChurchPlayer

It's typical '70's "music video" with men being men and good looking men strolling with their babe in arm. Makes me naucious too, but if you just let it play without looking at the monitor it'll be OK.

I agree, it's kind of a silly video, made before video became a mainstream diet. But why the "naucious" reaction?

ChurchPlayer · October 27th, 2006, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durtdog

I agree, it's kind of a silly video, made before video became a mainstream diet. But why the "naucious" reaction?

You know, sort of like the feeling you get watching a Carpenters video. Maybe naucious is the wrong word, but when you're listening to great playing all you get to watch is Pete Cetera strolling in the woods with a brunette is soft focus, it makes me sick that they're not showing Terry Kath. Granted most of the world would rather look at the brunette than Terry, but still.

PraiseCaster · October 27th, 2006, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmielech

Loved Terry's playing, but that is a godawful ugly guitar. He made it sound a lot prettier than it looked.

I'm one that loves natural grain shining through the finish. I dont even like quilt tops on my guitars.

But that guitar to me is so cool looking! I guess its just the "mojo" associated with Terry Kath.

e-merlin · October 27th, 2006, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChurchPlayer

I've never seen a picture of it with a whammy bar on it so I've been curious as to whether or not the strat bridge was fully functional.

Take a close look at the pic you posted. I'm pretty sure I can see the trem arm hanging down right where the plug is. There seems to be a line that cuts the sticker above it in half and continues up toward the bridge. Of course, I could be wrong.

ChurchPlayer · October 27th, 2006, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e-merlin

Take a close look at the pic you posted. I'm pretty sure I can see the trem arm hanging down right where the plug is. There seems to be a line that cuts the sticker above it in half and continues up toward the bridge. Of course, I could be wrong.

I believe that's the pickup selector playing tricks with you. He reversed the control plate so the selector is in the rear. I've looked at a bunch of pics and as much video as I can find and have yet to see a trem arm on it.

ChurchPlayer · October 29th, 2006, 03:50 PM

Traded emails with one of the guys who has a clone of Terry's guitar. According to him Terry's daughter has his guitar. He also said he's fairly certain the strat bridge is fixed and not a working whammy.

October 26th, 2006, 02:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
PraiseCaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Whittier, California Posts: 3,905 16 Photos	Terry Kath's Telecaster Does anyone know who has Terry Kath's Tele? Is it still around? Anyone else but me think it would make a great Fender Artist Series Guitar? __________________ Later! PraiseCaster Visit Guitarists Praise and Worship Forum!! Dance Like David, MySpace

October 26th, 2006, 07:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
ChurchPlayer Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 366	I would imagine it's in the hands of his wife and/or daughter. Terry was my first guitar hero. Don't know why the others slipped through the cracks. Maybe because I played trumpet in school and was drawn to Chicago? There are a lot of folks out there that love Terry's playing, but I don't know that it's widespread enough that they'd jump on a signature guitar. It's an odd one besides. Essentially a pickguard-less mongrel w/ PAF neckbucker, a chopped in half Tele bridge front joined to a Strat bridge and a bunch of stickers all over it. Has anyone ever seen the back of that guitar? I've never seen a picture of it with a whammy bar on it so I've been curious as to whether or not the strat bridge was fully functional. I'd thought about maybe making one myself one day (sans the strat bridge), and I did find a page from a guy who's in the process of doing it himself. I'd want to find some vintage Pignose stickers to use on it (Terry had all he needed, obviously). http://www.geocities.com/pdga14567/terrykath.html Dang, the more I think about it the more I wouldn't mind having Fender do something like that. As long as it didn't cost an arm and a leg. __________________ Jake "I tell my kids, 'Daddy's the best guitar player on the block. Always will be. Even if we have to move.'"

