Alvin Lee, renowned for his blistering guitar work, especially with Ten Years After, was not only a gifted musician but also a dedicated tinkerer when it came to his guitars. Like many guitarists driven by a quest for unique tone, Lee wasn’t afraid to experiment with his instruments, pushing boundaries to achieve his signature sound. His approach to his Alvin Lee Guitar was hands-on and deeply personal, stemming from a desire to explore the sonic possibilities within his reach.
Lee’s modifications were born from a practical, results-oriented mindset. Early on, with his first Gibson ES-335, he immediately removed the humbucker covers. This seemingly simple act was done to extract “a bit more edge” from the pickups, reflecting his inclination to tweak even classic designs. He further customized his bridge pickup by reversing its orientation, seeking “extra bite” in his tone. This willingness to depart from standard setups highlights his experimental nature and his focus on achieving a specific sonic goal from his Alvin Lee guitar.
The story of Alvin Lee recounting these modifications to Les Paul himself provides an amusing glimpse into the minds of guitar innovators. As Lee described his pickup cover removal and reversal, Les Paul, the pioneer of humbucking pickups designed to eliminate hum through shielding, quipped about the irony. However, Paul, recognizing a kindred spirit, admitted to similar experimentation in his early days. This anecdote underscores a shared experimental drive between guitar legends, each pushing the envelope of guitar technology and sound. Les Paul’s acknowledgment, referencing his own innovative endeavors like crafting an 8-track recorder from a Cadillac flywheel, served as a form of high praise for Lee’s inventive approach to his Alvin Lee guitar.
Further demonstrating his hands-on approach, Lee delved into more complex modifications, such as integrating a Fender Stratocaster pickup into his ES-335. By strategically soldering a Strat pickup to the three-way toggle switch, he could blend the Fender pickup with either or both humbuckers. This sophisticated modification expanded the tonal palette of his Alvin Lee guitar, allowing him to access brighter, single-coil tones in conjunction with the warmer humbucker sounds. He even noted the nuances between different Strat pickups, emphasizing the need to find a “good match” for the humbuckers, showcasing his meticulous approach to tone crafting.
Working on the electronics of an ES-335, a semi-hollow body guitar, is notoriously challenging. Lee humorously likened it to “keyhole surgery,” describing his inventive method of using guitar strings attached to components to maneuver them through the f-holes. This technique, while fraught with the risk of components detaching, demonstrates his resourceful approach to overcoming technical hurdles in his pursuit of guitar modification.
In conclusion, Alvin Lee’s guitar modifications reveal a fascinating aspect of his musicianship. Beyond his celebrated speed and blues-rock style, Lee was an inquisitive and practical innovator. His willingness to experiment, from simple pickup tweaks to complex wiring changes, underscores a deep engagement with his instrument and a relentless pursuit of his ideal guitar sound. This tinkering spirit, evident in his approach to his Alvin Lee guitar, was a crucial element in shaping his distinctive and influential voice in rock music.