October 26th, 2006, 09:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
dh Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phila 'burbs Posts: 178	TK A year ago I bought a new turntable. I then went to a used record store to pick up some old gems to drop on it. Found a couple of old Chicago albums in mint condition, stuff I haven't heard in decades. TK's guitar solos were chilling. Now that I could finally afford a good turntable, I got to listen to some of the subtlties... his playing in the background was also excellent. Clearly, we lost a gret one way too early.

October 26th, 2006, 11:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
PraiseCaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Whittier, California Posts: 3,905 16 Photos	Yeah, Terry in my opinion, was an unseen giant too many. He was one of the two guitarists that inspired me to wanna play. That lead from 25 or 6 to 4, still, wow. __________________ Later! PraiseCaster Visit Guitarists Praise and Worship Forum!! Dance Like David, MySpace

October 26th, 2006, 12:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
PraiseCaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Whittier, California Posts: 3,905 16 Photos	It was stupid. He was at a get together with friends, and he was a gun collector. he started twirling a revolver, then put it too his head and "click". Freaked the other guests out. He laughed and said, hey, its unloaded. He then started playing with an auto load pistol. Twirled it around, pulled out the clip, put it too his head and bang! He didnt clear the breach. Stupid. What a loss, for such a stupid thing. No, I am not commenting on guncontrol, and dont want the thread to go that way. Wont give you my opinions either way on the subject. Just stating what had happened. __________________ Later! PraiseCaster Visit Guitarists Praise and Worship Forum!! Dance Like David, MySpace

October 26th, 2006, 07:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
fierce_carrot Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Iowa Age: 52 Posts: 960	It's sad to think that probably 90% of guitarists don't have a clue who Terry was or how great a player he was.

October 26th, 2006, 12:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
51tele Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: new orleans Posts: 395	I remember years ago when he died----was it russian roulette?--that's what I heard .

October 26th, 2006, 03:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
loudfast TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 65	A few years ago there was a mail-order only CD released by the band callled "The Guitar Genius of Terry Kath," where they collected what they felt was the best representation of his playing. It's worth trying to track down... __________________ Regards, Frank Moriarty Visit my rock and racing writing at: http://home.comcast.net/~loudfast "I want to hear and see everything..." -- Jimi Hendrix

October 26th, 2006, 04:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
Bob Mc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mo'town NJ Posts: 1,513	As kids we were huge CTA fans. I'm hot and cold on brass intruments these days, but man some of those horn parts were just awesome. RIP TK __________________ All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out. Mark Twain

October 26th, 2006, 05:49 PM	#13 (permalink)
PraiseCaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Whittier, California Posts: 3,905 16 Photos	Wow. I just cant justify payin out almost 140 bucks for a CD, even that one. I'd love to hear whats on it though............ __________________ Later! PraiseCaster Visit Guitarists Praise and Worship Forum!! Dance Like David, MySpace

October 26th, 2006, 05:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
PraiseCaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Whittier, California Posts: 3,905 16 Photos	Ya know what? I've always wanted a Fat Tele, so I may just have to save up my nickels and buy another Affinity Butterscotch Tele, and make it a Fat Tele/TK Tribute. It wont be as precise as thisa one guy on the web did ( http://www.geocities.com/pdga14567/terrykath.html ), but I would be happy. __________________ Later! PraiseCaster Visit Guitarists Praise and Worship Forum!! Dance Like David, MySpace

October 27th, 2006, 12:27 AM	#16 (permalink)
rmielech TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Middletown, NJ Posts: 64	Loved Terry's playing, but that is a godawful ugly guitar. He made it sound a lot prettier than it looked.

October 29th, 2006, 03:50 PM	#24 (permalink)
ChurchPlayer Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 366	Traded emails with one of the guys who has a clone of Terry's guitar. According to him Terry's daughter has his guitar. He also said he's fairly certain the strat bridge is fixed and not a working whammy. __________________ Jake "I tell my kids, 'Daddy's the best guitar player on the block. Always will be. Even if we have to move.'"